Ryan Hilton, Admiral Travel Gallery, Sarasota, Florida
This native Zimbabwean's trips incorporate artistic touches such as sunrise poetry readings and painting sessions at water holes. He says the wildlife sightings, accommodations, and services in Botswana's Okavango Delta and Linyanti regions rival those of South Africa's Kruger National Park, where he used to guide (941-951-1801; ryan@admiraltravel.com; admiraltravel.com).

Mark W. Nolting, Africa Adventure Company, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The author of Africa's Top Wildlife Countries, Nolting specializes in retreats to private game reserves untainted by crowds. A current favorite? Botswana's Mashatu, where a safari costs less than half what it does elsewhere in the country (800-882-9453; safari@africanadventure.com; africanadventure.com).

Generalist: Phoebe Weinberg, Greatways Travel, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Having made 53 trips to Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, Weinberg knows all the ins and outs of the posh lodges and camps—down to their habit of accepting only certain credit cards or cash for incidental charges—and preps her clients with a 75-page customized book containing details on every aspect of their trip, from facts about the animals they'll see to tipping etiquette (313-886-4710; phoebe@greatwaystravel.com; greatwaystravel.com).

West Africa

Will Weber, Journeys International, Ann Arbor, Michigan
A former Peace Corps volunteer, Weber emphasizes nature and cultural encounters, such as visiting Pygmy villages in Cameroon and tracking lowland gorillas in the Central African Republic. In Mali, he's in the know on Bamako's music clubs and desert festivals (800-255-8735; will@journeys-intl.com; journeys-intl.com).

THE AMERICAS

Argentina

Vanessa Guibert Heitner, Limitless Argentina, Buenos Aires
With a Ph.D. in Hispanic literary studies, this Argentine is equally fluent in the country's archaeological past and its cosmopolitan present and has access to artists' studios and private wineries. She can also add a Uruguayan beach or Chilean ski extension to your itinerary (202-536-5812; vanessa@limitlessargentina.com; limitlessargentina.com).

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru

Emmanuel Burgio, Blue Parallel, Potomac, Maryland
Many of Burgio's clients come from his past life as an investment banker, and they're willing to pay top dollar for his white-glove service with authentic touches—like a bossa nova show at your pousada on a private Brazilian island—and a focus on the region's World Heritage Sites (800-256-5307; info@blueparallel.com; blueparallel.com).