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Following their 10th trip with Audley Travel, Jim and Bonnie reflect on the past decade of authentic travel experiences.

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Review: Audley Travel’s Self-Drive Namibia Tour

On the eve of a milestone birthday, I packed for a monumental trip: a 1,200-mile solo drive from Windhoek, Namibia, to Victoria Falls, Zambia, during which I would experience eight safari camps and explore five major rivers and four countries over the course of two weeks. 

I’d never been to Africa before, so I decided to put myself in the hands of Boston-based custom tour operator Audley Travel. Here’s what it’s like to book and helm a self-drive Namibia tour with Audley. 

Qualifying Clients

Flexibility on the traveler’s part is crucial when it comes to Africa travel, and particularly on a self-drive trip. River levels, wildlife migrations and driving distances place limitations on what’s practical in any given season. Audley is equally flexible, though, and will switch lodges or adjust the number of travel days upon request.

Ideal clients for this trip are independent, well-traveled, adventurous and happy to drive long distances in sometimes difficult terrain — in a word: unflappable. (I got lost several times as well as briefly stuck on sandy trails more than once.) One morning, I took a cold outdoor shower because my indoor tap hadn’t heated up properly. The food was uniformly excellent, but rarely was there more than one entree selection at dinner. Lions roaring outside a tented “chalet” might unnerve some clients.

Travelers should be fully mobile and active, too, as there are few, if any, accommodations for disabled clients. Generally, an open mind, a sense of humor and an eagerness to explore will lead to great memories.

Preparing to Drive in Namibia, and Beyond

Audley contacted me several times to finalize my itinerary and answer my handful of questions. However, advance phone calls, emails and online brochures will never capture the reality of the trip: The amount of wildlife bowled me over (I managed to see four of the Big 5), and the famous rivers (Okavango, Chobe, Zambezi) — full of hippos and crocodiles — were thrilling. No amount of planning could have prepared me for wild ostriches racing my car on the side of a jungle-edged highway.

RELATED: Africa Safari Trends for 2024 Include Higher Budgets, Sustainable Travel and Beach-Safari Combos

Primary roads in Namibia, mostly two-lane blacktops, are well-maintained, but the plentiful gravel roads and sandy paths require a four-wheel drive vehicle. Audley hired a 4×4 Toyota Hilux for me (right-hand drive, automatic transmission), complete with two spare tires in case of blowouts.

At The Weinberg, the homey hotel in Windhoek where I began my journey, Audley’s local representative gave me a detailed itinerary, printed driving directions and an old-school paper map (“More reliable than GPS,” she said), as well as a prepaid flip phone programmed with numbers for Audley headquarters; their local rep, Europcar; and each game lodge. Most of that information was also contained in the personalized Audley app I had downloaded. She also gave me a cooler with ice packs and two bottles of water.

“You don’t want to break down in Namibia without water,” she said.

Activities to Expect

Lodges (often called “camps”) have a similar menu of excursions: bush walks, game drives, river cruises and cultural visits to local villages. Although it’s not guaranteed, clients are likely to spot elephants, Cape buffalo, hyenas, giraffes, rhinos, wildebeest, zebras and scores more species. At some camps, the wildlife often enter the grounds, requiring employees to escort guests to their lodgings after dark for safety.

Most lodges include one game drive per day; some include breakfast and dinner, others breakfast only. Audley provides specifics in the itinerary about what’s included and what’s extra.

The Ups and Downs of Road Tripping in Africa

There were some minor snafus on my trip. For example, because of the bureaucracy in taking a rental car into Zambia, I was directed by Audley to return my car at the Immigration Jetty in Kasane, Botswana, then go with a driver to my next lodge. But my Europcar contact had said to drop off the 4×4 at Kasane International Airport. It all worked out — a friendly, uniformed Europcar employee met me at the pier, after all — but I felt it was a needless bit of anxiety that should have been straightened out beforehand.

RELATED: A Complete Guide to Travel in Zambia

Audley’s choice of lodges was well-informed and even had a sort of musical rhythm, with luxury camps on my first and last nights, which helped ease me into and out of the bush, with rougher yet comfortable camps in between.

