Frequently Asked Questions

We create private, tailor-made journeys across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Our trips are mainly designed for mid-range to luxury travellers and may include safari, beach, city, cultural and self-drive experiences. Every itinerary is created specifically for you and shaped around your interests, preferred pace and budget.

Every traveller receives a bespoke quotation because the cost depends on the destinations, season, accommodation, activities, transport and length of the journey.

The minimum trip budget we work with is $2,900 per person, or the equivalent in EUR or CHF, excluding flights. This is the lowest budget at which we can begin creating a journey, but not every destination or travel style will be possible at this level. We will always advise you honestly on what can be achieved within your available budget.

No. We do not charge a fee for planning, consultation or preparing your itinerary.

There is also no fixed limit on revisions before booking. We will continue refining the proposal with you until it reflects your expectations, interests and budget.

We will contact you by email to arrange a call. This gives us an opportunity to learn more about how you imagine your trip, what you would like to experience and what matters most to you.

We will then begin preparing your digital proposal. The time required depends on the complexity of the journey, but the first proposal is usually ready within one week.

It is helpful to know your preferred travel dates, the number of people travelling, whether any children will be joining you and their ages, and your approximate budget per person.

We will also ask which destinations you are considering, what type of holiday you would enjoy and which activities or experiences interest you. You do not need to have everything decided before enquiring. An idea of what you would like to see or do is enough for us to begin recommending suitable destinations.

No. Every itinerary is individually tailored around you.

We will recommend a route, accommodation and experiences based on your interests, budget, preferred travel style and the season in which you are travelling. You can also decide how quickly or slowly you would like to travel and how long you would like to spend in each destination.

We can arrange the complete land journey, including accommodation, private transfers, rental vehicles, guides, park fees and activities.

Meals can also be included depending on the accommodation selected. You may choose to leave parts of the itinerary open for independent exploring, and we can recommend additional places to visit, restaurants and activities along the way.

German-speaking guides can also be arranged where available.

We do not book international or domestic flights, so you will need to purchase your own tickets.

We will, however, help you identify flight options and connection times that work well with the proposed itinerary. We recommend confirming the itinerary with us before purchasing flights so that the flight schedule fits comfortably with the arrangements on the ground.

Further information about flights and traveller responsibilities is available in our Terms & Conditions.

We recommend beginning the planning process approximately 10 to 12 months before travelling.

This normally provides a wider choice of lodges and makes it easier to create a journey within a more moderate budget. Planning closer to departure can still be possible, particularly where the budget allows greater flexibility, although availability is likely to be more limited.

We can also recommend travel dates based on seasonality, availability, value and the experiences you would like to have.

Quotations are valid for seven calendar days because accommodation in high-demand destinations can sell quickly.

Where possible, we will place provisional holds on the accommodation and services included in the proposal during this period. Once you have indicated that you would like to proceed, we will remain in contact while your deposit is processed to reduce the risk of provisional reservations being released.

If payment is delayed for an extended period, the provisional reservations may expire and alternative accommodation may need to be considered.

Once you are happy with your digital proposal, you can select the Confirm Booking button or confirm your acceptance by email.

A 30% deposit is required to proceed with the reservations. Your booking is confirmed once the deposit has been received and the arrangements have been confirmed by our partners. The remaining balance is due 60 days before travel. A booking made within 60 days of departure must be paid in full when confirmed.

Quotations and payments can be made in EUR, USD or ZAR, depending on the agreed booking currency. Payment is currently made by bank transfer, with credit card payments planned for the future.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for the complete payment, cancellation and refund provisions.

Yes. We do not charge an additional amendment fee when you request changes after confirmation.

Changes remain subject to availability, and any increase in accommodation, activity, transport or partner costs will need to be covered by you. The full amendment conditions are explained in our Terms & Conditions.

Absolutely. As parents who have travelled on safari with our own child, we understand many of the practical considerations involved in planning a family journey.

