African Welcome Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1999)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $124 to $474 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
NL
Email Cornelis Koning | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best tour operator in Africa
What a wonderful experience, so professionally organised and completely customized to our preferences. For the second consecutive year, African Welcome Safaris organised a wonderful tailor-made safari for us. This time to the scenic Okavango Delta (Belmond) combined with a city trip to Cape Town and the Cape. Flying into Cape Town from the Netherlands, we only had five days (six nights) and a lot of things we wanted to do and see. We explained Kathi Simon what we wanted and she came up with wonderful suggestions and organised a tailor made tour.
You can tell that they live in Africa and know all the venues and accomodations. With such a busy travel schedule everything needs to be like clock work and it was. Everything was taken care of, all transport and flights were arranged and in time, every little detail was taken care of. Their communication is highly personalised with quick and thorough responses to all our questions. Kathi responded the same day or the day after via Whatsapp or email but she also picks up the phone. All tour information and the itinerary can always be downloaded through their state-of-the-art app.
African Welcom Safaris are flexible. Even last minute itinerary changes were never a problem, a private birth-day lunch at La Colombe could be integrated in the tourschedule. The organization was flawless, all documents were issued in time, the local tour guides and driver were experienced and like angels. It is also nice that African Welcome Safaris already exists for decades and - as a member of SATSA - is financially as safe as the national bank, your deposits are safe.
Thank you African Welcome Safaris! Looking forward to our next tour with you!!
Email Angela Pelled | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding
This was our first trip to South Africa and there were a lot of people going for a family wedding. We'd been recommended to African Welcome Safaris as they tailor made the trip and were good with the costings. I got in touch with the company and Kathi became our tour operator. I gave her a brief outline of what we were looking for and asked her to work on it and come back with a proposed agenda. There were 4 of us in our party.
We did start the process about a year before we were due to visit so had given ourselves enough time to make changes and agree both costings and route.
Kathi came back within a few weeks with a proposed route which, after looking at, we were all happy with. She asked what standard of accommodation we were looking at and we gave her an idea.
About a month later Kathi sent us the proposed route, along with pictures of the accommodation and a breakdown of things to do in each area we were stopping off at. We had told her we wanted to finish the trip with a safari.
Kathi offered us a two day safari at the end but we wanted an extra day which she included.
The trip was upon us and we were all really excited. We recommended the travel agent to others, who also use them to book the holiday through. The costings were realistic and, I believe, Kathi got us the best deals throughout.
To say we had a fabulous time is an understatement. South Africa is truly a beautiful country, the people warm and welcoming. Our route was to drive the Garden Route and with Kathi's bookings we stayed at beautiful locations and hotels and lodges which were comfortable and interesting. we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We ended the trip with a three-day safari that exceeded our expectations. To see the animals in their natural habitat was humbling and the knowledge of our individual ranger, AJ, was exceptional.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend African Welcome Safaris to anyone looking to plan a trip to South Africa. Their knowledge, along with working with individual requests, exceeded anything we could have hoped for.
Since returning, I've recommended the company to everybody who is thinking of visiting and I only hope they have the same amazing experience I was able to have....I certainly think they will.
TN
Email Rym Ben Fadhel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Journey
We have just returned from an exceptional trip to South Africa and Zambia organized by African Welcome Safafaris, and we want to highlight their outstanding professionalism. The organization was simply flawless: warm welcome, perfect coordination, passionate and knowledgeable guides, and overall very comfortable accommodations.
Every part of the trip was filled with wonder. Victoria Falls took our breath away, Kruger Park offered magical moments in the heart of nature, and the vibrant energy of Cape Town truly captivated us.
A huge thank you to Alex for his availability, attentiveness, and professionalism throughout this amazing journey. We highly recommend this agency to anyone looking for a thoughtful, well-organized, and dedicated travel experience.
Email Helena & Philip Horesh | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thorough with great attention to detail - kept us up to date at all stages of the trip
From the start of the process Kathi gave us good advice and choices when planning our holiday. She was happy to personalise these as the structure of our journey took shape - listening to our needs and very adaptable. The accommodation she suggested was excellent - she had a good feel for what we would like and we were very comfortable as a result. Even when we were in South Africa she was readily available if we needed her - which was a real plus. We had a fantastic first experience of South Africa and would not hesitate to recommend her - I fact we already have!!
US
Email Vinny Olmstead | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly attentive with great customer service
My wife and I had a terrific experience in South Africa - Capetown, Wine Country, Sabi Sans, and Vic Falls.
Waterfront area was great in Capetown (4 Days)...had great meals at a great price. Belthezar was delicious. The markets by the V & A were very cool. The guides that were arranged were professional and helpful. Climbed Table Mountain (not easy), but our guide Jodi was super.
Wine country was great (2 days)...stayed in Franshoek but also visited Stellenbosh...wish we did experienced more wine tasting. Would have extended a day.
Sabi Sans was off the charts....great food, accommodations, and most importantly guides.
Kathi and African Welcome Safaris were incredibly attentive and helpful.....I would whole heartedly recommend.
NZ
Email Sandra Ng | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy, prompt and professional
Kathi has been a godsend to us as we were planning for our trip to South Africa. She made the process seamless and transparent so that we were aware of all the details from the start. She arranged for us everything (airtickets, transfers, safari lodgings) which made it so easy for us to just have a fabulous holiday. I would highly recommend Kathi as she is extremely patient and provides good recommendations on places to suit your budget and preferences.
US
Email Jacqueline | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and Intimate Experience
We absolutely loved the travel experience provided by African Welcome Safaris. Kathi booked every detail and shared the information and documents that we needed pre-travel. It was an amazing experience and surpassed our expectations! I would absolutely recommend African Welcome Safaris and use the company again if we were to return to the country.
US
Email Amy Gonzales | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kathi and Africa Welcome Safaris were the BEST!
This was an epic trip on so many levels, but a "lion's share" of the credit goes to Kathi Simmons and her team. She worked with us to customize an itinerary that fit our time and interests perfectly (Cape Town, Franschoek, and Timbavati Reserve).
I researched a LOT as this was our first South Africa trip. No one else came close in terms of value AND responsiveness. Every local guide was fabulous, and exceeded our expectations. We also loved the App that gave us detailed personalized info for every part of the trip.
Having traveled extensively in every part of the world, Kathi is the very best we have ever worked with. Exceptional from start to finish.
Bonuses: she worked with us on finding a great apartment vs hotel in Cape Town in the perfect location; got us upgraded to an incredible villa in Timbavati Private Reserve, added in an wonderful surprise visit to a beautiful winery / restaurant on our day trip to Cape of Good Hope - to name just a few.
SG
Email TC | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Welcome Safaris is professional, experienced, responsive and patient!
Kathi from African Welcome Safaris was very responsive in our communications through emails, even through the many iterations of questions and follow-up questions, to tailor an itinerary that suited our party. She was very patient as well, in answering all our ancillary questions. She also ensured to communicate one person's dietary restrictions to all the lodgings.
The tour itself was fantastic. The lodgings were as advertised. The game drives were a great experience, and our Serengeti guide/driver Bariki was extremely good and thoughtful. We saw the big 5 and more, and managed to experience a live cheetah kill.
SG
Email Amy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personalized, attention to details and pleasant communication
We had a great trip! Everything was smooth ( all check-ins ) and personable. Reece from African Welcome Safaris was attentive to all our queries and arranged for all that we needed. We left with a good taste of our safari adventure and look forward to more in future.