Two black rhinos grazing on green savannah. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Aardvark Safaris vs Expert Africa: which is better for a tailor-made safari?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 3 November 2026
Aardvark Safaris and Expert Africa, set out the same way from each company's own website and review listings, read on 12 October 2026. No score and no rank: each one's best fit, in its own words.
Aardvark Safaris vs Expert Africa: which is better for a tailor-made safari?
On their own published facts, Aardvark Safaris is best for tailor-made safaris at third-party camps and lodges; Expert Africa is best for tailor-made safaris only, with no ties to the camps it recommends. Both publish advice or trips for multigenerational groups, advice or trips for a first safari and a private guide. No score and no winner: choose by what your trip needs.
Aardvark Safaris
- Best for
- Tailor-made safaris at third-party camps and lodges
Expert Africa
- Best for
- Tailor-made safaris only, with no ties to the camps it recommends
Aardvark Safaris and Expert Africa: side by side
The same facts for each company, from its own website, in the same order. Left out, because it is not readable for every company: based in. Where a company publishes nothing on a row, the card says so.
Aardvark Safaris
- Founded
- 1999.
- African countries it plans
- 17: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Republic of the Congo and Sao Tome.
- Own offices or staff in Africa
- Not published on its own website.
- Own camps or vehicles
- Not published on its own website.
- Deposit
- 30% of total holiday cost, plus any costs payable in full at booking (e.g. gorilla permits, certain flight costs).
- Cancellation charges
- 92 days or more: loss of deposit plus additional upfront costs (e.g. gorilla permits, certain flight costs); 91 to 61 days: 60% of total tour cost (or loss of deposit if greater); 60 days to departure: 100%.
- How client payments are protected
- 'fully bonded' by the CAA under ATOL 5356; non-flight packages protected through ABTOT insurance (membership number 5704).
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 5.0 out of 5 from 286 reviews.
Expert Africa
- Founded
- 1994.
- African countries it plans
- 11: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi and Seychelles.
- Own offices or staff in Africa
- Offices in Windhoek, Namibia (34b Berg Street, Klein Windhoek) and Cape Town, South Africa (48 Benning Drive, Kommetjie); team members in Tanzania.
- Own camps or vehicles
- No, by its own account.
- Deposit
- Standard non-refundable deposit of GBP600 / US$900 / EUR700 per person or 20% of the total booking cost, whichever is larger (or the equivalent in the currency in the proposal) (as read on 12 October 2026).
- Cancellation charges
- Charge as a share of total holiday cost, by days before departure the cancellation is notified: 70 days or more, deposit only; 69-60 days, 50%; 59-45 days, 60%; 44-30 days, 75%; 29-15 days, 90%; 14-0 days, 100%.
- How client payments are protected
- Air holidays and flight-inclusive bookings are protected by ATOL; the Conditions say all flights and flight-inclusive holidays it offers are ATOL-protected.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 4.9 out of 5 from 306 reviews.
Who does each suit?
Each line is the company's own, on its own website. Where none was found on a company' + chr(39) + 's own website, the card says so. Left out, because it is not readable for every company: families, teenagers and photography.
Aardvark Safaris
- Multigenerational trips
- Advises on multi-generational family holidays.
- A first safari
- First-timers get as long as needed to design an itinerary; 'whether this is your first or fifth safari'.
- Private guide
- 'take a private guide to accompany you throughout your safari'.
- Walking, horseback and specialist trips
- Riding safaris; walking safaris (Kenya, Zambia); canoe and mokoro safaris.
Expert Africa
- Multigenerational trips
- A "Friends and Family Gatherings" collection is offered for multi-generational trips.
- A first safari
- "Whether it's a first safari or your seventh".
- Private guide
- Many itineraries are labelled "Privately guided"; it can arrange private vehicles and privately guided trips and a private photographic guide, on request.
- Walking, horseback and specialist trips
- Scenic walking and hiking collection (e.g. Fish River Canyon 2-3 day trek, Tok Tokkie Trails, BullsPort trails).
Where each line comes from
Every line above links back to the page of the company's own website or review listing it was read from, read on 12 October 2026.
- Aardvark Safaris: year founded, African countries it plans, deposit, teenagers and multigenerational trips, first safari, private guide and vehicle, walking, horseback and other specialist trips.
- Expert Africa: year founded, African countries it plans, own offices or staff in Africa, own camps or vehicles, deposit, teenagers and multigenerational trips, walking, horseback and other specialist trips.
Aardvark Safaris vs Expert Africa: the questions people ask
Which is older, Aardvark Safaris or Expert Africa?
Expert Africa, founded in 1994. Aardvark Safaris was founded in 1999.
Which plans trips in more African countries?
Aardvark Safaris names 17; Expert Africa names 11, on its own website. More countries is not better in itself: check that each plans the ones you want.
What deposit does each ask for?
Aardvark Safaris: 30% of total holiday cost, plus any costs payable in full at booking (e.g. gorilla permits, certain flight costs). Expert Africa: Standard non-refundable deposit of GBP600 / US$900 / EUR700 per person or 20% of the total booking cost, whichever is larger (or the equivalent in the currency in the proposal) (as read on 12 October 2026).
What are their cancellation charges?
Aardvark Safaris: 92 days or more: loss of deposit plus additional upfront costs (e.g. gorilla permits, certain flight costs); 91 to 61 days: 60% of total tour cost (or loss of deposit if greater); 60 days to departure: 100%. Expert Africa: Charge as a share of total holiday cost, by days before departure the cancellation is notified: 70 days or more, deposit only; 69-60 days, 50%; 59-45 days, 60%; 44-30 days, 75%; 29-15 days, 90%; 14-0 days, 100%.
How is my money protected with each?
Aardvark Safaris: 'fully bonded' by the CAA under ATOL 5356; non-flight packages protected through ABTOT insurance (membership number 5704). Expert Africa: Air holidays and flight-inclusive bookings are protected by ATOL; the Conditions say all flights and flight-inclusive holidays it offers are ATOL-protected.
What do guest reviews say about each?
Aardvark Safaris: Google 5.0 out of 5 from 286 reviews. Expert Africa: Google 4.9 out of 5 from 306 reviews. Each platform is shown on its own, never added together.
Which offers a private guide?
Aardvark Safaris and Expert Africa, in their own words on the card above.
Can I book either through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Use each company's own enquiry page.
Is either company paying to be on this page?
No. None of these companies is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. None paid to be on this page.
How current is this comparison?
Each company's website and review listings were read on 12 October 2026. Prices, terms and trips change, so confirm them with the company before you book.
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