My 13-night itinerary included one night each at The Weinberg (B&B) and Onguma The Fort; two nights at Onguma Camp Kala; one night each at Taranga Safari, Riverdance and Nambwa Tented Lodge; and two nights each at Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge, Serondela Lodge and Waterberry Zambezi Lodge. The trip also included transfers, the rental car and safari activities at Onguma Camp Kala along with a jet-boat ride on the Zambezi, flight-seeing over Victoria Falls and breakfast on Livingstone Island at the very edge of the falls during the stay at Waterberry. Airfare, additional activities, gratuities and fuel for the rental car were extra.

Audley’s on-the-ground representative was helpful over the provided flip phone whenever I had questions, and made me feel that — if anything had gone south — I would have had their immediate support. Overall, I enjoyed a bucket-list trip that was deployed smoothly and featured great communication, lovely hospitality, incredible wildlife and plenty of adventure.

There was one time, while on a boat in the Chobe near Serondela Lodge, that a hippo attacked us (no one was hurt) — but I doubt that even Audley, as capable as they are, could have come to the rescue in that case.

Get In Touch With Audley Travel

Audley Travel’s standard U.S. commission rate is 10%. Travel advisors can reach Audley via phone, at 855-435-1768, or through its online agent hub, where direct marketing opportunities are also available. Advisors will also find additional information about this Namibia self-drive trip and other excursions in the country online.

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Reviews 4.8.

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Professional service with a smile

I can't recommend Audley highly enough. Experience travel the easy way with a personal touch.

Date of experience : November 14, 2014

Called Audley with a very short window to plan a trip for 7 in Chile..

I was designated to put a trip together for five of us from the US and two teachers living in Chile for the last year at Santiago. I started to realize in Sept 2014 that I really had very little knowledge on what I was doing, IE web searching, especially for the time frame in question over Christmas and New Years in Chile .. particularly as it relates accommodations over the Holiday season.. The last "straw" so to speak was when I was booking a Van for us in Chile and when I got my online confirmation back it was for some damn place in ALBANIA !!!! So, thats when I decided I needed PRO help... and called Chris at Audley ... He really came through for me and as a result we will have a great trip as opposed to sitting around looking at each other and asking , "Well, what should we do today ! "

The itinerary was very thoughtfully put together.

Overall, a very pleasant experience dealing with very knowledgeable staff.

Great old fashioned service delivered using today's technology

Excellent tailor made service where dreams can come true.

We wanted the best of both worlds for our dream honeymoon, a safari followed by a relaxing exotic beach stay. We were very restricted to times due to my partner been a teacher so our flexibility was limited. Charlotte from Audley Travel immediately knew where and what itinerary would make this dream come true. Flights were soon reserved and numerous accommodation options were given to us. All of which were tailored to fit within our budget. April 2015 cannot come soon enough!!!

Date of experience : November 11, 2014

New Zealand here we come, hopefully to get our own back for you mauling our rugby team!

We have nothing but praise to give to Audley Travel. Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to make a late change to our proposed holiday, changing to a different country all together. Audley acted quickly and very professionally, firstly by phone which was followed by our proposed itineraries, and then the booking details. Obviously we cannot comment further until we return from our holiday, but so far we cannot fault them in any way. More to follow!

Date of experience : November 09, 2014

Travel agent perfection so far.

Knowledgable, approachable staff who are only interested in giving you the best trip they can.

Date of experience : November 08, 2014

Stands out from the crowd

This company is different. They treat you as an individual. My enquiry was answered very quickly and within a couple of days I received a brochure and a specialist on the area phoned me. We then discussed the proposed trip in detail. Clearly the specialist had excellent knowledge of the area. He was able to answer all the questions I raised. He also listened. Within a few days a detailed itinerary was sent. This demonstrated that all my requests and questions had been considered carefully. Furthermore, the travel plans have been put together in a clear and attractive manner, presented as a personal itinerary, which is a lovely touch and is evidence that that this really is a tailor made package.

Great professional, knowledgeable and friendly service.

Very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Look into all the details to get the right trip for you.