We can recommend family-friendly accommodation, age-appropriate activities and routes that work comfortably for both adults and children. We check any known child-age restrictions when planning, although parents and legal guardians remain responsible for supervising children throughout the journey.

We also create private trips for solo travellers, couples, honeymooners and larger groups.

Yes. Combining different travel experiences is one of the benefits of a tailor-made itinerary.

Popular combinations include the Serengeti and Zanzibar, Cape Town and Kruger National Park, or Kruger National Park and Mauritius. We will recommend a route that works comfortably within your available time and budget.

Yes. Depending on the destination, you can travel using a rental vehicle, private transfers or a guide.

Self-drive journeys are particularly popular in destinations such as Namibia. Other regions may be better suited to private transfers or guided travel because of the road conditions, distances or local logistics. We will explain the available choices and recommend the most practical option for your route.

We select accommodation according to the type of experience you would like to have.

This includes factors such as location, privacy, budget, seasonality and whether you would like meals included. We work with trusted partners and consider how each property fits into the wider journey rather than selecting accommodation in isolation.

Special touches for honeymoons, anniversaries and other celebrations can also be arranged, subject to availability at the selected property.

Many dietary requirements, mobility needs and medical considerations can be accommodated when the relevant information is shared well in advance.

We will discuss your requirements with our partners and advise whether the selected accommodation, activity or destination is suitable. Some safari regions are extremely remote and may have limited access to hospitals and medical facilities, so anyone with health or mobility concerns should consider this carefully before travelling.

Please provide all relevant information before the booking is confirmed and refer to our Terms & Conditions for the full traveller responsibilities.

We strongly recommend arranging comprehensive travel insurance from the time your journey is confirmed.

Your policy should be suitable for the destinations and activities included in your itinerary and should cover areas such as cancellation, medical treatment, emergency evacuation, delays, missed connections and baggage.

Further information about travel insurance and financial responsibility is available in our Terms & Conditions.

You are responsible for ensuring that all passports, visas, vaccinations, immigration documents and health requirements are in order before travelling.

We may provide general destination information, but this does not replace advice from embassies, government authorities or qualified medical professionals. Requirements can change, so they should always be checked through official sources before departure.

No. Wildlife moves freely in its natural environment, and sightings depend on the conditions at the time of the safari.

Our experienced partners will use their knowledge of the area to give you the best possible opportunity to enjoy meaningful wildlife encounters, but no particular animal or sighting can be guaranteed.

Before travelling, you will receive a final travel manifest containing the complete details of your journey and contact information for the partners included in your booking.

The manifest will also include practical guidance such as expected weather, nearby healthcare facilities, local currencies, mobile phone use, packing advice, gratuity recommendations, travel insurance, required travel documents, information for families travelling with children and suggested activities that have not already been booked.

Any compulsory local park or destination fee that can only be paid directly will also be clearly explained before departure.

Our local partners will receive the relevant details of your journey before you arrive and will be available to assist with the services they are providing on the ground.

Safari Souls Africa also remains available to help with questions during your trip. Some destinations have limited mobile or internet connectivity, so we recommend saving or printing your itinerary and reviewing the important travel information before departure.

Our assistance is not a continuously staffed 24-hour emergency service. Immediate threats to life or safety should be reported to the local emergency services and the relevant on-site partner.

Together, our founders bring more than a decade of experience in travel planning, alongside extensive first-hand travel throughout the destinations we offer. One founder was born in South Africa, and both founders live here and continue to travel throughout the region.

Being locally based gives us first-hand knowledge of the routes, logistics, people and practical realities of travelling through Southern and East Africa. We understand how to move comfortably between destinations, which experiences work well together and where additional planning may be needed.

We also work with trusted partners whose services and operating standards we know. Our aim is to make sure the important details have been considered so that you can enjoy your time away without having to manage every reservation or continually decide what comes next.

Above all, we want you to travel with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that your journey has been carefully planned around you.