Audley Travel Review 2026: Prices From £3,400, Who Owns It and a Record Score of 82
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 14 October 2026
Audley Travel scores 82/100 as a company record: a private tailor-made operator founded in 1996, owned by 3i since 2016, with 13 priced trips between £3,400 and £19,750 per person, a Trustpilot score of 4.9 from 5,022 reviews and ATOL 4817 with ABTOT 5297. Below: who owns Audley and how the ownership is structured, what the trips cost, the booking terms, the support on the ground, the review record and the gaps, each line sourced and dated.
Verified 25 September 2026 · audleytravel.com protection, office and trip pages · Companies House · AITO and USTOA · Trustpilot · Skift and Travel Market Report
Is this your company? Correct a fact. Audley Travel can correct any line of this record through the contact page. Corrections are logged with the previous value kept, and the score moves only if the evidence does.
How Audley Travel scores: 82 out of 100
Audley Travel scores 82 out of 100: full marks for review evidence and financial protection, strong on planning, and weakest on support inside the destination. Its Power Rankings score of 79 was set on an older rubric that included brand authority; the rankings will be recalculated from these records.
| Criterion | Points | Out of | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning depth | 23 | 25 | Named specialists who state they lived or worked where they sell, such as a Japan specialist who lived there six years (8 of 8). Founder Craig Burkinshaw's 1991 Vietnam trip, where he led small groups, is the origin of the company (4 of 4). Over 80 destinations (5 of 5). Day-by-day itinerary confirmed on The Grape Escape; hotel names not captured (3 of 5). Trading since 1996 (3 of 3). |
| On-the-ground cover | 6 | 20 | "24/7 emergency UK support while abroad" is claimed, but no separate 24-hour number is printed (3 of 7). No office abroad; trips use locally arranged guides and ground handlers (3 of 8). No statement that its own staff travel with clients (0 of 5). |
| Pricing transparency | 18 | 20 | 13 priced trips (8 of 8). The trip page opened lists what is included, flights and car hire among them (5 of 5). Prices in pounds, no season or dates beside them (2 of 4). US booking terms with a full cancellation scale (3 of 3). |
| Review evidence | 20 | 20 | Trustpilot 4.9 from 5,022 reviews (12 of 12). AITO 89% from 62 reviews (4 of 4). Newest review within a day of the read (4 of 4). |
| Financial protection | 15 | 15 | ATOL 4817 and ABTOT 5297 for Audley Travel Group Limited; USTOA membership for US bookings (15 of 15). |
| Total | 82 | 100 | Company record score, 25 September 2026. |
Audley is strongest where evidence is easiest to check: a very large and recent review base, numbered protection in both markets and prices on almost every trip page. It loses its points in the destination, where the site describes remote planning from Witney, London and Boston and a claimed 24-hour line without printing a number for it.
The evidence record
The record holds 20 facts about Audley Travel, each with its source and grade. Grade A means the company's own site or terms; grade B means a registry, review platform, awarding body or major press; grade C means a secondary source not confirmed elsewhere. Every line was read on 25 September 2026 unless its source says otherwise.
| Attribute | Value | Source · grade |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Audley Travel Group Limited, company 03190720, New Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney OX29 9SX | Site footer · A; Companies House · B |
| US company | Audley Travel US, Inc. (Delaware), 77 North Washington Street, Boston MA 02114 | US terms · A |
| Founded | 1996, as Asian Journeys Limited; renamed Audley Travel in 2001 | History · A; Companies House · B |
| Founders | Craig Burkinshaw and John Brewer | History · A |
| Owner | 3i Group, through Boketto Bidco Limited, which has held 75% or more since 6 April 2016; 3i lists Audley as a current investment made in 2015 | PSC register · B; 3i portfolio · B |
| Earlier owner | Equistone Partners Europe, from 2012 | Skift, 1 September 2026 · B |
| Chief executive | Richard Hodgson, from 23 March 2026, succeeding Nick Longman | Travel Market Report · B; officers · B |
| Chairman | Richard Prosser, a director since March 2012 | Companies House officers · B |
| Offices | Witney (head office), London (Monsoon Building, 1 Nicholas Road W11 4AN), Boston | Offices · A |
| UK phone and hours | 01993 838 925; Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 20:00, Friday 9:00 to 17:00, weekends 10:00 to 18:00 | Offices · A |
| In-trip support | "24/7 emergency UK support while abroad" no separate 24-hour number printed | Offices · A |
| Specialists | Named, with biographies; for example a Japan specialist who lived there six years and a Europe specialist who lived in France and Italy | Meet our specialists · A |
| Destinations | Over 80 worldwide | History · A; 3i · B |
| Formats | Private tailor-made only, including self-drive, family, rail and cruise combinations; no group departures | Trip pages · A |
| Prices | 13 trips between £3,400 and £19,750 per person | Trip pages · A |
| Booking terms (US) | Deposit set per quotation; balance normally at least 8 weeks before departure; cancellation scale 30%, 60%, 90% and 100% | US terms · A |
| Protection | ATOL 4817; ABTOT 5297; US: USTOA member since December 2016, California CST 2117258-20, Washington UBI 604-089-463, Florida ST39468 | Financial protection · A; USTOA · B |
| Reviews | Trustpilot 4.9 from 5,022 (claimed 2014); AITO 89% from 62; BBB A+ | Trustpilot · B; AITO · B |
| Memberships | AITO (5013), ATOL, ABTOT, USTOA; Certified B Corporation since 2023 | AITO · B; History · A |
| Awards claimed | Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialists 2026; Which? Recommended Provider, tailor-made holidays, December 2025; Wanderlust Gold 2025. Not confirmed at the awarding bodies | About us · A |
Who owns Audley Travel?
