ROAR AFRICA - Luxury African Safaris in New York
Site: https://www.roarafrica.com/
- Monday:8AM–6PM
- Tuesday:8AM–6PM
- Wednesday:8AM–6PM
- Thursday:8AM–6PM
- Friday:8AM–6PM
- Saturday:Closed
- Sunday:Closed
I went on my first safari to celebrate my 30th birthday and my stepmoms 50th. From initial contact about an itinerary to landing home after our trip, we couldnt have anticipated a more thoughtful, easy, and professional company to work with. Their itineraries are beautiful and fluid; we were able to take the activities and sights we had researched and modify our days (if necessary) to accommodate everything we wanted to visit. The ROAR staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and they make every effort to have this be a trip of a lifetime.ROAR anticipated EVERYTHING. From the moment we landed on Africa there was someone to guide us and expedite getting through baggage and customs, escort us from point A to point B, and ensure we were taken care of every step of our trip. The level of detail provided both before and during our trip was unmatched.Our personal guide Stephen took us around Cape Town and was not only a wealth of cultural, historical, and natural knowledge, but was kind, personable, and attentive. The lodges we stayed in across all three locations we visited were unique and luxurious with engaging and pleasant staff. South Africa and Victoria Falls are unrivaled in beauty and untamed nature.If you want to disconnect from the busyness of life and connect with nature and new cultures, let ROAR be your personal guide. You wont regret it.
My wife and I cannot recommend Roar Africa enough! Here are the highlights, with a more comprehensive review below:-Superior client service-Specially curated/customized experience based on your preferences and how you like to travel-Communicative and responsive-Extremely well connected network in Africa and very well respected by everyone in the hospitality industry-Amazing guides-Worth every pennyDeb and the entire Roar Africa team were amazing from the moment we contacted them. Deb - the CEO - was very hands on in helping us create the trip of a lifetime. She asked us how we liked to travel, things we like and dont like to do, and planned our trip based on the budget we provided her. Debs upfront work with us, especially the questions she asked, led to so many wonderful surprises throughout the trip. So much of what Roar does is put a lot of thought into what will make the trip great for you. Nothing about their trips is cookie cutter.Her team was super communicative and answered every and all questions we had about traveling throughout Africa - especially during COVID. Once in Africa, the Roar guides, partners, and team members continued to impress.At the airports - both large and small - Roar Africa made sure that we were met by someone to get us through immigration, any health screenings, and onto our next flight or local destination. We are typically travelers that do everything on our own, but having Roar handle all of these logistics made the trip seamless and smooth.Our guide in Cape Town and the wine lands, Steve Lake, was THE BEST. The thoughtfulness and surprises he had for us made the trip so much fun and definitely a unique experience. Steve is also extremely knowledgeable about South African history, the wildlife, plant life, and food. Hes essentially an encyclopedia of all things South Africa (and other parts of Africa, too)!The beauty of Roars approach is that they are there when you want them to be, but leave you to yourself at the right moments. For example, our first morning in Cape Town, Steve took my wife and me to an open air food market in Woodstock. He simply dropped us off and said, give me a buzz when youre ready to go. He knew that giving us our space to explore and get a feel for the city was important and that approach was taken throughout our trip.Once we headed to safari, Roar continued to impress. Since we traveled during COVID, many of our flights within Africa were rescheduled or cancelled shortly before we left the US. Roar handled all of the logistics to make sure we maximized our time on safari. They also worked directly with the camps and lodges to ensure that if we were arriving at an off time (late in the evening after the kitchen closed) that we would have food waiting for us upon arrival.Also, since many of the countries in Africa require proof of a negative COVID test, Roar also coordinated every test for us, including having nurses helicoptered into the bush in Botswana during our morning game drive.Heres a high-level overview of our itinerary:-5 nights in Cape Town, South Africa-4 nights in the Wine Lands, South Africa-3 nights in the Okavango, Botswana-2 nights in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe-4 nights in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Another incredible trip with Roar. Their ability to create unique experiences is unparalleled. During COVID, they have been an incredible partner in navigating the testing and other requirements of each country, eliminating a major point of stress and turning our visit into a delight. I cannot encourage folks enough to visit Africa during these times where lodges and game reserves are under utilized -- its critical for the African economies and people, and the experience is a breath of fresh air vs. the usual crowds.
Our trip consisted of three separate facilities, one in Tanzania and two in Kenya. The quality of our accommodations was world class 5 star with over the top service. We saw the big 5 and more over and over again…. Amazing. We experienced the Masi culture up-close and it blew us away. Finally, we had a problem with customs in Tanzania as my wife had a false positive Covid test. It was a nightmare and I will spare you the details. However, and to this I am dead serious PAY ATTENTION!, without Roar Africa using its local clout and navigating the highest levels of government we would have been stuck for ten days in horrendous conditions. Only Roar Africa not a USA based agent could have pulled this off and forced a second and third test proving negative results to free us from government control. We thank you and will forever be grateful. Trip thereafter was best of our life Thank you Roar.Richards FamilyLos Angeles, Ca.
I cannot say enough about the amazing vacation we had through ROAR Africa. Two weeks and quite a few different destinations seemed overwhelming to plan at times. ROAR Africa made this seamless. They were there every step of the way and were always two steps ahead. Communication and/or any help I needed was never a problem. Someone would answer right away. The accommodations were outstanding. The guides, staff and people were not only professional, but so kind, friendly and humble. I felt like I was with family and friends. This was a trip of a lifetime for us. I will NEVER forget it. Thank you ROAR Africa!
My husband and I just returned from our two-week honeymoon in Africa and we are beyond happy with how Roar Africa organized our trip. It was absolutely magical! The hotels & lodges in Botswana and South Africa were one better than the other, the restaurants superb and all of the activities tailored specifically to our interests. We cant thank Roar Africas staff and guides enough for all the work they put in in planning our trip -- it was indeed flawless and one in the lifetime! Thank you guys!
The entire ROAR team made our 25th anniversary trip one we will never forget. from the primates in Rwanda to the crystal clear waters of the Seychelles, every last detail was handled without exception!
We just returned from a 16 day trip to South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania that was prepared by ROAR Africa. It was truly a trip of a lifetime! ROAR had everything lined up perfectly from the flights and transfers, hotels and camps, to all of the amazing guides and activities, and the suggestions for safari locations. We were blown away by the beauty of the animals, the countryside and the people. ROAR is a top-notch organization and I would trust them completely with any future trips we take to Africa.
Just returned from an exceptional trip organized by Roar. No detail was spared and we felt that the quality was unparalleled and first class. We had personal guides assisting us from the minute we deplaned, to the minute we arrived back at the airport 10 days later. Highlights included a thought-provoking private tour of Robben Island by Christo Brandt (Nelson Mandela’s former prison guard), dinner at La Columbe, our very knowledgeable Cape Town tour guide, Stephen Lakes, and a lovely dinner he hosted for us with his beautiful family, and of course, our safari experience at Lion Sands Rover Lodge. What a place…the staff and service at River Lodge was the best we have ever experienced. And our guide Mitch and tracker Lloyd were fabulous! We saw the big 5 ++! No question we will use Roar again for any future trips to Africa.
My husband and I booked our African safari through Roar Africa and would give them more than 5 stars if an option. We started working with them in 2018. They were exceptional to work with us on multiple reschedules due to the pandemic but it finally happened in June! We navigated three countries and the door to door service was both reassuring and exceptional - Stephen, George and Eric - all guides that worked with us - top notch, highly professional and helpful. My husband left his Ipad on a flight from Nairobi to Rwanda and Roar Africa (and RwandaAir) responded immediately - we were successful in getting it back. They use a phenomenal app called Vamoos which made it so easy to both keep up with everything and communicate. A special shout to Lisa Lerm who did an amazing job getting us ready and organizing everything so well. Highly recommend Roar Africa!!!!
Roars team was professional and genuine from the first call with Merritt until the final goodbye with Steve & George at the airport in Nairobi. Steve and George treated us like their personal guest in Nairobi. Merritts recommendations for camps in Kenya made for a very diverse and rewarding trip. We were well attended too at every camp. The guides for our game drives were skilled and had intimate knowledge of the parks which allowed us to experience active game drives. Each and everyday was an unique experience and a reminder that life is still an adventure and beautiful .All of the rooms were well appointed, exquisite meals, and luxury camps in the bush. We had originally scheduled pre-covid and our trip was postponed. All safety measure were taken; we felt safer in the open air of the bush then we do going to the supermarket in the states!!! We had camps to ourselves for a few night which was surreal. If you are hesitant about traveling for Safari all I can say is GO NOW. The animals are active and out with the very small amount of visitors and jeeps.Roar ( Lisa & Lee) assisted us with getting our Covid test authenticated for entry to Kenya and arranged for Covid test in our hotel in Nairobi to return to the states. Relieving a lot of our stress traveling in February. Roars use of the Vamoos app also allows communication, uploading of important documents and updates. I am a strong believer in word of mouth and will be recommending ROAR to friends/family traveling to Africa. We look forward to returning again and having ROARs team plan an another amazing journey for us.
Roar Africa helped us plan and experience the trip of a lifetime in Victoria Falls, Botswana, and South Africa (wine lands and Cape Town). The Roar Africa team thought of every detail and made sure that we were always well cared for, so we could relax and enjoy all that Africa has to offer. Each safari camp was welcoming with expert (and fun) guides, incredible sights and delicious food. Our wonderful Cape Town guide, Stephen Bell, made that portion of our trip perfect with his vast knowledge and easy humor. I cant recommend Roar Africa highly enough!
I dont have enough good things to say about how mind-blowing my 24 day trip - that was completely organized by ROAR AFRICA - to East Africa was!! Traveling by myself, in the midst of the pandemic can be daunting to say the least - but the ROAR AFRICA team was with me the whole way - including helping me getting a COVID test so I could board my return flight!During the booking process, I had made my desires for the trip very clear - a physically grueling adventure in the form of a Kilimanjaro hike, followed by the reward of some relaxing stays and exciting safaris in the Tanzanian reserves. And I can happily say that all of my wishes were granted - and much more.The the trip was completely customized from beginning to end - which included an 8 day Kilimanjaro hike, followed by some very special stays at camps and resorts in the beautiful and unforgettable Serengeti and the Grumeti reserves. The organization, flights, handoffs - everything was handled seamlessly and made the entire trip and the safaris so much more enjoyable. Some of the wild animal sightings I had are truly going to be unforgettable.A huge plus was having the ROAR AFRICA team available anytime I had a question or a doubt during the entirety of the trip. I dont think there was a single moment of my trip where I felt like I wasnt being taken care of. They also equipped with a handy app that detailed all of my flights, stays as well as very useful information such as suggested tips and gratuities!! Extremely helpful to have! I used the app almost everyday.I cannot wait to go back to Africa - to go to Botswana, Kenya and to revisit the Grumeti again. And I will be sure to use the services of the ROAR AFRICA team again. I cannot recommend them enough! Thank you so much for such an absolutely unforgettable trip!
