Hello Africa Travel - about us, how to book and travel information

Email us at:
info@HelloAfricaTravel.com

Inspiration and Hello Africa Travel

		*East Africa:* Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Uganda Rwanda Southern Africa: South Africa Botswana Namibia Zambia Mozambique The Islands: Seychelles Mauritius Madagascar
Our Price Promise: With years of travel experience under our belts, our promise to you is top class and personalised service with competitive and exceptional value for money. About Hello Africa Travel Tailor made itineraries are our pride and joy and we will work with you step by step to create your dream holiday. Hello Africa Travel is an independent tour operator specialising in tailor-made holidays to Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. We would like to introduce you to these destinations by showing you the true spirit and beauty of these incredible countries and Islands. ‘Hello Africa Travel’ was set up to introduce travellers to the real Africa, from an insider’s point of view. ‘Our first-hand knowledge of the destinations we are dealing with, as well as our strong network of local contacts on the ground in each destination, allows us to provide a highly personalised service, tailoring holidays exactly to our customers’ needs.’ Our policy of “You choose how much you want to pay and we will tailor-make your holiday”, is proof that we are dedicated to making sure your holiday to Africa and/or the Indian Ocean Islands is exactly what you want at the price you want. Unlike other large travel call centres, our small personalised team will ensure that you experience excellent, friendly customer service from the second you email or call our office to start creating your personal tailor-made itinerary, right up until you return from your chosen destination. As a 'direct-sell' tour operator, we can provide a personal and informed service at a very competitive price. Hello Africa Travel offers specialist advice at no more than the cost of booking direct. We provide a comprehensive service to all of our valued clients. We ensure the prices quoted here are no more than if you chose to book directly with any of the lodges or suppliers themselves. Our consultants have exceptional knowledge and first hand experience travelling throughout Africa. This allows you the opportunity to gain impartial advice for your holiday. We will match a like for like quote. Guest comments: Fantastic, could not fault your services in any way. Our consultant was incredibly friendly and helpful. When we were having problems getting accommodation and flights when we wanted, she spent a lot of time rearranging the holiday to make sure we got what we wanted. She phoned and emailed really promptly with any updates and information. Heather and Graham, UK Our local knowledge and personal service will ensure you have an experience of a lifetime, no matter what type of holiday you have in mind. We can tailor-make a holiday to your exact specification. Choose from a range of hired cars, transfers by private car, minibus, or special tour transfers and a huge range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Alternatively you could join a small group on a fully escorted tour or we can arrange your own privately escorted tour to the destination of your choice. We also offer a fantastic array of add-ons in the form of day trips, activities and excursions around all major cities and towns, or 2 to 3 day safaris, spa and city breaks to some exciting places. For those travelling on business, we can arrange your transfers and hotels, taking the hassle out of getting there for your important meeting. Our website allows clients to: Browse and have a look at the services we can offer them, submit an enquiry form detailing their tailor-made holiday requirements and register with us to receive updates on special offers and what is new at Hello Africa Travel. For your financial security we are covered by ATOL, please see details below under Financial Security. Requesting a quote and bookings For your convenience we have provided a full range of accommodation, tours, suggested itineraries, add-ons, day tours and activities, so that you can browse our website and make your own choices. When you have decided when you want to travel and have an idea of what you want to do and see, you can talk to one of our consultants on 0871 711 3331, submit a booking form or email info@helloafricatravel.com and we will be delighted to put together your perfect holiday. When an itinerary has been agreed, a deposit of 20% per person, or other specified amount is required, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to travel. We will send you confirmation of your booking. Please read the booking terms and conditions on this website - they constitute the conditions on which your booking is accepted. Self-drive itineraries These are most popular for South Africa and Namibia, their good infrastructure and roads provide for great self drive holiday explorations. See our Tailor-made section for more details. Non-driving tours If you don't want to drive on holiday, you may travel by train, car with driver/guide or minibus shuttle service. Visit our sections on escorted tours, short packages/add-ons, spa breaks, day tours and activities, for a wide range of excellent holiday ideas. Escorted tours and safaris Our escorted tours are by minibus, not by coach. Among the most popular are Garden Route and Kruger Park tours in South Africa, tours in Mozambique and Namibia, camping, walking and mokoro (dug-out canoe) safaris in Botswana. If you are looking for a specific tailor-made tour for yourself and a limited number of people we can do this too. Visit our scheduled tours page to see more of a range. Family Holidays We can prove to you that Africa and the Indian Ocean are an ideal destination for your family and have so much more to offer than you would have thought. Have a look at our Family Holidays section for affordable safari and beach holidays for the whole family. Honeymoons We will help you plan the ideal honeymoon, we understand how important this once in a lifetime holiday is and will make it happen at a realistic price. Bush and beach combinations are the ideal romantic getaway. Visit our Honeymoon page to find out more about what we have to offer. Flights Hello Africa Travel is a fully protected ATOL license holder (license no. 6744) and is therefore able to provide you with flights. Alternatively you are welcome to arrange your own flights. Personal Service and Local Knowledge We are a small efficient company that want to ensure you have the perfect holiday and are given the best personal service at all times. Please feel free to call our Consultants at any time or drop us an email to discuss your holiday in detail. Our business is based on personal customer service, honesty and a genuine commitment to finding the right trip for each person.

