Fair Trade SafarisReviews of fairtradesafaris.com

People refer to a trip to Africa as a bucket list item-and it is. Traveling to the beautiful continent is a big trip in every way-the preparation, expense and travel time all contribute to this. This is where Saurabh Khetrapal and his team at Fair Trade Safaris come in and deliver a trip of a lifetime. FTS is one of a kind company that promotes and practices responsible tourism. In fact the company is built on 'giving back'. We stayed at some of the most serene and beautiful camps/lodges. We enjoyed delicious and fresh cooked meals that were so flavorful-beyond what I had anticipated. We saw the 'big 5'! And the cost of the entire trip came in UNDER our budget! But the proof was in the detailed planning that Saurabh had excuted. Not one detail was overlooked-details that would have not even crossed my mind had I tried to plan this trip on my own (not something I would recommend). And the founder (Saurabh) was in constant contact with us during the entire trip! Visiting Africa is a trip of a lifetime for many people. And for this it is so important to pick the right company as your tour operator. If you want luxury without paying over-the-top rates, then Fair Trade Safaris is the only choice!!

We were recently married in early October 2015 and took our long-awaited honeymoon shortly thereafter to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I'd always planned to take my wife on a safari trip, having been on one in Kruger National Park, South Africa back in 2009. Because I wanted the trip to be perfect, the planning was lengthy and detailed, yet very streamlined and painless...thanks to Saurabh Khetrapal of Fair Trade Safaris, who went exceedingly above and beyond what I'd've ever anticipated. He took the time to not only share his vast experience with booking airfare using my accumulated credit card points, but also shared his knowledge about the various lodges in Tanzania; a majority of which he'd been to himself. Saurabh was always very prompt with responses whenever I had questions, and stayed dependable the entire time. Professional, yet personal. The trip started off with a business class flight aboard one of the world's most prestigious airlines and ended in a beautiful natural picturesque resort in Zanzibar. The attention to detail paid off and our stays at &Beyond Klein's camp and Ngorongoro Crater Lodge were wonderful. A staff member met us at the airport in Dar Es Salaam and helped us through the foreign check-in process and through airport security. Then a personal driver picked us up at our bush airport destination and was with us throughout our 6 day stay in the Serengeti. My wife was blown away by the hot air balloon surprise over the central Serengeti which Fair Trade Safaris not only suggested, but of course helped me plan. Our trip ended in a tropical paradise on a very relaxing quiet natural resort in the north of Zanzibar. FTS unquestionably got me the best rates for our luxury honeymoon travel package; and given the mission statement and commitment of FTS to donate 100% of its profits to local African community projects and wildlife conservation in the region, while hiring locals, our money could not have been better spent. - Okem & Olamide (Austin, TX)

Having been to Africa on more than one occasion and I can tell without any reservations that Fair Trade Safari has been above and beyond on all my expectations. Everything was well thought of and organized . The best part is the philanthropic aspect of the trip. From the moment you arrived in Africa to the moment you leave, you will had constant communication with Fair Trade Safari and feel at ease at all time. Saurabh you are the best! Thank you

My trip with fair trade Safaris in July 2016 was amazing experience...an opportunity with so many interesting facets that I was able to choose and participate in those things that I found most fun or were closest to my heart. This was... - a wildlife safari par excellence with some nights in the wild under tents and others in five start lodges; - a photography intensive class with expert photographers providing free instruction; - both for ipod photographers and for those who had greater expertise and passion in photography - an opportunity to participate in a social service enterprise in Africa - a time to sit with those on the other side of the world and exchange life stories - a visit to the Masai tribal village and ways - long walks and sunrises on the white beaches of Zanzibar island - a learning of the dangers to elephants, rhinos and lions from poachers and illegal markets - a classroom to learn of the intense efforts that conservationists are making to defend the animals of Africa - a dream to see millions of herds of cattle and wild animals wander and cross the Serengeti - a privilege to live for a few days in a land owned by Lions and Elephants and to watch them live their lives This was more than a safari trip for the summer... it was a multi-dimensional experience lived in one compressed 2-weeks out on the African plains. I would go again in a heartbeat and take my kids this time!