I can honestly say that working with Roar Africa was one of the best travel decisions weve ever made! They came highly recommended to us by friends who had taken a couples trip and because of this we decided to trust them with our first family trip to Africa (2 adults, 3 kids 10-yrs and under). And are we glad we did! It was a trip of a lifetime! Throughout the entire process, Roar Africa had the knowledge and connections (in both Africa and in the US) to take all our thoughts about what wed like to experience on our trip and turn it into a reality! All our activities were tailor-made to suit our familys wants and needs and all the service-providers on the ground were very fond of working with Roar Africa and nothing we asked for was too much! Everything about the trip was perfect - the accommodations they chose for us were superb, with not one thing we could say negative about either the accommodation or the services offered. We absolutely loved our guides chosen for us by Roar as well as our “families” at the two safaris! Even when our personally arranged flights into Africa were completely messed up by the Gatwick drone situation, Kerrie jumped into action to ensure we were greeted and helped through Johannesburg airport so we could find our way easily to CapeTown. With such a mess, I was so appreciative to have the Roar team on our side (and this with only one simple email requesting help whilst stuck in an airport!)! And the upgraded plane hop to Tintswalo (apparently there was a technical issue with our plane they originally had scheduled) was a completely unexpected luxury! Our kids had an amazing time - so much so that we have had to promise to take this trip again soon (they didnt want to leave - they said they wanted to live there! Our oldest daughter is now determined to live in Africa at some point)! The entire trip touched our whole family and we can’t wait to plan another adventure with Roar again - because, despite the fact we could book it ourselves, Roar clearly proved their company was worth every penny!! And everyone we talk to about our trip will know as well! Highly recommend Roar Africa to anyone who wants to take the trip of a lifetime!! Solo travellers, families with kids, couples on honeymoon - there is not one person I wouldnt recommend them to! Thanks Roar Africa for memories we will cherish forever! Cant wait to come back and do it all over again very soon!
My husband and I just returned from the trip of a lifetime to Uganda and Kenya. From tracking chimps and mountain gorillas to witnessing the breathtaking migration of the most beautiful wild animals across the Mara, every single detail was thoughtfully and professionally considered and planned by Merritt Howerton. At every step we felt taken care of, valued and deeply appreciated for having made the journey. Each lodge was more beautiful and accommodating than the next. From the first person we met at Roar to the last gentleman who escorted us through security to our plane home, every member of the team was caring and professional. We look forward to another Roar adventure in the future.
Our trip was an epic family adventure that lived up to our expectations and the hype! The entire Roar Africa team did a fantastic job and made our entire trip seamless and stress free. Thank you!We will certainly be recommending you to others.The most special part of the trip were definitely the game drives. The animal experiences were so memorable. We also really appreciated the relationships and bonds that were formed with our hosts and guides at Angama Mara and Saruni Samburu. We have to make special mention of James, our host, and Sophie, our guide, at Angama. At Saruni, we loved how close we got to the animals and our kids just loved our guide, Emma. Our kids were especially fond of the folks at both lodges, so much so that there were tears shed each time we had to leave.
Everything ROAR did added up to a trip that was not only rewilding, but reinvigorating, regrounding, and realigning. This is the way we want to be spending our time. This is the way we want to be spending our money. Everything we have currently is enough, but what we dont have enough of is time and travel. They gave that to us! After 30 years of traveling and two more years of COVID cancellations, this is the trip that brought us to that appreciation. It might be right-time-right-place, but I think its also some ROAR magic.Its a continent I have loved that now has bitten my husband, and ROAR is a company that were addicted to :) Obviously we are huge fans, cannot wait for our next May 2023 trip, and are forever grateful for their kindness, genuineness, and expertise.
A compassionate luxury travel group that pays attention to every detail and truly cares about your experience. I truly enjoyed my trip to Rwanda and met so many loving and fun people and gorillas too!
Thank you ROAR Africa for the trip of a lifetime! Despite having to postpone and rearrange our trip several times due to COVID, often unexpectedly and at the last minute, Merritt and Lisa created the perfect experience for our family. From flights to accommodations, to transfers and tours, ROAR took care of every detail. Starting in Cape Town with a private tour of the beautiful Ellerman House art gallery, hiking up the iconic Table Mountain, biking through the winelands of Stellenbosch, and kayaking with penguins near the Cape of Good Hope; our incredible tour guide Brian shared with us stories of the local culture and history of South Africa. And then, our time in the game reserves near Kruger National Park exceeded all our expectations! The luxury lodges and incredible tree houses were amazing. We got to see the BIG 5, all up close, and were surprised by a pack of African painted wolves returning home to feed their puppies after a kill. We will never forget the magnificent African sky at sunset! Looking back at our experience, we almost cannot believe it was real. Thank you ROAR Africa for introducing us to the breathtaking beauty of South Africa, its people and wildlife. Our family will cherish these memories forever!
ROAR was incredible. Every aspect of our trip was perfectly planned and they made it a once in a lifetime experience. Every ROAR staff member we came in contact with went above and beyond to make our trip everything we could have ever wanted.
From planning to execution Merriitt and the team listened, understood, planned, and created an absolutely spectacular vacation experience for us.Starting with the picturesque and foodie heaven in Cape Town to the delightful winelands, some amazing hiking and unique dining experiences made for the perfect beginning of our trip. Between Kerri, our on ground coordinator and Stephen Bell our amazing guide, we could not have asked for a more attentive team.As we transitioned to the safari portion of our trip, it was difficult to imagine that it could get any better, yet again, we found ourselves in the most amazing unique prosperities, with guides and experiences that were incredible and food to die for. Both Camp Jabulani and Rattrays provided life changing wildlife experience, the most luxurious accommodations, and staff that was among the best I have ever experienced. Our rangers at both camps were conveniently named Michael, and they were equally amazing! They shared their life experiences with us along with incredible knowledge and passion for the wild and the animals around us. We were among the few people who were fortunate enough to experience the Mala Mala 7 while we were visiting.We finished our journey with a few glorious days on the beach in Mozambique relaxing and recharging at the lovely White Pearl Resort.Overall we could not have asked for a better experience, the Roar Africa team excelled and far exceeded every expectation we had for this journey.We planned this as a once in a lifetime adventure, that quickly became we will be back! South Africa and the team at Roar Africa will remain near and dear to our hearts!
I just returned from a fabulous 2 week safari arrange by Roar Africa.Everything about our experience from pretrip planning to the actual safari was seamless .While you initially deal with their US personeel, once your trip and itinerary are set, you will have a direct contact in Africa to refine your trip , as well as any questions you may have. All their communications are detailed and informative. What we most appreciated was our seamless transfers from the airport to all our destinations , and back to the airport at the end of our trip . We visited Tanzania, and Kenya, but they will arrange a trip to any part of the continent. The very best feature of Roar is their expertise in tailoring a trip to your specifications . And if you really are not sure of exactly what you want , they will make reccommendations based on their interviews with you .The lodges they arranged were all excellent. Youd be surprised how much luxury you can have in the middle of the bush , and how all the recommended lodges fit perfectly into the ecosystem . The service and caring of the staff at all the locations were exceptional, and you will not find more pleasant and happy people anywhere in the world.I could go on and on about individual experiences but a few pictures should suffice to give you the picture. If you are looking for a truly upscale African safari experience, you need look no further than Roar Africa
We were attracted to Roar Africa because of the company’s philosophy to using personal connections with all tour contacts on the ground. We booked with Roar above other tour agencies for two major reasons. One, Deborah really made an effort to create a safari experience that was comprehensive but also unique to our personal preferences (this, more than anything was apparent all the way through our travel time), and two, Roar offered us trip flexibility without cost. During this current travel climate, this was huge financially for us. In the event we could not travel due to Covid-19 changes, she was willing to reschedule us without any cost. Wow! We saved thousands on travel insurance.As for the safari itself, from beginning to end the trip was effortless on our end. Every camp we stayed at was beyond our expectations both in accommodation and service. Every guide we had was very experienced and went the extra mile to find the wildlife we wanted to most see. The parks we visited gave us a true sense of the landscape of East Africa and its inhabitants. We could easily see that our trip was planned the way it was to meet our requests for both cultural and natural exposure to Tanzania and Kenya. Finally, the people. We simply could not have had more genuine and personalized service. Every staff member from the front desk to the kitchen was so conscious of making our stay special to us. Just amazing.I already have a deep affection for the continent of Africa and its people, but we left this trip with both my husband and teenage son awakened to what I can only call the spirit of Africa.You can confidently book with Roar Africa and be sure you will have that trip of a lifetime you are looking for. I’m not sure there’s much more to say than that.
This was a spectacular experience from start to finish. In Cape Town, we were moved by Robben Island, intrigued by the Museum of Contemporary Art and delighted by our trip to see the penguins. The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden was a standout, as was the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. On safari, our incredible experience continued. We will always remember coming face to face with a protective mama elephant, seeing the sun set over the Zambezi river, and hearing a mother cheetah call to her cub to come share the dinner she had just caught. Roar Africa was a delight to work with and took care of every conceivable detail. We would highly recommend Roar!
I have been to Africa before and have used a variety of tour operators. Roar was about the best. The prep, the use of the Vamoos app, the coordination was great. All the transfers and accommodations were perfect. Our safari was beyond belief. We had been on safaris in East Africa before yet this one was the best of the best. We said we would not want to go back to east Africa because we would be disappointed in never being able to experience this again. Here a couple of photos from our safari - Momma Cheetah with her three cubs in a tree, then a couple came over to our jeep. In the early dawn we saw two lion cubs greeting the day.
