Expert answers about African Travel — a specialist Africa tour operator offering expertly crafted safari journeys, gorilla trekking, and cultural experiences across the continent with deeply personalized service.
Booking African Travel through Pavlus comes with real savings and the kind of expert guidance you simply can’t get on a supplier website. Specifically:
African Travel is a specialist Africa tour operator founded in 1969 and now owned by The Travel Corporation (the same parent as Trafalgar, Insight, and others). They focus exclusively on Africa, offering guided group safaris, custom private journeys, gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, luxury lodge experiences, and combinations with beach extensions in destinations like Mauritius and Zanzibar. Their depth of on-the-ground expertise and lodge relationships across 20+ African countries is the primary reason travelers choose them.
The best time varies by region:
Africa can be visited year-round — each season offers different experiences. Your Pavlus advisor can match timing to your specific priorities.
African Travel specializes in custom, tailor-made private safaris built around your dates, interests, pace, and budget. They also offer a selection of hosted group journeys that depart on fixed dates with a professional escort. The vast majority of African Travel clients, however, choose the custom private route — giving you exclusive use of your vehicle, guides who answer only to you, and an itinerary designed from scratch. This is not a bus-tour product; it is a personalized journey crafted by experienced Africa specialists.
Absolutely. African Travel is especially well-suited to first-time safari guests because the custom planning process means your itinerary is calibrated to your expectations, comfort level, and interests rather than a one-size-fits-all template. Their specialists will walk you through destination choices, lodge selection, internal air logistics, and what to realistically expect — removing the uncertainty that first-timers often feel. Many clients who “try Africa once” through African Travel become repeat visitors.
The iconic Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, and rhinoceros — are the focus of most East and southern Africa safaris. Beyond the Big Five, typical sightings depending on destination include:
Inclusions vary by package but typically cover:
International airfare, gratuities, and personal expenses are generally additional. Gorilla trekking permits (typically $1,500+ per person) are specified separately.
Gorilla trekking involves hiking through mountain rainforest in Rwanda or Uganda to find and observe a habituated family of wild mountain gorillas for one hour. Treks can range from 30 minutes to 6+ hours depending on where the gorillas are that day. Permits are required and strictly limited — Rwanda permits currently cost $1,500 per person; Uganda permits are lower but also limited. It is widely considered one of the most profound wildlife experiences on Earth.
Gratuities are generally not included in standard African Travel pricing and are customary throughout the safari industry. General guidelines:
Internal safari flights in Africa use small propeller aircraft (typically 4–14 seats) operated by regional carriers to reach remote bush airstrips that larger jets cannot access. These flights are a practical necessity for reaching the best wildlife areas efficiently — driving would take many hours over rough roads. The operators African Travel uses are well-established and safety-vetted. Weight restrictions apply: most bush flights limit luggage to 15–20 kg (33–44 lbs) total in soft-sided bags. Your Pavlus advisor will brief you fully on what to expect.
African Travel has deep expertise across 20+ African countries, including:
Combination trips linking multiple countries — such as Kenya & Tanzania, or South Africa, Botswana & Victoria Falls — are among the most popular offerings.
The Great Migration — the annual movement of 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem — is a year-round phenomenon with different stages offering different spectacles. The most dramatic event is the river crossings at the Mara River, typically July through October when the herds are in Kenya’s Masai Mara. The calving season in Tanzania’s southern Serengeti (January–February) is equally extraordinary. African Travel specialists can match you to the right camps and timing for the Migration stage you most want to witness.
Yes — and this is one of the most popular African Travel combinations. A typical itinerary might include 3–4 nights in Cape Town (Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Cape Peninsula), 2 nights in the Winelands (Stellenbosch or Franschhoek), and then fly up to a Kruger-area private game reserve for 4–5 nights of Big Five game drives. South Africa’s malaria risk in the Kruger region is lower than East Africa, making it particularly appealing to families and first-timers.
