Route ZN1 Big 5 in Zuidelijk Afrika

We offer much more than a conventional booking site! With our unique knowledge and wide range of personally tested small scale accommodations we are probably able to offer you the best possible combination of route, tempo and accommodations to suit your unique requirements.

In general we work with small scale professionally run guesthouses, (safari) lodges, family and boutique hotels with an average 3 to 4 standard. We also offer a select number of affordable but exclusive 5 star establishments offering that very special more personal feeling. The accommodations offered as a rule include breakfast but mostly exclude dinner as most places visited have various options to eat out at night. Where the option to eat out at night is limited or non-existent we automatically include dinner in the offered accommodation package. As a rule self-catering is only offered in national parks where accommodation normally includes a small kitchen. For those who do not wish to make their own breakfast most camps in national parks have one or more restaurants.

The importance of good accommodation. As a rule all accommodations offered by us are periodically personally tested by one of our team. Our minimal requirements always include  en-suite bathroom, good beds, excellent hygiene, friendly service, good Wi-Fi, and where possible a good setting or location. We prefer professionally run small scale establishments where the emphasis is on personal service.

Extensive knowledge and experience. Our team regularly travel to southern Africa to enable us to keep up with changes, nieuw accommodations, day tours, activities, attractions etc. By travelling between 15,000 and 25,000 km every year we are able to assist every client to get the most out of there intended holiday and exactly tailor make each trip to their unique requirements.

Our relationships with our accommodations often stretches over many years and as a rule is direct and personal. South Africa has a vast range of different accommodations ranging from extremely basic to 7 star ultra-luxury. In the past 15 years we have visited over 700 accommodations in Southern Africa and keep a regular check on the level of quality and service. Mostly we offer the better small scale personally run accommodations. On average we work with 3 to 5 star accommodations most of whom we have built a personal relationship.

Quotation. As we prefer using the more personally run smaller establishments all provisional quotes initially contain only the place or town name. Once your exact route, timing and other personal preferences are established and you are satisfied with what is being offered we will approach the accommodations most suitable to your requirements. When all services required for your unique trip are secured and provisionally in place you will receive a fixed quotation which is valid for a limited amount of time. These services are obviously free of charge.

Special needs & requirements? If you have special needs or specific requirements like personal dietary needs or if you are partially disabled we will gladly assist you.

Avoid mass tourism where possible.
Avoid mass tourism by using professionally run smaller scale accommodations. Due to the higher level of personal attention and smaller footprint these accommodations are often perceived as less “touristy” even if they are situated near a tourist highlight. It also offers you different types and levels of accommodation more suitable to a client’s specific needs than a large lodge or chain of hotels.

Self-drive or privately guided?

Self-drive

Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana & Swaziland) is ideal to explore by car.  Roughly two thirds the size of the European union it is a vast area with many different and varying cultures and landscapes. The road infrastructure is fairly good and as a rule can be explored with a normal sedan car, however in some regions, areas or seasons a SUV or even a 4X4 is advised. We offer you more than 15 years of experience and knowledge of roads, routes and itineraries. We regularly travel to different parts of Southern Africa to stay informed of changes, new accommodations, day trips, activities, tourist attractions, etc. Combined with a 24/7 local back up our team averages between 20,000 and 40,000 km of study travel per year updating old information and assembling new information.

Privately guided

The costs of this particular method of travel is not low and therefore more suitable for between 4 to 8 people. We do however offer this service for less than 4 pax but prefer not to exceed 10 pax. When 10 or more people travel together is becomes a group with all the implications when booking services like flights etc.

For your clients that do not wish to drive themselves we offer many different guides whom mostly speak at least three languages.  These are registered and experienced private guides with a professional drivers licence and good air-conditioned vehicle. Experienced South African’s who will ensures that your clients are safe and have a pleasant and relaxed tour throughout Southern Africa. Suitable for 4 to 8 pax. (maximum 10)

Included in our driver/guide prices

1) Fuel.

2) Tolls on the way.

3) Transport with driver / guide and luxury minibus with aircon.

4) Accommodation and meals for the driver/guide. 

We offer a professional and comprehensive service for the travel trade which include any or all of the below mentioned.

• Accommodation (Choice of over 700)
• All inclusive car rental
• Flights in southern Africa
• Meet and greet and/or airport shuttle services
• Route planning and advice*
• Advice or pre booking of extra‘s like excursions etc.
• Excursions, day tours and including a free day tour **
• Comprehensive overview of expected extra costs like fuel, toll roads, eating out etc.

*Route planning and advice is included in the itinerary and car rental. We travel between 20,000 and 40,00 km every year to be aware of local road conditions etc. We are not an accommodation booking website!
** All self-drive tours and trips starting in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Windhoek with 2 people sharing and with a stay of 10 nights or longer will include a complimentary excursion. This offers your clients a chance to acclimatize and get used to local traffic etc. it also relaxes them end set the tone before they actually start their self-drive adventure. See our list of excursions for more info. 

Avoid mass tourism? Even though mass tourism cannot be completely avoided our method of working  offers your clients the most suitable services and accommodation within a reasonable budget.

• Request price
• List of all tours and destinations