First and foremost, thank you, Merritt Howerton, and Roar for arranging an absolute wonderful trip/experience. This is one we will not forget. Your suggestions for length of stay and where to stay were spot on. The Roar representatives who met us at Jo-burg, Kasane, Maun and Cape Town airports really reduced any anxiety we had navigating from flight gate to flight gate and getting through passport checkpoints.A big callout to our guides in Victory Falls and Cape Town. Andrew Makuyana, in Victory Falls, was absolutely wonderful and a delight to spend time with. His knowledge of the area, his country and the people gave us great insight into the history and present day conditions in and around Vic Falls. We were able to develop a good relationship during our short time together. He asked us if we would like to visit his property where he is building a home. His pride was so great that he was able to save his money in order to begin the construction. We exchanged emails and recently received an email with pictures of the progress being made on his house, what a wonderful individual.Stephen Bell, in Cape Town, met us at the arrival gate on landing in Cape Town and was our hand holder for the few days we had in Cape Town. His knowledge of the area, where to go, and his ability to adapt to the changing weather conditions was terrific. When we arrived in Cape Town the weather had turned cold and rainy. It stayed that way through the first full day we were to visit the wine country, by bicycle no less. Obviously riding in torrential downpours was out of the question. Stephen made changes and we were able to see more of the wine country then if we would have biked. His knowledge of the towns and history was great fun learning. On Sunday the weather turned very pleasant and Stephen picked us up for an early morning visit to the Kirstenbosch Gardens; great way to begin the day. We then began to drive to the Cape of Good Hope. Stopping occasionally to view the scenery, the South African (jackass) penguins, on to the Cape of Good Hope and back the west side to Cape Town. Beautiful country and surprisingly more mountainous than we expected. We left Monday, for home, with his help getting us through Cape Town airport and the passport checkpoint. Terrific job.The accommodations were beyond anything we expected. Ilala Lodge was a perfect location to explore Victoria Falls. The potential to see wildlife just outside our room made the beginning more fun. Not knowing what to expect once we entered the safari camps blew our minds when we experienced the camp tents, facilities, service, food, and the beautiful people operating the camps. We both agreed that staying at Hyena Pan and Skybed first was the best way. A little more rustic than our final camp, Xakanaxa. We wish to complement the staff at both camps for making our stay most memorable. It was great fun waking up each morning and seeing animal tracks, throughout the camp, from animals that passed through during the night.Our tracker/guides were incredible, their knowledge and ability to find the animals was unbelievable. Their willingness to explain, to us, how to read the “jungle news” each morning was very interesting. At Hyena Pan and Skybed; we were told by other trackers that Bilipe was magical in his ability to track the animals. His story about his beginning as a tracker would raise the hair on the back of your neck for sure. Russell provided an experience at the ground level hide and our walking safari at Skybed. Butler was one guide/tracker we have exchanged emails since returning. Very passionate about Botswana and making a better life for his people; terrific individual. At Xakanaxa we were fortunate to have Harry (Harrison) for all our outings.
Hands down the most amazing trip of my life! ROAR Africa did an absolutely phenomenal job with our Kenyan Safari. I truly couldnt recommend them enough! Thank you ROAR!
Caroline and her team at Roar Africa made booking our South African Safari trip incredibly easy and ensured that we head the most amazing trip of our lives. Roar Africa made everything personal and did not miss any details. The private airport transfers made our connections lightning quick and simple. They recommended the perfect lodge for our trip: Makanyi Lodge in the Timbavati Reserve. They also helped with our daily excursions and spa bookings. We truly cannot recommend a better booking agency. They have earned lifetime clients, and we will recommend them for all of our friends and family going forward.
Our family of five went to South Africa (Cape Town, Sabi Sands, and Thornybush Private Game Preserve) over Christmas, 2019 to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Safari had long been on our list of things to do and we were excited to be able to finally make the trek. Little did we know that it would be far and away the most fantastic experience any of us has ever had,.Every aspect of our trip was perfection. The accommodations (Silo House, Cheetah Plains and Royal Malewane Luxury Suites), the guides (Steven Lake, Andrew, Ryan and Ali), the transportation (which in South Africa can be challenging), and the safaris themselves were so incredible that every day was better than the day before. We did not want to leave, did not want our trip to end. Caroline Hunt (who designed our trip), Lisa Lerm and Kerrie Fordyce and their team went out of their way to make our trip remarkable. Even a last minute request on New Years Eve to tour the Apartheid Museum and grab dinner in Joberg before our flight home was graciously provided.Everyone we spoke to before our trip said it would be life-changing and I thought that a cliched expression. But on the other side of this adventure I can say with certainty that, indeed, we all have been indelibly transformed by this remarkable experience.
Thanks Deb and Kerrie for planning a fabulous East African safari. Each of our three properties we visited (Angama Mara, Serengeti Under Canvas andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater lodge) were spectacular. As you know we wanted to experience the great migration and we were able to do so while at Angama Mara. Arranging to have Adam Bannister, at Angama Mara, to assist in capturing photos of a lifetime was very much appreciated. Your attention to the details allowed us to enjoy our trip of a lifetime.
Roar Africa really did a great job of planning our trip and made it work seamlessly. Lodges were all first class and staffs were very helpful and friendly. Definitely work a 5 star rating.
We had the time of our lives on our trip to Botswana, as artfully arranged by Roar Africa. From the perfect sense of safety, to the splendid accommodations, to the unfolding adventures at every stop, to the friendliness and warm welcome of all the staff we met, to the magnificence of the country and its wildlife, this was truly the trip of a lifetime. Roar Africa made it easy, seamless, smart, and affordable, and we cannot recommend them highly enough. Take it from us: If you want Africa, make it Roar Africa!
This is the second time I have used Roar Africa and that probably says it all. I loved the service that I received three years ago when we travelled to South Africa, and our trip to East Africa recently was equally rewarding. Every detail is handled efficiently, and their choice of accommodations/guides etc. is stellar. I like the personal touch. I like being met at airports and having complex details like visas in Tanzania well handled. We live in Canada and Roar is based in New York and that has made no difference. I highly recommend this company that considers environmental issues a priority, and also takes personal preferences into account. Yes to roar Africa.
From start to finish working with Roar Africa staff was 5 star plus-they were receptive to planning ideas, flexible, warm, personal and recommended top of the line places to stay and game lodges where service was stellar! I would only go with Roar Africa for my next African safari.
Roar Africa has planned four safaris for us and they have all been flawless. Leadership and work ethic starts at the top and Deborah Calmeyer as the owner sets the good example of both. She and her team make each safari a great experience starting with the itinerary, the camp, the lodge and food quality, the quality of the guides and drivers, and making sure getting in and out of the airports is seamless. Her team is remarkable. We especially enjoyed our time at Segera Retreat. It is a special place on this earth. The mix of city sights, restaurants, wine country, museums, wildlife sanctuaries, capped by a great safari is what makes Roar Africa trips so memorable.
Roar Africa arranged a 35 day tour to South Africa (Johannesburg & Cape Town), Namibia (3 locations), Victoria Falls, and Botswana (3 locations). They handled all details flawlessly. We ran into a severe COVID lockdown in Cape Town, and Roar adapted and improvised to give us an outstanding tour experience in spite of the fact we had to eat a number of meals in our room (restaurants were closed for dine in). They arranged home meals and chefs...outstanding. Our transportation was challenged when some airlines quite flying, but Roar sorted that out and kept us on schedule. I dont think you could do any better than to book a trip to Africa with Roar!
Caroline gave my husband and I a gift of a lifetime! She made our dreams come true by planning the perfect South Africa experience for us. It began in Capetown and being greeted by Steven our guide for the next 7 days, visiting many of Capetowns finest restaurants and must see locations. Staying at Cape Clifton was perfect. Then Froenschok at LeResidence was breathtaking. The next 5 nights were spent at the Makanyi Lodge where we renewed our vowels. Caroline is professional yet warm and went to great efforts to get it just right.
Traveling with ROAR Africa was the most seamless experience Ive ever had—and Ive traveled a lot. To navigate airports, visas, paperwork, etc. in times of COVID is no joke. ROAR held my hand throughout and ensured no t was left uncrossed. Aside from the incomparably beautiful accommodations at Segera, wildlife experiences, culture, and food, I felt I could really relax because I knew ROARs experienced team would shepherd me through the airport and ensure I had all the proper testing done. The ROAR roster of properties and relationships on the ground throughout Africa results in an authentic, deeply bespoke experience you wont find with anyone else.Rachael McKeonTravel Editor, Goop.
Roar Africa exceeded our expectations from start to finish. They listened to what we wanted for our South African experience and nailed it. Every personal interaction, lodge, hotel and transfer was seamless and professional. The accommodations were outstanding and the food fabulous. Be prepared to never be hungry. The sightseeing excursions they recommended were perfect. We would not change one thing about our trip. We have been changed by our experience of visiting this beautiful Country with they help of Roar Africa. We will be sending everyone we know to Roar to have the experience of a lifetime.
From the initial phone call to the end of our trip, ROAR AFRICA was exceptional. Our thoughtfully curated itinerary, carefully selected accommodations, and impeccable hospitality throughout resulted in the trip of our lifetime.We are already thinking about our next trip with ROAR!
AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING experience with ROAR AFRICA!!! From the planning (thank you Merritt🥰), transportation, destinations, camps, lodges, hotels, guides, tours, food, and yes, dreaded covid testing, everything was seamless and very professional. The lodges and camps we stayed at were gorgeous and the guides so knowledgeable and kind. We certainly learned a lot about the countries, animals, and people on this unbelievable trip to Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa, and are looking forward to planning our next adventure with ROAR AFRICA. Don’t hesitate to book your dream trip with them, the time is now!!! CHEERS!!🥂🥂🥂
I cant say enough about what a value it is to have travel experts like Roar help in planning your safari. I would say that if planning multiple countries it is a requirement to have and Roar does it with precision. Everything is thought out and planned for with backup plans in place if something doesnt go exactly right. Everything is seamless from airport transfers to lodge recommendations to their private guides in the cities. Definite recommend to anyone planning a safari in the future.
We had the most wonderful experience with Roar Africa. The planning was great - they listened to our goals for the trip and created an itinerary that included everything we wanted to experience and more. The representatives we worked with were friendly, accessible, and eager to make our experience perfect. I cannot say enough good things about Roar Africa... we will certainly be using them again when we go back in the near future!!!!