Audley Travel is owned by the private equity firm 3i, through Boketto Bidco Limited, which Companies House has recorded as holding 75% or more of Audley Travel Group Limited since 6 April 2016.
Craig Burkinshaw and John Brewer founded the business in 1996 as Asian Journeys; it became Audley Travel in 2001. Equistone Partners Europe backed it from 2012, and 3i lists Audley as a current investment made in 2015. A detailed Skift analysis of 1 September 2026 says 3i holds 48% of the group's shares and most of about £434 million of shareholder loan notes, that it hired bankers to explore a sale in October 2024, and that it shelved the auction by April 2025 after rejecting the offers.
The two percentages describe different layers of a holding structure: 75% or more of the operating company sits with 3i's vehicle, while Skift's 48% refers to the wider group. Richard Hodgson became chief executive on 23 March 2026, succeeding Nick Longman; chairman Richard Prosser described 2025 as the company's "most successful and profitable year to date" per Travel Market Report.
How much does an Audley Travel trip cost?
Audley prices its sample trips between £3,400 per person for 11 days in the Cape winelands, flights and car hire included, and £19,750 for 14 days in Bhutan, with most trips of nine to 16 days between £3,400 and £6,750. All prices below were read on 25 September 2026 and are per person, from.
| Trip | Region | Days | From, per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Grape Escape (self-drive) | South Africa | 11 | £3,400 |
| Essential Vietnam | Vietnam | 11 | £3,405 |
| India's Golden Triangle and tigers | India | 11 | £3,610 |
| Classic Kerala | India | 13 | £3,950 |
| Mekong and Angkor Wat | Vietnam and Cambodia | 14 | £4,210 |
| Incas uncovered: Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu | Peru | 9 | £4,395 |
| Egypt (homepage offer) | Egypt | 8 | £4,395 |
| Southeast Asia with a Celebrity cruise | Southeast Asia | 19 | £5,480 |
| Peru and Bolivia highlights | Peru and Bolivia | 15 | £6,700 |
| Australia (homepage offer) | Australia | 16 | £6,750 |
| A taste of the Maharajas' Express | India | 11 | £8,500 |
| Central Bhutan | Bhutan | 16 | £8,875 |
| Bhutan in style | Bhutan | 14 | £19,750 |
The Grape Escape page lists what the price includes: scheduled international flights, an insured hire car, four nights in Cape Town and four in Franschhoek, and 24-hour support while travelling. No season or travel date is shown beside the prices.
Audley Travel booking terms and financial protection
Audley Travel Group Limited holds ATOL 4817 and ABTOT membership 5297, and US bookings are covered by USTOA membership, which Audley joined in December 2016.
The financial protection page explains that ABTOT covers non-flight packages, and that bookings made from outside the UK are covered only when bought directly from the UK company. The US terms set the deposit per quotation and the balance normally at least eight weeks before departure. The UK booking conditions sit in a PDF that our reader could not open; the US scale is below.
| When you cancel (US terms) | Charge |
|---|---|
| Before the balance due date | The deposit |
| From the balance due date to 43 days | 30% |
| 42 to 29 days | 60% |
| 28 to 3 days | 90% |
| Within 2 days of departure | 100% |
Support on the ground
Audley plans trips from Witney, London and Boston and arranges local guides and drivers in each country; it claims "24/7 emergency UK support while abroad" but prints no separate number for it.
The main UK line, 01993 838 925, is staffed Monday to Thursday until 20:00, Friday until 17:00 and 10:00 to 18:00 at weekends. The Grape Escape lists "24-hour support while you travel" as an inclusion. No Audley office abroad is named, and no page says that Audley staff travel with clients.
