
Piper & Heath Travel

Information about Piper & Heath Travel
Opening hours
- sunday: (closed)
- monday: 8h-17h
- tuesday: 8h-17h
- wednesday: 8h-17h
- thursday: 8h-17h
- friday: 8h-17h
- saturday: (closed)
Piper & Heath Travel is an American based travel company, owned and operated by an accomplished safari veteran. Our African roots go back many generations. Over three centuries of living in Africa has taught us much of what this wondrous continent is all about. We aspire to a travel style best described as "sophisticated simplicity." Our insightful knowledge of the African travel industry is unparalleled in the international arena. Our strong and lasting relationships with the best African operators provide easy access to all Africa has to offer. We welcome the opportunity to be your African destination specialist and to make your safari fantasies into safari realities.
Our comment from TraTraTravel about Piper & Heath Travel:
Piper & Heath Travel is your premier choice for unforgettable African adventures. With a deep understanding of the continent, our team specializes in crafting personalized travel experiences tailored to your unique desires and interests.
What We Offer:
- Meticulous planning and coordination of every aspect of your trip.
- Extensive knowledge of Africa's diverse regions, ensuring you experience the best this beautiful continent has to offer.
- Exceptional customer service and support before, during, and after your journey.
- A commitment to conservation and ethical tourism, supporting local communities and wildlife preservation.
- Flexible and customized itineraries that cater to your travel style and preferences.
- A responsive and attentive team that listens to your needs and delivers beyond your expectations.
Our clients rave about our seamless travel arrangements, from airport transfers to luxurious accommodations. With Piper & Heath, every detail is taken care of, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the adventure of a lifetime.
Trust Piper & Heath for the ultimate safari experience. Join countless satisfied travelers who have explored Africa with us and created memories to cherish forever. We can’t wait to help you plan your next unforgettable journey!
Piper & Heath Travel: Reviews
Fantastic experience: We live in Hawaii and we knew we wanted to go to Africa for a safari but how the heck do we find a good travel agent? I did so much research, looking on reddit, checking with friends, doing internet searches, and after all of that, I was still uncertain. Most agents in Hawaii had just standard pre-packaged stuff with crazy fixed itineraries, we needed something adaptable that we could work out as our party was a mixture of adults (one a bit older) as well as my 6 year old daughter. I eventually stumbled on a Travel & Leisure ranking, and I think Piper & Heath was ranked #5. I slowly worked my way from #1 all the way to #10 and Piper & Heath seemed to have the best website and info, and their reviews were stellar about how good they were to talk to. So I wrote them, and immediatley they setup a talk for us with Mads, and he took the time to listen to what we think we wanted (we weren't totally sure), and come up with a few options to see what worked for us. Every step of the way, they were helpful and responsive. Around the time of our final payment, one of our group dropped out unexpectedly, and Piper & Heath were very good at accomodating us. Our trip was a resounding success!! I would totally use Piper & Heath again in an instant. We already recommended them to some of our friends and now I'm recommending them to all of you as well!
Thank you Paul! Thanks for sharing about your experience and we are thrilled to hear that you had such a good time. Looking at these pictures makes the whole thing come to life for us and its great to see how the carefully laid plans play out on the ground.
Fantastic experience: We had the most amazing trip to the Congo with Piper & Heath. Everything went perfectly and was beyond expectations. Thank you to everyone at Piper & Heath!
Hi David. Thanks for the feedback and from all that Mads has told me, this may have been the most epic Congo trip to date and I am sooooo jealous. I cannot believe the quality of the forest elephant sightings you enjoyed.
Fantastic experience: My wife and I just returned from a two week adventure in South Africa and Zimbabwe that was expertly planned and choreographed by the Piper & Heath team. We are both experienced travelers and have lived in other countries during our lives but for this trip ( celebrating our 50th Anniversary) we thought it best to get some expert help. Piper & Heath were highly recommended by Travel and Leisure and were based in San Diego which is close to our home, so we chose them. Mads was our first contact and he listened to our ideas and then promptly formulated a two week trip to Cape Town, Victoria Falls and two separate safari camps. Our itinerary was a bit complicated and included several flights between cities and small isolated camps. Every hotel, camp and resort we stayed in (Mala Mala, NOKA, Palm River Resort, Welgelegen B&B) was exceptional! All of our connections, small plane trips, drivers, guides, restaurants and tours came off without a hitch, thanks to the detailed planning and execution by the P&H team. Simply put, you can trust this company to deliver what they promise. They made our 50th Anniversary incredibly special.
Hi John
Thank you so much for leaving your review and I am so happy to hear that this milestone trip was successful and hassle free. Being recognized by Travel + Leisure and their readership is always an honor these media outlets along with reviews like yours are affirmation to the whole team for a job well done.
Thanks again and hope we can get you back to Africa (or India, Morocco, Jordan and the Indian Ocean Islands) again in the future.
Keep well,
Chris
Fantastic experience: This was our second time using Piper & Heath for a trip to Africa, and once again, they completely exceeded our expectations. We first worked with them in 2019 for an unforgettable journey through Zambia and Zimbabwe, and after that incredible experience, there was no question who we’d turn to for our next adventure. This time, they planned a magical trip to Rwanda—and somehow, it was even more spectacular. What sets Piper & Heath apart is how deeply they listen and how thoughtfully they plan. From the beginning, they took the time to understand exactly what we were hoping for: our travel preferences, comfort levels, budget, and all the little details in between. Their attention to detail is unmatched—they don’t just book a trip, they curate an experience that’s entirely personalized to you. Throughout the planning process, they were endlessly kind, patient, and responsive—even as we asked countless questions leading up to the trip. They never made us feel rushed or like just another client. Every call and email was met with warmth, expertise, and genuine care. The level of organization and detail they provided made us feel completely at ease and so well prepared for every part of the journey. Our Rwanda itinerary was thoughtfully designed and absolutely unforgettable. We spent time exploring Kigali, experienced a breathtaking safari in Akagera National Park with a stay at Wilderness Magashi, and fulfilled a lifelong dream trekking to see gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, where we stayed at the stunning Bisate Lodge. Every part of the trip felt seamless and deeply meaningful. From the moment we left home to the moment we returned, we felt entirely taken care of. And even after we got back, Piper & Heath continued to check in, eager to hear about our experience and ensure everything went smoothly. We can’t thank them enough for the time, care, and passion they pour into every trip. Piper & Heath has now created two life-changing journeys for us—and we truly can’t recommend them highly enough. We will definitely be back for more. Thank you to the entire Piper & Heath team!
Oh my goodness Katie, what an awesome review! You made us all feel very special here today, thank you! I am personally thrilled that you had such a great time and that we were able to make round 2 even better than the first trip. We will have our work cut out for us on round 3 lol!
But seriously, thank you for saying this and for all the warm and fuzzies in the office today.
