AfricanMecca Safaris Review 2026: What It Costs, Its Reviews and Its Booking Terms, Read at Source

Trading name and legal entity

Trading name AfricanMecca Safaris. Footer names two entities: 'AfricanMecca Ltd' (listed with the UK/European tour office) and 'AfricanMecca, Inc' (Americas tour office). No company numbers or registered addresses printed in saved pages; no terms page saved.

Source: Company · SITE-WIDE TEXT (footer/menus) of https://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/ · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Where it is based

Head office not labelled. Americas tour office: 6081 Hamilton Blvd, Suite 600, Allentown, PA 18106, USA. European tour office: City View House, 5 Union Street, Manchester M12 4JD, UK. Founders were born in Kenya; ground team offices in Nairobi, Arusha and Cape Town.

Source: Company · SITE-WIDE TEXT (footer/menus) of https://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/, contact details · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Year founded

Not stated on their website: our Story and Company Profile give no founding year (only that the brothers were born in Kenya in the 1970s and built the company over time).

Source: Company · our story · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Owner or parent

Founded by brothers Raza and Altaf Visram ('brothers and founders'); the saved pages do not state legal ownership or any parent company.

Source: Company · team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

What it is

Describes itself as a specialist Africa tour operator / custom safari planner (tailor-made, 'not one-size-fits-all packages') with its own team offices in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Says the East African team has 'a fleet of dedicated safari vehicles'. No own camps or lodges stated; works with a network of accommodation and logistics providers.

Source: Company · team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Team

2 named specialists: Raza Visram and Altaf Visram (the founders). The team page names no other staff and gives no headcount; it describes North American/European sales and reservations, East African operations and Southern Africa operations teams.

Source: Company · team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Where it sells

US toll free 1-866-KARIBU-1 (527-4281); international +1 (610) 590-1234; UK 0161-870-6092 / +44 (161) 870-6092. Offices: Allentown PA (Americas tour office), Manchester UK (European tour office); ground teams Nairobi, Arusha, Cape Town. Prices shown in US$. Contact page itself lists only the three ground offices (no phone numbers on that page).

Source: Company · SITE-WIDE TEXT (footer/menus) of https://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/, contact details · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

In its own words

'An Africa travel experience arranged by AfricanMecca is not just another cliche of safari vacation'; expeditions crafted by a family and team born and bred in Africa, offering individually tailored itineraries from a native perspective.

Source: Company · company profile · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Response time and named planner

No reply time stated. States each client gets 'your dedicated, Africa expert planner' (not named on that page) who checks in during and after the trip, and that the company is 'contactable every day'. Customer reviews repeatedly name Raza (Visram) as the planner.

Source: Company · why travel with us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Google

No profile found: no Google business listing was shown in the search on 12 Oct 2026.

Source: Independent source · Google search · by hand · 12 Oct 2026

Trustpilot

Profile exists but is unclaimed: rating 0.0, 0 reviews ('No reviews'; 0 in last 12 months); no review date.

Source: Independent source · Trustpilot · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Tripadvisor

5.0 from 7 reviews (listing: AfricanMecca Safaris)

Source: Independent source · Tripadvisor listing, as shown in Google results · by hand · 12 Oct 2026

Trustindex

No profile found: trustindex page returned a 404 (no profile).

Source: Independent source · Trustindex · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Where it asks clients to leave reviews

Own site: Write-a-Review form (quick and detailed review) on africanmeccasafaris.com; reviews page also links to Google Reviews (tinyurl) and Google Video Reviews; says its 550 on-site reviews 'first appeared' on its Google page for some. Own site claims 550 customer reviews (about 61-64 pages); newest review shown on page 1 is dated 11 March 2020.

Source: Company · reviews, write a review · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Every award, 2024 to 2026

Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, African Safaris: Raza Visram (East Africa Safaris) (selected by the magazine's editors; list updated 12 Feb 2026) The company's own site also states (Company): 2026: Travel + Leisure Safari Specialist (Top A-List), Raza Visram. 2025: same (Travel + Leisure Safari Specialist, Top A-List). 2024: same (Travel + Leisure Safari Specialist, Top A-List). Listed as press items 48, 42 (and 39 for 2023). Result: listed as A-List; decided by Travel + Leisure per the site (publisher's list not read). Other awards on site (National Geographic Adventure 'Best Adventure Travel Companies On Earth', Tanzania Tourist Board Safari Award at ATA Congress, ASTA preferred operator) carry no year in the saved pages.