We just returned from a visit to Cape Town, the wine region and a safari in Botswana at 3 different camps. Roar Africa was excellent in helping to plan this trip and work out the logistics. My first contact was with Merritt and she really listened to what kind of experience we wanted. She gave great suggestions for hotels and camps and planned a great itinerary. Kerri in SA was always responsive if I had questions. We were well taken care of on the trip, our guides were great and everything ran smoothly. If I were to return to Africa again I would definently use this agency again.
We recently completed a 12 day trip with Roar Africa, combining a safari in Botswana and time in Cape Town. We found their planning to be very helpful in crafting an itinerary that met our desires, their preparation and travel information to be meticulous and thorough, and the trip was fantastic. We were treated like VIPs at every camp and hotel, and they did so many things to reduce the stress of traveling to the bush in Africa, which can be a bit daunting. He highly recommend them for your trip to Africa, especially safari planning.
My new wife and I engaged Roar to plan our honeymoon in Southern Africa. They did not disappoint! Firstly, the experience was top-notch. We were taken care of from end to end, and barely lifted a finger the whole trip. Everything was arranged seamlessly, from hotels to charter flights, to... COVID tests. Which was where Roar really came in handy - I had a false positive COVID test that caused us to miss a flight, and Roar managed to rebook every flight and hotel reservation, pushing them all by one day, so that we didnt miss any safari days that we paid for. Roar was not only our planner, but our travel insurance! Would highly recommend to anyone looking to plan a luxe Safari.
Our family went to Kenya and South Africa this year thanks to the Roar team, and every part of our experience was incredible. We had a few mishaps on the trip (one piece of lost luggage, a misplaced passport) and all the usual stress was handled by Roar with great care and empathy. In addition, they helped plan a trip that made everyone feel included and excited to go--stuff for all ages, for people who wanted more animal life, more relaxation, you name it-I cant say enough good things about the team and the things they recommended that we do and see. In addition, their preparation documents were world-class and made every part of the lead up to the journey seamless-its absolutely worth it to work with Roar to make your trip incredible and amazing, our family will never forget this trip and how much they helped us make it remarkable.
Our experience with Roar Africa was outstanding from beginning to end. If youre ready for an absolute dream trip, just go ahead and call them now! I found Roar through positive articles and reviews and made a cold call. From the first call, I was so impressed with the questions Merritt asked around our background, the reason for the trip, our travel history and what we were hoping to do. The itinerary the Roar team put together was incredible, and every single detail was thoughtfully arranged, including really thorough pre-trip information including packing lists, visa restrictions, and vaccine needs. The planner in your group can relax knowing every single detail is in hand. We stayed at four different resorts in Kenya and South Africa, and each one was absolutely top notch (we had an exceptionally hard time leaving Angama Mara). Roar was also incredibly helpful with two in-trip issues: a lost bag (the airlines fault) and a forgotten passport (ugh...my fault). I cant say enough good things about working with the team at Roar Africa. They were responsive, thorough, communicative and supportive. They planned a truly unforgettable family trip, and we are already looking forward to the next opportunity to travel with Roar!
Thank you to the staff at Roar Africa for helping us plan our African safari. it was the trip of a lifetime! There was not one aspect of the trip we would have changed. Everything was completely seamless: from transfers to lodges to flights, and of course the amazing accommodations and guides. Their attention to detail, their knowledge and professionalism were absolutely outstanding. We are looking forward to working with them again!
We just returned from a holiday trip to East Africa. It was the trip of a lifetime thanks to Roar Africa. Merritt, Nicci, Lee and Kerrie planned a seamless trip, customized to our desires and goals. The locations, camps and lodges, guides and staff everywhere we went were spectacular. In fact, we are still in touch with many of them as they became quick friends. Roar missed no details and did everything, including some fun surprises along the way and ensuring I had a very special birthday, to allow us to focus on enjoying our time and our surroundings and not on worrying about travel or any details. Truly magical. We look forward to returning and working again with Roar!
As seasoned travelers, we can honestly say that we need more than 5 stars for Roar Africa. From planning to pre-travel prep to execution to follow up, this group is first class. The knowledgeable team listened to our interest and expectations. They prepared a customized itinerary with a range of choices for our review and selection. The execution was flawless and exceeded our expectations. We traveled to 5 unique locations across S. Africa and all transports and logistics were seamless. We were left to enjoy every moment with no concerns. The guides in Cape Town were flexible and ensured that we enjoyed every moment of our personalized experience. Each of the three safari camps and the safari guides were outstanding and the locations were on point with our interest. The Vamoos app made access to local information, maps, weather, and itinerary easily accessible. Everyone that we worked with at Roar was pleasant, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in making this a remarkable, trip of a lifetime. It was. The entire team was extremely responsive to questions and requests before, during and even after our trip. If you want to ensure that your trip is seamless and amazing….. they deliver. We are ready to plan our next trip to Africa with Roar.
I just returned from my first Roar Africa trip and it was the best planned, best managed trip Ive ever taken. Deb and her team booked us at hotels and restaurants we would never have known about--and they got us the best guides, private tours, etc. Every day of the trip was perfect--they didnt leave a stone unturned--and every member of the Roar Africa staff is exceptional.Roar Africa provides the kind of service that is nonexistent in todays digital world--this is an old-fashioned, highly-personalized boutique travel agency that committed to providing a true luxury experience. American Express Centurion--take notes!!!
The day after getting Roar Africa’s name, my husband and I received a phone call from CEO Deborah Calmeyer. That was the start of a wonderful journey. She crafted an itinerary based on her suggestions and our preferences. Thereafter, the whole Roar Africa team delivered perfectly. The service was impeccable, and the trip magical. We would definitely choose Roar Africa to partner with, should we plan another trip to Africa
Wow, wow, wow! We had an amazing trip - thanks to the entire Roar Africa staff. From planning, where they listened to our ideas and respects our budget - to the end of the journey, Roar Africa was with us every step of the way.They have an amazing relationship with their vendors and camps. The representatives and guides were friendly, knowledgeable and well prepared.The Vamoos App is terrific - it provided access to the entire itinerary!
Merritt and her team at Roar Africa planned the most amazing experience to South Africa for us, with less than a weeks notice. My husband and I had some last minute vacation time, so I called Roar Africa on a whim to see if it was possible to fulfill a dream and go on safari to South Africa. After speaking to us only a couple of times, Merritt and her team put together the perfect trip for us. The hotel in Cape Town, the restaurants, the wineries and the safari lodges were all exactly what we would have picked out if we had months to plan. (We of course would not have the amazing connections they do however!)Brian was our host in Cape Town, and we really enjoyed getting to know him and hear his insights on the country. He is a pleasure to spend time with.In short, we cannot say enough good things about Roar Africa, and we thank them for an incredible experience.
While in the process of booking this trip, I felt that the cost to use Roar Africa was a bit overpriced. By the time I came back from safari, I thought it was the best money I had ever spent . They are simply the best at anticipating and accommodating every need you might have. The personal level of attention from the time I arrived in East Africa, until the moment I left was like nothing else I have ever experienced. The camps they chose were 5 star in every way. The “tents” were luxurious, the food was some of the best I ever had, and the private guides were expert at exposing their guests to everything that goes on in the bush.If you want to experience a Safari adventure, I could not more highly recommend Roar Africa.
My husband and I took a safari trip arranged by Roar Africa. We wanted to camp and not be in a herd of tourists. Done and done so well. The safari itself was outstanding with amazing camps and knowledgeable game drivers and spotters. The logistics were seamless. We talked to the South Africa contact a week before the trip and they said get yourselves through customs in Arusha and from there we will take over...needless to say, they did so with wonderful efficiency. We didnt event make it to customs when our first guide met us at luggage and completed customs forms for us. A trip to remember, thank you ROAR AFRICA, you really know how to treat a tourist.
Roar arranged the vacation of a lifetime for us, from ultra luxurious safari lodges with a casual, warm atmosphere to an amazing guide in Capetown who was able to make us feel the history and social changes in this fascinating region since the fall of Apartheid. We could not have organized this ourselves, as getting the most out of our 2 weeks required small planes, guides through airports, and arranged drivers. We were able to relax and enjoy 2 safaris, the beautiful Zambezi and Victoria Falls, and the wine country while making new friends and managing to be comfortable with only a tiny suitcase.
We just returned from our first trip with Roar Africa. It was quite an adventure and everyone in our family agrees that the trip was the most fantastic adventure that any of us have ever done! We thought that our trip to Antarctica would always be the best, but Africa topped it for sure. Even our two boys, who have travel more extensively than either myself or my wife, agreed that Africa was by far the best! The itinerary Deborah Calmeyer from Roar Africa selected for our family was awesome and everything she promised was accurate.Our personal guide, Humphrey was outstanding. He not only had an truly positive personality at all times with our family, he got along perfectly with our two boys unique personalities. We were all very sad when he had to leave our tour before it was complete. He really made the trip outstanding as he kept us on track at all times, made sure that we didnt repeat things with different guides, and was full of information that made the trip so enjoyable. If we are able to work out another trip to Africa we would only do it with Roar Africa and we would absolutely want to have Humphrey as our guide!I would like to also give a very big thumbs up to the Roar Africa team with the scheduling. Everything was perfectly timed. Everyone was where they were supposed to be when they said they would be there. We have done a number of trips with different companies and I have to say that the Roar Africa team was the best we have encountered.As for our last part of the trip at Tswalu Lodge (minus Humphery), it was also just as amazing as the other locations. The house we stayed at was beautiful and we actually got to see & follow 2 different pangolins! I didnt even know what a pangolin was until this trip. What a treat! To top it all off, as we were driving to the airport to leave Tswalu, the guides took a side road and the last animals we saw in Africa were several lions along with 3 of the cutest little cubs! We got to watch them for about 20 minutes before we had to continue to the airplane. Sad to leave but what a way to end our trip!Again, thank you Deborah so very much for such an incredible adventure. This was a trip of a life-time that we hope to do again and again! We will absolutely recommend your company to our friends and anyone else that will listen. Please keep in touch and as new adventures open up, forward that information to us so we can make some future plans.
