Why Use Cedarberg Africa
– Expert Safari Planning since 1995
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Why Use Cedarberg Africa with Confidence
A safari is too special โ and often too complex โ to leave to guesswork.
The right advice can transform the whole experience: where you go, how the trip flows, when to travel, where to spend, and which details will make it feel right for you.
Since 1995, Cedarberg Africa has been designing personal, high-end safaris and African holidays for discerning travellers who want more than a beautiful itinerary. They want one that fits them: their pace, their interests, their travelling companions and their sense of adventure.
We begin with you, not with a map of Africa.
Our role is to listen carefully, advise honestly and use our first-hand Africa knowledge to turn the myriad possibilities into a safari that feels personal, seamless and considered from start to finish. That’s why you can use Cedarberg Africa with confidence.
1) Seasoned Safari Advice
Experienced safari designers, not booking takers
Every Cedarberg safari is planned by an experienced safari designer. You won’t be passed to a junior salesperson or left to make sense of endless options on your own.
Our team knows Africa well. We understand the lodges, routes, seasons, guides and logistics that sit behind a successful safari. But more importantly, we know how to apply that knowledge to your particular trip.
A good safari is not assembled from nice lodges. It is built from good judgement.
We bring that judgement to the planning process, knowing when to slow things down, when to simplify, when to splurge, and when a lesser-known option may suit you better than the more obvious, popular one.
“Really communicative and just very on the ball. From the planning and payment, all the way through to arriving back home. The transfers, hotels, everything was spot on. Couldn’t have been happier with how our honeymoon went.”
Clark Hoy
Over 30 Years of Africa Expertise
WWe know what we’re talking about. Over three decades, we have seen destinations evolve, lodges change hands, new camps open, travel styles shift and client expectations become more sophisticated. That depth of experience helps us know what works โฆ and what doesn’t.
We travel regularly to the places we recommend, so our advice is grounded in first-hand knowledge, not just supplier descriptions or glossy images.
Experienced safari designers, not booking takers
Every Cedarberg safari is planned by an experienced safari designer. You won’t be passed to a junior salesperson or left to make sense of endless options on your own.
Our team knows Africa well. We understand the lodges, routes, seasons, guides and logistics that sit behind a successful safari. But more importantly, we know how to apply that knowledge to your particular trip.
We bring that judgement to the planning process, knowing when to slow things down, when to simplify, when to splurge, and when a lesser-known option may suit you better than the more obvious, popular one.
“We are here to be a sounding board for your ideas. But we’ll tell you when your plans are too ambitious. (4 countries in 10 days anyone?) Or when the hotel which looked so nice on the website is not so great in real lifeโฆ””
Mari, one of our Personal Safari Planners
2) Personally designed, not merely tailor-made
We listen before we plan
A tailor-made safari should be more than a trip built around your dates and budget.
We take time to understand what you really want from your holiday. Not just where you want to go, but how you want to feel, how much adventure you enjoy, how much downtime you need, and what will make the trip meaningful for you.
That is why we ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully. Whether you are planning a honeymoon, a family safari, a multi-generational celebration or a return trip to Africa, we design around the people who are travelling. Not just the destination.
Yes, we bring our expertise into the conversation. But we never dictate. The only safari story that matters here is yours.
Less Confusion, Seamless Planning
Your time is valuable, and a safari is a significant investment.
Africa offers a maze of lodges, game reserves, routes, seasons, flight connections and safari styles. It is easy to spend hours researching. And still feel less certain than when you started.
We narrow the options, explain the trade-offs and bring everything together in a clear, workable itinerary. We know where it is worth splurging, where you can simplify, and how to create the right balance of wildlife, comfort, pace and experience.
The result is safari planning that feels enjoyable rather than exhausting.
“Cedarberg was professional, responsive, and personable. All flights, all transfers, all accommodation, all activities, and the safari itself went exactly to plan. The experience, end-to-end, exceeded all expectations.”