Chris
Fantastic experience: Dreaming about a trip to Kenya is easy. Actually planning one is daunting and best left to the experts. That's where Piper and Heath comes in. We started planning our family's journey a year ago. Mads was our planner. He's very knowledgeable and passionate about Africa. He answered all our questions and met with me many times. After a couple (or more) sample itineraries, we finalized our plans and just had to wait. During that time, the Piper and Heath team made sure we had everything ready to go, from visas to packing lists and everything in between. The whole team is incredible and as they are based in San Diego, I loved that we were supporting a local business. We returned from Kenya a week ago. I've dreamt of going to Africa since I was a child. This trip was beyond my expectations. All the people we encountered, from the airport team, to the base camp staff, the guides, and the people in the villages, were welcoming, attentive, and kind. Seeing the animals was absolutely incredible. The team at Piper and Heath made this trip everything we imagined and hoped it would be. I cannot wait to start planning our next adventure.
Thank you Kelly for this awesome review! I am glad that you all had such a great time and we also cannot wait to get you back to Africa.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath did an excellent job of planning and preparing us for a visit to South Africa and Botswana. This was a three-generation family vacation that was in the planning stage for over 9 months. Mads made sure the interests for all of us were met while picking the tours and safari camps. The wildlife we saw exceeded expectations along with the customer service that was provided at the camps. We were treated like royalty and safari camp personnel felt like family when we left. An experience my grandchildren will never forget! Great job Piper & Heath staff.
Thank you Jim and I am thrilled to hear the whole family had such a great time. I travel with my boys to Africa every year, generally to visit extended family and to have all the generations together under the African stars is always something we consider a privilege. Thank you for your kind words and we hope to get you all back some day.
Chris
Fantastic experience: We just returned from our first African safari and had an amazing experience thanks to Piper & Heath — especially Mads, who was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He really took the time to understand what we were looking for and built a completely custom itinerary that matched our travel style and preferences. We travel often and are used to staying at very high-end properties around the world, so our expectations are high — and this trip absolutely delivered. The lodges were thoughtfully chosen, the logistics were seamless, and we felt supported throughout. What stood out to us was the integrity of Piper & Heath’s model: no extra fees, no markups — just honest, thoughtful recommendations based on extensive experience. Our wildlife experiences were unforgettable. We saw a lioness move her 2-week old cubs (a once-in-a-lifetime moment), tracked large prides of lions, spotted several leopards and cheetahs (and cubs!), witnessed successful hunts, saw rare antelopes and huge herds of elephants, took part in the grand scenes of the great migration, learned about the ecosystem on a walking safari, and visited a local Maasai women’s beading collective (which ended up being one of the most meaningful parts of the trip!). We’ve been to nearly 40 countries and usually prefer to plan everything ourselves because we are so picky — but this reminded us how valuable it is to work with true experts. This was our first safari, and I have a feeling it will be the first of many in our lifetime. We’ll absolutely be booking our next one with Piper & Heath, and recommending them to our friends and family.
Fantastic experience: Piper and Heath surpassed all expectations. I really cannot say enough about this amazing company. Most importantly, Mads actually took the time to listen to me. I had spoken to a couple other safari travel companies and they each tried to peg me (and my sister) into a pre-planned group trip. Mads listened to me, took the time to get to know me and then worked with me to plan a trip based based on the experience I hoped to have in Africa. How refreshing! And then Piper and Heath surpassed all expectations with the actual trip from beginning to end. In Africa, we felt safe and felt very welcomed from the moment we landed until we left 10 days later. Our Nomad guides became our friends. The Nomad camps were just incredible. We were truly "in the bush" which is exactly where we wanted to be, yet had the luxuries that I had not expected (like hot showers, hot coffee brought to our tent in the dark early morning, hot water bottle in our bed at night and truly lovely people!) We often had the place to ourselves and saw such amazing wildlife, without the crowds of tourists all around. It was such a special experience. I cannot say enough about Piper and Heath Travel. They far exceeded all expectations and I am grateful to have found them!
Thank you Marohn for sharing about your experience and I am thrilled with how you and Mads hit it off. Nomad really is one of the best outfits we work with and we so value their partnership. I hope the memories last a long time and when you need a top up... give us a call :)
Fantastic experience: I regularly travel with a group of cyclists. Past cycling trips have included Baja California, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, and Slovenia. When we considered cycling in Egypt, Piper and Heath wisely suggested that this might not be a good plan as it's not a country set up for cycling. They offered to accommodate us but the logistics appeared too onerous. They were right. Instead, they put together a flawless trip lasting 10 days during which we saw everything we wanted to see and substituted an incredible balloon ride over the west bank of the Nile for cycling. Our guide, Sherif, who had a PhD in Egyptology with an emphasis in Egyptian Art, arranged for us to be met at the airport as we arrived and escorted us throughout the visit. He even arranged to have someone cover for him during a personal family emergency for 24 hours. Piper and Heath arranged for the perfect mix of sight seeing, food, entertainment, and relaxation time. Our visitation of the various temples was enhanced by Sherif's extensive knowledge of Egyptian history and art. His deep resonant voice was easy to hear, even for my hearing aid assisted ears. The fact that his sense of humor was a delight added to the experience. Rarely have I felt in such good hands while traveling. I can't recommend Piper and Heath any more strongly.
Thank you Malcolm for sharing your experience and it was a great pleasure to watch this travel planning conversation unfold from where we started, to what we ended up with and I am thrilled that we were able to develop this unique trip to Egypt for you.
Fantastic experience: I recently took a trip to Kenya that was planned down to the smallest detail by Piper & Heath Travel Services, and they far exceeded my expectations. From the moment I landed, their concierge services made everything seamless. I was met at the airport, guided through immigration, and taken to my waiting vehicle, which whisked me off to the hotel. From there, the adventure truly began: three incredible bush camps, four bush flights, and the most knowledgeable guides I could have hoped for. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged, from unforgettable wildlife experiences to a special luncheon in a stunning garden—touches I wouldn’t have even known to ask for. This truly was the trip of a lifetime, and Piper & Heath’s expertise made it all possible. I can’t say enough about their years of experience and the care they put into making my safari unforgettable. They will absolutely be my go-to organizers for future adventures. Thank you, Piper & Heath Travel Services, for an extraordinary journey!
Wow! Thank you Kerry for sharing your thoughts and I am happy that we made a great impression.
Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful June 2024 trip to Tanzania including Zanzibar and 4 different safari camps. P & H made everything seamless and were a pleasure to deal with. Would happily use them again
Thank you for leaving a review and glad that you guys had such a wonderful trip.
Fantastic experience: Our journey with Piper & Heath started many years ago with their sage advice to take extra time to plan the right adventure. We returned to them a short time later with a broad outline of our itinerary and goals. Chris and the team jumped into action by sharing their expertise to further refine our trip. Their knowledge of the continent and the variety of countries, communities, and conservation efforts was exceptional. The Piper & Heath team were always easy to reach to answer questions in the months leading up to our trip. No detail was too small which we reviewed in-depth during regular check-ins. Once on the continent, we were able to solely focus on the experience thanks to Piper & Heath's hard work to make the logistics feel effortless. Even our welcome home from the team helped to ease our transition. We've enjoyed sharing our experience with family and friends, emphasizing how Piper & Heath brought our trip to life. We can't wait to work with Piper & Heath again on our next African adventure.