Audley Travel really comes up with the goods

We have used Audley Travel to put together holidays for us to India, Argentina, Costa Rica and Cuba and, now, Sri Lanka. We keep expecting it is too good to be true but are finding the opposite! We have found they listen to what you want and have the knowledge and experience to put together a personalised package. The guides and hotels we have got through Audley have been excellent and have not disappointed. We have not encountered problems but have every confidence they would be dealt with in the same efficient manner as everything else. The speed of the service from the first contact is impressive as is the attention to detail. The descriptions and pictures in the itinerary they send you is fantastic. What more could you ask for!

Date of experience : November 07, 2014

Like having a friend in the business

Audley travel have taken all of the hassle out of booking a complex holiday. Holly our advisor really took the time to listen to not just the places we wanted to go but also what matters to us. Holly made suggestions that have enhanced our itinerary.

Speedy expert advice with a friendly touch.

I was very impressed with the way Gareth guided us through the options of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Audley were recommended by a friend, and you feel in safe hands with them.

They re awakened the traveller in me !!

This holiday to Bali is a once in a life time trip, having spent much of my younger years travelling round the world I had decided it was time to stay closer to home - stick to Europe. However my 18 year old daughter has decided to travel the Far East in the summer so how could I resist the opportunity to take my younger daughter and join here for a couple of weeks, Audley Travel were brilliant, they got the balance between recognising that I no longer want to stay in a back packers hotels with my next destination unknown, but the traveller in me is still there, just likes a comfy bed and hot running water!! As a result of my conversation with Amaanah we are now stopping in Singapore - well I missed that in my back packing days, and in Bali riding an elephant and climbing a volcano - how did that happen !! but I know I will come back feeling I have experienced the country not just an observer from a hotel room. Did I say I my long haul trips were over? well maybe but Vietnam looks fabulous for another year.............................

Date of experience : October 24, 2014

With Audley, we feel we're in knowledgeable, experienced hands.

With Audley, we know that we'll make the most of every minute of our precious holiday, benefitting from guides with detailed cultural and historical knowledge, a well organised varied itinerary and well appointed hotels.

Date of experience : October 21, 2014

Sometimes you just need to let someone else do it!

It has become the fashion to book everything on the internet, hotels, flights, restaurants and enthusiastic friends will tell you what great deals got for their next vacation however the enthusiasm wanes when they later tell the stories of what took place afterwards, flights with long layover, hotels in awful areas of town which did not live up to their expectations and on and on. One conversation with Audley and their experts will arrange the most perfect vacation (consulting with you along the way) which never never is less than excellent.

Date of experience : October 20, 2014

Excellent ideas when ours were vague

Gave a basic idea to what we required but ideas were suggested and some very different experiences were suggested making it a more of an exciting experience than just a holiday.

Date of experience : October 19, 2014

Professional, affordable and good value

You must try Audley next time you book a holiday. I usually book my own flight and hotel. I found it so much easier using this agent, it really wasn't over expensive plus You have the security of them being affiliated.

Date of experience : October 18, 2014

Expert advice, all details covered, fair price, excellent service.

Audley were so helpful in putting together our holiday. They are the experts in their area and you feel confident and relaxed that they have put together the best holiday for your needs at a good price. I would not hesitate to use them again and to recommend them.

Easy to deal with

World traveler in all 7 continents.

I have traveled to approximately 200 countries. Audley is the best travel company that I have ever used. Their staff saved me thousands of dollars and presented ideas which I had not considered. Their professional specialists know the countries intimately because they have traveled and/or lived there, so that it is not just brochure material. I usually do my own planning and make my own arrangements. Audley actually organized the perfect trip for me for less than the budget that I planned and with better knowledge about the activities and accommodations that I needed. Five stars all the way . . . Audley travel.

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Reviews 4.8.

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Working with Audley Travel was an easy

Working with Audley Travel was an easy, simple experience. Once we had decided to where we wanted to travel, we were teamed with a specialist who listened to our ideas and crafted a trip that met and exceeded our expectations.

Date of experience : 02 May 2024

Reply from Audley Travel

Hi Joel, Thank you so much for sharing your recent experience with Audley. We are so happy to hear that Thora took the time to listen to what you wanted out of your trip to South Africa, and used that information to create a trip that exceeded your expectations! We have shared your feedback with Thora, as well as with her manager. We look forward to helping you plan your next big adventure! Best wishes, Audley Travel US

Great experience planning a trip

Ellie Roe was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and flexible when helping us plan our trip to Costa Rica. She came up with loads of ideas to help us keep within our budget - she was really patient and nothing was too much trouble. A really good experience, thanks Ellie.

