Fair Trade Safaris Avis 

I had heard so many people say that Africa was their all-time favorite trip. I didn’t want to get my expectations up too high. I am a member of ClubCorp and they had an offering through Fair Trade Safaris, a trip to Africa that included a gorilla trek! How cool is that? Knowing what a thorough job ClubCorp does when it vettes a vendor, I knew they would be pretty good. That trip did not work for us but I contacted Rob, the owner of Fair Trade Safari’s, and worked out a customized trip for June 2019. From the first contact to every detail, communication throughout our trip, and follow up after the trip, he was excellent. He had given me all of his suggestions for an itinerary that fit our interests and schedule. I researched myself each lodge, excursion, location, etc. he recommended. They all had great reviews, and after speaking with a travel agency and reviewing their suggestions, which by the way they charged me $150 to provide me with three itineraries, I found Fair Trade Safaris to be the best value, and most customized.
When we arrived in Africa we found that we had a driver/guide and a safari vehicle all to ourselves. That was a luxury I had not expected. Every lodge was lovely, ranging from remote to sophisticated with great beds and the warmest service. The food was very fresh and delicious, and another unexpected bonus was being greeted upon arrival usually with champagne and having very good South African wines and champagne gratis with your stay. An African safari is going to be one of your most expensive trips, but keep in mind that a large percentage of your funds are going to the government of the countries you visit. Pleasant surprise was how little extra we had to pay for anything once we started. Almost all of the meals, even including wines and champagnes, were included, and transportation, as you had agreed upon, was always easy and well-managed. You should tip generously, at least if you have the same experience as we did. There was a tip box at most lodges, and we saw far too many people who did not contribute. You really could not have asked for better service then we received at every lodge.
Rob has a business partnership with two safari operators in Africa. The gorilla trek was done with Ellington safari tours, and our drivers name was Roni. He was a lovely young man that had grown up in Rwanda, and it was very interesting to learn about the history and the people from someone who had lived it. He picked us up in Rwanda and took us to Uganda for Gorilla Trekking. This is simply an experience you should not miss. How they have worked to habituate these gorilla families so that humans can observe them very closely in their natural habitat is profound. Uganda is called the pearl of Africa because of its beauty. Our cottage sat high on a hill overlooking Lake Mutanda with it’s islands and volcano in the distance. The picturesque mosquito draped beds were in all the lodges, and this one had beautiful tropical flowers all around. My preconceived notion of Africa as nothing but long brown plains was completely erroneous. We had come at the end of the rainy season, and there was lush green in every area we visited. Even on the Serengeti, which means endless plains in Swahili, there were many areas of lush greens and watering holes still full. Temperatures were in the high 70s to low 80s every day. We also had followed Rob‘s suggestions on preparing our clothes, and had no problems at all with insects.
Then we have to talk about Rob‘s guide - Philip. I told Rob halfway through that I was running out of superlative‘s to describe Philip. I really believe he made all the difference in our trip. He has been guiding Safaris for 14 years. His extensive knowledge was fascinating, and his uncanny abilities and intuition in finding animals was nothing short of amazing. He had also done several tours with teams from National Geographic. He would both advise and position us for getting the best shots. While having lunch he heard from one of the other guides there was a herd of elephants at a nearby watering hole.
When we got there, the elephants were starting to leave and they weren’t very close to us. A dazzle of zebras was approaching the watering hole, and Philip explained to us how we could get a photo of them drinking and get their reflection in the water. He positioned us for the best lighting to do this. We did get great photos, and then he said he was going to drive to another place where he thought we would see the elephants. None of the other drivers came there, and after positioning us on the dirt road for about five minutes, the heard came out of the trees straight towards us and crossed the road right next to us. We got stunning pictures and videos. And this type of thing happened over and over during our time with Philip. We not only saw the big five and just about every other animal you could imagine, but we saw the vast majority of them up very closely. When we would send photos back home, our friends could not believe we’d taken them.
Philip is also one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. He made it his goal every day to give us something special in the way of experiences. Everything about this trip far exceeded our expectations, especially Phillip.
I also found out after my trip that 100% of the profits are donated to African conservation of these animals. Rob, the owner, is a venture capitalist in Texas and a native of Africa. He was able to retire early and this is a passion of his. He is not a travel agent, and he does not organize tours for any other areas. He was so attentive to the details and to our enjoyment of the trip, I thought his paycheck must surely depend on it! I don’t think you can do much better than to have an owner who takes that kind of personal interest and does it out of passion and love for his country.

