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Bench Africa were amazing! Travelling through Botswana with three young children was always going to be tough, but the Bench team had everything organised and chose the most suitable camps for a family like ours. The all inclusive activities were brilliant, especially the doors free helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta. We felt so spoiled the whole way.
Tanzania:Our Leopard Tours driver/guide in Tanzania, Michael Lucas was outstanding - very knowledgable, thoughtful, helpful, accomodating, good sense of humour & all round nice guy. We were all very sad to say good bye at the Kenya border!The standard of accomodation overall was fantastic! Mount Meru Hotel, Ngorongoro Farm House, Serengeti Sopa lodge all excellent but the tented camps were our favourites! Kirumuru was just great but the Satao Elerai Camp blew our minds - probably our favourite accomodation anywhere in the world!Kenya:Again, our Southern Cross Tours driver/guide in Kenya, Freddie was outstanding - very knowledgable, thoughtful, helpful, accomodating, good sense of humour & all round nice guy. We were all very sad to say good bye at the the end of the safari.The only massive disappointment for the trip was arriving late in the day at Satao Elerai & not having any real time to enjoy this fabulous camp. We definitely should have stayed an absolute minimum of 2 nights but were rushed away straight after an early breakfast to transit to the next overnight stop at down town Nairobi! We just could not understand why we would suffer hours of peak hour traffic & a huge day in the car, only to end up in a hotel room in a major city - not what we came for at all! There appears to be no rational reason to go through Nairobi at all. All of us would much rather have spent an extra night at Satao Elerai, enjoyed the sunset cocktails on the deck chairs & and some chill out time around the pool & found another route to Masai Mara - avoiding Nairobi at all costs (even if this meant adding an extra night to the package).Masai Mara Game Reserve was amazing as was Lake Nakuru. The Masai Mara Sopa Lodge was a bit of a disappointment (very tired & in need of a major refurbishment) but the Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge was absolutely fabulous - could easily have spent another night there also!Overall, we loved the trip but if the above mentioned changes could be made to the itinerary, it would be absolutely outstanding
Above and beyond. Maria our agent was incredible. We sent Bench our budget, timeframe and what a very vague brief of what we would like to see. From the moment we connected with Bench, we knew we were in good hands. Every detail of our honeymoon was organised, our brief was matched and we didn't have to worry about a thing! We had the most incredible experiences in Kenya & Zanzibar and our honeymoon was truly once in the lifetime. The places we stayed, the food, the services and everything in between was 5 star +++
Had a terrific 2 week holiday in Africa. Bench travel were fantastic in organising our holiday and making sure we got the most out of our break. The highlight was staying at leopard Hills reserve and being completely looked after by Duncan and his team. Cant thank Bench enough
Once again Maria did a fantastic job of organising our African adventure.Our private tour of Namibia by Ultimate Safaris was excellent with a truly wonderful guide and very well equipped safari vehicle. Although many of the roads are terrible, the scenery and animal encounters more than make up for it. Paying the extra for a private tour rather than the group tour is well worth it.The Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel in Cape Town was wonderful. Great location, large well equipped rooms and caring staff.Marataba Safari Lodge, in north west South Africa, has to be in one of the most stunning locations in Africa. The lodge has a large concession in the Marakele National Park, which is home to most of the African animals you expect to see on safari. A luxury experience, but unfortunately a boring 4 hour drive from Jo'berg.Madikwe Safari Lodge is also a 4 hour drive from Jo'berg, in the Madikwe Game Reserve. A wonderful luxury lodge with great food and intimate service, however the Reserve is so large, that finding many of the animals can become a frustrating experience.Ilios Travel and South African Airways both provided reliable, on time transfers and flights during our trip.This was our 4th trip to Africa, but will certainly not be our last!
Following our trip I would like to say it was the most amazing trip we have ever been on.The food and accomodation was outstanding, in particular Amalinda's stunning rooms. Ivory Lodge was equally as excellent and their staff first class.Of note also was the Shindzela Camp where the atmosphere and natural bush environment was amazing.The days were sometimes long traveling but always worth it when we arrived at the next destination. Our Guide, Dumi was brilliant. He assisted and guided us throughout the journey and everybody felt totally safe in his care.
Overall we were thrilled with the service we received from Lyndal at Bench Africa. The most positive aspect was her knowledge of all of Africa, particularly the areas we were interested in. She helped us narrow down our choices and the holiday was a perfect blend of action, adventure and relaxation.
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Family-run since 1969, Bench Africa specialises in small group tours and tailormade journeys across Africa, offering authentic and immersive travel experiences for discerning travellers. With offices based in Australia and dedicated local operations on the ground in Africa, every detail is carefully coordinated to maintain exceptional standards and ensure smooth, seamless journeys from start to finish.
Bench Africa designs customised itineraries that connect guests with Africa’s diverse wildlife, rich cultures, and stunning landscapes. Whether exploring iconic destinations like the Serengeti, Okavango Delta, Kruger National Park, or the Maasai Mara, or discovering lesser-known gems off the beaten path, each safari is crafted to suit individual interests and travel styles.
Specialising in both personalised private safaris and small group tours, Bench Africa provides expert guidance throughout the planning process and on the ground. This hands-on approach, supported by experienced local guides and knowledgeable teams, creates meaningful connections with Africa’s natural environment and local communities.
Beyond wildlife viewing, the safaris often include cultural encounters, opportunities to support conservation efforts, and authentic experiences that reveal the true spirit of Africa. With a commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, Bench Africa ensures that travel has a positive impact on the regions visited.
Whether it’s a luxury safari, a family safari, a solo adventure, or a tailormade honeymoon, Bench Africa’s careful planning and genuine care deliver memorable and meaningful journeys that leave lasting impressions. The combination of extensive local knowledge, personalised service, and a passion for Africa’s wild places makes Bench Africa a trusted choice for travellers seeking in-depth and unforgettable safari experiences.See more
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