Mahlatini Review 2026: Is It Worth It, What It Costs, and Who Owns It
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 15 October 2026
Mahlatini Luxury Travel, the Belfast and Cape Town safari specialist Greg Fox and Chris Goldring founded in 2002, scores 96/100 on our six-criterion review of safari planners: full marks for independent reviews, destination breadth, pricing transparency and ownership transparency. Feefo rates it 5 out of 5 from 801 reviews, Tripadvisor 5.0 from 366 and Trustpilot 4.8 from 152; it prices its itineraries by season with what is included; and it has been a certified B Corp since July 2024. What the six criteria do not measure, and a buyer should: its site publishes no booking terms, only a deposit of "usually 20%".
Verified 24 September 2026 · Mahlatini's own pages and itineraries · Companies House records NI601052 and NI697858 · Feefo, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot · B Lab · World Travel Awards · National Geographic, Forbes, Geographical and Tourism Update
Mahlatini at a glance: the company record
Mahlatini is the trading name of Luxury Travel Ltd, company NI601052, incorporated in Northern Ireland on 22 October 2009, with offices on Holywood Road in Belfast and in Rondebosch, Cape Town. Every row below links to its source and was checked on the date shown.
| Field | Fact | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading name | Mahlatini Luxury Travel (mahlatini.com); 'a Zulu word that means “lover of the African wilderness”' | About Mahlatini | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Legal entity | Luxury Travel Ltd, company NI601052, active, incorporated 22 Oct 2009; SIC 79120, tour operator activities; no previous names | Companies House | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Founded | 2002, per its site; co-founders Greg Fox and Chris Goldring | Who is Mahlatini | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Offices | 214-218 Holywood Road, Belfast BT4 1PD (map); 11 Greenwich Grove, Station Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700 (map); "offices in the UK, South Africa and Europe" | About Mahlatini | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Phones | UK +44 (0)28 9073 6050; US +1 347-708-1755 | Privacy policy | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Response time | 'within one working day' (contact page); 'Within 24 hours (48 hours weekends)' (how to book); no office hours | Contact page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| In-trip support | '24/7 emergency support provided' | How to book | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Owners, per the register | Gregory Harvey Fox, 25% to 50%, 'with control over the trustees of a trust' (since 2016); Cldz Consulting Limited, 25% to 50% (since 23 Oct 2023) | Companies House PSC register | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Cldz Consulting | Company NI697858; directors Christopher Goldring (from Jun 2023) and Liane Goldring (from Mar 2024) | Companies House officers | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Directors | Greg Fox and Chris Goldring (both since 22 Oct 2009); Steven Allaway (30 Oct 2025); Dr Aislinn Rice (1 Nov 2025) | Companies House officers | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Charges | Ulster Bank (2015) and Barclays Security Trustee (2019, two), all satisfied by 4 Dec 2024 | Companies House charges | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Latest accounts | Made up to 31 Oct 2025 | Companies House | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Money protection | ATOL 7316; Travel Trust Association U7098; Trust My Travel partnership; supplier failure and insolvency insurance | Financial protection page | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Booking terms | No terms and conditions page found; deposit 'usually 20%' no balance date, cancellation charges or amendment fees published | How to book | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Destinations | 14 African countries; Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives; four countries in the Indian subcontinent; Oman and the UAE | Who is Mahlatini | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Published prices | Ten Africa and Indian Ocean itineraries checked, per person in USD, low and high season, $5,600 to $25,200 | Itinerary pages | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Independent reviews | Feefo 5/5 from 801 (61 in the past year); Tripadvisor 5.0 from 366; Trustpilot 4.8 from 152 | Feefo | 24 Sep 2026 |
| B Corp | Certified July 2024, B Impact Score 82.0 | B Lab directory | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Awards confirmed at source | World Travel Awards, Europe's Leading Sustainable Tour Operator, 2022 and 2023 | World Travel Awards | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Team | 44 named: 17 travel experts, 9 in client journey, 6 in brand and marketing, 5 in product and experience, 5 in business services | Meet the team | 24 Sep 2026 |
| Impact | $5 per client to Save the Rhino; a tree per client with One Tree Planted; 'more than $25,000' raised for Uthando | Conservation and charity | 24 Sep 2026 |
Is Mahlatini worth it?
Mahlatini scores 96/100: three independent platforms rate it 4.8 or higher, it prices its trips by season with the inclusions set out, and it names both its founders and its office in Africa. Co-founder Greg Fox, a descendant of the explorer Charles John Andersson, first went on safari in the Sabi Sands with his parents at the age of three and is "a veteran of over one hundred safaris, including tracking gorillas in Uganda and walking with the Kalahari bushmen". Its travel experts have pages of their own: Meike Runz, for one, was raised in Cape Town and spent her childhood "on the road in a VW, exploring Southern Africa". It loses points only for not promising one expert from enquiry to return and for being just short of 25 years in business. The gap the score does not capture is its booking terms, which its site does not publish.
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-hand African expertise | 24/25 | Co-founder Greg Fox first went on safari in the Sabi Sands aged three and is 'a veteran of over one hundred safaris' its travel experts' own pages set out first-hand experience, such as Meike Runz, raised in Cape Town; an office in Cape Town; trading since 2002. |
| Independent review evidence | 20/20 | Feefo shows 5 out of 5 from 801 reviews, 61 of them in the past year and the newest from September 2026; Tripadvisor shows 5.0 from 366 and Trustpilot 4.8 from 152. |
| Destination breadth | 15/15 | 14 African countries have their own pages, from Morocco and Egypt to Malawi and the Republic of the Congo, plus Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives. |
| Pricing transparency | 15/15 | Ten Africa and Indian Ocean itineraries checked carry low and high season prices per person in US dollars, with inclusions and exclusions listed. |
| Service model and support hours | 12/15 | UK and US phone lines, a reply 'within one working day' and 24/7 emergency support; it assigns a travel expert at enquiry but does not promise one person from enquiry to return. |
| Ownership transparency | 10/10 | Its site names co-founders and directors Greg Fox and Chris Goldring; the register records Fox and Goldring's company as its significant shareholders; its site names Luxury Travel Ltd, whose number, NI601052, is on the register. |
| Total | 96/100 |
How Mahlatini compares with other safari planners
Mahlatini 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. It already appears on four of our pages: tenth in Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best list on the safari award credentials index; six medals from 2015 to 2020 on the British Travel Awards safari page; a 2026 nominee for Europe's Leading Safari Tour Operator on the World Travel Awards safari page; and on the award-winning safari companies page, which lists a World Travel Awards safari win for every year from 2020 to 2026 as Mahlatini's own claim. Mahlatini's awards page lists that title as runner-up from 2020 to 2022 and a nomination from 2023 to 2026, and the wins confirmed on the World Travel Awards site are for Europe's Leading Sustainable Tour Operator in 2022 and 2023.