Thank you Abby for sharing about your experience here, as well as with family and friends. We also cannot wait to help you plan the next adventure :) Its worth pointing out that we also arrange travel to India in case that is on the wish list :)
Chris
Fantastic experience: Amazing, unique and professional African travel company. They helped us travel for the first time and recommended Rwanda and Kenya. Their advice and planning were perfect, it was truly a trip of a lifetime. And we could feel good about how our trip helped promote conservation of these precious environments and the animals and people who depend on them. If you are dreaming of a trip to Africa, reach out to Piper and Heath and know they will make your Africa dreams come true.
Thank you Claire!
I am especially glad that the sustainability component shone through. I will never stop being thrilled with how thoughtful travelers and planning can have such a positive impact.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Chris
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath met and even exceeded our expectations. We had some ideas on what our Africa adventure should look like, but really didn't know what to expect. Their planning (from beginning to end) and execution leading up to the trip, plus partnering with the best people in Africa, made it a trip of a lifetime and one we will never forget.
Thank you Sharon! I am thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with us, and our partners in Africa. I love your itinerary :)
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath excels in communication, thoroughly preparing you for your African adventure well before your trip begins. Every transfer was smooth, and the staff was attentive at every step. Our escort at Nairobi International Airport was exceptional, guiding us through customs right to our gate – truly impressive! The team at Piper & Heath radiates warmth, happiness, and passion for sharing Kenya. The accommodations and food exceeded expectations, with attention to detail in every aspect. Managers and guides were engaged morning and evening, ensuring that every request was met, from witnessing breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro at sunset to providing gluten-free options. If I could, I’d give an extra star for the warriors and Piper & Heath’s deep connection to Kenya!
Wow Fred, thanks for your kind words! I am thrilled that you had such a great time and that Kenya and it's people left as indelible an impression on you as they do us.
Fantastic experience: Going to Africa was the number one item on my bucket list. So I was very clear on what I wanted to see and what kind of trip I was looking for. I spoke to several agencies and the only one who nailed it was Piper and Heath. The itinerary they planned was exactly the trip I had in mind. We recently returned from that trip and it was truly amazing, life-changing and spectacular!! The accommodations were first class as was the service and staff at each camp we visited. From the time we landed in Naiorbi until we left from Zanzibar, everything was seamless. Piper and Heath were extraordinarily helpful through out the planning process and while we were in Africa. They are the only company I would recommend for your Africa adventure. You will not be disappointed. Our trip was so amazing we plan to go back using Piper and Heath.
Thank you Lee for the strong endorsement, we are proud to be able to solicit a response like this. Looking at your itinerary again just now, you stayed at some our favorites and I am thrilled my partners in Africa impressed so well. We look forward to showing you a few more of our favorites in the future.
Chris
Fantastic experience: From our first call with Mads, to the support we received while in Africa, to our wrap up after our trip, Piper & Heath were an exceptional partner to help us plan our honeymoon and first trip to East Africa. We highly recommend them! As we interviewed different companies, time and again, Piper & Heath stood out to us as the most personable, knowledgeable, and generous company we met. On our first call with Mads, he pulled up maps to help us visually talk through ideas, he spent as much time with us as we needed, and he continued to communicate with us throughout our evaluation and trip planning process. Chris, who started Piper & Heath, also spoke with us and shared the same generosity and deep expertise of Africa, conservation, and safari experiences. Throughout our trip, every person we met, every guide we had, every place we stayed, and every experience we had exceeded our expectations. As can happen with travel, we had some issues with flight delays or looking into additional flights/travel, that the Piper & Heath team were able to help us with effectively and immediately. In one situation, we were working Sam from Piper & Heath, who is based in South Africa and could provide us real-time help. There was never a scenario in which Piper & Heath were not there to help us. Our amazing trip was also planned on short notice, as we first connected with Piper & Heath in July and ended up on our trip just two months later. When we returned home, we had a debrief call with Mads. We found the service and generosity to be the same exceptional experience we had in our first call and throughout our travels with Piper & Heath. Piper & Heath planned and executed a honeymoon that exceeded our expectations. We loved our trip, we loved working with Piper & Heath, and we hope to travel again to Africa with Piper & Heath.
Hi Noah
Wow, what a great review, thanks! These are the kind of words we live for. I cant help but be proud of my team and how they all impressed you and I am so grateful to you for sharing the details of your experience here.
Welcome home again and a big thank you.
Chris
Fantastic experience: I'm truly in awe at the level of thoughtfulness and openess the team at Piper and Heath has taken to helping me plan a trip that matches my style, budge and timeline. Thank you for everything!
Hi Cathy
I am thrilled to hear that we have another happy camper :)
Thanks for sharing about your experience.
Chris
Fantastic experience: P&H planned out an exceptional trip for us across Tanzania and Kenya. Our friends who have been to Africa with other agencies could not believe the “luck” we had with excellent guides and animal sightings. We know this was not luck ! As this was our first trip, our primary focus was the great migration calving season and of course the big cats …I can’t stress enough how great it was to go during late February calving season (instead of river crossing time) when there aren’t loads of tourists/toyotas, yet the great migration is very much there ! Waking up at nomad migration camp to our tent surrounded by zebras was something I’ll never forget. All 3 of our camps got us close to the big cats, but Namiri Plains really stood out - honeymooning lions, a kill, a big cat on big cat chase down, just to name a few - amazing !
Hi Grace
Thank you for your kind words and especially for highlighting that the less obvious, or less traditional times of year to travel, can be even more rewarding. I love Jan / Feb / March and November for East Africa for all the reasons you described.
Thanks again for sharing and keep well.
Chris
Fantastic experience: Fabulous company planned a fabulous trip. PIPER AND HEATH planned an African trip for us which went far beyond our expectations. We are experienced travelers but no trip we have ever taken can compare to what PIPER AND HEATH planned for us in Africa. It was a fabulous, magical trip to three locations in Kenya! We met with a PIPER AND HEATH representative and they asked many questions about our expectations. They presented us with a few different options (countries to visit) and once we decided where we wanted to go they handled everything! We were met at the airport in Nairobe and were escorted and handed off to their wonderful people every step of the way until we were back on the plane on our way home. The “camps” where we stayed were amazing & beautiful. The staffs at each “camp” went beyond what we ever expected in welcoming us, spoiling us, and providing an interesting, warm and welcoming stay. PIPER AND HEATH knows Africa and that was evident in what they planned for us, how they prepared us, and how well we were taken care of throughout our trip. If I were to repeat this trip there is nothing I would change. PIPER AND HEATH YOU ARE AMAZING! Thank you for our beautiful memories! G. Sibold
You guys are so incredibly welcome and thank you so much for your kind words here. For us knowing that you would not change anything after the experience is the greatest compliment :) Of course, we only plan it but it's the amazing people of Africa who make us look good time and again. All the best. Chris
Fantastic experience: We just returned from an amazing 2week holiday in Africa. Both my husband and I have traveled through Africa and have gone on safari before (Botswana, S.Africa, Kenya, etc.) but we were excited to curate the "perfect" trip with Piper & Heath. With a little guidance, Mads McNutt somehow whipped up the PERFECT trip! We visited 3 different camps that all contributed to wildly unique experiences. Yes, we got to see all the incredible wildlife and stayed in beautiful places but what really impressed us was Piper & Heath's attention to all the details that often go overlooked. From start to finish, Piper & Heath went above and beyond to ensure our trip was seamless. Even little details such as sending us duffle bags, adaptors, or even coordinating with staff to meet us at airports to handle our luggage made a world of difference. As much as we want to gate keep them, my husband and I are already itching to plan our next trip and will only be working with Piper & Heath!
