African Sky Safaris & Tours
Trusted tour operator established in 1998. We offer high-quality travel services throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
Help Me Plan- Home
- >>
- About Us
Small Company: Genuine Care & Attention to Detail
We offer professional, personal service in an industry increasingly dominated by corporations, large companies, and travel directories. Our close-knit team is devoted to making your adventure in Africa all it can be.
Knowledge, Experience, and Consistency
We have more than twenty-five years’ experience as an African tour operator, and our guides travel across Southern Africa year-round, providing on-the-ground feedback. African Sky’s core team has been with the company for nearly fifteen years, ensuring consistent service levels. We have been members of SATSA (the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) since December 4, 2002 (Membership No. 1145) and subscribe to its Code of Conduct.
Committed to Clients
At African Sky, you are more than just a client. We are passionate about our slice of paradise and sharing it with all who travel to Southern Africa. We will do our best to ensure that the experience exceeds your expectations.
Confidentiality
If your position requires discretion regarding your travel arrangements, you can do no better than working with a small company that manages arrangements in-house and guarantees confidentiality.
Flexibility
One of our proudest characteristics is our flexibility. This trademark extends from our tailor-made itineraries to our on-the-ground operations. When traveling with African Sky, you can have a flexible schedule without strict time limits at any particular attraction.
Our Focus
Memorable, safe, tailored private tours, luxury safaris, and family vacations in Southern Africa.
Quality & Value
We are rarely the cheapest option, but we offer great value for money. Please compare apples with apples.
Our Clients
Thousands of clients include the rich, the famous, and regular tour & safari enthusiasts like us.
External Reviews
Exceptional external reviews are available on Google, Tripadvisor, and other platforms.
Office Team
We are a small group of dedicated specialists committed to providing accurate, high-quality information and making your African travel unforgettable.
General Manager
Riaan Viljoen
Riaan is a business school graduate who has devoted most of his life to a passion for the wild places of Africa and sharing their magic with clients and friends.
Sales Manager
Andrew Harvey
Andrew has an intimate knowledge of destinations and properties after spending more than ten years as a guide and over twelve creating custom itineraries.
Webmaster
Jean-Pierre Pretorius
Jean-Pierre is a skilled website designer and developer. He is laid-back, creative, and passionate about music (some of it his own) and South Africa's Wild Coast.
Internal Systems
Christo Benade
Christo has decades of experience in database architecture and coding. In his free time, he loves traveling, especially to the Mozambique coast.
Finance & Compliance
Dean Kuhn
Few are better than Dean at ensuring that T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted. His loyalty, devotion, and steadfastness are priceless.
Administration
Tanya Webber
Tanya manages payments, booking confirmations, and banking matters with professionalism, ensuring every financial detail of your trip is handled smoothly and on time.
Intern
Wian Viljoen
Riaan’s son, Wian, inherited his father’s deep passion for Africa. A soon-to-be professional geologist, he occasionally assists with various aspects of the business, bringing a fresh perspective.
Safari & Tour Guides
Your guide will be one of the most significant contributors to the overall enjoyment of the experience on any accompanied tour. They ensure you depart from Southern Africa with memories to last a lifetime. All guides are registered with the relevant authorities and have many years of experience conducting safari tours.
Amanda Hamann
Amanda can illuminate any topic, from the region's history to the cultures of the various tribes and the habits and behavior of wildlife. Her expertise will enrich your experience, and she is an exceptional hostess.
Favorite Destinations- Cape Town
- Garden Route
- West Coast
- Kalahari
Andre Hamann
Andre is an expert in guiding clients to the attractions of South Africa and Namibia. A tour accompanied by Andre is informative and enjoyable, and will leave you longing to return.
Favorite Destinations- Etosha
- Sossusvlei
- Okavango Delta
- Cape Winelands
Mary-Anne Finlay
Mary-Anne has extensively escorted tours across Southern Africa. Her experience extends to South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. She loves sharing her passion and photographic skills.
Favorite Destinations- Kruger Park
- KZN Battlefields
- Zululand
- Drakensberg
Annah Ngenda
Annah holds a bachelor's degree in commerce. Her passion for people and travel makes her a valuable part of the team focusing on Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Chobe in Botswana, and Livingstone in Zambia.
Favorite Destinations- Victoria Falls
- Hwange National Park
- Mana Pools
- Chobe Riverfront
Alida de Villiers
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Alida accompanied her family on many safaris, fostering a love and understanding of nature. She has since turned her love for Africa into a career as a tour guide.
Favorite Destinations- Panoramic Route
- Northern Kruger
- Timbavati Reserve
- Eswatini
Clouds Nyoni
Clouds is an energetic and resourceful tour guide in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and the southern part of Zambia. His extensive knowledge of the area's wildlife, attractions, and history will add value to your trip.
Favorite Destinations- Livingstone
- Victoria Falls
- Chobe
- Linyanti
Kobus Carstens
Over the years, Kobus has gained extensive knowledge of Southern Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. His true passion is guiding people on journeys across Southern Africa.
Favorite Destinations- Skeleton Coast
- Damaraland
- Franschhoek
- Lesotho Highlands
Chris Kruger
Chris has led hundreds of journeys across Southern Africa. He is an avid birder, and few others are as knowledgeable on all aspects of the Kruger National Park.
