Who we are
Safari Zambia is a trading name of Global Travel Experiences Limited which is headed up by people who have over 150 years in the tourism industry in the UK and for some across three other continents.
One of the Directors of GTE Ltd, has been facilitating international tourism development programs around the world since 2008. These programs were to assist companies in selected countries to raise their level of working to what the UK, Europe and other locations are expecting as far as quality standards, product offered, sustainability and many other aspects that people take as a natural course of things. For 15 years he has worked in Zambia and noticed the trends of expensive and exclusive that most packages were for the UK market. Having spent a lot of time in mid range accommodations he realised that Zambia has more to offer than just premium accommodations and products. Although never a cheap location, the ethos is to offer value for money options, packaged up in experiential tours for different people and groups.
However much Zambia works like the UK and is very safe for tourist, in places you are not at home and so please bear that in mind – there, the wild animals take priority.
Ethos of Safari Zambia
One of the Directors of the parent company has been working in Zambia on donor funded tourism development programs since 2009 and had noticed over the years that the primary focus or products that were being sold were premium products that made Zambia seem so expensive for many in the UK.
It was almost expensive and exclusive as a product available to UK tourists. It was also primarily sold as a add on to other countries which had meant that a lot of people missed out on the wilderness and beauty of the whole country, with frequently unnecessary and expensive international air flights.
His philosophy is that there is no reason why people that want a true and real wildlife experience should not travel to Zambia, after all the Natural History film makers do, including the BBC and Discovery channels.
By staying in mid-range accommodation that provide value for money (Zambia is never going to be cheap), and by using alternative styles it means that the pricing is more competitive for individuals and groups.
After all, tourists go there to see the wildlife and engage with the communities and not to necessarily have premium, luxury facilities in the rooms that you only sleep in. You can of course book these as part of your package but they are not initially included in the tours.
So, slow up and enjoy Zambia, Africa’s hidden secret as some call it and take in the various areas and sites that it has to offer and of course the hospitable people in the communities around the country.
Sustainability
We aim to work with a sustainable focus allowing of course for the matter of flights internationally and domestically and many other aspects of what sustainability means to individual travellers.
As a start, all of the ground operation teams we work with have been awarded the European standard – Travelife for Tour Operators which certifies that they work to a minimum required level with the programs and services they provide us to minimise impact and support communities and places in Zambia.
In addition, a few of our accommodations we use also hold the Fair Trade Tourism certification which is a similar sustainable program similar to Travelife, but African based. As a business we keep everything as digital as possible under GDPR and minimise the use of paper and private vehicle usage where possible.
Further updates to these processes will be posted here as we refine and add to them.