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
TH
Email Ploy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hands down, one of the most memorable trips in my life!
I decided to take my parents to South Africa during a long holiday (and for mom's birthday) but I got only about 2 weeks before the flight to actually plan the whole trip. I was reading a lot of reviews and found a couple tour operators that sound reliable. I was skeptical at first that African Welcome Safaris only got positive reviews but I thought why not. I told Kathi my very brief plans and told her places we would like to visit. Kathi was very responsive and informative. She sent me a quotation within the next day. We discussed and revised the itinerary almost everyday until probably two days before the flight. I really appreciate her being very patient with our requests. We knew almost nothing about South Africa and my parents were concerned and paranoid about many issues but Kathi was very comforting and she assured we will be having an amazing time (and she was right!). We spent the first day in Jo'burg, 2 days in Kruger National Park, and 4 days in Cape Town. We did a private tour for the whole trip and our tour guides were knowledgable and funny which made the trip so fun. We were able to do things at our own pace and that's very important as my parents are quite old. My parents asked me at one point if we could stay longer and perhaps change the flight but unfortunately, we couldn't.
During our time there, Kathi was still keeping in touch with us. Whenever we had a question, she would answer as soon as she could. She kept us informed about everything eg. airlines strikes so we had to do online check-in before going to the airport etc. This trip really was soooo amazing! I cannot wait to go back - especially safari! We stayed at Inyati in Sabi Sand Game Reserve and it was really lovely. The staff was friendly and so helpful. Our ranger was Omega and our tracker was Rodger. We got to see the Big5 plus a Cheetah within 24 hours!!!!! They also pick the best spots to do a small picnic. We were by the river across from 3 giraffes. It was so surreal. Our last night was even better - they stopped the open 4-wheel drive in the middle of the river. We could see the Milky Way above us and there were lots of fireflies flying around. I can't even explain my feelings at that moment.
We cannot thank Kathi and African Welcome Safaris enough for putting together this super awesome trip.
Seriously, you won't regret choosing African Welcome Safaris.
We will definitely go back again and will add Botswana in our plan.
Advice: Check with your safari lodge about their morning game drive time. We missed our last morning game drive because we had to leave for the airport before the game drive usually ends. Also try to check with the hotels about breakfast when you have to leave earlier than their normal breakfast time. Some will prepare you a take-away breakfast box so you can have it in the car or at the airport.
CA
Email André | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once again, African Welcome Safari came through for us to organize a trip of a lifetime!
Once again African Welcome Safari came through for us! We travelled to South Africa in 2013 and this year, when came time to book our second trip to Africa , there was no hesitation! Kathi from African Welcome Safari was going to be our go-to person to put it together. As we wanted to visit Botswana, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Namibia, we knew it would be much easier to deal with someone with knowledge and experience, as opposed to having to search the Web for hours on end to find the best place to stay, how to get from point A to point B, etc. Within a few e-mails back and forth with Kathi, she was able to put together a great itinerary that would allow us to experience the best these countries have to offer! From flights and transfers between countries, car rentals, to lodges and tented camps, everything she booked for us was extraordinary!!!! If you are looking to organize your trip to the great continent of Africa, African Welcome Safari is your best option!
André & Natalie from Canada
Email Guy Warmington | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nothing was too much trouble - Alex and team ensured we had a wonderful, trouble-free trip.
Our self-drive trip to South Africa went way beyond our expectations. We had a reasonable (although fairly ill-informed) idea of some things we wanted to do, but needed someone on the ground to offer advice on logistics, costs, availability, appropriateness of choices and general advice. What we ideally wanted was a ‘one-stop-shop’ where we could go for advice and wrap up the organisation our entire 3-week trip from front to back, from ideas through to bookings. I have to say, it’s (sadly) rare these days to get such dedicated service and attention all through the consultation and booking process. Once the trip was underway, we had no mishaps from start to finish, since every single aspect of the trip was meticulously planned. My wife and son also had a fabulous time, and we were reluctant to come back to the UK! Alex's advice was particularly helpful with regard to the fact that we were travelling with a 3 year-old, which brings with it its own challenges. In short, we had the trip of a lifetime and we have fantastic memories to treasure! Not only would we feel 100% confident of referring any friends or family to African Welcome Safaris for advice, we are threatening to come back next year too!