| Planner | Independent reviews | Deposit and balance | Client money | 24-hour line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahlatini (this record) | Trustpilot 4.8 from 153; Google 4.9 from 27 | Terms not in the pages read | ATOL; Travel Trust Association; Trust My Travel (its wording) | Not 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 a Mahlatini safari cost?
Mahlatini's itinerary pages price its trips per person in US dollars for low and high season, from $5,600 for nine nights in Egypt to $25,200 for eight nights of gorilla trekking in Rwanda in high season; its cheapest safari checked is Best of Zimbabwe, eight nights from $9,900. Each page lists what is included, typically accommodation, meals as specified, safari activities, transfers, park and conservation fees and its contributions to Save the Rhino, One Tree Planted and Uthando, and what is not, including gratuities, insurance and visas. The prices checked include international flights from Chicago O'Hare, so they are US-market prices; no page gives the year its seasons refer to. Our safari cost by budget guide shows what these budgets buy elsewhere.
| Itinerary | Nights | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boutique Egypt | 9 | $5,600 | $7,100 |
| Exclusive Coast to Coast Mauritius Honeymoon | 10 | $8,200 | $9,800 |
| Kenya and Seychelles Holiday | 11 | $8,600 | $11,200 |
| Best of Zimbabwe Safari Holiday | 8 | $9,900 | $15,300 |
| Best of Kenya Safari | 9 | $10,400 | $14,300 |
| Luxury Uganda Family Adventure Safari | 6 | $11,200 | $14,000 |
| Samburu and Maasai Mara Safari | 7 | $12,400 | $16,500 |
| South Africa and Victoria Falls Tour | 10 | $14,100 | $15,200 |
| Best of Botswana with Victoria Falls | 9 | $14,600 | $22,300 |
| Authentic Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Holiday | 8 | $20,300 | $25,200 |
Prices as shown on each itinerary page on 24 September 2026, per person, including flights from Chicago O'Hare. The Rwanda trip includes two days of gorilla permits; the Uganda family trip includes a gorilla permit in Bwindi and a chimpanzee permit in Kibale, both with a minimum age of 15. Outside Africa, In Search of Snow Leopards in Ladakh costs from $5,300 for 11 nights. For context, our Rwanda safari cost guide and gorilla trekking index set out permit costs.
Who plans Mahlatini trips?
Mahlatini's team page names 44 people, including 17 travel experts, a client journey team of nine and a product and experience team of five. A travel expert is assigned at enquiry, its how-to-book page says, and reviewers often name theirs, such as Caroline on Feefo and Natasha on Tripadvisor; the site does not say the same person stays with the trip to its end. Vanessa Dean speaks for its product team in the press, quoted by Forbes in September 2025 on the Serengeti and by Tourism Update in July 2026 on the Seychelles.
| Group | Named on its team page |
|---|---|
| Founders and directors | Greg Fox and Chris Goldring, co-founders and directors (meet the team) |
| Travel experts (17) | Including Nikki McGreevy, Caroline Groeneveldt, Stuart Hall, Natasha Morris and Meike Runz, who was raised in Cape Town and has travelled in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe |
| Product and experience (5) | Vanessa Dean, Ben Whitehead, Lance Botha, Karen Eagar, Sarah Fox |
| Brand and marketing (6) | Liane Goldring, Heidi Ocker, Caroline Hegney, Ammaarah Kalam, Aspen Spies, Cara Steyn |
| Client journey (9) | Céire Gibney, Claire Jackson, Tamzyn Arendse, Gemma Campodonico, Brenda Mahone, Desiree Moino, Amanda Njokweni, Jeanette Redshaw, Anna Songca |
| Business services (5) | Gary Warnock, Siobhán McLaughlin, Noks Tuswa, Nadia Khan, Zandile Mamba |
What do Mahlatini reviews say?
Mahlatini is rated 5 out of 5 on Feefo from 801 reviews, 5.0 on Tripadvisor from 366 and 4.8 on Trustpilot from 152, and Feefo and Tripadvisor both have reviews from September 2026. "Caroline was wonderful and planned the perfect trip for us," a Feefo reviewer wrote; on Tripadvisor, "It was our 25th wedding anniversary and Natasha made sure that there were special surprises." On Trustpilot, 97% of reviews are five-star and 1% one-star; one reviewer there describes "multiple issues with the request for our itinerary being followed through" and says "they eventually gave me 10%". Its own reviews page adds 2,374 reviews on its own platform and a "98% client satisfaction rating" which this record does not count. Our safari operator review index explains how we weigh platforms.
| Platform | Rating | Reviews | Newest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feefo | 5 out of 5 | 801 (61 in the past year) | September 2026 |
| Tripadvisor | 5.0 | 366 | September 2026 |
| Trustpilot (www.mahlatini.com) | 4.8 | 152 (97% five-star) | Not checked |
| Its own platform | 98% satisfaction, self-reported | 2,374 | Not independent |
Mahlatini's awards
Two of Mahlatini's recognitions were confirmed at source for this record: B Corp certification in July 2024, with a B Impact Score of 82.0, and the World Travel Awards title of Europe's Leading Sustainable Tour Operator in 2022 and 2023. B Lab's directory calls it "the first independent African specialist B Corp certified tour operator" and the World Travel Awards pages for 2022 and 2023 name it as winner. The other claims below are as its awards page states them; Travel + Leisure's site could not be loaded for this check. Our safari award credentials index sets out which awards are judged and which are voted.
- Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025, top 10 tour operators.
- Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025, best tour operators.
- Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, for Greg Fox; Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialists 2026.
- World Travel Awards, Leading Safari Tour Operator: runner-up 2020 to 2022 and nominated 2023 to 2026.
- British Travel Awards, Best Safari, Wildlife and Nature Company, 2016 to 2020.
- Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2020 to 2025; Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2021 to 2026; International Sustainability Accreditation 2024 and 2025.
Four press mentions were opened for this record: National Geographic named Mahlatini among its recommended operators for the Great Migration in June 2025; Geographical called it "a reliable UK-based tour operator" for chimpanzee safaris in Uganda in April 2026; and Forbes and Tourism Update quoted Vanessa Dean in September 2025 and July 2026. Its press page lists further coverage in The Times, The Telegraph, the Wall Street Journal and Condé Nast Traveller.
Where Mahlatini goes, and its trip styles
Mahlatini has pages for 14 African countries and four Indian Ocean islands, and has expanded into the Indian subcontinent, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Its trips run from fly-in safaris in Botswana and self-drives in the Cape Winelands and KwaZulu-Natal to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, family safaris with a private guide, honeymoons and safari-and-beach combinations. It says it recommends only "places and activities we have personally experienced".
| Region | Countries with their own Mahlatini pages |
|---|---|
| East Africa | Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda |
| Southern Africa | Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| North and Central Africa | Egypt, Morocco, the Republic of the Congo |
| Indian Ocean | Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles, the Maldives |
| Beyond Africa | Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka; Oman and the United Arab Emirates |
Who owns Mahlatini?
Mahlatini's co-founders own it, according to Companies House: Gregory Fox, with control over the trustees of a trust, and Cldz Consulting Limited, a company whose directors are Christopher and Liane Goldring, each hold between 25% and 50%. Fox and Goldring have been directors of Luxury Travel Ltd since it was incorporated in October 2009, seven years after the business began. Goldring's personal entry ended on 23 October 2023, the day Cldz Consulting was recorded; LC Abelheim Ltd, as trustee of the Capecroft Trust, was recorded as a person with significant control from June 2024 to June 2025. In autumn 2025 Steven Allaway and Dr Aislinn Rice joined the board, its first directors besides the founders, and the company's bank charges were all satisfied by December 2024.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Mahlatini founded, per its site | Mahlatini |
| 22 Oct 2009 | Luxury Travel Ltd incorporated, with Greg Fox and Chris Goldring as directors | Companies House |
| 25 Feb 2015 | Ulster Bank charge created (satisfied 21 Mar 2024) | Companies House |
| 22 Oct 2016 | Fox and Goldring each recorded as holding 25% to 50% | Companies House |
| 19 Sep 2019 | Two Barclays Security Trustee charges created (satisfied 4 Dec 2024) | Companies House |
| 2022 and 2023 | Europe's Leading Sustainable Tour Operator, World Travel Awards | World Travel Awards |
| 23 Oct 2023 | Cldz Consulting Limited recorded as holding 25% to 50%; Goldring's personal entry ends | Companies House |
| Jun 2024 to Jun 2025 | LC Abelheim Ltd, trustee of the Capecroft Trust, recorded as a person with significant control | Companies House |
| Jul 2024 | Certified B Corp, score 82.0 | B Lab |
| 30 Oct and 1 Nov 2025 | Steven Allaway and Dr Aislinn Rice appointed directors | Companies House |
Mahlatini's booking terms and financial protection
Mahlatini's site gives a deposit of "usually 20%" and says changes and cancellations are subject to its terms and conditions, but no terms and conditions page could be found, and no balance date, cancellation charges or amendment fees are published. Pages at the usual addresses, such as /terms-and-conditions and /booking-conditions, return errors, and the section of its site map that holds its legal pages lists none. Its financial protection page names ATOL 7316 and Travel Trust Association membership U7098, "100% financial protection no matter which country your travel originates from" with a Trust My Travel partnership and supplier failure and insolvency insurance. Our guide to safari deposits and payment terms shows what other operators publish.
| Term | Mahlatini |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 'Usually 20%' |
| Balance | Not published |
| Cancellation charges | Not published |
| Amendment fees | Not published |
| Terms and conditions page | None found |
| Financial protection | ATOL 7316; Travel Trust Association U7098; Trust My Travel; supplier failure and insolvency insurance |
| Insurance | Listed as excluded on the itineraries checked; not stated as a condition of booking |
What the public record does not show
Eight 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 Mahlatini publishes or corrects any of them, this record will change with a dated note.
- Its booking terms: a balance date, cancellation charges and amendment fees.
- Its company number, NI601052, on its own site.
- Office hours; it publishes reply times instead.
- One travel expert from enquiry to return, stated as a promise.
- Prices for buyers outside the US: the itinerary pages checked quoted US dollars with flights from Chicago O'Hare.
- The year its low and high season prices apply to.
- One address in Belfast: its privacy policy gives 214-216 Holywood Road; its about page and the register give 214-218.
- Scheme-side confirmation of ATOL 7316 and Travel Trust Association U7098, whose registers could not be searched for this check.