Hi Nancy. Not going to lie to you, this review was very gratifying to read and of course I shared it with the whole team because as you know, it's a group effort. Thank you for taking the time to share about your experience and no need to "gate keep" us, we will be here and have time for you when that itch needs a scratch. Chris
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath have provided two of the most extraordinary trips I have ever taken. The hotels and camps that P&H booked for us are some of the nicest and most luxurious that we have ever stayed in, and the excursions have provided us with a lifetime of memories. I am looking forward to traveling with Piper & Heath again in the very near future!
Hey Chris. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and also these great images. We have enjoyed working with you and we are ready for round 3 when you are ;)
Chris
Fantastic experience: Look no further - this is the company to use to plan your safari adventure!!! I promise you will not be disappointed! From the very first meeting to talk through ideas, to the final meeting to go over details, the level of service we were provided was unmatched. We really felt as though the team took time to understand us as travelers and built the perfect itinerary for us. We spent three weeks in Rwanda and Kenya and WOW!!!!! Words cannot adequately express how incredible our experience was. We thought this would be a "once in a lifetime" trip, but we were wrong! We will be back, and we will be using Piper & Heath to help us next time too!
Hi Melissa - Thank you for your kind words and I am thrilled that you had such an amazing time. We will patiently be waiting for your call to plan the next one :)
Much appreciated - Chris
Fantastic experience: My parents brought my brother (13 yrs) and me (16 yrs) to Kenya for a family trip in June 2024, which my mom had planned with Mads from Piper and Heath. I have to say that it was one of the best trips I have ever been on. While I'm only 16 years old, I've traveled to many amazing places around the world, and Kenya was definitely one of them. When we first arrived in Nairobi, we spent two nights at Hemingways Eden. We had all kinds of fun adventures including wildlife sanctuaries, museums, and amazing food. We saw the landmarks of Nairobi and learned so much in the process. When our time in Nairobi was up, we traveled by small plane to the Naboisho Conservancy by Maasai Mara where we stayed at Encounter Mara. The camp had such a great atmosphere and (even though I wasn't involved in the process of booking and planning the details of the trip) everything was perfect for our family. For breakfast and lunch we ate as a family, and for dinner we would eat at a larger table with all the guests of the camp. It was such a nice way to meet new people from all over the world who shared our interest in learning more about Kenya. Additionally, the Maasai Mara was the first place I had ever experienced a "game drive" and it was the most magical experience. The wildlife was incredible and it was a breathtaking experience. I'll never feel the way I felt after seeing that wildlife for the first time up close! Next, after 3 days in The Mara, we traveled north to Namunyak Conservancy. As soon as we arrived I knew that it was going to be such a different experience from what we'd seen before and that made me so excited. From each camp to the next, things just kept getting better and better. No two of the places we stayed were alike - except in the kindness of staff and amazing hospitality- and that's what made this trip so special for me. Sarara Camp offered many activities that the other places hadn't, and so I was very excited to hear about safaris on foot and even on horseback! At the end of our time there, I was so sad to leave but we continued on to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Tambarare Camp and, as before, it was another unforgettable experience. I remember being starstruck by how nice our accommodations were, and how close up we could see the wildlife. When it was time to head home again after our Kenya trip I was heartbroken, but I was also so grateful for my experiences and all the amazing people I met along the way. Also, don't even get me started about our guides. Across the board all our safari guides were absolutely incredible, kind hearted people, who were so passionate about their work. Many of the people we got to work with were from local tribes and it was very special hearing their stories and experiences growing up so differently than I had. A lot of this trip to Kenya was eye-opening for me in ways that I never expected, and definitely changed the way I see the world as a kid from New York City. In many of the places we stayed, we were the only kids around which is one of the reasons I wanted to help my parents write this review. Throughout our trip I learned the importance of not just learning about nature or people's experiences in media (as so many do nowadays), but instead going out in the world, seeing it for yourself, and asking your own questions. I am so grateful that even though I'm just a kid I had the opportunity to take this trip, which some people don't get to take in their whole lives, and learn and grow as much as I possibly could from what I found in Kenya. I want to thank Piper and Heath for this trip because the experience they curated for my family was more than I ever could have imagined. Thank you, N (from my mom's account)
Hi N :)
Thank you so much for taking the time to share about your experience and I have to say that your words left us all with big smiles. I can tell that we have in your case achieved one of our most selfish goals in that we have tricked you... into forever being in love with Africa. Your generation will hopefully be the one that joins mine in turning the tide of exploitation of our natural world and now we have ensured that Africa is high on your agenda for change. I can tell in your words that you will be an ambassador for Africa and she will be calling on your support at some point. Africa carries an unfair burden in global biodiversity protection, a burden that is made a little lighter through the support of tourism. Your family visiting us has already made a difference in protecting wildlife and enriching the lives of the very people who live in and near these wild places. And certainly, one day, when the global community is called upon to share in the burden of protection, I know you will add your voice to help Africa.
I hope that Africa will have the pleasure of your company again one day and until then, treasure these memories.
Keep well.
Chris
Fantastic experience: I was referred by a friend to Piper & Heath as "the place" to go to book an African adventure. My friends had P&H plan 7 trips for them! I spoke directly with Chris and then Mads to plan out the trip of a lifetime. My wife and I both consider this the best vacation we have ever taken. The communication and coordination with the P&H team during the booking process was flawless. And the handholding and preparation for the trip was similarly appreciated. This was the trip of a lifetime and every detail was attended to. Not a single glitch on this complex 3 week journey. I highly recommend P&H and will definitely have them plan our next trip to Africa. Oh, and I really appreciate Emily reaching out to us after the trip to get feedback and make sure everything went smoothly. Super professional and impressive team!
"My wife and I both consider this the best vacation we have ever taken."
We take that as high praise Gilbert. Thank you for sharing your experience here. We work hard at keeping word of mouth referrals as the main driver of our business and results like these mean we are doing what we set out to.
Hope to get you back to Africa soon.
