Bench were amazing and organised the perfect holiday in South Africa for us. We were kept informed all the way during the arrangements and received a lovely package with lots of goodies before our departure. Our lovely consultant Steph chose the ideal locations for us to visit and the accommodation she selected was first class all the way, couldn't be happier!

Fantastic experience from the booking all the way through to returning home!

The plan - all of the places Bench sent us to had their own individual style and character which provided a rich and diverse experience. They provided expert advice on temperatures and clothing choices for each safari. The timings recommended by Bench; I.e doing the Southern African safari first guaranteed that we would see some of the Wilder beast migration during our East African safari. The first two camps in Botswana gave us a close up of the animals we had come to see, because they had private concessions which allowed the cars to go off-road. Kadizora & Linyantee bush camps were both excellent, and the Chobe Princess was very relaxing and had excellent game viewing. Flights between camps in the Southern safari really optimised our game drive time and worked well. The two hotels in JBurg and the Royal Livingston were good. All the camps in the East African safari were good and whilst the game viewing was on-road; Ngorongoro, Ambercelli, the Serengeti and Masi Mara all delivered great viewing. Karen Blixon was the pick of the Eastern safari camps.

We were in Southern Africa for 2 weeks and everything ran smoothly. Everything ran on time and we never had a worry. Would recommend bench to anyone

The start of out trip to the Zambezi Queen experience on the Chobe River was superb, apart from the customs experience going in and out – but it was African! Superb accommodation, views and activities, with amazing staff; well worth having the experience We lost a case coming in to Windhoek, but the company took charge and found it for us and had it delivered day 2 of the trip; they were really well organised, and we had our own vehicle and guide – I was expecting to have to share with at least a few other folk, but there was only myself and the wife on our twosome with our personal guide Juan. He was fantastic, so thoughtful and attentive and so very knowledgeable about his country, it’s geology, floras and fauna – and even its astronomy. A magic person who looked after us magnificently for the entire tour; Another plus was the scenic flight to Swakopmund from Sossusvlei – this is an absolute must; it’s amazing seeing the desert and dunes on the ground, but from the air its absolutely breath-taking; it knocks the spots off the ballooning which is essentially 45 mins of up and down, with no flight path over the dunes. Visited them all – Dune 45, Big Daddy, Big Mama and a whole pile more; great elephant encounters, and lessons on tracking 😊 Superb – and more wildlife than you could possibly want – the only thing we didn’t see was leopard, and that’s really not surprising. It then just got better and better with a great catch up with our mates in Swakopmund, a geological wonderland in Damaraland, the delights of the Etosha and then a final stop at the Cheetah park as a break before back to Windhoek & home; millions of photographs as per usual! The one thing we have learned now, is that for us fuddy-duddies, the last day and night of the trip needs to be activity free, as we need the time to just catch up with what we’ve experienced and have a gentle repack before the long aircraft hauls begin. Bench put together a remarkable Namibian experience for us and we had a wonderful trip, We will have to go back sometime, as there is still the North and South of the Country to do, and Juan, our guide had some lovely suggestions for a combination air/road safari next time 😊 Ultimate Safari’s, his company specialise in these boutique safari’s with Bench, and they are very, very good at it.

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience with the Bench Tour we took in Kenya, but do have some comments about its organization. Our Tour Operator at Escape Travel came to our rescue when our Emirates flight to Dubai was cancelled at Sydney Airport. After reorganising a trip to Dubai, then Nairobi via Singapore, she contacted Bench Tours who, knowing we had been delayed and would not arrive at Nairobi in time to meet the safari departure time, rearranged our accommodation at the Intercontinental Nairobi and arranged a flight out next morning to meet the Safari driver in the Masai Mara. Our driver, Kevin, was terrific. We saw many animals each day and Kevin did all he could to make sure we enjoyed the experience. We stayed at three Sopa Lodges and the final night at Sweetwaters Tented Camp. Every meal at each Lodge was well presented with great variety. The staff at all Lodges was friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. We could not fault the service or accommodation. The only problem we had with the tour was the final day. After breakfast, we returned to Nairobi, a four hour drive, but our flight did not leave until 22:45 (10:45p.m.) and we had nowhere to go! Kevin, our driver, contacted Bench Tours and they gave him permission to take us to an hotel for lunch, but we still arrived at the International Airport about 15:30 (3:30p.m.). The International Airport would not let us enter for some time and, when we were finally allowed in, we sat for many hours waiting to be 'processed'. Perhaps Bench could include an extra tour on the last day - or even include lunch at the last Lodge.

Great Planning service and Trip Guide

Bench Africa organised an excellent trip to Southern Africa for me in June/July 2017. Choice of hotels, safari experiences, tours & transfers exceeded my expectations. I particularly loved Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. The details of my trip were beautifully presented in an A5 spiral booklet , giving lots of extra information such as tipping etc, and keeping everything together. I have been recommending Bench to my friends since my return. Thanks so much! Trip of a lifetime.

I travelled in May with Bench to Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park. The trip was perfectly planned, full of animal sightings and unforgettable. The staff and drivers were so knowledgable and fun while still making sure we were safe. We stayed at the Zambezi Sands River Camp and also Gorges Lodge in Victoria Falls. In Hwange National Park we stayed Camelthorn, Bomani and Nehimba Lodges. While the whole experience and all of the lodges were incredible, I would definitely recommend Nehimba, where you get up close with the animals while still at the lodge. If you have the chance to do the walking safari you will not be disappointed.

Couldn't fault a thing - great properties and brilliant guides throughout.