Owners Ines & Christopher
Indigo Safaris
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
United States
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, APTA, FGASA & DEMA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $60 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email John - Islamorada, FL | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip
In addition to the more common safaris centered around the "big five", we also wanted to see Lemurs and Gorillas while in that part of the world. We also wanted to see different ecosystems. Since Africa is so far from home, we decided to take a little more time to explore while in the neighborhood. We had 27 days including travel to do it. Africa is a big place and travel from point to point can consume a significant chunk of time and budget if not planned properly. Christopher did a nice job of providing options, suggesting changes (upgrades, things to pass on, what to see, what not to see) how to prioritize, when and where to go, seeing more animals and less fellow tourists, efficient routing and staying on top of schedule changes. He did all of this within our timeline and budget. He actually had been to all these places and had first hand knowledge.
The final agenda Chris came up with was superb and the venues were outstanding. We saw everything we wanted to see and a whole lot more, in multiple habitats. The camps/eco-resorts were comfortable and almost all were quite elegant. The tour operators were all top notch and professional. Timing was critical and all the operators Chris chose came through. All of the tour operators chosen, without hesitation went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and accommodated special requests. To pull it off without a hitch was a challenge in coordination and logistics. Chris got it done for us.
Thank you Chris for organizing such an incredible trip!
DE
Email Sina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Smooth organisation, relaxing stay and great experience
The organisation in advance was very easy and took not so much time. The communication via email was quick and really friendly. My expectations from the package that I booked were exceeded...it was even way better than I thought :)
The safaritour itself in the Selous River Camp was amazing, the mudhut was so nice and the staff was all the time friendly and helpful!
I can absoluetly recommend that organisation.
US
Email Kim Decker | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once again, Christopher B. and Indigo Safaris dialed me IN!
This is the third--count 'em: 3rd!--time that I've worked with Christopher Bartlett and Indigo Safaris. And once again, I'm glad I did. (And I would--and do--enthusiastically recommend that others do the same.)
So where'd he send me? We're looking at four weeks and five countries in Africa: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda. The activities ranged from a world-class two-week vehicle safari in Bots (we pretty much made a circle around that grand country) to romping about Victoria Falls in Zam, canoeing on the Zambezi in Zim, getting some well-earned "city time" in ZA and seeing our primate ancestors up-close-and-personal in Uganda. It was, I'm not hesitant to say, the trip of a lifetime.
And Christopher mapped out the whole blasted thing. Seamlessly. Seriously, early in the year, I share with him the gist of what I wanted to do and see this go-round in Africa, and he took things from there, arranging for lodging, pick-ups, drop-offs, permits, guides--everything. And all along the way, there was consistent, conversational, constructive back-and-forth between the two of us so that we were both on the same clearly delineated page. (He even helped me nail down my packing list, the dear.)
Everything was so well planned that I kinda just landed in Kasane one day like a babe in the woods and trusted that the trip would unspool as Christopher had listed in my itinerary. And that's just what it did.
The only difference was that it went smoother and was better than I'd expected.
I don't know how he does it. But I aim to work with him again, just to see if I can figure it out... ;)
US
Email Michael Pare | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience!
We booked our Chobe Safari through Indigo and were very impressed with the service. Chris communicated very well during the planning process. As we got closer to the Safari date we had to make a last minute change to delay our departure and Chris was able to help us adjust our safari with the tour company, Kalahari. We were able to extend in Livingston an extra day and were able to swim in "Devil's Pool" as a result. The Chobe Safari turned out to be excellent with a really good guide that found us lots of wildlife and really comfortable camping arrangements. Highly recommended!!
Email Hans Bentzen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Christopher prooved to be a fantastic and very helpful tour operator, sorting out problems for us.
The organisation and planning by Indigo (Christopher) was very good and in depth. The actual tour was operated by another company whom were also very good and provided us with an indepth, insightful tour, delivering all that was promised and more.
Email Sean McClellan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Slow and rude to respond, then failed to organise the few things left to him
Indigo safaris were sometimes slow to respond. The scanned documentation provided failed to give enough information, which also led to some confusion, for example exactly which side of Victoria Falls we were visiting. There was also a breakdown of communication between Indigo Safaris and the 3rd party safari provider in Kasane which resulted in us waiting from 6 am until 7:30 am to go on safari.
We had asked for a game drive as early as possible, as this is the ideal time to see birds. Along with an evening boat trip - also ideal as you get to see an amazing sunset. What was arranged was a mid morning boat trip, followed by a game drive starting at 1:30pm, i.e. the heat of the day. When I pushed back about this, I was told via email:
"All that has happened is that they have been switched round as Kalahari Tours have put their scheduled game drives on in the afternoon and boat cruises in the morning as they that gives better results."
When I said this was not what we wanted, or paid for, and gave good reasons, I was then told:
"I can ask to move the boat safari earlier, but doubt it will be much earlier.
