WHY USE A TRAVEL AGENCY?
When it comes to planning a safari in Africa, the choices can feel overwhelming. Countless lodges, parks, and travel routes are at your fingertips, but how do you know which ones truly deliver the experience you’ve been dreaming of? This is where working with a dedicated travel agency like Amani Safaris makes all the difference.
We are a small, family-run company founded by Mana Brightman, whose roots in Africa’s wild spaces run deep. As a direct descendant of a family with generations of connection and experiences in the bush, Amani Safari brings more than just expertise - we bring a personal heritage and passion for sharing Africa’s true wilderness with others. Amani, meaning “Peace” in Swahili, reflects the harmony the Amani Team has long experienced living alongside wildlife. Every journey we create is shaped by this legacy and becomes a part of your story to carry forward and share with your generations to come.
Now you may ask yourself, why use a travel agency instead of an online platform like booking.com? Well here are a few points as to why:
Personalised journeys - We design our safaris packages around YOU - your style, pace, and budget all taken into consideration. From adventurous escapes to family getaways and honeymoons, no two itineraries are the same.
Expert knowledge - With first-hand experience across Central to Southern Africa, we know which lodges, parks, and activities will truly suit you, alongside having built close relations with the people we work with in the industry (i.e. hotels, lodges, camps, activity operators etc.) who in turn help us make sure you are well taken care of on your journey.
NO EXTRA COSTS - Did you know that travel agents earn commissions from lodges & hotels and not by charging you an added “service fee”? You can very often get the same (and often better) rates from us than if you had approached a lodge directly. Depending on what percentage of commission we earn, we have room to offer you more specialized rates which can be lower than what the camps are wanting to charge you.
Insider access - Thanks to strong partnerships, we secure exclusive specials, packages, and hidden gems you won’t find online.
One point of contact - Forget juggling multiple bookings or having to pay 5-6 different lodges, clocking up those banking fees. From flights to lodges to activities, we coordinate everything so you don’t have to do a thing. Consider us your PA, but for travel!
Peace of mind - Travel rarely goes 100% to plan. If things change or a flight gets cancelled, we’re here to sort it out quickly and smoothly, so your safari stays seamless. Whereas if you had booked through an automated online system, who do you call and how do you get your money back? We ALL know what it’s like trying to get through to a bank with only a machine on the other end of the line and no one to talk to. It’s the most frustrating thing!
A trusted advocate - We work for you, not the lodges. Our recommendations are unbiased and designed to give you the most authentic, personalized experience.
Giving back - Amani Safaris, and many other travel agencies, give back into the community. A percentage of every booking through Amani goes towards directly benefiting conservation and community efforts in and around Zimbabwe so when you travel with us you know that you are helping to change someone or something’s life. Take a look at our “Giving Back” page on our website to see who we are helping to support and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved.
In a world increasingly dominated by machines and technology, it’s more important than ever to stay connected to ourselves and our shared humanity. As travel agents, our greatest joy comes from building meaningful connections with our guests, sharing in their journeys, and inviting them to become part of ours too. Book with us, and step into a timeless adventure, following in the footsteps of generations before yo
