John Cooper (Coop) owner of African Adventures
African Adventures Safari Company
- Located In:
-
Australia
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $206 to $950 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Jan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable and amazing! The trip of a lifetime! Seamlessly executed by John Cooper.
I recently returned from a 30 day safari with John Cooper's African Adventures Safari Company. The experience was everything I had hoped for and more. As a solo female traveller I was eager to fullfill a lifelong ambition to visit Africa, to see the wildlife up close and experience the culture and the scenery ..... but I was unsure how to achieve this. John's Safari Company came highly recommended and I'm so glad I chose to travel with him.
From my arrival in Johannesburg to delivery to the airport at the end of the trip, John was there all the way to ensure a trouble free, seamless execution of all elements of the trip.
The accomodation was excellent. Luxury tented accomodation and private bungalows out in the remote safari camps of the Okavango Delta (Botswana), Hwange National Park and the Matopos Hills (Zimbabwe) and Kruger National Park (South Africa) to name a few provided comfort at the end of each day.....usually with a stunning vista out over the pans where the animals gathered to drink. The staff at these lodges were exceptional! Friendly, helpful and fun, often entertaining us with joyful singing and dancing! The food was excellent and beautifully presented!
Most days there was an early morning and afternoon safari included. It is hard to describe the excitement of being out on the plains (vlei) amongst the myriad of beautiful animals living in their natural environment. We saw lions hunting buffalo, cheetah stalking impala, herds of elephants, wilderbeast, hippos, giraffe, leopard, kudu, waterbuck, eland, warthogs, hyenas, baboons, not to mention the exotic birdlife that abounds ...... all in great number.
The drivers of the safari vehicles were all experts in their field and provided running commentary about the animals and their behaviours which really enhanced the experience. Each afternoon we had drinks out on the vlei at sundown - a truly magical experience.
The safari was interspersed with several days in Victoria Falls and later in the Drakensburg Mountains where we were free to pursue our own activities. John provided excellent advice on where to go, what to see, where to eat and shop etc, often joining and ferrying us to and from these activities. I highly recommend the helicopter flight over Victoria Falls and the evening dinner cruise on the Zambesi River. Others in my group said the jet boat ride to the base of the Falls was a great adventure although I did not do that myself unfortunately.
With John as our driver throughout, we were all constantly entertained and informed by his extensive knowledge of the history, politics, economics and culture of this part of Africa and this provided an invaluable context to everything we were seeing.
I would highly recommend a safari with John Cooper's African Adventures. Excellent value for money and an unforgettable experience.
Email Julie and Nick Hockey | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extrodinary African Adventure !
Nick and I had the privilege of spending August adventuring with John Cooper. We were overwhelmed with John's knowledge and passion for all things Africa !. The itinerary was outstanding and it was seamless travelling throughout South Africa , Zimbabwe and Botswana .Johns expertise and narrative on tour was very unique and memorable. Accommodation and food was fabulous . We highly recommend travelling with John in fact we wouldn't do it again unless it was with African Adventures Safaris Company.
SG
Email Merin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip, great adventure! Efficiently coordinated by Coop.
Logistics between flights, 4WD's, mini buses, and also finding and retrieving lost luggage was all managed well .
Loved the variety of accomodations within various different settings so close to wildlife and waterholes.
Best view from the loo on the Elephant Express. Train was fun for the kids too.
Lunching with the elephants at Camelthorn Lodge and going down into the hide was the closest encounter I've had with an elephant.
The staff had endless smiles every time we returned and welcomed us with warm face washers.
White Water Rafting was a breathtaking experience for my family.
Visiting the school was interesting. The children sure can sing and have great rythm.
Loved the cultural atmosphere around the fire at night.
Highly recommend Coop as your guide on an Awesome African Safari.
US
Email Trevor Carter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
John (Coop) not only brings local knowledge and expertise, he adds a lot of fun to the tour
My young family and I had always wanted to travel to Africa but were daunted by the exercise of planning and choosing the right places to visit, stay, etc. John made the whole trip so simple and enjoyable for us. I am sure the trip would have ben nowhere as fulfilling if we had not had him guiding us every step of the way.
Coop has clearly built long lasting relationships and friendships across Africa, which become of great benefit to you, when you travel with him. We were welcomed like old friends every place we went.