Date of experience : 08 May 2024

Hi Alison, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review about your experience with Audley. We are so pleased that you had such a fantastic trip to Costa Rica and felt so well listened to by Ellie. It is also so wonderful to hear how the itinerary was so well suited to your needs and budget. We will be sure to pass your kind words onto Ellie and the team. We hope to plan many more amazing holidays like this with you in the future! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Costa Rica joy

We had the most incredible honeymoon in Costa Rica and we will forever be grateful to Rebecca for this. She was outstanding at every stage of the process. The trip was seamlessly planned, with the ideal amount of time at each location, maximising experiences and also allowing time for relaxation. Rebecca clearly understood and balanced what we wanted from our trip – better than we knew ourselves. The accommodation was luxurious in ways we could have never imagined (even when labelled as basic!) We really valued her knowledge and joy of Costa Rica. She readily provided advice at every stage including when we were in country. Thanks to Rebecca a last minute zip-line experience was a highlight for someone who is afraid of heights!

Date of experience : 01 April 2024

Hi Katherine, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review. This must have really been a special honeymoon. We are so pleased that you felt so listened to by Rebecca and she created a fantastic itinerary to suit your needs. It is wonderful to hear that you not only conquered your fear of heights, but it was also the highlight of your trip! I'm sure the views were absolutely incredible. We will be sure to pass these kind words onto Rebecca and the ground team. We hope to plan many more exciting adventures together in the future! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

First time ever using a travel agent, I'm sold!

We've always made our own travel arrangements, researching and booking everything. But recently, we took a trip to South Africa that involved a lot of moving parts, including travel to different parts of the country, then a cruise from Capetown up the west coast of Africa, ending in Barcelona, Spain, with finally travel back to the UK. On the recommendation of one hotel we were planning to stay at, Kruger Shalati, we contacted Audley to help us. I didn't know what to expect but I was blown away by the level of service they provided. From simple things that I've not thought of arranging before--like having an airport attendant in Johannesburg help us through immigration & customs, drivers at every stop who knew the local language--as well as arranging bespoke private tours that matched our interest, a whole new world of travel has opened up for us. I was also thoroughly impressed with how well our travel specialist, Louise Gibbs, prepared us for the trip with all our travel documents, arrangements, important numbers, etc. set up in a lovely little binder that was mailed to us. The binder also included EXTREMELY helpful info about expected weather conditions and local customs (especially regarding tipping for service) in the places we were visiting which we referenced often during our trip. After this experience, I'm sold on the value of working with a travel agent to take a lot of the headache and work of planning trips off my plate so I can enjoy more of my trip!

Date of experience : 14 March 2024

Dear Amber, Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your experience! We're thrilled to hear that your trip exceeded your expectations. It's wonderful to know that the personalised service provided by Louise and the meticulous planning added so much value to your experience. We strive to make travel as seamless and enjoyable as possible and your feedback means the world to us! We look forward to helping you plan your next adventure! Best Wishes, Audley Travel UK

Great expectations were met.

Spent almost a year from the original rough plan to the actual trip. We couldn't find what we wanted on our own. Brittany listened and added ideas when needed. We were then able to look at revisions until we were comfortable. Good recommendations throughout, and we didn't have to find & book side trips. The ease of jumping from one location to the next was seamless with the plan. Loved our phone chats with Brittany and her knowledge of our sites. Turned out to be the most relaxing fun filled trip we have every taken.

Date of experience : 24 April 2024

Hi Sue & Jim, Thank you for taking the time to share this review of your experience with Audley. We are so happy to hear that Brittany took the time to listen to what you wanted out of your trip, and used her first-hand knowledge to help you craft the perfect trip. We love that it turned out to be the most relaxing, fun trip that the two of you have ever taken! We have shared your praise with Brittany, as well her manager. We look forward to helping you plan a future stress-free adventure! Sincerely, Audley Travel US

Such an amazing surprise!

