The Tailormade Africa team - Cape of Good Hope SA
Tailormade Africa
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2015)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, SATOA, ATOL & Fair Trade Tourism
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $129 to $1,935 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Lynne Shields | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
No detail left unsorted
I’ve recently returned from a 5 week trip around Namibia and South Africa. I gave Clyde quite a project as I wanted to experience the best of both of these countries in what was really quite a short time. Clyde prepared a wonderful itinerary covering the best of both countries in a whistle stop tour and he accomplished the complicated logistics (travel by air and train, luxurious accommodation and even COVID testing) so that we were able to travel without a care in the world. He kept in touch with us and our destination properties to ensure we arrived everywhere safely and I don’t believe he was able to sleep until we had arrived at each destination where a warm welcome was always guaranteed. Tailormade Africa is absolutely the right name for this company - we never felt we were on anything like a package holiday and we felt so privileged to travel this way. I have recommended them to everyone I met on my trip and I know that I can trust them to do an excellent job wherever one wishes to travel in Africa.
Email Michael and Christine UK | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Tailormade Africa provides magic - sit back and relax
We have had the pleasure of another trip organised by Clyde. There is never any reduction in the level of attention and expertise when the itinerary is put together which is followed by the supervision when you are actually on the trip. So again we rate highly Tailormade Africa – and their approach during the Covid-19 period was appreciated. This is never cheap and nasty but value for money and expertly suggested. Whilst we had luck on our side, our safari was brilliant, travel was not complicated and Clyde was always there in the background.
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Email Nerissa & Russell | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Impeccable service and planning!! Rwanda & Tanzania
Rob Morley and team at Tailormade Africa were fantastic to work with from start to finish! I vetted multiple safari travel agents and knew that when I spoke to Rob I had found the right one. Rob asked all the right questions to really get a true sense of the trip we wanted to take and then made great suggestions as to where we should consider going. Once we landed on the countries, he again provided detailed overviews of potential itineraries - what I really appreciated was that he gave us options but did not overwhelm with too many options while at the same time provided insights into compare/contrast of different areas and camps we would choose from. Having lived in Tanzania and traveled extensively in Africa, he could really give us a true sense of the experiences we would have in each place. He really made the planning process enjoyable and once we arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, everything was fabulous from start of trip until the end. Covid testing was arranged and never an issue - our local guides were knowledgeable about the testing and whether it required PCR or rapid antigen; guides brought the physician to do the testing and/or we went to local clinics at the/near the airport. The local guides became friends - they are highly knowledgeable about their countries, the history, the geography and really made every day wonderful. If ever we had a question or request, we felt very comfortable asking and received the highest level of service in a friendly manner. Rob was also available on WhatsApp for questions or concerns (although we did not have a single concern while there - the ability to clarify a travel arrangement or question through this communication method was an added sense of security throughout!). The camps - WOW!!! Singita Lodge in Volcanoes Natl Park, Nwungye House, Namiri Plains in Serengeti and The Highlands in Ngorongoro Crater area - all were very different and wonderful - the staff, the food, the camp guides - everyone was so welcoming and again, knowledgeable - from wait staff who could identify every bird we asked about to chefs who provided us recipes for food we enjoyed. We really cannot say enough wonderful things about Tailormade Africa, Rob and all of the local teams that took such great care of us throughout the trip. We said this was a "once in a lifetime" trip but we are already discussing when and where to go next in Africa!! (and when we do it will be with Tailormade!)
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Email Baiba | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top class concierge travel facilitators!
I worked with Clyde. I could not have asked for a better service. Besides making a fantastic safari itinerary, he made sure our trip was flawless in real time. He was our guardian travel angel always looking over us!
We did not book our airline tickets from the USA to Zimbabwe through Tailormade but Clyde was there to solve our problems real time. Our departing fright was canceled and the airline said that the best they can do is rebook us for the next day. I texted Clyde that unfortunately we would be a day late. Within five minutes he sent us an alternative rout that the airline could rebook us on. I showed the flight proposal to the airline desk and sure enough they could rebook us without any delays. Clyde had made sure we had a person greet us at the plane upon arrival in Johannesburg. Very professional service! The concierge walked us through the airport & immigration in a breeze. Clyde must have been checking all arrivals and departures. We received a welcome text upon every landing and well wishes with every takeoff.
Our experience in the safari camps was fantastic. Clyde had chosen the best fit for us. And thank you for the personalized notes in each camp!
I would highly recommend Tailormade Africa and Clyde specifically! We didn't have a single thing to worry about and felt pampered!