We have travelled the globe extensively, however traveling to Africa is one of the most unique experiences you will ever have. I highly recommend it but it is not your standard holiday. I strongly suggest you enlist the support of someone like Coop to make the experience as amazing as it can be.
Email Rebecca Beardmore | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Coop (John Cooper) is an enthusiastic, warm, friendly tour operator with a 'can-do' attitude!
Hands down the most incredible holiday of my life. If you are wavering about doing a safari for any reason- DON'T! This is a MUST DO! You won't regret it and John Cooper will ensure you don't have to worry about anything other than "What time do you want me here in the morning"! Our trip was planned in honour of my dad's 80th birthday so our party of 17 ranged in age from 5 to well... almost 80! Our 28 day safari was superbly planned to include ample diversity and interests- locations, accommodation, animals, travel options, food. With every new site I thought it couldn't get any better and I was proved wrong at every turn. It was sensational: Safe enough for the littlies' and with enough thrills to keep the teenagers engaged. Whatever your particular interests, Coop will provide. And if you just want to leave your adventure in safe hands and not get involved in the planning at all, then you'll be sure to have a grand time anyway! Loved it, loved it, loved it!
Email Jill Hawkins | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely all we had imagined and more. The most wonderful family reunion, so well managed by Coop
Our 2nd trip to Africa with Coop, was our whole family of 17, ranging from Gran and Gramps to 9 grandkids. Both trips were so well arranged and went ahead without a hitch. We were hesitant because of being just post COVID, but the whole family decided that we have never experienced anything even close to the wonderment and excitement of this trip and can't wait to go again. It was the trip of a lifetime and enthralled all age groups. The accomodation Coop chose for us was perfect and the Host guides and staff at the Lodges were very helpful and attentive. We would happily go again.
Email alan e | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding, exciting, safe, unforgettable - and value for money
I was fortunate to share an African wilderness adventure with John Cooper ('Coop') in 2018. The adventures/wildlife in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe were amazing, one of many highlights being sightings (and photographing) The Big Five. Accommodation and meals, even in remote areas, was outstanding. Another highlight was a unique rail journey on The Elephant Express...amazing! 'Coop' provided an informative, interesting and entertaining commentary on Africa in general, and the wildlife in particular. His passion for the country is evident. Another highlight was meeting famed rhino protector Ian Harmer, and getting up close and personal with three white rhinos in their natural habitat. 'Coop' was with our group throughout the tour, giving advice on where and where not to go, side trips such as helicopter flights over Victoria Falls and walking with the lions, and how and where to buy genuine African souvenirs. Nothing was too much trouble for him, and it was certainly value for money. I am going to put together another African adventure, probably in July 2022 or '23, so I can get that experience again. I will be writing to 'Coop' to put together his 'best of Africa' tour for a limited group.
Email Howard Grant | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Water, Wilderness and Wildlife Safari through Zimbabwe and South Africa visiting heritage sites
John Cooper, the owner operator of African Adventure Safaris prepared an amazing itinerary for our group of six to some different places not generally on the tourist trail but most certainly worthy of a visit. We flew into Harare, Zimbabwe via Johannesburg from Sydney and spent two days recovering from the flight at Wild Geese Lodge. During this time we were able to grasp some of the economic hardship that is Zim at present, yet the spirit of the people we met was one of supreme optimism.
We travelled by road to Lake Kariba and stayed in the new Kariba Safari Lodge. A wonderful place with private amenities, delicious food and friendly staff. Three days on a houseboat allowed us to explore some of the lake which is over 200 kilometres long. The houseboat provided queen bed, A/C and ensuite for each of our party and the off shore excursions allowed us to get close to Hippos, Crocs, Elephants and other wildlife.
We flew in a charter aircraft to Mana Pools Lodge on the Zambezi River. Here Elephants would stroll through the grounds, Hyenas could be heard at night and we met a herd of Elan that actually posed for our photographs rather than run away as they usually do. Waterbuck, Baboon, Buffalo, Crocodile, Kudu and a variety of birds completed the African Cocktail.
A trip to Southern African would not be complete without a visit to Victoria Falls. The Kingdom Hotel is so centrally located and was our base for two nights after we had flown from Mana Pools. There is so much to do in Vic Falls one really needs two full days at least. We chose to Walk with Lions, a Helicopter flight and a walk through Victoria Falls National Park to view the amazing volume of water that the Zambezi River dumps into the gorge. Any spare time was easily consumed shopping in the various markets and stalls.