First timers to South Africa/Zimababwe and we absolutely had the times of our lives. All of the safari sites were spectacular. Never had a doubt about what would happen as the itinerary was spot on. No worrying about how to transfer to the airport or to new accommodations. Someone was always waiting to give us a ride, this was the highlight for us as we have read many horror stories about folks not getting their proper transport. The choices of accommodations were perfect for us. Saurabh is definitely knowledgeable about the areas that we visited and gave us great insight on what to expect at each location. Each place fit or exceeded our expectations. My husband and I are normally not "tour" people, but we had no clue where to begin with our trip to Africa. Saurabh has been to Africa on numerous occasions, all we did was tell him what we were wanting to experience and he was able to make it happen. This allowed us to travel at ease knowing that everything was taken care of. I would highly recommend using Fair Trade Safaris. We cant wait to venture back one day. Definitely an experience to remember! Thank you for making our dreams come true.

As first time travelers to South Africa, there was no way we could have put together a trip as streamlined as we were treated to from Fair Trade Safaris.

Every question (and there were many!) that we asked was quickly answered to our satisfaction.

We wanted to add to our trip and those accomodations were planned for us as efficiently as the main trip.

I recommend this organization fully.

Fair Trade Safaris helped make our first trip to Africa one that we will never forget. Saurabh created a custom itinerary to Zimbabwe and South Africa for us based on our areas of interest, what we wanted to see, desired level of accommodations, budget, etc. The end result was an amazing two week trip with a great mix of different lodges, sightseeing (Victoria Falls), and game viewing (completed the Big Five!) that went smoothly from start to finish.

Saurabh helped us with planning from a whole year out. He was quick to answer our many questions, and even booked our inter-Africa flights for us. I will admit, I was a little nervous about going to Africa initially, but with Fair Trade Safaris I quickly realized that my concerns were unnecessary. Our transfer drivers were always ready and waiting to take us to our next destination/activity, the lodges booked for us were all lovely, and we never felt unsafe or not taken care of. All we had to worry about was what animals we were going to find on our next game drive!

I definitely want to go back to Africa again someday, and without hesitation I would entrust Fair Trade Safaris to plan that next trip.

Our trip exceeded our expectations. Fair Trade Safaris took the time to work closely with us and give us guidance for many months as we planned our itinerary and made many changes over the year leading up to our trip. With the final set of changes we did find some errors in our itinerary but these were quickly corrected by Fair Trade Safaris when pointed out and the trip went very smoothly. Everything was perfectly coordinated in Africa. The guides chosen for us were outstanding! (request Graham In Cape Town and/or the Wine Country and ask for Barnie on Safari!). Everything in Africa was perfectly coordinated with drivers, guides and accommodations communicating to assure we were always picked up on time and delivered safely to our next destinations. Accommodations were beautiful, the service was outstanding and we ate incredible food. Fair Trade was also the most cost-effective agent I researched AND gives profits to charities in Africa and uses responsible vendors who also work with African charities. I would recommend Fair Trade Safaris to anyone planning a trip to Africa.

I would highly recommend Fair Trade Safaris! The attention to detail was amazing, customer service flawless and the itinerary spot on. From start to finish, Fair Trade Safaris made our "bucket list" trip perfect!

This was the most amazing vacation we have ever had! Fair Trade Safaris took such good care of us. From picking us up at the airport, on the safari's and then back to the airport. We travelled from Nairobi, down thru the Masai Mara, to Tanzania and the Serengeti, then back up to Mount Kilimanjaro, then back to Nairobi. Not one hiccup, not one complaint for the entire 2 weeks. Each transitions was seamless. Our drivers took care of it all! And the best part was the profits from our trip went back into Africa! I can't thank Saurabh enough for all his help in making this a trip of a lifetime!

I found Fair Trade through Club Corp and at the time was just thinking about planning a trip to Africa (the Motherland). So coincidentally, I happened to be reading a Club Corp magazine where this company was featured, so I reached out. I must say Saurabh and his team did a fantastic job! Made good recommendations and suggestions that I hadn't even thought of or would know to ask. If you like professionalism and if needed exclusivity this company is the way to go! The trip, the planning and attention to details was impressive! They even remembered it was my wife's birthday without me ever having to mention or remind our local dinner and lodging folks!

Great Job! Plan to use them again!
LF

Saurabh did a wonderful job planning our trip to South Africa. He took care of everything that we needed from the moment we landed in Johannesburg. All of our in-Africa flights, airport transfers, tour guides, the Safari! and hotels... everything was top notch. I look forward to returning to Africa. This time to explore other countries... I'm hooked!

