Bench Africa Reviews

Simply the best at all levels,outstanding accomadation from lodges, hotels and glamping. The food was such a cultural experience so fresh with variety. We travelled Tanzania to Kenya. Saw the big 5 we were overwhelmed with the experience. Excellent guides and service. We were emersed in these countries and learnt so much about the animals and culture.
The customer service from Bench is outstanding when I called with questions I was given support from knowledgeable staff speical mention to April you excelled yourself over the phone.

Date of experience: 01 February 2024

My husband and I recently went to South Africa and Zimbabwe and we booked with Bench. Julie was absolutely fantastic and she made sure that the entire trip ran smoothly. Little Garonga was a highlight for us - we just had the most magical time there. Thank you Julie for all of your hard work planning the perfect trip for us!

Date of experience: 01 November 2023

Strongly recommend not using bench tours, very very inflexible if have to change your dates or cancel, we lost about 5k in their fees and they were unwilling to even give a credit

Date of experience: 01 December 2023

10/10! Thank you April for seamlessly weaving my Makutsi Springs Safari trip in October.
I asked my usual travel agent in Perth WA who is the best for African Safari trips and she said "Bench Africa!". The price was excellent and no single supplement!! April Selby at Bench was clear, professional, and all of my questions were answered within 24 hours. My itinerary and supporting logistical/safety documents were sent on-time and were clear to read.
I would highly recommend Bench Africa for their prpfessional service, knowledge of the subject of safari in South Africa and pricing!

Date of experience: 20 October 2023

Bench Africa made our family holiday in Kenya one of the most memorable holiday we ever had. Thank you to the knowledgeable Bench team for making the perfect suggestions and making sure that it all went to plan. Our safari guide in Kenya made every moment fun and interesting. The camps were beautiful and we are planning to return next year. Without question we will be using Bench. Highly recommended!

Date of experience: 11 April 2023

The English itinerary was different from the Australian and Italian one so Ilios and the guide needed to negotiate with us over what we were going to see and do.
Accom at Perry's Bridge, Ghost Mountain and Hunter's Lodge was exceptional; the Radisson Blu and Southern Sun were just OK.
Stellenbosch was ok but a longer time in Franschok would have been better.
Group was a good size for touring.
The meal at Hunter's Lodge was terrific.
Overall, a good experience but it was fairly expensive.
A great country to visit.

Date of experience: 12 February 2018

We have recently returned from Africa and absolutely loved it.
This was in spite of a poorly prepared itinerary which wasted days sitting around airports and hotels with ill timed connections.
Our Drive Safari through Tanzania and Kenya was arduous, with most days driving for over six to seven hours to reach new destinations - one day we travelled for over 12 hours reaching the campsite after dark.
None of this was stated in the shiny brochure, and only referred lightly in the travel documents that you receive two weeks prior to your trip and after you have paid the full amount.
I would not recommend this travel company.
Ann.

Date of experience: 28 June 2017

From our first discussion with Lyndal at Bench until the last day of our trip, Bench delivers at every level. It starts with listening to what we want to achieve from our trip and making the small adjustments to make everything suit us.
Leopard Tours in Tanzania were outstanding and added to the depth of our trip throughout that amazing country. Our guide Issa, went above and beyond to provide us with not one but two opportunities to see the Migration.
The Masai Mara in Kenya provided us with memorable experience of watching animals living in their natural environment and the memories of our sundowner moments under the Acacia trees are now with us forever.
At the end it all comes back to Bench who were faultless.

Date of experience: 27 May 2023

Our trip to East Africa was trouble free. Great guides who knew their area well. We felt safe and looked after all the way. Accommodation choices were fantastic and the itinerary flowed well. I would recommend Bench to anyone looking for a comfortable trouble free trip to this amazing continent.

Date of experience: 04 October 2017

We would thoroughly recommend Bench.
Kapama: great accommodation & food, lots of animals
Zambezi Sands: great location, friendly staff, great canoe ride with hippos
Camelthorn: enjoyed elephant train, great location, friendly staff, amazing game viewing especially from Hide
Kuzuma: absolutely amazing, great food & accommodation, heaps of elephants, included day trip to Chobe National Park.(July not a good time to go to see other wildlife because of long grasses)
Cape Town: in hindsight should have done first, not last

Date of experience: 27 July 2016

The lodges were all perfectly chosen to give us a great cross section of terrain & animals. All our accommodation was luxurious & extremely comfortable. The food was great & the staff at every single lodge was beyond outstanding. All transfers were seamless & made easy. Lots of wonderful surprises along the way too, like breakfast in the trees. If you have one trip in your lifetime, this is the one.