Victoria Falls is a natural pairing with a Botswana or Zimbabwe safari and African Travel frequently combines them. You can arrive via Livingstone (Zambia side) or Victoria Falls town (Zimbabwe side), enjoy activities like white-water rafting, helicopter flights over the Falls, and sunset cruises, then connect to the Okavango Delta or Chobe National Park for game viewing. The Falls are most spectacular April–June when water levels peak.
A luxury tented camp is one of the most memorable accommodation styles in Africa — and a far cry from camping. Tents are typically large permanent or semi-permanent canvas structures on raised wooden platforms, furnished with real beds, en-suite bathrooms (often with hot showers and flush toilets), electricity, and verandas overlooking the bush. The appeal is an immersive connection to the African wilderness — waking to birdsong, hearing lions at night — with all the comfort of a fine hotel room. Some of Africa’s most celebrated properties, like those in the Okavango Delta, are tented camps.
African Travel works across a range of accommodation tiers from comfortable mid-range lodges through to ultra-luxury properties at brands like andBeyond, Singita, Sanctuary Retreats, and &Beyond. Most of their itineraries sit firmly in the luxury and semi-luxury category — lodges with private plunge pools, gourmet dining, and exceptional guide teams. When discussing your itinerary, be specific about your accommodation expectations so your Pavlus advisor can ensure the right match.
National parks (like Kruger, Serengeti, Masai Mara) are public land with multiple operators and significant visitor traffic — roads can be busy at peak times. Private game reserves (like the Sabi Sands adjacent to Kruger, or Laikipia in Kenya) offer exclusivity: fewer vehicles, off-road game driving, night drives, and walk-in access to wildlife not permitted in national parks. The trade-off is cost — private reserve lodges are typically more expensive. Many premium African Travel itineraries combine both for the best of each.
Guide quality is one of the most important factors in safari enjoyment, and African Travel is selective about the operators and guides they use. Their guides are local Africans with deep knowledge of the specific ecosystems they work in — often holding formal naturalist qualifications such as FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) or equivalent national certifications. Many have decades of experience and an encyclopedic knowledge of bird species, animal behavior, and tracking. A great guide transforms a safari from wildlife-watching to genuine wildlife understanding.
On custom private African Travel itineraries, you have a dedicated private vehicle and guide exclusively for your party. This means you set the pace, choose where to stop, spend as long as you like at a sighting, and follow your guide’s expertise without compromise from other guests’ preferences. Shared vehicles are sometimes used on certain group-departure products; your Pavlus advisor will clarify which arrangement applies to any specific itinerary.
Vaccination requirements and recommendations vary by country visited. Common considerations:
Safari packing is governed by two practical realities: weight limits on bush flights and neutral-colored clothing (bright colors disturb wildlife and are discouraged). Key items:
Safari destinations in Africa — the game reserves and national parks of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Namibia — are generally safe and well-managed tourism environments. The lodges and camps African Travel uses are professional operations with clear safety protocols. In the bush itself, guides are trained in wildlife safety and guests are briefed on behavior rules. As with any international travel, awareness of your environment and following local guidance is important. Your Pavlus advisor can speak specifically to current conditions in any destination you’re considering.
Minimum ages vary by lodge and activity. Most private lodges accept children aged 6 and up for standard game drives, with some family-specific lodges welcoming younger children. Certain lodges in the Okavango Delta or walking-safari properties may have higher minimums (12 or even 16) for safety reasons. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda requires participants to be at least 15 years old. African Travel’s specialists know the family-friendliest properties and can build itineraries that work brilliantly for families with children of any age.
Yes, and solo safari travel is increasingly popular. On custom private itineraries, solo travelers have the full vehicle and guide to themselves, which is a genuinely premium experience. The main consideration is cost — a single supplement typically applies on lodges designed for double occupancy. Some group-departure safaris offer shared accommodation to reduce solo costs. Your Pavlus advisor can explore the options that make financial sense for a solo traveler.
Standard game drive safaris require very little physical exertion — you travel in a 4x4 vehicle for most wildlife viewing. Walking safaris add a moderate fitness element: 2–4 hour guided walks over varied terrain in manageable conditions. Gorilla trekking is the most physically demanding experience African Travel offers, with treks potentially lasting several hours through steep, muddy forest. However, porters are available to assist with bags and even physical support if needed. African Travel can design itineraries appropriate for travelers of virtually any fitness level.
