Four people at a sunset picnic on the savannah. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Journeys by Design vs Roar Africa: which is better for an ultra-high-end safari?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 3 November 2026
Journeys by Design and Roar Africa, set out the same way from each company's own website and review listings, read on 12 October 2026. No score and no rank: each one's best fit, in its own words.
Journeys by Design vs Roar Africa: which is better for an ultra-high-end safari?
On their own published facts, Journeys by Design is best for privately guided, tailor-made safaris; Roar Africa is best for individually curated luxury safaris. Both publish advice or trips for families, advice or trips for honeymoons and advice or trips for a first safari. Price bands are not set side by side, because the companies do not publish prices on the same basis. No score and no winner: choose by what your trip needs.
Journeys by Design
- Best for
- Privately guided, tailor-made safaris
Roar Africa
- Best for
- Individually curated luxury safaris
Journeys by Design and Roar Africa: side by side
The same facts for each company, from its own website, in the same order. Left out, because it is not readable for every company: own offices or staff in Africa. Where a company publishes nothing on a row, the card says so.
Journeys by Design
- Based in
- Brighton, United Kingdom.
- Founded
- 1999.
- African countries it plans
- 21: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Chad, Sao Tome and Benin.
- Own camps or vehicles
- Wild Expeditions, a frontier mobile camp in Ethiopia and Lale's Camp.
- Deposit
- 30% for classic safaris, 35% for rare adventures of full itinerary cost at booking (full payment if booking within 16 weeks of start).
- Cancellation charges
- More than 112 days (16 weeks) before start: deposit lost (30% classic / 35% rare). Less than 112 days: 100%.
- How client payments are protected
- UK and EU clients: holds Air Travel Organiser's Licence (CAA), ATOL number 9680.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 5.0 out of 5 from 6 reviews.
Roar Africa
- Based in
- Miami Beach, Florida, United States.
- Founded
- 2005.
- African countries it plans
- 12: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles.
- Own camps or vehicles
- Own camp: a proprietary luxury camp for the Kilimanjaro climb.
- Deposit
- Not published on its own website.
- Cancellation charges
- Not published on its own website.
- How client payments are protected
- Not published on its own website.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 5.0 out of 5 from 272 reviews.
Who does each suit?
Each line is the company's own, on its own website. Where none was found on a company' + chr(39) + 's own website, the card says so. Left out, because it is not readable for every company: multigenerational trips and private guide.
Journeys by Design
- Families
- 'In the balance' is a 20-day Kenya family itinerary (Mara, Chyulu, Laikipia, Samburuland, Lewa).
- Honeymoons
- Seychelles and Mozambique pages pitch honeymoon/beach-and-island trips.
- A first safari
- Kenya page recommends park-based itineraries for first-time wildlife visitors.
Roar Africa
- Families
- Has a dedicated 'Luxury Family Safari Vacations' page with destination ideas (Kenya or Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa) and activities such as Bo-Kaap cooking classes and penguin paddling.
- Honeymoons
- Has a 'Honeymoon by ROAR AFRICA' page and an 'An African Safari Honeymoon' page: custom itineraries across Africa, dates of your choosing, 'Exclusively priced for each departure'.
- A first safari
- Zambia 'Absolutely' to being good for first-time safari travellers.
Where each line comes from
Every line above links back to the page of the company's own website or review listing it was read from, read on 12 October 2026.
- Journeys by Design: where it is based, year founded, African countries it plans, own camps or vehicles, deposit, family trips, first safari.
- Roar Africa: where it is based, year founded, African countries it plans, own camps or vehicles, family trips, honeymoon trips, first safari.
Journeys by Design vs Roar Africa: the questions people ask
Which is older, Journeys by Design or Roar Africa?
Journeys by Design, founded in 1999. Roar Africa was founded in 2005.
Where is each company based?
Journeys by Design: Brighton, United Kingdom. Roar Africa: Miami Beach, Florida, United States.
Which plans trips in more African countries?
Journeys by Design names 21; Roar Africa names 12, on its own website. More countries is not better in itself: check that each plans the ones you want.
What deposit does each ask for?
Journeys by Design: 30% for classic safaris, 35% for rare adventures of full itinerary cost at booking (full payment if booking within 16 weeks of start). Roar Africa: Not published on its own website.
What are their cancellation charges?
Journeys by Design: More than 112 days (16 weeks) before start: deposit lost (30% classic / 35% rare). Less than 112 days: 100%. Roar Africa: Not published on its own website.
How is my money protected with each?
Journeys by Design: UK and EU clients: holds Air Travel Organiser's Licence (CAA), ATOL number 9680. Roar Africa: Not published on its own website.
What do guest reviews say about each?
Journeys by Design: Google 5.0 out of 5 from 6 reviews. Roar Africa: Google 5.0 out of 5 from 272 reviews. Each platform is shown on its own, never added together.
Which publishes advice or trips for families?
Journeys by Design and Roar Africa, in their own words on the card above.
Which publishes advice or trips for honeymoons?
Journeys by Design and Roar Africa, in their own words on the card above.
Can I book either through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Use each company's own enquiry page.
Is either company paying to be on this page?
No. None of these companies is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. None paid to be on this page.
How current is this comparison?
Each company's website and review listings were read on 12 October 2026. Prices, terms and trips change, so confirm them with the company before you book.
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