African Portfolio Review 2026: Is It Worth It, What It Costs, and Who Owns It
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 15 October 2026
African Portfolio, the Connecticut safari specialist that says it opened in 1993 and now trades as onsafari.com, scores 68/100 on our six-criterion review of safari planners: full marks for destination breadth, 12 of 15 each for pricing and service, and 6 of 20 for independent reviews. It prices 40 itineraries on its site, promises that the specialist you first speak to stays with you "from your first call to when you return home" and its specialists grew up in Malawi, Kenya and South Africa. What holds it back: 12 independent reviews in all, and a site that does not say who owns the company, which Connecticut's register answers in part.
Verified 24 September 2026 · African Portfolio's own pages and terms · Connecticut business register (CT open data) · SafariBookings and Travelstride · USTOA member directory · True Travel
African Portfolio at a glance: the company record
African Portfolio is African Portfolio Inc. a Connecticut stock company registered in December 2000, trading from 146 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich; its old address, africanportfolio.com, now redirects to onsafari.com. Every row below links to its source and was checked on the date shown.
| Field | Fact | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading name | African Portfolio (onsafari.com; africanportfolio.com redirects there) | onsafari.com homepage | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Legal entity | African Portfolio Inc. Connecticut stock company, account 0669847, active, registered 28 Dec 2000 | Connecticut business register | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Founded | 'Having opened for business in 1993' SafariBookings lists 1992 | Our safari specialists | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Office | 146 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06870 (map); no office in Africa | Contact page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Phone | (800) 700-3677; no hours or response time | Contact page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| In-trip support | '24-hour emergency support through our trusted local partners in each country' | FAQ | 24 Sep 2026 |
| One specialist throughout | 'The person you consult with, will help you from your first call to when you return home' | FAQ | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Owners, per its site | Not stated; no founder named | Our safari specialists | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Principals, per the register | Anouk Zijlma, director; Henry Morley, officer | Connecticut register, principals | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Related company | True Travel, called 'our colleagues' for trips outside Africa; its site names Henry Morley as founder and CEO | True Travel, about | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Money protection | No scheme, trust account or seller of travel registration on its site; not in USTOA's directory | USTOA member directory | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Reservation fee and deposit | $500 per person non-refundable reservation fee; 30% non-refundable deposit | Terms in privacy policy | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Balance and cancellation | Final payment 90 days before departure; 90 to 0 days: 100% of tour cost | Terms in privacy policy | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Changes | $250 per person for changes within 90 days | Terms in privacy policy | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Insurance | Required, covering medical emergencies up to $500,000 | FAQ | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Disputes | Binding arbitration under Connecticut law, in Hartford | Terms in privacy policy | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Destinations | 13 African countries with their own pages; the rest of the world through True Travel | Destinations page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Published prices | 40 itineraries with per-person price ranges in dollars; budget bands $7,000 to $25,000+ | Safaris page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Independent reviews | Travelstride 5/5 from 9 (2017 to 2020); SafariBookings 3.7 from 3 (newest Dec 2025); no Trustpilot page | Travelstride | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Scale, per its site | '20,000+' safaris planned for '12,500+' clients; 'Collectively, we have lived in Africa for more than 100 years' | onsafari.com homepage | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Team | Six safari specialists and an office manager; Susan leads marketing and special projects | Our safari specialists | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Impact | Supports Ride 4 A Woman (Uganda), Education Matters (Zimbabwe) and Uthando (Cape Town) | Positive impact | 24 Sep 2026 |
Is African Portfolio worth it?
African Portfolio scores 68/100: it is a small, long-established specialist that publishes prices and terms and makes a promise few others make, one specialist from first call to return, but a buyer checking it independently finds 12 reviews and no owner named. Its specialists have lived where they sell: Anouk, with "over 20 years' experience in the Africa travel industry" was raised in Malawi and Kenya; Diane "splits her time between the U.S. and Africa, using her home in Zimbabwe as a base" Yvette grew up in Stellenbosch and is a former president of the Association for Promotion of Tourism to Africa; and Vanessa grew up near Durban. Its site says the team has "visited over 500 safari camps, lodges and hotels".