Hwange National Park, 14,500 square kilometres of untouched countryside is an ideal environment for Elephants, Lions, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Hippo, and Buffalo. We were so fortunate to stay at Bomani Tented Lodge and were taken to the site on a purpose built small train designed specifically for this trip. The "Elephant Express" is a unique experience as is "The Hide" inside the park. The "Elephant Express" crew seemed excited as we pulled up short of our accommodation. We were "detrained" and taken to view the first sighting of a Lioness with 3 week old cubs. Whereas the is such a range of animals in Africa, lions still hold a special place in one's experiences so to view this mother, her cubs and other pride animals on our first day was amazing. Shepherd our driver guide was so attuned to the animals and their surroundings. A nature walk was a special experience and then being in "The Hide" when several herds came down to drink at the waterhole was unforgettable. Virtually standing under Elephants only 7 metres away watching their interactions with one another was special. Having seen a range of animals we were still up for a close encounter with a Lion and on our last morning we located a Jackal that did not run away. Closer inspection lead us to a Lion who had killed a Buffalo the previous night and he was content to guard his kill and ignore us when we were only metres away. Some great photo opportunities.
Amalinda Lodge in the Matopos Hills was our next location. A stunning landscape, supposedly home to Leopards and where we met Ian Harmer a "Rhino Whisperer" who took us for close encounters with endangered White Rhinos.
Our last safari stop was at Camp Shawu in Kruger National Park for three nights and John had "saved the best till last". Here we were able to view ALL of the BIG 5. Whilst Lions are pretty cool, seeing a Leopard is REALLY special. Our game drive that afternoon allowed us to view not one Leopard but two in different areas. Plus earlier that same day we viewed Wild Dog which we had not seen anywhere else.
This was our SECOND trip with John Cooper from African Adventure Safari Company: www.africanadventures.com.au
We were delighted we travelled with John again. Our first experience 5 years ago was great, this time was even better. FIVE STAR!
US
Email Mark | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best most memorable trips of my life, full of fun, adventure, laughs and culture!
I recommend John Cooper to any and all looking to go on an African adventure. With John Cooper it will be on one of the most exciting, memorable experiences you will ever endure. He is fun, professional, organized, intelligent and passionate.
I went on a two week African Safari in June/July with my girlfriend, her mother and brother. We were accompanied by a Australian Mother and daughter on our trip. From the beginning John was advising us on everything from flights, to what injections we should need, to apparel recommendations to what to bring in general months before the trip and was in constant efficient communication. He would update us on the itinerary changes and address any questions we had promptly.
During our two weeks we never had to worry about anything. We traveled from camp to camp and country to country seamlessly. Everywhere we stayed was homey and warm. The lodging was comfortable and within pricing our pricing budget while having an absolutely incredible guides and staff at each stop. The food was magnificent and the guides once again were unreal. Every single day John would talk to us about our day and if he could make anything better. He cares about his brand and ensures that you have the best in every situation.
Not only was he professional but he is a true delight to travel with. He understands the culture and areas. We always felt safe and everything was convenient. In Victoria Falls we went to the market and I was trying to negotiate on a table size chess set I wanted. The maker was asking for about $1600 dollars, John asked he I wanted him to lead the negotiations I said yes. Watching him barter and negotiate while all in good fun was a culture shock, after two days on negotiations I bought the set for $400. He then immediately brought me to the local UPS and made sure it was packaged properly with care.
I can truly say John is passionate about what he does and cares most about his customers experience. I will be going back to Africa in my life and I will be using John Cooper explaining how much adventure and city tours I am looking to do with a budget and letting him plan the entire thing.
Best trip of my life.
Amazing, trip of a lifetime, left me wanting more
I have recently got back from one of John Cooper's photographic safaris. Wow, what an amazing time I had. We only had a small group which is a bonus on such a trip because everyone is trying to get the same vantage point. While on safari drives we were also able to split our group into two which gave us even better photographic opportunities. The accommodation and food were all great and we were able to see 4 of the big 5. We tried hard to see leopards but they just didn't want to be found. John was the ideal guide and knows a lot about the history of Africa and all the places we visited and knew where to take advantage of the best photographic opportunities. I am missing the animals and the entire Africa Adventure and am already saving for my next trip. I can highly recommend John and his African Adventures Safari Company.