African Travel is committed to tourism that benefits both wildlife and the communities that live alongside it. They prioritize lodges and operators who employ local staff, source food locally, practice low-impact operations, and contribute to conservation initiatives. Many of the private conservancies their itineraries visit are community-owned, meaning tourism revenue directly funds local livelihoods — creating an economic incentive for communities to protect wildlife rather than compete with it for land.
Safari tourism is the primary economic justification for setting aside vast tracts of African wilderness for wildlife rather than agriculture or development. Every safari guest who pays park fees, lodge rates, and conservancy fees is directly funding habitat protection. Many of the properties in African Travel’s portfolio actively support anti-poaching units, rhino and elephant protection programs, and wildlife research. Your Pavlus advisor can point you toward operators with particularly strong conservation credentials if that is important to you.
Call 800-528-9300 to speak with a Pavlus Africa specialist. Gorilla trekking permits must be secured far in advance and have very limited availability — booking 12+ months ahead is strongly advised for those experiences. Standard safari itineraries can often be booked with less lead time, though peak season lodges also book out early. Your advisor will walk you through deposit requirements, payment schedules, and cancellation terms for your specific itinerary.
Pavlus Travel is a long-established African Travel partner with decades of experience selling Africa safaris. Booking through Pavlus gives you a dedicated US-based advisor who knows the product thoroughly, can help you compare African Travel against other Africa operators to ensure it’s the right fit, and serves as your advocate if any issue arises before or during travel. You will actually pay less through Pavlus — we provide a savings benefit on top of all current African Travel promotions — while gaining an experienced ally at no added cost.
Pavlus Travel’s status as a long-term African Travel partner means we sometimes have access to preferred rates, added amenities, or exclusive offers not available to the general public. Call 800-528-9300 to ask about current offers. At minimum, you benefit from Pavlus’s expert guidance in selecting the right itinerary, properties, and timing — a value that is genuinely difficult to put a price on for a trip of this significance.
In many cases, yes. If you booked recently and the booking has not yet been ticketed or finalized, there may be an opportunity to transfer it to Pavlus Travel so you have advisor support going forward. Call 800-528-9300 as soon as possible — transfer windows are time-sensitive and depend on African Travel’s specific policies at the time of your booking.
No — you will pay less. Pavlus provides a savings benefit on top of all current African Travel promotions. That advantage is over and above, and combineable with, whatever African Travel is offering at the time of booking. There are no booking fees at Pavlus Travel for African Travel reservations, and you gain the benefit of a dedicated US-based expert advisor.
Pavlus Travel has been selling Africa safaris — including African Travel itineraries —. Our Africa specialists have personal experience traveling in Africa, deep knowledge of the lodge landscape across East and southern Africa, and ongoing relationships with African Travel’s sales team. They can speak authentically about the difference between, say, the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, or help you choose between a Botswana fly-in safari and a South Africa private reserve — nuances that matter enormously when planning a trip of this investment level.
This is one of the most important reasons to book through a travel advisor. If an issue arises — whether before departure (itinerary changes, permit problems, flight disruptions) or during travel (accommodation issues, guide concerns) — your Pavlus advisor is your advocate. We have direct relationships with African Travel’s team and can escalate and resolve issues far more effectively than an individual traveler calling a general reservations line. Call 800-528-9300 any time you need assistance.
The more detail you can share, the more efficiently we can find the right fit. Helpful information includes:
If you’re a first-time safari traveler without strong preferences yet, simply call — our advisors love helping newcomers discover exactly what Africa safari is right for them.
For peak season travel (July–October in East Africa; June–September in southern Africa), 9–12 months in advance is strongly recommended — especially for the most sought-after lodges and camps. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are limited and should ideally be secured 12+ months ahead. Shoulder and low season travel can sometimes be arranged with 3–6 months’ notice, and last-minute availability occasionally exists, though lodge and permit selection will be more limited. The sooner you book, the better your options.
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