Saurabh and Fair Trade Safari's made our 10 year anniversary trip incredibly memorable. Every attention was paid to details to make sure our trip went according to plan including getting an anniversary cake made for us in the dinner tent out in the middle of the central Serengeti. Our trip started climbing Kilimanjaro. The group that took us up included a guide that was one of the top guides in Tanzania. Then, we went to Zanzibar for a little relaxation and to visit an orphanage (which is part of the ethos of the company to try to give back). The last leg of the trip was a private set of game drives in the Serengeti. The accommodations were perfect and gave us exactly what we were looking for...and yes, we saw the big 5! We highly recommend Fair Trade Safari's and thank them again for making this trip an absolutely memorable one.

Fair Trade Safaris planned a fabulous trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar for me, my fiancee, and our good friend. We knew we wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, go on safari, and then have some downtown on the beach in Zanzibar, but didn't know much about where exactly to go. Saurabh put together an excellent itinerary, respected our budget, and took care of all the logistics we tend to forget about-- ground transportation between places, how to get our climbing gear to meet us in Zanzibar. Saurabh checked in with us frequently once we got to Tanzania, and continued to ensure everything ran smoothly. He clearly knows the best local operators and guides. We were thrilled with our climbing team, our Safari guide, and our guide for a couple excursions in Zanzibar (spice farm tour and walking tour of stone town). Even when we came back, Saurabh followed up with us to make sure everything met our needs/expectations, and for feedback on anything we would have changed/done differently (very little!) I would most highly recommend working with FTS!

FTS is like no other operation. My daughter, her 2 young children and I spent about 2 weeks between Tanzania and Zanzibar. We visited everything from an organic coffee farm in Arusha, safaris in all of the 'must-do' parks, walking in downtown Dar Es Salaam and Stone town (in Zanzibar), to some of the most beautiful powder white sand beaches with the most exquisite blue water of the Indian Ocean. We saw all of the 'Big 5' and some of the 'Little 5' too! We witnessed a lioness hunt and capture her prey...a herd of elephants so close to our vehicle that you could hear them breathe- so exhillarating! Each and every lodge/camp we stayed at was beyond my expectation-the food, the drink, the company and the staff were perfect. We are vegetarians and they were able to serve us lavish, gourmet and freshly prepared meals-some of the best vegetarian food I have ever had! And Zanzibar- such a rich and eclectic culture-it's probably my favorite island ever! This was truly a first class experience from the planning process all the way until departing for our flight back home. FTS paid close attention to all that we wanted to do and managed to arrange it all. The CSO (Cheif Smiles Officer) of FTS and his team surpassed all my expectations...and even with all of this, what truly makes this company unique is their dedication to 'giving back'. Not only did I get to experience the luxury that Africa has to offer, but me, my daughter and my 2 young grandchildren were able to learn more about wild life conservation, education initiatives and a holistic approach to helping orphaned children. It was this portion of the trip that really made the entire experience feel complete and magical.

On our recent trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar, we had an amazing experience with Fair Trade Safaris. We spent a week in Zanzibar between old town and the beaches for a 20th anniversary trip. We were able to do everything we wanted, beaches, culture, food, spice tour, local bazaar, and everything was seamless. There is no substitute for on the ground knowledge. Fair Trade is unique. It is run by an ex Silicon Valley guy who lives in the US but grew up in Africa. And that's the difference. Being able to communicate with someone who will understand your budget and specific goals for the trip, or lack of them :) From the moment we arrived in Africa to the moment we left, we had constant communication with them and all of the various tour operations came on time. Even when there were any minor delays we were well informed and never waiting. Thanks for a most memorable trip. Next year, South Africa!!