Journeysmiths Reviews 

Had a fabulous Holiday in Namibia, All planned superbly by Africa Exclusive. For a first visit it gave us a great overview of the country and if we were to return we now have a good idea of what Namibia has to offer. Their partner Ultimate Safaris handled all the ground arrangements excellently and provided us with the services of an exceptional guide that greatly enhanced our travel experience. All eventualities were taken care of and all questions answered with the utmost promptness and care. We stayed in some superb lodges, most exceptional of them all was the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.Thank you for the trip of a lifetime, and the care you took in putting it together.

Holiday of a lifetime
We have just returned from a wonderful trip of a lifetime with our family my husband three children and other halves and 9 grandchildren aged between 9 and 22 years
We celebrated our Golden Wedding last year and it was my dream to take the grandchildren on Safari AE were extremely helpful from day one
They selected two Safari lodges in South Africa for us and made all the arrangements
Everything was perfect
The whole holiday went without a hitch beyond our wildest dreams
All the staff in the Lodges looked after us so well The Rangers were very knowledgable and gave the children a real insight into tracking and spotting the animals
All the meals were superb with a very wide choice for all the family everyone had what they wanted
Even Marmite !
The accommodation was truly tip-top I shall never forget the filled bath with bubbles and rose petals surrounded by T lights waiting to greet us when we returned from a game drive
Also the Amerula night and morning on a drive in the bush
At Madikwe we visited the local village primary school and spent a few hours with the local children who sang and danced for us it was very moving a few tears were shed!
We were transported from Johannesburg to both game reserves and back without a hitch
We left the family at the airport and were driven to a lovely small hotel for the night called Africa Rock Hotel .It was a perfect place to stay before our long drive to Fugitives Drift the next day
I even had a manicure there in the evening befor a delicious dinner
We stayed at Fugitive Drift Lodge the home of the Rattray family
We spent three nights there listening and viewing the sights of the battles at Rorkes Drift
Again wonderfully explained and very emotional
The accommodation was again fabulous and the food was perfect
I bought Nikki Rattrays cook book
Again the transfers were perfectly organised We never had to wait anywhere We never carried our bags anywhere The driver even took our bags to the desk in the airport
We returned to London after a holiday of a lifetime never to be forgotten by all our family
We can’t thank Paul and Angie enough for arranging such a wonderful trip and hopefully we will return
Diana Pain

When searching for an East Africa safari we found that Africa Exclusive was a cut above the others. We have been on safari several times and were attracted by the more remote luxury accommodations and game viewing.
From first contact with the company their professionalism and attention to detail was obvious. Everything was as advertised and we 6 (2 veteran
Africa travelers and 4 newbies) were extremely pleased with all aspects of our safari experience.
Earl Godwin

Just returned from Tanzania/Kenya Safari with friends and grandkids. The trip was well planned and executed to perfection by AfricaExclusive team of Emily and Angie. It was a dream come true—-not only seeing so much of wild life but able to see the Mara river crossing of the wildebeest. We were group of twelve. Angie and Emily communicated well with each of us answering our questions and concerns with trip planning. They were on top of everything. They worked hard and handled all well. The camps, the guides were all great. Very professional. It was a dream come true vacation for all of us. I would highly recommend Africa Exclusive .

Africa Exclusive did an outstanding job arranging and organizing our trip to Africa. Beginning with the Staff at Africa Exclusive, primarily Paul & Angie, were friendly, knowledgable and went out of their way to prepare the perfect itinerary for our trip. The trip itself was a trip of a life time and was perfect in every way. From the people, to the food, to the camps, to the wildlife, to the transportation throughout the trip, it was amazing. The safaris at each of the camps offered a variety of wildlife and different terrain offering unique experiences each place we visited. We were a group of 8 traveling to Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, 3 camps in Botswana and finishing in Cape Town, South Africa. I was initially concerned with the amount of travel between locations but the transportation went smoothly without any issues and just added to the experience. At one of the camps, when we were leaving, staff handed each of us a box lunch as they knew we would be in an airport over lunch. We were very well taken care of. The attention to detail was incredible.

This was my 5th safari with AE and I received the usual excellent standard of planning, organisation and service. My grandson was not disappointed and thought it was an 'epic' holiday!

Our Zambia trip was beyond our imagination. We had a rough idea of what we wanted when we contacted Ross at Africa Exclusive but he built a trip across three very different camps which meant we had a wide variety of experiences. We could not have done it without his and Africa Exclusive's expertise and advice. Thank you. Janet and Mike Ridler

Great advice and wonderful organisation from Africa Exclusive. Amazing holiday. Have already recommended Africa Exclusive to several of our Friends.

Our 2nd. safari trip with Africa Exclusive, this time to Botswana and Zambia. We visited 3 camps in Botswana (Chobe Chilwero, Baines and Chief's), all giving a different experience of wildlife viewing, and finished with a stay on the Zambezi in Islands of Siankaba, in a beautiful riverside lodge.
This holiday exceeded our expectations, and as before the arrangements by Africa Exclusive were excellent. We would thoroughly recommend this company, and indeed have done so to several friends.