What Audley Travel reviews say
Audley Travel holds 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 5,022 reviews, on a profile it claimed in 2014, with the newest review posted within a day of the read.
AITO's own review system gives 89% from 62 reviews, the newest dated 14 August 2026. The Boston business is BBB accredited with an A+ grade. The Condé Nast Traveller, Which? and Wanderlust awards listed on the About page were not confirmed at the awarding bodies for this record.
Who Audley Travel suits, and who it does not
Audley suits independent travellers who want a private itinerary planned by a named specialist who knows the country, travelling without a guide on every day, and who want flights and protection in the same booking.
It is less suited to someone who wants a group departure, which Audley does not run, or who wants a company office in the destination. Our safari comparison found its £3,400 the lowest published entry price of the three companies compared, and many of its trips of nine to 14 days sit between £3,400 and £4,400.
Booking Audley Travel: the decisions that come next
An Audley booking settles the trip; the traveller still decides how to pay, which flights to take, where to stay either side and what to claim if a flight fails.
| Decision | What matters for an Audley Travel trip | Where we cover it |
|---|---|---|
| Paying the deposit | Audley sets the deposit on each quotation; UK buyers paying by credit card add Section 75 cover on purchases priced £100 to £30,000, and US buyers the card's own purchase cover. | Best luxury travel credit cards; Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve |
| Long-haul flights | Audley's trips start at £3,400 per person; the flight is often the largest single choice left to the traveller. | Best business class airlines; best first class airlines |
| Airport time | Lounge access usually comes with a card or an airline ticket; check whether the booking adds it. | Credit cards with airport lounge access |
| A delayed flight | Flights from UK and EU airports carry fixed compensation of up to £520 or €600 per passenger for long delays. | AirHelp vs ClaimCompass vs Skycop vs Flightright |
| Nights either side | Gateway nights in Tokyo, Cape Town or Hanoi are often in chain hotels where status adds breakfast and upgrades. | Hilton Diamond vs Marriott Titanium vs Hyatt Globalist; luxury hotel brand hierarchy |
| City stays | Multi-stop itineraries usually include city nights. | Best city break destinations; where to travel each month |
Where Audley Travel stands on Uncompromised Travel
Audley Travel appears on three ranked Uncompromised Travel pages.
| Page | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury tour operator Power Rankings 2026 | No. 6, 79/100 (older rubric) | To be recalculated from records |
| Japan luxury tour operator index | No. 3, 74/100 | Verified 14 September 2026 |
| Scott Dunn vs Audley vs Yellow Zebra | 79/100 (safari only) | Safari comparison, 23 September 2026 |
Alternatives to Audley Travel to compare
The closest alternatives are Scott Dunn for private tailor-made travel with a published 24-hour number, Kuoni for package holidays, and Steppes Travel or Cox & Kings for small groups.
| Company | Record score | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Dunn | 82 | Prints a 24-hour emergency number; day-by-day itineraries with named hotels; owned by Flight Centre |
| Kuoni | 84 | Package holidays with flights; Feefo 4.9 from 7,137; 24-hour duty number |
| Steppes Travel | 87 | Tailor-made plus dated expert-led groups; independent, founder-owned |
| Original Travel | 70 | London tailor-made, now trading as Voyageurs du Monde |
| Cox & Kings | 64 | Small-group tours in US dollars; an Abercrombie & Kent brand |
What this record does not show
Six things a buyer would want could not be found or verified for Audley Travel. Supplying a verifiable source closes a gap; it changes the evidence, never the rubric.
| Missing | Where we looked |
|---|---|
| The UK deposit and cancellation scale | UK booking conditions PDF, blocked to automated readers |
| A 24-hour emergency number | Offices page, trip pages, US terms |
| Hotel names in sample itineraries | The Grape Escape page; other trip pages not opened |
| Total number of specialists | Specialists hub and About us |
| The current marketing lead | Site, Companies House officers, trade press |
| Awards confirmed at the awarding bodies | About us page claims only |
What changed at Audley Travel in 2025 and 2026
The biggest changes at Audley in 2025 and 2026 were a shelved sale, a record trading year and a new chief executive from outside travel.
| When | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| By April 2025 | Sale auction shelved after 3i rejects the offers received | Skift |
| 2025 | Ocean cruising added to the trips on offer | History |
| 2025 | Described by the chairman as Audley's most successful and profitable year to date | Travel Market Report |
| 23 March 2026 | Richard Hodgson becomes chief executive, succeeding Nick Longman | Travel Market Report |
| 1 September 2026 | Skift publishes its analysis of Audley's ownership, valuing the business at £482 million | Skift |
Audley Travel: the facts on record, read 12 October 2026
53 facts about Audley Travel 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
Audley Travel Group Ltd (company no. 3190720, VAT GB 125 4547 21), registered office New Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 9SX; trading names 'Audley' and 'Audley Travel'. US arm: Audley Travel US, Inc. (Boston).