Fair Trade Safaris is the best experience I have ever had traveling. Everything was handled down to the smallest details. I was traveling with my grandson and a little apprehensive since it was his first time out of the country. What a FABULOUS experience we had! Everything went so smoothly and exceeded our expectations. Anyone who wishes to travel to South Africa would be well taken care of by Fair Trade Safaris! In a review it is hard to convey what a first class organization they are and how much they care about you and your family. Thank you Rob from the very bottom of my heart!
Sandy

I just want to thank Saurabh and Fair Trades Safaris for putting together such a great trip. Everything went off without a miss from people meeting us as we got off the planes, taking us through customs, baggage collection to transportation to our destinations. Everyone was so nice where ever we went and all of the sites that Saurabh recommended were first class from Rovos Rail to Cape Town, Ngala Safari Lodge, Zambezi Queen and the Victoria Falls Hotel. Thanks again Saurabh for all your hard work and planning our trip of a lifetime.

This was my first experience with Fair Trade Safaris and I am pleased to say that from beginning to end it has exceeded my expectations! Saurabh guided us through the planning and every aspect of the trip was first class. I can honestly say that this was the best vacation of my life! Enjoyed Rovos Rail, Ngala Safari lodge, Zambezi Queen and Victoria Falls Hotel and all the experiences in between immensely! I whole heartedly would recommend Fair Trade Safaris to anyone planning a trip to Africa. Great Job Saurabh!

Thank you Saurabh and Fair Trades for putting together a wonderful trip for us. From the time we landed till the time we departed there was always someone to greet us or guide us . The accommodation were top of the line and we would highly recommended Fair Trades tours to anyone. Thank you again for a great trip.

Thanks to Fair Trade Safaris for one of our most memorable trips ever!!!! A special thanks to Saurabh for his help and expertise in planning a perfect itinerary for our time in Africa. All of our accommodations were top notch, with staff that were so very attentive. On safari we had the very best guide and tracker, who were able to locate and show us all of the "Big Five"!!!! Our guide in Cape Town was excellent and so very knowledgeable. We had a great time enjoying the beautiful sights of Cape Town. Then on to Victoria Falls where we enjoyed a relaxing stay at the beautifully appointed Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. We just can't say enough about Fair Trade Safaris and their ability to put together a perfect itinerary at a fair price!!! Every detail was taken care of, along with all information we needed before and during our stay in Africa.... Thanks again, Saurabh and Fair Trade Safaris!

I was just about to book with another company when I was introduced to Fair Trade Safaris. From the opening conversation, they were heads and shoulders above any of the rest.

The setting up was easy and the trip itself was nothing short of amazing. Airport pickup, fantastic stays, top notch guides (thanks for catching the signs of AMS early) and the food on the mountain...wow. We wanted for nothing. They even sent a Sherpa up the mountain to bring me a birthday cake!! So unexpected and Thank you.

The safari was super cool as well. Saw 4 of the Big 5 and 7 of the big 9. From arrival to departure, there was no wondering if things had been planned out. It was seamless. I would recommend them without a doubt. I got WAY more than I paid for in my opinion.

Dan A.

I can’t say enough about the amazing trip of a lifetime that Saurabh and the team at Fair Trade Safaris put together for us. When my friends and I started seriously planning our trip to Tanzania earlier this year, we knew we were going to need the assistance and advice of someone with extensive knowledge and experience in planning the type of trip we wanted. Luckily, I happened to have friends who used Fair Trade Safaris to plan their trip, and they highly recommended Saurabh and his team at FTS. We spent several months working with Saurabh to plan the perfect itinerary within our budget. We had a vague outline of a trip in mind – climb Kilimanjaro, go on a safari, and then head to a beach in Zanzibar for some rest and relaxation. Saurabh was able to take our outline and turn it into a detailed day-by-day itinerary. He was patient with us and spent a lot of time answering all our questions and dealing with the various modifications we kept requesting to the itinerary. This was also a trip that required a lot of logistics, and Saurabh made sure nothing fell through the cracks and that we were always well taken care of. Once we arrived in Tanzania, Saurabh checked in with us frequently to make sure everything was going smoothly. We were thrilled with the team of guides and porters Saurabh arranged for the Kilimanjaro climb. We were lucky to all reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and I have no doubt that it was in large part due to the team and especially the guides we had with us on the mountain. After the climb, Saurabh arranged a private safari for us and once again, we had a great guide who was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and very focused on what we wanted to see. Saurabh booked us in various camps and lodges in the Tanganyika Wilderness Camps portfolio– my favorites happened to be the tented camps (Mara Under Canvas and Serengeti Kati Kati). There was just something magical about being in these camps, surrounded by wilderness and wildlife, and disconnected from our phones and computers. We were extremely lucky with wildlife sightings on safari as well! Our trip ended in Zanzibar and Saurabh’s recommendation for a beach resort (Ras Nungwi) was the perfect place to spend time relaxing. The views were wonderful, the rooms spacious and comfortable, and the staff was amazing and attentive. We had a fantastic time on our trip, and I can’t imagine what would have made it better. I highly recommend working with Saurabh and FTS!