Safari at the Selous (first trip)

From my first telephone conversation with Ross, I knew we were in good hands. A travel consultant who actually listened!
An itinerary was carefully formulated to meet our every expectation and presented exquisitely with an abundance of information and relevant details. At each stage Ross Cambray and Angie Sumnall were knowledgeable, professional, good humoured and patient.
… And, hence we were transported to the most beautiful places in the world.
We booked an eight day safari at three different lodges in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. On being introduced to “our personal butler” on arrival, we were pampered beyond belief by gracious staff giving impeccable service Each location and lodge were unique; sundowners and dinner in the most scenic settings and safari guides who were brilliantly skilled with providing spectacular wildlife experiences we will never forget. Two nights fly camping felt like we were immersed in a scene from “Out of Africa” – totally incredible and a must!!!!
Onwards to recuperate at Ras Kutani a slice of paradise on deserted white shores of the Indian ocean. The perfect oasis of tranquillity to relax in comfort and luxury.
Throughout the trip, the meticulous planning and thought which Ross and Angie had tailored our trip was evident and we travelled with the confidence that everything had been taken care of.
Thank you so much for the memories

Zanzibar relaxation (second trip)

A call to Ross with a plead of “we need to rest somewhere!!!” resulted in another amazing destination.
Pongwe Beach hotel is a hidden gem on a stunning white sand beach, with clean warm aqua sea, beautiful simple accommodation and magnificent creative food. With staff intent only in ensuring that we enjoyed ourselves and a chef intent only on ensuring we gained a few pounds, this is the ultimate place to relax and for two wonderful weeks, we did!
Pre-organised by the team, a day trip into Stone Town and an afternoon big game fishing provided a little culture and excitement
Again, the level of professionalism and attention to detail in organising such a fantastic holiday was truly noticed and appreciated.
Ross and Angie, I can’t imagine booking a holiday without you now.
You haven’t heard the last from us yet!

The Adams, Billson and Williams party have been travellers with Africa Exclusive for a number of trips now - never have we experienced any real problem - organisation, staffing, itineraries have been excellent. Latest trip to Tanzania was no exception. Everything worked beautifully - great staff in Tanzania (Nomad Tanzania). Camps were first class Many thanks again.

We have recently returned from our third trip to Southern Africa with Africa Exclusive. And it was yet another superb trip, Africa really is a very special place.

Our carefully planned and chosen itinerary took us to the Serengeti, continuing to the Lower Zambezi and S Luangwa National Parks in Zambia before concluding our 20 day trip with some rest and relaxation on the shores of Lake Malawi.

Yet again we could not fault Africa Exclusive or the choice of camps and accommodation. Although I have never met Ross face to face it feels as though Ross has become a real friend over the years. Long may it continue ... Holly also became a point of contact and nothing seemed too much trouble to her. I cannot speak too highly of either Ross or Holly. We have complete confidence and trust in Africa Exclusive and will certainly be discussing our next 'big trip' with them in 2018.

As a consequence of high winds in Schiphol on 13th September and the resultant chaos that the closure of four of the runways created we started our holiday by arriving in Amsterdam three hours late and missing our connection to Kilimanjaro ... Whilst an experience we would never wish to repeat, this worse case scenario for the long-haul traveller was seamlessly and superbly handled by Africa Exclusive from the moment we rang the out of hours emergency telephone number. Hopefully we will never have a similar experience, but at least we now know that Africa Exclusive will speedily and efficiently make alternative arrangements on our behalf should it ever again become necessary. Well done to Angie and the Africa Exclusive Team.

We can unreservedly recommend Africa Exclusive for the trip of a lifetime.

Graham and Judy

Recent holiday in Zambia

My husband and I have recently returned from our fourth trip to Africa with Africa Exclusive. Once again we had an amazing time that exceeded our expectations.

Ross, our travel consultant and Hayley, safari co-ordinator listened to us and the sort of experience we were wanting to have during our holiday in Zambia. We like to have comfort and the experience of the African bush. They discussed options and ensured the plans were what we were looking for. All the travel arrangements went well and, as usual, we were met and escorted at each connection.

We stayed in three different national parks Kafue, South Luangwe and Lower Zambezi. The camps were well chosen. The staff gave us high quality personal service with some lovely added touches. It never ceases to amaze me how they cook such amazing food in the bush.

We had some of the best guides ever: very knowledgeable and excellent guiding. The game sightings were some of the best we have ever had.

A word of caution - don't expect to get a good night's sleep as the sounds of the bush will provide plenty of interest and entertainment. But thats what we went for.

Not a cheap holiday but well worth it.

My friend and I had the best time ever on our Africa Exclusive adventure! Every single day was filled with exciting, memorable and unique experiences. Neither of us will ever be the same...it was truly live-changing!
Our itinerary could not have been better planned. We were greeted and treated like royalty from the moment we entered the magical land of Africa.
Zambia, Rwanda and Kenya-each country unique unto itself-the people, the topography, the places we stayed and of course the incredible wildlife (hippos, lions, gorillas, giraffee, leopards, cheetahs...) After leaving each location we felt a deep sadness only to be cheered by the chance we would be fortunate enough to return sometime in the future.
My sincerest thanks to Paul and Angie for an absolutely brilliant Africa Exclusive adventure!!!!