Source: Company · terms and conditions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it is based
Witney, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (headquarters at New Mill); other offices London and Boston (USA).
Source: Company · history · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Year founded
1996 as Asian Journeys (page says 2026 marks 30 years since founding as Asian Journeys); founder Craig Burkinshaw began small-group Vietnam tours in 1991; renamed Audley Travel in 2001. Home page: 'Established in 1996'.
Source: Company · history · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Owner or parent
Not stated on their website: no named owner stated. Modern Slavery Statement lists group entities: Audley Travel Group Limited, Audley Travel US, Inc., Audley Travel Services Limited, Boketto Holdco Limited, Boketto Midco Limited, Boketto Midco 2 Limited, Boketto Midco 3 Limited, Boketto Newco Limited, Boketto Bidco Limited; CEO Richard Hodgson.
Source: Company · modern slavery statement · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What it is
Planner. Describes itself as '100% tailor-made' with a dedicated specialist per trip, using hand-picked accommodation and local partners; no own camps mentioned.
Source: Company · about us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Team
Team page names 4 featured specialists (Anna, Joshua, Jackie, Matt) and links to 'View more specialists' (full list page not in saved pages). Private Concierge page says 'over 500 specialists'. Africa guide names safari specialists Amelia, Mike, Harriet, Dickie and Mark.
Source: Company · meet our specialists · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it sells
Sells only to residents of the UK and Ireland, US and Canada. UK phone 01993 838 925 (Mon-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm); UK Africa line 01993 838 500 (country lines e.g. Namibia 01993 838 525, Zambia 01993 838 505, Kenya 01993 838 510, South Africa 01993 838 550). US pages show 617-223-4521 and 617-223-4500, safari specialists 617-223-4300; Canada pages show 617-223-4500 and safari line 617-223-4300. Offices: Witney (New Mill), London (Monsoon Building, 1 Nicholas Road, W11 4AN), Boston (77 North Washington Street, 4th Floor, MA 02114). Other US/Canada numbers printed in policies: +1 (855) 482-2485 (privacy requests), 1-866-533-8881 (SMS customer care). Prices: GBP on UK pages, USD on US pages, CAD on Canada pages.
Source: Company · tours, tours, classic namibia · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
In its own words
'Travel shaped around you': tailor-made trips built by a dedicated specialist around the client's passions; Africa page: 'Experts in tailor-made African Safaris'.
Source: Company · about us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Response time and named planner
Named planner: 'the dedicated specialist who creates your trip' and 'the same specialist will handle your trip from start to finish'. Itinerary pages name specialists per country (e.g. Namibia: Philippa, Alex, Anthony; Zambia: Louise, Russell, James; Kenya: Theresa, Toby, Ben; US Africa team: Desti, Ned, Tom). No reply-time commitment stated.
Source: Company · classic namibia, ultimate zambia, tours · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Reviews, by platform
No profile found: no single Google business listing was shown in the search on 12 Oct 2026 (the company has several offices).
Source: Independent source · Google search · by hand · 12 Oct 2026
Trustpilot
Rating 4.9, 5,049 reviews. Newest review shown in the saved page: 24 Sep 2026 (Mrs Beirne-Shalice). Profile claimed Jun 2014, paid Trustpilot subscription. Company site widgets show TrustScore 4.8/5048 on some pages and 4.9/5049 on others.
Source: Independent source · Trustpilot · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Tripadvisor
3.9 from 57 reviews (listing: Audley Travel)
Source: Independent source · Tripadvisor listing, as shown in Google results · by hand · 12 Oct 2026
Where it asks clients to leave reviews
Not stated on their website: not clear. The company's review blocks are labelled 'TrustScore' with 5048/5049 reviews (matching Trustpilot's 5,049), but the saved text shows no link or invitation to leave a review and the platform name is blank.
Source: Company · reviews · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Awards and recognition, read from the publishers
Every award, 2024 to 2026
Read from the publishers (Independent source): Condé Nast Traveller (UK), The top travel specialists to know right now: listed, best for "classic tailor-made" (hand-picked by the UK editors; published 7 Nov 2025) The company's own site also states (Company): Company claims: Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year, winner 2024; Certified B Corporation (certified 2023); Condé Nast Traveller 2026 Top Travel Specialists Award (2026); Which? Recommended Tailor-made Holidays, December 2025; Wanderlust Travel Awards, Gold Winner 2025; Sunday Times Travel Magazine Value for Money awards, named top Tour Operator (year not stated). Categories not given beyond these titles; who decides is not stated.
