Director Michelle on a mokoro in Botswana
Explore & Travel Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2020)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
MY
Email Soon Lai NG | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Michelle Ashley patiently tailormade a 8 fantastic days of Botswana safari of Delta, desert n river!
Michelle was able to understand our requirements n it met all our expectations of varied safari in different terrain n environment. Tour was well organized n Kwando Lodges were comfortable, had excellent staff, good meals, knowledgeable guides. Flying to different lodges saved a lot of time too. The cost was well worth every penny. Daily laundry service was an extra bonus!
Email Andrew | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable, efficient, kind and responsive to questions.
I contacted a variety of agents via Google search. After a few days of posing my questions and requirements I found myself warming to Michelle at Explore & Travel Africa. She was knowledgeable, responded quickly, and in particular paid attention to my needs. I had set a budget which we quickly exceeded (for good reasons). This was a short notice booking to take advantage of unusual availability from the uk of airmile flights with BA to JNB, celebrating my upcoming 60th.
Michelle helped me find 2 lovely but contrasting safari properties that were available at a modest discount. I arranged our transport to Hoedspruit (BA then Airlink… excellent) and Michelle arranged the private transfers to Klasserie Drift and on to Arathusa and back to Hoedspruit. These transfers worked perfectly and I am so glad that I didn’t take the alternative option of renting a car. The roads are not driver friendly!
Klaserie Drift was simply stunning. The setting and staff/service set it apart. I could not think of any worthwhile improvements that could have been made. The food was exquisite, the setting just amazing and our river view room just stunning. The aircon struggled to cope with the nearly 40 degree temperatures but luckily the ceiling fan helped. Every member of staff went above and beyond and Khutso was an amazing guide/tracker. Although we saw an amazing variety of animals, in contrast to Arathusa they were perhaps harder to find. But every one of our 6 drives delivered and then some. Highlights included lion, hyena, vultures, rhino, elephant, water buffalo but no other cats. Loads of birds too.
Arathusa was also luxurious with a wonderful room. We had some amazing sightings and in particular close encounters with leopard, hyena and wild dogs. Plenty of lion. White rhinos in The distance at dusk. We seemed a little less lucky compared to the other cars out from Arathusa however. Our guide seemed to be a bit out on his own.
In summary I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Michelle at Explore and Travel Africa. Thank you! Hope to be back.
US
Email Leisa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacular
Michelle arranged a day tour and guide of the Apartheid museum in Johannesburg . The guide and driver were very knowledgeable and even took us on a little detour to see more. Then we went to Shimungwe Lodge in Thorneybush reserve near Kruger National park. The lodge is small and amazing. Every comfort, tea,drink or food you could want. The game driver and tracker found the big 5 for us to view. And so much more. It was a little spendy for us but the experience was more than worth the price.
Email Michaela Muller-Schuhwerk | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
amazing, excellent trip across 3 countries organised by Michelle which surpassed our expectations!
I loved dealing with Michelle at Explore & Travel Africa the moment we first made contact. I had described what I had roughly wanted out of 3 1/2 weeks travelling to Botswana, the Vic falls and Namibia and Michelle had planned the perfect trip for us.
I loved the fact that there was lots of input from both sides, that Michelle really tried to incorporate everything that was important to us and tried to stick to the budget we had given her. She changed parts of the itinerary to make the trip more cost effective without losing any of the sites we wanted to see. The lodges throughout our trip were beautiful, the locations we stayed at in the Okavango delta very varied and Michelle made sure that we experienced the various different areas that this beautiful part of Botswana provided. We then travelled to the Victoria falls, which again was incredibly beautiful before embarking on a 2 week self drive through Namibia. Again, Michelle had planned a trip for us that included all the major sites. The lodges and accommodation were incredible despite it being only "midrange"! Travelling was easy in every country! Local people were incredibly friendly and all English speaking and everything was arranged down to the last essential! From car rental to travel instruction (down to the last mile and where to turn left); helpful advice, maps, guides etc. The wildlife and scenery was stunning and it helped that travelling was easy and our stay in incredibly varied and beautiful accommodation. From Windhoek to Soussouvslei, Swakopmund, Damara Land Etosha and Africat, we did about 3000 km and experienced breathtakingly beautiful scenery and very friendly people. The wildlife was incredible. Michelle had planned a perfect trip for us for a special occasion. Communication with her was excellent, via email, ZOOM, WhatsApp, or any other form needed. It was a wonderful trip and I will certainly come back to Michelle if and when we plan other areas to see in Africa! A job very well done!
