African Welcome Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1999)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $127 to $485 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
DE
Email Bert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely perfect !!!
It was our 2nd safari which we booked with Kathi. As the first time it was a brilliant experience . Kathi recommended us 3 lodges in Botswana which were all perfect and exceeded our already very high expectations. The combination of lodges was brilliant in every aspect . We planned this trip months before and we had so many questions. Kathi responded always very quickly and she really helped us a lot. The pre Safari Information we received was very valuable and helped us the plan the details. We will definitely book our next trip to Africa again via African Welcome Safaris ! Thank you Kathi for recommending this wonderful Safari combination
SG
Email Ajit | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Welcome Safaris, particularly Kathi Simon, were super responsive, efficient and competetive.
African Welcome Safaris, particularly Kathi Simon, were super responsive, efficient and competitive in planning what turned out to be an amazing holiday.
Our 15-day holiday covered 2 parks in the Sabi Sabi Sands area in Kruger, Cape Town and surrounds, and the Central Drakensberg area.
The 2 parks in Kruger were outstanding but in our opinion Rattrays at Mala Mala was clearly better- the property is much older but has a lot of charm but much more importantly the game was much more plentiful than at Earth Lodge. The gaming experience was not only "Out of Africa" but out of this world! Simply amazing!
Cape Town was great! We enjoyed the two day trips – perhaps samplers for spending more time in the area on our next visit (maybe)! Our hotel, Cape Grace, was very nice and we thoroughly enjoyed the seafood restaurants and the shopping in the Waterfront area.
Drakensberg unfortunately was a complete washout. The property, Cleopatra's was nice in a campy sort of way and the scenery was spectacular but it rained continuously for 3 days and we barely had an opportunity to step out of Cleopatra's and the wi-fi at the property was down all the time we were there. Bummer…!
Kathi Simon's help was outstanding throughout. She was very helpful and responsive and patient- notwithstanding the many many changes in the itinerary as we were planning the vacation. African Welcome Safaris were also price competitive! I think it is fair to say that we would not have enjoyed our vacation half as much without their planning and flawless execution. Thank you very much!
BR
Email Cecilia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded my expectations
I loved my experience with Welcome African Safaris. Everything was great - the communication with my agent Kathi, her availability and know-how to help me choose the accommodations and itinerary. She took care of everything and everything she chose was great!
My lodging at Sabi Sands private game reserve and the Safaris were perfect. I saw all Big 5 within 1.5 days and after that, everything I experienced was just icing on the cake.
The accommodation at Cape Town was also amazing! Right on the Waterfront and within walking distance to all the beauty and great restaurants that the area offers.
Kathi was very personable and professional. I absolutely recommend the agency and if I ever make it back to Africa, I will choose them again.
Thanks Kathi for everything that you did for my family and I. It was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience!
Cecilia (Brazil)
CA
Email Paul Kolycius | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A unique and truly rewarding customized tour with a personal approach that suited us perfectly!
My wife and I were most impressed with the quick response to our late request for a booking on the Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town. We feared that we had missed the deadline. Not only did Kathi at African Welcome Safaris book our tickets but she also assisted in arranging our Cape Town and vicinity tours, a Garden Route self drive tour (5 glorious days discovering hidden gems), a glorious 4 nights at the Oyster Box in Durban and all the internal flight arrangements for connecting flights. During our whole time in South Africa whenever we had a question we would just WhatsApp her and we would have an answer and a solution within 10 minutes. Now that's service! At one stage on the garden route we forgot a small black backpack at one of the lodges. They contacted African Welcome Safaris and Kathi called us within 30 minutes of having left. We always felt looked after. Not only did our trip live up to our expectations it exceeded them.
CA
Email Edward McCloskey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional service. Planned a magical journey that exceeded our expectations. Trip of a lifetime.
Communication and help around the clock. Service was A+++. Safari tour was a magical experience from the second we arrived to the second we left. All the guides, trackers, butlers, general staff were incredible. Simbavati River Lodge couldn't have been more perfect. Food was unbelievable. Accommondation was beautiful. How the day is planned is organized perfectly. Trip of a lifetime.