3) Independent Africa Expertise
We recommend what fits, not what we own
Cedarberg Africa is independent and owner-led. We are not a lodge-owned company, a global travel brand with Africa as one department, or a booking platform presenting you with endless options – some of whom have paid to be at the top.
We are impartial Africa specialists. Our recommendations are guided by what suits you best.
That independence matters. It means we can compare lodges, regions and styles of travel honestly, and help you choose the option that’s right for your trip.
“Cedarberg was professional, responsive, and personable. All flights, all transfers, all accommodation, all activities, and the safari itself went exactly to plan. The experience, end-to-end, exceeded all expectations.”
Africa is our Focus
We specialise in Southern and East Africa, with particular depth in South Africa and the surrounding safari regions.
Most of our team is based in Africa, travels regularly, and keeps in touch with what is happening on the ground. From new lodge openings and route changes to practical details that can affect the flow of your trip.
We also have long-standing relationships with trusted suppliers, guides, lodge owners and local partners. That helps us design better trips and resolve issues quickly if plans unexpectedly change.
“The service that Cedarberg provided for us was outstanding. The itinerary that they put together worked seamlessly, all the pick-ups were as they had stated and whenever we had a query about any aspect of the trip they came back to us quickly and provided all the information that we needed. I cannot recommend them highly enough.”
Kevin Wilson
4) Confidence from First Call to Final Documents
Detailed Proposals & Practical Help
We are basedA well-designed safari should feel clear before you travel.
Our proposals, itineraries and pre-travel information are detailed, practical and carefully prepared. You’ll know where you are going, how everything fits together, what to expect, and who to contact if you need help.
Once your trip is confirmed, we provide clear documentation and digital travel information, including the key details you need: flights, transfers, accommodation inclusions, activities, directions where relevant, and strong destination information and guidance.
It is one of the less glamorous parts of safari planning. But it’s one that our clients value the most.
The Cedarberg website is great with lots of tips. I thought the booking information and itinerary were outstanding and all the pre-holiday information made us feel really looked after“
Lottie Murphy
Seamless Support behind the Scenes
We are large enough to have the software systems, supplier relationships and support structure needed for complex African travel. But we are still small enough to care.
You’ll have a dedicated person looking after your booking from start to finish, backed by a wider team and emergency support while you travel, with a dedicated Duty Manager and emergency contact 24/7.
When you book through Cedarberg Africa, you are not on your own if something changes. You have experienced people behind the scenes, ready to help.
Milandi puts together excellent bespoke itineraries, is proactive and provides excellent customer service. She quickly organised a Johannesburg airport hotel and alternative onward flights when our BA flight from Heathrow was cancelled last minute for which we are very grateful.“
Mrs J
Financial Security Guaranteed
You get Booking a safari is a significant investment, so proper protection matters.
When you book with Cedarberg Africa, you have the reassurance of proper financial protection, trusted suppliers and support behind the scenes.
You get the full financial protection and 24/7 support which you forfeit if you book in a piecemeal fashion.
Your financial security is guaranteed through financial bonding with the CAA ATOL Scheme and with ABTA. See our Financial Protection page for more info.
Sustainable Travel with Positive Impact
A safari should be rewarding for you, and beneficial to the people, wildlife and wild places you have come to experience.
We work with partners who support conservation, local communities and the long-term future of Africa’s wild places. Well-planned tourism helps create employment, support conservation, sustain community projects and protect the landscapes that make safari travel so enriching and Africa so special
We believe thoughtful travel, planned well, can be a force for good.
LINK: Read more about our approach to sustainable travel in Africa
“Really communicative and just very on the ball. From the planning and payment, all the way through to arriving back home. The transfers, hotels, everything was spot on. Couldn’t have been happier with how our honeymoon went.”“
Clark Hoy
Cedarberg Africa designs imaginative tours, tailored to you
So what’s next?
The only safari story we’re interested in is yours.
Next Up : Meet the Team
