Argentina, France, India, Russia, South Africa, & Turkey

Outstanding Tours and Vacations to Other Destinations

We have developed outstanding private tours to these wonderful destinations over the years.  The itineraries, guides, and properties we recommend have taken several years to develop, but are all delightful and very special.

We spend a month or more in these countries most years to insure our travel recommendations are up to date.  We want to make sure that they remain your best travel choices.  With few exceptions, the choice of guides can substantially increase the quality of your in-country experience.  We are always on the lookout for guides that approach their work with a passion that becomes self evident the moment you first meet them.

Argentina: There are many outstanding destinations and worthwhile tour experiences in this delightful country.  Among them stands out the wine & food experience in the Mendoza wine region.  Your knowledgeable guide will share with you more than just the technical aspects of the wines you are drinking.  Their passion is in the drinking, not just the tasting, when paired with great cuisine.

France:  Because of the strong Euro and weak dollar, any destination in Europe has become a real challenge.  France is no exception, but my wife Marie Jean is up to the task.    She spends a month there scoping out the bargains each year. She can even lead the tour, as she is a Francophile and completely fluent in French.  Be sure to check out the French Barge Tours.

India: For those travelers who want to see wild tigers, we have the perfect Indian Safari for you.  We combine two different wildlife reserves that feature excellent accommodations, with a stunning side trip to see the Taj Mahal.  The game viewing is excellent, and the Taj Mahal actually lives up to its hype. India Safari

South Africa: There are three lesser known, but never the less outstanding, game reserves in different parts of South Africa that offer “Big Five” game viewing and offer truly great African Safari experiences.  They are all assessable from either Johannesburg or Cape Town.  In addition, there are non-game touring activities such as the Garden Route.

Russia: While Russia is a huge country, the best attractions are found in only two cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg. This no nonsense vacation offers the very best of what Russia has to offer.  The best museums are in the Kremlin and of course the Hermitage in the beautiful city of St Petersburg, and then the close by Czar Palaces. Russia Itinerary

Turkey:  Unless you have already visited there, and then you already know, this is a real sleeper destination, and should be high on your “Bucket List”.  This is a totally delightful country, and features more Roman ruins than there are in Italy, and more Grecian ruins then can be found in Greece.  It’s pro- American, non-Arab, and completely safe.

Comming Soon: India

African Safari Destinations

Wildlife Safaris and African Safaris and Tours are Our Speciality

Safari destinations in Africa are sometimes far apart.  So, as a general rule of thumb, the shorter the Safari duration the fewer countries you should plan on visiting.  That will allow you to get a real feel for the Safari area or reserve you are visiting. Each country has a different feel when it comes to how their Wildlife Safaris are conducted.  Generally the private reserves allow vehicles to go off road where National Parks tend to limit traffic to the main roads. Also private reserves often offer night drives which can be very exciting, especially if a pride of lion are on a stalk.  All destinations will have excellent game viewing or we wouldn’t recommend them.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the many options.  Based on your wishes we can guide you through the process.  Everything we do is custom but here are some ideas to start with.

•  South Africa – The game viewing is excellent in the Private Reserves we use.  In addition there are easy add-ons such as Cape Town, Rovos Rail, and Victoria Falls.  South African Safaris can be customized to fit any budget.  All year long but best from March-through November. Sample Itineraries: Cape Town & Bush - Three Bush Lodges - Ultimate Luxury Safari
•  Kenya – A Safari to East Africa and the Masai Mara if timed right will put you in the middle of the Great Migration”. This annual event (July-August) showcases thousands of wildebeests and zebra on their annual migration looking for new grass to feed on.  The game viewing is good all year long, and the value season offers great game sightings without the crowds.  Sample Itinerary
• Tanzania Safari - The Serengeti is located in Tanzania and along with Kenya is home to the “Great Migration” during parts of the year (June-July).  Ngorongoro Crater is also a game viewing destination in and of its self.  You can combine Kenya and Tanzania on one safari. Sample Itinerary
•  Zimbabwe Safari - The game viewing in Zimbabwe is excellent; Hwange National Park is second in size to Kruger National Park and home to Africa’s “Big Five”.  The camps are reasonably priced so it is very affordable.  Starting or ending a Safari in Victoria Falls works very well.  April-October is the best time. Sample Itinerary
•  Botswana Safari – Botswana has excellent game viewing in very diverse habitat.  The camps tend to be a little more expensive, and are mostly tented.  Most people who have fallen in love with African Safaris eventually make a safari to Botswana for the experience of the Okavango Delta (April-October). Sample Itinerary
•  Desert Safari – Namibia offers game viewing in the Etosha Pans but the real experience is seeing the  amazing sand dunes and the desert elephants and Oryx that live in that harsh environment. Then there is the breath taking Skeleton Coast Best time is May-August)  Sample Itinerary
• Uganda - Trekking for Gorillas in Uganda is a special and unique Safari experience.  Space or permits are very limited. It can be combined with other East African countries.  Sample Itinerary 