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-hand African expertise | 17/25 | Its site names no founder or owner; its specialists grew up in Malawi, Kenya and South Africa, and Diane splits her time between the US and her home in Zimbabwe; in business since 1993. |
| Independent review evidence | 6/20 | Google shows 4.9 from 66 reviews (read 12 October 2026), the 25-to-99 band, the date of the newest not recorded; Travelstride shows 5/5 from 9 reviews, the newest from 2020, and SafariBookings 3.7 from 3, the newest from December 2025; it has no Trustpilot page. |
| Destination breadth | 15/15 | 13 African countries have their own pages, from Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda to Malawi, Madagascar and the Seychelles. |
| Pricing transparency | 12/15 | 40 itineraries on its safaris page carry a per-person price range in dollars, and the itinerary pages list what is included; no season or year is given. |
| Service model and support hours | 12/15 | A US office and toll-free line, 24-hour emergency support 'through our trusted local partners' and a promise that 'The person you consult with, will help you from your first call to when you return home' no hours or response time. |
| Ownership transparency | 6/10 | Its site names no owner; Connecticut's register gives African Portfolio Inc. account 0669847, with Anouk Zijlma as director, a name that matches its specialist Anouk, and Henry Morley as officer. |
| Total | 68/100 |
How African Portfolio compares with other safari planners
African Portfolio is a safari planner, like the seven companies below: it builds trips from lodges and suppliers it does not own. Our planner reviews were scored on different criteria at different times, so their scores are not ranked against each other here; every fact below was read from each company, or from the review platform named, on 12 October 2026. This record is its first appearance on Uncompromised Travel: it has not been assessed on our safari planner index, payment terms index or UK and US operator comparison.
| Planner | Independent reviews | Deposit and balance | Client money | 24-hour line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Portfolio (this record) | Google 4.9 from 66 | USD 500 pp fee, then 30%; balance 90 days before | No scheme, bond or trust named | Stated |
| Go2Africa | Feefo 4.9 from 3,118; Trustpilot 4.8 from 181 | 30%; balance 60 days before travel | Money-Back Guarantee (supplier insolvency); SATSA bonding | Stated |
| Expert Africa | Google 4.9 from 306 | 20% or GBP 600 pp; balance 70 days before | ATOL 5206 | Stated |
| Yellow Zebra Safaris | Trustpilot 4.9 from 1,783; Google 4.9 from 243 | Amount not stated; balance 90 days before travel | ATOL 10614 | Stated |
| Micato Safaris | Trustpilot 3.2 from 1; no Google listing found | 30%; balance 120 days before travel | No scheme, bond or trust named | Stated |
| Extraordinary Journeys | Google 5.0 from 182; SafariBookings 4.9 from 35 | Amount not stated; balance about 100 days before travel | No scheme, bond or trust named | Stated |
| Abercrombie & Kent | Trustpilot 4.4 from 787 | Booking terms showed no text when read | Not stated; optional Allianz insurance | Stated, small groups |
| Scott Dunn | Trustpilot 4.6 from 278 | Set per trip; balance 90 days before | ATOL 2471; ABTOT 5222 | Yes, number printed |
Stated means the company says it offers 24-hour support but prints no number for it. Not stated means the company's own pages did not say it when read; it does not mean the company does not do it. Sources: each company's own site and booking terms, Google, Trustpilot, Feefo and SafariBookings, read 12 October 2026.
How much does an African Portfolio safari cost?
African Portfolio prices 40 itineraries on its safaris page as per-person ranges in dollars, from $5,600 to $6,900 for 12 nights of Magical Malawi, the lowest listed, to $23,000 to $28,000 for ten nights of Zimbabwe Exclusive; its trip planner uses budget bands of $7,000 to $25,000 or more per person. The itinerary pages list what is included: Kenya's Supreme Safari, seven nights at Saruni Samburu and Saruni Mara for $7,500 to $10,000, includes daily safari activities, "Breakfast, lunch, dinner and local brand drinks" transfers and flights. The ranges carry no season or year, and the currency is shown only as "$". A $500 per person reservation fee applies to every booking. Our safari cost by budget guide shows what these budgets buy elsewhere.
| Itinerary | Nights | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Magical Malawi | 12 | $5,600 to $6,900 |
| Kenya's Supreme Safari | 7 | $7,500 to $10,000 |
| Gorillas in the Mist (Uganda) | 4 | $7,525 to $9,300 |
| Untamed Botswana | 8 | $8,000 to $13,000 |
| Gorillas of Rwanda | 3 | $8,500 to $12,850 |
| Baobabs, Rainforests and Beach (Madagascar) | 10 | $8,800 to $9,490 |
| Madagascar Lemurs and Beach | 6 | $13,500 to $14,950 |
| Sabi Sands, Victoria Falls and the Lower Zambezi | 11 | $14,000 to $16,000 |
| Best of Seychelles | 8 | $14,500 to $19,000 |
| Highlights of Kenya and Tanzania | 9 | $17,000 to $22,000 |
| Ultimate Namibia | 12 | $18,000 to $22,000 |
| Leisurely Tanzania | 11 | $21,000 to $26,000 |
| Exclusive South Africa | 9 | $21,500 to $24,000 |
| Zimbabwe Exclusive | 10 | $23,000 to $28,000 |
| Highlights of Madagascar | 12 | $25,475 to $26,775 |
Fifteen of the 40 priced itineraries, as shown on 24 September 2026. For context, our gorilla trekking index and Botswana safari cost guide set these prices against the market.
