Our founder Alex in Tanzania
Extraordinary Africa
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Travel Trust Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $124 to $2,487 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Adam | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
So Glad I Chose Extraordinary Africa
I’ve been to Africa half a dozen times prior to this trip (including Uganda 6m prior) but never to Southern Africa, I’d heard good things about Alex Matts at Extraordinary Africa so I reached out and it turned out to be one of best choices I’ve made. I gave Alex a broad remit on where to go (SA, Zim, Zam, Botswana, Namibia), my budget, how many days and dates of travel and she came up with brilliant options. Her communications were both by email and telephone and we soon narrowed down to the final itinerary. She gave me total confidence that she’d listened to my wants.
She chose Zambia, as I’d asked for the best chance for Wild Dogs in October, she chose 2 great lodges as I’d asked her to limit the travel days, both lodges more than hit the mark with my requests. More importantly, Alex suggested I visit the Lower Zambezi National Park, staying at Anabezi Camp (camp is misleading, it’s more 5-6 star hotel in the bush! I’m so grateful to Alex for this choice as it wasn’t on my list and hadn’t considered LZNP, this to me encapsulates the reason for putting for faith in an expert and Alex at Extraordinary Africa certainly qualifies as this!
Email Michele Davies | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptional experience with Extraordinary Africa for our Kenyan Holiday.
Alex from Extraordinary Africa arranged a fabulous 13 night trip for us to Kenya - on safari and the beach. Her knowledge of different areas/camps was excellent but what made the experience exceptional was the time and effort she put into ensuring that the trip was perfect for us. She spent a considerable amount of time establishing what our preferences and priorities were and then suggested a couple of different itineraries which we then tweaked together to finalise the trip. Her patience was very much appreciated and all three lodges we visited were exactly as she described. Every transfer we took and representative we met was carefully co-ordinated and we were assisted at all times by reliable and professional staff and drivers. The whole trip ran like clockwork. We are experienced safari goers but this was the best trip we have made and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Extraordinary Africa for your travels.
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Email Casey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional experience working with Alex from Extraordinary Africa
I had a vision for what a family trip to South Africa could be and Alex from Extraordinary Africa managed to exceed every possible expectation. She went to great lengths to understand our budget, desired locations, trip timing and "must haves" including avoiding small planes while traveling to a luxury Safari location (my wife is afraid to fly!). This trip checked every box imaginable and I couldn't be happier with the service level and attention to detail from Alex. The absolute highlight of the trip was our stay at Rockfig Safari Lodge. Alex recommended them for a high end Safari experience and every possible detail was managed for us. We traveled to Cape Town, the Timbavalti area of the Kruger National Park and Johannesburg. All three legs of the trip felt like mini-vacations; each with their own highlights. I could not be happier with the experience. Not only would I use Alex again my family and I would return to Rockfig in a heartbeat. Love everyone there!
Email Ben | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I can't imagine what a better tour operator would be than Extraordinary Africa
Extraordinary Africa totally understood the brief and then delivered on it, flawlessly. They brought their extensive knowledge to the game to improve our original ideas. They gave us plenty of options around the plan we devised. They put up with my prevaricating and questions without hesitation. Finally, when it came to delivery it was perfect, the whole holiday went without a hitch. We got great service everywhere and I felt we could not have been in better hands. What a better holiday operator would be I cannot imagine because Extraordinary Africa delivered 100% at every stage. The holiday itself was a visit to South Africa first the wine lands and then on to safari.
Email Emily | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfection. Highly recommend.
Alex offers a phenomenal service. Honestly - completely faultless. From our very first call to millions of other calls, queries and emails. Just amazing service - professional, thoughtful, a pleasure to deal with and exceptionally helpful at every stage. Not to mention the actual safari itself being the most magical holiday ever. As first time safari goers she completely put us as ease and made sure we had the most special experience. Answering all our stupid questions, responding immediately, and one unforgettable moment when - upon arrival in Amboseli - the guide already knew I was keen to see the flamingos. Epic communication. She really went above and beyond. Do not hesitate to book with EA.
Email Judith | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Just wonderful!
I had approached several companies before encountering Alex at Extraordinary Africa. She listened to our preferences carefully, made us feel as if our trip was the most important thing on her mind, cross checked all suggestions, providing alternatives, until perfection was reached. Following discussions about weather and animal migrations at different times of the year, our trip included Victoria Falls, two game lodges in Botswana and concluded in Cape Town. All accommodation was even better than expected with helpful and charming staff and the game drives themselves were just wonderful, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Transfers were guided and smooth and we always felt safe and well cared for. Safari trips are not cheap and Botswana is one of the more expensive destinations, but there were no nasty surprises and our trip was one of the most memorable and rewarding travel experiences of my life. Thank you Alex!