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
Not stated on their website: condé Nast Traveller 2026 Top Travel Specialists is claimed, but the number of Audley advisors on any list is not stated.
Source: Company · about us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Certifications
Certified B Corporation (joined 2023; press release 16/06/2023); Travelife Partner (stage 2 of 3, since 2020); ATOL 4817; ABTOT member 5297; AITO member (AITO Quality Charter).
Source: Company · responsible travel · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Money and booking terms
Prices published
Yes, as guide 'from' prices per person on trip ideas, while the site says there are no set prices (each trip is priced individually; 'your safari will be tailored to your particular tastes'). Africa safari tour-ideas listing: US page shows 'You've viewed 30 of 50 tours' in USD; Canada page '30 of 49 tours' in CAD (the listing mixes in a few non-Africa wildlife trips such as Sri Lanka, India, Australia). Every UK itinerary page saved (Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa) carries a 'N days from GBP x pp' price. The Africa page alone shows 12 priced ideas.
Source: Company · tours, tours, ultimate zambia, africa · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Priced example trips
Itinerary pages (UK, GBP, season not stated, no per-trip date): 1) Ultimate Zambia safari, 15 days from GBP 14,845pp: South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, Kafue, Victoria Falls; price list says scheduled international and domestic flights, in-destination transfers, activities and excursions as detailed. 2) Classic Namibia self-drive safari, 14 days from GBP 4,900pp: Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha, Central Highlands; includes scheduled international flights and fully insured vehicle hire. 3) Mara & Mahe explorer (Kenya Masai Mara + Seychelles), 15 days from GBP 6,980pp: scheduled international flights, in-destination transfers, activities and excursions as detailed. Earlier listing prices also seen: Classic Southern Tanzania safari & beach 12 days from GBP 5,400pp; Classic northern Tanzania safari 9 days from GBP 5,220pp. Other currencies/lengths differ by page: US safari list shows Classic Namibia self-drive 12 days from USD 7,100pp and Classic northern Tanzania safari 7 days from USD 6,100pp; Canada list shows Classic Namibia 12 days from CAD 9,450pp.
Source: Company · ultimate zambia, classic namibia, mara mahe explorer, tours, tours · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price per person per day
Not stated on their website: no per-person-per-day range stated; only total 'from' prices per person for the whole trip.
Source: Company · africa · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Minimum spend
Not stated on their website: no minimum spend stated. Private Concierge form asks annual leisure spend bands (up to GBP 50k, 50-75k, 75-100k, 100k+) but states no minimum.
Source: Company · audley private concierge · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What the price includes
Yes on Africa itinerary pages: each carries a short inclusions list beside the price. Zambia: scheduled international and domestic flights, in-destination transfers, activities and excursions as detailed. Namibia and South Africa self-drive: scheduled international flights, fully insured vehicle hire. Kenya (Mara & Mahe, Kenya by train): scheduled international flights, in-destination transfers, activities and excursions as detailed. Meals, park fees and drinks are not itemised on these pages. Earlier saved Costa Rica family page also has a 'Price includes' list (flights, transfers, activities, accommodation, 24-hour support; based on two adults and two children).
Source: Company · ultimate zambia, classic namibia, mara mahe explorer, grape escape · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Deposit
Not stated on their website: percentage or amount not stated: 'The deposit required will be shown on the quotation page of your itinerary.' Advance payments (e.g. flights) may also be required at booking.
Source: Company · Booking Pack UK · pdf · 12 Oct 2026
Balance due
Balance due on the date specified on the booking confirmation/invoice, 'normally no less than 90 days before the departure date'. Bookings made after that date need full payment at booking. Via an authorised travel agent, balance is paid to the agent two weeks before the due date.
Source: Company · Booking Pack UK · pdf · 12 Oct 2026
Cancellation charges
Percentage of total holiday cost by days before departure: 91+ days 15%; 61-90 days 30%; 31-60 days 60%; 15-30 days 90%; 0-14 days 100%. Plus any advance payment made, capped at total cost.