Who plans African Portfolio trips?
African Portfolio's team page names six safari specialists and an office manager, and its FAQ promises that "The person you consult with, will help you from your first call to when you return home. We do not pass you on to a junior administrative person once you've booked your trip." Its site gives first names only; Connecticut's register records Anouk Zijlma as the company's director. Independent reviewers name two of the specialists, Victoria on SafariBookings and Susan on Travelstride.
| Specialist | As its site describes them |
|---|---|
| Anouk | 'over 20 years' experience in the Africa travel industry' born in Holland, raised in Malawi and Kenya |
| Diane | First came to Africa in April 1990; 'splits her time between the U.S. and Africa, using her home in Zimbabwe as a base' |
| Yvette | Raised in Stellenbosch; former president of the Association for Promotion of Tourism to Africa |
| Vanessa | 22 years in travel; grew up near Durban; gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, the Okavango Delta |
| Victoria | Joined in early 2018; worked for an Egyptian tour company and a southern African operator |
| Susan | A specialist since 2020, 'spear heading marketing and special projects' |
What do African Portfolio reviews say?
African Portfolio's main independent review platform is Google: 4.9 from 66 reviews on its Old Greenwich listing, read 12 October 2026. It also has 5/5 on Travelstride from 9, written between 2017 and 2020, and 3.7 on SafariBookings from 3, the newest from December 2025. "African Portfolio deserves 10 stars on a 5 star scale," a Travelstride reviewer wrote in April 2020, and a SafariBookings reviewer in December 2025 said "Victoria, from African Portfolio is amazing! I just returned from my vacation, and it was perfect!" It has no Trustpilot page, and its own site shows 16 client reviews. Our safari operator review index explains how we weigh platforms.
| Platform | Rating | Reviews | Newest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google (Old Greenwich listing) | 4.9 | 66 | Not recorded (read 12 Oct 2026) |
| Travelstride | 5/5 | 9 | April 2020 |
| SafariBookings | 3.7 | 3 | 17 December 2025 |
| Trustpilot | No page | 0 | n/a |
| Its own site | Not rated | 16 | Not independent |
African Portfolio's awards and press
African Portfolio says it is "recognized as one of the 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'" without naming who said so or when; no award or press article naming it was found for this record. Searches of Travel Weekly and TravelPulse found no coverage of the company, and it has no press or awards page. SafariBookings lists ASTA, APTA and BBB memberships, which could not be checked on those bodies' own sites. Its positive impact page names the community projects it supports: Ride 4 A Woman in Bwindi, Uganda, Education Matters in Zimbabwe and Uthando in Cape Town, which receives "A portion of the revenue we generate".
Where African Portfolio goes, and its safari styles
African Portfolio has pages for 13 countries in eastern and southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, and sends travellers elsewhere to True Travel. Its experiences are adventure, culture and community, family, romantic, safari and beach, and "Top Shelf" and its itineraries include gorilla treks in Rwanda and Uganda, lemurs and beaches in Madagascar and island stays in the Seychelles. Its homepage also lists Mauritius, which has no page of its own.
| Region | Countries with their own African Portfolio pages |
|---|---|
| East Africa | Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda |
| Southern Africa | Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Indian Ocean | Madagascar, the Seychelles |
Who owns African Portfolio?
African Portfolio's site does not say who owns or founded it; Connecticut's register records African Portfolio Inc. as a stock company registered on 28 December 2000, with Anouk Zijlma as director and Henry Morley as officer. The register does not list shareholders. The register entry gives the company's Old Greenwich address and a business email for Anouk, and its principals list names the two. African Portfolio's site describes True Travel as "our colleagues" for journeys outside Africa, and True Travel, a London company, names a Henry Morley as the founder and chief executive who started it in 2013; True Travel's own pages do not mention African Portfolio. The company says it opened for business in 1993, seven years before the current corporation was registered.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| April 1990 | Specialist Diane's first trip to Africa | African Portfolio |
| 1993 | African Portfolio opens for business, per its site | African Portfolio |
| 28 Dec 2000 | African Portfolio Inc. registered in Connecticut | CT register |
| 2013 | True Travel founded by Henry Morley, per True Travel | True Travel |
| Early 2018 | Victoria joins | African Portfolio |
| 2020 | Susan becomes a safari specialist | African Portfolio |
| 25 Jul 2025 | Privacy policy and terms last updated | African Portfolio |
| Dec 2026 | Next Connecticut annual report due | CT register |
African Portfolio's booking terms and money protection
African Portfolio takes a $500 per person non-refundable reservation fee and a 30% non-refundable deposit, with the final payment 90 days before departure; cancelling within 90 days costs 100% of the tour cost. Its terms sit inside its privacy policy, last updated on 25 July 2025, which also sets a $250 per person fee for changes within 90 days, warns that peak periods and groups of ten or more may need extra deposits, and requires disputes to go to binding arbitration under Connecticut law in Hartford. It requires insurance covering medical emergencies up to $500,000. No protection scheme, trust account or seller of travel registration appears on its site, and it is not in USTOA's member directory. Our guide to safari deposits and payment terms compares these with the market.
