African Welcome Safaris
- Located 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:
- $118 to $453 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
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
CA
Email Roger | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Communication was stellar, arrangements perfect and was completely looked after arranging my safari
Dulini Lodge was amazing and everything on time. The transfers were a pleasant part of the journey. I was treated like a star. I could not recommend the service arrangements and safari more highly.
CH
Email Didier | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
the way they organize our trip was just perfect
the stay was outstanding: we had a great time during our safari and everything else (stay + tour in Johannesburg, transportations) was also perfectly organized. We also very much appreciated the communication we have had along the preparation of the trip with African Welcome Safaris (namely Kathi Simon): answers to our questions came rapidly as well as proposals or suggestions
US
Email John Dorer | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a great trip, all aspects were excellent, service, accomodations , guides , tour and safari
African Welcome Safaris certainly did a great job. The communications were thorough, details all taken care of, they more than met our expectations. I would highly reccomend African Welcome Safaris to anyone intrested in traveling to South Africa Thank You to Kathi Simon and staff, a job well done.
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Email Jessica Klouser | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Organized, efficient, and extremely pleasant!
We had the pleasure of planning our African safari trip with Kathi Simon. From the very beginning we knew we were in great hands with Kathi. Since this was our first time visiting Africa, we had A LOT of questions. About what we should see, where we should go, accommodations, etc. Kathi was extremely responsive and patient. She answered all of our questions in a very quick time frame and provided us with great detail. We felt going into our trip that we were more than prepared for everything--which really set us at ease.
The tour she created for us exceeded our expectations. The accommodations and our activities were exactly what we wanted. The hotel and safari camp staffs could not have been nicer and more welcoming. When we arrived back at the Cape Grace Hotel in Capetown after our day of touring, the staff all welcomed us with "Welcome Home."
We had a fantastic tour guide, Rhys, for Cape Town and really felt like we were part of the culture!
At our safari camps, we had lunch every day with the giraffes, elephants, and gembocks!
At the Sabi Sands camp our ranger Ronny and tracker Mike went above and beyond for us--they asked us exactly what we hoped to see. On our last day we raced across Kruger and found the African wild dogs! We were riding right beside them in our jeep! We also saw 200+ cape buffalo all come to the watering hole. How magical!
It truly was an experience of a lifetime and I cannot thank Kathi enough for listening to us and planning this amazing trip for us!
US
Email Steve | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience in a great location!
Our safari with African Welcome Safaris was amazing and well coordinated. From the hotel pickup to the check in at the tent all went well. On the game drives we had a knowledgeable, funny guide who was able to give us a lot of information on the animals. We had good luck and were able to spot all of the "big 5" multiple times, which helped to make the experience even more memorable. Besides the animals, the park itself is beautiful and amazing to see.
SG
Email Xavier | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a blast...! A class act by African Welcome.
Once my wife and I decided on South Africa for our honeymoon, I checked online for well-reviewed operators and quickly settled on African Welcome Safaris. Kathi was very responsive to my emails and queries.
Having shared my budget, a proposed itinerary and accommodation options was expediently provided. Kathi responded quickly to my request for alternative accommodation options. Fast forward and we had a wonderful time doing our self-driving tour through Cape Town and Franschhoek, followed by our safari experience at Simbavati Hillltop Lodge. We really had a blast throughout the entirety of our trip and everything went smoothly without a hitch. Would be happy to engage them again for future trips...!