Roar Africa planned a fabulous trip to Botswana and Cape Town, South Africa for 3 of us. They excelled at attention to detail - helping us choose 2 lodges (Xigera and Savute Safari Lodge), arranging all of the flights within Africa, reserving restaurants for us in Cape Town (including getting us into The Test Kitchen!), providing a fantastic guide for our visit to Cape Town and the surrounding wine country, and especially having team members meeting us at every airport and whisking us through lines like we were real VIPs. I highly recommend Roar Africa and cant wait to plan my next African adventure with them!
Our trip with ROAR Africa was one of the best Ive been on in my life, and that says a lot as Ive been lucky enough to travel quite extensively. The quality and standard of our ROAR experience was truly unparalleled. Before our trip, we were given a personalized, easy-to-use app with links to all of our travel documents, itineraries and relevant information. For me, it was the perfect way to keep organized - we constantly referred back to it throughout our travels. From the moment we stepped off the plane, ROAR made our trip utterly seamless. I traveled with my family and another family and while we all have different interests and tastes, Deb and her team at ROAR managed to cater to each of us individually. We were kept busy the entire time, but in a way that also allowed us time to relax, which was much needed. The ROAR team were extremely flexible, and moved reservations whenever we needed, allowing us to extend our time in places we loved. We spent the first part of our trip on safari, the second part touring Cape Town and the third and final part, in the winelands. Each part was more memorable than the next. We learned about South African history, culture and traditions, while enjoying some of the best art, food and shopping that South Africa has to offer. We were so delighted by our trip, that on our last day we signed up for another trip with ROAR next year!
The whole trip was beyond perfect. Roar Africa laid it out so that travel connections were seamless. We were always met by a representative who made sure we had VIP treatment through customs, luggage pickup and transportation. The accommodations were first rate and unique and special. Food was delicious, fresh, healthy and we were given many options as where to dine, alone, with other guest, in our room, in the bush or overlooking rivers or beautiful vistas. The Safaris were beyond our expections. We saw the big 7, the great migration, and so many more animals than we had imagined. The guides were experienced, so accommodating, had great senses of humor and worked so hard to make sure we saw what we came to see. We became so attached to guides and staff at our camps it was hard to leave. It was the best and most exciting trip we have experienced and we credit that to Roar Africa and their experienced and caring staff. Thank you guys so much!!!
Id give 10 stars if I could. Absolute unreal experience traveling with Roar Africa this past month. Top notch service and staff at all places we visited. For anyone on the fence, I have never felt safer traveling with roar than anyone else currently, it is more safe traveling with them than going to your local grocery store. Lee and PJ were fantastic to work with and made everything and absolute breeze. Looking forward to our next with them!
We just came back from 2 1/2 week trip organized by Roar Africa and are still on cloud nine. The trip was perfectly balanced between sightseeing, cultural immersion, as well as 2 different safaris. Our guide in Cape Town, Steven Blake, was one of the best guides that we ever had on a tour as he was with us for 4 days.We stayed at 2 wonderful safari camps, Makanyi in Timbavati Preserve next to Kruger National Park in South Africa, and then Qorokwe Tent Camp in Botswana. Both locations had fantastic guides and staff.Overall, no attention to detail was omitted by Roar Africa and were happy to recommend them.
I cannot say enough great things about Roar Africa! Caroline and her team put together an amazing and most memorable trip with our wishes to be able to see Victoria Falls and East Africa. I had expectations since I had gone 20 years ago, as I wanted my family to experience certain things that I remembered from my prior trip. Caroline’s itinerary and places we stayed were exactly what I was looking for. She even recommended a place that I had read about in a magazine and had kept on hand but had not even mentioned. It was everything and so much more than we had hoped for! Even my 13 and 15 year old kids said it was the best trip we’ve been on. The service, hosts and guides were all top rate and spectacular! Only thing we needed was more time! Cheers to Roar Africa and I would recommend them to anyone wanting a unique and most memorable trip to Africa.
I have travelled all over the world and have had many amazing experiences.The trip planned for me and my soon to be 14 year old grandson by Roar Africa tops them all!Every aspect of the trip was exquisitely planned without one glitch.We were met at the airport by our guide Steven and driver George. We loved being with them and they were our perfect introduction to Kenya.Hemingway’s, Angama Mara and Segera were so beautiful! The guides we had could not have been better.My grandson did not want to leave Angama because of the connections he made with our guide Kenneth our butler Roy, Farida who oversaw all of our meals,Adam and the staff at the photography studio and George who is one of the lodge managers.These people became like family to him.Segera had a high bar to cross!Segera was a different experience.The retreat takes your breath away. Gardens, artwork and sculpture are peppered throughout the property.It’s as if you were a private guest in a very rich person’s home.We had dinner in a different building every night.Each one was very special..Our guide Elvis, became a fast friend of my grandson Sam. Peru’s and Anita who took care of our room became good friends, Adesh and Jens who manage Segera went above and beyond in every respect.Jens lent Sam his 2 camera lenses to use for the duration of our stay. My son adored Andrew who oversaw our meals. He and Sam cooked together and made smoothies every morning. His big smile greeted us at breakfast every morning.I had the 2 best massages of my life with Roseanne!The kindness of every staff member astounded us.My grandson said the only way he could bear to say goodbye was if I promised he could return to Angama and Segera.So we are coming back next summer to repeat the exact same trip with the same guides and everyone else I have mentioned.Sam is in touch with everyone by text.Kenya and the wonderful people we met has stolen our hearts.Thank you PJ and Lisa for doing the best job imaginable in planning the trip of a lifetime .Sam is even using an app to learn Swahili !If this review is over the top that’s exactly what I meant to do!Many thanks.Penni & Sam
A trip to top all trips. We know that what you do will change many lives and open more hearts. At first, we thought we could not afford a trip to Africa with Roar Africa, but in working with you so patiently we created a master piece at our budget. I am so glad we never went for a prepackaged trip and rather built something to match our specific needs. Thank you for working with us to create this trip of our dreams. It is incredible that you have never once done the same itinerary!! You really have perfected an art of designing the African experience. We wish we could plan all our travel with you guys! All the best, V&R Anderson
My husband and I just returned from a trip to South Africa with Roar. The country was beyond beautiful but the experience we had because of Roar’s incredible planning and attention to detail was like no other. The Roar team went above and beyond to plan extraordinary one of a kind experiences that were far and beyond our expectations. They handle everything from answering every question you may have pre trip, to expediting your time in the airport, to providing an app on your phone with your itinerary and flights so you always know what’s next, to making sure you see the best of everything South Africa has to offer. After traveling with Roar I don’t ever want to travel with anyone else. Truly the leader in their class and an experience you will treasure for life.
ROAR is top notch. The ROAR agents listened to what we wanted out of our trip and put together an amazing trip for our first time to Africa with high class accommodations in the bush and personalized activities. From the moment we touched down in Africa there was someone waiting for us to escort us to our beautiful accommodations and for local flights the guides stayed with us until our planes took off. We had a 10 day trip to Kenya and Tanzania that was filled with fantastic safari guides, a Swahili cooking class, and a bike/hike/boat tour through Hells Gate National Park. The accommodations were superb, with amazing local guides that knew the area well and amazing food. The Sanctuary Camps were very welcoming and high style in the middle of the bush. We were so happy we followed the advice to take the local flights between camps as it truly maximized our time. All details were taken care of, we just showed up at the specified time and enjoyed. Agents were quick to respond to all our pre trip questions and even had a fantastic app with all our on the ground information, not that we needed it as all details were expertly coordinated. Hakuna Matata!!!
My wife and I just came home from spending 20 days in Africa. The entire trip was created by Roar upon discussions with us to better understand our interests, likes and dislikes.They were professional , helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and did what they said when they said they would do it. That’s rare in the business world.I would highly recommend doing business with Roar Africa. When we go back to Africa we will call no one but Roar AfricaRon Dennis
Deb and the ROAR Africa team are absolutely the best in the business, and we are eternally grateful to them for planning the most unbelievable dream honeymoon! From the big picture to the most minute details, ROAR is 100% committed to delivering personalized and memorable trips, and making the potentially daunting logistics of Africa travel seem simple and easy. ROAR’s unique team, split between NYC and South Africa, combined with locals on the ground in each country where clients travel, ensures that all needs are met, 24/7. ROAR’s attention to detail was clear throughout and made a huge difference to our experience. ROAR’s commitment to working with only the best and conservation-centric safari camps results in unforgettable experiences, done the right way. Deb sets the tone for the entire company with her calm demeanor, unparalleled expertise and commitment. We would highly recommend ROAR to anyone looking for that dream trip to Africa and we are already looking forward to our next opportunity to travel with Deb and the team!Matt and Hayley
Full disclosure: I serve on the Advisory Board of ROAR Africa.Having noted that, I am also a grateful client, and I am happy to post a 5-star review of our most recent trip. We are regular visitors to Africa, and have enjoyed many trips carefully crafted for us by Deborah Calmeyer and her team, but our most recent may have been the best so far! From our arrival in Cape Town, where we were graciously met by ROAR staff and shepherded through Customs and Immigration, to our departure from Johannesburg 3 weeks later, our itinerary proceeded without a single hitch, leaving us free to fully enjoy the embracing experience that is Africa. Cape Town, which we have come to love, was made all the more enjoyable by the superb restaurants which ROAR booked for us, as well as my obligatory visit to Kirstenbosch Gardens and a lovely day at Babylonstoren. We then spent 3 nights at one of our favorite safari lodges: Jamala Madikwe (originally recommended by ROAR and visited many times since) before flying up to Zambia to enjoy Victoria Falls and a superb safari experience at Norman Carr Safaris Chinzombo Camp in South Luangwa. Having visited Chinzombo personally, Deborah assured us we would love it, and she was spot on! The camp itself is lovely and comfortable, perched with wonderful views of the Luangwa River; the staff are engaging and helpful; and the food is excellent, especially considering the remoteness of the location. Our guide, Abraham, was thoroughly professional and experienced, and he treated us to a series of fantastic animal sightings, all framed by the beautiful and diverse landscapes in the area. We were particularly enthralled by the majestic groves of Jackalberry, Ebony, and Mopani trees - unlike anything we had seen during our many previous trips to Africa. It was a truly magical experience, and we are immensely grateful to ROAR for putting it all together.Special kudos to Kerrie Miller, our point person at ROAR, who walked us through our itinerary before our trip and reviewed it with us afterward - clearly determined that we would have a fantastic experience. And thanks also to ROAR for introducing us to the Peech Hotel in Melrose, Johannesburg, where we enjoyed several comfortable and quiet days in the city between safari trips.Well done, ROAR! Now lets start working on the next trip...