| Term | African Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Reservation fee | $500 per person, non-refundable |
| Deposit | 30% of the tour price, non-refundable |
| Final payment | 90 days before departure |
| Cancel before final payment | Reservation fee and deposit lost |
| Cancel 90 to 0 days ahead | 100% of tour cost |
| Changes within 90 days | $250 per person |
| Insurance | Required; medical cover up to $500,000 |
| Disputes | Binding arbitration, Connecticut law, Hartford |
| Financial protection | None named |
What the public record does not show
Seven things a buyer might look for could not be found or did not match on 24 September 2026. Each is listed so it can be answered; if African Portfolio publishes or corrects any of them, this record will change with a dated note.
- Who owns and who founded the company.
- How client money is protected: no scheme, trust account or seller of travel registration on its site.
- Its specialists' surnames, and the link between African Portfolio and True Travel, which its site calls "our colleagues" and whose founder's name matches an officer on the Connecticut register.
- Independent reviews since 2020 beyond three on SafariBookings.
- Office hours and a response time.
- The season or year its price ranges apply to, and the currency, shown only as "$".
- The source and year of "one of the 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'" and one founding year: 1993 on its site, 1992 on SafariBookings.
African Portfolio vs Micato Safaris, Natural Habitat Adventures and Rothschild Safaris
Against three US-based safari operators we have reviewed, African Portfolio matches Micato Safaris on pricing and trails all three on independent reviews.
| African Portfolio | Micato Safaris | Natural Habitat | Rothschild Safaris | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, founded | Old Greenwich, Connecticut; 1993 | New York and Nairobi; 1966 | Boulder, Colorado; 1985 | Denver; 1998 |
| Best independent reviews | Travelstride 5/5 from 9 | Google 5.0 from 751 | Trustpilot 4.9 from 2,930 | Trustpilot 4.8 from 37 |
| Pricing transparency | 12 of 15 | 12 of 15 | 13 of 15 | 3 of 15 |
| Service and support hours | 12 of 15 | 14 of 15 | 12 of 15 | 9 of 15 |
How to price a comparable safari
The fair test of any quote from African Portfolio is a like-for-like quote for the same camps, nights and season from a second specialist and a comparison platform. Ask each for the same lodges by name, the same room category and the same inclusions, then compare the per-person total with international flights excluded.
What changed
Three dated changes shape African Portfolio's public record today.
25 July 2025. Its privacy policy and booking terms were last updated.
17 December 2025. Its newest independent review was posted on SafariBookings.
24 September 2026. This record opened with a score of 65/100.
15 October 2026. Re-read against our 12 October 2026 planner database. Google 4.9 from 66 reviews added (read by hand), which moves independent review evidence from 3 to 6 of 20 and the score from 65 to 68; the ranking against other companies' scores replaced with a side-by-side of facts, because those pages use different criteria.
African Portfolio: the facts on record, read 12 October 2026
53 facts about African Portfolio were read from its own website, the award publishers and the review platforms on 12 October 2026, and every one below says who stated it, where it was read and when. “Not stated on their website” means the right page was read and the fact is not there; “Could not access” means the page would not open; “No profile found” means the platform has no listing. None of the three means the company does not have it. The same form is kept for every safari planner on this site, so each line can be set beside any other company’s. Where a line here differs from an older line on this page, this one, read later, is the current reading.
