Great African Adventures is a bespoke African travel planning organisation. We create unique vacation itineraries throughout southern and east Africa, for clients looking to experience the extraordinary!
Our reputation is built upon our professional, friendly and personalised safari planning service, our attention to detail and our commitment to offering our clients excellent value for money. We don’t sell ready-made holidays. We create bespoke safaris and vacations to meet each of our client’s needs and their budget.
We don’t know the whole world, but we do know Africa! Our offices are situated in Cape Town, and our clients benefit from our years of “boots on the ground” experience and vast network of travel industry contacts throughout the continent.
With more than 25 years in African tourism, we have grown our business very specifically to meet the needs of our existing clients, understanding that in doing so they frequently become repeat visitors and friends. We have researched new destinations and experiences and crafted an extensive network of industry colleagues who are experts in their own countries, with whom we work. By delivering excellence consistently, we continue to win new clients, and forge new relationships, benefiting our clients, our suppliers and the communities in which we operate.
We understand that everyone wants something different, and planning your Great African Adventure should be stress-free and exciting! Our personalized African safari planning service allows you to benefit from our extensive knowledge of hand-picked destinations, and combine these with your individual wish-list of experiences to create a unique vacation itinerary.
We are advocates of Responsible Tourism – with the luxury of travelling to Africa comes responsibility! We support Pack for a Purpose and encourage our clients to consider what they can bring with them from home that will directly benefit the communities to which they will be travelling. For more about Responsible Tourism, and Conservation Vacations, please click on the link below. Whether you would like to bring a meaningful gift with you, visit a community project close to your chosen camp or lodge, or take some time out to become involved in African wildlife Conservation, we will encourage you to build this into your itinerary.
We look forward to collaborating with you to plan and organise your perfect African Safari Vacation. We look forward welcoming you to Africa! Helen Hansen, Owner
“One of South Africa’s most Influential Women in Tourism and Leisure” CEO Global
Client Testimonials
Responsible Tourism
Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Garden Route & Malaria-Free Safari in the Eastern Cape, November 2025
We have just returned from our third trip to South Africa organized by Helen at Great African Adventures. Our kids are 15 and 17, so we needed an itinerary that offered plenty of excitement for them as well as culture, scenery, wines and relaxation for us! Over several calls and emails Helen asked about our likes & dislikes, and our preferred pace of travel, before creating the perfect itinerary for our family. We have already recommended Helen and Great African Adventures to several of our friends and colleagues, and look forward to planning our next trip to Africa with her!
Andy & Elaine Eynon, UK
Victoria Falls & Chobe Safari, July 2024
We had such a special time, and the fact that there weren’t any hiccups with the organisation of transfers and reservations, contributed to a wonderful holiday. It was also a great comfort to know that you were always available for any queries or questions regarding travel and accommodation. We were very much impressed with the Palm River Hotel. Brand new, with a wonderful view from every room! Super efficient and friendly staff , going out of their way to accommodate every request of ours. And when it comes to game viewing, Chobe is right up there with the best! We were thrilled with the variety of experience that Chobe delivered. Whether you are a bird watcher or there to see elephants and buffalo, you will not be disappointed. We were sad to leave, but the memories will stay with us. When we look back at the pictures taken it’s clear that this was one of those special times that will not be forgotten. Thanks again for all your suggestions and your help putting together a wonderful family holiday.
Elaine Brand - multi-generational family of 12, SA.
Malawi Beach & Zambia Bush Safari Honeymoon, 2022
Firstly, I cannot believe we have taken so long to send you a proper email. We had planned everything up to the wedding and honeymoon, and forgot that life was waiting at the other side. More importantly, we had an incredible trip that was so much more than we thought it could ever be. And it was the perfect celebration of our happiness. Thank you, thank you!
You asked for some feedback… it is going be hard to not just say everything was incredible…! We had a magical honeymoon and cannot thank you enough for all you did to make it that way.
Byron & Jane Miller, South Africa
5 Different Trips so Far ...
My wife and I have used Helen for five different trips to the African continent, from Kenya and Tanzania to the south in Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa. We could not have been more pleased with our experiences. Helen has recommended great itineraries, with seamlessly planned travel logistics. You are in great hands with Helen. We would not have re-used her so many times if not the case! We will certainly use Helen for our next trip, and have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone. Getting a trustworthy agent is essential.
John & Karma Hallward, Canada
Travelling with Us Since 2003!
Our first trip to South Africa was organized by Helen Hansen. That was in 2003. It was such a magical experience that it made us return ever since to Southern Africa. She made us get to know places like the Okavango Delta and Namibia, the Kalahari Desert, Zimbabwe and Zambia and many other fantastic destinations. The preparation of all our trips was the result of a teamwork between her and us. As Helen has the ability to capture the personality of her clients and is therefore able to offer interesting locations and ideas for tailor made trips it was easy to work with her. We are amateur photographers and love to go on safaris. The places Helen made us go to were superb. As she has a well established personal network we always had the pleasure of experiencing good rangers, and in towns well informed guides wherever we went. Helen is very accurate in planning, so we have never had a problem. We are looking forward to new adventures with Great African Adventures.
Patricia and Jean-Marc Girod, Theo Stähli, Switzerland
3 Weeks in Uganda, 2022
We are still fondly looking back on our wonderful time in Uganda. And we've told so many people about our wonderful adventures. Our friends and family have been blown away! Thank you for putting together an AMAZING trip for us. We will go home raving about our experiences."
Phil & Annabel Golden, USA
Responsible tourism is about enabling local communities to enjoy a better quality of life, through increased socio-economic benefits and an improved environment. It is also about protecting and conserving our wildlife and environments, providing more authentic safari holiday experiences for guests and good business opportunities for tourism enterprises. In recent years the travel industry in Southern and East Africa has spear-headed many wildlife, wilderness and community initiatives, aimed at sustaining, protecting and conserving Africa's unique heritage and landscapes.
We believe that the future of African tourism lies in our local communities being educated and empowered to protect and conserve our wildlife and environments. We are privileged to live and travel in Africa, and have a responsibility to protect the environments to which we travel, and benefit the local communities we visit.
Many of our preferred suppliers of services and accommodations are those people within the tourism industry who, like ourselves, are actively contributing to their local communities. Your safari will almost certainly include Conservation and Community Fees, and there are many excellent responsible tourism projects which you can visit as part of your itinerary, or where you can stay to work on a Conservation Vacation. If you would like to know more about what's happening at your holiday destination, or if you'd like to get involved in some way whilst you're here, please let us know!
