ABOUT US

The African Adventure Safari Company

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Umkulu safari and canoe trails is a Southern African owned company based in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana and specializing in safari and canoe trails throughout Southern Africa. Established in 1996, the company has grown to a formidable force in the tourism industry, due to its excellent service, value for money trails and “hands on” operations.  The name is pure African, being derived from the Zulu language meaning “big” ; “the big wise one” or something bigger and is used in many African languages as a sign of respect on its own or in conjunction with other words.

 

 
  We believe that “adventure” should not be synonymous with unreliability and discomfort, so we have endeavored to add a level of professionalism, reliability to our trails. We do support sustainable and responsible tourism and focus our emphasis on community driven projects and the education of local staff and trail guides.  

   "By defending nature, man may recover his dignity and liberty, for the roots of heaven are in the earth" - V S Pritchard

We aim to share our experiences of the the past 14 years with our clients. If we don't offer the adventure we will find the best available safari tour , overland tour or adventure package available that suits your interest and budget. We have partnered with the best reputable tour operators to be able to offer you a wide variety of tours and adventures within Southern and East Africa. We are a tour operator and an agent for our partners in tourism.

We specialize in

      • Wildlife Mobile Safari - small groups
      • Budget Overland Tours - large groups
      • River trails and adventures
      • Adventure packages
      • Fly in Safaris
      • Tailormade safaris
      • Lodge accommodation
      • Teambuilding & Incntive adventures
Hennie Prinsloo
hennie@umkulu.co.za
Founder of Umkulu. Safari & River Guide
Hennie has been a Safari Tour leader , River Guide, Overland Guide for the past 15 years being one of the founders of umkulu safari & canoe trails together with his all time friend Steven Du Preez. His passion for Africa, wildlife and adventure has lead him to pursue a lifestyle of adventure. He leads all the expedition safaris and still take river trails on the Orange River.
 
Phil van Wyk
Phil@umkulu.co.za
Base Camp & river Operations Safari and River Guide
Phil joined Umkulu 5 years ago as a professional Safari and Overland Guide and is now Umkulu's operations manager. Phil is from Namibia and adds a great deal of value with his local experience and knowledge of the Kalahari.
 
Sas Fick
sas@umkulu.co.za
River Trails and River Operations
Sas joined umkulu river adventures 5 years ago and is one of our lead river and overland guides. River. He has a great passion for kayaking and the rivers of africa. Sas is our adventurer on the Orange River and no mountain is to high for sas.
 
Imogen Eades
imogen@imastudio.co.za
Imogen works on the marketing and advertising of Umkulu and is a freelance designer. She is from the UK , but has based herself for the last 10 years in South Africa. She  is a versatile member of crew. and over the years has worked as an experienced guide on the overland, rivers and safaris tours.
 

Zahn Du Toit

zahn@umkulu.co.za

Zahn is our newest member of staff. She has joined umkulu after a long career in properties and marketing . Zahn will be heading our marketing , products and events department within Umkulu. Her passion for travel and especially african travel has made Zahn a true asset to the company and we are all excited about her decision to join Umkulu.

   
   
   
   
 

Christo Dodie : workshop manager & river guide

Christo is a craftman that has joined our workshop and has become a great value to our river camp and river operations. Christo is alo a rievr guide and specialise in fishing trips and guided walks.

Crew
We have a number of local guides in different countries and they all have been working on a freelance basis for umkulu for the past 10 years. Our crew members are – Brigade - Botswana; Christoff Namibia ; Basie – Namibia ; Guido – German ;Chriss– South African, Chris - south african, Christo - South African

We strive to offer you the best safaris and expedition trails in Africa and if we cannot offer the trails ourselves we will contact the best operators to offer you what you are looking for. We don't work with agents but directly between us as an operator and our chosen partner operators.

Guides , Vehicles & Equipment
All our guides are registered guides and have completed in house training with umkulu safari & canoe trails.
All trails we offer have 2 guides that will be leading the trail and depending on the type of trail. We refer to have local guides on our trails with local experience, this ads a level to our operations.

Umkulu travel and information sites:
www.travel2botswana.com

www.africanoverland.co.za

www.orangeriverrafting.com

 
     
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Umkulu Safari & Canoe Trails
Enquiries and Reservations:
Email: info@umkulu.co.za
Tel: +27(0)21 853 7952
Fax: +27(0)21 853 8391
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
 

Holidays in Africa

Umkulu Adventures will design you the best african vacation at the best value for money.

 
 
 
  Umkulu is the Zulu word for "Big" or "The Big One".  
     
   
  Every tour we take is accompanied by two qualified guides and all our equipment is custom made or specially chosen and is ideally suited for the rough life.  
     
   
 
African Paddling Association
African Paddling Association
 
 
Back Packing South Africa
Back packing South Africa
 
 
African Travel and Tourism Association
African Travel and Tourism Association
 
 
Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana
 
 
The American Society of Travel Agents
The American Society of Travel Agents