Who they are
Trading name and legal entity
African Portfolio Inc. (terms name 'African Portfolio Inc.'); site brands itself African Portfolio at onsafari.com; footer '© 2026 African Portfolio'
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it is based
Old Greenwich, Connecticut, USA (146 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich, CT 06870)
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Year founded
Opened for business in 1993; also says 'more than 30 years'
Source: Company · our safari specialists · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Owner or parent
Not stated on their website: owner or parent not stated. Site points to 'our colleagues at True Travel' (true.travel) for travel beyond Africa, without saying who owns whom
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What it is
Tailor-made planner. Books accommodation and services from independent ground operators/suppliers 'not owned or supervised by' African Portfolio; says it is independent and not affiliated with any specific property
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Team
7 named specialists: Diane, Anouk, Yvette, Vanessa, Victoria, Susan, Charlene
Source: Company · our safari specialists · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it sells
US only: phone (800) 700-3677 / 1-800-700-3677; office in Old Greenwich, CT; email [email protected]. No UK or other phone line or office shown. Prices shown in US dollars; billing currency not stated. The contact page itself holds only an enquiry form
Source: Company · contact us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
In its own words
'Our goal is to create an unmatched, personalized travel experience for every client, on every trip. Your safari is made to measure.' Also: 99% satisfaction rate, 20,000+ tailor-made safaris, 30 years
Source: Company · why go travel with us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Response time and named planner
Named planner: 'The person you consult with will help you from your first call to when you return home. We do not pass you on to a junior administrative person once you've booked.' Consultants have sold African safaris for at least 5 years. No reply time stated
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Reviews, by platform
4.9 from 66 reviews (listing: African Portfolio, Old Greenwich, Connecticut)
Source: Independent source · Google business listing · by hand · 12 Oct 2026
Tripadvisor
Could not access: to be read by hand
Source: Company · not recorded · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Trustindex
Could not access: trustindex section is in the file but has no content (no rating, count or source platforms)
Source: Independent source · Trustindex · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it asks clients to leave reviews
Its own Client Reviews page on the company site (onsafari.com/african-portfolio-client-reviews/), newest entries dated October 2026. No external review platform link seen in the saved pages. Home page claims a '99% Satisfaction Rate'
Source: Company · african portfolio client reviews · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Awards and recognition, read from the publishers
Every award, 2024 to 2026
Two claims, no year given: 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth' (publisher not named); Fodor's Travel 'Top 10 African Safari Tour Operators'. Neither has a year or category beyond that; result is a listing/recognition as the site words it. Nothing dated 2024-2026 found
Source: Company · our safari specialists · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Advisors on named lists
Not stated on their website: no advisor-list counts stated
Source: Company · our safari specialists · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Certifications
Not stated on their website: no certifications (B Corp or similar) stated in the saved pages
Source: Company · our safari specialists · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Money and booking terms
Prices published
Yes. Price ranges shown on itineraries in the saved listings, at least 10 distinct priced itineraries (Madagascar x3, Namibia x2, Tanganyika Wilderness, Untamed Botswana, Sabi Sands/Victoria Falls/Lower Zambezi, Safari and Beach, Magical Malawi). The 25 'Signature Offers' summaries carry no price in the saved text
Source: Company · safaris · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Priced example trips
(1) Discover Zambia, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa, 10 days/9 nights, $12,500-$15,400 per person; includes internal charter flights, transfers, twice-daily safari activities, and breakfast, lunch, dinner and local drinks at the camps. (2) Rafiki Safari, Kenya (Nairobi, Amboseli, Lewa, Masai Mara), 11 days/10 nights, $11,000-$13,000 per person; includes scheduled flights, transfers, twice-daily game viewing, and meals and local brand drinks (breakfast only in Nairobi). (3) Ultimate Namibia, 13 days/12 nights, $18,000-$22,000 per person; includes flights between camps, transfers, shared activities and meals with local beverages (breakfast only in hotels). Season not stated on any of these pages. Other priced itineraries on the same pages: Safari and Beach (Sabi Sands + Benguerra Island, 10 days/9 nights) $10,195-$10,300 per person, with the Johannesburg-Skukuza and Vilanculos flights NOT included; Cape and Kruger 9 days/8 nights $7,300-$7,950; Out of Africa (Kenya) 12 days/11 nights $14,500-$19,850; Wild Namibia 12 days/11 nights $15,150-$19,225; Magical Malawi $5,600-$6,900 (page shows 13 days/12 nights while the text describes 11 days), all labelled per person. Earlier listing prices for Tanganyika Wilderness ($8,000-$10,000) and Untamed Botswana ($8,000-$13,000) carry no 'per person' label on the listing
Source: Company · discover zambia, rafiki safari, ultimate namibia, bush and beach, cape and kruger, out of africa 2, namibia in style, magical malawi · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price per person per day
'$1,000-$2,000 per person per night' for a luxury safari (often more in Botswana or at high-end properties)
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Minimum spend
Not stated on their website: no minimum trip spend stated. Nearby: the enquiry form offers budget bands of $7,000-$10,000, $10,000-$15,000 and $15,000-$25,000+ per person; the lowest priced itinerary seen is Magical Malawi at $5,600-$6,900
