The Wild Spine of Africa
A Signature Safari Through the Continent’s Last Great Frontiers
L to R: Forest elephants making the most of a messy afternoon in Sangha Baï, Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve; Golden hour in Zakouma National Park
L to R: A western lowland gorilla’s midday snack, taken in Odzala-Kokoua National Park; the only type of traffic you’ll see in the Ennedi Massif
Quotes
“Through travel, we experience the unfamiliar. We remember to trust our instincts. And few things are more exhilarating than the thrill of setting off on an adventure.
True travel is an opportunity to learn. Journeys into the natural world can be both educational and playful, offering perspective without losing wonder.
From the jungles of Central Africa and the Congo Basin to classic, game-rich plains and deep into the Sahara, this is a journey of note. While it nods to a bygone age of exploration, this meticulously planned, expertly led safari looks firmly toward a conservation-driven future.
Trusted travel, grounded in purpose and guided with freedom, has the power to transform. It remains one of life’s greatest adventures.”
— Sandor Carter
“I’ve always believed the wild has more to teach us than any classroom ever could. When you spend enough time in these places—moving slowly, listening deeply—you start to notice the subtleties: the shift in light, the hush before a sound, the way animals behave when you give them space.
This journey isn’t about covering ground—it’s about peeling it back. It’s about presence, attention, and allowing the natural world to unfold on its own terms. That, to me, is where the real magic lies.”
— Michael Lorentz
The Ideal Traveler
This is a journey for the modern explorer—for those who seek more than sights and
snapshots. It’s for travelers who value depth over pace, who are drawn to wild, remote places and the stories they hold. Curious, open-minded, and quietly adventurous, they’re not afraid to step off the map or lean into the unknown.
This is travel at its most intentional—highly curated, deeply immersive, and by its nature, rare. It’s for those who understand that true luxury lies in access, insight, and the freedom to engage fully with the world—one extraordinary place at a time.
Accolades
Lorentz has been featured on Travel + Leisure’s A-List of Top Travel Advisors and Condé Nast Traveler’s list of Top Travel Specialists. He has collaborated with leading conservation organizations including African Parks, Big Life Foundation, the Ellen Fund, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and Natural Capital. He also helped establish the Safarious Fund, which directs 2% of every trip booked through Safarious toward conservation and community development initiatives across Africa.
Carter is widely regarded within the industry as a go-to specialist for complex, conservation-focused expeditions across Africa. He has consulted on high-level projects, advised on itinerary design for leading safari operators, and played a key role in pioneering access to some of the continent’s most remote and fragile ecosystems. His work has included close collaboration with organisations such as Tsavo Trust, Suyian Trust, and Wild Entrust, helping to connect travelers with the people and places at the forefront of conservation.
Private Safari Pricing
This highly curated journey starts at USD$500,000 for up to six guests.
For more information or to book, please contact:
Michael Lorentz
E: michael@safarious.com | safarious.com | Instagram: @mlorentz23
Michael Lorentz Bio: https://safarious.com/michael-lorentz
Sandor Carter
E: safari@sandorcarter.com | sandorcarter.com | Instagram: @sandorcarter
Media Contact:
SDA International
Cassie Kim
cassie@sheiladonnelly.com
October 22, 2025—The Wild Spine of Africa is a 14-night expedition led by Michael Lorentz and Sandor Carter, two of Africa’s most respected private guides. This is no ordinary safari. It’s a rare journey through some of the continent’s most remote and breathtaking landscapes—places few travelers have reached, and even fewer truly understand.
Beginning in Brazzaville and ending in the Sahara, the route winds through the rainforests of Odzala, the elephant-filled bais of Dzanga-Sangha, the game-rich floodplains of Zakouma, and the towering sandstone formations of the Ennedi Massif. You’ll travel by plane, 4x4, and on foot—moving with the land, not just across it.
At its heart, this journey is about adventure, exploration, and conservation. Along the way, you’ll meet the people working to protect these wild places—from pangolin rehabilitation and anti-poaching units to rewilding efforts and species recovery programs. This is purposeful travel, guided by those who’ve dedicated their lives to the wild.
This isn’t about ticking boxes or chasing sightings. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and letting Africa reveal itself—one story, one encounter, one wild place at a time.
About the Guides
Michael Lorentz has spent nearly four decades guiding across Africa—from the savannahs of South Africa to the rainforests of the Congo Basin. A trained naturalist and lifelong student of animal behavior, he’s known for his calm presence, sharp instincts, and deep reverence for the wild.
Sandor Carter began his career in the British Army, but it was the African wilderness that truly called him. Over the past 25 years, he has guided in more than 25 countries, designing safaris that are immersive, thoughtful, and beautifully paced. Sandor is admired for his logistical intuition, strong local relationships, and guest-centered approach.
Together, Lorentz and Carter bring over 70 years of combined experience. But more importantly, they share a philosophy: that guiding isn’t about leading from the front—it’s about walking beside you, helping you tune in to the rhythm of the land.
The Wild Spine of Africa is their signature expedition. It’s designed for travelers seeking more than the obvious—those in search of context, connection, and a story that stays with them long after the journey ends.