Source: Company · Booking Pack UK · pdf · 12 Oct 2026
How client payments are protected
'All the trips we arrange through our UK offices are protected by either ATOL or ABTOT.' ATOL (CAA licence 4817) covers flight-inclusive holidays where an ATOL Certificate is issued; ABTOT (membership 5297) covers non-flight packages, flight-inclusive packages from EEA, Crown Dependency and rest-of-world customers, and cruise packages sold as principal. Bookings made outside the UK are protected by ABTOT only when bought directly from Audley Travel Group Limited. ABTOT 24/7 helpline 01702 811397. Not every part of a trip is necessarily covered (ATOL only for items on the certificate). Registers not checked.
Source: Company · financial protection · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Currencies and card fees
Prices shown by region: GBP on UK pages, USD on US pages ('All prices are in USD unless otherwise stated'), CAD on Canada safari listing. No card surcharge or card fee is stated in the pages saved (booking pack also silent).
Source: Company · tours, terms and conditions, tours · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
24-hour contact while travelling
Support stated, no number printed on the site: '24/7 emergency UK support while abroad'; 'call on us and our excellent local partners, day or night'. Booking terms: the 24-hour emergency number is in the client's Travel Organiser. Only number printed is the ABTOT helpline 01702 811397 (for Audley's financial failure).
Source: Company · about us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How the company is paid
Not stated how Audley is paid (no planning fee or commission described). Nearby: Private Concierge is offered 'without membership fees or hidden costs'; each trip has a single bespoke price.
Source: Company · audley private concierge · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price against booking direct
Not stated on their website: no statement about matching lodge rates or passing on lodge offers. Nearby: 'We don't claim to be the cheapest, but we do believe we offer very good value.'
Source: Company · why book with us · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Licences and registrations
ATOL 4817 (Civil Aviation Authority); ABTOT membership 5297; Companies House registration 3190720 (England); VAT GB 125 4547 21; AITO member; Travelife Partner; IATA logo shown in footer. US pages also print: CST#2117258-20 (California seller of travel), UBI#604-089-463 (Washington), Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST39468, and Audley Travel US, Inc. (Delaware 5398866). Registers not checked.
Source: Company · tours, terms and conditions · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it goes and how it works on the ground
African countries it plans
South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Madagascar, Zanzibar Archipelago, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Egypt, Morocco. (Mauritius is listed separately under Indian Ocean.)
Source: Company · africa · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own offices or staff in Africa
Not stated on their website: no own offices or staff in Africa stated; offices are Witney, London and Boston only. Africa is served through 'local partners' and Ground Handling Agents.
Source: Company · modern slavery statement · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How it books on the ground
Through local partner companies: privacy policy cites 'our local partners who host you during your safari experience'; Modern Slavery Statement refers to Ground Handling Agents (GHAs) under contract and a tender process for key land suppliers. Direct booking with camps not stated.
Source: Company · privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own camps or vehicles
Not stated on their website: no own camps or vehicles stated; describes hand-picked third-party accommodation, guides and local partners.
Source: Company · meaningful experiences · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
Gorilla tracking: Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) and Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park); chimpanzee tracking: Uganda (Kibale Forest), Rwanda (Nyungwe Forest) and Tanzania (Mahale Mountains). Priced itineraries on the safari list: Uganda primate explorer 8 days from USD 7,995pp; Ultimate primate experience (Rwanda) 9 days from USD 10,050pp; Rwanda's gorillas & Kenya's Big Five 9 days from USD 9,150pp (UK Kenya page: 11 days from GBP 7,250pp); Gorilla tracking & Zanzibar adventure (Kenya, Rwanda, Zanzibar) 10 days from USD 6,800pp (UK page: 12 days from GBP 6,250pp); Gorilla & Zanzibar adventure (Uganda) 12 days from USD 7,995pp; Gorillas, the Great Migration & the Big Five (Rwanda, Tanzania) 10 days from USD 11,995pp.
Source: Company · tours, kenya by train · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Beach add-ons
Zanzibar (Tanzania & Zanzibar tours; Kenya safari & Zanzibar beach), Seychelles (Mara & Mahe explorer, Seychelles and Kenya, 15 days from GBP 6,980pp), Mauritius (own page, 5 tours), Mozambique (Bazaruto Archipelago, Vilanculos coast).
Source: Company · kenya · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Africa only, or other regions too
Worldwide, not Africa only: 'over 80 destinations worldwide' covering all seven continents (Asia, Europe, Americas, Australasia, Polar, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and more).
Source: Company · history · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who it suits and how it travels
Family trips
Africa safari filter lists a 'Family' category. Family trip seen: South Africa & Victoria Falls family adventure, 10 days from CAD 17,850pp (Canada list; hand-picked family-friendly excursions in Cape Town, family suites tested by Audley, three nights in a private reserve, private guided Victoria Falls tour). Earlier family ideas seen: Eastern Madagascar adventure, 15 days from GBP 5,595pp; Mauritius family getaway, 10 days from GBP 1,890pp; Family adventure in Costa Rica, 11 days from GBP 4,600pp (two adults and two children).
