This Tour Is Offered By
Owners Ines & Christopher
Indigo Safaris
- Offices In:
-
United Kingdom
United States
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, APTA, FGASA & DEMA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
-
BW
KM
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Indigo Safaris are experts in bespoke travel in Africa. We know every place we sell, having lived in Southern & Eastern Africa, and having travelled extensively in the countries we promote. With team members in SA, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, the UK, & the USA, we only work with the best, tried and tested local suppliers, and sell at the same rate, or less, as if you contacted them directly. We visit suppliers regularly to maintain delivery standards and find new locations for your adventures.
Reviews148
US
Five-Star Experience Diminished by Interpersonal Deficiencies
We traveled to Dominica with Indigo Safaris in December 2024 to swim with sperm whales, accompanied by Christopher Bartlett, Managing Director of Indigo Safaris. We chose Indigo Safaris over other tour companies based primarily on the lower cost of the trip ($5400 where others ranged from $6500 to $9000 per person), the larger number of days in the water with the whales (six versus five for most of the others), and the smaller group size (six guests, only three in the water at once according to the permit). We also liked the location of the trip, removed from the capital city in a more quiet setting. An added advantage of Indigo Safaris’ offering is the choice of lodging to accommodate a variety of budgets. We chose Jungle Bay, the high-end option and were pleased with the choice. It is a gorgeous hotel, surrounded as the name suggests, by a lush tropical setting – many of the fruits and vegetables offered in the dining room are grown on the property.
Our experience in the water was spectacular. We swam with the whales six out of the six days, and were lucky to have a variety of experiences. Our local guide and the holder of the permit, Izzy Madisetti, is a postgraduate marine biologist who was a former fisheries officer in Dominica and one of only three people officially authorized by the government to guide the sperm whale experiences. Our captain Duggy and his crew maneuvered the boat with expert skill and safety. All of these aspects of the trip deserved a five-star rating in our opinion.
Our interpersonal experience with Indigo Safaris (three stars) contrasted markedly with that of the Dominicans and the whales. Christopher’s participation in the trip is more appropriately characterized as that of a booking agent than any kind of host or guide. He was responsive to inquiries in advance of the trip, though his communication style is curt and short on detail. Some of the trip inclusions (such as an Indigo Safaris agent to meet us at the airport on arrival and photography coaching) were not provided. These omissions would not have warranted a mention had we felt that Christopher actually took an interest in the quality of our experience and that of the other guests. On other guided trips we have taken trip leaders took certain measures to engender a sense of community, such as a welcome dinner, group introduction and overview and engagement with the guests throughout. Christopher mostly kept to himself and told us that he was too busy with work to participate other than the time on the water with the whales. While on the boat he disparaged other tour operators and former clients and issued profanity-laced tirades on his cell phone. He told us that he prefers his own company to that of anyone else and that the main reason he leads the whale trips is that he enjoys them for himself. Unfortunately all of this detracted from the overall experience, which was otherwise fantastic.
Very grateful for them to finding the amazing trip for me
I am very grateful to Shannon for her personalized approach - she found the best matching Namibian tour for me, and I was impressed with the quality of the tour, accommodations and food. The itinerary was perfect. And it must also add that our guide was the most knowledgeable humble amazing person.
Listened to our requirements, tailored a flexible solution to meet our needs & always on hand
Indigo Safaris and Michele Addison delivered the best trip we could have imagined. Namibia was on our bucket list and clearly a step into the unknown. There are many travel companies offering tailored safari packages but from my initial enquiry Michele listened, advised & adjusted the itinerary to meet our needs. Michele then provionally booked all the accommodation and vehicle rental - she was able to send a detailed PDF itinerary with insightful descriptions of key places to visit and accommodation. The plan worked like clockwork - starting and finishing at the same lovely guesthouse in Windhoek which was a nice way to round off the trip! Michele was always on hand via email and WhatsApp with rapid response to enquiries we made whilst travelling around. Namibia is an absolutely lovely country with so much to offer with wonderful people - we believe that Indigo Safaris and Michele's expert knowledge and advice helped maximise our 9 day self drive accommodated trip around the country.
DE
Wonderful trip , superbly organised
I am back in Europe , Thanks for organising a great safari for me. Everything worked perfectly and i saw many amazing landscapes and animals
I am impressed as to how smoothly everything worked out
Thank you Matthew at Indigo
Safari was efficiently and professionally organised without issues.
Indigo Safaris acted as agent for Chameleon Safaris in Namibia and Bushways Safari in Botswana. Both Safaris were fantastic and represented true value for money. Communication was excellent with Indigo and the comprehensive itinerary provided by them was excellent. Both Safaris were camping, with Botswana only having bush ablutions. The food on both was really good camp food well prepared and plentiful. The guides were incredible insofar as their knowledge and spotting abilities. All equipment was clean and functional.