I couldnt be happier with my decision to journey to East Africa with ROAR. They listened to what we were looking for and planned our trip to fit our wishes and needs flawlessly. Every detail was thought of and we felt extremely well cared for. Thank you to the team at ROAR!
As millenials we are used to planning our own travel, but ROAR Africa made our Honeymoon to South Africa special in ways we just couldn’t have. From our fabulous guide in Cape Town and the winelands, to the bespoke culinary itinerary, to booking with the best safari guides in the Timbavati, using ROAR elevated every aspect of our time in South Africa. For a trip that special, there is no other way to go. We recommend them highly and look forward to our next ROAR trip!
Perfection. Roar Africa thought of everything. Every detail was covered, from making reservations in wonderful restaurants to meeting us at the airport and making our travel easy. I have traveled a lot with high-end organizations and our trip with Roar in South Africa was simply perfection. On safari, we saw every animal we had hoped to see. We even got to observe wild dogs consuming a kill.
Outstanding! Beyond our wildest expectations! Awesome! I cant think of enough adjectives to express how exciting and perfect the bucket-list trip Merritt and staff planned for my sister and I to Kenya and Tanzania. The escorts at the airports helped us get through customs and immigration quickly. Our greeters in Nairobi (Steven and George) made us feel welcome before we even got in the car. The guides and trackers throughout the 2 weeks were unbelievable in how they found all the animals we ever wanted to see. And, the 2 river crossings we observed were only one of the highlights of the trip. The lodges and camps were wonderful. We really felt like we were glamping. A great big THANKS to ROAR!!!!
What a great trip we had. I don’t think it could have been any better, from start to finish it all went according to plan. We talked to Merritt and gave her our wishes for our trip and it exceeded our expectations. The properties were all spectacular, the safaris were amazing, all the guides were wonderful. We enjoyed our time with Steve in Cape Town visiting all the sites. Our ride on the Rovos Rail was a wonderful day of relaxation. Can’t wait to return.
Roar Africa deserves a galaxy of stars-not just five! The trio of Lee, Stephen and Tim were the meteorites blazing the way for a truly luminous journey in South Africa--a star studded adventure every day.The entire trip was beautifully organized.and executed. Our fearless leaders addressed every issue with a smile and quick action including producing a small plane at the last minute-incredible! All three took time to talk to each of us individually and made us feel welcomed from the beginning to the end. Roar Africa is a stellar operation and I enjoyed minute of a heavenly trip.Sandra Smith
Roar Africa did a superb job of planning our trip to Botswana and South Africa. We were greeted at every airport and whisked through lines seamlessly and professionally, while we watched other travelers bewildered by the complexities of the airport systems. The two camps we stayed at in Botswana were wonderful choices. Our guide in Cape Town, Bryan, was a dream--so lively, funny, and knowledgeable. He gave us great insight into the political background of South Africa. On one of our days with him, the boat we were to take to Robben Island was cancelled because of weather, and Bryan filled 4 hours with other activities on the spur of the moment. I could not have been happier with the treatment and services provided by Roar Africa, and so appreciate the attention given to our trip by Merritt and Kerrie. Kudos to the whole Roar Africa team!
Simply the best. Everyone involved in Roar Africa is dedicated to ensuring that clients have a safe, unforgettable experience. Loved every minute of our incredible journey together.
Dear Deborah,Our trip with Roar Africa absolutely exceeded all our expectations. Thank you very much for your careful planning and paying attention to our every wish. We felt very safe everywhere we went, the itinerary was well thought out, and the people who looked after us were wonderful. The safaris were amazing, the lodges spoiled us, the food was always delicious. We celebrated Chris’ birthday three times.Thank you, we will never forget our visit to South Africa.Mary Ann and Chris
We had an incredible family trip planned by Roar Africa. Every detail was perfect. Makanyi Lodge was beautiful. The staff was incredible and the animal sightings were amazing. We loved our guide Alfred and tracker Themba. They took us on an unforgettable journey into the wild. The Victoria Falls River Lodge was filled with rustic charm. Devil’s Pool was a heart pounding adventure the entire family enjoyed. With Chips, our guide, we experienced a sunset watching elephants swim the Zambezi River. Cape Town was an incredible five day adventure highlighted by our guide Steven Lake and driver Malick. Steven found something for every member of the family. We learned so much from him and enjoyed his insight, humor and all time spent with him. Steven is the best guide we have ever had! The Vamoos app was very helpful. We had ready access to our itenary, flights, weather and more. We thank Roar Africa for a fantastic trip. We would definitely recommend a trip with them and hope to travel with them again.
I have travelled with Roar Africa many times and each time it was absolutely amazing. Highly recommend. The last trip was to Rwanda to meet the mountain gorillas and it was beyond ....
Below is the letter that I sent Deborah Calmeyer re the trip that she and her team at ROAR Africa put together for my sister-in-law and myself:Deborah,Thank you so much for having put together such a wonderful trip to Botswana and South Africa. From my initial conversation with you, where, as opposed to just planning a trip, I felt that you were selling me a dream (I had barely wanted to do a safari in South Africa and suddenly I couldn’t wait to get to Botswana!) to the incredible follow up of your administrative team, the planning for this trip was seamless. Your planning process is the gold standard against which all other trips past and present will be measured.Some of the highest of the highlights for us were:· Savuti Camp- the guide and the staff were topnotch. I cannot believe the amount of wildlife that we saw in the two days we were there (an hour into our first game drive we came across a pride of lions feasting on a fresh kill of a baby elephant). We loved the location of the camp—how the game drives were not limited to existing roads and/or paths and that each drive was a special adventure.· Cape Grace Hotel- I wanted to give them a shout out for having the warmest, most professional hotel staff from top to bottom that I have ever come across. They need to bottle their formula and sell it.· Tim Meadows- I wasn’t sure how I felt about having the same guide with us for 6 straight days, but will be forever grateful that we did. Tim is a treasure. He made us feel like we were friends visiting him and that he wanted us to love South Africa as he did. He was very intuitive as to our likes/dislikes and would add or change items in our itinerary to address them. He made each day a memorable experience. We never felt that we were just ticking items off a to do list. I understood from our call with Kerrie that this was what our guides would be like and she was absolutely right.· Babylonstoren- what a magnificent place. The very definition of “farm to table”. I don’t believe I have ever eaten more wonderful food. This was a wonderful place to end our trip.· The Vamoos app is a wonderful resource.I am sure that I am missing something. All of our guides were wonderful and the places we stayed were topnotch. We felt that we were in great hands the entire time we were in Africa.I would not hesitate to recommend ROAR Africa to anyone contemplating a trip to southern Africa—your attention to detail and ability to plan an experience as opposed to a trip puts you in a league of your own.
We can’t give Roar Africa enough accolades. They truly are the gold standard of excellence. My husband and I have just returned from our adventures in South Africa -Cape Town, Stellenbosch wine country, and Safaris in Kruger National Park at Lions Sands Naruna Lodge and the Okavago Delta, Kwetsani Camp in Botswana. This has been the most unforgettable vacation we have ever experienced. Six stars on very front! This entire exciting trip was orchestrated and delivered at the professional hands of the management and staff of Roar Africa. At every turn there was a Roar Africa professional meeting us, transporting us, guiding us, and catering to all of our needs ahead, during and after our entire trip. Steven Lake, what can we say? You are the most accommodating, experienced, and informative tour guide that we could have ever hoped for. Truly, the “best evahhh.”Our accommodations throughout our trip was six star all the way. The food at all of the Safari Camps were the most outstanding we’ve had anywhere in the world. I adhere to a gluten free diet. Within hours of arriving at each Safari Camp, the chiefs were informed and gluten free delicious meals, baked goods and breads were prepared especially for me daily throughout our entire stay. My only complaint was that I gained 3 pounds. The Vamoos app, a tool created by Roar Africa for their clients made our travels and itineraries easy to understand and follow. We had the time of our lives, all at incredibly luxurious accommodations whether in large cities, in wine country or on Safaris. We lived among every animal imaginable - lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and hippopotamus so close we could have touched them. Yet we felt confidently safe in the hands of seriously professional safari guides. Our gratitude goes to our Safari guide Simon and our tracker, Issack in Kruger, and Safari guide Moyo at Kwetsani Camp in the Okavanga Delta.We will place our unforgettable Roar Africa experience in our special jewel box of the best of our lifetime treasures. Thank you Caroline Hunt, Deborh Calmeyer, Steven Lake and all the wonderful behind the scenes staff at Roar Africa for providing us the dream of a lifetime.Shelia BauerNational Aviation and Space Education Programs (retired)Federal Aviation AdministrationAndJeff Bauer, DMDPast President and Board of DirectorsAero Club of New England
Its a shame I cant give more than 5 stars. I cant say enough about the service, process, and places we stayed. This was the best trip of our lives. We started with a conversation about what we were interested in and a very comprehensive draft was provided to review, choose accommodations, and tweak to our liking. The electronic vehicle that is used for communication is very good and helpful. As for pricing, I did poke around a little bit and the price for a private tour and top shelf accommodations was really not a lot more than group tours and not as nice places, so well worth the value!The places we stayed at were incredible, our guides were fantastic, and everyone was focused on making sure we were happy and everything worked out well. My wife had some health accommodations we had to work around and there was no issue at all with this. I really cant say enough about how much we enjoyed the trip and appreciated to great service from start to finish.We stayed at:Victoria Falls Island LodgeCape Grace HotelBabylonstorenIvory Lodge (Lion Sands)All were just fantastic. Look no further, use Roar Africa!
Just returned from an incredible two week trip to Tanzania and Kenya. I could not imagine doing this trip without the excellent work done by Caroline Hunt and Kerrie Miller to create a trip that really met and exceeded my and my traveling companions expectations. We so appreciated all the work that Roar did to ensure that there were boots on the ground at all our major transfer points to make sure we made all our connections between Kenya and Tanzania. We also appreciated the activities that were planned for us in during our two days in Nairobi, the cooking class at Hemingways was fantastic and biking/hiking in Hells Gate with our guide Steven and driver George was a highlight of the trip. Then the execution by the Sanctuary staff at Swala, Ngorongoro Crater Camp and Kichakani Serengeti Camp was truely outstanding! Never have I felt more welcomed or taken care of! Caroline had recommended using a guide from each camp instead of traveling with a private guide and we are so glad we took her recommendation. The knowledge and skill of Samwel (Swala), Wilson (Lake Manyara), Lucas (Ngorongoro) and Abu (Serengeti) were amazing and made our days in the bush highly productive and enjoyable. While there were a few small hiccups with some of our in-country flights we never had any worries due to the excellent Sanctuary Camp staff and their ability to make sure that we got where we were supposed to be.