Favorite Destinations- Kruger Park
- Mkuze
- West Coast National Park
- Sabi Sand
Ludwig van der Westhuizen
Ludwig focuses on providing an immersive experience in Cape Town, exploring the gastronomic delights of the Cape Winelands and enriching experiences on the Garden Route.
Favorite Destinations- Knysna
- Stellenbosch
- Cape of Good Hope
- Hermanus
Brett Stanley
Brett is an award-winning wildlife photographer, a national tour guide, and a level 2 nature guide. He has over two decades of experience and exceptional knowledge of South Africa's history.
Favorite Destinations- Mpumalanga
- Central Kruger Park
- Cape Town
- Overberg
Manuella Daniel
Manuella has been guiding in English and Portuguese for over 25 years. She has a deep love for all things wild and beautiful — from sweeping landscapes to the smallest creatures.
Favorite Destinations- Mapungubwe
- Zululand
- Chobe
- Savute
Leon van Staden
Leon has traveled extensively in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Eswatini. His passion is capturing stunning images of African sunrises and sunsets.
Favorite Destinations- Hwange
- Lower Zambezi
- Bazaruto Archipelago
- Southern Mozambique
Our Client Reviews
Testimonials from clients who have experienced memorable, personable, and unforgettable safaris or tours with African Sky.
Everything about our trip with African Sky was perfect — professional, well-organized, delightful, and designed to meet our needs. We had a wonderful stay in South Africa. The trip exceeded all of our expectations — just plain fun. One of our best trips ever! We will certainly recommend African Sky to family and friends and hope to return ourselves one day. Michael & Kelly Epstein, USA
From our first approach to African Sky, we found our contacts highly professional and efficient. The planning and booking proceeded smoothly. Once in South Africa, the organization and running of the tour went without a hitch. We were exceptionally pleased with the experience and would recommend African Sky to other travelers. Michael Weston, UK
Mary-Anne was excellent! Her knowledge is unbelievable. We learned much about the animals, their habitat, and South Africa. The personal service was excellent. If you want the best safari experience, look no further than African Sky. Their knowledgeable staff will make it unforgettable. Matthew Olafsen, USA
African Sky did everything right. Andrew was great at putting the whole trip together. Amanda gave a fine day tour of Cape Town. Mary-Anne was great at starting the trip and picking me up at the end. I will refer my friends to African Sky and use African Sky again! Frank Linkous, USA
Right from the initial itinerary preparation to collection from the airport to the conclusion of the amazing short tour, African Sky was exceptional. They were highly professional, with a friendly and welcoming approach that couldn't be faulted. Richard McGrath, Australia
Excellent service. Communicating with and arranging a tour suited to our varied wishes was easy. It was a fascinating and enjoyable trip through a beautiful country. Both guides were excellent and contributed significantly to the holiday. David & Marie Clare, UK
Our Story
African Sky was founded in 1998, inspired by a passion for Southern Africa's wild places. Since our inception, we have been a tour operator that strives to share our love of these areas with travelers through thoughtfully designed, authentic experiences.
We do not offer one-size-fits-all tours; we base your trip on what inspires you and craft an itinerary around it.
Today, African Sky thrives on word-of-mouth referrals, and relationships built with previous clients, who often return.
African Sky Safaris & Tours FAQ
Answers to the most common questions travelers ask when planning with African Sky Safaris & Tours.
We’re a small company with no aspirations to become a large one. Our focus is on quality over quantity, ensuring our clients depart from Southern Africa with memories of an amazing experience in one of the world’s most remarkable areas. Your itinerary is built by specialists who live and guide in Southern Africa—so you get current, on-the-ground advice, faster problem solving, and recommendations based on extensive experience. We are not an agent that simply resells third-party services; you will be dealing with the tour operator responsible for all the logistics surrounding your trip. In the case of privately guided tours, you will be accompanied by a guide in the employ of African Sky.
Yes. African Sky Safaris & Tours has been a member of SATSA (the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) since 2002, membership number 1145. We adhere to SATSA’s strict Code of Conduct, which guarantees ethical practices, financial protection, and reliable service for travelers booking with us.
Budgets vary by season, routing, lodge tier, and group size. As a guide:
- Personal: US$350–600 per person per day
- Luxury: US$700–1,200 per person per day
- Top-end: US$1,200+ per person per day
It is our policy to be transparent about pricing and to steer clear of hidden costs. When you submit a request to us, we provide a detailed proposal highlighting inclusions and exclusions.
Your safety is of paramount importance. We strive to avoid risky areas in itineraries, and our guides take due care to inform guests and avoid potential risks. Guides are licensed, we make use of reliable vehicles, and provide phone numbers in your reservation documentation for 24/7 support. In our years of operation, none of our clients have ever come to serious bodily harm.
You can get in contact by completing one of our online forms, sending us an e-mail, or contacting us by phone. Completing an online form is recommended, as it ensures we learn as much as possible about your planned adventure. The process then involves:
- Proposals: Detailed itineraries with costing based on your requirements.
- Correspondence: Discussing and tweaking the proposal until you are satisfied.
- Refinement: Making last refinements.
- Booking: Booking the services and receiving a reservation document.
- Arrival: Your arrival in Southern Africa.