The afternoon game drive in Chobe is a group activity, as you know, and the focus is going to be on animals and they love to go to the river to drink when it’s hot."
I then pushed harder, with an emphasis on how I felt we would see more first thing. The trip was then changed to what we wanted. Albeit on the day the change had not made it to the schedule, hence standing around for an hour and a half. Plus Christopher continued to argue the case for midday safaris. Perhaps he should put that as a unique feature of his safaris!
Reply from Indigo Safaris
Posted on Aug 1, 2016I'm not sure what Sean considers slow, but in the course of our exchanges, spanning 70 emails received and several phone calls covering numerous itinerary options not only Botswana with quotes for 2 and 4 travellers, considerable advice about seasonality, lodges, transport etc, but also Mozambique and Papua New Guinea, rearranging the itinerary booked with six local service providers when Sean booked his international flights home on the wrong day, and then switching back to the original plan when the flight problem was fixed, I mostly replied on the same day, sometimes immediately.
When exchanges are immediate and multiple, like in a conversation, I confess I do not start every email with a salutation.
Regarding the change in the activities in Chobe, these were made by the service provider, and changed back to Sean's preference as soon as possible. He alerted me to his preference for the schedule on a Thursday evening, the Friday being a public holiday in Botswana, and the switch back was effective on the Monday morning. The local provider unfortunately and uncharacteristically did not enter the change in their schedule, for which i apologised to Sean, despite his initial defamatory and untrue review, the title of which remains unchanged.
As a side note, the game viewing of mammals along Chobe riverfront is excellent throughout the day, including at midday, and also conveniently fit with early morning and afternoon boat safaris, for those who don't want to wait four or five hours between the two activities. The light isn't the best for photography, but there is plenty to see. There are also full-day game drives along the riverfront and visitors can experience the difference in behaviour and light. If they were no good, they wouldn't be offered.
Sean's documentation (not scanned, but a PDF created for him) listed a transfer to Victoria Falls (in Zimbabwe), as per his request, after he had been quoted for transfers to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Livingstone, Zambia, and after a considerable discussion on the phone on the merits of both locations. I really don't think I could have made it any clearer that the town of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe, not Zambia.
Email Edward | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly, efficient and knowledgeable
Christopher acted as an agent to book us a safari in Sabi Sands and Kruger, South Africa. He was extremely responsive by email, and was able to contact multiple operating companies on our behalf to check availability at late notice.
The camp he suggested - Tydon - was superb on all counts. The guides were knowledgeable, the accommodation comfortable, and the food was exceptional. The size of our tour group was much smaller than some of the larger operators, and the camp had a really intimate feel. We particularly appreciated having access to the Sabi Sands reserve in addition to Kruger - each had their pros and cons (different landscapes, wildlife and regulations), and by having game drives in both, we felt like we really got the most out of our trip. The transfer from Johannesburg worked seamlessly.
In addition to arranging the booking, Christopher was able to offer information on the Johannesburg area, and gave us advice on arranging our travel itinerary to maximise our time out in the bush.
Highly recommended.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
thoroughly enjoyable with flawless execution from Chris.
I was not completely aware that this would be a road adventure through a magnificent desert landscape. ( my faulty for not paying attention ).The animals encountered played second fiddle to the country. Chris had organized a series of accommodations to excite and delight in every way. It would have been a much poorer trip without his bubbly personality and depth of local knowledge. Not to mention his ingenuity in a crisis.
I would highly recommend Chris and his Company to anyone that will listen. I have started beating that drum already.
CH
Email Christian Schneider | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing underwater Safari Komodo
We where on a longer trip and had plans to go to Komodo, but did not really know what the options are and what the best thing would be for us. We contacted Indigo Safari and Chris did an outstanding job describing the various options which helped us to take our decisions. He was very patient with us (we did not always had Internet access and let him wait somethimes). We ended up chartering a small liveaboard for a very comprehensive price, and had an excellent time diving some of the best spots in Komodo, including the somethimes difficult areas in the nord. Finally we booked a week in Ambon to get started with Muck diving, and we loved it.
Chris has very good ideas and is able to book you into spots that are not available through a normal travel agency.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
9 day Photographic Safari taking in three Nature Parks in South Tanzania organised and led by Chris.
This was a very intensive safari through 3 of Tanzania's Nature Parks at the end of the dry season led by Christopher Bartlett, who was a fountain of knowledge. I have only just got around to viewing some of the many stunning photographs obtained despite being a novice using a new and unfamiliar camera, I am very grateful to Christopher for his help and advice in this respect.
This tour was organised on a very tight budget so the accommodation was basic but adequate - quite an experience to have Elephants and other animals walking past the door in the middle of the night!
A very memorable experience and having now recovered, would very much like to go on another one!
Highly recommended.