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
Beyond our expectations!!
When we started planning the trip, we were so overwhelmed. There was so much we wanted to see and do and we didn't understand the logistics of making it happen.
A friend recommended Kathi Simon from African Welcome Safari. Her insight and patience was so valuable. Kathi was exceptional about learning the type of trip we were looking for and guiding us to make this a most exceptional experience. We loved all of the hotels and restaurants she recommended.
Our favorite was Ivory lodge at Lions Sand. When we walked into our room, we were astounded at the beauty of the accommodations. It was beyond our expectations. Descriptions cannot do the facility justice.... immaculately clean, incredible staff, unbelievable attention to detail, gourmet food, exceptionally knowledgable guides. Words don't do it justice. Our guide and tracker on the Safari were so knowledgable. We saw all of the big 5 and many more animals. The experience was a memory for a lifetime.
Our next favorite was Tsala tree house on the Garden Route. Beautiful accommodations, wonderful staff and great food. We had two great dinners there....one at the Zinzi restaurant and another in the Wine Cellar. The Wine Cellar was our favorite..... very special.
The Franschoek Country house was lovely. The grounds were beautiful. There are so many wonderful restaurants in the area, I would recommend that people go to the restaurants in town and skip the hotel restaurant.
Rhys was a wonderful guide. He was very helpful with educating us on the history of the areas we were visiting. He was also very flexible and accommodating. His recommendations on when to visit certain sites assisted us in avoiding crowds. We wanted to stay away form "tourist traps" and he understood what we were looking for and made the appropriate recommendations.
Kathi did an excellent job. We felt safe and taken care of from the moment we arrived to we departed. South Africa is a wonderful country and the people are warm and welcoming.
US
Email John Stemple | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Return trip with African Welcome Safaris
The communication and service was outstanding again. Everything lived up to expectations. Another great trip with great locations and facilities.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond My Highest Expectations
So this trip wasn't a dream.....it was real!!!
We are now home and settled into our routine. The journey back was long; 36 hours total! However, it was well worth it and we have so many pictures and fond memories to remind us of our time.
The itinerary that African Welcome put together was excellent. We spent two weeks traveling within South Africa (Sabi Sands, Cape Town, Winelands, Zimbabwe). Here are some of the things we enjoyed:
Welcome package...due to a mis-step on our part we almost missed the receipt of this packet in Jo'burg, but glad we didn't. The information provided was very informative.
Having transportation to and from the airport was great. It was such a relief to get off the plane and know that there was a reliable mode of transportation awaiting us. Every single pick-up was on time and professional.
The accommodations were superb. Great locations, luxurious, wonderful staff/service. All of the room requests that you made on our behalf were met. At Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and Elephant Plains we had rooms overlooking the waterhole and at the Commodore we had a spectacular view of the harbor and Table Mountain.
Private Tour - Rhys was professional, informative and very accommodating. He never made us feel rushed and provided excellent recommendations.
Wine tasting was fabulous. We enjoyed the selection of wineries, the drive and lunch.
Victoria Falls was everything and more. I'm so glad that we added this to our trip.
Thank you for providing us with our first Southern Africa experience. This was a trip of a lifetime and your attention to detail and expertise of the area afforded us an amazing trip. The accommodations, tours, and transportation allowed to relax and really enjoy our time. We can't wait to go back!
MX
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Discovering South Africa
This was the best organized trip I have ever had. All my expectations were met. The safaris in kruger, sabi sabi, okovongo delta and the garden route were exquisite: The best rangers With so much knowledge about the lives of the animal kingdom. The accomodations were fantastic. The service was lovely.
Capetown facinated me as a place I would consider living in for a few months. I had the best seafood and fish everyday. The variety of fish was incredible.
The most exciting was seeing the big five in 2 days in Sabi Sabi. And cheetahs, lepards and lions mating! And a fresh kill! With lionesses eating first before the male lion arrived. And the hyenas waiting their turn.
The unforgetable white shark cage dive in the freezing murky waters off Capetown was a first! Monstruous sharks áttacking the cage had the adrenalin boiling!
I highly recommend this company for organizing the perfect adventure!
Email Shane Matthews | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic custom packages, exceptional service and professional and courteous staff.
