Safari Planning
Planning a safari can be daunting, exciting and tedious. Fortunately we've done it all. First as first-time safari guests and then as enthusiasts looking for more. And now after decades, we've practically seen it all. But Africa is unique. There is always more to see, more to do and more to experience. So, we always go back and we think you will too.
How to Choose the Right Safari – and the Right Safari Planner to Help Plan It
Dreaming of an African safari? 🦁🌍 With so many destinations, lodges, and options, planning the perfect safari can feel overwhelming.
Should you book direct? Work with a specialist? What’s the best type of safari for you?
This guide breaks down the key questions you should ask—so you can choose the right safari and the right expert to help plan it.
People like you say...
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Most exciting thing I have ever done
Just fantastic! We had such fun, truly the most exciting thing I have ever done.Neville meticulously planned the perfect trip for us. From start to finish everything was thought of.He was always in the background, smoothing the way. An unanticipated flight change, no bother, all taken care of.We were met by a driver at every airport. The accomodation provided was excellent. Every where we stayed we were treated with... Read More
- Debbie, March 2025
Melbourne
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Well Planned
The trip was well planned and all time lines were met.
- Ian, March 2025
Melbourne
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A once in a lifetime experience!
This was truly a once in a lifetime experience! The sequence of itinerary was so well thought out that it allowed us to fully experience and see the Savana.
- Rachel and Joseph, January 2025
Singapore
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Amazing!
I would highly recommend Experiential Travel. Neville is an amazing agent and planned a trip we will never forget. Nothing is ever too much for Neville.
- Antonietta, November 2024
Melbourne, Australia
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What a pleasure and a privilege to travel with Neville on safari
What a pleasure and a privilege to travel with Neville on safari in Tanzania and Uganda. Like a best-selling novel, an amazing story of nature, people, history and culture unfolded each day. The carefully crafted itinerary provided a wide variety of experiences, leaving indelible memories and emotions. Our best decision was definitely to allow “Experiential Travel” to organise the locations/lodges/guides that delivered exactly what its name states.
- Kay, September 2024
Melbourne, Australia
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All aspects exceeded our expectations
We recently undertook an Experiental Travel itinerary of South Africa. All aspects exceeded our expectations from reliable transfers to the quality of the accommodation selected at all locations. We can highly recommend Experiental for a bespoke experience.
- Peter, September 2024
Perth, Australia
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I would highly recommend Experiential Travel as experts in African Travel.
Neville helped us arrange a magnificent bespoke tour throughout Africa for our group of 4. He was reassuring, patient and knowledgeable in advising us and making suggestions and trying to keep within our budget. Neville thought of everything for us to make it a successful trip. He stayed in touch, regularly, checking in to see how we were enjoying the trip and assisting where necessary. I would highly recommend... Read More
- Rita, September 2024
Melbourne, Australia
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We were delighted at every new location
Experiental Travel designed a fabulous South African holiday for us. We always felt safe and welcome. Every part of the itiniary flowed effortlessly and we were delighted at every new location.I have already recommended to my family and we are planning our next trip. Thank you so much.
- Dawn, June 2024
Melbourne, Australia
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The most exciting holiday adventures
Neville did exactly what we asked him to do for the 4 of us ,their was a lot of discussions and email’s going back and forth in the end it was the most exciting holiday adventures we have ever done.
- Greg, June 2024
Melbourne, Australia
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Beyond our expectations
We had planned to do the Horizon horseback safari and the Mozenbique horse ride and the structured itinerary was superb giving us both historical and life today in South Africa. We were amazed at the attractions we were able to see, Table top Mountain, the waterfront, the beaches, the tourist bus, the cities, cultural lifestyles, economical, rural and industrial areas visited. Commentary from the transfer drivers was also a... Read More
- Vicki, June 2024
Melbourne, Australia
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Trip of a lifetime
Neville planned a trip of a lifetime for us - never to be forgotten. He carefully listened to our dreams and made them a reality. We felt safe at all times and always knew what the next steps were, thanks to TravelKey. When our bags were left behind in Nairobi, Neville went above and beyond to ensure they found their way to us in the middle of the Serengeti!... Read More
- Marisa, June 2024
Melbourne, Australia
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The trip was fabulous
A lot of different experiences and transfers to coordinate, it was made easy by handing all planning and booking over to Neville. The trip was fabulous and ran smoothly. Will book again with Neville
- Lisa, June 2024
Adelaide, Australia
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Seamless planning well executed
Seamless planning, well executed to the last details. As a first timer in the Greater Kruger, couldn't have ask for a better experience.