Source: Independent source · travelandleisure.com World's Best Awards 2026 and A-List, cntraveler.com/travel-specialists, cntraveller.com top travel specialists · by hand · 12 Oct 2026

Advisors on named lists

Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026: 1, Raza Visram (East Africa Safaris) The company's own site also states (Company): 1 advisor (Raza Visram) on the Travel + Leisure Safari Specialist Top A-List, stated for 2024, 2025 and 2026 (also 2023, outside the range). Claim by the company; publisher not read.

Source: Independent source · travelandleisure.com World's Best Awards 2026 and A-List, cntraveler.com/travel-specialists, cntraveller.com top travel specialists · by hand · 12 Oct 2026

Certifications

Not stated on their website: no B Corp or similar certification stated. Nearby: says it is recommended by ASTA as an Africa tour operator and 'a specialist safari operator at ASTA' (membership, not a certification); no dates.

Source: Company · awards recognition press, travel agent · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Prices published

Yes. Country price pages list 'Prices from' figures on named itineraries (pages headed 'for 2026-2027'): Tanzania 33 priced entries, Kenya 22, Uganda 9, Rwanda 7 (counted from the saved pages); East Africa index page links Kenya and Tanzania combined, Rwanda and Uganda. Tier-based rate guides also published (see F24, F26). Custom or tailor-made pricing is on request for specific dates and camp tier.

Source: Company · tanzania, kenya, uganda, rwanda, eastern · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Priced example trips

Examples, all shown as 'Prices from' on the country price pages (the listing pages do not say per person, season or inclusions): 8 Days Classic Northern Tanzania Safari (Arusha, Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti Central) from $5295; 5 Days Best of Masai Mara Safari (Kenya) from $3745; 4 Days Best of Gorilla Volcanoes Safari (Rwanda: Kigali and Volcanoes) from $3695. Others: 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari (Uganda) from $2655; 13 Days Best of Tanzania from $11015; 12 Days Best of Uganda from $15985. Currency symbol is $ only.

Source: Company · tanzania, kenya, rwanda, uganda · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Price per person per day

Two pages give different scales. Tier-ratings page, safari, per day and person: Tier 1 $3000-4000 premier and $4000-6000+ ultra-luxury; Tier 2 $2000-3000+; Tier 3 $1000-2000+ (room-rate guide gives the same, per person per night). Enquiry form, per day and person: Tier 1 ultra-luxury $3500-4500+; Tier 1 premier $2500-3500; Tier 2 $1500-2500; Tier 3 $800-1500. Beach tiers per day and person: $750-1500 (Tier 1, $2000+ ultra), $450-750+, $300-450+.

Source: Company · safari, inquire, room prices · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Minimum spend

Not stated on their website: no minimum trip budget stated. Nearby: enquiry form's lowest budget option is 'Under $5,000 per person'; lowest safari tier example is $800 per day and person (Tier 3, enquiry form); custom planning fee US $1000 (see F33).

Source: Company · inquire · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

What the price includes

For rate guides: safari tiers are 'generally all inclusive of rooming, meals, drinks where included, park fees, guided safari activities e.g. game drives and hotel taxes (VAT) and service charges'; beach tiers: rooming, breakfast, dinner, taxes and service charges (all-inclusive hotels include all meals, snacks and select drinks); city hotels: rooming, breakfast, taxes. Single supplements extra. Inclusions beside actual itinerary prices not available (itinerary pages not saved).

Source: Company · room prices · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Deposit

Could not access: no booking terms / terms and conditions page in the saved pages.

Source: Company · none (no terms page in the saved pages) · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Balance due

Could not access: no booking terms / terms and conditions page in the saved pages.

Source: Company · none (no terms page in the saved pages) · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Cancellation charges

Could not access: no booking terms / terms and conditions page in the saved pages.

Source: Company · none (no terms page in the saved pages) · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

How client payments are protected

Could not access: no booking terms page in the saved pages, and no protection scheme or number stated on the pages that were saved.

