Director Michelle on a mokoro in Botswana
Explore and Travel Africa
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2020)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Liz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic, helpful, friendly, flexible, reliable
Michelle Astbury, our travel consultant was essential in planning this trip. Our daughter had used her a few years ago and suggested her. We haven’t used an agent in 20 years and always plan trips ourselves but for an African safari plus Capetown and Victoria Falls, having someone from the country to help plan was the best way to go for us. Michelle was knowledgeable and booked wonderful places within our budget and all the excursions, flights, transfers hotels, dinners, etc. she was responsive and flexible and available to help even during the trip. I would highly recommend Michelle.
US
Email Walt | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent pre-safari planning as well as on safari support.
We have used Michelle for our the majority of our 8 trips to Africa and her service is spot on. She listens to what you think you want to see and do, respects your budget and travel needs and always matches up the perfect experience. From lodge selection, transport between venues and attendance to detail, she provides gear customer service.
This year we visited 3 lodges, 4 nights each, all in areas we had previously been to. Each was unique, very comfortable and all provided a great experience . We extended two days in Hoedspruit and Michelle selected the perfect accommodation. A lodge with a terrific room, excellent staff and really great food.
We highly recommend Michelle at Explore and Travel Africa if you want exceptional service from an extremely knowledgeable travel expert.
US
Email Susy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great operator
We had a great time on safari. Michelle booked the perfect trip for us.
SG
Email Su Yun | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
Michelle was a great planner for our Africa safari holiday. She is very knowledgeable and experienced about the camps and the safari experience, which led to excellent recommendations for lodges which had fantastic properties, game guiding and service. Our transfers between places were smooth. She is patient and reliable with our queries and requirements.
CA
Email Bill and Nellie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Michelle has been amazing in getting our Namibia trip organized in every respect!
Dear Michelle,
We just wanted to extend our sincere thanks to you and your team at Explore & Travel Africa for the absolutely superb job you did organizing our recent two-week self-driving tour through Namibia. From the moment we landed in Windhoek to our departure two weeks later, everything was arranged with such care and professionalism—it truly made the trip seamless and enjoyable.
The vehicle you arranged was perfect for the 2,500 km journey, especially given some of the more challenging road conditions. Having someone meet us upon arrival with all the necessary documents and the incredibly detailed welcome package—complete with road maps, lodge contact details, and emergency numbers—gave us tremendous peace of mind.
Every lodge along the way, from Windhoek to Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Etosha, and back, was just right, and we could tell that careful thought went into each selection.
As seniors, we deeply appreciated how smooth and stress-free everything was. It was truly a first-class experience from start to finish.
With heartfelt thanks,
Bill and Nellie
Canada
ES
Email Maritrini | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most wonderful experience ever lived
Our experience with this agency was perfect, the lodges, the transport, the food, the activities (safari). All was perfectly planned.
FR
Email Laurent | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome
I don’t regret every penny that I spent for this trip.
Awesome , fantastic, géant, incroyable, magnifique
Email Steve | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Michelle Astbury was thorough, helpful with great attention to detail
Pre- travel arrangements and communications were smooth, helpful and detailed.
The arrangements proved perfect. The internal flight and road transfers worked well. The lodge (Waterbuck) in Kruger was small and intimate with expert guides and great cooks. The setting was great with our own water hole outside our rooms (visited by all sorts including elephants and at night hippos). 4 fascinating days in which we saw all the Big 5 and many more.
Then transferred to Cape Town for a week in Constantia. The Last Word hotel was excellent.
Email Paul | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thoughtful choices of accommodation and activities
Michelle crafted an excellent and thoughtful itinerary for our three weeks in Southern Africa, including safaris at Sabi Sands, Klaserie and a day trip into Botswana (Chobe) from Victoria Falls. Arathusa Lodge in Sabi was great, with views of the watering hole and lots of visiting wildlife from our bedroom window. Klaserie Drift was a tranquil place to unwind and with all the creature comforts. The complimentary laundry service was much appreciated! We ticked off the obligatory Big 5 in the first few days on safari, saw lots of other animals and learned a lot from the informative guides. All the internal flights and transfers worked seamlessly to ensure a stress free holiday. The Blyde River Canyon and Victoria Falls are a must to add to a safari adventure. Definitely recommend Ilala Lodge, where you can see the spray from the falls whilst enjoying breakfast on the terrace. We also explored Cape Town and surrounds before self-driving the Garden Route. Thank you Michelle for pulling it all together and all the invaluable advice. The Travelkey app was very useful too.
HK
Email Hanspeter + Rosemarie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
helpfull and professional
Lodges were perfect and the guides very professional.
great experience