The Luxury Safari Company
- Located In:
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United Kingdom
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- Air Travel Organisers' Licensing
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $1,003 to $3,761 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Lauren | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
EXCEPTIONAL 5-Star Planning & Service!
My husband and I worked with Sophie and Rose to plan our 3-week honeymoon (Safari, Cape Town/Winelands, and Seychelles). This was the first time ever working with a travel agent. We cannot recommend them more highly - from the first outreach they were super professional, knowledgeable, personable, organized and responsive. They took the time to understand what we wanted to get out of our honeymoon over the phone, then put together a draft itinerary in a couple of days (with several different options for each part of the trip). There was ample back and forth to revise the itinerary to what we were looking for. Since we were set on the Seychelles for part of our trip, they partnered with their sister booking company (Hummingbird), which was seamless. All in all, the honeymoon was the trip of a lifetime -- absolutely incredible from start to finish! The safari lodges were very high end, chic, exceptional service, small boutique feel (20 guests max), and we saw the most incredible wildlife. The hotels in Cape Town & Winelands were 5-star boutique hotels that had great local feels to them. And the hotel is the Seychelles was the most magnificent place we've ever stayed. All of the transfers were handled for us flawlessly, people greeted us at the airports -- I must say it was so nice to have all of the domestic flights and travel handled on our behalf in a foreign country we weren't familiar with. When we do another trip back to Africa, we will definitely use Luxury Safari Co again -- thank you for everything Sophie and Rose!
CA
Email Nick M | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Slick, polished. Attentive
From the first contact with Rose; everything was easy. Local knowledge (Botswana), ease of booking, tips on what to see and where, make it a joy to work with the Luxury Safari team. Equally, when on our trip, and changes were enforced, the team’s support, locally and from HQ, was impeccable. Can’t wait to book our next trip.
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Email Sarah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and responsive service. We had the trip of a lifetime.
I can't say enough about our experience with Rose and The Luxury Safari Company. I contacted the company at the beginning of the year, and was immediately in touch. We had one phone conversation where I described what we were looking for. I received a proposal with actual camps within days. It was a no brainer to go with Rose over the other companies I explored - they provided a tactical idea of what was possible and what it would cost immediately. The process for payment and locking in the trip was transparent and Rose was very patient with us as we navigated some complicated travel insurance questions.
In terms of the trip itself, it lived up to our wildest expectations. We said we wanted to go on a trip you couldn't do anywhere but Africa. The camps were small, intimate, and felt incredibly special. It was also a truly luxurious experience.
If we are ever so lucky to return to Africa, I would absolutely call the Luxury Safari Company again. I couldn't recommend their services highly enough.
SG
Email Dr Gordon Tan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable , contactable , efficient and they deliver
We have used Rose Hipwood and the Luxury Safari Company on more than one occasion . They have always delivered . From meeting us at the airport , seamless efficient escorts all the way till we reboard for the journey home . Even helicopter rides which were missed as a result of flight disruptions were reinstated at no cost . We have just returned from gorilla trekking in Rwanda - an Amazing out of this world holiday which Rose curated at short notice and put us up at the One & Only at Musanze, Rwanda , a hotel par excellence ( a review on trip advisor to be followed) . We are all looking forward to Londolozi next year .
Email Sam | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service provided by the Luxury Safari Company
We have recently returned from an 8 night stay at Sausage Tree Camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park which Rose organised for us. We made it clear to Rose that we wanted to stay in one place for the whole time and were extremely happy with her recommendation of Sausage Tree. The location, service, food and activities (game drives as well as canoe and boat safaris) were perfect. The booking process with The Luxury Safari Company and the support through whatsapp or on the phone to my questions were all straightforward and prompt. We would love to return to Sausage Tree and would use Rose and the Luxury Safari Company again!
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Email Samantha | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Luxury Zambia Safari That Exceeded Our High Expectations!
Our safari through The Luxury Safari Company was amazing! Once we were on the ground in Africa, everything was seamless and without hassle. We just showed up where we were supposed to be, and the camps and staff took care of everything else! Each camp and area Rose selected for our safari was different in terms of the vibe of the camp and the scenery/game viewing which we appreciated.
The camps were all great as were the game viewing and activities. We particularly LOVED Puku Ridge. It is beyond words. Everyone from the hosts to the housekeeping is so welcoming, the food was on-par with some of the Michelin restaurants we’ve been to, and our guide Andrew was even better. We can’t speak highly enough of him (and a lot of his family who we were lucky enough to meet), and hope to either return to Puku or have him guide us on a private safari elsewhere.
