About

Travel with a positive impact on Africa!

Welcome to African Travels! We started African Travels to make a difference. With every trip you book you do too… We promote small scale sustainable traveling at every level of comfort. From luxury to more budget traveling. With over 30 years of experience we can proudly say we have lived what we sell. Travel with a positive impact on Africa, benefitting the people and nature, empowering the destination.
Let’s start planning your dream holiday today!

More than 30 years experience in Africa

We are African specialists and have a combined African travel experience of over 30 years. William was born in Zimbabwe and being the son of an archaeologist, raised in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South-Africa. Later he worked as a tour guide from Istanbul to Cape-Town and back, covering more than 12 African countries. In 2005 he ran into Marijnke (Dutch) under the Smoke that thunders (Victoria Falls).

We have lived what we sell. We have experienced Africa as single travelers, as a couple and now as a family. We also ran a safari lodge close to Victoria Falls, deciding later to start our own company one step further by offering personalized sustainable Africans tours to a wider audience to enjoy the beauty of Africa.

We want to share the vastness of lost Africa and all its beauty by offering this chance of a lifetime to like-minded individuals that share the same passion for sustainability. For the future of Africa.

Office in The Netherlands and South Africa

We have an office in South Africa and in the Netherlands, but we operate world wide. We add our personal touch by personally selecting new and unique locations whenever the opportunity arises.

Most of our clients book online, from Australia, Spain and the United States, and from Belgium to the Netherlands. We are just a Skype or WhatsApp call away!

You are also more than welcome to have a personal chat in one of our offices, or even at your home. Pre booking is recommended.

Events

We love meeting our travelers at live travel events! Hopefully we can start attending trade shows again soon. You can meet us at the Vakantiebeurs Utrecht (Netherlands), Vakantiebeurs Amsterdam (Netherlands), Vakantiebeurs Breda (Netherlands) and the Luxury Travel Fair in London. Every year we try some new events so follow our Social Media [Facebook] or [Instagram] to stay informed!

Sustainable traveling

African Travels is a Social Enterprise. Social enterprises are businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances, or the environment. They make their money from selling goods and services in the open market, but they reinvest their profits back into the business or the local community. So when they profit, society profitsIn short, a social enterprise is an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximizing profits for external shareholders. [read more]

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Tailor made

At African Travels we don’t sell one size fits all! As an Africa specialist, we have a huge database of trips that are not all listed on our website. We create tailor-made trips to inspire. We want you to experience Africa in the best possible way that suits you. We believe in the personal approach. We invest time to get to know you as a traveler so we can design the trip of a lifetime!

We are African specialists!

We are African specialists and have a combined African travel experience of over 40 years. We can cater for every need. We will spend time getting to know you so we can design a trip of a lifetime!

Don’t worry

When you go on holiday, the last thing you want to do is worry. A trip to Africa isn’t something you do every day. It has to be a special memory in your lifetime that should be a life thrilling experience, perfect in every way. As a travel specialist we consider ourselves vital in planning these special memories, as we take away the worry so you can focus solely on the exciting events to come and on what to pack.

We started African Travels to make a difference, with every trip you book you do too!

African TravelsManaging founders

24/7 support from our backup team

Sometimes, unfortunately, things can go a little differently than expected. Lost luggage, family affairs at home, an incident, it can happen to anyone. As a travel agency, we will do our utmost to help you solve the problem. We have an extensive (personal) local network and we will do everything we can to resolve the incident as quickly as possible or to manage it appropriately. 24/7 support. We are only one phone call away.

Making it personal

When booking your trip via a general online platform, you tend to get the one-size-fits-all service, not taking into account the numerous variables that come into play. We tailor our services to your individual needs. Have concerns? We talk you through them. Need a hotel that can cater to your allergies? We speak to hotel managers to make sure it’s taken care of. In addition, when calling us, we know all the ins and outs of your trip and care about you.

No hidden costs

We do not charge booking fees, reservation fees or credit card fees. These are all included in the price. As a travel specialist, we receive special purchase rates and cover bank costs and currency risks. Surveys have shown that planning your own vacation takes hours. Tell us what you expect from a holiday, what you want to experience, what level of comfort you want and we will design a tailor-made itinerary, including flights, transfers, accommodation, optional excursions, meals, etc., so you can spend your time on other things!

Small scale accommodation

African Travels will send you to the most beautiful and unique accommodations in Africa. They are not only run by excellent staff, they also give back to the local community and operate as eco friendly as possible. Located in the most beautiful locations, they will contribute to the ultimate safari experience. From tented safari camps to luxury boutique hotels. We will make sure they tick all the boxes!

  • All accommodations are carefully selected by us
  • Value for money
  • Local community support
  • The location compliments the African experience

Panic?