Minimum child age
Not stated on their website: no minimum child age stated in the saved pages.
Source: Company · Booking Pack UK · pdf · 12 Oct 2026
Teenagers and multigenerational trips
Not stated on their website: teenagers and multigenerational trips not stated by the company in the saved pages (only client reviews mention a group of 8 and a parent/daughter safari).
Source: Company · reviews · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Honeymoon trips
Classic Kenya honeymoon: 15 days from GBP 8,700pp (UK Kenya page); 13 days from USD 11,600pp (US list) and CAD 16,300pp (Canada list); Masai Mara Big Five, Kenya coast beaches, Hemingways Nairobi. Also: Remote Namibia honeymoon safari, 17 days from GBP 13,925pp; Wildlife and remote Madagascar (honeymoon), 15 days from GBP 10,220pp. Safari list has a 'Honeymoon ideas' filter. Honeymoon Gift Service mentioned in booking terms.
Source: Company · tours, tours, mara mahe explorer, classic namibia · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Solo travellers
Not stated on their website: single supplement policy not stated.
Source: Company · Booking Pack UK · pdf · 12 Oct 2026
Older travellers and limited mobility
Booking pack: some destinations may be unsuitable for wheelchair users or those with reduced mobility; Audley will discuss a tailor-made itinerary, may ask for a short questionnaire and a doctor's letter; guides and tour leaders cannot offer additional assistance, which must come from whoever the passenger travels with. Older travellers as such not addressed.
Source: Company · Booking Pack UK · pdf · 12 Oct 2026
First safari
Guidance, no itinerary marked as first safari: Africa page says 'Whether you're thinking about planning your first safari or your fifth, our safari specialists are here to help', with a safari guide and 'A typical day on an African safari'.
Source: Company · africa · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Private guide and vehicle
Offered, not stated as guaranteed on every trip: 'Namibia's highlights by private escorted tour' (private vehicle with own driver-guide; 14 days from GBP 8,435pp); northern Tanzania 'private drives'; Kenya by train 'safari both by private vehicle and also on foot' and Tsavo drives 'in a private vehicle'; Victoria Falls with 'a private guide'; airport and hotel transfers by private vehicle or driver. Self-drive trips are unguided by design. Earlier: 'privately guided experiences'; Costa Rica example has private guide and driver. Private-vehicle terms for each safari are not spelled out.
Source: Company · tours, classic namibia, kenya by train · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Exclusive-use camps and villas
Offered: 'Private stays & experiences' collection (site menu), Mozambique 'exclusive private-island getaway', Madagascar Miavana island via Audley Private Concierge, Awasi Patagonia villa. No named exclusive-use African safari camp or villa given.
Source: Company · audley private concierge · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Small-group departures
Mostly not: trips are '100% tailor-made'. One exception on the safari list: 'Mobile safari in the Okavango Delta & Chobe National Park' (10 days from USD 10,900pp / CAD 14,890pp) says 'travel with like-minded people... explore the Okavango Delta in a small group led by an experienced guide'; group size not stated. Robben Island tour is a small group (Cape Town itinerary). Founder began leading small-group Vietnam tours in 1991.
Source: Company · tours, tours, grape escape · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who guides the trip
Local guides hand-picked 'by us or our local partners', most local to the area; not Audley employees. Camp guides not specifically addressed.
Source: Company · meaningful experiences · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Self-drive
Yes: Namibia (Classic Namibia self-drive safari, Northern Namibia self-drive safari to Victoria Falls, Southern Namibia self-drive explorer), South Africa (Highlights of South Africa self-drive, Classic KwaZulu-Natal self-drive, Kruger self-drive & safari adventure, Cape Town & Winelands 'Grape Escape' self-drive), also Costa Rica, USA, Australia and Europe. Self-drive trips include fully insured vehicle hire and a welcome pack (mobile phone, cool box, driving instructions) in Namibia; priced e.g. Classic Namibia 14 days from GBP 4,900pp, Grape Escape 11 days from GBP 3,400pp.
Source: Company · classic namibia, grape escape, tours · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Photography trips
Not stated on their website: no photography trips or specialist photography vehicles/guides stated (Namibia page only notes Deadvlei suits photographers).