This was truly a wonderful experience. This was my first safari and trip to Africa. They listened to what I wanted to do, made recommendations and put together a fantastic travel package.
From transfers, accommodation, sights and activities, everything was well organised and on time. The customer service and communication was exceptional and really made this holiday as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
If it is a hassle free memorable holiday experience you are looking for, then it is a pleasure for me to recommend African Welcome Safaris. They will definitely have my repeat business in the future.
US
Email Myra R | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime becomes, when can I go again!?!
The entire trip exceeded our expectations. While I originally said it would be a "trip of a lifetime", I've now modified that, as we know we want to return! I think our overwhelming delight with the entire trip is attributable African Welcome Safaris (Kathi) understanding my wishes and then organizing such a great itinerary and followthrough, with excellent service and promptness. In fact, we were in similar travel situations with others throughout the trip who didn't quite have the ideal connections, pickups, etc. that we had and I think that is because African Welcome Safaris does the job so well.
I will take the trip, place by place and provide additional comments. However, I'd just say overall that all of our airport pickups and deliveries were great! We easily found our person and they were most efficient in getting us where we needed to go, informative and courteous. Plus each of them stayed until we were all checked in!
Johannesburg: We love The Michelangelo. The room was great, the view was great but above all the staff was just so friendly, helpful and courteous. The breakfast offered a great variety and the food was really good. We had dinner out on the square at a restaurant they recommended at the desk which was very good. We felt quite safe in that area and used the ATM in the mall adjacent. Our tour of Jo'burg, Soweto and Pretoria was really interesting. We chose not to go into any museums, etc. but just get an overview of the three locations. Our guide was most accommodating and we learned so much. It was timely for us that Mandela was at his home and we got to go by there. Our guide, Siphiwe, was bright, articulate and very interesting.
The Hide: I can't say enough about this tented safari. We LOVED The Hide. The staff there is super. The size is small enough that everyone gets to know everyone a little, even in three days! The animal viewing is fabulous. It's comfortable and just sort of like what I wanted a safari to be. Then there's the food which was outstanding! The young man who is their chef takes such pride in the food he presents. Everything he prepared was so tasty! It was unseasonably cold while we were there, but they even provided hot water bottles waiting for us in our bed each night. Due to the fact everyone was so friendly while we were there, on the last night they put all the tables in a big square and we all ate dinner together. I also like that our guides ate with us. It provided an opportunity to get to know them or to follow up a sighting with a question, etc. A'Zambezi and Vic Falls: The accommodation was quite lovely. The food was average. Meals were provided in a buffet setting and there was a wide variety. Nice entertainment at dinner. The staff and managers certainly wanted everyone to be happy with everything and did a lot of follow-up. The grounds were lovely and we really enjoyed having the warthogs there to groom the lawn. The Victoria Falls are quite beautiful. It was 103 degrees F the day we went, so we were glad to be in and out early in the day. We also did the helicopter ride over the falls which was nice but if I had to leave something out that would be it. The little town is probably the most touristy spot or at least trying to be that we saw. I bought some items in the gift shop at A'Zambezi and those were very inexpensive--example a handwoven basket for $6. Now before I tell you this, please know there were NO PROBLEMS, however, the Shearwater folks were the least "professional" that we experienced during the entire trip. I might attribute this to Zimbabwe, but I didn't find this to be true at A'Zambezi as well. So . . . take it as you will.
Chobe Chilwero: This was a very beautiful and plush accommodation in the middle of the jungle and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Upon arrival, we were welcomed and given all our instructions. Our cottage was not ready nor was lunch, so we were given complimentary foot massages! This was certainly not necessary or expected. However, the ladies did such a great job, both of us scheduled a regular massage for the following day and I even had a third massage the day after. My gal was GOOD! At maybe our first meal, hubby discovered the homemade ice cream--it was the best I've ever eaten. So they had ice cream for him at every meal thereafter regardless of what was on the menu. The food was really good and it was fun to try some of the unusual dishes, e.g. impala, eland, etc. The animal viewing here was also incredible. We saw 3 different leopards while we were there. The boat ride alternative to the jeep safari was a nice change too. I know it sounds silly, but when we arrived they had plastic water bottles with our names on them that we got to keep and it was just a nice touch. They also provided entertainment one evening with some of our staff joining in the dancing at one point. Just a delightful experience!