CH
Email Magali Nieto | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great, professional,
We had a wonderful time in South Africa thanks to you. We wanted to thank you and congratulate you for the quality of your services. You have organized this trip extremely well. Everything was perfect: the car, the sites, the hotels, the guesthouses, the restaurants, the suggestions of visit. The people were kind, considerate, helpful. Everything was of quality and met our expectations. We especially loved Gorah Elephant Camp and our last guesthouse where we were surprised to discover that it was owned by a fellow Swiss.
your travel document by computer were really very Professional, clear and helpfull
Dear Alex, you have clearly identified our needs and we thank you once for the organization of this journey that will remain etched in our memory (we still have stars in our eyes and in our heart)
We wish you a nice continuation and will not hesitate to recommend them to anyone around us who wants to visit your beautiful country.
CH
Email Cinthia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memories for a life time - Thank you
I never write reviews, caught up in life, family, work, friends... but this time I thought I would because our trip to South Africa was extraordinary thanks to African Welcome Safaris and Kathi's perfect planning and availability.
African Welcome Safaris was recommended by friends and we are recommending their services too.
We travelled as a family, four adults all together (parents and 2 "kids" 20-25).
We were interested in different aspects of the country, the history, the people, the wines, discovering the landscape, the nature... so based in this mosaic request, Kathi prepared an itinerary that allowed each of us to discover what we were looking for.
One of the highlights of our trip was taking the Rovos train from the Cap to Pretoria. I can only recommend this unique experience.
We favoured boutique hotels and two that stood out were the Dock house hotel located close to the waterfront in the Cap and the Parkwood hotel in Johannesburg. The trips to Table mountain and to the Cap of good hope allowed us to be in the middle of nature and a nice break from the city.We also very much enjoyed high tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel.
Robben Island is a must of course. Taking the time to visit the Apartheid museum and the prison in Johannesburg where the Supreme Court was built is a heavy load for an afternoon but essential to understand some of the aspect of South African history and culture. Of course, taking in the history of South Africa over the past centuries is most helpful in order to understand (if possible) the 20th century and the present. One last recommendation: Shumbalala Lodge for a safari in the Thornybush Private Reserve - a fantastic and most welcoming place. Thank you Kathi and the team of African Welcome Safaris for memories that will last a life time.
CA
Email Eleanor | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 Nights Cape Town with Car Rental and 4 Nights Safari in Sabi Sabi Private Reserve South Africa
Kathi at African Welcome Safaris did an excellent job in creating a 5 star itinerary, it was a great introduction to South Africa. Living in Canada and dealing with a travel agent in South Africa came with a few reservations. However, this was quickly dispelled as communication by email or Whats App was prompt and efficient. Everything was looked after from pick up at the airport, car rental drop off at the hotel, all the information regarding places to go and see in Cape Town and surrounding areas was provided and transportation to the safari lodge. The accommodations were 5 star, Cape Royale in Cape Town and Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp in Sabi Sabi Private Reserve Kruger National Park. This was a such a wonderful experience, we were able to go at our own pace in Cape Town, drive through the famous winelands and the roadways to some of the most beautiful coastal settings. We also did 8 safaris and saw the “big five” and more with the same tracker and guide each day. I have travelled the world and can say the safari lodge we stayed in was the most beautful place I have ever stayed in, the food, service and game drives were 5 star plus. I would highly recommend Kathi at African Welcome Safaris as she delivered exactly what I wanted and couldn’t be more pleased with their service and follow up.
US
Email Susan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great first safari!
My parents, partner, and I spent 4 nights at Madikwe Hills and couldn't have asked for a better experience. None of us had been on safari before and we contacted African Welcome Safaris about a year in advance to start looking at possibilities. Kathi Simon had been recommended to us by some friends who had recently used her services to book their honeymoon, and we were just as pleased. She made the process as easy as could be, giving us several options and suggestions, and we had a perfectly seamless trip. I would say it was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience but hopefully I will be back one day! I wouldn't hesitate to use African Welcome Safaris again.
CA
Email Scott and Lisa Hube | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kathi Simon went above & beyond creating our amazing trip! We've already referred her to friends!
Working with Kathi Simon was a fantastic experience. She was prompt, attentive and thorough. Her knowledge and familiarity with South Africa were a huge benefit to us. We had some amazing lodging, and she provided a great array of sightseeing ideas. We absolutely loved the App she sent us just before leaving Canada. We used it several times a day while on the trip, either for local information, flight times, or mapping, etc. It was greatly appreciated. She even checked in on us mid way, to see if we were having fun! We've told everyone we know that if they're ever considering a trip to South Africa to be sure to contact her. We will indeed return ourselves. We loved every minute of it! Thanks very much! Scott and Lisa
