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:
- $123 to $469 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
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An excellent honeymoon experience at an affordable price. Customer service is exceptional!
African Welcome Safaris planning was exceptional. They handled our mass of emails promptly and always had an answer for us. We booked and organised the entire 3 week honeymoon via email as we were in Australia and we wrapped with how easy it was. The information they gave us was always accurate. The itinerary was great, we got a taste for all the things that we wanted.
The information pack had a lot of very useful information. Transfers were also great.
In my line of work its all about customer service and I think that they did a great job looking after us and ensuring everything went smoothly.
We will definitely contact African Welcome Safaris again if going to Africa and have no hesitation recommending them to anyone. We were recommended them by a friend and have since recommended them to a number of other people that are looking at going to Africa.
I can not recommend them highly enough.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Warm Welcome
African Welcome Safaris planned a once in a lifetime trip for us to South Africa and Vic Falls. I worked with Kathi Simon and she was a big reason why we went with African Welcome after much research and deliberation. She constantly refined and perfected our itinerary to meet our needs and budget. She was very patient given all the requests I had for her and in the end made our trip perfect.
We started in Cape Town and our tour guide Rhys was a true delight. Nearly 2 years later, we still quote his anecdotes. In Cape Town we did a city tour, winelands tour and visited the Cape of Good Hope all of which were superbly planned.
We then continued our tour to Vic Falls (Zimbabwe). The accommodations were awesome and our 2 day stay there was magical. All our transfers were perfectly timed and everyone we came in contact with was super helpful and kind.
Our final stop in our tour was to Thornybush Game Reserve. The game viewing was spectacular. We spotted the big 5 twice in our 3 day visit and saw many other animals as well. Our hosts were quite possibly the nicest people I have ever met and they made us feel at home in Africa.
Overall, Kathi did a first class job in planning our vacation. She gave us a lot of useful tips and was amazing to work with. At one point our hotel charged us for Wifi which didn't work and we told our guide and he told Kathi who then called the hotel and had them refund our money. She truly looks out for her clients and makes sure that everything goes without a glitch.
If you are looking to book a trip to Africa, make sure it's with African Welcome Safaris.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
African Welcome provided a truly magical and varied experience of Africa with true Professionalism
Magical Africa
Hi Alex,
We had a sensational trip.
Thank you for your professionalism and practical advice in creating our magical African Experience.
Having all transfers and flights between the Lodges organized and running to time took all the hassles out of our trip leaving us to relax and enjoy.
Your choice of lodges for the whole of our trip was excellent. Chapunga and N’kaya Lodges in Thornybush Reserve in S.A., although each different, were most enjoyable and comfortable.
In Botswana the Orient Express lodges of Eagle Island and Savute Elephant Camp in Chobe National Park were both excellent choices. Nygoma Lodge in the north of Botswanna with its panoramic river views and sunsets was a wonderful way to finish our safari. The food and service in all these places was excellent.
All lodges had fabulous staff - professional but also with that special touch of African friendliness. Knowing each of us by name and ensuring we were enjoying our stay was their top priority. The Rangers were informative and respectful of the animals creating an exciting experience but also mindful we were in the animal’s territory.
Of course the real adventure for us was viewing the animals in their natural habitat. Seeing the interaction of a baby elephant with its mother by holding her tail with its little trunk or a rhino feeding with its young or the lionesses getting ready for a charge were all special moments. How do we explain to someone the thrill of an elephant grazing on a tree beside our tented cabin or the roar of the lion kill which occurred across the river from our lodge? These were some of the magical moments we will never forget. The special touch was when we found out at the end you had been tracking our tour all the way to ensure everything went smoothly and it certainly did. Thank you Alex. We have no hesitation in recommending African Welcome to anyone who wants a hassle free and exciting tour of Africa.
Dianne and Aidan (Australia)
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable trip of a lifetime!
David and I are very happy with our trip that Kathi organized for us ! From day one, I felt knew I was dealing with a very knowledgeable person, and appreciate all the personal attention to detail to ensure we had a great experience!
We fell in love with Cape Town! I enjoyed the Cape Cadogan because it gave us a look at life in the city, and not just on the waterfront where it is mostly tourists. We did enjoy going to the waterfront for our meals! WOW, the food is amazing! Even the food we had around the hotel was so very good! Fresh seafood at its's best.
The highlight to seeing such beauty throughout CapeTown and the Garden Route was having Rhys as our guide. He made the trip so interesting! He showed true professionalism and we truly enjoyed his personality and dedication to ensuring we enjoyed every experience! The Tsala Lodge could not be topped anywhere on the trip! The rooms are spectacular!
We loved the Michelangelo, and the fact that we could walk right into the shopping areas and restaurants. The Melrose Arch is fun and a great area to stay in.