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Email Jason Marks | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They live up to their name!
Clyde at Tailormade Africa put together a wonderful custom trip to Zambia and Botswana for us six friends, three couples each with different prior experiences in the region and different priorities. And he did it in a hurry when our other plans fell through due to a destination not reopening in time. There was a significant amount of time invested talking to us all over the phone and on Zoom to find what would work or everyone, and that paid off with a journey that we all enjoyed and got a lot out of. We could tell as we travelled that the camps and lodges had been chosen for variety of wildlife experiences and and to give us a mix of adventure and comfort during a hot-season trip (and hot it was). Good safari experiences are not cheap, but Clyde was able to take advantage of some price breaks to put together something affordable for us.
Having the electronic itinerary and daily info in a downloaded app format was great -- we could consult it even when we did not have signal or wifi, and without printing out an carrying around a lot of paper.
All Tailormade's arrangements went off without a hitch, and in the one instance of a serious problem -- a cancelled int'l flight -- it was Clyde who alerted us first by text (before the airline did) so we could rebook immediately after we got off the previous flight. Without that early warning, we might well have missed out on the replacement flight and gotten stuck in transit for who knows how long.
Covid testing for transit between countries and for our return was not a problem -- folks on the ground have developed systems for getting the necessary tests done and timely results into travelers' hands, even if that involves having a nurse fly out to the bush to take your swabs. The US recently tightened the test horizon to one day before departure, but I would bet they will adjust and find a way of getting that done too.
We have another trip planned with Tailormade Africa already, and can't help thinking about further adventures for the future.
Email Tanya von Moser | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Clyde Beaty, the PA's Safari Best Friend
I did not go on Safari, but had to book it for my boss. I am a PA and I literally had to plan, what is a once in a life time trip for most, in 3 weeks, Without Clyde, I would not have managed it. Clyde literally held my hand, from the moment I picked up the phone. Flights were booked, itineraries set then changed (my doing) several times, mass migration established, and half term avoided, and this was down to Clyde, who throughout the booking, remained calm and literally available at any time! Tailormade Africa is literally tailor made, nothing is travel agency formula and Clyde goes into every detail / scenario possible and asks lots of questions, so the itinerary is very specialised. The best part for any PA, Clyde is on call from the moment your boss depart's, by setting up a what's ap group and literally takes over the reigns, so you don't have to worry. Clyde helped me with visas, navigating time zones and if the PCR test certificate would actually work, to actually setting up PCR tests in the most random of places, plus much more. He also had some-one on the ground every step of the way, who reported into Clyde - Clyde did not switch off, once, not quite sure how he did it and sent me regular updates. I will be forever grateful to Clyde and all he did and urge any busy PA out there to use Tailor Made, they are quite simple the PAs Safari BFF! Clyde put together the most amazing itinerary, and yes, my boss had the most marvellous and wonderful time and I had a very peaceful 10 days!
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Email Rosemary Heil | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tailormade has an incredibly deep understanding of travel in Africa.
Tailormade has put together 3 trips to Africa for myself and my husband. Areas covered have been Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, and Ethiopia. For each trip we have worked with Clyde Beaty, the founder or Tailormade, and he has provided us just the kind of trip we wanted. Having been a safari guide in Africa himself, he has a very deep knowledge of the country and the travel resources that are available. In every case we have had the type of accommodation we wanted, whether it was mobil camping or a luxury lodge. The in country guides he has provided have been absolutely the best. In addition to that, Clyde is always available in case there is anything unexpected that comes up during the trip. I mean it...really, he is just a phone call away to straighten out whatever you need help with. I can't say enough about the service and the product.
We returned from our most recent trip in November of 2021....In other words, we booked this trip and completed this trip during the Covid Crisis and it was one of the best decisions we have made travel wise. Our trip to Madagascar was postponed twice because the country is not open for international travel, so Clyde suggested we go to Zambia and Botswana who were open and safe to travel. In fact, I felt safer than at home. Absolutely all the staff and all the guests at the lodges were fully vaccinated. The guides were all fully vaccinated. Aside from the time spent in our individual rooms, all the meals and all the safaris are outside. We couldn't have been safer and the additional upside is, aside from the wildlife, Africa is currently uncrowded. We will never see Africa like this again. It was a unique opportunity. I know people are hesitant to travel because of the Covid testing that needs to occur between countries and when one returns home. Clyde arranged all of that. Everybody arrived on time to administer our test in a way that did not interfere with our travels and the results were all delivered even earlier than promised. Really, I mean these folks even met us out on a game run one time to administer the test! Clyde monitored all of this from afar and made sure that everything went smoothly.