Source: Company · none (no terms page in the saved pages) · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Currencies and card fees

Could not access: billing currencies and card fees not readable (no terms page saved). Site quotes prices in US$.

Source: Company · none (no terms page in the saved pages) · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

24-hour contact while travelling

No 24-hour number printed in the saved pages. Support stated: 'We are contactable every day, and before, after, and throughout your African journey'; 'personal contacts on call in all areas'; checks in with clients during the trip. Terms page not saved.

Source: Company · why travel with us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

How the company is paid

Planning fee: enquiry form offers 'Expert Recommended Safari - No Fee' or 'Expert Customized - Tailormake Safari - US $1000 Fee Applies' (Customized Safari Planning Fee). Does not use the word commission for lodges; says its itineraries use discounted/contracted tour operator trade rates. Pays commission to bona fide travel agents.

Source: Company · inquire, safari plan to go fee guidance · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Price against booking direct

States its rates are 'lower than those offered to first time or repeat travelers, or direct inquiry pricing by the camp or lodge suppliers', and that it keeps costs 'below what you would pay if you were to book direct'. Passing on lodge offers is not stated.

Source: Company · room prices, why travel with us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Licences and registrations

Says the East African team and the Southern Africa team are 'licensed by the Ministry of Tourism'. No licence, registration or ATOL/ABTA-type numbers printed in the saved pages. Describes itself as a specialist Africa operator at ASTA.

Source: Company · team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

African countries it plans

Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia on prices pages; also Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Swaziland, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Congo (on request / elsewhere on site). Team page lists South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Indian Ocean islands.

Source: Company · safari, team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Own offices or staff in Africa

Team offices: Kenya (Karen Office Park, Langata Road, Nairobi); Tanzania (Plot 1 Block A, Njiro Road, Arusha); South Africa (Chiappini Square, 17 Chiappini Street, Cape Town). Southern Africa team said to have regional offices in other primary destinations.

Source: Company · contact details · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

How it books on the ground

Says it works with 'an innovative, interlinked, and interdependent accommodation and logistical provider network' and local team partners, with its own ground teams in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Direct-with-camps contracting not stated in those words (terms page not saved).

Source: Company · team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Own camps or vehicles

Own vehicles: East African team 'a fleet of dedicated safari vehicles'. Own camps: none stated (works with partner camps and lodges).

Source: Company · team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking

Offered: mountain gorillas in Rwanda (Volcanoes), Uganda (Bwindi, Mgahinga), also Congo (Virunga); chimpanzees in Tanzania (Gombe, Mahale), Uganda (Kibale and others), Rwanda (Nyungwe). Priced gorilla itineraries: Rwanda 4 Days Best of Gorilla Volcanoes from $3695 and 7 Days Rwanda Primate Safari from $6115; Uganda 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla from $2655, 3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla from $4550; Tanzania 4 Days Gombe Chimpanzee from $2430 and 4 and 5 Days Mahale Chimpanzee from $4345. Says it helps with the gorilla trekking permit process (client review).

Source: Company · rwanda, uganda, tanzania · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Beach add-ons

Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, Mombasa and Fanjove with priced pages; Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar on request. Also describes Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles and Mauritius beach guides.

Source: Company · beach, beaches and islands · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Africa only, or other regions too

Africa only (including Indian Ocean islands); no other regions on its destinations pages.

Source: Company · safari, travel guide · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Family trips

Family Safaris and family beach holidays offered (child-friendly camps, children under 12 get a further discounted rate). Family guide says guides are 'specially trained to keep a watchful eye on young family members', it arranges flights and ground transport and advises on vaccinations, children can do spear-throwing, archery, beading and camp-chef activities, and larger tents or rooms can add beds or interconnect. Named private houses for families: Luangwa Safari House, Mara Bush House, Chongwe River House, Cottar's Homestead. No named family itinerary or family price.

Source: Company · family, safari, room prices · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Minimum child age

Not stated on their website: no minimum child age stated. Nearby: enquiry form counts children as age 11 and under; children under 12 have a further discounted rate.

Source: Company · inquire · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Teenagers and multigenerational trips

Multigenerational mentioned: family guide calls Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa, Nakuru, Naivasha, Samburu, Laikipia, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Tarangire, Sabi Sand, Shamwari and Phinda 'wonderful introductory family safari experiences for multi-generation households'. Teenagers not addressed separately (enquiry form counts anyone 12 and over as an adult).