The Sabi Sabi Safari experience spoiled us so much! Even the ranger, Alistair, said he had not had such experiences with one party's stay in the 7 years he has been a ranger! Leopards mating, Lions mating, Lions with their kill, their babies, Leopard with it's kill in a tree, all the big 5 in all their glory and more! The game we saw, and the quality of the viewing, and the fantastic ranger, Alistair,topped it all off! Our video and pictures look like National Geographic material! Alistair dined with us every night and that was a bonus because we were able to get so much information on the area and wildlife!
We loved the Victoria Falls Hotel! It felt like we were going back to Colonial times. Very regal, and the grounds were kept immaculate.
Just seeing the Falls, and doing the activities we chose, made the stay spectacular! We did the walk, the helicopter ride and the zip line! Super!
The first camp in Botswana, the Savute Elephant Camp was super! We loved the tents! Showering outdoors was a treat! The game viewing however was tough to beat after staying at Sabi Sabi!
The Eagle Island Camp was a wonderful safari experience! We loved being over the water! The first afternoon on canoes was a really fun way to introduce us to the delta! The next day we took an all day boat trip throughout the delta and had a picnic lunch on one of the islands. We went specifically to see Hippo and Elephant and we got to see them up close and personal! I named our boat the Hippo Hunter!
We have had a marvelous trip !
Thank you so much for everything, we will be back!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An exceptionally well organized and faultlessly executed trip, thanks to Kathi and Rhys.
I just cannot say enough good things about African welcome safaris. My experience of working with them to formulate an itinerary was just A+. The Garden route tour we decided upon was just perfect for us and they made everything so easy. Whenever I had a question Kathi responded immediately with an answer, nothing was ever too much trouble. The itinerary brochure for the trip was first class, it went beyond my expectations even providing me with a mobile phone from voda phone. It was also a good idea to pre-pay the day trips along the way and there was never an occasion that we did not have the passes required for entry. Just everything was super slick and went without a hitch. African Welcome gave us the best trip ever, worry free with all the i's dotted and the t's crossed.
And what feedback can I give you on Rhys!!!! - perfect, very knowledgeable, funny, helpful, flexible, well organized and the list goes on. I did have slight concerns, before the trip, about spending so much time with a "stranger", however, I need not have worried as Rhys very quickly put us at ease and we had a wonderful time. Rhys made very welcome suggestions and we actually ended up seeing much more than we had expected but in the same breath he always listened to our wishes and made sure that the day went the way we wanted it to. It was great to have a guide that knew the area and the history of the area so well. I had expected that when we changed to "day tours" in Cape town that we would have a different guide but we were delighted that Rhys would stay with us and that we would have the same vehicle.
Kathy and Rhys - thank you both for such a faultless tour, it was everything we had hoped it would be and much more. I know that Lorna and Ian would also like me to pass on their thanks - it could not have been better. Most certainly if we return to south Africa we would use African Welcome and most certainly ask for Rhys Bradshaw to be our guide.
SG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelieavably beautiful country, world-class service
We all had an amazing time in South Africa, and have just been talking about it non-stop to whoever would listen, really!
My children (ages 7&9 years) just told me two nights ago that they miss South Africa - which shows how much your lovely country has managed to charm even the children.
Considering our group of 12 of two families (total six kids from ages 6-17 last year) and two grandmas were planning our holiday with AFRICAN WELCOME
SAFARIS all the way in Asia, Kathi Simon at African Welcome
Safaris was amazingly efficient, patient and knowledgable.
She even answered all our queries via email "real time", given our different time zones.
She was ever so thoughtful and took into consideration our party's diverse age group and interests, we knew that we were in good hands!
I wrote a gushing post on African Safari Welcome's FB timeline, although I would like to again applaud the wonderful team at Tintswalo especially Kaylee who is such a genuine sweetie, and Eric and Foster (whose game vehicle the four youngest children, Patricia and I had the joy to ride in -- they have such a respect and deep understanding of the animals and the bush, we were able to experience some
unforgettable animal encounters thanks to this dynamic duo!) and of course, the effable and knowledgeable guide in Cape Town, Rhys and of course our genial driver Victor.
Thanks to Kathi and her team at African Welcome
Safaris, her recommendations and efficient service. I have had several friends asking me for your contact and our itinerary after they saw our photos posted on FB, and I know they will be in good hands with their assistance.
Full marks and deep gratitude for the best vacation my family have ever had!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic advice and service - one of our best ever holidays!
Our time in Africa was everything we had hoped for and much more. And everything organized by African Welcome Safaris was spot on. From the airport transfers always on time and always lovely people, to the excellent day trips suggested and organised, to the hotels in fantastic positions, to the timing of flights, to the support with answering queries while on the road, and of course the tours which were nothing short of amazing. There is nothing we would change if we were to go again tomorrow. Thank you so much - your input into our holiday made it all it was.