Such an amazing surprise and so unexpected! I was just unpacking the cases and sorting the laundry as we literally had just arrived home for a trip and the phone rang. A call from Candice Du preez from Audley advising I had won £1000 to spend on a holiday, in a competition! I was so delighted, the call came out of the blue and was perfectly timed. With their amazing ideas and tailored holidays, it's going to be tough picking where to spend the money as there is so much choice, but I know the planning and trip will be a truly memorable experience and I can't wait to tick another destination off my bucket list! Botswana? Okavango Delta? Niagra Falls? Cambodia and Vietnam? So much choice, but I know we're guided by years of expertise and experience. Thank you Audley.

Date of experience : 09 May 2024

Hi Mrs M, Thank you for taking the time to leave this wonderful review! Congratulations! It is such an exciting opportunity and so many different adventures you can take! We are always here to help with the planning stage as well as the itinerary. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing where your new adventure takes you..! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Borneo Experience

My husband and I recently visited Borneo for a 60th birthday " Bucket List" trip. The experience was amazing, not least because of the meticulous planning by Audley. Charlotte our specialist listened carefully to what we wanted from the experience and everything was just right. All the travel arrangements ran so smoothly, taking all the stress out of travelling. It was a wildlife trip of a lifetime with exceeded all our hopes and expectations! An unforgettable holiday, thank you so much Charlotte. We will definitely book with Audley again.

Date of experience : 16 April 2024

Hi Jackie, Thank you for taking the time to leave this amazing review of Borneo and Charlotte! What a special birthday trip that must have been! We are so thrilled to hear how smoothly everything ran and how stress-free your holiday was - after all it is a time for relaxation. It is also so wonderful to hear how well looked after you were by Charlotte and we will be sure to pass these kind words along to her and the ground team. We look forward to welcoming you back and booking more trips together in the future! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Our Japan trip was to be a trip of a lifetime

Our Japan trip was to be a trip of a lifetime. Once we paid our full trip cost we heard nothing though Asha From Audley said we would talk more about details of trip three weeks out. Three weeks came and we get an email Asha had a wedding to go to and then she will be in Korea. Long story short run from this agency. Asha built us an itinerary for a 30 year old we are in our late 60’s and 80’s. It’s sad when a trip of a lifetime is ruined by greed!

Date of experience : 13 March 2024

Dear Jan, We are truly disheartened to learn about your experience. We are sorry to hear about the service you received from us - this is undoubtedly not the high standard we hold ourselves to. Rest assured, a member of our Client Experience Team will be reaching out to you as a matter of urgency. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We are committed to resolving this issue promptly and ensuring your concerns are heard. Best wishes, Audley Travel

experience with Elizabeth- Africa

Our experience with Elizabeth was wonderful! Although we ended up postponing our trip, she was a wealth of knowledge and very understanding of the fact that we had to change our trip to a later date. She was wonderful with no high pressure and totally understanding. If you get a chance to work with her, please do!

Date of experience : 11 May 2024

Hi Carla, Thank you for sharing this wonderful feedback with us. We are so sorry to hear that you needed to postpone your travel plans at this time, but are glad that Elizabeth was so understanding about your change in circumstances. We have shared your feedback with Elizabeth and her manager. We know Elizabeth will be ready to share her knowledge with you when you are ready to start planning a new African safari! Best wishes, Audley Travel US

Bangkok and Singapore - Asian Treasures

Audley Travel did not miss a beat! Alix paid attention to every detail from departure to what to expect inflight and in country as well as while taking regional flights to transferring to an adjacent region or country. I can't say enough about Audley Travel. For anyone who is hesitant to using a travel company, please consider the convenience, peace of mind and details that they take care of so that you won't have to! The car transfers from the airport to picking out the best hotels and excursions. They will make you want to travel over and over again because you'll be well rested and happy that you didn't have to do all of the legwork. Audley travel gives you your time back to enjoy on your vacation!

