African Travel Inc. plans to launch an escorted tours category in 2025, featuring a U.S.-based concierge who will accompany small groups throughout their African travels.
The move comes in response to growing demand from luxury travelers seeking an intimate group experience and comprehensive support throughout their safari.
“Our customers are increasingly telling us that while they enjoy traveling with like-minded people, they want an all-inclusive, high-touch experience,” said Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel. “A U.S.-based concierge has a deep understanding of the service expectations of North American luxury travelers and is able to identify their requests and concerns, clearly communicating and navigating destination differences while also meeting the traveler’s specific needs throughout the trip. We ensure that this is met.”
Concierge safaris are limited to 14 people per departure and include luxury accommodations, most meals, game viewing, and gratuities. Local guides will continue to lead destination-specific activities, with travel concierges handling overall travel logistics and guest requests.
Banda said he believes these new safaris are ideal for travelers who have limited time to plan and are willing to pay a premium for a smooth and stress-free travel process.
Two options for 2025
The program begins with two 11-day itineraries.
• Southern Explorer – Escorted offers four nights in Cape Town and includes gourmet culinary experiences including a 14-course dining event at Gold Restaurant and a food safari with three stops. The trip includes four days of Big Five game viewing in a private reserve in Kruger National Park, before ending with a two-night stay at Victoria Falls.
• The best of Tanzania – escorted tours of Tanzania’s iconic parks, including the Serengeti plains during the Great Migration, home to 4,000 lions, 550 cheetahs and 1,000 leopards. The itinerary includes a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a visit to the flamingos of Lake Manyara, and exploring the ancient baobab trees and large herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park. Special experiences include lunch at the crater floor and a night safari at Lake Manyara.
“The concierge is available 24/7 to handle everything from restaurant reservations to managing unexpected schedule changes,” Banda said. “They know what customers want before they need it. They act as customer advocates and ensure a seamless experience across multiple destinations.”
We plan to expand our concierge safari portfolio to additional destinations in 2026.
• Related: African Travel Inc. offers travel agent incentives for 2025 bookings.
To promote the launch, African Travel is giving each couple booked on an escorted safari by March 31 a $300 digital gift card to their travel advisor.
