Destinations Africa was established in 2007 to allow John Mitchell-Adams to share his love of Africa with others. John and/or one of his team travel to Africa each and every year, seeking out new lodges, activities and African safari trips. We ensure that all properties and services on our preferred list continue to meet our exacting standards.
Those that do not are withdrawn and never used again. Destinations Africa focus on delivering only the very best personalised services to ensure your custom made private safari tour/holiday will be both exciting and memorable.
Your comfort and safety (including full VIP transit) and the promise of the holiday of a lifetime, reflecting the true excitement and mystery of this magical continent and its people, is the uncompromising core of our philosophy.
An African travel specialist is not a general travel agent. Specialists focus deeply on one region, understand how safari travel works on the ground, and know how to match travellers to the right locations, lodges, and routing.
A true specialist helps you avoid common planning issues such as:
As Africa travel specialists, we design itineraries with realistic pacing and polished logistics, so your trip feels calm, comfortable, and properly considered.
When you are planning a long-haul journey, support matters. Choosing African travel specialists that Australian travellers can contact in their own time zone means faster answers, clearer communication, and local reassurance before you depart.
Safari planning involves moving parts.
Being able to speak with our Australia-based specialists 24/7 makes the experience easier, especially when you are comparing destinations, dates, and lodge options.
Booking through an Australian-based business gives many travellers added confidence. You can communicate locally, receive clear documentation, and plan your trip with the reassurance that comes from dealing with a premium Australian operator.
We understand how Australians typically travel to Africa, including the common transit hubs and the most efficient ways to connect to safari regions. This helps us plan itineraries that minimise unnecessary travel time and keep your arrival smooth.
Visa requirements and entry rules can vary by country and can change over time.
Our Africa travel specialists help you understand what is typically required for your destinations, including passport validity guidance and practical entry considerations, so you can prepare confidently.
We also advise on practical travel considerations in Africa, such as luggage limits on light-aircraft transfers and the best way to pack for smooth internal travel between remote safari regions.
Australia has efficient routes into key African gateways, often via major transit hubs. Many travellers connect through airports such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, or other key entry points, depending on the itinerary.
Our role is to plan the best routing for your journey, then coordinate the internal travel that makes safari trips feel effortless, including private transfers and VIP-style support where needed.
Every itinerary is designed around the way you want to travel. As Africa travel specialists, we create experiences that suit different traveller types without forcing you into a one-size-fits-all structure.
Our luxury family safari holidays focus on comfort, safety, and a pace that works for children and parents. We recommend family-friendly lodges, practical routing, and the right regions for your family’s ages.
For travellers planning safari holidays for couples, we design romantic safari experiences with privacy, elegant lodges, and memorable moments, from sunset drives to refined dining in remarkable settings.
Some travellers choose private guiding for flexibility and deeper wildlife experiences. Our private journeys are designed so you have the freedom to explore at your own pace, with expert support throughout.
For travellers who want the most seamless experience possible, we plan high-touch safari itineraries with polished logistics, refined stays, and premium transfers. This is ideal for milestone trips and travellers who value ease.
We design itineraries across Africa’s most sought-after safari regions, including:
These destinations can be enjoyed as stand-alone journeys or combined into multi-country African adventures with seamless travel planning.
Your safari is planned by Australia-based African travel specialists who know the continent intimately and care about how your journey feels. Our team’s knowledge, first-hand travel, and careful lodge selection are what allow your itinerary to feel personal and effortless.
John grew up on a farm in what was then Rhodesia and still speaks fluent (though somewhat rusty) Shona – a local dialect. His love of Africa, its wildlife and the bush was developed from a very early age.
Having left his farm in what is now known as Zimbabwe, he still maintained his passion for Africa, its wildlife and the bush.
“Africa is where you make emotional memories that last forever – you will never forget how you were made to feel.”
From farming he went into other occupations such as crop dusting and even aircraft sales and demonstration, which brought him to far flung corners of Africa. Following those adventurous times he retreated to the corporate world only to find that it held far fewer attractions than the natural world.
So after a number of years in that man-made world he decided to pursue his passion for Africa and set up a dedicated to this amazing continent in safety and comfort. John now enjoys the best of both worlds living in Australia but with ample excuses to return to Africa regularly.
Hilary (John’s wife) grew up in Ireland and when introduced to Africa in 2003 became enthralled with the place, its people and especially the wild life. She is an integral part of the team and she uses her wordsmithing skills to write about Africa in blogs on our website and elsewhere. As a Director she is a great sounding board for all the new destinations that we visit to determine whether or not they should be on our recommended list as she is able to see and experience the many places from a completely different perspective!
Laurence was born and lived in South Africa for 45 years. During this time, accompanied by his wife, he travelled from Durban, up the East Coast of Africa, into Ethiopia and Eritrea, worked in refugee camps in Tanzania and Cameroon. Experienced the ramba of West Africa in Mali, Mauritania and crossed the western Sahara into Morocco.
Lindy was born and grew up in South Africa. After graduating as a teacher, and teaching for five years, she decided to change gear and joined a company specialising in African safaris.
For the past 27 years Lindy has visited and experienced the magic of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique. She brings her passion for Africa’s wild places to each itinerary, creating those unforgettable moments that people revisit in their minds long after they have returned home.
Lindy migrated to Australia in 2013 and has settled in Brisbane with her family.
Get some inside secrets, tips, recommendations and information about African destination countries, wildlife, game reserves and African game drives, landscapes, best places to stay and things to do for your authentic African Safari experience.
If you’re looking for an African safari company in Australia, all that we ask is that you get in touch with us first, so that we have an opportunity to show you what we offer, and to discuss your options. Our itineraries are individually tailored to various budgets, so please don’t assume that our safaris are out of your reach. Please let us assist you on your journey. It would be our pleasure.