Mahlatini vs Go2Africa, Micato Safaris and Yellow Zebra Safaris
Against the three highest-scoring operators we reviewed before it, Mahlatini matches Go2Africa on reviews and leads all three on pricing transparency; Micato Safaris scores higher on service.
| Mahlatini | Go2Africa | Micato Safaris | Yellow Zebra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, founded | Belfast and Cape Town; 2002 | Cape Town; 1998 | New York and Nairobi; 1966 | Kingston upon Thames; 2012 |
| Best independent reviews | Feefo 5/5 from 801 | Feefo 4.9 from 3,118 | Google 5.0 from 751 | Trustpilot 4.9 from 1,710 |
| Pricing transparency | 15 of 15 | 12 of 15 | 12 of 15 | 14 of 15 |
| Service and support hours | 12 of 15 | 12 of 15 | 14 of 15 | 12 of 15 |
How to price a comparable safari
The fair test of any quote from Mahlatini 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
Five dated changes shape Mahlatini's public record today.
23 October 2023. Chris Goldring's shareholding was recorded under Cldz Consulting Limited.
July 2024. Mahlatini became a certified B Corp, with a B Impact Score of 82.0.
4 December 2024. Its last registered charges were satisfied.
October and November 2025. Steven Allaway and Dr Aislinn Rice joined the board, the first directors besides the founders.
24 September 2026. This record opened with a score of 96/100.
15 October 2026. Re-read against our 12 October 2026 planner database: the ranking against other companies' scores replaced with a side-by-side of facts, because those pages use different criteria. The score is unchanged.
Mahlatini: the facts on record, read 12 October 2026
53 facts about Mahlatini 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
Luxury Travel Ltd t/a Mahlatini Luxury Travel (privacy policy); footer: 'Mahlatini is a registered trademark of Luxury Travel Limited'. Sister company in South Africa: Mahlatini Luxury Travel (PTY) LTD (separate legal entity). Company registration number not printed in saved pages.
Source: Company · privacy policy, site-wide footer text · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it is based
Belfast, UK: UK office 214-218 Holywood Road, Belfast BT4 1PD (about page; privacy page and Trustpilot profile print 214-216). Also a Cape Town, South Africa office. Pages do not label either as 'head office'.
Source: Company · about mahlatini · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Year founded
Since 2002 ('Since 2002, we've been making travel dreams come true'); also 'over 20 years' and '24 years' (Travel + Leisure A-List text).
Source: Company · about mahlatini · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Owner or parent
No named owner or parent. Describes itself as an 'independent company' / 'Independently-owned'. Co-founders and directors named: Greg Fox and Chris Goldring.
Source: Company · about mahlatini, meet the team, financial protection · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What it is
Planner: 'tailormade' bespoke itineraries, 'no readymade tours or set departures'; describes itself as a luxury Indo-African tour operator and 'not a travel agent or middleman'. No own camps described.
Source: Company · financial protection, about mahlatini · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Team
44 named people on the team page: 2 co-founders/directors, 17 Travel Experts, 5 Product & Experience, 6 Brand & Marketing, 9 Client Journey, 5 Business Services. Named travel specialists (Travel Experts): 17.
Source: Company · meet the team · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it sells
US line +1 347-708-1755 (contact page, footer); UK line +44 (0)28 9073 6050 (privacy page). Offices: UK (Belfast), South Africa (Cape Town); footer says 'Offices in SA. UK. EU.' (no EU address given). Site currency selector: GBP, USD, EUR, CAD, AUD, NZD, CHF, INR, ZAR; site also offers a US website.
Source: Company · contact, privacy policy, about mahlatini · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
In its own words
'As Indo-African specialists, we know our destinations intimately. Your dedicated travel expert will create a journey tailored entirely to you'; 'A specialist in luxury African and Indian Subcontinent travel for over 20 years'.
Source: Company · home page · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Response time and named planner
Contact page: 'one of our experts will be in touch within one working day'. Home page: 'Your dedicated travel expert will be in touch within 24 hours'. A dedicated travel expert is assigned to each trip; the pages do not name one planner for a given trip (planners are named on the team page and in client reviews).
Reviews, by platform
4.9 from 27 reviews (listing: Mahlatini Luxury Travel, Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Source: Independent source · Google business listing · by hand · 12 Oct 2026
Trustpilot
Rating 4.8 (Excellent), 153 reviews. Newest review shown: 'Barbara Radziwon, 7 days ago' (relative date; crawl dated 2026-10-12); next shown 'customer, Sep 5, 2026'. Claimed profile since Feb 2019. Company replied to the reviews shown.
Source: Independent source · Trustpilot · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Tripadvisor
Could not access: to be read by hand. Company's own pages claim Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice awards 2021-2026 but give no rating or count.
Source: Independent source · Tripadvisor page not in the saved pages · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Trustindex
No profile found: trustindex page returned 'CRAWL ERROR: dead page (404 status code)': no profile found.
Source: Independent source · Trustindex · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it asks clients to leave reviews
Its own site: the Client Reviews page (mahlatini.com/reviews); client reviews on the site are written after the trip ('When you return from your trip we ask for your feedback'). Home and contact pages show three unlabelled review counts (796, 364, 2,374 Reviews); the 2,374 figure links to its own reviews page. Its awards page links to its Trustpilot profile. Destination pages carry own-site structured-data ratings (Cape Town 4.92 from 447; Greater Kruger 4.89 from 482; Zanzibar 4.9 from 187). Site also claims 'over 98%' satisfaction rating.
Source: Company · reviews, contact, privacy policy, international awards · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Awards and recognition, read from the publishers
Every award, 2024 to 2026
Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, African Safaris: Greg Fox (Adventure & Active Safaris) (selected by the magazine's editors; list updated 12 Feb 2026) | Condé Nast Traveller (UK), The top travel specialists to know right now: listed, best for "meaningful encounters" (hand-picked by the UK editors; published 7 Nov 2025) The company's own site also states (Company): Claimed by company: (1) Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025, Top 10 World's Best Tour Operators, winner. (2) Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, co-founder Greg Fox named. (3) Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025, Best Tour Operators, winner. (4) Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialists 2026, winner (described as best tour operator for 'meaningful encounters'). (5) International Sustainability Awards 2024 and 2025, International Sustainable Accreditation. (6) World Travel Awards Leading Safari Tour Operator: runner-up 2020-2022, 'nominated again' 2023-2026 (about page says nominated 2020-2023); not a win. (7) Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, 2020-2025 (heading says 2017-2025; Gold 2017-2019). (8) Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2021-2026 (about page: 2021 to 2026; awards page: 'for 5 consecutive years from 2021 to 2026'). Trustpilot 'Excellent' rating 2020-2024 also listed (not an award). Who decides each: bodies named above; publisher lists 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
Advisors on named lists
Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026: 1, Greg Fox (Adventure & Active Safaris) The company's own site also states (Company): One named advisor: Greg Fox on the Travel + Leisure A-List 2026. No other list counts given.