Although well travelled, this was my first trip to Southern Africa and as a solo traveller to an unknown continent, I was keen to find both expertise and someone who understood my requirements and was able to interpretate them into a fantastic trip. Africa Exclusive and Ross were recommended to me by a travel agent from Buenos Aires who I met randomly in Patagonia.

After an in depth conversation Ross put a fabulous trip together which reflected me perfectly. A great mix of adventure (with comfort), seeing a wide range of wildlife, flora, fauna and sociable places where I could have the right mix of joining in and luxury of my own guides etc.

The trip was to Botswana (mobile safari through Okavango), Zambia (Victoria falls and lower Zambezi) and Malawi (chill out time on the lake). This was a perfectly designed trip. Ross's knowledge of every area is superb and he could answer all my questions with depth and a personal knowledge which was formidable and reassuring. The mobile safari was really adveturous and It was really good to move around and see different parks. The crew who put the camp together and cooked me dinner every night were fantastic and it was a professionally put together experience. It was real Africa though with lions roaring near my tent at night! The lodges in Zambia and Malawi were gorgeous, fabulous food and great guiding and the things I saw incredible.

The design of the trip, the quality of accommodation, guiding and arrangements were all superb and this is a trip that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you Ross!

Thanks to Africa Exclusive for providing a truly memorable experience and visit to Kenya. Over a year in planning with valuable information, prompt feedback and insightful recommendations from Ross Cambray and Holly Peace, together, we designed an itinerary tailor-made for our three generation family.

From the accommodations and Parks and conservancies chosen, to the chartered Yellow Wings flights, and ground transportation...from 'greetings' upon arrivals to 'goodbyes' on departures..every aspect made for a wonderful, never-to-be-forgotten visit to Kenya.

Special thanks go to "Cheli and Peacock" for looking after us in-country. Their attention to detail made for a relaxed, comfortable and safe vacation.

Our thirteen day itinerary included Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Tortilis Camp in Amboseli, Laragai House in the Borana Conservancy and the Kicheche Valley Camp at Naboisho Conservancy plus meeting up with our fostered friends at the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, going on early morning, afternoon and night drives, visiting with the Maasai villages and schools, observing the animal crossings at Mara, and enjoying bush breakfasts, lunch picnics and sundowners. The staff were exceptional at all the camps. The driver/guides knowledgeable and attentive to our comfort and safety. We observed from far and near the big animals and their babies.... the elusive leopard ...remained elusive.

We ate well. We slept well. We were well looked after! It was a first rate trip!

SF

Just returned from a fantastic trip to Namibia and Botswana. This is our third Safari with Africa Exclusive and yet again they organised a dream trip.
All arrangements were excellent and the camps, the guides, the food and the experience was everything we hoped for and more.

After Africa Exclusive had delivered a spectacular holiday to Kenya and Zanzibar for us 5 years ago we had absolutely no hesitation in asking them to help us plan a trip to celebrate our retirement. We discussed our wish list with Emily and she put together 2 different itineraries and this time we chose to go to Tanzania. We were provided with fabulously detailed itineraries and pre-departure information to ensure nothing was overlooked. Whilst in Tanzania we wanted to tweak our arrangements slightly and Emily happily liaised with the camp manager to make this happen, evidencing a good relationship between AE and their partners.
The camps and hotels were perfect for us and fitted our brief to a "T". Our guides were extremely knowledgeable, fun and couldn't do enough to ensure we got that perfect photo, whether on a walking safari or game drive.
Our trip was full of special moments from watching the monkeys rough 'n tumbling at Rivertrees Country Inn, the first view of the Ngorongoro Crater on our way to Entamanu camp, watching a wildebeest give birth at the migration on the Serengeti, having a hippo grazing one metre outside our tent at Serengeti Safari camp, Valentine's Day cocktails and dinner on the beach under the stars and an amazing massage from Ayesha at Ras Kutani.
We have already recommended AE to some friends we made in Africa and are looking for an excuse to book our next trip with them.
Until next time, thanks for the memories !

We recently traveled to Botswana and South Africa for a safari trip. Using Africa Exclusive to plan our adventure was the best decision we made. From the onset, the travel consultant listened to us and designed a trip that was specifically tailored to our wishes. From the time we landed we were always attended to and no detail was missed. Seamless transfers and excellent services both in camp and on the guided tours were the norm and we couldn't ask for anything more! it was truly a trip to remember. We highly recommend Africa Exclusive for your safari travels.

We have taken two trips to Africa with Africa Exclusive and because the trips were so wonderful, we decided to plan a trip to Costa Rica with Exclusive Adventures. We spent 15 days in Costa Rica at five different properties in five different parts of the country. The transfers planned for us went off without a hitch and the places we stayed were beautiful and exactly what we had hoped for. Paul set up some wonderful excursions to see wildlife and we had some great guides. We highly recommend Exclusive Adventures for your next exotic adventure.