Cape Town: Louis was a great guide and well-suited for us. He and hubby hit it off quite nicely. The weather was not cooperative for most of our time there but since it was to be a restful time that was okay! Everything we did was fun and informative. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! The day we had nothing scheduled, it rained a lot. So we stayed in the hotel most of the day and rested which we needed. The drives were beautiful. The lunch at La Petit Ferme was superb. While the wine tasting was good, we'd done that before so not overly impressed with it. Beautiful, beautiful, countryside. Really enjoyed the V & A Hotel and the waterfront with some really good shops and restaurants.
Grootbos: This is also a beautiful location and accommodation. The weather again did not cooperate but we had a fireplace so that was okay. Everyone there was very helpful and welcoming. The whale watching with champagne was amazing. We saw 40 to 50 whales that evening. The nature walk was great. The food was good. I got tickled because they try so hard to have a fancy menu that a lot of the people don't have a clue what it is. I'm glad we got to see it but I don't think I would go back there. However, keep in mind we live on the beach.
Lion Sands: Very nice accommodation and a very attentive staff. There's a definite line here between management and staff and drivers and trackers. The food here was very good and we enjoyed the Boma dinners on 2 nights, complete with roast marshmallows and entertainment. The animal viewing is varied and very good. There aren't as many herding animals but a wider variety overall. The drives here go "off road" which is different than the others and sure to get one very close. It can also be a rough ride and not for the faint of heart, but fun. We had already seen bunches of buffalo, elephants, along with some lions and leopards, but this was our first for seeing rhinos--making our "big five" complete. If someone has to pick just one place to go to for viewing animals, this would probably be it. The vehicles here were a little more crowded. While we were used to have 3 X 2 riding in the back, at Lion Sands there were usually 3 X 3 or 3 X 2+1. Additionally, in The Hide and Chobe we had someone who served as both driver and guide while in LS we had a driver and a tracker. I'm not sure if we saw more animals because of this or not. And, why was our trip so fantastic---African Welcome Safaris, for sure! Thank you so very much!
PH
Email Joanne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most Amazing Family Vacation
Thank you Kathi Simon for our amazing, unforgettable family vacation. It was just the kind of vacation that we needed. It's been 2 weeks since we've been home and we are still talking about our vacation like we just arrived yesterday. I'm writing to you because my family and I would like to thank you for making our vacation a truly unforgettable experience. We love South Africa, we love Cape Town (we didn't even get to visit Table Mountain) and Arathusa Sabi Sands was just a different kind of experience. We have probably seen most of the animals at zoos but seeing them in their natural habitat, its just awesome. We even joked amongst ourselves that we should save so that we could buy a property in Cape Town. :) Well maybe we'll just email you and book another trip again someday. Reese was a great guide, took us to places where we could take great pictures and buy some african art souvenirs aside from being very knowledgeable. And at the safari our ranger Brandon and tracker Roy were also very accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks again Kathi and it was nice talking to you on the phone.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memories of Amazing South Africa to last for a lifetime! Best travel agent experience ever!
Planning a trip from the other side of the planet is not always easy! Furthermore, having total confidence in a company you have never dealt with is even more scary! From the moment we sent an e-mail to African Welcome Safaris to start planning our dream vacation to South Africa and the initial response we got from our wonderful agent, Kathi, we knew we were in good hands! We provided her with our interests, budget and she managed to put together the trip of our lives! We will forever cherish the memories African Welcome Safaris put together for us! We will certainly recommend African Welcome Safaris to our friends and family! Thank you for everything!
IE
Email Arthur Cox | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Welcome Safaris organised the holiday of a lifetime for me and my wife in South Africa.
From my initial enquiry in February 2013 to the thank you letter when we arrived home in September Kathi Simon of African Welcome Safaris was more than helpful in arranging the holiday of a lifetime for me. I am lucky to have travelled extensively but never before without a problem or two. Our tour was amazing from the beginning in Johannesburg to the end in Cape Town. I am planning to return to Africa in 2015 and will be contacting African Welcome Safaris to organise it for me.
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