Email Robbie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An excellent introduction to South Arica
This was my 1st time to South Africa. Often, after 10/11 days, I'm looking to go home but this 3 week trip just flew by. Cape Town, the wine tour, the Garden Route and wildlife safaris were excellent.
The accommodation was 1st class and guides friendly and knowledgeable.
US
Email Susan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Welcome Safaris gave us a great deal for a luxury safari in an amazing private reserve.
Our contact at African Welcome Safaris, Kathi, was very responsive and helpful, answering several ad hoc questions that we had. The option that we chose at the Little Bush Lodge in Sabi Sabi was a wonderful trip and we loved our stay. African Welcome Safaris offered a package that included federal air transfers as well, which were very efficient and maximized our time on safari.
Email Lorraine & Neil Smith | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experience in Sabi Sands
We had a 4 night fly-in safari to Sabi Sabi private game park, staying at Earth Lodge and it was awesome. From start to finish we were cared for, waited on, fed with great meals (all inclusive) and went on fantastic game drives twice/day. Kathi at African Welcome Safaris was so helpful in organising it all for us. She had great communication and everything went smoothly. We thoroughly recommend this company to anyone thinking of visiting Africa and if you want to see leopards, Sabi Sabi is the place to go. Thanks so much!
Email Cathy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
We had the most amazing trip, it was even better than I had hoped. South Africa is such a complex, diverse and beautiful country from the scenery to the people.
Everything went extremely well thanks to the meticulous planning of African Welcome Safaris.
Every transfer went without a hitch, our one day tour in Johannesburg was with one of the best guides we have ever had, and all the accommodation was excellent.
Victoria Falls was breathtaking and it was such a treat to stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel, it felt like stepping back in time to a more relaxed and refined era.
We really loved Blackheath Lodge in Sea Point, it had a special feel about it. The highlight was Tanda Tula,
what a great adventure. The staff were so welcoming, the accommodation was very unique and we saw the most stunning sights we have ever seen. The sunrises and sunsets were beautiful.
African Welcome Safaris thought about every detail and our trip flowed seamlessly. There was also plenty of documentation provided and contact numbers for each phase of the trip so we had a back up plan if something went wrong. The itinerary that Kathi put together for us was just right, we felt we spent the right number of days in each location to enable us to see the sights we wanted to see.
Email Alan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Reliable and trustworthy - relax in their hands...
A fifth trip organised by African Welcome was possibly the best of all. They've all been the best of all! The patience while we have planned the trips and the working to our requests for style and comfort level has always been exemplary. Excellent communications and practical, pragmatic advice. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a trip to Southern Africa.
MY
Email Dr Ait-Allah Mejri | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It was a great reward!
Everything was perfect! African Welcome Safari organised for us a marvelous 10-day safari which allowed us to discover Victoria Falls and the stark, otherworldy beauty of Botswana. It was really one of the best and most luxurious ways to experience the highlights of Botswana and its world-class game viewing!
US
Email Tiffany | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
From start to finish, AfricanSafaris was incredible. Kathi Simon was so easy to work with and created an itinerary based upon our wishes. She understood our best hopes and every detail was mapped out perfectly! It took all the stress away for us and allowed for us to just enjoy our experiences. All of the accommodations and expeditions, safaris, etc went above and beyond our expectations. Every question and concern we had was answered on a timely fashion and we felt so comfortable with our itinerary and plans. All of the companies African Safari's contracts with had such friendly and helpful employees. Nothing but positive things to say!