Date of experience : 05 November 2023

Hi world traveler, Thank you so much for this incredible review of your experience with Audley. We are so happy to hear that Alix took all of the stress out of planning your vacation, allowing you the freedom to focus your energy on just enjoying your time in Bangkok and Singapore! We have shared your kind words with Alix, as well as with her manager. We look forward to helping you plan your next effortless journey! Kind regards, Audley Travel US

Classic Costa Rica

We had a great time in Costa Rica based on the Classic Costa Rica tour - communication at home was excellent and usually by phone which made things very personal. My only complaints are that we changed flights in Miami for which we needed an ESTA, which was mentioned in our written itinerary but not mentioned in communications, so we had a last minute panic getting this sorted. Also, our detailed itinerary was given to us by the ground agent in the taxi from the airport to our hotel when we arrived after a 22 hour door-to-door journey, which wasn’t ideal! This could have been done before we left the UK. Also, because we made a few changes/additions to the standard tour, some trips were not necessary. This could also have been addressed beforehand and given us a little more free time. Other than this the organisation, hotels and service were excellent.

Date of experience : 27 February 2024

Hi Susan, Thank you for taking the time to let us know your experience with Audley. We are so pleased to hear that your trip overall was wonderful! It is great to hear how personal you felt the whole experience was. We are sorry to hear about the ESTA and the itinerary and someone will be in touch soon to discuss this with you further. Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Very poor customer service

Booked to go to Japan many months ahead and very excited. Unfortunately our specialist rep left and her replacement was not very efficient. She promised things, calls that never materialised. I booked with them because I suffer from anxiety and wanted all the stress taken away. Her inefficiency left me stressed before we left. We missed our flight connection due to late departure and we were abandoned. No help during a weekend. Lost paid for trips and tickets as no rep. would rearrange to meet us. Now trying to claim compensation and constant stalling. Yet again booked phone calls not received. Japan is wonderful by the way but not the experience I was expecting from Audley. Well this review certainly got their attention. To be fair it was very quick. Lots of apologies and a full refund on the trips we missed out on. We have now received the promised 'pack' and it's such a shame we didn't have it before we went. It is really lovely and lots of info which would have been really useful. Lots of phone calls to keep me updated on progress with compensation and a very nice little voucher for a weekend away. I think you can judge a company more by the way it handles complaints and they handled ours very well . Sad I had to complain though. On reflection I think I would book again with them

Date of experience : 21 March 2024

Dear Julie Thank you for your feedback and for allowing us the opportunity to resolve this amicably for you. While we are deeply saddened and sorry to learn about the service issues you encountered before and after returning from Japan, we are glad you had a great time exploring the wonders Japan has to offer. Although our gesture of goodwill was appreciated, we recognise that it does not alleviate the stress and anxiety you experienced at the time. As discussed by our Client Service team, we are committed to learning from each experience so that we can improve our level of service in the future, and your Specialist has since undergone additional training and coaching to ensure that this does not happen again. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention, and we truly look forward to working with you again in the future. Best regards Audley Travel, Director’s Office

Emily Norman was a brilliant specialist…

Emily Norman was a brilliant specialist to chat with about our honeymoon to French Polynesia; she listened to all of our wish list items and even included things we wouldn’t have thought of otherwise! The only reason we didn’t book with Emily was price related, hence the 4 star review, but I would trust Emily wholeheartedly with the rest of the process had we booked with her.

Date of experience : 15 March 2024

Dear ASMR Alicia Rockall, We wanted to express our sincere gratitude for taking the time to share your positive experience with Emily while planning your honeymoon to French Polynesia. Your feedback is truly valued, and we are delighted to hear that Emily provided you with excellent service. While price played a significant role in your decision not to book with Emily, we fully understand and respect your feedback. Your consideration means a lot to us, and we truly value your trust in Emily and our team. Should you ever reconsider booking with Emily or require assistance with any future travel plans, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to assist you every step of the way and ensure a seamless and unforgettable travel experience. Thank you once again for your feedback and for considering Audley Travel. We wish you all the best for your upcoming honeymoon in French Polynesia, and we hope it exceeds all your expectations. Best Wishes Audley Travel

Borneo April/May 2024

This was the third time that we had used Audley for a special holiday and once again we were very happy with the service that we received whilst booking the holiday and we had an amazing trip. Hannah was very attentive during our initial phone conversation and listened to what we were looking for and came up with a perfect itinerary for us. The holiday was amazing and all the guides and transfers that Audley arranged were excellent. Borneo was a stunning place to visit. I highly recommend Audley Travel.

