HOW SAFARIS BY LOCALS WORKS

A Better Way to Plan Your Safari

Planning an African safari should be exciting, not overwhelming. At Safaris by Locals, we combine first-hand travel experience, personal relationships with local experts, and carefully selected recommendations to help you find the right safari for you.

Discover how we work, how we choose the operators we recommend, and why our approach is designed to make safari planning better for travellers and local businesses alike.

OUR APPROACH

Not Every Safari Operator Makes the Cut

Finding a safari company online is easy. Finding an operator you can trust to deliver the experience you’re looking for is a different story.

That’s why Safaris by Locals isn’t an open directory where any company can pay to be listed. Our network is built around personal relationships, first-hand experience, and a shared commitment to quality, transparency, and locally led tourism.

I’m Arnau, a traveller and wildlife photographer. After spending months exploring Africa, experiencing safaris, and getting to know the people behind them, I created Safaris by Locals to help travellers discover the continent through local experts I believe in.

I’ve travelled with the vast majority of the operators in our network, allowing me to experience their services first-hand and build relationships with the people behind their businesses. For newer additions, I rely on recommendations from people I trust completely, alongside my own assessment of the company. Although I may not have travelled with every new operator yet, I’ve personally spoken with the people managing their businesses to understand how they work, what they stand for, and whether our values align. I also aim to experience their services first-hand as our relationships develop.

Our goal isn’t to offer you the most options. It’s to connect you with the right ones.

OPERATOR SELECTION

What Happens Before We Recommend an Operator?

Every recommendation comes with a responsibility. When I introduce a traveller to a local safari company, I want to feel confident that the operator is a good fit for their needs and shares the principles behind Safaris by Locals.

That’s why building our network takes time, personal conversations, research, and, wherever possible, first-hand experience.

01

First-Hand Experience and Trusted Recommendations

Most of the operators I work with are people I’ve travelled with and got to know personally during my time in Africa. These experiences help me understand their services, their strengths, and the kind of travellers they are best suited to. When considering new operators, I also draw on recommendations from trusted contacts who know the industry and whose judgement I value. These introductions provide a starting point for further assessment, not an automatic entry into our network.

02

Personal Conversations and Shared Values

I speak directly with the people managing each company to understand how they operate, what they prioritize, and how they approach their work. I want to collaborate with people who value honest communication, take care of their guests, and share my belief that tourism should create meaningful opportunities for local businesses and communities.

03

Quality, Legitimacy and Professional Standards

Before recommending an operator, I assess the information available about its business, experience, services, and reputation. Depending on the destination and company, this can include reviewing business registration and relevant licences, guest feedback, itineraries, communication, and operational arrangements. Combined with first-hand experience or trusted recommendations and direct conversations with management, these checks help me decide whether a company is suitable for our network.

04

A Carefully Selected Network

We don’t simply list every available company or recommend operators because they pay for visibility. We focus on businesses whose experience, services, and approach make them a good fit for the travellers we help. No two operators are the same, and each has different strengths. Understanding those differences is essential to making recommendations that genuinely match your expectations.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

When I recommend an operator, I’m drawing on my own experiences, conversations, research, and the relationships I’ve built over time. For me, this is about more than sending a contact your way. It’s about helping you start planning your safari with greater confidence.

No recommendation can guarantee that every trip will be perfect, but I want you to have a more informed starting point than you would get from browsing an endless list of companies.

PERSONALIZED MATCHING

The Right Operators for Your Kind of Safari

Choosing good operators is only half the job. The other half is knowing which ones are right for you.

A traveller looking for an affordable camping safari has very different needs from a wildlife photographer seeking extended time in the field, a family travelling with children, or a couple planning a special occasion.

When you submit your request, we consider your destination, travel dates, budget, interests, preferred accommodation, group size, and any other details you share.

Based on this information and our knowledge of the operators in our network, I select the companies whose experience and services best match your plans. Only the selected operators receive your request, allowing them to prepare proposals tailored to your needs.

Rather than receiving a long list of generic offers, you get introductions to a small number of relevant local experts who can help bring your safari to life.

It’s not about giving you more options. It’s about giving you better-matched options.

YOUR REQUEST, PERSONALLY MATCHED

A more relevant shortlist.

We consider the details that make your safari yours:

Destination and travel dates
Budget and accommodation preferences
Interests, group size and travel style
Any special requests you share

Only selected operators receive your request, so the proposals you receive are relevant to your plans.

DIRECT COMMUNICATION

Your Safari, Your Decisions

Once we’ve introduced you to suitable operators, communication continues directly between you and them.

You can discuss itineraries, compare accommodation options, ask questions, request changes, and fine-tune the details with the people who will organize your safari on the ground.

This direct relationship gives you the flexibility to shape your trip around your preferences and understand exactly what each proposal includes before making a decision.

And you’re not on your own. If you need help understanding your options, have questions about the recommendations, or would like some additional guidance, you can always get in touch with me.

Safaris by Locals is here to make the process easier and more transparent, while keeping you connected to the local experts who will organize your adventure.

