From a Family Holiday to Running a Water Charity

Rachel Blackmore and her family travelled to Tanzania with Baobab Travel back in August 2005. We organised a luxury camping safari in the Serengeti and on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and some time on Zanzibar. Whilst visiting a cultural Maasai boma in Irkeepusi on the rim of the Crater their guide was Ponja … Continue reading »

Sustainability, greenwashing and Baobab Travel

When BAOBAB Travel was launched nearly 10 years ago, we were one of the first travel companies in the UK and probably in Western Europe to dedicate our business fully to sustainability. Coming from an environmental background, sustainability was the logical step and to be honest the only basis I was willing to run a … Continue reading »

The Sad Demise of Fred the Baboon

Having moved to the Cape Peninsula some years ago, we regularly get visitors from Europe who stay with us and wonder at the local wildlife. Whales, penguins, ostriches and….baboons! Driving along the coastal road past Simon’s Town and on to Cape Point, it is almost impossible not to encounter the Peninsula’s infamous Chacma baboons. In … Continue reading »

Mozambique Scuba-Diving Holiday

Natasha & Roland Oakshett from London in the UK booked a beach and scuba-diving holiday with Baobab Travel in March 2008. As experienced divers they opted for an off-the-beaten track destination and travelled to fantastic Guludo Beach Lodge in Quirimbas National Park in the far north east of Mozambique. They travelled to Pemba (Mozambique) via … Continue reading »

Serengeti Highway Proposal – An overview

The proposed Serengeti Highway has been a concern for many people, including members of the tourist industry, for some time now. As markers for the route are being laid down, the story is getting increased interest from the international press. The road is currently proposed to run from Arusha to Musoma, cutting directly through the … Continue reading »

Dahab Learning to Dive Family Holiday

Sheona Small from Glasgow, Scotland, booked a Learning to Dive in the Red Sea family holiday with BAOBAB Travel in April 2007. The family, mum, dad and 4 children (two of which under 12 years old) stayed at Inmo Divers Home in Dahab, where 4 people did a PADI Open Water scuba-diving course and the … Continue reading »

Namibia Explorer Safari Review

Ian Hemmings from the West Midlands in the UK joint a small group departure to Namibia in March 2009. This Wild Dog Namibia Explorer Safari, visiting both northern and southern Namibia, runs weekly departing on a Tuesday. I embarked on my first ever safari in Namibia and I cannot fault the service I had from … Continue reading »

Responsible Tourism Week – A Better Answer to Some Tough Questions

When I read this blog earlier this week on the Local Travel Movement blog, I was extremely keen to be able to post it here as well. It is the kind of “food for thought” we need to get valuable discussions going within the Responsible Tourism movement. Thank you Kate from the Responsible Safari Company … Continue reading »

How to build a lodge – Chole Mjini

You set sail for Chole island’s mangrove-lined shores, and as the first treehouses hove into view, the last vestiges of the 21st Century recede: no roads, no cars, no electricity, no computers, no mobile phones. Just a star-filled sky, flickering candles, superb food, great company, and the timeless luxuries of space, privacy, and utter peace. … Continue reading »

Cape Town and Eastern Cape Safari Review

Kate Dashwood from Hampshire in the UK travelled with Baobab Travel in September 2010 to South Africa. Paul organised a holiday for Kate and 4 family members to Cape Town, both a City and Peninsula location, and a short safari in the Eastern Cape. As they didn’t want to self-drive, so we organised transfers and … Continue reading »

Selous Game Reserve & Zanzibar Review

Maureen & Roger Crombleholme from Staffordshire in the UK travelled with us in September 2010 to Selous Game Reserve and Zanzibar. In Selous they stayed in Selous Wilderness Camp, on the beach in Unguja Lodge on the southern tip of Zanzibar and in Swahili House in Stone Town. Thank you for organising what has been … Continue reading »

Amakhala Game Reserve Review

Late last year we spoke to Bert and Louise from Beilen in Holland, who were planning to visit South Africa in March 2011. They booked a private guided tour of the Garden Route with us a few years back and we were delighted to hear from them again. After hearing that they were returning to … Continue reading »

The Wild Side of Cape Point National Park

During the recent Football World Cup Cape Point National Park had to close its gates on an unprecedented three consecutive days. Lighthouse at Cape Point That is an extreme event but visitors to the park will know this icon of South African tourism can be one of busiest locations on any Cape Town itinerary. Every … Continue reading »

Local Living in Knysna (South Africa)

You cannot call a quick drive through the township a cultural experience – you have to participate and not just be a spectator. So say Knysna Tourism in their promotional material for the Living Local programme in this area of the Garden Route. Liesel and I decided to find out for ourselves and drove the … Continue reading »