Explore and Travel Africa

5.0/5 – 63 Reviews

$5,847 to $6,955 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR. Show rate in ZAR

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Director Michelle on a mokoro in Botswana

Director Michelle on a mokoro in Botswana

Explore and Travel Africa

5.0/5  
(63 Reviews)
Office In:
South Africa South Africa
Size:
1-5 employees (Founded in 2020)
Tour Types:
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations:
Botswana BW
Kenya KE
Mauritius MU
Mozambique MZ
Namibia NA
Rwanda RW
South Africa ZA
Tanzania TZ
Uganda UG
Zambia ZM
Zimbabwe ZW
Director Michelle on a mokoro in Botswana

Director Michelle on a mokoro in Botswana

The Explore & Travel Africa Company is a bespoke luxury tour operator focusing on designing safaris to some of Africa’s most magnificent wildlife areas. Our African tours and vacations are tailored to suit your wishes. Our aim is to share what we know best, African Safari travel. Come on holiday to Africa and explore the wildlife, beauty and warmth of Africa for yourself.

Reviews63

Michelle was knowledgeble, asked excellent questions and guided us resulting in the perfect safari!
5/5

This trip could not have been more perfect. We arrived in Johannesburg and stayed at the Intercontinental and headed back to the airport to jump on a plane to Zimbabwe the following morning. We had lunch at the Look Out Cafe which overlooked the mighty Zambezi River and then headed to Victoria Falls for a private tour. The falls were gorgeous and our guide provided an excellent overview. We then headed to the Royal Livingstone in Zambia where we were greeted by zebra and giraffe on property. While checking in, we were provided with wine and the staff catered to us and all guests around the clock. We were celebrating my birthday and came back from dinner one evening to find a bottle of wine and a birthday cake. We must give a shout out to Edward. He was amazing! The next day we took a jetti boat up the river to the Elephant Cafe which is an elephant sanctuary. We spent time with 3 of the elephants on property and their trainers. The interactions were incredible! We were then greeted by the staff and chefs who walked through every course we would be having for lunch. I have severe food allergies and the chefs could not have been more attentive in altering the menu for me. We would highly recommend you visit this cafe. Our last day in Zambia was relaxing and included a sunset cruise on the river. The sunset was heavenly. We then headed to Cape Town and hiked Lions Head, did a tour of the Peninsula and also spent a day in the Stellenbosch wine country doing tastings. The views and wine were spectacular. We didn't want to leave. Antony was our guide both days. He was incredibly friendly and informative! We then concluded the trip with a safari and stayed at Shumbalala Game Lodge. Words can't describe this experience. Our room was spacious and upon request, the staff would light a fire in our room every evening. The room was stocked with insect repellent, sunscreen, we had heavy jackets for morning game drives, blankets and also water babies to keep us warm. Elephants daily drinking not just from the watering hole but also from the plunge pools. Danielle and her staff were remarkable. Each evening, we rotated where we ate dinner so outside overlooking the watering hole, inside, in the wine cellar and then to our surprise, they moved a table into our room and we had a romantic, candlelight dinner the last evening. A warm bubble bath was also drawn with rose petals and candles surrounding it. This lodge sleeps 14 people max and I highly recommend it as the experience is so intimate. Calvin (our driver) and Tony (our tracker) became like family. The animal viewing was spectacular. We saw elephant, lions, leopard, buffalo, rhinos, giraffe and the list goes on! We took morning and evening game drive breaks that involved pastries, juices, snacks and cocktails. Everything was top notch. Calvin and Tony also spent a good amount of time educating us on the animals. These guys have taken classes and continue to study animal behaviors, tracks, etc. We can't wait to go back and introduce our children to this lodge and this amazing experience which we have Michelle to thank for. I've worked with travel agents who are opinionated and push you in one direction and Michelle was the anthesis of this. She asked questions, listened and gave excellent advice. We have immense appreciation for all she did to create a long lasting memory for us. Thank you, Michelle!

Outstanding organisation from Michelle for our multigenerational group
5/5

We had used Michelle previously to organise a family trip (9 of us then) in 2022 in the Cape.

This time (now ten in total) we had a more complex trip to organise. Six of us (two at 75, son and daughter in law, and two granddaughters 12 and 10) went on safari in the greater Kruger at two different private lodges- Inyati and Simbavati Waterside. We flew into Johannesburg then on to Skakuza and started at Inyati. A well established lodge open to animals wandering through. Terrific game viewing and wonderful guide/ tracker who were delighted our two granddaughters took such interest in the tracks and dung identification!