Chris
Fantastic experience: We just returned from a trip to Uganda and Tanzania that Mads McNutt helped us plan. We did Gorilla trekking in Uganda and visited 2 different camps in Tanzania for safari. It is hard to find the right words to convey how amazing the trip was, the locations we visited, what we saw, our exposure and interactions with the people of these great countries, and the attention to detail that Mads and the Piper team nailed every step of the way. Words like amazing, awesome, and incredible, don't seem to do it justice. We've travelled thought the world with our family and this was the trip of a lifetime. This is also the one trip we have taken were, in hindsight, it made a very significant difference in who we chose to help us decide what country, what camp, what local representative, etc. is used. Mads was also great at listening to what we were looking for on the trip and understanding our family and suggesting options that are the right fit for us (and giving us new ideas), and not just providing a cookie-cutter proposal. We also were a bit late in starting to think about and plan this trip but Mads was able to make our dates work. I would highly highly recommend Piper and Mads specifically if you want to go to Africa and have a truly authentic experience.
Hi Mark
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a glowing review. Thanks also for sharing these great images from your trip. I know from chatting with him that Mads really enjoyed working with you on this one and I have passed your compliments on to the whole team.
Keep well,
Chris
Fantastic experience: Mads at Piper and Heath planned our recent 12 day trip to Kenya and did a spectacular job in every way. We are a group of two families: 4 adults and 4 teens, and all ages were thrilled with the trip! The travel was smooth without even one hitch. We were taken care of at every turn: we felt safe and taken care of. Piper & Heath communicate well, return emails and calls quickly and were responsive to new ideas that we found in our research. They worked with us extensively to find lodges and an itinerary that worked for all 8 people in our group. They provide duffle bags and international adapters, among other helpful items. They also provide a very nice printed, bound itinerary with all relevant info and africa pearls included. They are also just very nice people and their company is passionate about charitable causes in Africa and give a small % of revenue back towards conservation and other similar local efforts. Their company is very much a small boutique feel and does not feel "corporate". They will work to find an itinerary that works with your budget. I highly recommend Piper & Heath to plan your safari, and we will be using them again in the future!! Five stars all the way!
Thank you Laurie for your review and I am glad that your experience with Mads McNutt and Piper & Heath was a good one. Thank you also for specifically calling out our 1% effort. At this stage the combined total of funds raised and 1% contribution is over $1m and I could not be any prouder of our achievement in this regard.
Thanks again.
Chris
Fantastic experience: This company is great as the do conservation for Africa. The owner is very knowledgeable and accommodating.
Fantastic experience: Our Botswana safari could not have been better. Piper & Heath created a personalized itinerary that allowed us to have a trip of a lifetime. We were met by Natural Selection staff at each airport and guided through customs and our connections. The safari camps were beyond expectations and the wildlife is truly amazing. I hope to return with my grandchildren soon.
Thank you Julie and we are all thrilled that guys had a good time and flawless travel experience. I love nothing more than traveling to Africa with my kids and we would be thrilled to help you plan your return to Africa with the grandkids. Thanks again. Chris
Fantastic experience: The attention to detail was incredible. Our itinerary was: 2 regions of Africa: Eastern and Southern 27 nights 5 countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa 11 accommodations 7 light aircraft flights 1 hike on Mt Kilimanjaro 1 helicopter tour Okavango Delta 5 tour companies 2 specialty companies 2 city tours: Arusha and Cape Town 1 tour of Cape Town wine country This trip went off without a hitch. Security and confidence of a group tour with a tour guide, but bespoke and private as traveling on your own. The service providers booked treated by us as VIPs. Every handoff between providers was smooth and coordinated by the providers. We had zero effort required to make each transition. Results will vary but we saw the Big Five, the Northern Five, and one of the Small Five. 37 mammal species , 67 bird species. Viewed Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya, the two tallest peaks in Africa.
Hi Michael. Thank you for your review and kind words. I am actually looking at some of the amazing photos of your trip as I write this. We are grateful for the opportunity to have planned your travels in Africa, as well as for the stellar review. Keep well - Chris
Fantastic experience: We can't thank Piper & Heath Travel for the amazing safari and beach trip they planned for our honeymoon! From the initial phone call, we knew they were the right fit and leading up to the trip they were fantastic. They went over and above when it came planning our itinerary and were extremely knowledgeable. In the weeks leading up to our trip, their team was in contact to answer any last minute questions so we felt very taken care of. If you are planning a trip to Africa, Piper & Heath Travel is the best!
Thank you Michael for your kind words. Every trip we put together is important but honeymoons in particular are such a privilege to help plan. I am thrilled you guys had a good experience. Stay in touch and thanks again. - Chris
Fantastic experience: We highly recommend Piper and Heath to plan a safari and tour to Africa. They were extremely patient and organized during pre-trip planning, all details were covered (from packing lists to pick up/transfer coordination), and we felt secure and comfortable every step of the way— from the airport when we landed to our final take-off. Piper and Heath selected activities which were ideal for our family’s needs— meals and interests were accommodated, and special requests were honored. Accommodations were superb; all guides (city and safari) demonstrated obvious expertise. Piper and Heath chose perfectly, and we are grateful for the amazing and personalized experience they provided. Without hesitation we would repeat the entire experience without any changes!
Thank you Janet for your very kind words and sharing publicly about your experience. We loved working with you all and hope to get you all back to Africa (or India etc.) again someday. Thanks again. - Chris
Fantastic experience: Piper and Heath planned a perfect African adventure for our holiday. They were fantastic to work with; very accommodating, communicative, and thorough. I highly recommend them.
Thank you Rachael! I am thrilled to hear that you had such a good experience :)
Fantastic experience: Our trip to Tanzania and Kenya was all we expected and then some! The animals were of course incredible and the people were some of the nicest and most knowledgeable people we have ever met in our travels. We were pampered by the staff in all the camps where we stayed and made some incredible friends throughout. Planning such a trip on our own would have been a daunting challenge but Piper and Heath made it all happen seamlessly just as it was described to us. Thanks for the trip of a lifetime and memories that will remain some of the best we will ever have.
Hi Diane - Thank you so much for sharing your review here, we really appreciate it. I am happy to hear you had such a good time but looking at your itinerary, I am not surprised. You visited some of my favorite camps and met some of my favorite people :) Thanks again!
-Chris-
Fantastic experience: Amazing service and incredible experience from start to finish. Thank you for creating a trip of a lifetime for us.
Thank you Kathryn! "Trip of a lifetime" never gets old hearinf and of course you guys got to do Lewa Walking Wild, one of my favorite adventures in Africa. Thank you for trusting us with this milestone travel event.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath organized our family trip to South Africa and the experience was truly life changing. Every aspect of the trip went above and beyond. Travel was organized, well communicated and went off without a hitch. The itineraries planned for our large group were well thought out and curated perfectly to our group. In addition to nailing all the details for our group of seven adults, the Piper and Heath team went above and beyond to make the two year old in our group comfortable. Partnering with Chris, Mads and team to prepare for the trip was seamless. The accommodations were AMAZING and the service at each of the establishments that we visited exceeded my wildest dreams. The experience on safaris was life changing. The entire experience was heaven on earth. Visiting larger cities, Johannesburg and Cape Town, was of course a different vibe but amazing just the same. I cannot recommend Piper and Heath more for your ! My boyfriend (now fiancé!) and I got engaged on the second to last day of our trip - and we cannot wait to return to celebrate a honeymoon on our next Piper and Heath trip!
