SAFARI.COM Reviews 1,724

I had a super special experience with Anja. From the beginning, she helped me find a lodge that matched my preferences and budget.

She was also super available for answering all of my questions, making me feel comfortable about the itinerary. Thank you.

Every step as been seamless, speedy responses and professional communication has been a wonderful to experience in our booking and planning process.

I made a last minute request for assistance on a South African safari. I received three different, and very good options overnight. The agent, Dolan, spent a lot of time with me to answer questions and provide guidance. The service I received was very responsive and professional.

What a pleasure booking my upcoming trip with Safari.com. Monique Plaatjies responded straight away to my initial query, answering my questions and then moved quickly to tailor make the trip. Her first proposal was exactly what I had asked for. I am so looking forward to my little adventure in May. Thank you Monique!

Perfect fast efficient
Would to it again

Organisation was excellent and everything was thought of! Big thanks to Keith.

It was such a pleasure to deal with Pascal. He was very helpful in advising us on the best safari for our large group of 11. He organised both the safari and transport to and from Gondwana. Pascal was always contactable and promptly responded to all my questions. Can't thank him enough. We are all looking forward to our visit to South Africa.

As we planned our trip to South Africa we inquired from a few different companies. We are fairly well travelled and I have alway handled all of the logistics and planning for every trip. I was reluctant to relinquish that responsibility to someone else; However, Jolene with Safari.com relieved all my anxieties and went above and beyond. She stood above all others and is the reason we booked through her. She was prompt with her responses to my many questions and was patient as we navigated the entire process. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to book their next trip.

I’m posting this review so other travellers planning a high-stakes or special-occasion stay understand the risks I encountered booking through Safari.com.

I used Safari.com for a proposal trip booking at Giraffe Manor and experienced repeated coordination failures and inaccurate information from my assigned consultant, Kim Abrahams, along with later management handling by Bianca Coetser. This was clearly communicated as a proposal booking where precision and follow-through were critical.

The most serious failure involved the private dining arrangements. I first asked Kim Abrahams to reserve the Orchid Room for private proposal dining roughly 8 months before arrival. I was later told it was double booked and was assured she would arrange an alternative private dining experience instead. After I raised concerns and escalated, Bianca Coetser told me she would personally oversee this to ensure it was handled. Despite those assurances, when I arrived at the manor, the on-site team informed me no private dining had been arranged by the agent at all, and they had to organise something last minute after I raised it directly. An early request, a fallback promise, and management oversight were all in place — yet the arrangement was still not executed.

Other documented issues included:

• An official voucher issued with the wrong month of stay (later corrected, but highly stressful for a limited-availability property booking)
• Incorrect information given about the Edd Suite location
• Photographer cost requirements not fully disclosed at the outset, with material extra cost added later
• Arrival details not properly handed over despite written clarification
• Internal handover lapses later acknowledged by management

Management later described these as “administrative friction,” but when you are paying premium rates for a flagship experience and a proposal setting, accurate product knowledge and reliable coordination are basic expectations — not optional extras. The fact that the stay ultimately went ahead does not erase multiple preventable planning failures.

To be fair, the property staff on site were professional and helpful and stepped in to fix issues last minute. The failures were in the booking management and pre-trip coordination through the agency.

Even after internal review confirmed communication gaps and errors, management declined any monetary goodwill compensation and closed the matter on the basis that the core services were delivered.

If you are planning an important or once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would strongly suggest using a specialist luxury safari planner rather than relying on a volume booking agent. Well-known competitors that handle Giraffe Manor bookings and focus on bespoke, high-touch travel planning include Brilliant Africa, Wexas Travel, Ker & Downey Africa, and Wild Earth Stays. I recommend verifying all special arrangements directly with the property in writing to avoid preventable stress.

Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Safari.com for critical or milestone travel bookings.

Very easy. Leigh-ann Croeser did a great job getting us booked.

Fantastic experience from start to finish. My agent presented several options and put a package together that met my requirements. Lynne was fast and super helpful in addressing my requirements in a camp. And when i had questions after the booking, she was just as helpful. Would 1000% recommend this company. I have not yet gone on the safari but the experience in finding options and solutions was fantastic

Havent yet endeavored on our travels but the whole process has been seamless thus far - Leighann has been a gem to work with and dealing with all our fussiness.

We booked a very last minute trip but Shann Shaw really helped us and made sure we ended up with a solid itinerary before our departure. She was always available, presented multiple options catering to all our needs and budget, and even got us a discount. I feel very confident that we'll have an amazing time and it's all thanks to her and the team at safari.com!

Excellent service. Prompt, clear and helpful communication.

Peter

Just started the booking process with safari.com for a trip in June, working with Zene Devine. So far, the process has been good and the agent very helpful. Looking forward to having a pleasant experience for the rest of the process and the trip!

Shann has been working with me for over 3 months trying to find the type of safari experience I want to share with my two grown sons. She was professional and great to work with as she always found alternate lodges for me to consider. Maps, locations, travel distances, safety features when requested were sent. When I had problems with paper work, she called and solved them. I now have the safari that is worthy of her efforts and kindness.

Everything has been seamless so far. Shaann from the team has been helping and guiding us through the whole thing. Looking forward to the safari!

Fantastic service, Shann Shaw is absolutely brilliant, there every step of the way with any questions or concerns.
An extremely refreshing experience dealing with a person, not a machine!

The experience booking our first international trip/adventure was made super easy and personal with the help of Kim Abrahams. She has made tasks that seemed daunting very very easy. I felt like I was the only person she was helping at the time, even though I know she was planning for many people. She was quick to respond to emails, and willing to answer any and all questions. I really felt like a friend was helping me out. Highly recommend working with her if you can.
She was even answering emails at 1100 pm her time. Kim is awesome!!

Jolene made the booking experience very easy. she replied to each of my requests and put together a great itinerary.