How to Choose the Right African Safari Company – And Why Our Approach is Different

Choosing the right safari company can be hard. We believe it should come down to experience, trust, and insight. Here's what really matters when planning a safari from Australia—and how Experiential Travel does it differently.

What Matters When Choosing a Safari Company

There are plenty of safari companies that serve the Australian market, but very few have the firsthand knowledge to design a truly personalised journey. Here’s what to look for—and how we’re different.

Feature Why It Matters Our Approach
Firsthand Safari Experience Advisors who’ve truly been there offer insights no brochure can. Neville Jones has personally experienced over 125 safaris across Africa—knowledge that shapes every itinerary.
Real-Time Travel Support Flights get delayed. Roads wash out. Someone needs to notice—and act. Our Safari Sentinel monitors each guest’s journey in real time. Contingency plans are triggered before you even realise there’s been a change.
Custom vs. Packaged Itineraries Off-the-shelf safaris often mismatch your pace, interests, or expectations. Every journey we design is tailor-made—starting with a conversation, not a template.
Australian-Based & Certified Local support means faster responses, clearer communication, and easier accountability. We’re ATAS-certified and based in Melbourne, working with travellers across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
Consumer Protection & Financial Risk Dealing with an overseas or unregulated provider can make it harder—or impossible—to recover your funds if something goes wrong. As a certified Australian business, your payments are protected under Australian consumer law. If an issue arises, your rights are clear and enforceable locally.
Local Guides & Trusted Lodges The right people and places define the difference between a good safari and a life-changing one. We work exclusively with guides and camps we know and trust—many of them for over a decade.

 

The Only Safari Company Certified in Australia, Africa, and the USA

Experiential Travel is proudly certified by ATAS (Australia), ATTA (Africa), and ASTA (USA)—a level of accreditation no other safari company can match. This isn’t just symbolic.

It means your payments are secure, your consumer rights are protected under Australian law, and you’re working with a company that meets the highest standards across three continents. That’s real peace of mind—and a real difference.

Why So Many Travellers Choose Us

1. We Specialize in Africa – And Only Africa

Many companies sell Africa alongside dozens of other destinations. Not us. Our entire focus is on this vast and diverse continent. We spend time on the ground, building relationships with the most respected local operators and visiting the properties ourselves — only recommending places we know and trust.

2. Firsthand Knowledge, Not Brochures

We’ve been on over 125 safaris. We’ve walked the same paths, tracked the same leopards, and stayed in the same tents. When we recommend an itinerary, it's not based on a supplier PDF. It’s based on lived experience.

3. You Don’t Pay More

A common misconception is that booking through a company like ours adds cost. It doesn’t. In fact, our clients often pay less than they would booking online, and always gain more value — including insider access, upgraded logistics, and 24/7 support from people who know Africa intimately.

4. Safari Sentinel – Peace of Mind, Built In

We monitor your flights, connections, transfers, and lodges in real time. If there’s a delay, we act. If a road is washed out, we activate a contingency. You may never know something changed — and that’s the point.

5. Crafted by People Who Care Deeply

We don’t churn out generic packages. Each itinerary is tailored for you — your pace, your interests, your travel style. And we don’t stop once you’re booked. We send planning guides, preparation emails, and helpful advice at just the right time.

6. Trusted by the Best

We’re accredited by ATAS (Australia) and ASTA (USA). But more importantly, we’re trusted by our guests — many of whom return again and again. They refer friends and family, knowing we’ll deliver a life-changing journey, not just a holiday.

How We Differ from Typical Travel Agents

Many travel agents sell Africa alongside dozens of other destinations. They rely on brochures, commission-driven packages, and third-party bookings.

We take a different approach. We’ve been there. We’ve walked the same trails, stayed in the same camps, and built long-term relationships with trusted local operators. That depth of experience makes all the difference when designing a safari that’s safe, meaningful, and unforgettable.

You Could Book Anywhere. Here’s Why Our Guests Book With Us.

  • Because they want to feel safe, inspired, and seen.
  • Because they want a journey crafted by someone who’s been there.
  • Because they want to travel differently — and never feel like a tourist.

That’s the Experiential Travel difference.

Let’s Help You Plan with Confidence

If you're comparing options or just starting your safari planning, get in touch. We'll help you understand what’s possible—and what’s not—so you can plan with clarity and travel with confidence.