Source: Company · namibia · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Conservation
Audley Travel for Good fund (supports charities incl. Take 3 for the Sea; 10% of Water-to-Go purchases donated); annual Charity of the Year since 2008; 'Responsible Choice' stays and experiences supporting conservation; 2022 press release on African properties with a conservation focus; optional flight carbon offsetting via ClimateCare. No named wildlife project or funding amount given.
Source: Company · responsible travel · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Walking, horseback and other specialist trips
Walking safaris (Zambia, Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, Ruaha in Tanzania, Botswana; 'Wild Zambia on foot' 11 days from USD 6,240pp, bushcamps and guides trained in walking safaris), Hadzabe walking, mokoro canoe safaris (Botswana), balloon safaris (Serengeti, Masai Mara; Sossusvlei balloon option), mobile safari (Okavango Delta & Chobe), Kilimanjaro summit, boat safaris and canoeing (Lower Zambezi, Zambezi), night drives, flying safaris (Luxury Namibia, Madagascar), light-aircraft routes (Ultimate Kenya safari), rail (Kenya by train), Kruger/Namibia self-drive. Horse riding not offered for Africa in the pages saved.
Source: Company · tours, ultimate zambia · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Not the fit if you want a set group departure, since its trips are 100% tailor-made, with one small-group exception on its safari list; you want a 24-hour phone number printed on its website, since the number is in the client's Travel Organiser; or you need extra help from guides because of reduced mobility, since its booking pack says guides and tour leaders cannot offer additional assistance. 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.
Audley Travel: the questions people ask AI search
Who owns Audley Travel?
Audley Travel is owned by the private equity firm 3i through Boketto Bidco Limited, which Companies House records as holding 75% or more of Audley Travel Group Limited since 6 April 2016. Equistone Partners Europe backed it from 2012. Skift reported in September 2026 that 3i holds 48% of the group's shares and shelved a sale by April 2025.
Is Audley Travel a good company?
On the evidence, yes: Audley Travel scores 82/100 on this site's company record rubric, with 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 5,022 reviews, ATOL 4817 and ABTOT 5297, and named specialists who have lived in the countries they sell. Its weakest area is support inside the destination: a 24-hour line is claimed but no number is printed.
How much does an Audley Travel trip cost?
Audley's published sample trips run between £3,400 per person for The Grape Escape, 11 days in South Africa including flights and car hire, and £19,750 for Bhutan in style over 14 days. Most trips of nine to 16 days are priced between £3,400 and £6,750 per person.
Is Audley Travel ATOL protected?
Yes. Audley Travel Group Limited holds ATOL 4817 and ABTOT membership 5297. US bookings are covered by USTOA membership, which Audley joined in December 2016, and California, Washington and Florida seller-of-travel registrations.
Does Audley Travel run group tours?
No. Audley sells private tailor-made trips only, including self-drive, family, rail and cruise combinations, planned by a named specialist for each region.
Who is the CEO of Audley Travel?
Richard Hodgson became chief executive of Audley Travel on 23 March 2026, succeeding Nick Longman. Richard Prosser is chairman.
Where is Audley Travel based?
Audley Travel's head office is at New Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire. It also has an office in London's Monsoon Building on Nicholas Road and a US office at 77 North Washington Street, Boston.
What is Audley Travel's cancellation policy?
Under Audley's US terms, cancelling before the balance due date costs the deposit; from that date to 43 days before departure costs 30%, 42 to 29 days 60%, 28 to 3 days 90% and within 2 days 100%. The balance is normally due at least eight weeks before departure.
Is Audley Travel better than Scott Dunn?
Both score 82/100 on this site's company record rubric. Audley has lower entry prices, from £3,400, a far larger review base with 5,022 Trustpilot reviews against 274, and longer phone hours. Scott Dunn prints a 24-hour emergency number, publishes day-by-day itineraries with named hotels, and runs kids' clubs and ski holidays.
What awards has Audley Travel won?
Read on 12 October 2026. Read from the publishers (Independent source): Condé Nast Traveller (UK), The top travel specialists to know right now: listed, best for "classic tailor-made" (hand-picked by the UK editors; published 7 Nov 2025) The company's own site also states (Company): Company claims: Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year, winner 2024; Certified B Corporation (certified 2023); Condé Nast Traveller 2026 Top Travel Specialists Award (2026); Which? Recommended Tailor-made Holidays, December 2025; Wanderlust Travel Awards, Gold Winner 2025; Sunday Times Travel Magazine Value for Money awards, named top Tour Operator (year not stated). Categories not given beyond these titles; who decides is not stated. Advisers on named lists: Certified B Corporation (joined 2023; press release 16/06/2023); Travelife Partner (stage 2 of 3, since 2020); ATOL 4817; ABTOT member 5297; AITO member (AITO Quality Charter).
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