Our trip was extraordinary and seamless. From the moment we landed ROAR AFRICA took care of everything, whisking us through immigration. handling our bags, our check in, our tickets, etc. More importantly the choices of where to stay were perfectly matched to our family.The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille was amazing. The views were breathtaking. We had this remarkable safari guide, George who made everything fun. It was perfect for teenagers interspersing bush drives with hikes, herding goats, camel rides and quad bikes. We also visited a local market and school neither of which were aimed at tourists or contrived. Every meal was exceptional and the food and locations seemed to be created specifically for our family.Angama Mara was equally exceptional. The tents are exquisite with the amenities of any 5 star hotel. The staff took care to get to know all of us and went above and beyond to make our trip exceptional. When they knew we were going on an early morning balloon ride they offered to bring coffee to our tent at 4 am.Angama Mara also has a photography studio where they will give you tips and help you with your photos. We hired a guide to go with us on one of our game drives and my husband and daughter found it really helpful. At Angama Mara they too go out of their way to create incredible meals in memorable settings. Not only was the food in Kenya amazing but every meal was experiential.Kenya provided an amazing array of animals. In addition to the big five, we saw wildebeest, zebra, Thompson’s gazelle, baboons, crocodiles, dik-diks, etc. We visited schools, markets and local villages as well. Kenyas animals, landscape and people are all remarkable.We planned this as a once in a lifetime trip, but now everyone wants to go back. When we do well be sure to use ROAR Africa again.
Exceptional experience from start to finish! ROAR not only has an excellent eye for unique, luxury experiences but their execution to ensure the logistics are flawless was spot on. Would not even consider planning a safari without ROARs help!!! We 100% will work with this team again!
I was told by so many friends that this would be a trip of a lifetime. They were right. I am not sure the trip would’ve changed my life and view of the world had I not been exposed to Africa by Roar. Given your heritage, your access to things no one else can get people to and to people no other operator begins to know only comes from generations of calling a place home. Thank you for the intimate lens of Africa you were able to share with us. We are forever changed because of you, our understanding so much deeper and richer. Susie R.
During Covid ROAR Africa made travel possible. They handled every detail with grace and the trip was an exceptional experience. COVID or not, this group will make your trip beyond perfect.
When planning a trip of this magnitude it is hard to imagine all the details necessary. This is where Roar Africa shined. They addressed all the little things that made our experience so incredible. I know they were not responsible for the incredible animals and landscapes that paraded in front of our camera lenses, but they did provide the personal guides and assistants to get us there. VIP treatment all the way. Thank you Caroline, Kerrie, and your entire team for an amazing trip!
Everything from beginning to end was faultless when we booked our family Safari with Roar Africa. We spent 10 days touring South Africa - Safari in the North, Capetown for art and city life, wine country for foiod and wine - it was all absolutely magically orechestrated! We cant wait to explore more of this beautiful continent and will only do it with Roar Africa.
It was our first trip to South Africa and Botswana. We had an amazing experience with all the staff, from admin to field, involved. We will definitely go back and use Roar Africa again for their attention to details and the quality of the services.
The service provided by Roar Africa was just outstanding and made what we thought would be a good trip - into a terrific, wonderful all round experience. Your teams attention to detail was marvelous at every stage. Brian was a total gem and his knowledge of Cape Town and South Africa was completely infectious.
There wasnt a moment during my two weeks that wasnt perfect. Caroline convinced me that I would have no difficulty traveling alone, and she was correct. There was always someone to meet me as I disembarked from my flights. I got whisked through passport control, and escorted to wherever I needed to be. My guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and enthusiastic.The hotels and safari lodges were gorgeous. The animals were astonishing.I actually cant say enough good about the trip that ROAR planned for me.
We thought we would be doing this once in a lifetime. We had heard people can be bitten by the Africa bug. We certainly were but only because of the way ROAR curated each moment for us. Every recommendation was the perfect match. I felt like I had worked with an architect who truly could see inside my soul and knew how to craft everything to my liking. From the property choice, to the room choice, to the perfect table in every restaurant ROAR did not miss a beat. We thought we were paying a higher price compared to other trips we had seen, and we were but hands down it was worth it, and we would never travel with anyone else. Anton and Sally
“We are already looking forward to returning to Africa. When we do it will definitely be with ROAR AFRICA! ROAR is unique in that it has on the ground expertise and incredible private access, long time personal relationships with so many people and places, and a deep commitment to preserving the Africa you all love and we were privileged to share with you.”
Everything went as smoothly as we hoped it would. We had one flight cancel due to mechanical issues and Roar had us booked on a charter before the luggage came off the plane. It saved us at least one missed day on safari.All I can say is if you are coming to Africa, USE ROAR!
You cant have a better friend than Roar Africa when you plan and then take a trip to Africa. The bureaucracy, and the (understandably vigorous) security, visas etc. are smoothed by one of their agents in a yellow security vest escorting you through immigration, customs, security and the airport to your next agent who will take you to your hotel (did you know you can stay 5 star for the price of 3 at home!), and then on the itinery they have custom tailored for you.They know this dark continent and you will benefit from that, and the influence they obviously carry if anything goes even slightly wrong.The best choice you will make; I just got back from Kenya and Tanzania with their planning and assistance.
This trip was completely amazing and wonderful. I’m not sure I have enough adjectives to tell you all how wonderful the last two weeks have been! I loved everywhere we stayed and every single thing we did! I was never disappointed or unimpressed. It was unbelievable.I loved all the places you arranged for us to stay - Capetown, the Winelands and two safari camps. Each was better than the last and all very different from each other. I loved all the people we met in those hotels/lodges. They were all so happy and friendly. We never wanted for anything. In fact at Royal Malewane I teased them constantly because the butler wouldn’t even let me pour my own water or wine! We were totally spoiled.We had terrific guides, drivers and trackers. So knowledgeable and they all wanted to be out there every single time! They all said these jobs were the only ones they’ve ever wanted to do - that was apparent.The restaurants were so good and we loved all the food. I frankly think the best experience was having a 2 bedroom lodge that came with a chef. Gift was great and cooked us anything we asked for! She quickly found out I don’t like onion or peppers but love greens and the salads and vegetables she made me were something else. So delicious and tasty.Cute story: when we had dinner in the bush Gift and the whole team was there. When it came to dessert Vassy asked if I’d like some and I said yes, but only 3 bites. When he brought the slice of cheesecake back it was very narrow and 3 bites! I called over to her ‘Thank you, Gift!! I finally got the size I asked for!!’ She was laughing so hard. They were all soooo great.When we had to change the flight to Johannesburg airport my husband was nervous because he still didn’t have quite enough time to get through the airport, to the lounge and on his call. Well the VIP service you set up came with the most delightful young man who took us right through everything as easily as could be. He brought us straight to the lounge and David got connected to his call with 3 minutes to spare! That was amazing too! And this young man was so nice - he and I joked back and forth the whole walk. He was terrific.We are so delighted that we made this trip AND had you all arrange ALL of it because we could not - absolutely not - had a better time. When I tell you it was perfect - it was PERFECT!!!!
Planning this trip was overwhelming in the beginning, until we were referred to Roar Africa. The true experts. It is obvious you are not just selling a destination but sharing your home. It is hard to understand costs and compare itineraries in black and white but once we were in your hands, we knew we were with an outfit that truly knew the inside scoop and our trust was instilled and our anxieties calmed. Thank you for your meticulous care. Every detail was executed to precision, we never had to worry about a thing. You were ten steps ahead all the way. Nothing was ever to much trouble for your team and your knowledge and access incomparable. Thanks again, Melinda & John (Nov 2018)
Dear Deborah,We are sitting in Johannesburg waiting for our flight to NYC.It is hard to even imagine a trip as fabulous as what you planned for us!!!! Everything was perfect. The accommodations, guides, escorts and our thanks keep rolling in. Our memories will last us a lifetime. I can’t think of one thing that wasn’t perfect. Thank you so much for being so good at what you do.Sherry and Shelly Marks.
No better way to experience the contrast betweenwild Africa and astonishing luxurious safari lodges.Since we stepped in Africa till we left, Roar Africa took care of every detail making our family safari vacation a truly unforgettable one.
ROAR AFRICA created and executed a journey through five countries (planned prior to the pandemic), moving us across borders, handling testing timeline requirements and placing us in camp after camp with fabulous accommodations, wildlife viewing opportunities, fine dining, and, most importantly, amazing people who are dedicated to conservation and sharing the beauty of their homeland with visitors.
Had a fabulous time in Botswana in July of 2019. Took my two oldest grandchildren to Linyanti Ebony and Sable Alley. It gave them a whole new outlook on the world and on the natural wonders of Africa. Sable Alley and Skybed were the highlights of the trip. Saw everything we had hoped for with the exception of rhino and cheetah, but that is not the big draw of this part of Botswana. We saw more elephants than one can count. Lots of hippos, birds, birds, birds. Lions, leopards, hyenas, genet, African wild cats, wild dogs, warthogs, wildebeest, zebra, giraffes, eland, impala, kudu, red lechwe, waterbuck, honey badger, jackals, crocodiles, sable antelope, roan antelope, ostrich, baboons, vervet monkeys, springhare, bat-eared fox, mongoose, cape buffalo, Tsessebe, and lots of squirrels. Food was great. People were wonderful. Kerrie and Merritt at Roar are great. Be prepared for the African Massage when you are on safari. When you go you will know what that means.
Brian, our ROAR AFRICA guide for the first 11 days of our trip was incredible. He was so friendly, easy to spend time with, so interested in making our trip memorable, easily shared his personal stories and open to suggestions that we said goodbye to him with great sadness. He had easily become a friend. He was also very knowledgable of all the areas we visited. Our trackers and guides during safari were fantastic. Cindy, at Gorah, Ross, at Kwandwe, and Toby, at Phinda were so much fun and made sure we had experiences that would last a lifetime. They all had such burning passion for their life choices. They got as excited and thrilled as we did with each experience. They had an incredible knowledge base about animals, plants, birds, etc. we learned so much on each drive. Ilios tours who provided transportation were punctual and professional.
