Luke & Suzanne, Directors of Vayeni, in Hwange
Vayeni
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, ZTA, SATIB, ZTOA & We Are Africa
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $2,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Megan Gardner | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
100% Top quality service
Our group of four visited Zimbabwe in September 2016 with the help of Suzanne at Vayeni. Suzanne was a pleasure to deal with, helping me tailor make our holiday to our standards and most importantly our budget. Many emails were sent back and forth until we were satisfied, all emails answered promptly.All of our accomodations she recommended exceeded our expectations and were simply wonderful. We were met at the airport on arrival and whisked away to Lokuthula Lodge, a gorgeous lodge on the outskirts of town. Everything she promised was delivered, all our transfers, sunset river cruise ( a must) all our meals and all our accommodation. We also went to Hwange and stayed in Miombo Lodge for 4 nights where me and my husband were given the honeymoon suite! The lodge and park were teeming with animals, and the lodge and staff were fantastic. After that we went over the border to Zambia with the help of our driver and delivered to Maramba River Lodge which was a quaint lodge with great pool and bar area. Everything was made so easy for us.
One thing that can be daunting and scary is transferring money to a stranger on the other side of the world, well I can assure you, you can trust Suzanne and Vayeni 100% and you will not be disappointed.
Email Gareth | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly recommended agency
Suzanne has always been really responsive, offering us all the options we had to plan our trip in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Very helpful and transparent.
Email David | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First African trip
As background, I'm a solo traveller and this was my first trip to Africa. I had a few places I really wanted to visit and a few other potential add-ons. I put my requirements out to quite a few safari companies from this website and Vayeni came back with the best proposition. It was well presented and immediately gave me a flavour of the accommodation and the way the holiday would flow.
They suggested I also visit Matopos in Zimbabwe, which I had never considered as part of my own thinking. It turned out to be my favourite stop of the trip, so was a great recommendation. The other places they suggested for me were also spot on. They took my fairly tight budget and identified where I could get a bit of affordable luxury on the holiday and where I could compromise and stay in somewhere cheaper but still comfortable and good quality.
My instinct is that Vayeni were able to access some pricing and deals that I might not have been able to on my own.
As it was my first trip to Africa, I had quite a few questions about how it would all work. Vayeni were very patient in answering these but next time round I would probably just have a few skype calls instead of sending e-mails back and forth. So I would advise you just to pick up the phone or skype if you have any questions.
All in all, I loved Zimbabwe and would encourage you to go. And if you do, I would not hesitate to recommend Vayeni to arrange it for you.
US
Email Lauren | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 6 night Zimbabwe trip'
Melanie was kind and quickly responsive with our Zimbabwe trip plan. We spent three nights in Vic Falls and 3 nights in Hwange. Both accommodations were excellent and our transports were easy. Melanie originally planned a private transport for us, which was out of our budget. When we told her this, she quickly came up with an alternative transport (luxury bus) that was smooth and easy - it was great and saved us some $$.
Thank you Vayeni and in particular to Melanie for making our trip so special!
Email Tom | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Always provides excellent service and speedy response to our enquiries.
Communications are speedy and to the point. Service is very good and Vayeni is definately living up to our demanding expectations!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They made my Dream Wedding come true
Susan and Luke are two of the most incredible people we have met. Even tho they are not wedding coordinators they helped with every aspect of our wedding in a very very remote area, Bumi Hills in Kariba, Zimbabwe. At the time we where living in Buenos Aries organizing for Americans, British, South African and Zimbabwean friends and Family to come share our special day. We could never have done it without Susan! she was my rock and every person who came to the wedding still talks about how wonderful a time and how amazing Vayeni was. We recommend them to everyone we meet who wants to Travel!
Thanks for everything Vayeni and thank you for making our Dream Wedding come true.
Heather and Matt
Email Srini Srinivasan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous Adventure. Exceeded expectations from the moment we stepped into the continent. What a team
Superb guidance, counsel from Day 0 accommodating our needs, ensuring the best service and value-added tours. What a fantastic team and partners that made us feel at home all the way before we said good bye. We just could not have asked for more. Great organisation and operator supported by a very committed team of humble experts.
trip filled with life time memories made real and brought to life by Vayeni.
Thanks a ton Suzanne. Our gratitude to the team as well - Madre, AJ, James, Bernard and Alan
Email Peter Moran | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Eastern Highlands Tour
I hadn't been to the beautiful Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe for many years. Two friends and I thought it would be a good thing to do a self-drive holiday after a safari in the Zambezi Valley.
I asked Suzanne, co-owner of Vayeni, to suggest and price a 6-night tour of the Eastern Highlands and Great Zimbabwe, staying at good hotels and lodges.
When the prices came back I thought there'd been a mistake - prices for hotels, including the fabulous Leopard Rock Hotel, and meals were so low! But those were the prices - some pretty negotiaters at Vayeni.
Cost of the car hire was also very competitive.
Vayeni's Mel met us in Harare and saw us into our hotel, delivered the car and remained in touch throughout our trip. Bookings were reliable, the places which Vayeni had suggested were great and the whole trip went like clockwork.
I've referred Vayeni to other Aussie friends and they report similar satisfaction.
Good people and I'll use them again.
Email Tim Lloyd | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great itinerary - great balance in regards to activities - great accommodation.
Excellent communication - well balanced in terms of activities - great accommodation - all of the transfers were trouble free. Vayeni’s representative dropped in at the Lodge on the first day to touch base - a nice touch and very personal making the visit to Victoria Falls enjoyable and memorable.
US
Email Lani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded our Expectations!
We have just returned from a fabulous trip arranged entirely by Vayeni. From my first inquiry, Suzanne and her team were prompt with responding, listened to our preferences while also suggesting alternate options which turned out to be highlights, answered our numerous questions, and were overall caring gems to work with.
We traveled to Zimbabwe (Vic Falls and Hwange) and Botswana. Camps, guides, game drives, meals, and all experiences were top notch, run seamlessly. We couldn't have asked for a better trip!
It's evident that Vayeni are experts in planning itineraries, while taking their clients desires into consideration. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Vayeni - and already have!