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What the price includes
FAQ: safaris 'generally include internal (domestic and regional) flights, touring and activities as detailed on the itinerary, park and conservation fees, meals and drinks as specified'; international flights not booked. Activities usually shared with up to 6 people unless specified private. Itinerary pages list inclusions in an 'At A Glance' block per stay: transfers, twice-daily safari activities, and breakfast, lunch, dinner and local (brand) drinks at camps; breakfast only at city hotels. Exclusions noted on pages: Safari and Beach flights Johannesburg-Skukuza and Vilanculos 'not included in price'; Cape Town cable car fee, Cape Point funicular, and lunches/dinners in Cape Town 'to own account'; Kwessi Dunes extras at additional cost (hot air ballooning, helicopter flights, horse riding, Sossusvlei day trips)
Source: Company · bush and beach, cape and kruger, ultimate namibia, discover zambia, rafiki safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Deposit
$500 per person non-refundable reservation fee for a provisional reservation, then a further non-refundable deposit of 30% of the tour price (peak periods, certain operators or groups of 10+ may need an additional deposit). Both applied to the tour price
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Balance due
Balance due 90 days before departure; bookings made within 90 days require full payment on confirmation; missed payment is treated as a cancellation
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Cancellation charges
Up to the balance due date: reservation fee and deposit (plus any extra charges required by then) only. 90-0 days before departure: 100% of tour cost. Plus all supplier and airline cancellation fees. No refunds for unused services. $250 per person fee for air/land changes within 90 days. Cancellations must be in writing
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How client payments are protected
Not stated on their website: no payment protection scheme, trust account or registration number stated. Terms require clients to carry their own insurance (min $500,000 emergency evacuation) and say African Portfolio is not liable for supplier financial default. Recommends Allianz Global Assistance cover
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Currencies and card fees
Not stated on their website: billing currency and card surcharge not stated in the terms. Prices on the site are in US dollars
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
24-hour contact while travelling
Support stated, no number printed: 'We offer 24-hour emergency support through our trusted local partners in each country.' The Allianz hotlines listed are the insurer's
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How the company is paid
Not stated on their website: how the company is paid is not stated. Nearby: 'We are not affiliated with, or incentivized by any lodging or business in Africa'
Source: Company · why book a safari with african portfolio · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price against booking direct
Not stated whether it matches lodge rates or passes on lodge offers
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Licences and registrations
Not stated on their website: no licences or registrations with numbers stated (no seller-of-travel or trade body numbers in the saved terms or about pages)
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it goes and how it works on the ground
African countries it plans
Home page lists 12: Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles. Destination pages also exist for Madagascar and Malawi; enquiry form also lists Zanzibar
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own offices or staff in Africa
Not stated on their website: no African offices or named local staff offices stated. Team say they have lived in Africa; Madagascar ground partner named as Asisten
Source: Company · why go travel with us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How it books on the ground
Through independent ground operators/suppliers it does not own (terms); 24-hour support 'through our trusted local partners in each country' (FAQ). Not stated that it books directly with each camp
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own camps or vehicles
No. Terms: ground operators/suppliers 'are not owned or supervised by' African Portfolio; FAQ: independent, 'not affiliated with any specific properties'
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda; chimpanzee tracking in Uganda (Primates and Wildlife in Uganda offer); golden monkey trekking. Tanzania trekking not stated
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Beach add-ons
Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique (Bazaruto/Benguerra), Kenyan Coast; also Lake Malawi (Pumulani) and Madagascar islands (Nosy Be). FAQ recommends 3-4 nights minimum
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Africa only, or other regions too
Africa and Indian Ocean islands (Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar). Site points to True Travel for 'Planning beyond Africa?'; a blog title mentions Vanessa also sells Galapagos
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who it suits and how it travels
Family trips
Family page lists: Ultimate Namibia 13d $18,000-$22,000; Tanganyika Wilderness Safari 10d $8,000-$10,000; Untamed Botswana 9d $8,000-$13,000; Sabi Sands, Victoria Falls and Lower Zambezi 12d $14,000-$16,000. Offers also list The Ultimate Family Safari (11d) and Extraordinary Kenya Bush and Beach (no price in saved text). Itinerary pages tagged Family: Rafiki Safari (Kenya, 11d/10n, $11,000-$13,000 per person, described as 'family friendly'; Tortilis Camp offers a family tent, family house, early mealtimes and babysitting), Cape and Kruger ($7,300-$7,950 per person, 9d/8n) and Magical Malawi ($5,600-$6,900 per person)
Source: Company · rafiki safari, cape and kruger, magical malawi · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Minimum child age
Not stated on their website: no minimum age stated. FAQ recommends children be 10-12 years old to appreciate the trip, and says gorilla trekking and walking safaris have age restrictions