The entire trip in SA went off without a single hitch. From the moment we landed in JNB to our final flight out there was never a second where we were concerned about our travel or logistics. The JNB transfer to our flight to Londolozi was smooth and when we landed in Cape Town we had Brian. We cant say enough about him. He really made our time there even more enjoyable.
Incredible. We had a trip planned with roar Africa. It was to south Africa,botswana and zimbawae;It was seamless,with great lodges,camps and guides.i will use them again;very professional
A stellar experience for any nature enthusiast. Outstanding staff made it a stress-free and seamless adventure in Kenya, abundant with incredible sights and treasured memories.
Great service from start to finish. Roar Africa helped me plan my family trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything went perfectly. Thank you!
Lets face it, this trip was expensive - and worth every cent. Fantastic attention to detail, terrific staff, bespoke experiences otherwise unavailable, wonderful memories. The serious downside is that I am now completely spoiled for any other vacation travel.
Really enjoyed the Roar Africa team. They were all so welcoming, knowledgeable and fun, it was hard to say goodbye.
Fantastic experience all around...trip of a lifetime......Roar was great.
We spent just the right amount of time there to see the falls which were spectacular.
Amazing trip - six stars!
Experience of a lifetime. Thank you Roar Africa
Total reviews rating 5
127 Reviews for ROAR AFRICA - Luxury African Safaris 2023:
Review №1
2022-01-10Roar Africa planned the trip of a lifetime for us this Christmas! We visited Finch Hatton’s safari camp in Tsavo West National Park and Angama Mara in the Masai Mara National Park of Kenya. After speaking with Merritt and Lisa about the vision we had for our first safari in Africa they immediately understood our style and had great recommendations. We loved how attentive Roar was to detail and how organized and aesthetically curated their itineraries were. We felt very safe once we landed in Kenya with Sammy and Cliff as our point of contact and driver. He met us at all of our transfers and ensured we were where we needed to be. I definitely recommend using Roar to plan your African Safari! With all of the transfers and small flights our Safari required having a reputable agency was essential. They organized all transportation and concierge covid testing for our travels. Can’t wait to plan our next trip with Roar!
Review №2
2022-07-03Everything was perfect. From arrival we were guided through customs to the hotel in Nairobi and out the next morning to our first stop. All the accommodations were better that we even thought they would be. After 2 weeks we were still seeing new things and enjoying the trip. The locations were well planned to give us a broad experience.The Roar team was available throughout our time, responding quickly, and making sure any questions or trip additions were accomplished.We intend to use them for our next trip.
Review №3
2022-04-04I could not possibly ask for more! ROAR AFRICA provided me and my son with 15 glorious days and nights starting with a life-changing experience with the Gorillas to days with Masai Mara on the plains soaking in the most phenomenal wildlife. Everyone, I mean everyone, guides, porters, drivers, housekeepers, etc, were absolutely delightful. I got the feeling that they they did not have to be, but were genuinely good happy people.I must add on that that the service from ROAR AFRICA was brilliant. As well, we flew Turkish Air Business class. That was a gift to ourselves that I highly recommend as well!
Review №4
2022-06-19Roar Africa helped me put together the BEST TRIP EVER! I returned from Namibia and South Africa two weeks ago.Planning the trip, we talked about where I wanted to go, they asked questions and the results were incredible!This trip literally was three years in the making. I say that because we started in June 2019 for a scheduled trip in May 2020. Everyone knows what the last two years were like and the company kept me updated throughout.Im already thinking about my next trip with Roar Africa.....Uganda, Rwanda or ..........
Review №5
2021-08-25I don’t typically use travel agencies, but I reached out to Roar when booking a fairly last minute trip for a group of nine. Our group was coming from three countries and wanted to spend time together under one roof. Separate safari tents wouldn’t do, so Roar used their extensive knowledge of Kenya to propose multiple-room lodging accommodations and I was blown away at what they found. From the two gorgeous cliffside villas at Saruni Samburu to the jaw-dropping 5-bedroom Villa at Cottar’s Bush, Roar delivered on an itinerary of a lifetime and I’m utterly depressed that it’s over.As an inexperienced agency user, I’ll speak to the things I was skeptical about. (I run a coupon business in the U.S. and I’m a proud cheapskate, so the dollars and cents matter to me.) If there’s not value in working with an agency, no matter how much I love the story of this woman-owned business, I’m not gonna book.Roar saved me time and frankly, found options I would have had an extremely difficult time uncovering. And while our accommodations were out of my normal price range, when compared to booking 4-5 tents for my group, they were actually very comparable and the experience was 10x better.The exclusive private experience at Sheldrick’s elephant orphanage (something I could never have booked without Roar as it’s not listed publicly on Sheldrick’s site, and it was booked solid for months) was truly once in a lifetime. The only way my kids were able to walk with and pet a dozen baby elephants was because of Roar.Merritt, Lisa, Sammy and the entire crew created access I would not have found in a thousand trip advisor reviews.
Review №6
2022-06-20My wife and I recently returned from a 33 day trip entirely curated by Roar Africa on our behalf. Before we left we had numerous conversations with several Roar representatives to describe who we were and what interested us? In our case we were interested in nature, art, animals, wine, hiking, history, culture, race relations, food, and politics. Our resulting trip was simply fantastic. In Johannesburg and Cape Town we toured multiple galleries, museums, and the studios of some of the premier artists. We ended up acquiring four very fine pieces of art from leading South African artists. We also did quite a bit of wine-tasting accompanied at times by a wonderful sommelier. For the nature part of the trip we spent three or four nights at each of five different safari camps in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. This gave us a fantastic opportunity to see wild animals in different types of terrain. Unfortunately our trip ended three days before our departure when I was involved in a serious horseback riding accident as far away from civilization as we could be in the Kalahari desert. The Roar team was simply wonderful in getting me a nurse, an ambulance to take me to hospitals hours away and shepherding me safely back to the United States for spinal surgery and treatment. I cannot over express my love and my appreciation for these fine people. The many guides they provided for us were fantastic. The trip was expensive but we were never nickel and dined and we always received fair value for what we paid. I wish I could go back soon to see more of the wonderful country of South Africa; with ROAR of course.Frederick FIERSTNorthampton Massachusetts
Review №7
2021-09-01We just returned from 10 days in Tanzania on a Roar Safari. We cannot say enough superlatives for Roar Africa and their service to plan and execute a perfect safari. They chose the best places to stay, with the best guides, best food, seamless transfers from airports to lodges to jeeps. Everything felt so comfortable and secure in these times of Covid. And there were not many other tourists so we got to see everything at our leisure, close up, and safely. Id strongly advise people to go NOW before the crowds come back. Food was great everywhere. The guides were topnotch. We wanted to know everything about what we were seeing and they were very accomodating explaining the animals behaviour, etc. We saw thousands of wildebeest crossing the river (saw 3 separate crossings) on their migration, baby Leopards nursing with their mom, lions eating their prey, hundreds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalo. We have a list of more than 27 species of animals we saw (not counting birds which is probably another 20-30 species). And all this quite close up. Some of the animals came right up to the jeep to check us out (elephants, leopard, giraffe, baboons, monkeys). It was a dream come true for us. I still have to pinch myself that this safari really happened.
Review №8
2022-05-25My two adult daughters and I recently returned from a trip to Kenya planned by Roar Africa. I have traveled with exclusive groups including Young Presidents Organization(YPO) and CEO International in the past, so I am pretty familiar with luxury travel.From start to finish Roar Africa exceeded all expectations.Every little detail was meticulously executed.We were met at the Nairobi airport, whisked through with baggage gathered and in no time were off to our first fabulous destination . Whether in the city or on safari, our accommodations were luxurious , our food delicious , organic and fresh and our activities outstanding.Our guide was with us every step of the way clarifying schedules and making sure we had everything we needed.We are now planning a future trip for our large family of 20 and will only consider one planned by Roar Africa!
Review №9
2022-02-09ROAR managed our two trips to Africa. The first in 2019 to Kenya and Tanzania. We found ROAR to be a superb luxury travel company and they worked very closely with us on every detail. in fact, we had such an amazing experience we booked our gorilla trekking trip for 2022 as soon as vaccines became available to us!Our plan was to visit Rwanda, Zambia and South Africa in early January 2022. Then Omicron hit in December- and supposedly it originated in South Africa. This wasnt great news for our planned trip....we just figured we would have to cancel... but we were in constant communication with our ROAR team and actively partnered with them to make an informed go/no go decision.All of our friends thought we were crazy, but in the end, ROAR did such a great job with our first trip that we felt comfortable traveling to Africa in general and South Africa in particular despite the travel restrictions imposed on South Africa due to Omicron. With their local presence in all of these countries, they gave us valuable feedback on what these countries looked like/felt like in a COVID world. And they were able to react in real time in the 30 days prior to our trip when Omicron was such a concern world-wide and entry requirements were dynamic. So we pulled off a fabulous 3 week trip to 3 countries- despite covid/omicron (which turned out to be negligible, but that is another story) and we are so glad we didnt cancel! All of their local guides and recommended properties were outstanding. My sense is if a travel company can seamlessly pull off a 5 Star trip in a pandemic, then they know what they are doing!We will definitely use them again!
Review №10
2022-05-15Our trip with Roar Africa exceeded our expectations. Close-up wildlife sightings, fabulous scenery, lovely people, informative and helpful guides and trackers, three unique and equally enjoyable safari camps ( Lion Sands, King’s Pool, Mombo Camp) helicopter ride, spa treatment, and the Victoria Falls were outstanding. CapeTown tours with a gondola ride up Table Mountain, Victoria and Albert wharf area, the cute penguins in their exquisite setting, lovely shops and tasty restaurants, gardens, and wine country provided for a wonderful variety of experiences. Our guides and bush pilot were intelligent and well informed and shared so much knowledge with us about animals, culture, topography, history and their passion for life in Africa. It was a trip of a lifetime and Roar Africa made it great. Our journey with Roar Africa was stunningly beautiful and will stay in our memories as one of the greatest, if not the greatest trip, we’ve taken in our lives.