Date of experience : 05 May 2024

Hi Helen, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review.We are thrilled that your recent trip to Borneo was so incredible and you got to see all the beauty of it. We are so pleased to hear how listened to you were by Hannah and it meant that she was able to curate the perfect itinerary for your trip. We will be sure to pass your kind words onto Hannah! Hopefully we can plan a fourth Audley holiday for you soon! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Fantastic trip to Kerala in India

Fantastic trip to Kerala in India. Both main resorts I stayed in were amazing. Personal driver was friendly and knowledgeable. Upgraded myself to a Villa with a private pool at Marari Beach, which was worth doing. Altogether a relaxing holiday, rejuvenating my personal well-being with great food and lovely attentive resort service. Hannah who arranged my trip with Audley Travel was first class at her job, nothing was to much trouble.

Date of experience : 18 March 2024

Hi David, Thank you for taking the time to leave this lovely review. It is so great to hear what a wonderful trip you had to India, and we are so pleased the resorts you stayed were beautiful and the driver was friendly and intelligent! It is fantastic that you were so happy with the service provided by Hannah and we will be sure to pass these kind words to her and the ground team. We hope to plan many more trips together in the future! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Becca & Tara have been amazing

Looking forward to our upcoming trip to Australia & New Zealand. Becca & Tara have been excellent at organising everything so far.

Date of experience : 25 May 2024

Dear Dexter, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you're excited about your upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand and the planning has been going well! We hope you have an amazing Honeymoon filled with unforgettable experiences. Safe travels to you both and enjoy every moment! Best Wishes, Audley Travel UK

Paula was attentive to our interests…

Paula was attentive to our interests and proposed excursions and tours that would meet our needs. She was timely in her communications and very responsive to our questions. Her professionalism and enthusiasm is an asset to Audley Travel.

Date of experience : 20 April 2024

Hi Kerry, Thank you for sharing these kind words with us. While we understand that you did not book with us at this time, we are absolutely thrilled to hear that Paula remained professional and enthusiastic throughout all of your interactions! We have shared your feedback with Paula, as well as with her manager. We hope that you will come back to us in the future to explore more travel opportunities! Kindly, Audley Travel US

Absolutely can't fault Audley (Cara) it…

Absolutely can't fault Audley (Cara) it was a holiday booked at short notice and was the holiday of a lifetime. Non stop, but the trips with EastWest were fantastic. They are small minibusses so not suitable for some but we went places where coaches can't go and the drivers were local and took us places only Icelanders go, hidden gems. And at the last minute we went to see the Northern lights, last minute decision and the gods rolled out the red carpet for us, clear sky moon under the horizon and the sky lit up like I'd never have believed, I won't forget it to my dying day. Anyway Audley booked us a wonderful trip. Everything went like clockwork, they send you a lovely keepsake book with itinerary everything you need to know. I am already planning next year with them.

Hi Johnny, Thank you for taking the time to leave this lovely review! Wow, the Northern lights must have been amazing, and what an amazing experience that will stay with you forever. It is wonderful to hear that everything ran like clockwork and we will pass your kind words onto Cara and the team. We are so glad to hear you are already planning your next trip with us, and we hope it lives up to this one! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Amazing Galapagos

This is my sixth trip with Audley and once again Audley have fulfilled every part of the journey. I have had an amazing two weeks in The Galapagos which was put together by Caroline Revnell. From our first conversation and facetime call to the phone call a couple of days before departure nothing was too much trouble. The hard copy of the itinerary was admired much by fellow passengers on the two weeks aboard Yolita 11 and Audley was the topic of several conversations. (Perhaps more business will come your way) This was truly a holiday of a lifetime and it may be hard to top!!!! Thank you once again Audley and Caroline for providing a smooth and hassle free adventure.

Date of experience : 21 April 2024

Hi Teresa, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review. We are so pleased to hear you had such a special time in the Galapagos, it definitely does sound like a once in a lifetime experience! It is great to hear how well looked after and listened to you were by Caroline throughout the planning and the trip itself. We will be sure to pass your kind words over to Caroline and the team. It is wonderful that you had such a special 6th trip with Audley and we hope to try and top this one for your 7th trip! Many thanks, Audley Travel UK

Our travel expert Brittany was EXCELLENT

Our travel expert Brittany. We decided to see the tulips in the low country on short notice. Brittany was knowledgeable and saved us from making the mistake of renting a car...something we typically do in Europe. She was able to get us great guides and access to the sites we hoped to see. She never 'over sold' us on what could be accomplished on short noticed and we were thrilled with what she planned. This was our 6th trip with Audley and we could not be more pleased.