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Teenagers and multigenerational trips
Yes. Family page covers 'multi-generational adventure'; Ultimate Family Safari offer 'always a favorite among our own (now adult) children'; a client review says young adult sons enjoyed their Tanzania trip. No teen-specific page in the saved pages
Source: Company · family · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Honeymoon trips
Untamed Botswana is described as 'for families, couples and honeymooners alike'; Kaya Mawa (Malawi) noted as a honeymooner favourite. The dedicated Romantic experience page is not in the saved pages, so published honeymoon itineraries could not be counted
Source: Company · family · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Solo travellers
No single supplement figure or policy stated. Blog says supplements 'can be avoided at certain times of the year' (green season) and 'by using lodges who waive the requirement'; group travel also adds one unless sharing
Source: Company · 5 reasons why a safari is a great option for a solo travelle · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Older travellers and limited mobility
Not stated on their website: no statement for older travellers or limited mobility. Nearby: Madagascar needs 'a good level of fitness'
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
First safari
Yes. 'Planning Your First Safari?' guide (suggests 9-12 nights, planning 12-18 months ahead); FAQ names South Africa, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania as ideal for first-timers; no itinerary marked as a first safari
Source: Company · planning your first safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Private guide and vehicle
Optional / depends on itinerary. Tanganyika Wilderness Safari is a private safari with private 4x4 and own driver-guide; FAQ says activities are usually shared with up to 6 people at most camps unless specified private, and 'private' may not mean private activities. Itinerary pages: Ol Lentille (Kenya) villas each have 'their own private staff, guide and safari vehicle'; Cape and Kruger includes private guided Cape Town tours with private transfers, but Last Word Kitara game drives are 'shared'; most other camp stays list 'shared' activities
Source: Company · out of africa 2, cape and kruger, namibia in style · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Exclusive-use camps and villas
Offered. Family page: 'we often recommend exclusive use accommodation or special family rooms'. Itinerary pages: Ol Lentille (Laikipia, Kenya) is four private villas for a maximum of 16 guests, each with its own private staff, guide and safari vehicle (Out of Africa); Anabezi Camp (Zambia) lets guests occupy the Mushika Deck exclusively with private staff (Discover Zambia); Alfajiri Beach Villas, Kenya coast, private villas (Out of Africa)
Source: Company · out of africa 2, discover zambia · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Small-group departures
Not stated that it runs small-group departures. FAQ only describes small group safaris as an option in general; Tanganyika has 'no fixed departure dates'
Source: Company · frequently asked questions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who guides the trip
Camps' and local guides it selects ('the local guides we choose to work with are the best in the business'); game drives led by a ranger or tracker; Tanganyika has a private expert driver-guide throughout. Itinerary pages: Lion Camp activities led by qualified guides, walks with armed scout; Mara Bushtops game drives with a Ranger and Masai spotter; Lewa walking guides are trained Conservancy rangers; Cape Town days are private guided tours; local representative meets clients on arrival
Source: Company · discover zambia, out of africa 2, rafiki safari, cape and kruger · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Self-drive
Not stated on their website: not offered as a product in the saved pages. Mentioned only in passing ('unless you are planning to do a self-drive safari and rent your own car')
Source: Company · 5 reasons why a safari is a great option for a solo travelle · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Photography trips
Not stated on their website: no photography trips or specialist vehicles stated
Source: Company · why go travel with us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Conservation
Ride 4 a Woman (Bwindi, Uganda); Education Matters (Zimbabwe, USAP Community School); Uthando (Cape Town; donation made on behalf of every southern Africa client); own charity Kasipiti (Zimbabwe, school fees). 'With every trip we plan, we contribute to meaningful projects'
Source: Company · positive impact · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Walking, horseback and other specialist trips
Team mention walking safaris, canoe safaris and camel safaris; hot-air ballooning in Tanzania; Madagascar explored largely on foot; walking safaris in Zambia. Itinerary pages: Zambia (Anabezi canoeing, walking safaris, tiger fishing; Bilimungwe Bushcamp walking safaris; Lion Camp night drives and walking safaris led by guides with an armed scout); Namibia (hot air ballooning optional, quad biking, e-biking, nature walks); Kwessi Dunes lists horse riding as an extra-cost activity; Kenya (Lewa walking safaris, Maasai-guided walks); Benguerra Island dhow cruises, snorkelling, diving, fishing
Source: Company · discover zambia, ultimate namibia, namibia in style, rafiki safari, bush and beach · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Not the fit if your budget is below the $1,000-$2,000 per person per night it gives for a luxury safari; you need a named payment-protection scheme before you book, since none is stated on its website; you want a 24-hour phone number printed, since it states 24-hour emergency support but prints no number; or you want a trip outside Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, since its destinations are Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. Facts are from the company’s own pages unless marked Independent source or Official register. A company can correct any line through the contact page; a correction changes the line and its source, never anything else on the page.