When you book your trip through an online booking system you usually get one-size-fits-all service, without taking into account the many variables that apply. We tailor our services to individual needs. Are you worried? Are you panicking? Do you have packing stress? Call us, we will give you advice. Do you have allergies or medical conditions? Let us know, we will ensure that all parties involved are informed. And when you call us, you speak to someone from African Travels, we know all the ins and outs of your trip.

Financial protection

African Travels offers complete financial protection for all our travellers. When travelling with African Travels, your holiday is financially protected by the GGTO, the Dutch Guarantee Fund. We offer all our travelers from anywere around the world the guarantee that they will be reimbursed for any payments made for trips including airfares (if booked via African Travels), in the event that we declare financial insolvency. It is a comforting feeling indeed. Guaranteed traveling!

Guarantee fund:

  • Guaranteed travelling or a full refund in case of insolvency
  • No additional costs for traveler
  • Coverage for any of our destinations and travel sum

Meet the team

This is our African Travels core team. We all share this great passion for Africa and the purpose to leave a green footprint behind. Every single team member is there to make sure you have the best possible African experience possible. Let us experience and design your African dream holiday!

Of course there are a lot more people involved (especially for our group safaris) and in creating and taking care of your special trip to Africa. 

Marijnke Vincent Macdonald
Managing founder

Marijnke is one of the founders of African Travels and married to William. She is in charge of the office. She is Dutch but spent most of her life living in foreign countries. She is most happy when she starts her day in the African bush, surrounded by nature.

William Macdonald
Managing founder

William is married to Marijnke and one of the founders of African Travels. William was born in Zimbabwe but raised in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. His favorite African destinations are his home country Zimbabwe, Namibia and Uganda, or any other African country really…

Marieke Jennings
South Africa specialist & Operations Manager

We have known Marieke for over 5 years now and since the first time, there has been this amazing click and special friendship. Marieke lives in South Africa and is married to an ex-Rhodesian, who relocated to South Africa. When she is not in the office working, you will find her in the bush or on a hiking trail exploring new routes! She also works in the African Travels office and might answer your phone call or email. 

Annette Steenkamp
Administration

Annette was born in South Africa and is married to a Namibian. She currently lives in the Netherlands but loves to travel back to South Africa and Namibia whenever she can.

Victor
Rwanda Uganda

We have been working with Victor and his team for over 5 years. From the first time we met him we were impressed by his professionalism and passion to develop and give back to his countries in the most sustainable way. Victor is based in Rwanda but married to an Ugandan. He knows both countries inside out. His mission with his team is providing unique and unforgettable experiences, superior guest service and emotional memories that will last long after you return home. His goal is to motivate local micro-entrepreneurs to assist their families and communities to become financially self-dependant. With your trip you help develop Rwanda and Uganda in a sustainable way.

Saqib
Namibia

Our Namibian rock is Saqib and our key to deliver you the best experience in Namibia you wish for. Whether you are an upmarket client or a budget traveler. The experience is what matters.
We met through a mutual friend and have been working together ever since. He is very professional and efficient, and full of ideas and solutions! His expertise is Northern Namibia and the best private guide you can wish for!

Richard
Kenya

We have known Richard and Diane for a while now and we both share this passion for travel and small scale tourism. Richard and his wife Diana have excellent service skills and discover new non touristy destinations, unique accommodations and new experiences. The goal is a holistic Kenyan experience as you balance between culture, wildlife, local hospitality and best culinary arts on the planet. And leave a Green footprint behind. With your Kenyan trip you contribute to reforestation of Kenya by SeedBalls Kenya and much more.

Marcus
Mozambique

Marcus passion for nature, the ocean, sports and a free life style are his driving force and being able to bring people from all over the world to the beautiful coast line of Mozambique are a professional fulfilling. With your Mozambiquan trip you contribute to beach Cleaning and Environment  foundation http://www.almatofo.org/.

Sarah
Zambia

Sarah is our Zambian guru. We have known her for over 20 years. She knows all about her country, loves to design our self drive itineraries in Zambia and loves the small scale and unique accommodations far away from the masses.

Suzanne
Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe we work with multiple contacts who we have know for years. On the ground our great help is the Zimbabean born and raised Suzanne. She is not only an amazing photographer, her blogs about her adventurous life in Africa are even more special, full of tears and laughter.

Selma
Tanzania

Selma and Ngomi started their travel business at the same time as we – African Travels did. We go a long way back and see our business grow and thrive over the years. It’s a pleasure working with Selma. Providing excellent trips with so much knowledge and passion for Tanzania.

James
Botswana

James is based in Maun and has 20 years experience in the tourism industry in Botswana. He knows every sandy road, has intimate knowledge and experience in safaris and lodges in Botswana and surroundings. He has been involved in running mobile safaris from the more budget conscious traveller to high end safaris.

Start planning your dream holiday today!

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