YOU STAY IN CONTROL

Plan it together. Decide with confidence.

Discuss and refine itineraries
Compare accommodation and inclusions
Ask questions directly
Request changes before you commit
Get in touch with Arnau if you need guidance

BEYOND THE QUOTE

More Than Just Safari Quotes

Finding the right operator is only one part of planning a safari. Choosing the best destination, understanding seasonal wildlife movements, deciding when to travel, and knowing what to pack can all make a difference to your experience.

That’s why Safaris by Locals also provides destination guides, practical planning advice, and useful information to help you make informed decisions before your trip.

From comparing national parks and understanding safari budgets to learning about wildlife experiences and seasonal conditions, our resources are designed to help you plan with greater confidence. We’ll also share relevant information to help you prepare as your departure approaches.

We’re here to help you plan a better safari, not simply to help you book one.

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

A Fairer Way to Connect Travellers with Local Operators

I created Safaris by Locals with a simple idea in mind: travellers should be able to find great local safari operators without paying extra for an intermediary, while local businesses should have a fairer way to reach potential customers.

Running a safari company involves substantial costs, from vehicles and guides to accommodation partnerships, operations, and marketing. Attracting new customers also requires time and money, and online advertising and large booking platforms can add further expenses.

I wanted to offer a different approach: a model based on personal relationships, relevant introductions, and successful bookings rather than charging operators for every click or enquiry.

01

No Extra Cost for Travellers

Using Safaris by Locals is free. You receive introductions and personalized proposals without paying us a booking fee. The local operator pays our agreed referral commission, and it is not added to your safari price as an extra charge. The price for the same safari is the same whether you book through our referral or contact the operator directly.

02

Low, Booking-Based Commissions

Our partner operators pay a relatively low, agreed commission only when a booking is confirmed through our referral. Unlike advertising models that charge for clicks or enquiries, our approach means operators only pay when our introduction leads to a booking.

03

More Value for Local Businesses

For smaller operators, acquiring customers can be expensive. A referral model with low costs and no payment for unsuccessful enquiries offers an alternative way to reach travellers who are actively looking to book. By keeping our costs and commissions low, we aim to help local businesses retain more of their revenue.

04

A Partnership Built on Trust

The operators I work with are partners, not just listings on a website. When travellers find the right operator and a booking is confirmed, everyone benefits: operators gain a customer, travellers get a personalized safari experience, and the commission helps sustain Safaris by Locals and the free resources we create.

A MODEL THAT WORKS BECAUSE EVERYONE BENEFITS

I spend a great deal of time researching destinations, creating travel guides, evaluating operators, and building relationships with local experts. The commission from confirmed bookings allows me to continue this work without charging travellers for our service.

If our guides have helped you plan your trip or our recommendations have saved you time, using our form is a practical way to support this model while finding the right safari for you.

BOOKING DIRECT

Book Directly. Travel with Confidence.

Once you’ve found an itinerary that suits you, you can discuss the final details and book directly with your chosen local operator.

You’ll arrange payment and confirm the terms of your safari with the company responsible for delivering the experience. This gives you a direct relationship with the people organizing your trip and the opportunity to clarify everything before you commit.

There is no separate booking fee charged to you by Safaris by Locals. Our referral commission is paid by the operator under our agreed partnership, without being added to your safari price.

Your trip remains yours to shape, with the local expertise of your chosen operator and the support of Safaris by Locals when you need guidance.

DIRECT FROM THE SOURCE

No middleman booking fee.

You confirm the itinerary, payment, and terms with the local company responsible for your safari. You stay connected to the people organizing your experience, with support from Safaris by Locals when you need it.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

A Few Things to Arrange Before Departure

Your local safari operator will organize the services included in your agreed itinerary. However, unless explicitly included in your package, some aspects of your international trip will need to be arranged separately.

01

International Flights

Book your flights to and from your destination, checking the safari start and end dates carefully before purchasing tickets.

02

Travel Insurance

Arrange suitable travel insurance, including medical expenses and emergency evacuation where appropriate. Make sure your policy covers your planned activities and destinations.

03

Visas, Entry Requirements and Health Preparation

Check passport validity, visa requirements, entry rules, and relevant travel health recommendations for your destination. Requirements vary according to your nationality and itinerary.

04

Know What's Included

Before confirming your booking, review your safari quote carefully. Check accommodation, meals, park fees, transfers, activities, payment schedules, cancellation policies, and any additional costs.

Taking care of these details in advance will help you travel with greater confidence and avoid unexpected surprises.

YOUR SAFARI STARTS WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Ready to plan a safari that feels right for you?

Planning an unforgettable safari begins with finding people who understand what you’re looking for. Tell us about your plans, and I’ll help connect you with suitable local operators from our carefully selected network. You’ll receive personalized proposals, communicate directly with the experts organizing your trip, and have the freedom to choose the experience that’s right for you.

All without paying Safaris by Locals a booking fee.

Let’s help you discover Africa, one local connection at a time.