CA
Email Wendi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A trip of a lifetime!!
I just wanted to thank you again for putting together such an amazing , amazing trip for us.....one that we will never forget. From the moment I spoke with you , I knew that you were the one to help me put it all together and you definitely did that. Our numerous conversations and emails put me at ease and all my questions were promptly answered. Everything went perfectly and we could have not asked for anything better. From our accomodations.car rental, tour guides, tours, Ulusaba and even the zebra farm in Oudsthoorn, we loved every second. Your experience and expertise as a tour operator is so evident. I can't wait to share all my stories and pictures with friends and family and hopefully, I will convince some of them to make the effort to travel across the world to experience some of what we did!
Thank you again , and again. This trip was a memory that will live in our hearts forever!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sent me on the Trip of a Lifetime
From the minute we stepped off the plane in Africa, to the sad moment we headed home, everything was perfect. The trip exceeded our expectations beyond words. The communication and service between us and African Welcome Safaris was outstanding. The safari, as well as ALL of the excursions were exactly what we wanted. We were treated like Royalty every step of the way. There was not one single issue, error or problem during our 2 week stay. I highly recommend African Welcome. I especially would like to commend Kathi Simon for her patience, amazing knowledge, and her attention to every detail. We have every intention of returning one day, and will undoubtedly use her again.
ID
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The greatest adventure I've ever had
Hi Kathi. So at last we're home in the mountains. The few days we spent in Singapore were great to wind-down after our hectic trip and helped to get over the dreaded jet-lag before resuming our "normal life" in Bali. Now I'm ready to give you some feed back as promised:
Let me start by saying everything was absolutely fantastic. From the moment we stepped off the plane until Rhys dropped us off back at the airport, the programme went like clockwork. we really don't have one bad (or even average) thing to say about the organisation of our 4 weeks in Africa. Every pick up was on time and conducted by friendly, courteous drivers, every hotel and lodge was top class, all the activities were exactly what we wanted and the guides were superb. Therefore, if in the following comments, we rate something as the best, it in no way reflects badly on anything else. So here goes:
Best overall hotel : The Robertson Small Hotel. This place just balanced the old world charm with modern amenities so well, it was perfect.
Best Overall Lodge : LeRoo La Tau. Sitting on the veranda watching the animals at the river was absolutely breathtaking.
Best Meal : Yanti - Dinner at Savuti lodge, Me - Dinner at Baia, Cape Town
Best Experience - Chasing a cheetah through the swamps at Savuti and Yanti's birthday party at LeRoo La Tau.
Best game drive - Chobe Lodge
Scariest moment - Having a six foot croc swim under our small transfer boat on the way to Okavango camp
Worst night's sleep - the first night on the Rovos. The track in Zimbabwe and Botswana is not good and we would recommend strongly anyone making this trip to take some sleeping tablets or stay up drinking all night.
Best breakfast spread - The V&A Cape Town.
Most unusual - Elephant dung birthday cake at Leroo La Tau
Obviously the highlight of the trip was the mobile safari. I can safely say its the best time we've ever had on holiday. If I had to change anything I would possibly have taken this leg last, because although Cape Town and its surrounds are beautiful they can seem a bit "normal" after having spent ten days chasing game in a Landrover. Our guide Rati, who stayed with us throughout the safari was adorable. Always happy and smiling but beneath was a professionalism and safety awareness that kept us all at ease. Every lodge and all the hosts and staff were brilliant. Yanti's birthday party at LeRoo La Tau was the best she's ever had.
Victoria Falls is a must see and the Vic Falls Hotel is a masterpiece of colonial architecture even if the service was not quite as good as we received in the lodges and other hotels in SA. Our walk with the young lions was a once in a lifetime experience.
The Rovos was great, except for the first night as mentioned above, We loved getting dressed up for dinner and the food on board was magnificent. The chef and his team worked wonders considering the space and logistic issues of preparing food on a train. In my view the standard on the Rovos beats many a "top rated" restaurant I've eaten in around the world. I'm not sure that it's the "most luxurious train in the world" (as per their advertisement) but we would certainly travel with them again.
Magnificent Cape Town and its surrounds. Exceptional scenery, marvelous old towns and villages, superb wines, great weather and the most courteous and jovial guide. We loved the tour. It was just the right pace with no pressure to do this or that, just wake up in the morning and chat with Rhys about what we fancy doing today. Perfect. The only regret is not coming in Spring, but then we had to leave something for next time.
Kathi, that's all I can think of at the moment. Sorry if it's a bit "all over the place". We were absolutely delighted with the whole trip and we will definitely come again and we will definitely use your services again when we do.
All the best Jeff and Yanti