If you are ever thinking of going to Africa, Clyde is the person to book your trip and now is the time to go.
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Email George | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Now is really the time to go to Africa. Frankly safer there than in the USA
We traveled with apprehension about Covid and the testing,... I have never traveled with such support. Tailormade Africa knew first hand all of the lodges/camps, their high points and their issues. Each time we changed venue, by car or by plane, Tailormade checked in to make sure everything went smoothly. And once or twice there were minor glitches, and Tailormade was right there to iron out the difficulty.
The trip was just fantastic. Sadly there are few tourists currently in Africa. We enjoyed two PRIVATE mountain gorilla tours, because no one else was there. And in November the bamboo shoots come out. But they only grow at lower altitudes, and the gorillas love them. So we had very short easy hikes to see them. Truly a once in a life time experience. And we stayed at the most amazing accomadation- The Bishops House. They had gaiters for us, meticulously cleaned our very muddy boots, supplied a washable backpack, so ours didn't get dirty. Great gym. Fabulous Food.
Next, on to Zambia. Three different lodges-each very different and very complimentary. Different game sightings but very complimentary. Again in November the rains have not started, but it is the end of the dry season. All of the game has to come down to the rivers to drink. Great for the carnivores, since the ungulates are more concentrated. So we saw no end of lions and leopards daily, sometimes twice a day. We saw wild dogs, porcupines, bush pigs: some of which the guides had hardly ever seen. Night drives with owls, pennant winged night jars (look it up-it's amazing), as well as the more usual mongoose, civets and so forth.
Finally 11 days in Botswana. A week in a mobile camp that was really fun actually and 3 mights in a swank lodge in the Okavango Delta as a finale! More lions and more leopards, fabulous large bird viewing: eagles, cranes, storks, pelicans as well as their rookery.
And the Covid testing is so well organized. I am back home waiting on my final PCR test from Kaiser Permanente, slower than getting results in these poor African countries (but they badly need our tourist revenue so they have really figured it out). And you always have your private hut, you eat outside, and drive around in an open vehicle.
I have hardly traveled in the USA since Covid started, but I felt very safe on safari. And Tailormade was right their supporting me if we had problems. But really they had arranged a very delightful and easy secure trip.
You should all book a trip to see the gorillas with them in October/November and stay at Bishop's house.
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Email David Serna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
AMAZING EXPERIENCE AT ZIMBABWE! CLYDE AND HIS TEAM AT TAYLORMADE AFRICA ORGANIZED A FANTASTIC TRIP!
Our 3 Safaris at Zimbabwe exceeded our expectations in every level!
Clyde helped us (3 couples) organize the most amazing trip ever! Logistics were right on point, specially considering covid made it much more complicated. He always checked in during the trip in case there was something he could do for us.
The lodges were pure luxury and the service from the staff was unbelievable! The Game we got to see was abundant. We saw all of the Big Five... Lions feasting on their prey several times, even while doing a walking safari!
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Email Caitilynn and Jack | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Clyde the 'Travel Fairy' planned and executed the honeymoon of a lifetime!
There aren't enough stars to accurately rate our experience working with Clyde and Tailormade. We came to Clyde from a friend's recommendation a month before our wedding wanting to leave for our honeymoon immediately after, in the middle of a home remodel and working full-time. We knew we wanted to go on a Safari, but had never been before, and didn't have the time to research where to go. Clyde not only planned the most magical trip to the most amazing places we could have imagined, he also made sure the entire trip was seamless. So much so we began fondly referring to him as the 'Travel Fairy' with all the small surprises along the way. Friendly greeters met us when we needed transport to and from different locations, all the COVID tests we needed to get in an out of Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa were all pre-arranged - we didn't have to figure anything out ourselves. Not our normal way of traveling, but it was so nice not to be stressed on our honeymoon.
We had an issue with one of the airlines cancelling our flight while we were en route and Clyde sent someone to meet us in Johannesburg to escort us through the airport, through customs, and the airline's customer service to book us on another flight the same day. When I say the trip was seamless - it was truly seamless even in the middle of a pandemic. The Wilderness camps he sent us to were spectacular - the people and staff were wonderful and we saw the most incredible things. Leopards, lions, wild dogs, elephants, hippos, giraffe, buffalo, all kinds of antelope, and so many more incredible animals. If you are on the fence about traveling to Africa during COVID, book with Clyde and he will take care of everything for you. We will recommend Clyde and Tailormade to all of our friends and family.