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
B Corp certified ('first Indo-African specialist tour operator' to join B Corp); certification date not stated. Also International Sustainable Accreditation 2024 and 2025 (International Sustainability Awards).
Source: Company · about mahlatini, conservation charity, international awards · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Money and booking terms
Prices published
Yes. 'Guide Price ... per person, includes flights from <city>' shown on 4 trip tiles on each destination, experience, family and honeymoon page. Individual itinerary pages show Low Season and High Season 'from' prices on at least 8 saved pages: Gorillas and Game in Rwanda, A Royal Honeymoon to Morocco, Zimbabwe Family Holiday, Uganda Wildlife Safari, Namibia Honeymoon, Classic Uganda Safari, Rwanda Family Holiday, Cape and Kalahari Safari. Family itineraries note 'Price per person based on a family of 4'. Total itinerary count not given.
Source: Company · zimbabwe family holiday, uganda wildlife safari, namibia honeymoon, classic uganda safari, rwanda family holiday, cape and kalahari safari, gorillas and game in rwanda · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Priced example trips
(1) Uganda 'Uganda Wildlife Safari': 6 nights (Kyambura Gorge Lodge 3, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge 3), Low Season from $14,500 pp, High Season from $17,800 pp, includes flights from LAX; includes meals and accommodation as per itinerary, road transfers, game drives, light aircraft transfers, 2 gorilla tracking permits, 1 Kazinga Channel boat cruise, 1 chimpanzee tracking permit (permits: 15 years minimum age), visa fees, premium brands while all inclusive. (2) Uganda 'Classic Uganda Safari': 9 nights (Primate Lodge 2, Elephant Plains Lodge 2, Ishasha Wilderness Camp 2, Buhoma Lodge 2, Mihingo Lodge 1), Low Season from $12,100 pp, High Season from $13,200 pp, includes flights from Seattle International; includes meals and accommodation, road transfers, game drives, private English-speaking safari guide, exclusive use of a 4x4 safari vehicle, 1 chimpanzee permit, 1 gorilla permit, boat cruise, visa fees, premium brands while all inclusive. (3) Rwanda 'Gorillas and Game in Rwanda': 7 nights (Kigali 1, Magashi Camp 3, Bisate Lodge 3), low season from $18,900 pp, high season from $24,600 pp, includes flights from Seattle; includes accommodation, meals as specified, scheduled camp activities, road transfers, park fees, 1 gorilla permit, drinks at Magashi and Bisate, donations. The same Rwanda trip is tiled at 'Guide Price £13,600 per person, includes flights from London Heathrow' (different departure city and currency). Tile-only prices (no season or inclusions shown): Zambia 'South Luangwa Exclusive Safari' 7 nights $7,700 pp from JFK; Botswana 'Luxury Botswana Fly in Safari' 7 nights 10.300 US$ pp from Seattle.
Source: Company · uganda wildlife safari, classic uganda safari, gorillas and game in rwanda, rwanda family holiday, zambia, botswana · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price per person per day
Not stated on their website: per-day rate not stated. Nearest: honeymoon FAQ says honeymoon itineraries 'range between £2,500 to £58,000 per person'; guide prices are totals per person.
Source: Company · honeymoons · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Minimum spend
Not stated on their website: no minimum spend or daily rate stated. Nearest: honeymoon itineraries start at £2,500 per person (FAQ).
Source: Company · honeymoons · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
What the price includes
Yes, listed on itinerary pages: Includes (accommodation and meals as specified, scheduled activities, road transfers, park/conservation fees, permits, drinks as specified, donations, visa fees, and on some trips a private guide and private or exclusive-use vehicle) and Excludes (gratuities, personal travel insurance, visas, extra activities, extra gorilla treks). Guide price 'covers the majority of trip costs upfront, per person, including international flights and all transfers'. Itinerary pages also state 'Includes flights from <city>'; family itineraries state the price is 'based on a family of 4'. Cape and Kalahari page lists as not included: additional activities, petrol and additional driver's fee, visas where relevant, beverages other than at Tswalu. Not shown on the trip tiles.
Source: Company · gorillas and game in rwanda, a royal honeymoon to morocco, classic uganda safari, rwanda family holiday, cape and kalahari safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Deposit
Could not access: not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages).
Source: Company · Booking terms page not in the saved pages · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Balance due
Could not access: not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages).
Source: Company · Booking terms page not in the saved pages · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Cancellation charges
Could not access: not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages).
Source: Company · Booking terms page not in the saved pages · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How client payments are protected
Own wording: 'fully bonded and regulated by industry bodies, such as ATOL'; 'guaranteed financial protection through our travel trusts: Travel Trust Association and Trust My Travel'; 'Funds held in a secure Trust Account'; '100% Financial Protection'; Supplier Failure and Insolvency insurances. Footer: member of the Travel Trust Association (U7098) and the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 7316), 'provides 100% financial protection no matter which country your travel originates from'. ATOL declaration: only 'some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays' are ATOL protected; 'ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services'. Register not checked.
Source: Company · financial protection, site-wide footer text · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Currencies and card fees
Could not access: billing currencies and card fees not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages). Nearby: site currency selector offers GBP, USD, EUR, CAD, AUD, NZD, CHF, INR, ZAR; financial-protection page says no surcharge or price increase after booking whatever the exchange rate.