Hi Annie - You completely made our day here. Thank you for your kind words. "Life Changing" is what we aim for on every itinerary and its always gratifying to hear when it pans out. Congratulations also on the engagement :) Looking forward to getting you back to Africa for your honeymoon. - Chris
Fantastic experience: Piper and Heath is a five star experience all the way. The trips, advice, planning, gear etc they arranged for our trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe was past all our expectations. I would not think of traveling to Africa without their help.
Hi Diana - Thank you so much for saying this and we are thrilled that your experience was a strong one.
Fantastic experience: Fantastic trip to Rwanda - Chris and Mads and the rest of the team help us plan a wonderful trip, and we are inspired to return to Africa. Highly recommend Piper and Heath!
Thank you Shelie. The only thing better than sending you on a great safari to Africa, is sending you on another one :)
Fantastic experience: I would highly recommend using Piper and Heath for planning your Africa vacation. They were outstanding from the very first phone call. Chris really nailed what I wanted for this bucket-list trip of ours that I had been wanting to do for 25 years. My family of 4 with 2 teenagers did a 2-week trip to Kenya where we stayed at 3 different bush camps. The way that the trip was planned from each camp was perfect for what we wanted to do. Everyone I interacted with at Piper and Heath in the weeks and months before the trip were just everything you would want and more: Prompt to reply, professional, organized, efficient, detailed, knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and courteous. They made sure that we were well prepared for our trip with a detailed review of the itinerary and great advice before our trip (thank you Mads) including even helping with a detailed packing list for me, the over-packer (thank you Emily!). They took on the burden of the logistics of the intercamp and airport travel and everything went seamlessly. I am usually the trip planner and honestly having them do these things was such a relief and treat! I had no worries. I would certainly call Piper and Heath again if we are able to do another adventure to Africa. We had once in a lifetime experiences and memories that will last forever.
Hi Lisa
Wow, what a great review and one that really made me swell with pride for my team. Thank you for your kind words. We love traveling as a family to Africa and love the opportunity to plan trips for other families.
Much appreciated!
Chris
Fantastic experience: Chris & team planned a two week Namibia trip for my family and it was fantastic! They listened to what we were looking for, made great recommendations for accommodations & itinerary and delivered a great pre-departure packet with every detail we would need. I would definitely use them again and would happily recommend to a friend.
Thank you for the review Kristina and so happy that I was able to share Namibia with you.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath organized our trip to Namibia and the experience was wonderful - highly recommend. We traveled with small children and they took care to always factor them in, they chose a route that met an exceeded our expectations - accomodations were great, the level of included activities made our vacation seamless, and when we ran into (small) issue they were super helpful.
Thank you for the kind words Lucia and thanks for sharing these great images. Family travel in Namibia is in our DNA and we are grateful for the opportunity to share it.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath planned and executed our dream safari in Botswana. Chris and his team are outstanding - they take time to get to know your likes, dislikes, wish list/neutral and don't care things to do and see and design a perfect for you experience. We've both traveled extensively and I was deployed to Africa x9 months and did a lodge based safari in Tanzania. This Botswana adventure went above and beyond our expectations ... from the VIP special touches of staff waiting for us in airports to go through check in/security/and to the gate (Johannesburg) or between flights (Maun), to the exact planning of all the moving parts with travel to and between 3 different camps, to the quality of the camps they chose for us based on our conversations. The printed detailed itinerary with room for journal entries was a great touch! We could not be happier with our experience and we will return to Piper & Heath for our next African adventures. IMHO this is not a DIY continent and the peace of mind, confidence and precision of the teams on the ground and back at home are invaluable to the success of the vacation.
Dear Tammy
Thank you so much for this insightful review and for your kind words. It is very much appreciated. I hope to hear from you soon to start planning your next adventure.
Keep well,
Chris
Fantastic experience: We just returned from another 10 day safari arranged by Chris and his team. Like last year Chris started with a conference call asking what we wanted to see and do. His team put together an itinerary that combined tiger fishing for me, Victoria Falls for my wife and lastly a stop at Mala Mala Game reserve our favorite camp. At each exchange point we were met by his in country associates and assisted with immigration, transfers and most importantly transiting JNB airport in and out. All those we encounteredd were friendly and on time. Throughout the planning process his team, particularly Abbey and Sam, were in constant email contact. If you are a newby to Safari like we were last year you will not regret contacting Chris. We are already planning our next trip. Thanks Chris and the entire Piper and Heath team.
Hi Cheryl!
Thank you for the review and I am very happy to hear that your experience with us was strong. I am very lucky to have Sam & Abbey.
Keep well.
Chris
Fantastic experience: They planned an amazing trip for my fiancee and me to Botswana and South Africa. Everything was 100 percent taken care of and all the flights and transfers and bookings were perfect. We were handed off from one group to the next with no stress or worries about where to go next. We will be using them again in the future for sure and we highly recommend them!
Thanks Jeremy for this glowing review. It was our great pleasure to work with you guys and we look future to planning another one down the line.
Fantastic experience: Exceptional travel team! We booked a trip to Tanzania on short notice and could not have been more impressed with the P&H team! Chris is so knowledgeable about the regions, activities, lodging...the entire team provided excellent communication. We loved our lodging, tour guides, cultural experiences, animal sightings, etc. So impressed w P&H, definitely recommend and will use again!
Thank you Hila!
Fantastic experience: We had the most amazing Safari experience at Tinswalo Lapalala thanks to Piper & Heath! It was everything we dreamed and more! From our first conversation until after our return, the Piper & Heath team exceeded all of our expectations. They were on top of every detail of our trip including when our flight to South Africa was canceled an hour before departure. What could have been a very stressful situation and end to our Safari dream was handled by the P & H team in the US and SA with ease. Most importantly, from the moment we got off the plane we felt both safe and spoiled throughout our entire Safari adventure!
Hi Wendy! Thank you so much for our kind words and I am happy to hear that loved Lapalala as much as we do. I always tell the team that it is exactly when things go wrong, that this is our time to shine and I am glad that this is what you saw. Lets get you back to Africa soon. - Chris
Fantastic experience: Chris and team planned a fabulous 14 day trip in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana for us in 4 different camps. He took the time to extensively meet with us and figure out exactly what we were interested in doing the trip. Trip was seamless from start to finish and exceeded our expectations. If you are interested in a safari in Africa I would highly recommend Piper & Heath.
Thanks Kim! Loved the photos too :)
Fantastic experience: Just returned home from a Piper & Heath facilitated trip to Kenya & can’t recommend them highly enough. In addition to Nairobi we stayed at two Alisia camps (Rekero & Naboisho) & Lewa Wilderness Lodge. This was our second trip to Africa through Piper & Heath with our 1st being three years ago to Zambia. At that time we stayed in South Luanga National Park at Mfuwe Lodge & several of their camps in the bush. It was quite an experience & we immediately started contemplating another trip via Piper & Heath. Now, we begin planning our third!