Source: Company · family, inquire · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Honeymoon trips

Honeymoon Safaris and beach honeymoons offered (examples: treehouse near Victoria Falls, Nest Tree House at Serian Camp, Mnemba). No named priced honeymoon itinerary in the saved pages.

Source: Company · safari, company profile · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Solo travellers

Single room supplements are extra, may apply for certain travel months and accommodations; no amount stated. A press item is titled 'Making safaris more affordable for solo travelers'.

Source: Company · room prices, safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Older travellers and limited mobility

Not stated on their website: nothing specific on older travellers or limited mobility. Nearby: sustainability page mentions 'provision for disabled access' as an enlightened social policy (general); site accessibility statement concerns the website only; mentions 'a retired couple seeking rest and relaxation'.

Source: Company · sustainability conservation, accessibility statement · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

First safari

No itinerary marked 'first safari'. Guidance: family guide says Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa are 'the key first-time safari destinations for families'. Enquiry form also asks 'Is this your first time visit to Africa'.

Source: Company · family, inquire · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Private guide and vehicle

Optional: Custom and Private Safaris include 'dedicated safari vehicles and an exclusively seasoned guide'. Tier 1 camps include a customized 4x4 and best guides; Tier 2 may use shared transport. Private houses (Luangwa Safari House, Mara Bush House, Chongwe River House, Cottar's Homestead) come with 'exclusive safari guiding'; luxury guide mentions 'special activities with private guides'.

Source: Company · family, luxury, safari, safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Exclusive-use camps and villas

Offered: private safaris with 'secluded lodgings, full-service private staff, private activities'. Private houses named for families with personal butler and staff: Luangwa Safari House, Mara Bush House, Chongwe River House, Cottar's Homestead. Other examples: Mnemba (private island experience), Mombo Camp and Zarafa (ultra-luxury camps), Nest Tree House at Serian. Luxury guide names Singita Lebombo, Boulders, Grumeti and Lamai, Chief's Camp, Jack's Camp, Chem Chem, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (not stated as exclusive-use).

Source: Company · family, luxury, safari, room prices · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Small-group departures

Small groups offered for photography: 'four levels of photography safaris... including small groups, private individual, workshops and custom photography safaris'; group size not stated. Otherwise says it serves 'small, exclusive and corporate groups' and does not sell prepackaged mass tours.

Source: Company · photo, team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Who guides the trip

Says its own teams and guides: 'our guides', East Africa and Southern Africa teams include drivers and guides, and guides 'can be booked by name or reputation'; private safaris get an exclusive guide; camps' guides also referred to.

Source: Company · travel agent, team, safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Self-drive

Not stated on their website: self-drive not mentioned in the saved pages.

Source: Company · safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Photography trips

Yes: four levels of photography safaris (small groups, private individual, workshops, custom). Teams up with specialist nature photographers who give lessons; arranges camera and lens rentals. Gorilla, chimp, Serengeti, Masai Mara, Botswana and Namibia photo settings described. No specialist vehicle named. A customer review describes a photographic safari in Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Source: Company · photo, safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Conservation

SEARCH For Africa sustainability scheme; fosters orphans with The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (elephants Nabulu, Sattao, Maktao, Musiara; giraffe Twiggy; rhino Solio); supports Rhino Ark (Aberdare Electric Fence Project), Teach Rwanda (Raza on board), School of St Jude (sole student sponsorship), Safari Doctors, East African Wildlife Society, Smile Train, AMREF, ZIDO and others. Amounts not given.

Source: Company · sustainability conservation · crawl · 12 Oct 2026

Walking, horseback and other specialist trips

Walking safaris, horseback safaris, birding, primate, cultural, photography and honeymoon themes, plus wedding safaris and bush-and-beach safaris; hot-air balloon (Serengeti balloon safari from $599, Masai Mara from $585), microlight, fishing, canoeing, mountain biking (awards page); Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and Mount Meru climbs; diving and snorkelling; deep-sea fishing.

Source: Company · tanzania, kenya, photo, awards recognition press, mountain treks · crawl · 12 Oct 2026