The Luxury Safari Company
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- Air Travel Organisers' Licensing
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $1,056 to $3,960 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Sandra and Bruce Thompson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Luxury Safari Company has a great website to help you plan your trip & excellent support.
We found the communications to be very prompt and efficient. Rose Hipwood is extremely knowledgeable and can assist you in planning a trip of a lifetime. She thinks of every facet of your trip which is especially valuable if it is your first trip to Africa. They may not be the low cost provider, but we felt we got what we paid for. Every step of our trip went flawlessly and there were always people to meet us and help us with visas, transportation and luggage. We highly recommend The Luxury Safari Company and Rose Hipwood. The places we stayed were wonderful and the service and the kindness the staff showed us was beyond what we ever expected. We went to see the animals, but the warmth of the African people is a lasting memory.
Email Vanessa Yeoman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Quality lodges that could only be recommended by someone who has actually visited them....
This was our 3rd safari holiday that Rose has organised. Each lodge has been unique, fabulous, and truly a personalised experience. Do NOT go for any safari experience where your tour organiser has not got personal experience of the lodge.... the wrong guide, the wrong size of camp would completely spoil any experience of the wild....The animals are, and should always be in charge....this may not be understood by all camps, especially the big ones with many many guests to cater for.
Better go for 7 perfect days, than 10 rubbish days with too many guests.
Email Paula | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable and worth every penny
This was our second safari trip with Luxury Safari. We were in South Africa, the Winelands and Kenya in 2018, experiencing 3 safari camps and in Tanzania this trip, experiencing 3 camps, 4 nights each, with 4 nights in Zanzibar at the end. After 12 days of safari, Zanzibar could definitely be extended. Communication is key. Initially, when talking to Rose, she helped steer us away from some of the most advertised camps…simply because of what we told her we wanted to see and experience. I greatly appreciate an agent or company that treats our pocketbook like it was theirs and wants the client to have the best experience according to the clients budget. Our trips were perfectly organized and planned well. Tipping was an issue for us due to the amount of “new” entries into safari staffing. With staff, guide, butler, and personal tent attendant we felt we were expected to tip beyond what we budgeted. Also, as travelers we read each countries requirements for entry. This needs to be better communicated from Luxury Travel. The last camp we were in even said as much. For example, we thought we needed a Health form filled out for Zanzibar within 24 hours before arrival. Not true. The manager at Namiri Plains said it was frustrating that so many guests were not being told by their travel agents what the requirements were. Minor issues. That said, this type of trip is grueling AND the most rewarding trip we’ve ever had the pleasure of taking. We will absolutely book with Luxury Safari again!
PT
Email Anne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rose and team are perceptive in realising your dreams and meticulous in their fulfilment of them.
Our first ever safari was for a big Zero birthday in 2017 was just unforgettable . After a brief phone chat with Rose, she perceived instantly the kind of “in the wild” experience we were looking for. Zambia, the word amazing doesn’t do it justice.
We wanted to repeat the experience in 2020, but COVID struck and we had to wait 2 years, but Rose always kept us in the loop and everything was done to fit in with our available dates.
This time, Tanzania. Three very different camps with Nomad Tanzania. From arrival to departure at Dar, the 11 days went without a hitch. First stop the Serengeti, Lamai Private a cosy lodge for six , well located to see the crossing of the wildebeest. But much more to see than just this, from the big cats to cute mongoose, we always had to keep our eyes alert. Attentive staff and good food.
Then off we went to Greystokes Mahale. If chimps are your thing, this is truly an incredible experience. On the two days we were there we chimp trekked into the mountains for around an hour to invade the lives of Primus, Christmas and their family. The trek was a little challenging for some, but the guides are on hand to help and encourage. The setting of the lodge on the beach of the lake is an unexpected respite from the land safaris. The staff are absolutely dedicated to caring for the chimps welfare and survival. Extremely knowledgeable and great fun!
The only downside we found was the long journey both to and from our other camps. Be prepared for getting in and out of the Cessnas for various stops along the way.