- Geoff Pong
Singapore
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Neville Jones of Experiential Travel will take care of you from start to finish.
Neville Jones of Experiential Travel will take care of you from start to finish. We had the experience of a lifetime. The places we stayed were fantastic. The staff at each location were very welcoming and took great care of us!! Our game drives and drivers were amazing. Each day was full of so many surprises and awesome animals. He also sends travel wisdom before the trip so you... Read More
- Debbie Kremers
Kansas City, KS
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Everyone needs to do this!!!
As a somewhat unsure, first time traveler to Africa, this trip absolutely blew me away! I loved everything about it and the new experiences every single day were fantastic. Everyone needs to do this!!!
- Bill Kremers
Kansas City, KS
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Only Neville made it happen! And it was life-changing!
I’d been talking about going to Africa for over 10 years. A couple of times I’d even made someenquiries, but sadly that’s as far as it ever got! A chance meeting with Neville however changedeverything! He listened to what I wanted to do, found ways to overcome the obstacles, and madesome great suggestions to produce a truly memorable itinerary! Neville listens to what you want to do, your likes... Read More
- Ian Gibson, November 2023
Sydney
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You considered every detail.
Just wanted to say a huge Thankyou for organising such a wonderful trip. We absolutely loved it, just not long enough for me. You considered every detail. Every camp was different and very unique and luxurious. We were treated like kings and queens which was kind of embarrassing. Africa is most certainly a captivating place and we loved interacting with our fabulous guides.
- Kaye Moresi
Melbourne, Australia
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... an excellent African holiday experience...
Experiential Travel crafted an excellent Africa holiday for us. All of our goals were met and fitted perfectly into the time available.
- Barry Crouch
Melbourne, Australia.
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Exceeded Every Expectation!
We've been waiting to take this trip for 30 years and had a very clear idea of what we wanted to see and do. Neville created an itinerary that incorporated it all and then some; from safari to the great migration to gorilla and chimpanzee trekking to boat rides with hippos and cultural immersion. This trip had it all. Accommodations and experiences were amazing with knowledgable guides and a... Read More
- Kelly and David Cooke
Washougal, WA.
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Trip of a lifetime.
Trip of a lifetime.
- Quentin Kelly
Melbourne, Australia.
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This experience was truly remarkable
Our South African trip organized by Experiential Travel and Neville was first class in all respects. Deanie and I have been to Africa and various other countries over the years and this experience was truly remarkable from the start. Small details like all flights and transfers being on time and being met by lovely people who are passionate about hospitality. The first class accommodation in Cape Town, Paarl and... Read More
- Mark Greatbatch
Queenstown, New Zealand
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...simply wouldn’t have been possible without Neville.
My grown sons and I had dreamed of a trip to South Africa since they were small boys. Having gotten through the pandemic and with the boys wives both saying it was time to start a family, we all agreed it was now or never. One of my sons is a budding photographer and met Neville through a photography club. When he learned Neville was also the owner of... Read More
- Janet Farrow
Nashville, TN
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It was an extraordinary trip.
Neville has years of African travel experience and proved to be a knowledgeable planner with a keen ability to match a traveler’s personal interests to different itinerary choices. From touchdown to takeoff in Johannesburg the trip was seamless. We learned that Neville was never far away, whether in Melbourne or travelling; and with boots on the ground in Africa through his partners, he was able to tweak and make... Read More
- Barbara Huppee
Lawrence, KS
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Attention to detail
Neville did an outstanding job of patiently answering all our pre-trip questions and was a font of knowledge about the landscape, animals, people and culture along the way. Planning and executing such a trip requires attention to detail and an appreciation for the individual differences inherent in any travel group. Neville certainly took the stress out of undertaking this type of adventure and incorporated some lovely surprises along the... Read More
- Catriona Brash
Melbourne, Australia
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Experience of a lifetime.
When the idea of a safari was raised over dinner with friends one evening I was initially hesitant to be involved. I’m not a seasoned international traveller and had heard many stories of the possible dangers in visiting Africa, both cities and country. I am so pleased I was convinced to go because it turned out to be an experience of a lifetime.
- Ross Robinson
Melbourne, Australia
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