Source: Company · Booking terms page not in the saved pages, financial protection · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
24-hour contact while travelling
Could not access: not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages). Contact page prints only +1 347-708-1755 with no 24-hour statement. A client review says they 'called the main number in Africa' in the middle of the night and got immediate service (client claim, not company wording).
Source: Company · Terms page not in the saved pages, contact, 2707 · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How the company is paid
No planning fee or commission model described. Says 'We are never influenced by commission'; 'we're not a travel agent or middleman'; secures 'the best available rates ... direct from our supplier network'.
Source: Company · financial protection · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Price against booking direct
Footer lists 'Best rates guaranteed'. Financial-protection page: 'we will always secure the best available rates for you direct from our supplier network' and 'added value and special discounts exclusively for our clients'. Does not say in so many words that it matches lodge rates or passes on lodge offers.
Source: Company · financial protection, site-wide footer text · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Licences and registrations
ATOL 7316 (CAA); Travel Trust Association U7098; ICO registration ZA453185 (data protection, privacy policy). Registers not checked. No company registration number printed in saved pages.
Source: Company · financial protection, privacy policy, site-wide footer text · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Where it goes and how it works on the ground
African countries it plans
17 African countries on its destinations page: Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Source: Company · destinations · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own offices or staff in Africa
Cape Town office (11 Greenwich Grove, Station Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700) and a South African sister company, Mahlatini Luxury Travel (PTY) LTD. No other African offices named.
Source: Company · about mahlatini, privacy policy · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
How it books on the ground
Says it shares client details with 'trusted partners including hotels, lodges and ground handlers' to fulfil bookings and works through its 'supplier network' and 'partners'; sister company in South Africa. Does not state per trip whether it books directly with camps or through a local partner company. Terms page not in saved pages.
Source: Company · privacy policy, financial protection · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Own camps or vehicles
Not stated on their website: no own camps or vehicles mentioned. Itineraries name third-party camps and lodges (e.g. Magashi Camp, Bisate Lodge); family safaris mention 'private game vehicles' without saying who owns them.
Source: Company · about mahlatini, gorillas and game in rwanda · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
Gorilla trekking: Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) and Uganda (Bwindi); western lowland gorillas in the Republic of Congo. Chimpanzee trekking: Rwanda ('Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking'), Uganda (Kibale, Kyambura Gorge). Rwanda Family Holiday also includes golden monkey and colobus monkey tracking. Permits are included in the priced Uganda and Rwanda itineraries (e.g. Uganda Wildlife Safari: 2 gorilla permits and 1 chimp permit; Classic Uganda Safari: 1 gorilla and 1 chimp permit; Rwanda Family Holiday: 1 gorilla and 1 chimp permit per person); Uganda permits carry a 15-year minimum age. Tanzania: no trekking statement (Mahale Mountains listed only as an area). Gorilla permits 'anywhere from £320 - £1200 per person'.
Source: Company · gorilla trekking, rwanda, uganda, uganda wildlife safari, classic uganda safari, rwanda family holiday · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Beach add-ons
Zanzibar and Pemba (Tanzania), Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique (Bazaruto/Benguerra). Also Maldives, Kenya Coast, Lake Malawi, Sri Lanka.
Source: Company · safari and beach, best safari and beach trips · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Africa only, or other regions too
Not Africa only. Also Indian Subcontinent (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives) and Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Oman).
Source: Company · destinations · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who it suits and how it travels
Family trips
Yes. Many published family itineraries with guide prices per person incl. flights, e.g. Kenya Family Safari Holiday 6 nights $8,200; Kenya Family Safari and Beach 9 nights $9,400 (also shown $8,900 on destinations page with different departure city); Classic Family Zimbabwe 8 nights $9,000/$9,200; Tanzania Ultimate Family Safari and Beach 9 nights $8,700. Prices seen range from $5,100 (Morocco, 12 nights) to $25,000 (Seychelles, 13 nights). Family itinerary pages with season prices (per person, based on a family of 4): Zimbabwe Family Holiday 7 nights (Matetsi Victoria Falls 3, Linkwasha Camp 4; private safari vehicle and guide included) low 9200 / high 15600 from JFK (page shows the figures without a currency symbol); Rwanda Family Holiday 8 nights low £13,200 / high £16,500 from London Heathrow; Cape and Kalahari Family Safari 11 nights low $13,300 / high $14,300 from JFK. Family tiles: Uganda Family Safari 11 nights $13,600; Best of Uganda Family Holiday 14 nights $17,800; Luxury Uganda Family Adventure Safari 6 nights $11,600; Family Cape and Malaria-Free Safari 10 nights $7,200.
Source: Company · family holidays, zimbabwe family holiday, rwanda family holiday, cape and kalahari safari, classic uganda safari, malaria free safaris · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Minimum child age
No single company-wide minimum age. Says 'Many luxury, conservation safari camps and lodges have minimum ages in place' and it recommends lodges by children's ages. Guidance: Botswana 'typically only ... children aged over six'; Tanzania 'kids ideally over six years old'; guides for 'Kids Under 6' and 'Children Aged 6-12'. Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits on its Uganda itineraries carry an age restriction of 15 years minimum; its Rwanda Family Holiday is 'specifically designed with families of teens over the age of 15 years' so children can take part in gorilla trekking. Zimbabwe family itinerary notes walking safaris are 'age dependent'.
Source: Company · families with kids, botswana family holidays, tanzania family holidays, uganda wildlife safari, classic uganda safari, rwanda family holiday, zimbabwe family holiday · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Teenagers and multigenerational trips
Yes. Dedicated multi-generational family page ('Private villas for groups', 'Private game vehicles', itineraries for all ages and energy levels). Teenagers: Rwanda Family Holiday (8 nights, from £13,200 low season) is 'specifically designed with families of teens over the age of 15 years' so they can join gorilla trekking. Malawi suited to 'families with older kids'. A client review describes a family of eight including four teenagers on Kenya and Egypt.