Then a 3 hour road transfer to Simbavati. A newer lodge but with a stunning location, rooms and position overlooking a dam which attracted lots of wildlife. An equally successful stay, with great wildlife.

In both we saw all the big 5 and some very special sightings- leopards mating, packs of wild dog pups in both lodges and lionesses killing a huge buffalo. It was also the little things that made it so interesting. About plants etc. My wife and I have been to about ten game reserves in Africa, India and Sri Lanka. This was by far the best trip.

Then we flew back to Johannesburg and on to Mauritius where we met our eldest son, his wife and two little grandsons (1 and 4). They were too young to join us on safari. We had just over a week at the excellent La Pirogue resort, just relaxing. An excellent resort especially for the children. We had beach pavilions all nearby each other.

Michelle organised everything except international flights and did it brilliantly. Her advise on the game lodges and choice of resort in Mauritius were spot on, as were the logistics and transfers. It’s the little things like remembering that car seats would be needed in Mauritius for the transfers that make the difference as well as listening to our needs and booking accordingly.

Thank you Michelle!

Michelle is a knowledgeable and caring safari tour operator who delivers everything she promises.
5/5

On Michelle's recommendation, we started in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and then spent a week in Botswana's Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta. An absolutely magical trip, made possible by clear communication with Michelle, including several WhatsApp phone conversations; her helpful suggestions and instructions for preparations and lodgings; and the complete reliability of her tour plan and the camps, guides, drivers, and pilots on the other end. A Botswana safari, especially one with a higher degree of privacy and closeness to nature, isn't cheap (those bush planes add up), but it was absolutely worth the price. "I don't see how it could have gone better," our 14-year-old said afterward. None of us really wanted the trip to end. We can't recommend Michelle Astbury and Explore and Travel Africa highly enough.

I am so lucky to have found Michelle
5/5

I found the perfect person to coordinate my trip! I found Michelle online with good reviews and a good website. I was just throwing around the idea of a trip thinking I probably wouldn’t be able to afford it. Within an hour of sending in my request for information, Michelle responded to me (+9 hours from my time) and scheduled a phone call to discuss what I was looking for and my budget. When I talked to her on the phone, I instantly knew she was the right person for the job. She listened to all my goals of the trip and even though I thought I knew what I wanted, she let me know that there were better places for my animal expectations and the atmosphere I wanted.

SHE DID NOT FAIL! She found me the most amazing trip! A little bit of town and a lot of safari. Her communication and itineraries were exceptional! She found a trip that met all my wishes and even beat my budget. She gave travel tips and information on money, tipping, transportation and even included a few tours in Cape Town. My trip was PERFECT.

My hotel in Cape Town and two different Safari Lodges (and staff) were exactly fitted to my personality and the animals I wanted to see. Beautiful accommodations and the best of amenities at each. We had a tiny snag when I first arrived with my airport transportation. It was no big deal to me, I just grabbed an Uber. When Michelle found out, she got me a refund (not needed) on the transportation and even dropped off some trip gifts to my room. It seemed like she has a good relationship with the places she books because my first stop seemed like they knew her personally. It makes you feel like you are in good hands.

If you are a first-time safari-er, I can personally testify that Michelle will take great care of you and do her best to make sure your goals are met and trip is amazing. Her communication skills never leave you doubting if she is there or if she cares. She definitely does. I am thankful my search led me to her! THANK YOU MICHELLE!

The perfection is possibile
5/5

Our trip, fully organized remotely since we live in Italy, was flawless! We had already been to South Africa with this operator and came back thrilled, so we decided to repeat the experience in Namibia. Michelle worked hard for us to accommodate every request. Before our departure, she had prepared a detailed report of the accommodations and everything we would see, complete with photos, itinerary, and useful contacts. Hotels, transfers, activities, guides—everything was perfect. During our stay, Michelle reached out to get feedback on our satisfaction, and it was a pleasure for us to share our enthusiasm with her. We were truly impressed by her efficiency, punctuality, and kindness.

Other Safaris & Tours9  – Offered by Explore and Travel Africa

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Explore and Travel Africa, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Explore and Travel Africa.