A leopard resting in a tree, Tanzania. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Mahlatini or Go2Africa: which is better value for a safari?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 3 November 2026
Mahlatini and Go2Africa, 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.
Mahlatini or Go2Africa: which is better value for a safari?
On their own published facts, Mahlatini is best for tailor-made itineraries with no set departures; Go2Africa is best for tailor-made safaris planned from Cape Town. Both publish advice or trips for families, advice or trips for multigenerational groups and a private guide. On value: the cards set out each company's own terms and reviews; prices are not set side by side, because they are not published on the same basis. No score and no winner: choose by what your trip needs.
Mahlatini
- Best for
- Tailor-made itineraries with no set departures
Go2Africa
- Best for
- Tailor-made safaris planned from Cape Town
Mahlatini and Go2Africa: 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: deposit and cancellation charges. Where a company publishes nothing on a row, the card says so.
Mahlatini
- Based in
- Belfast, UK.
- Founded
- 2002.
- African countries it plans
- 17: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Egypt, Morocco and Republic of the Congo.
- 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.
- Own camps or vehicles
- Not published on its own website.
- How client payments are protected
- 'fully bonded and regulated by industry bodies, such as ATOL'.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 4.9 out of 5 from 27 reviews; Trustpilot 4.8 out of 5 from 153 reviews.
Go2Africa
- Based in
- Cape Town, South Africa.
- Founded
- 1998.
- African countries it plans
- 15: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Congo.
- Own offices or staff in Africa
- Cape Town (head office) and Nairobi, Kenya offices listed on the contact page.
- Own camps or vehicles
- No, by its own account.
- How client payments are protected
- SATSA Financial Protection (SATSA Bonding) as an accredited member of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, covering a SATSA member ceasing to trade through involuntary insolvency, 'subject to defined limits'.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- SafariBookings 4.4 out of 5 from 106 reviews; Trustpilot 4.8 out of 5 from 181 reviews; Feefo 4.9 out of 5 from 3,118 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: teenagers, honeymoons, solo travellers, a first safari and photography.
Mahlatini
- Families
- Kenya Family Safari Holiday 6 nights $8,200 (price as read on 12 October 2026).
- Multigenerational trips
- Dedicated multi-generational family page ('Private villas for groups', 'Private game vehicles', itineraries for all ages and energy levels).
- Private guide
- Zimbabwe Family Holiday 'Private safari vehicle' and 'Private guide'.
- Walking, horseback and specialist trips
- 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.
Go2Africa
- Families
- 11 family itineraries (6 to 15 days, e.g. Namibia Family Self-Drive 10 days, Family Botswana's Okavango Delta & Kalahari 8 days, Family Cape Town & Madikwe 6 days, Family Cape Town, Kruger & Mozambique 14 days).
- Multigenerational trips
- The Okavango Delta page calls it 'perfect for multi-generational family safaris'.
- Private guide
- Ready-To-Book 'Tanzania's Privately Guided Bush, Photography & Stargazing Safari' (13 days) is 'privately guided with one of the continent's best guides'.
- Walking, horseback and specialist trips
- Offered as activities: horseback game viewing, walking safaris, rhino tracking on foot (Kenya), mobile camping (Tanzania), hot-air ballooning, diving and snorkelling.
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.
- Mahlatini: where it is based, African countries it plans, how client payments are protected, Trustpilot, family trips, teenagers and multigenerational trips, private guide and vehicle, walking, horseback and other specialist trips.
- Go2Africa: where it is based, year founded, African countries it plans, own camps or vehicles, how client payments are protected, SafariBookings, Trustpilot, Feefo, family trips, teenagers and multigenerational trips, private guide and vehicle.
Mahlatini vs Go2Africa: the questions people ask
Which is older, Mahlatini or Go2Africa?
Go2Africa, founded in 1998. Mahlatini was founded in 2002.
Where is each company based?
Mahlatini: Belfast, UK. Go2Africa: Cape Town, South Africa.
Which plans trips in more African countries?
Mahlatini names 17; Go2Africa names 15, on its own website. More countries is not better in itself: check that each plans the ones you want.
How is my money protected with each?
Mahlatini: 'fully bonded and regulated by industry bodies, such as ATOL'. Go2Africa: SATSA Financial Protection (SATSA Bonding) as an accredited member of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, covering a SATSA member ceasing to trade through involuntary insolvency, 'subject to defined limits'.
What do guest reviews say about each?
Mahlatini: Google 4.9 out of 5 from 27 reviews; Trustpilot 4.8 out of 5 from 153 reviews. Go2Africa: SafariBookings 4.4 out of 5 from 106 reviews; Trustpilot 4.8 out of 5 from 181 reviews; Feefo 4.9 out of 5 from 3,118 reviews. Each platform is shown on its own, never added together.
Which offers a private guide?
Mahlatini and Go2Africa, in their own words on the card above.
Which publishes advice or trips for families?
Mahlatini and Go2Africa, 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.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading from the Uncompromised Travel safari planners table. No company paid to be on this page. Photo: a stock image from Pexels, not any company's trip. How this site earns · How we work.