		Responsible Tourism: How you can help: With the ever changing climate and global warming, we at Hello Africa Travel have put together a list of things you can do on your holidays to assist the environment:

		Save water: Water is a commodity we take for granted, a running tap uses 6 litres of water a minute, a shower can use anywhere between 9 – 45 litres per minute, so by showering for a mere 5 minutes shorter you are saving a lot of water and electricity, therefore protecting the environment of your destination Smoking: If you must smoke, ensure you keep your cigarettes and matches for disposal at a later stage. Not only are you polluting by throwing them on the ground, this also poses a risk for fires. Especially in areas that are dry and have plenty fauna, Kruger Park for example. Litter: When you litter, you risk killing wild animals. Plastic, tins, anything that is not biodegradable is bad for the environment and in order to keep the environment clean and safe please do not just throw your rubbish anywhere, but keep it on you to be disposed of at a later stage. Gifts and begging: Unfortunately you will come across many poverty stricken areas in your travels to Africa. Please do not hand out sweets, money or such like to the street children, this will just encourage begging. Rather bring books, pens and stationery with you and organize for your hotel or tour guide to hand these out to local schools /communities. Plants: Please refrain form picking flowers or damaging plants on your holiday. Many of the species of plants you will come across are rare and some are even endangered. When you pick or damage the plants, you are then destroying the area and the environment. Local Markets: Try to support local markets and local people when buying souvenirs and gifts, these people rely on tourists for their income, you can help! What we are doing: All our tour operators and guides are hired in the country of their origin, thus creating job opportunity and decreasing poverty. Do all that we can to ensure all local communities are benefiting from you visiting them. Follow all local and international guidelines to lessen environmental impact.
Financial Security ATOL Hello Africa Travel holds an Air Travel Organiser's License (ATOL 6744) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, with which the company is fully bonded. In the unlikely event of the company becoming insolvent, you are financially protected and would be repatriated if abroad, or receive an appropriate refund. Important Travel Information Passports & Visas A full passport is essential and must be valid for at least six months beyond the holiday period. British nationals require visas for Mozambique, Madagascar Zimbabwe and Zambia. We will supply details. For short visits to Zambia, an exemption can be arranged. Visas are not required for South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Seychelles, or Mauritius. Health You should take precautions against malaria if travelling to the eastern side of South Africa (including Kruger Park), Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. You should consult your general practitioner at least six weeks prior to travel for up-to-date advice on inoculations and anti-malaria precautions. Insurance It is a condition of booking that all passengers be fully insured as soon as they make their reservation with Hello Africa Travel, including 24-hour emergency medical cover and repatriation, and cancellation insurance. Please supply full details of your insurance when booking. Safety and Security Wherever you are travelling, it is wise to take precautions against theft. Do not leave valuables in a vehicle or luggage visible in a car unless it is under constant supervision. It is better to leave valuables at home in the UK. When possible, use the hotel safe deposit boxes for passports and money and be careful with your bags, cameras, etc. We recommend that you do not walk or drive at night unless you know the area well. It can be dangerous to drive at night in rural areas - there may be animals and other obstructions on the road. Leave enough time to arrive at your destination before dusk. These are no more than sensible precautions for travellers anywhere in the world. In general, people are friendly and helpful in the tourist areas of southern Africa, sometimes shy and, perhaps, wary of strangers in places which are off the familiar tourist routes. Travel Advice The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit may at times issue information about your holiday destination. To check information, you are advised to look on the Internet at http://www.fco.gov.uk or telephone the advice line on 0207 238 4503/4. Wild Animals Take particular care when visiting areas where dangerous animals wander. Follow the advice of your guides, do not walk on your own, keep a safe distance, do not touch plants or animals. You should acquaint yourself with the risks involved and take responsibility for your own safety. You should be prepared to sign personal indemnity forms at safari lodges and camps. Contact us on info@helloafricatravel.com or call us in the UK on + 44 (0)871 711 3331 or South Africa on +27 (0)39 315 5800 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you! Website links