Contact [email protected] (404) 457-6581

Client Testimonials

Satisfied Safari Clients Have Built Our Business

We have built our business by satisfying our customers’ desires to have a hassle free Safaris and genuine good times.  Here’s what some of our recent customers have to say:

No question, the absolute best trip that my wife and I have ever been on.  To my surprise, Africa is a very romantic place in so many ways; excellent food, first class accommodations, amazing views and experiences and all you have to do is enjoy!  I have been using Chuck Larsen to put exotic trips together for me and my businesses for many years, and there is no finer organizer than Chuck and his team.  Make a decision to go and the rest is on him.  I highly recommend Africa and I can’t wait to go back. Tom Morgan; Charlotte, NC

Just talking about it and planning for it cannot touch the sheer amazement of the African experience.  This deep experience, also with the staff will be imprinted on us forever and has changed our lives.  We came home to Africa. It will never leave us wherever we go.  Thank you. Jim & Liz Munson; Atlanta, GA

My wife, Jean, and I booked a trip through Burnt Pine Safari to South Africa.  We initially went to Cape Town and spent three days there and a couple of days in the surrounding wine country.  The whole trip was a resounding success.  We then went to two different “camps” outside Kruger National Park; they were located in roughly opposite corners of the Kruger.  Our pictures will provide a lifetime of memories.  One day, we came upon a beautiful leopard “mom” who was stalking a prey; she looked back at the Land Rover with a pleading expression: “ssshhhh, please be quiet, I’m hunting”.  The animals are accustomed to seeing the vehicles and consider them part of the environment allowing fantastic opportunities to get quite close to many species and thereby providing great photo-ops with even “point and shoot handheld cameras”.  This is truly a trip of a lifetime – you cannot afford to miss the opportunity. Jamie & Jean Jacobs; Lexington, KY

In the process of traveling with Burnt Pine Safaris, wonderful friendships have been established along with unimaginable lifetime experiences which have literally changed my life.  We have enjoyed Jet Boat riding and bungee jumping in Queenstown, NZ; the Rovos Rail from Cape Town to Pretoria in So. Africa; a tent safari in Kenya; the magical history, beauty and romance of Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary and Vienna in Austria; and getting soaked in the majestic Iguaçu Falls in the northern end to freezing at the massive El Calafate glaciers in the southern end of Argentina.  All of these tours have been accompanied with the highest level of accommodations and eating/drinking experiences.  We look forward to each opportunity with the certainty that it will exceed our anticipations.  Our experiences always exceed our expectations.  Thank you, Chuck, for all the detailed planning that you do, and continue to do, for us.  I can’t wait for the next trip whatever that may be and wherever that may take us…... Hal & Lee Lamb, Atlanta, GA

Safari Sample Itinerary

Itineraries are being modified for new camps/lodges and current pricing

A good first Safari experience would be to start your African Safari by visiting Cape Town for three or four nights, and then traveling to bush camps for two - four nights.  Download Sample Itinerary

To cap off the experience, you may then choose to visit Victoria Falls, or maybe end at the Palace at Sun City.  Of course there are many other options such as luxury train trips on Rovos Rail, the tented camps in Botswana, or the magnificent secluded beaches of Mozambique or Mauritius.

Safari & Wildlife Photo Safari Specialists

Useful Companies and Links to Enhance Your Safari

Over the years we have found the listed companies to be reliable and also offer dependable useful products and/or great information and service that can help enhance your Safari travel experience.

For high quality Safari clothing: www.travelsmith.com
For the right electrical plugs for Africa try Magellan’s Travel Supplies: www.magellans.com
For current money exchange rates: www.xe.com
For information on travel medical questions: www.cdc.gov
Destination weather forecasts at Weather Underground: www.wunderground.com
Passport information: www.travel.state.gov/passport