Source: Company · multi generational families, rwanda family holiday, egypt family holidays · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Honeymoon trips
Yes. Honeymoon hub and country honeymoon pages with guide prices, e.g. Maasai Mara and Seychelles 11 nights US$8,500; Safari and Beach Tanzania 10 nights US$9,400; Luxury Cape Town, Kruger and Seychelles 15 nights US$16,100; Luxury Botswana 12 nights US$29,500; Zimbabwe 8 nights $10,800. FAQ: honeymoon itineraries range £2,500 to £58,000 per person. Namibia Honeymoon itinerary page: 8 nights (Kwessi Dunes 2, Hoanib Valley Camp 2, Shipwreck Lodge 2, Etosha Mountain Lodge 2, by light aircraft), Low Season from USD 15,100 pp, High Season from USD 16,700 pp, includes flights from JFK; includes light aircraft transfers, scheduled camp activities, road transfers, 'honeymoon extras', visa fees. Rwanda Honeymoon tile: 7 nights £14,500 pp from London Heathrow.
Source: Company · honeymoons, zimbabwe honeymoons, namibia honeymoon, rwanda family holiday · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Solo travellers
Solo page lists 'No single-supplements', plus communal dining, airport meet-and-greet and shared game drives; solo itineraries from $11,700 (8 nights Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe) to $20,600 (14 nights Sri Lanka). Wording is brief; any conditions would be in terms (not saved).
Source: Company · solo travellers · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Older travellers and limited mobility
Not stated on their website: nothing on older travellers or limited mobility. Nearby: multi-generational page says itineraries suit 'everyone's interests and energy levels' and 'accessible, comfortable destinations'.
Source: Company · multi generational families · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
First safari
Yes. First-Time Safari Guide recommends South Africa (Kruger), Kenya (Maasai Mara) or Tanzania (Serengeti), and lists sample first-time itineraries (Classic Cape Town, Winelands and Kruger Explorer; Maasai Mara Safari and Seychelles Family Holiday; Malaria-Free Safari Holiday). Sri Lanka described as 'Perfect first-time safari'.
Source: Company · first time safari guide · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Private guide and vehicle
Included on specific itineraries, not stated as guaranteed on every trip. Listed as included: Classic Uganda Safari 'Private professional English speaking safari guide' and 'exclusive use of 4X4 safari vehicle'; Zimbabwe Family Holiday 'Private safari vehicle' and 'Private guide'; Rwanda Family Holiday 'Private driver and guide'; Morocco itinerary 'Private guiding & chauffeuring'. Other itineraries (Uganda Wildlife Safari, Namibia Honeymoon) list a guide meeting you or camp activities but no private guide or vehicle line. General wording: 'Personalised itineraries and privately guided experiences'; family safaris list 'Private game vehicles'.
Source: Company · classic uganda safari, zimbabwe family holiday, rwanda family holiday, uganda wildlife safari, namibia honeymoon, a royal honeymoon to morocco · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Exclusive-use camps and villas
Yes. 'Private villa properties' and 'Private Villas' accommodation filter; named examples: Phinda Homestead (private villa, sleeps up to 8, private game vehicles, gym and pool) and Chitwa House (two-bedroom private house in Sabi Sands with butler, chef, ranger and tracker).
Source: Company · best african destinations for families, family holidays · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Small-group departures
No small-group departures: 'no readymade tours or set departures'; every trip tailor-made.
Source: Company · gorillas and game in rwanda · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Who guides the trip
Not stated who employs the guides. Pages say 'expert guides', 'privately-guided excursions', 'specialist family guides', 'Expert walking guides' and 'Expert Egyptologist guides'; Morocco itinerary has a private guide and chauffeur; clients' reviews mention camp guides, but the company does not say whether guides are its own, the camps' or hired.
Source: Company · walking safaris, family holidays, a royal honeymoon to morocco · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Self-drive
Yes. Self-Drive offered as an experience (page link); Namibia 'Fly-in or self-drive adventures' and Namibia Self-Drive; South Africa Self-Drive. Priced self-drive tiles (per person, incl. flights): Namibia Desert and Dune Self Drive 11 nights USD 8,700 and Desert and Safari Namibia Self Drive 11 nights USD 6,200 (JFK); Namibia and Cape Town Road Trip 12 nights USD 9,500 and Southern Explorer Self Drive 12 nights USD 9,100 (JFK); The Cape Explorer Self Drive 14 nights $10,200 (Seattle); Self Drive Family Holiday Cape Town Garden Route and Safari 12 nights $7,700 and All in One Cape Self Drive Family Holiday 15 nights $10,300 (JFK). Cape and Kalahari Family Safari includes car hire (group C, full cover, unlimited km) for the Cape Town and Winelands part, with petrol and additional driver's fee excluded. Dedicated self-drive page not in saved pages.
Source: Company · namibia, experiences, namibia honeymoon, malaria free safaris, cape and kalahari safari · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Photography trips
'Photographic Safari' is listed as an activity (Greater Kruger; Rwanda itinerary). No photography-specialist trips, vehicles or guides described; Botswana green season called 'a photographer's paradise'.
Source: Company · greater kruger, gorillas and game in rwanda · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Conservation
Every client trip contributes to three named charity partners: Uthando (community programmes), Save the Rhino ($5 per client; Save the Rhino CEO quote: 'more than $25,000' raised), One Tree Planted (a tree per client; carbon offsetting on flights). Also a Joinery partnership testimonial; B Corp certified. Wildlife, community and environmental partner pages exist but are not in the saved pages.