Email Bruno&Becky | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb
We used Alex/EA for our honeymoon. Originally booked for November 2020, we finally managed to go at rather short notice in November 2021. Even without COVID, our trip was beset with (enitrely blameless) rotten luck, including a last minute safari lodge change, the Blue Train literally derailing and a red list change meaning we had to get home urgently. Throughout all of this Alex was sensational, ensuring that we had the best possible time. Judging by the way we were treated, we are convinced Alex's hidden hand was there to make sure we were especially looked after.
Alex was a certain 5* across communication, service, value for money and reliability. The trip itself was magnificient and one we will remember for the rest of our lives.
We have had no hesitation in recommending Alex to friends and using her again. Indeed, our trip was so fantastic we fully intend on going back, and will be using her again for sure!
Email Wasim | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flying Serengeti Safari- Amazing experience!
I contacted Alex a few months before flying out to Tanzania. I had no prior knowledge of safaris having never been on one and Alex was very informative throughout the whole process. Despite working at short notice during the COVID pandemic she was able to plan and deliver a perfect experience!
The safari involved staying at 5 different lodges and Zanzibar extension with internal light aircraft flights between each one. However, the safari was so well planned by Alex that all of this was seamless.
The safari itself was a truly amazing experience. We saw the big 5 and witnessed the wilderbeest migration along with big cat action. The quality of the accommodation and service at Asilia was outstanding. Again, huge credit to Alex on this one as she recommended these lodges.
In the end, I decided to book my Zanzibar accommodation independently as I have several hotel points which I could use. Alex was accepting of this and was always very flexible.
Before booking my safari, I contacted around 25 safari companies which included those in the UK and local to Tanzania. I'm confident I chose the best as not did I have an amazing time but also Alex actually worked out to be one of the cost efficient. I felt some of the companies were heavily sales orientated but never with Alex- she is very passionate about safaris and I always felt she wanted me to have the best experience regardless of who I went with.
It's just a shame Alex only operates African tours as I would probably use her services for every holiday if I could!
Email Rupert | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible !!!
Well.... What can I say!! The best Holiday we have ever had by a mile!! Alex planned our whole honeymoon from start to finish with not a single fault!! In fact ....every accomodation, trip & activity she recommended was exactly what we wanted ..... Just perfect!! The attention to detail which Alex gave was simply incredible ....she was always happy to help and if we were unsure on anything she would take the time to explain!! We went to both South Africa and Zimbabwe ....which was mind-blowing..... & Alex's knowledge of Africa is incredible, she listened to exactly what we wanted in each place, which made the whole trip perfectl!!
I have already recommended Alex to work colleagues and friends and will continue to do so .... !! Thank you once again for making are honeymoon such a memorable experience!!
Email Tim C | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing family holiday over Christmas to South Africa
WOW! I can't thank Alex enough for helping us design, book and ensure we had a fabulous family holiday.
Alex came recommended by a friend, for whom she had designed an amazing honeymoon but with two young daughters (8 & 10) our needs were going to be very different. From the very start Alex's approach was very friendly and warm. She listened to our loose plans, questioned us on our likes and dislikes and then put together her suggested itinerary, we discussed this at length altering it to reflect our feedback, availability and budget. You can see that Alex’s loves what she does and cared passionately about getting it right for us. Her personal knowledge, contacts and experience were all evident in shaping our holiday.
Communication was excellent, before, during and after our trip, with fast responses. It felt that Alex was getting just as excited about our trip as we were. Everything we needed to know was provided on paper and via a very helpful app, this included all possible background, from what to pack and vaccination requirements through to thoughtful restaurant and activity suggestions, to driving directions.
She managed our expectations well, providing realistic ratings and descriptions of our accommodation choices and even gave updates prior to our departure e.g. on building work at an adjoining property (which we didn’t even notice when we were there).
On the holiday itself it felt that we were VIP’s, whether purely though great accommodation choices or through more direct influence it felt that we always got ‘the room with a view’, or some special feature that made it and us feel really special.
I don’t normally do reviews but in this case felt motivated to do so. I can’t recommend Extraordinary Africa and Alex specifically enough!