Acacia trees and a dirt track at sunset. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Should I book my safari with Aardvark Safaris or Yellow Zebra Safaris?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 3 November 2026
Aardvark Safaris and Yellow Zebra Safaris, 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.
Should I book my safari with Aardvark Safaris or Yellow Zebra Safaris?
On their own published facts, Aardvark Safaris is best for tailor-made safaris at third-party camps and lodges; Yellow Zebra Safaris is best for tailor-made trips with no packaged tours. 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
Yellow Zebra Safaris
- Best for
- Tailor-made trips with no packaged tours
Aardvark Safaris and Yellow Zebra Safaris: 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: how client payments are protected. Where a company publishes nothing on a row, the card says so.
Aardvark Safaris
- Based in
- UK offices in Tidworth, Hampshire and Musselburgh.
- 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 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%.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 5.0 out of 5 from 286 reviews.
Yellow Zebra Safaris
- Based in
- Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, UK.
- Founded
- 2012.
- African countries it plans
- 14: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles and Republic of the Congo.
- Own camps or vehicles
- No, by its own account.
- Deposit
- Not published on its own website.
- Cancellation charges
- More than 90 days before departure: deposit only; 61-90 days: 50%; 60 days or less: 100% of quoted price per person cancelling.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 4.9 out of 5 from 243 reviews; Trustpilot 4.9 out of 5 from 1,783 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, small-group departures and walking, horseback and specialist trips.
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'.
Yellow Zebra Safaris
- Multigenerational trips
- Multi-generational groups: exclusive-use camps recommended.
- A first safari
- 'Your First Safari' guide; most first-time clients choose Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana or South Africa.
- Private guide
- Privately guided private group safaris offered.
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: where it is based, African countries it plans, deposit, teenagers and multigenerational trips, first safari, private guide and vehicle.
- Yellow Zebra Safaris: where it is based, year founded, African countries it plans, own camps or vehicles, cancellation charges, Trustpilot, teenagers and multigenerational trips, first safari, private guide and vehicle.
Aardvark Safaris vs Yellow Zebra Safaris: the questions people ask
Which is older, Aardvark Safaris or Yellow Zebra Safaris?
Aardvark Safaris, founded in 1999. Yellow Zebra Safaris was founded in 2012.
Where is each company based?
Aardvark Safaris: UK offices in Tidworth, Hampshire and Musselburgh. Yellow Zebra Safaris: Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, UK.
Which plans trips in more African countries?
Aardvark Safaris names 17; Yellow Zebra Safaris names 14, 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). Yellow Zebra Safaris: Not published on its own website.
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%. Yellow Zebra Safaris: More than 90 days before departure: deposit only; 61-90 days: 50%; 60 days or less: 100% of quoted price per person cancelling.
What do guest reviews say about each?
Aardvark Safaris: Google 5.0 out of 5 from 286 reviews. Yellow Zebra Safaris: Google 4.9 out of 5 from 243 reviews; Trustpilot 4.9 out of 5 from 1,783 reviews. Each platform is shown on its own, never added together.
Which offers a private guide?
Aardvark Safaris and Yellow Zebra Safaris, 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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