Clients Trip Reports Southern Africa: Jan – Mar 2026

‘Big 5’ Safari to Southern Africa

Good morning to Elena and Oliver,

I would like to thank both of you (along with your teammates) for making our trip one to be fondly remembered.  Our goal on the trip was to get 150 laughs a day in…and we did.

My son-in-law at the end of the trip said this was the best trip he had in his lifetime (and he is very well traveled.  He stated that he was never really an “wild animal” person and has since changed.

Any travel company can book trips and in 99% of the time things work out perfectly with the original plans.  Both of you and teammates shined in making the 1% of unplanned problems still become an utterly amazing trip.

• While having a wonderful time enjoying Cape Town you alerted us of historic flooding happening in both the camps, we were to visit the next day or so.  Kruger was underwater and access to the area was impossible. Without even talking too much in depth, you were already working on alternatives and had us in a new camp, in a new country (Botswana) with all the flights and other planned…and a new itinerary scheduled.  All this completed in about four hours…after concluding that neither of the original camps would be possible. Amazing…as I assume, a lot of other people and travel companies were attempting the same with their customers.
• Kwara Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, which you selected as the alternative, was perfect. A great staff, extremely knowledgeable about all and made us feel like part of the family during our stay there. Seeing lions, leopards, elephants, and other animals at arm’s length was truly remarkable. We had a very private bush experience, joining other small groups in the camp only at meals.
• The second unplanned problem was the inadvertent illness of my wife.  Again, you shined… 

The majority of this completed with extraordinarily little discussion other than options, thoughts and approvals.  Again, it is simply amazing.

I have been on a lot of other overseas trips including Africa (several times), and I really do not think I would have been able to get this service with any of the previous companies I have used.

I have already told this story to others and suggested The Africa Adventure Company to all 🙂

Thank both of you and your team for the amazing trip!

Richard and Ann Mellish, Jan 2026

 

Ultimate Southern Africa Adventure Safari

We, frequent travelers (7 continents and over 100 countries) just completed our trip to South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The trip involved 2 hotels, 3 lodges, 9 transfers and 5 flights within Africa.  These logistics, all arranged and booked by the Africa Adventure Company, were flawless. Everything and everyone was on time and more impressive than described.

This perfect foundation was exceeded by our Africa experience.  We were touched by our meeting with an African village family. We were thrilled by the waters of Victoria Falls as its waters fell over us. We were fascinated by the variety and abundance of the animals. We were treated to a royal experience by the guides and staff of the 3 lodges where from 5 AM to 9 PM we had more animals sighting that we had ever imagined. We saw wild dogs, a wildebeest birth, lions mating, eagles soaring, giraffes’ drinking, leopard caring for her cubs, a rhinoceros protecting her calf, and a hyena stealing a kill, just to mention some of the highlights.

We would be remiss not to mention from our first African experiences, it was apparent that Mark and Alison Nolting had established deep African relationships and had earned the respect of the travel community for their commitment to the African people, environment and wildlife. Our guides referred to Mark and Alison as dear and old friends. Of course, this relationship only added to our travel experience.

Last but not least we would like to thank our safari consultant, Megan Gray and the AAC team for spending time getting to know us, our needs and wishes and then designing, arranging, coordinating, and booking our extraordinary Africa trip. Thank you Africa Adventure Company.

Scott and Heather DiSalvo, Dec 2025

 

Cape Town Visit and Family Adventure to Zimbabwe

Kyle, …I wanted to touch base and let you know what a wonderful experience our family had in Africa. The itinerary’s combination of locations & activities was perfect. I can honestly say none of us regret any specific aspect of our two weeks other than the travel to/from Africa which was beyond your responsibility or control. The facilities, guides, and food were all exceptional to say nothing of our adventures with the animals. Howie, Precious & Howard were so knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic about our shared experiences; and they each went out of their way to make us feel special. 

We attempted to express our appreciation to all those along the way who worked so hard to make this a memorable experience. Whenever appropriate, please reiterate how much they were appreciated; and thank you and your staff for all that you did to make my 80th birthday celebration an experience my entire family will always remember. 

With gratitude, 

Michael Freidman (traveled with the Sasson’s and Zdordowski’s), Dec 2025

 

Cape Town Visit and Family Adventure to Zimbabwe

Hi, Kyle!

First – I want to tell you that, unlike other “vacations” where I come home and feel happy and refreshed and maybe even that I’ve learned some new things, with THIS experience, I feel like I ABSORBED it.  I feel like Africa soaked into me in a way that has changed me.  I was thinking about leaving Khulu Bush Camp – the staff had gathered near our van and were singing/drumming/dancing as a send off and I was moved to tears….it’s not often that one might cry saying goodbye to “hotel staff” and yet, there I was, so sad to be leaving a place I had spent 3 short days….I felt so connected to the people, place and culture.  It was hard to leave.  And I felt that way as we boarded our plane home and had to leave the continent of Africa.  What a special place – what amazing memories and I’m so thankful that your team was a part of bringing my family together for such a life-changing adventure.  Thank you.

Victoria & Alfred Hotel was lovely in Cape Town and an excellent way to start the trip – staff was awesome, breakfast was great, location amazing…

Ou guide Howie was unbelievable.  He went above and beyond for us and was so knowledgeable, kind, fun, flexible. Can’t say enough great things about him or Keith who was our driver.

Vic Falls was amazing – more spectacular than I imagined.  Ilala Lodge was very nice… It’s a beautiful location, kids loved the pool and massages were very inexpensive and a nice way to spend the day. The river cruise was AMAZING and was a great introduction to Zimbabwe on our first night. We learned a lot and saw amazing animals right away!  I would highly recommend it to other guests.  Precious, our guide, was lovely…

As I mentioned at the start, Khulu Bush Camp was amazing.  VERY accommodating with food. Staff was incredible. Location was amazing.  Flight there was easy.  …Just unbelievable in every way.  Kudos to manager Ivy, chef Angela and our guides, Chamu and Shamie and everyone else really.  They were all incredible.  Too bad they spotted a leopard the morning after we left!!! LOL!  

Amalinda Lodge is great – pretty spectacular…Amalinda is beautiful and in a very cool part of the world… Seeing Rhinos for 30 minutes on foot was neat and the rock paintings were really cool.  Learned a lot about culture and history…We certainly appreciated our time together and the R&R…  The food was amazing!  The staff was wonderful.

Thank you SO SO much for helping my parents plan such a special family adventure.  It was so meaningful to each of us.  Having an experience that’s special for a group our size with people ranging in age from 12 – 80 is pretty remarkable and a credit to you and your team. The birthday celebrations and surprises at each location were a true gift in every sense of the word!  I’m attaching a few photos here but, of course, we have HUNDREDS…

Warmly,

Debbie Sasson (traveled with the Freidman’s and Zdordowski’s), Dec 2025