Hi Bruce. Thanks for the great review and for sharing the awesome pictures. Looking forward to planning round 3 with you guys :)
Fantastic experience: We have just returned from our first Piper & Heath safari, however certainly not our last. Chris Liebenberg and his staff (we also worked with Josh, Mark, Abbey and Kelcey) put together a fabulous safari vacation for us in Kenya and Tanzania. Since this trip was to be a celebratory trip to mark milestones for my husband and me, I wanted to find a company that could not only handle the booking details but could also advise us on how to best use our time to get the experience we were looking for. I spoke to several companies in the safari planning space and from my first conversation with Chris, I knew Piper & Heath would be the one we would choose. Chris spent over an hour with me in an initial call with the sole purpose of understanding what we were looking for. I appreciated that Piper & Heath are totally custom and built a personalized itinerary from the ground up (we are experienced travelers and had several specifications learned through our previous safari experiences) all while working within our budget. Through subsequent planning calls he shared his recommendations, even helping us think outside the box, and expert advice garnered through hands on experience and relationships developed over the years he has been in business. Chris is originally from Africa and spent many years as a guide. That counts for a lot because he has a knowledge of the business from that perspective - not just a travel agent who may have never even set foot in the country. Additionally, Piper & Heath’s commitment to wildlife conservation and support of environmental and humanitarian work in the local communities ensures that as visitors to Africa we are making a positive impact. Once a final itinerary was decided on, Piper & Heath took care of every detail and informed us of anything we needed to take care of ourselves. Organized and thorough in every communication, exceeding our expectations. Pre-departure and welcome home review calls with Chris were a nice touch and truly set Piper & Heath apart from any other travel company we have used in the past. Whether this is your first trip to Africa or you are continuing a passion for the safari experience, Piper & Heath is the company you should work with.
Thank you for your kind review Ria and for sharing your photos and memories. We love working with you.
Fantastic experience: Chris and team at Piper and Heath Travel were absolutely phenomenal! This was a very special trip as my husband and I were celebrating our 20th anniversary and from the beginning it was seamless. From the initial call with Chris to setting our itinerary to landing in Africa they didn't miss a beat. From the air transfers to the transportation to their selection of camps/lodges it was luxury and top notch! We would highly recommend them for your African adventure and will be using them again in the future when our travels take us to Southern Africa!
Thank you Kellie for sharing your review and love the pictures!!
Fantastic experience: My wife and I used Piper and Heath as a safari specialist for a trip to Tanzania that we took in June 2022. During the trip, we visited Tarangire, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar. From our first phone call with Chris, it was clear that he and his team really know their business. Piper and Heath was able to take our input on what we wanted to see and what was important to us and plan out a truly unforgettable vacation. Communication was outstanding, and all of our questions were answered very quickly. A trip to Africa can be a huge investment, and as first time safari travelers, we were a little overwhelmed when trying to conduct our initial research. I am so happy that we retained Piper and Heath. They took off all of the pressure and worked with us every step of the way to make sure that our trip went well. Everything went great during our trip, but it was very reassuring to know that we had an entire team that was available to assist should things go awry. This will not be our last trip to Africa, and we will definitely use Piper and Heath going forward. Thanks so much!
Thank you Michael for the high praises and I happy to hear that all went well and looking forward to getting you guys back to Africa again soon.
Fantastic experience: I have been to the African continent more than a dozen times. No doubt, Piper & Heath are the best in the business! Their knowledge, organization, and attention to detail are unmatched! During my two weeks in Zambia I spent time in four different small bush camps, saw the Victoria Falls and spent hours on the Mighty Zambezi River experiencing magnificent sunsets while hippos and elephants crossed onto sandbanks. I flew on small planes, rode in open Landcruisers and enjoyed walking safaris. By the way I'm 80 years old...
My favorite part of this review has to be: "By the way, I am 80 years old..."
You are amazing Heidi and you prove that Piper & Heath travelers kick but! Thank you for your kind words.
Chris
Fantastic experience: So impressed! We traveled to Kenya for our safari - Piper and Heath set us up with four camp experiences over two weeks and we couldn’t have asked for a better trip. Our expectations were exceeded in every way. We felt very well taken care of, amazed by how well orchestrated the itinerary was! The guides were top notch, such friendly and helpful staff at all the camps, and the food was amazing. Trip of a lifetime!
Hi Robin. This is such great feedback and exactly the kind of feedback we strive for and thrive on. Thank you so much for sharing :)
Fantastic experience: Piper and Heath created a fabulous trip for us to Namibia! We were extremely impressed with Chris and his team. They are professional, communicative, and responsive. We felt that we had personal and accessible service from the first phone call until our return home. Chris took the time and effort to listen to us and crafted an itinerary that was everything we wanted: selecting the camps that were to our specifications, arranging for specific game drive guides who were amazing, arranging for an incredible day tour of Johannesburg with Robin Binckes. Chris is highly regarded at the safari camps and we felt special to be affiliated with him and his team. We are looking forward to our next trip with Piper and Heath!
Fantastic experience: Piper and Heath are professional, responsive and extremely thorough. We booked a trip to Rwanda and they covered every base, including all the required Covid tests. It was an amazing trip and even though we didn't need their assistance while we were traveling, we knew they were just an email/whatsapp away.
Fantastic experience: We could not be happier with our experience with Piper and Heath. After a conversation with Chris about what we wanted to get out of our trip to Africa, he and his team put together a custom itinerary that was perfect. Everything we spoke about was taken into consideration and our trip to Rwanda and Kenya in August was better than we could have imagined. Chris’ knowledge and experience, plus his love for Africa, made Piper and Heath the perfect choice for us. It was a trip we will never forget and we can’t wait for our next safari adventure with the help of Piper and Heath.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath put together an excellent trip to Botswana for us. It was our first trip to Africa. We had a lot of trepidation about the trip and Covid. They guided us through the planning process, paying careful attention to our needs and desires. We stayed at four beautiful and luxurious safari camps. Piper & Heath remained available to us for support throughout our trip. Their people on the ground in Johannesburg assisted us through a frightening incident when our flight got canceled with no notice. Piper & Heath provided exceptional service from the first contact we had with them until we arrived safely at home. Friends who have been to Africa 11 times recommended Piper & Heath to us. They knew what they were talking about!