Source: Company · conservation charity · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
Walking, horseback and other specialist trips
Walking safaris (Zambia, Kruger, Bwindi, Mana Pools and others; Linkwasha Camp in Hwange offers walking safaris, age dependent), tiger safaris (India, Nepal), marine safaris, gorilla and golden-monkey trekking, luxury rail, festivals, hot-air balloon safaris (e.g. over the Sossusvlei dunes on the Namibia Honeymoon), helicopter flights, white-water rafting, Kilimanjaro mentioned. Horseback: 'Horse Riding' is listed as an activity on the Classic Uganda Safari, Namibia Honeymoon and Cape and Kalahari Safari itinerary pages and a Seychelles Mahe tour includes a horseback ride; no dedicated horseback safari page in saved pages. Namibia Honeymoon also lists quad biking, dune boarding and rhino tracking.
Source: Company · walking safaris, tiger safaris, marine safaris, seychelles, classic uganda safari, namibia honeymoon, cape and kalahari safari, zimbabwe family holiday · crawl · 12 Oct 2026
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.
Mahlatini: the questions people ask AI search
Is Mahlatini worth it?
On Uncompromised Travel's six-criterion review of safari planners, Mahlatini scores 96/100. It takes full marks for independent reviews, destination breadth, pricing transparency and ownership transparency, 24 of 25 for first-hand African expertise and 12 of 15 for service, because it does not promise one travel expert from enquiry to return. The six criteria do not score booking terms, and Mahlatini's site publishes none beyond a deposit of usually 20%.
How much does a Mahlatini safari cost?
Mahlatini prices its itineraries per person in US dollars for low and high season. Among ten Africa and Indian Ocean trips checked, the lowest is Boutique Egypt, nine nights from $5,600, and the highest is the Authentic Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Holiday, eight nights from $20,300 in low season and $25,200 in high season, with two days of gorilla permits. Best of Zimbabwe starts from $9,900 for eight nights and Best of Botswana with Victoria Falls from $14,600 for nine. The prices checked include international flights from Chicago O'Hare, park fees and its conservation contributions.
Who owns Mahlatini?
Mahlatini Luxury Travel is the trading name of Luxury Travel Ltd, company NI601052, incorporated in Northern Ireland in 2009. Its site names Greg Fox and Chris Goldring as co-founders and directors. Companies House records Gregory Fox, with control over the trustees of a trust, and Cldz Consulting Limited, a company whose directors are Christopher and Liane Goldring, as each holding between 25% and 50%. Steven Allaway and Dr Aislinn Rice joined the board in October and November 2025.
Is Mahlatini ATOL protected?
Mahlatini's site says it holds ATOL 7316 from the Civil Aviation Authority and membership U7098 of the Travel Trust Association, and that "Being a member of both these schemes provides 100% financial protection no matter which country your travel originates from." Its financial protection page adds a Trust My Travel partnership and supplier failure and insolvency insurance. Neither scheme's register could be searched for this check.
What do Mahlatini reviews say?
Mahlatini is rated 5 out of 5 on Feefo from 801 reviews, 5.0 on Tripadvisor from 366 and 4.8 on Trustpilot from 152, where 97% of reviews are five-star. Reviewers often name their travel expert: "Caroline was wonderful and planned the perfect trip for us," one Feefo reviewer wrote. On Trustpilot, 1% of reviews are one-star; one reviewer there describes an itinerary request that was not followed through and says the company eventually gave 10%.
Where does Mahlatini go?
Mahlatini has pages for 14 African countries: Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also sells Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives; Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka; and Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
What are Mahlatini's booking terms?
Mahlatini's how-to-book page says the deposit is usually 20% and that changes and cancellations are subject to its terms and conditions, but no terms and conditions page could be found on its site, and no balance date, cancellation charges or amendment fees are published. Ask for the full booking conditions in writing before paying a deposit.
Can I book Mahlatini through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Mahlatini is not bookable through this site and had no input into this page. Contact Mahlatini directly, and compare its quote with a second specialist and a comparison platform for the same camps, room categories and dates.
What are Mahlatini's deposit, payment and cancellation terms?
Read from Mahlatini's own website on 12 October 2026. Deposit: Could not access: not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages). Balance due: Could not access: not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages). Cancellation: Could not access: not in saved pages (no terms/booking-terms page in the saved pages).
What awards has Mahlatini won?
Read on 12 October 2026. Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, African Safaris: Greg Fox (Adventure & Active Safaris) (selected by the magazine's editors; list updated 12 Feb 2026) | Condé Nast Traveller (UK), The top travel specialists to know right now: listed, best for "meaningful encounters" (hand-picked by the UK editors; published 7 Nov 2025) The company's own site also states (Company): Claimed by company: (1) Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025, Top 10 World's Best Tour Operators, winner. (2) Travel + Leisure A-List 2026, co-founder Greg Fox named. (3) Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025, Best Tour Operators, winner. (4) Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialists 2026, winner (described as best tour operator for 'meaningful encounters'). (5) International Sustainability Awards 2024 and 2025, International Sustainable Accreditation. (6) World Travel Awards Leading Safari Tour Operator: runner-up 2020-2022, 'nominated again' 2023-2026 (about page says nominated 2020-2023); not a win. (7) Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, 2020-2025 (heading says 2017-2025; Gold 2017-2019). (8) Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2021-2026 (about page: 2021 to 2026; awards page: 'for 5 consecutive years from 2021 to 2026'). Trustpilot 'Excellent' rating 2020-2024 also listed (not an award). Who decides each: bodies named above; publisher lists not read. Advisers on named lists: Read from the publishers (Independent source): Travel + Leisure A-List 2026: 1, Greg Fox (Adventure & Active Safaris) The company's own site also states (Company): One named advisor: Greg Fox on the Travel + Leisure A-List 2026. No other list counts given. Certifications: B Corp certified ('first Indo-African specialist tour operator' to join B Corp); certification date not stated. Also International Sustainable Accreditation 2024 and 2025 (International Sustainability Awards).
Corrections and right of reply. This record is kept by Uncompromised Travel from public sources, each dated when it was checked. If you represent Mahlatini 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.
Read next
- Go2Africa review 2026: second on these criteria, also with a large Feefo record
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