This was our first trip to Africa and we were not sure what to expect but thanks to Fair Trade Safaris it was the most memorable trip. We not only visited NgoroNgoro conservation area and Serengeti national park and saw all the great wildlife but carried with us memories which will last us a lifetime. The lodges and tents that we stayed were very nice and comfortable and they could be destinations by themselves. The guide was very knowledgeable about the birds, animals and plants and went out of the way to make sure that we got all the opportunities possible to watch the animals.

The sight and sound of the Serengeti are unparalleled in the world and the trip organized by Fair Trade Safaris was able to do this for a very reasonable price and not only do I wholeheartedly recommend them to any one thinking of visiting Tanzania, I will likely be doing this all over again in not too distant a future.

Thank you Sourabh for organizing this amazing trip.

People refer to a trip to Africa as a bucket list item-and it is. Traveling to the beautiful continent is a big trip in every way-the preparation, expense and travel time all contribute to this.
This is where Saurabh Khetrapal and his team at Fair Trade Safaris come in and deliver a trip of a lifetime. FTS is one of a kind company that promotes and practices responsible tourism. In fact the company is built on 'giving back'. We stayed at some of the most serene and beautiful camps/lodges. We enjoyed delicious and fresh cooked meals that were so flavorful-beyond what I had anticipated. We saw the 'big 5'! And the cost of the entire trip came in UNDER our budget!
But the proof was in the detailed planning that Saurabh had excuted. Not one detail was overlooked-details that would have not even crossed my mind had I tried to plan this trip on my own (not something I would recommend). And the founder (Saurabh) was in constant contact with us during the entire trip!
Visiting Africa is a trip of a lifetime for many people. And for this it is so important to pick the right company as your tour operator. If you want luxury without paying over-the-top rates, then Fair Trade Safaris is the only choice!!

We were recently married in early October 2015 and took our long-awaited honeymoon shortly thereafter to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I'd always planned to take my wife on a safari trip, having been on one in Kruger National Park, South Africa back in 2009.

Because I wanted the trip to be perfect, the planning was lengthy and detailed, yet very streamlined and painless...thanks to Saurabh Khetrapal of Fair Trade Safaris, who went exceedingly above and beyond what I'd've ever anticipated. He took the time to not only share his vast experience with booking airfare using my accumulated credit card points, but also shared his knowledge about the various lodges in Tanzania; a majority of which he'd been to himself. Saurabh was always very prompt with responses whenever I had questions, and stayed dependable the entire time. Professional, yet personal.

The trip started off with a business class flight aboard one of the world's most prestigious airlines and ended in a beautiful natural picturesque resort in Zanzibar. The attention to detail paid off and our stays at &Beyond Klein's camp and Ngorongoro Crater Lodge were wonderful.

A staff member met us at the airport in Dar Es Salaam and helped us through the foreign check-in process and through airport security. Then a personal driver picked us up at our bush airport destination and was with us throughout our 6 day stay in the Serengeti.

My wife was blown away by the hot air balloon surprise over the central Serengeti which Fair Trade Safaris not only suggested, but of course helped me plan.

Our trip ended in a tropical paradise on a very relaxing quiet natural resort in the north of Zanzibar.

FTS unquestionably got me the best rates for our luxury honeymoon travel package; and given the mission statement and commitment of FTS to donate 100% of its profits to local African community projects and wildlife conservation in the region, while hiring locals, our money could not have been better spent.

- Okem & Olamide (Austin, TX)

Having been to Africa on more than one occasion and I can tell without any reservations that Fair Trade Safari has been above and beyond on all my expectations. Everything was well thought of and organized . The best part is the philanthropic aspect of the trip.
From the moment you arrived in Africa to the moment you leave, you will had constant communication with Fair Trade Safari and feel at ease at all time.

Saurabh you are the best! Thank you