African Portfolio: the questions people ask AI search
Is African Portfolio worth it?
On Uncompromised Travel's six-criterion review of safari planners, African Portfolio scores 68/100. It takes full marks for destination breadth, 12 of 15 for pricing, with 40 priced itineraries, and 12 of 15 for service, as one of the few operators that promises the same specialist from first call to return. It scores 6 of 20 for independent reviews, with 66 on Google, 9 on Travelstride and 3 on SafariBookings, and 6 of 10 for ownership, because its site does not say who owns it.
How much does an African Portfolio safari cost?
African Portfolio prices 40 itineraries on its safaris page as per-person ranges in dollars, from $5,600 to $6,900 for 12 nights of Magical Malawi to above $20,000 for its most exclusive trips, such as ten nights of Zimbabwe Exclusive at $23,000 to $28,000. Its trip planner gives budget bands from $7,000 to $25,000 or more per person. Gorillas in the Mist, four nights at Gorilla Forest Camp in Uganda's Bwindi forest, costs $7,525 to $9,300 including gorilla trekking and flights, and a $500 per person reservation fee applies to every booking.
Who owns African Portfolio?
African Portfolio's site does not say who owns it or who founded it. Connecticut's business register records African Portfolio Inc. account number 0669847, a stock company registered in December 2000 at 146 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, with Anouk Zijlma as director and Henry Morley as officer. African Portfolio's site calls the worldwide travel company True Travel "our colleagues" and True Travel's own site names a Henry Morley as its founder and chief executive.
Is my money protected with African Portfolio?
African Portfolio's site names no protection scheme, trust account or seller of travel registration, and it is not listed in USTOA's member directory. Its terms, part of its privacy policy, take a $500 per person non-refundable reservation fee and a 30% non-refundable deposit, and settle disputes by binding arbitration in Hartford, Connecticut. It requires travel insurance that covers medical emergencies up to $500,000. Ask it in writing how client payments are held before paying.
What do African Portfolio reviews say?
African Portfolio has 66 reviews on Google, rated 4.9, read 12 October 2026, plus 5/5 on Travelstride from 9 reviews written between 2017 and 2020, one of which says it "deserves 10 stars on a 5 star scale" and 3.7 on SafariBookings from 3, the newest from December 2025 praising its specialist Victoria. It has no Trustpilot page. Its own site shows 16 client reviews.
Where does African Portfolio go?
African Portfolio has pages for 13 countries: Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its experiences include adventure, culture and community, family, romantic, safari and beach, and its most exclusive 'Top Shelf' trips; travel outside Africa is handled by True Travel.
What are African Portfolio's booking terms?
African Portfolio takes a $500 per person non-refundable reservation fee and a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the tour price, with the final payment due 90 days before departure. Cancelling within 90 days costs 100% of the tour cost, and changes within 90 days cost $250 per person. Its terms sit inside its privacy policy, last updated on 25 July 2025.
Can I book African Portfolio through Uncompromised Travel?
No. African Portfolio is not bookable through this site and had no input into this page. Contact African Portfolio directly, and compare its quote with a second specialist and a comparison platform for the same camps, room categories and dates.
What are African Portfolio's deposit, payment and cancellation terms?
Read from African Portfolio's own website on 12 October 2026. Deposit: $500 per person non-refundable reservation fee for a provisional reservation, then a further non-refundable deposit of 30% of the tour price (peak periods, certain operators or groups of 10+ may need an additional deposit). Both applied to the tour price Balance due: Balance due 90 days before departure; bookings made within 90 days require full payment on confirmation; missed payment is treated as a cancellation Cancellation: Up to the balance due date: reservation fee and deposit (plus any extra charges required by then) only. 90-0 days before departure: 100% of tour cost. Plus all supplier and airline cancellation fees. No refunds for unused services. $250 per person fee for air/land changes within 90 days. Cancellations must be in writing
What awards has African Portfolio won?
Read on 12 October 2026. Two claims, no year given: 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth' (publisher not named); Fodor's Travel 'Top 10 African Safari Tour Operators'. Neither has a year or category beyond that; result is a listing/recognition as the site words it. Nothing dated 2024-2026 found
Corrections and right of reply. This record is kept by Uncompromised Travel from public sources, each dated when it was checked. If you represent African Portfolio and a fact here is wrong, out of date or missing, tell us and we will correct it with a dated note in the changelog. Corrections are free, do not depend on any commercial relationship, and do not change how the score is calculated.
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