Meet the Team - eTrip Africa
E-Trip Africa
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- ATA, IATAN, IGS, KPAP & CODE
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Neil | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant Organisation, Excellent Safety and a Great Experience
The trip was really well organised with excellent communication from the beginning. Every aspect of the trip was well organised with clear direction on what we were going to be doing, at what time and instructions given on what was needed from us. We were given daily briefings on what to expect, given daily health checks and were constantly supported and encouraged all the way to the top of Kilimanjaro. The Guides, Ported, Cooks and all the E Trip Team were fantastic all the time and nothing was too much for them. The 4 days Safari after the hike were fantastic and the knowledge of the drivers enabled us all to see Cheetahs, Leopards, Lions and even a Black Rhino. We couldn’t have asked for more from the team. Would thoroughly recommend E Trip
Email Ramona | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience delivered with utmost professionalism!
We had a wonderful experience with eTrip! The tour was very well organized, excellent value for money, and there was great attention to detail to ensure our comfort and that the entire safari experience was outstanding. The guides also showed great knowledge and flexibility, and they ensured that our experience was catered to what we wanted to see.
Email Amyn Husain | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding service, a flawless program with a keen eye on sustainability and ethics
Ben and Aurelie patiently organised a Kilimanjaro and safari itinerary for a group of 18 of us. Covid delays meant the trip was postponed for 2 years and each time the trip was rolled forward with minimal hassle. What a fantastic crew, superior and experienced guides, a looked after porter team and attention to detail at every corner. We had a 100% summit success and the lead guide’s pole pole approach paid off. I would recommend them to anyone, whether a small or large group. We loved the fact that they are socially conscious with a high standard for all staff accompanying us and no short cut measures to compromise the highest ethical standards. A superb memory.
US
Email Debi White | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional
ETrip Africa was professional, knowledgeable and very helpful throughout the booking procedure. They sent updates as needed, made suggestions and followed through until the trip was over. Aliden was an incredible tour guide, found every animal imaginable, some so far away that we couldn’t see with a naked eye until he pointed them out. He found a way to get close to everything (except for a rhino but not for lack of trying). He took his time and made sure we were satisfied in every way. Would definitely recommend ETrip but ask for Aliden!
Email STEVE PERRY | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wow what a trip. The most knowledgeable helpful and effecient tour operator I have ever used.
We booked our trip before the pandemic and Ben at etrip handled our postponements without any hesitation or hassle. Ben replied promptly to our questions and made suggestions using his local knowledge to enhance our experience. We were greeted at the airport and then looked after brilliantly by the team at Researcher's Rest where we had some great food and a good night's sleep. Our fantastic driver and guide Elisha picked us up early the next morning and we set off on a 6 night safari. We visited Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. All the accommodation was recommended by Ben and all were in great locations with great views. The rooms/tents were immaculate the beds were very comfortable and the service was fantastic. We saw all the big 5 and many many other animals. Thanks to Elishas experience and knowledge we had close encounters with lions. Leopards, cheetah, elephants, giraffe etc. The trip was excellent value for money and the Etrip team were very professional from start to finish. I would like say a special thank you to Elisha for making our trip one we will never forget.
US
Email Joan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Responsive
I was skeptical about the trip only because the cost was less than some tours and I was communicating with someone in another country but what they said was included was and everything was as promised! I loved the 8 day trip because we did more than the safaris including a beautiful waterfalls hike, bike ride, boat safari to a wildlife refuge and add on hot air balloon. All details were planned and all we had to do was be ready for Bernard in the mornings to take us on our adventures
US
Email Julia Hubbel | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
As soon as I am done with the last trip I am already planning my next with eTrip. That says it all.
My first experience with eTrip Africa was my climb up Kilimanjaro in 2013. I went up with Ben Jennings' wife, Aurelie, as I was solo on that trip with guides and our porter crew. The experience I had back then cemented what has become an ongoing love affair with East Africa and the many trips and experiences that eTrip continues to book for me. What sets eTrip apart for me includes:
1) custom designed safaris and experiences. They got to know me, and after a while all I had to do was tell them I was coming back, and I would get a laundry list of selected activities which closely fit the budget I'd given them.
2) Terrific guides: my favorite, Alladin, is also an engineer. His high-wattage brain is only matched by his high-wattage personality. His background in bush hotel management and guiding make him a perfect partner, and I know to request him early as he is much loved by other guests as well.
3) Ben and Aurelie work extremely hard to stay within budget limits but also let me know when and where an additional investment might make a very big difference in the quality of my time.
4) I get to stay at Researcher's Rest in Arusha, which has become like a second home, a graceful and stately place of tall trees, old woods and fine cooking for a most reasonable price.
5) In Moshi, I get to stay at Stella Maris, a fine hotel whose manager, Teddy Chewa, is also a high-wattage personality. Her hard work at the hotel makes a huge difference for the kids whose education and meals are supported by the hotel revenues.
6) It would be impossible to list all the ways in which Ben and Aurelie have done such a fine job of handholding with me and others not only as we are rookies in Africa, but most importantly as Covid has thrown so much of the travel world into a tailspin. I have learned to count on Ben to always and forever come in right under the wire with a document that I couldn't get in time or a way to fix a mistake on a visa application, or where to find a testing site to get the results just in time. That kind of attention to detail, not my strong suit, is part of why eTrip has earned my trust repeatedly. If I miss a flight, I'm not worried about it. Life happens, and these guys are pros.
7) I appreciate that Ben regularly directs me to operations, people, companies and charities who are doing good things in Africa. My tourist dollars are spent where they can do a lot of good, and I appreciate his passion for the community and the land where he runs his business.
8) I climbed Mt. Kenya with Ben and three of his guides, which gave me a unique opportunity not only to get to know his guides much better but also Ben, and watch how he worked with them. That kind of inside view gave me a whole other level of appreciation for the company, and is why I am planning a second summit attempt.
CH
Email Ylbere Sinani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A professional and very experienced tour guide
The whole trip in Tansania was carefully organized and booked according to our requirements. We had a fantastic time, unforgettable experience for the whole family, E-Trip Team - thank you very much!
US
Email Chuck Scott | Experience level: over 5 safaris
honest and a good listener
My situation is rather unique as we have traveled Africa many times over an 18 year period
but we are repeat clients of E Trip Africa
IQ
Email Matt | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb Tanzanian Safari at Last Minute
Ben and eTripAfrica took excellent care of us at short notice, presenting us with an extremely competitive quote within two days for a trip within two weeks. From the time we landed at JRO until the time we departed eight days later, everything was planned and under the control of Ben's team. The first night at Researcher's Rest in Arusha was the perfect reset after a long trip and put us in the right frame of mind for the adventure ahead. Our guide, Alladin, picked us up promptly the next day and was an exceptionally helpful, accommodating, gracious, resourceful, and well-informed companion for our tour through Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire. He deserves high praise for finding excellent viewing opportunities for lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, hippos, buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs, and all sorts of other creatures. This was no small feat during the height of rainy season, with high dense grasses and lots of mud and standing water covering the tracks through the parks. Alladin labored each day to provide us with a new adventure, and he delivered consistently. Our lodging was comfortable and relaxing at each stop, and we particularly enjoyed the Lemala Ewanjan and Serena camps, at which we were the only guests, which meant we had undivided attention and hospitality. Our final night was at the Lemala Mpingo Ridge camp, where the food, vistas, and comfort was off the charts. Our only regret is not spending more time there.
We are already thinking of when we can do another safari, and we would happily turn to Ben and his team to organize another for us. We recommend eTripAfrica 100 percent to others, and have already referred friends motivated by our adventure.