Date of experience: 13 September 2018

Bench Africa were amazing! Travelling through Botswana with three young children was always going to be tough, but the Bench team had everything organised and chose the most suitable camps for a family like ours. The all inclusive activities were brilliant, especially the doors free helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta. We felt so spoiled the whole way.

Date of experience: 09 November 2017

Just returned from Botswana Wildlife. My husband and I had an amazing adventure on this small group tour. All the accomodation was great. My favourites being the Bedouin Camp and the amazing Elephants Eye Lodge where the elephants came to camp each evening. The tented chalets were luxurious plus the chef was fabulous. The food at all places was very good and of a great standard. The guide and driver did a great job of looking after us. Highlights: the animals, the lodges, sunsets, sundowners, the food, and travelling companions, the laughs, the campfires, gin and tonics.
Karen at Bench was very knowledgeable and organised our flights and trip and was great in helping us decide which trip to do.
Don’t hesitate, you won’t regret it.

Date of experience: 27 August 2018

Following our trip I would like to say it was the most amazing trip we have ever been on.

The food and accomodation was outstanding, in particular Amalinda's stunning rooms. Ivory Lodge was equally as excellent and their staff first class.

Of note also was the Shindzela Camp where the atmosphere and natural bush environment was amazing.

The days were sometimes long traveling but always worth it when we arrived at the next destination.

Our Guide, Dumi was brilliant. He assisted and guided us throughout the journey and everybody felt totally safe in his care.

Date of experience: 19 October 2017

We travelled to South Africa as our honeymoon in Dec and it was exceptional! We had the most amazing time and unforgettable memories. Everything was perfect and stress free, from the accommodation to safari to organised transfers, flights etc. Lyndal from Bench Africa was exceptional, she was very patient, professional and provided tailored advice to suits our needs. She made sure the package she created was everything we wanted and beyond! We absolutely loved South Africa. Highly recommend Bench Africa!

Date of experience: 04 February 2019

The biggest of thank you's to Lara, Maria & the team at Bench for going above and beyond to organise our dream honeymoon to Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar. It was everything and more than we had dreamed of!
Maria was exceptionally helpful and patient with all our questions, changes and calls!
Highlights were gorilla trekking in Uganda and Giraffe Manor - two unbeatable experiences I would recommend to anyone!
We're in love with Africa and we'll definitely be booking via Bench again next time!

Date of experience: 07 February 2020

Thank you to Karen from Bench who did a fantastic job organising our tour, had a great time, The rooms in Amalinda Lodge was amazing and the view from the pool spectacular.
Our driver/guide Dumi such a gentleman and genuine nice guy, felt safe all the time.
Egypt and Jordan welcome the tourists and so much security you have nothing to worry about.
Thanks again Karen !!!!!!!!!!!!

Date of experience: 06 December 2017

Bench Travel was recommended to us by a friend and did not disappoint. Stephanie organised pretty much every detail of our trip which went seamlessly and safely from start to finish. Her recommendations of accomodation and game parks for our budget were outstanding.
We had no idea what to expect from our trip. Stephanie organised it so that our experiences every day literally got better and better. We couldn't have been happier.

Date of experience: 21 September 2017

Had a terrific 2 week holiday in Africa. Bench travel were fantastic in organising our holiday and making sure we got the most out of our break. The highlight was staying at leopard Hills reserve and being completely looked after by Duncan and his team. Cant thank Bench enough

Date of experience: 23 October 2017

Bench Africa provided prompt response when looking at booking the climb at Mount Kilimanjaro. Even after the booking was made, they provided a quick response when questions were provided. The company that bench Africa use to complete the trek were also great.

Would like to see the packages that are sent and provided to clients be sent in the mail earlier than current procedures as we were already away and missed the itinerary and information that was inside these packs.

A list of helpful items would be great to send to clients heading on the trek as this would be useful for those who haven't done much trekking before. It is lucky we contacted a friend who had completed the climb before and told us some important items to take, which we would have not thought of taking.

Date of experience: 04 February 2018