Our last camp was Kiba point at Selous. This was my absolute favourite. Barely another jeep in the vicinity and a diverse array of animals and amazing birds to see. We had the house to ourselves and were treated royally. Our guide,Pay, was the absolute best we had. Full of knowledge and a great sense of humour. The visit to the hot spring was refreshing and our last day saw us watching a lionesses and cubs with a fresh giraffe kill.
Yet another successful, unforgettable Safari meticulously planned and executed by Rose and her team. The best.
CH
Email D & Rolf | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Luxury Safari experience!
Rose nailed the brief we provided, asking for a safari experience that was relaxed and intimate. The 3 camps we stayed at were fantastic (Sable Alley, Sindabezi, Sausage Tree), and enabled us to have a variety of experiences (bush drives, bush walks, canoeing, fishing) and see a large variety of game and birds. Each camp was a unique experience, with excellent service and attention to detail. It was exactly what we asked for! All of our logistics were seamless, and Rose was always available to answer quick questions. Can’t recommend Rose and team highly enough!
CH
Email Urs | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Rose listened to our wishes needs & wants... and she overdeliverd!
As we are experienced Africa & Safari Travelers this was about “ticking off 2 of our bucket lists items: Giraffe Manor and the Great Migrations.
Rose designed the trip brilliantly around these items and found a way to make the trip authentic African with a “bit of roughness” in the bush, perfectly timed and deliver on the bucket list items. Choices of camps and itinerary were great and "designed" for our needs and expectations.
During the trip we had 2-3 small “usual” hick ups. Her reactivity and accessibility were outstanding, and it is obvious she has lived in these regions. Her support was very good.
If you look for tailor made that “delivers” look no further!
Email Erica | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Rose Hipwood ,is the tour operator Everyone should use for their safari trip of a lifetime!!
I have always dreamed about going on safari, my husband not so much , but once he saw everything that Rose was planing for my trip he couldn't resist! Actually a trip that started out as my bucket list trip ended up being the best family trip my husband and our three grown daughters have ever taken . Rose was recommended to us by a friend . I found The Luxury Safari Co. to be excellent. Every detail was taken care of for our 14 day trip. WE started planning a year in advance and the entire process was enjoyable . Rose made suggestions of where we should visit and then presented us with several camps she liked. Once we chose the camps we wanted to visit she took care of everything ; we were told how and when to apply for visas, suggestions on what to pack, tipping guides, all inter air transfers were taken care of and there was always someone to meet us and guide us to our next destination. Half way through the trip I texted with Rose that I wanted to extend the stay at one of the camps and she took care of everything within 24 hrs. I have had the privilege of traveling a great deal during my life and I can honestly say I have never dealt with a tour operator who was as; accessible ,patient, knowledgeable of her specialty ,and kind as Rose. I am a traveler who is very detailed oriented and I Highly recommend anyone considering a safari vacation to use The Luxury Safari Company!
Email Jonathan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Brilliant knowledge and organisation of the trip!
This was my second time travelling with the Luxury Safari Company and hopefully not the last! Really impressive knowledge on camps and lodges, great helpfulness in arranging activities and excellent organisation when it came to logistics on moving between camps and countries. Very much recommend!
Email Juliana and David | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible Customized Private Safari Experience and trip to Cape Town
We reached out to multiple organizers to arrange a very customized safari experience. Rose at The Luxury Safari Company was the only organizer who was able to arrange exactly the safari we wanted - a personalized, private mobile safari for our family. In fact, she was even able to arrange the trip better than we could have hoped.
Our safari was exclusively in Botswana and consisted of a personalized 10 night mobile safari with Barclay Stenner (who are amazing!!), followed by a 4 night stay at San Camp (which Rose somehow arranged to be private from the other guests!).
When we decided to start the trip in Cape Town we contemplated booking our stay and tours on our own as we had been before. Thankfully, we decided to ask Rose as she again surpassed our expectations with very customized and private experiences. We could never have arranged a similar trip on our own.
Rose was extremely helpful and responsive both before and during our trip. Given this amazing experience, we cannot wait to use Rose and The Luxury Safari Company again!
Thank you Rose!!!