Date of experience : 11 April 2024

Hi Molly, Thank you so much for writing about your recent trip to Belgium and the Netherlands. We are thrilled to hear that Brittany was able to help you plan a great trip on short notice. Listening and guiding you to the best possible options suitable to your wants and needs. Your kind words have been passed to Brittany and her manager. We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship and are here to help when you are ready to plan your 7th trip! Best wishes Audley Travel US

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Audley Travel prides itself on tailor-made safari and holiday vacations that include every detail of what the customer personally wants for their trip. They offer trips all of the world, including countries on every continent. Due to this wide range of destinations, they pick the finest educators and tour guides that are knowledgeable about the local area to give the customers a personal and incredible experience.

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Reviews 1 – About Audley Travel

Latest user review.

Glaring failure to deliver services that were promised and paid for.

My husband and I went to Puglia, Italy, July 20 - July 27, 2022. We had researched towns/villages we wanted to visit and in October 2021 contacted Carly of Audley Travel to book a custom made private tour. (Tauck Travel, the company we...

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Southern Namibia self-drive explorer

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Travel themes.

• Hiking & Walking
• National Parks
• Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions.

• Bird watching
• Mountaineering
• Relaxing Retreat
• Wildlife viewing

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ITALY IN 10 DAYS - LUXURY TOUR - Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi Coast

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Windhoek.

On arrival into Windhoek you will be greeted by a driver who will transfer you to your guest house in Windhoek. Your car will be dropped off direct to your guest house where a representative will also meet you with a welcome pack, cool box, phone and driving directions as well as answer any questions. The rest of the afternoon is then yours at leisure to relax.

Leaving Windhoek today, start your journey south, driving towards the Southern Kalahari where you will spend the night.

Today, after breakfast, drive to Fish River Canyon.Arriving at the lodge some time this afternoon you will have the chance to enjoy a sundowner drive or perhaps some walking in the area.

Today you will have a full day to explore the dramatic Fish River Canyon. You may like to arrange some hiking down into the canyon with a guide.

From Fish River Canyon you will drive to the small town of Aus. Close by to your lodge are the wild horses the area is famous for.

Today you can explore Luderitz and enjoy a tour around the old mining town of Kolmanskopp. This is a great area for photography - the houses are the last remaining memory of 'Millionaires Avenue' which are now derelict and filled with sand.

You will head north towards the Namib Desert today. On your way to the lodge you will pass through the spectacular NamibRand nature reserve where the dunes change from light yellow to rich red.

Today you can visit the giant dunes at Sossusvlei and explore the area on foot. Excursions can be arranged through the lodge or you can drive yourselves to the dunes and then take a shuttle for the remaining distance on the sand.

Drive from Sossusvlei north to the Naukluft Mountains. Here you will be able to relax and enjoy some of the self-guided hiking trails in the mountains.

A day to relax and explore the Naukluft Mountains.

You will drive from the Naukluft Mountains back to Windhoek today to meet your onward flights.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Audley Travel Reviews & Ratings

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We recently booked our honeymoon to Peru in 2024. The holiday is not until September this this review is not of the holiday itself but I thought the experience of bo...

Jenny Balme

Excellent client service

As ever Audley's itineraries are well thought through including great recommendations to make the most of the trip. Their client service at all stages of the process...

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Tour operator, audley travel.

Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.

We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.

Our flexibility promise

As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.

Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure

We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.

Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.

Full-refund guarantee on trips close to home

14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean

We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.

Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.

Set your travel plans in motion with a video appointment

Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.

It's easy to arrange

• Book a video appointment  (we’ll ask you for a few details about your travel plans).
• One of our specialists, who’s an expert in your chosen destination, will get in touch to arrange a time and date to suit you. If your travel companions are in different households, we’ll invite them to join, too, so you can all chat together.
• Your specialist will send you a link to your video appointment by email. We suggest using a computer or laptop, which means there’s no software to download.
• Settle down with a drink, click on the link to join the appointment and your specialist will be there to welcome you.

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