African Travel Inc. is launching an escorted tour category in 2025, featuring U.S.-based concierges who will accompany small groups throughout their African journeys.
The move comes in response to growing demand from luxury travelers seeking both intimate group experiences and comprehensive support throughout their safaris.
“Our clients increasingly tell us they enjoy traveling with like-minded people but want an all-inclusive, high-touch experience,” said Sherwin Banda, the president of African Travel. “The U.S.-based concierge deeply understands the North American luxury traveler: their service expectations, can identify their requests and concerns, clearly communicates and navigates in destination differences, all the while ensuring the travelers specific needs are met throughout the journey.”
The Concierge Safaris will be limited to 14 guests per departure and
include luxury accommodations, most meals, game viewing and gratuities.
Local guides will continue to lead destination-specific activities, with
the traveling concierge handling overall trip logistics and guest
requests.
Banda said he thinks these new safaris are ideal for travelers who have limited time to plan and are willing to pay a premium for a seamless and stress-free travel process.
Two options for 2025
The program launches with two 11-day itineraries.
• The Southern Explorer – Escorted features four nights in Cape Town, including exclusive culinary experiences such as a 14-course dining event at Gold Restaurant and a food safari with stops at three distinct locations. The journey continues with four nights of Big Five game viewing in a private reserve in Kruger National Park, concluding with two nights at Victoria Falls.
• The Best of Tanzania – Escorted, explores the country’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 descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, visiting Lake Manyara’s flamingos, and exploring Tarangire National Park’s ancient baobabs and large elephant herds. Special experiences include lunch on 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 our clients need before they need it. They serve as an advocate for our clients, ensuring seamless experiences across multiple destinations.”
Plans call for an expansion of the Concierge Safari portfolio to additional destinations in 2026.
• Related: African Travel Inc. offers agent incentives for 2025 bookings
To promote the launch, African Travel is offering travel advisors a $300 digital gift card for each couple booked on the escorted safaris by March 31.