Canoeing at Sausage Tree was also a highlight of the trip. It is so unique, and thrilling, to view the animals from the water in a tiny canoe. We can't leave out Chindeni Bush Camp, which was a true place to disconnect from the world having no wi-fi, and more basic, albeit still luxurious accommodations. We can't wait for our next safari with The Luxury Safari Company. Thanks Rose + team!
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Email Sandra and Bruce Thompson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Luxury Safari Company has a great website to help you plan your trip & excellent support.
We found the communications to be very prompt and efficient. Rose Hipwood is extremely knowledgeable and can assist you in planning a trip of a lifetime. She thinks of every facet of your trip which is especially valuable if it is your first trip to Africa. They may not be the low cost provider, but we felt we got what we paid for. Every step of our trip went flawlessly and there were always people to meet us and help us with visas, transportation and luggage. We highly recommend The Luxury Safari Company and Rose Hipwood. The places we stayed were wonderful and the service and the kindness the staff showed us was beyond what we ever expected. We went to see the animals, but the warmth of the African people is a lasting memory.
Email Vanessa Yeoman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Quality lodges that could only be recommended by someone who has actually visited them....
This was our 3rd safari holiday that Rose has organised. Each lodge has been unique, fabulous, and truly a personalised experience. Do NOT go for any safari experience where your tour organiser has not got personal experience of the lodge.... the wrong guide, the wrong size of camp would completely spoil any experience of the wild....The animals are, and should always be in charge....this may not be understood by all camps, especially the big ones with many many guests to cater for.
Better go for 7 perfect days, than 10 rubbish days with too many guests.
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Email Paula | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable and worth every penny
This was our second safari trip with Luxury Safari. We were in South Africa, the Winelands and Kenya in 2018, experiencing 3 safari camps and in Tanzania this trip, experiencing 3 camps, 4 nights each, with 4 nights in Zanzibar at the end. After 12 days of safari, Zanzibar could definitely be extended. Communication is key. Initially, when talking to Rose, she helped steer us away from some of the most advertised camps…simply because of what we told her we wanted to see and experience. I greatly appreciate an agent or company that treats our pocketbook like it was theirs and wants the client to have the best experience according to the clients budget. Our trips were perfectly organized and planned well. Tipping was an issue for us due to the amount of “new” entries into safari staffing. With staff, guide, butler, and personal tent attendant we felt we were expected to tip beyond what we budgeted. Also, as travelers we read each countries requirements for entry. This needs to be better communicated from Luxury Travel. The last camp we were in even said as much. For example, we thought we needed a Health form filled out for Zanzibar within 24 hours before arrival. Not true. The manager at Namiri Plains said it was frustrating that so many guests were not being told by their travel agents what the requirements were. Minor issues. That said, this type of trip is grueling AND the most rewarding trip we’ve ever had the pleasure of taking. We will absolutely book with Luxury Safari again!
PT
Email Anne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rose and team are perceptive in realising your dreams and meticulous in their fulfilment of them.
Our first ever safari was for a big Zero birthday in 2017 was just unforgettable . After a brief phone chat with Rose, she perceived instantly the kind of “in the wild” experience we were looking for. Zambia, the word amazing doesn’t do it justice.
We wanted to repeat the experience in 2020, but COVID struck and we had to wait 2 years, but Rose always kept us in the loop and everything was done to fit in with our available dates.
This time, Tanzania. Three very different camps with Nomad Tanzania. From arrival to departure at Dar, the 11 days went without a hitch. First stop the Serengeti, Lamai Private a cosy lodge for six , well located to see the crossing of the wildebeest. But much more to see than just this, from the big cats to cute mongoose, we always had to keep our eyes alert. Attentive staff and good food.
Then off we went to Greystokes Mahale. If chimps are your thing, this is truly an incredible experience. On the two days we were there we chimp trekked into the mountains for around an hour to invade the lives of Primus, Christmas and their family. The trek was a little challenging for some, but the guides are on hand to help and encourage. The setting of the lodge on the beach of the lake is an unexpected respite from the land safaris. The staff are absolutely dedicated to caring for the chimps welfare and survival. Extremely knowledgeable and great fun!
The only downside we found was the long journey both to and from our other camps. Be prepared for getting in and out of the Cessnas for various stops along the way.
Our last camp was Kiba point at Selous. This was my absolute favourite. Barely another jeep in the vicinity and a diverse array of animals and amazing birds to see. We had the house to ourselves and were treated royally. Our guide,Pay, was the absolute best we had. Full of knowledge and a great sense of humour. The visit to the hot spring was refreshing and our last day saw us watching a lionesses and cubs with a fresh giraffe kill.
Yet another successful, unforgettable Safari meticulously planned and executed by Rose and her team. The best.