Our Travel Categories
Our offers are divided into the following categories: Adventure, Classic, Comfort, Superior, Superior Plus and Deluxe. We are guided on the one hand by the official star rating system on site (usually only available in South Africa) and on the other hand by our personal assessment, which we gain from our regular on-site inspections.
The comfort of the individual categories may vary from region to region. Accommodation in South Africa is usually more comfortable than accommodation in Botswana in the same category (see also overview of travel countries). On round trips with several accommodations, it is normal for the comfort to vary slightly within a category, because we mainly book small and individual accommodations instead of large hotel chains that look the same everywhere. There are also differences between accommodation in cities and accommodation in more rural areas.
Adventure */** and Classic **/***
The Adventure */** and Classic **/*** categories are designed for young people and those young at heart who are looking for a truly unique adventure and are willing to do without the usual comforts of home. Our only trips in this category are the Drifters camping and Explorer tours, which feature transportation in non-air-conditioned safari trucks. Overnight stays take place in two-person tents with camping beds or in simple, permanent accommodations.
Comfort ***/****
The Comfort ***/**** category corresponds to the mid-range and offers excellent value for money. The accommodations are small to medium-sized guesthouses and lodges with a solid three stars or a modest four stars. These options are ideal for budget-conscious travelers who don’t want to compromise on a certain standard, but for whom the country, nature, and surroundings are still more important than upscale amenities in their accommodations. Standards such as a private bathroom/toilet in the room and breakfast on-site are always included in this category.
Superior ****
The Superior **** category corresponds to the upscale mid-range segment with a special touch. The accommodations are small to medium-sized guesthouses, lodges, and boutique hotels that are well-deserving of four stars. These tours are designed for discerning travelers who value the comfort, amenities, and service of their accommodations. In addition to a private bathroom, the rooms usually feature amenities such as air conditioning, a minibar, a TV, and a veranda or balcony. The accommodations almost always offer a pool, a common lounge area, and a bar and/or restaurant.
Superior Plus ****/*****
The Superior Plus ****/***** category is our premium class and is designed for discerning travelers who want that extra something in terms of service, amenities, and location. The hand-selected accommodations are typically small, unique boutique hotels and lodges rated as very good four-star or basic five-star properties. The spacious rooms and suites feature all the amenities found in the Superior category, but with an even more upscale touch. The location and quality of the accommodations are also a cut above the rest.
Deluxe *****
The Deluxe ***** category represents the luxury class designed to meet the highest standards in terms of amenities, service, location, and comfort. You’ll stay in accommodations that rank among the very best in their respective regions. We set the bar so high that in some regions of Southern Africa, we are unable to offer any accommodations in this category. Travelers can therefore look forward to an exclusive experience that will fully meet their expectations.
