How to Choose a Trusted Safari Operator: A Guide to a Worry-Free Adventure

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Trust Your Operator: A Checklist

The most important advice for your safari: ensure your operator is trustworthy. Travel scams are unfortunately common, with many people over the years paying for holidays only to have their money vanish or end up with an experience that falls far short of expectations.

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But there are ways to ensure your safari operator is trustworthy—luckily, most of them are.

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Listen to what our clients say: 

‘First class assistance and advice for booking my dream safari. Dolan was very knowledgeable and extremely attentive, going above and beyond to provide quotes, guidance and advice and all on a public holiday. Would highly recommend.’ – Peter Borrie, Spain

Refusing to Refund Clients

We are not the only trustworthy operator in the space. Many of our peers do their jobs extremely well. But it must be admitted that some are less trustworthy than others.

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Ethics and integrity are also key—the years of Covid-19 set the benchmark. During the pandemic lockdowns, there were reports of some African safari operators and suppliers not refunding customers or agents for canceled pre-booked trips.

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Some safari operators struggled to pay refunds to their clients because accommodations refused to return deposits, creating cash flow issues.

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We’re proud that Safari.com funded the business and did not leave customers or suppliers holding the bag.

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How to Check if Your Operator is Trustworthy

Always do your research and due diligence before you make your bookings and hand over your money.

Research their reputation and credibility

Read reviews and pay attention to consistent feedback from many customers. Have they won awards or received industry recognition, such as from Condé Nast Traveler or Travel+Leisure. We are delighted to say Safari.com was named Africa’s Leading Safari Company 2024 by the World Travel Awards. How long the operator has been doing business also shows reliability and experience.

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 Our 9-Day RockFig South Africa and Santorini Mozambique Safari is just one example of what makes us special.

Check their memberships and affiliations

Are they affiliated with or members of reputable organizations that enforce strict codes of conduct, such as ATTA (African Travel and Tourism Association) and SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association)? Membership in these organizations is a strong indicator of credibility and professionalism. You can search for operators directly on the websites of these associations to verify their status.

At Safari.com, we’re proud members of both organizations: membership 1680 on SATSA and 206430 on ATTA. This ensures we meet the highest standards of service, safety, and ethical tourism practices.

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Check their transparency

Trustworthy operators provide clear, detailed itineraries with specific accommodations, activities, and inclusions/exclusions. Do they offer personalized options?

‘Cannot recommend enough! Contacted at 6pm night before and Dorothy was helpful friendly and managed to book a safari trip with transport for 6 people! She was contactable on the day too and very, very helpful!’ – Charlotte, UK

Check their physical presence

Confirm their physical address, phone number, and email are authentic and accessible.

Check their online presence

Does their website look professional and up-to-date? A well-maintained site often indicates a reliable operator, while an active social media presence with recent trips, guest testimonials, and conservation efforts shows engagement and credibility.

For example, Safari.com features real customer testimonials and photos across various regions, take Kruger Park and Uganda for example, offering a genuine glimpse into the experiences they provide.

Communications are key

Do they respond quickly and professionally to your questions? A trustworthy operator will have in-depth knowledge of safari destinations and can make tailored recommendations.

‘Keith went above and beyond expectations arranging our holiday safari travels (for one vegan and one mobility-impaired traveller, no less:-). Safari.com is lucky to have Keith on board. He helped us feel confident in our choices, keeping us up to date with options, and finessing holiday scheduling issues with aplomb.’ – LM Archer, US

Check their ethics

Ask about their contributions to conservation, community upliftment, and attitude to responsible tourism.

Check their payment methods

Legitimate operators accept secure payments like credit cards, not wire transfers or cash only.

Red flags

Unsolicited offers, pressure to pay upfront, deals that seem too good to be true, vague costs or costs that are a lot cheaper than others are all red flags.

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Check Ratings

One of the best ways to get a feel for a safari operator is reading what others have to say. Review platforms you should look at are Tripadvisor, Trustpilot, SafariBookings, and Google Reviews.

We are proud to say Safari.com has an industry-leading rating of 4.9 on Trustpilot (with a 96% 5-star rating, the highest in our industry), 5.0 on Tripadvisor and 4.9 on Google.

‘I can’t say enough about Kim and how much she did for me and my daughter to plan her 7 day Safari to Victoria Falls and Kruger Park … Kims communication and most importantly making sure my daughter was Safe traveling solo was superb! Everything was planned and she wanted for nothing.’ – Madison and Laura Garner, US

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We know how important it is to choose the right operator and the right lodges for your safari experience, and we aim to ease those concerns. Our goal is to ensure that you feel confident that you’re in expert hands, save you time with planning and deliver on all our promises.
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We also understand the deeper need to create lifelong memories with your loved ones. We craft personalized safari journeys that reflect your unique desires, and we do it with the care and passion that come from truly loving Africa and wanting you to experience its wonders as it was meant to be.

For an expertly curated itinerary and a truly memorable trip, check out our 8-Day Ultra-lux Tengile and Tswalu Fly-In Safari.

Start Planning Your Dream Safari Today

Whether you’re looking to join one of our expertly curated safaris or prefer a bespoke journey, trust Safari.com to guide you through every step.

Our seasoned travel advisors can craft the safari of a lifetime tailored to your needs, budget, and travel goals.

Get started by emailing [email protected]

Or start chatting to an expert now by clicking on the WhatsApp link above. 

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