CA
Email Mervin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing African Adventure
Our family just returned from our amazing African Vacation in August 2022. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Rose and her team from The Luxury Safari Company was recommended to us by our good friends, who have gone through Rose for at least 2 of their African trips. Rose was highly recommended, and knowing that our friends of quite discriminating travellers, we knew we were going to be in good hands.
Our trip was initially planned in 2019, and was all set for travel in Aug 2020. However, due to COVID, the whole thing was delayed for 2 years. Rose always kept close contact with us and helped to push back the dates year after year. Initially in the planning process, itinerary was set up based on our thoughts and budget in mind. I really appreciated that the itinerary was presented always with various options, and pricing differences were very clearly indicated. However, every safari lodge looked so good and therefore it was difficult to discern what we needed. Rose was there to guide the choices. It seemed like Rose never slept, as my emails were always promptly answered despite our 8 hour time difference between Canada and the UK.
We eventually decided on an itinerary that started off in Zambia to see the Victoria Falls and then to Kruger in South Africa at 2 Safari lodges for a total of 7 nights, and then down to Capetown for 5 nights, followed by 2 final nights in Stellenbosch. In Kruger, we choose Tanda Tula in Timbavati and Chitwa Chitwa in Sabi Sands. In Capetown, we stayed at One and Only at the V&A waterfront, and in Stellenbosch we stayed at Babylonstoren.
We had arranged for our own flights to Zambia from Canada. Once in Zambia, Rose would take over and arrange for it all. During our travel from Canada to Zambia, flying from Vancouver to London to Johannesburg and then to Livingstone in Zambia, I had arranged for all the flights. However, I had arranged for too little time for the connecting flight in Johannesburg. It was only 1.5 hours, which would include gathering our luggage, going through border control and then through check in again for our flight to Zambia. I actually only realized the tight connection, while in transit in Heathrow and panicked. I sent an email to Rose, not really expecting that she could do anything, since the flights were arranged by myself. However, I was pleasantly surprised and grateful that Rose had arranged for a local airport ground person to meet us upon disembarking at the Johannesbury airport, who then lead us through secret doors and passageways, so that we could make it for our connecting flight. It was only because of this that we got to Livingstone, Zambia as planned. It's instances like this, when something screws up, that you really appreciate the expertise and experience of the team you have chosen.
Victoria Falls was spectacular and more majestic than expected. Royal Livingstone Hotel was nice and comfy. Service was excellent. Then we flew to Kruger National Park for the Safari portion of our trip. Again, we stayed at Tanda Tula and Chitwa Chitwa. It was Tanda Tula that really stole our hearts. Everything was done so perfectly. Food was always amazing and really appreciated Chef Ryan coming out each meal and introducing the menu of the day. Accomodations were new and luxurious. Our guide, Trystan was outstanding and let our son ride at the front on the Ranger seat.
At Chitwa Chitwa, things were nice as well, but probably needed a bit of updating here and there. At the end of the Chitwa Chitwa, Rose had arranged for a bush plane to take us to the local airport and then to fly out to Capetown. However that bush plane never came. Again, quickly I send a text to Rose (who provided a Whatsapp contact to used 24/7) to indicate the issue. She responded by apologizing and that they were working on it. Rose actually apologized for the stressful situation several times. In all honesty, I didn't stress at all, as I was so confident that Rose was going to take care of it all. Indeed that was the case, and in no time, we got tickets confirmed that our flights were redirected to Johannesburg and then to Capetown. It was all taken care of so smoothly in the background. Much appreciated.
The rest of our trip in Capetown and Stellenbosch was equally excellent. Capetown was a particular highlight in our itinerary and I'm sure we will be back again.
Looking back, I truly appreciate Rose and The Luxury Safari Company for creating such a seamless vacation from beginning to end. yes, you could arrange for the Hotels and Safari Lodges on your own, but I'm so glad that i didn't . Rose and her team are obviously well connected in Africa and knowing that they are behind you all the way, gives good peace of mind. I would choose to go back with The Luxury Safari Company in a heartbeat for our next African Adventure.