Fantastic experience: 9-13-21 Piper & Heath arranged our recent trek to see the Silverback Gorillas in Rwanda and to have 3 different flora/fauna experiences in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. ABSOLUTELY MAGICAL! Spending time, 10 feet from a gorilla family, was unexpectedly moving. Surreal! After coming off the mountain, P&H had us staying in the lap of luxury at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge…..not to be missed! Each camp in Botswana represented an exhilarating aspect of the Delta: on water via mokoro; tracking lions and leopards through the bush; seeing young giraffes and impalas spar for ascendency; watching a lion pride eating a buffalo; encountering an elephant in our path while on a bush walk. We’d often just sit in our vehicle and watch a group of elephants, hippos, or baboons go about their everyday lives. Or face a herd of Buffalo menacingly stare us down. Best African experience ever! These were our 3rd and 4th safaris arranged by Piper & Heath and they are masters in African travel. We’ve visited over 95 countries, and we usually handle our own travel…..but not to Africa. We needed someone to listen to our African wishlists and tailor a trip to the nuances of specific regions or camps to fulfill our dream trip. Piper & Heath is headed by a CEO who was born, raised and employed in the travel industry in Namibia, before moving to the US and starting P & H. Chris has contacts all over Africa and regularly returns to evaluate the camps, people, and logistics and uses this to customize each African experience for his clients. A note about Covid: each country has its own entry and testing protocols. Piper and Heath schedule testing for you throughout the trip (they had a helicopter meet us at a bush airstrip for a Covid test!). Tourism has only recently reopened and the camps and their employees are especially welcoming. It’s an ideal time to travel to Africa. ————————————————- I have always been able to arrange my travel without outside help....until my trip to Africa. I turned to Piper & Heath to plan and execute my two week trip to Namibia and Tanzania in July of 2019. Wow! What an amazing adventure they put together. The CEO of the company was born and raised in Namibia and he flat out knows Africa, not just Namibia. I told them what I wanted in Tanzania and they suggested two camps instead of one, both closer to the animals we wanted to see. We wanted to see herds of animals on the savannah without seeing herds of vehicles. Check! We hoped to see the “Big Five” and saw a leopard in a tree eating an impala, while her cubs played below. Later we found a lion nursing and bathing her cubs. And the list goes on. Our big wish was to see the Wildebeest migration, and after two days of searching, we saw thousands of Wildebeests in a frenzied stampede. Magical! In Namibia, I had a few ideas of what to see, but Piper & Heath said that would be a mere chapter in the book that is Namibia. So I asked for the book....and got it. They had us flying small planes across the desert, over the mountains and along the coast. Gorgeous! We had three different lodging experiences: Sossusvlei, the stunning red sand dunes; a rugged mountainous area populated by desert-adapted wildlife( where we tracked a rhino for hours until we found him);and the wild, pristine Shipwreck Coast. We also visited a local tribe at their village. Fabulous book! One other thing. Though Piper & Heath is an American-based company, they CARE about Africa. Their CEO spent years in animal conservation in Africa and the company gives back to African causes 1% of its gross revenues (NOT 1% of net revenue like some companies do). Their passion for Africa is real!
Fantastic experience: My husband and I just got back from our honeymoon in Uganda and Kenya and first trip to Africa, which was planned and coordinated by Piper & Heath. Although we usually prefer to book our own travel, Piper & Heath did an amazing job in crafting a customized itinerary and handling the complicated logistics that go along with travelling to Africa. Unlike other travel companies, Chris takes the time to understand why you are travelling, your priorities and what you hope to see and uses that information to create the perfect trip. We greatly enjoyed all of the camps & lodges that he recommended and can't wait for our next trip to Africa! I also believe it is equally important to assess how people and organizations respond under less than ideal circumstances or when things aren't going well. We had a small snafu come up in the form of a false positive on a covid test on the morning of our return home. My husband called Chris (at midnight on a Sunday in SD) and Chris immediately lept into action to help us formulate both a plan & a backup option in case things didn't go the way we wanted them to. Although we were ultimately able to make it home per our original schedule, we are both incredibly grateful to Chris for coordinating with all parties involved to make this happen. Would highly recommend working with Piper & Heath for your trip!
Fantastic experience: May 2018: Just finished 9 days in Zimbabwe and Botswana on a trip arranged by Piper and Heath and we are already discussing the next trip. They are extremely professional and responsive and they know Africa! Update, June 2021: Just finished a second trip with Piper and Heath, this time to Kenya. It was one of the most amazing trips of my life. Piper and Heath built it just for me and it was perfect! Now to plan the next one.
Fantastic experience: Chris and his team provide unparalleled service when planning a trip to Africa. Every detail is thought out. I would not go to Africa without them. We just finished a trip to Rwanda & Botswana that was seamless! Not a small feat during Covid. If you can - the time to go to Africa is NOW! We were well rewarded for traveling at this time. Less people & the animals are out in full force with lots of babies. Book your trip and have the experience of a lifetime!!!
Fantastic experience: Look no further if you are planning a trip to Africa! The entire team at Piper and Heath are incredible, and they know everything about planning an unforgettable adventure. They truly listen to your needs and plan a trip to match your budget and interests! There was careful attention to every detail and they also give back to the communities and are dedicated to conservation. We just finished our second trip planned by the team at Piper amd Heath, and we are already dreaming of the next one!
Fantastic experience: Chris and his team did a fantastic job guiding us while planning a family trip for 2 weeks to Kenya. His knowledge and expertise as a guide is fabulous. We are planning on returning to Africa and the only choice we will use again is Piper and Heath. Outstanding service!
Fantastic experience: Words cannot describe how fantastic our trip was to Botswana! We started planning this trip in 2019 and then Covid happened. Sadly, we were forced to postpone our original travel plans for June/July 2020. Through the entire year postponement, Piper and Heath’s customer service has been impeccable. Chris and Mark were able to secure the same cost for the following year and they answered every email with every question we had. We also appreciated the numerous phone calls with Chris to discuss our travel options. We made the decision to travel June/July 2021 rather than postpone another year and we are happy we did! Our travel from place to place was seamless, including Covid tests, scenic flights and road transfers. Even during our trip when we had an airline cancel one of our flights, Chris and Mark were quick to respond and instrumental in facilitating a solution alleviating our stress. The Great North Road mobile tent safari was an experience of a lifetime! We were in awe of the plethora of wildlife in Botswana. Everyday on safari was more exciting than the previous day. Every accommodation exceeded our expectations and the food was delicious. The affiliated Botswana companies were phenomenal and thrilled to have tourists back in their country. They went above and beyond to make sure we had an unforgettable trip- and we did! We also appreciated the pre-travel package delivered to our home with useful gifts for our trip. Over the past two years, our interaction with the staff at Piper and Heath has been incredible and they truly value their customers. We highly recommend planning your trip to Africa with Piper and Heath and we look forward to working with them again when we return to Africa in the near future.
Fantastic experience: My wife and I were introduced to Chris of Piper & Heath in late 2015 by friends who were organizing a group trip to Botswana for 2017 as we wanted to add some additional camps to the group itinerary. Working with Chris, Mark, and the rest of the crew at Piper & Heath was a pleasure. They were very responsive to everything we asked, made the arrangements very easy for us, and the integration with the group trip seamless. As things turned out one of the camps we wanted to add was quite expensive and Chris suggested we might consider going in 2016 as the camp was scheduled to be renovated and a temporary camp put in place at a reduced rate. So, we went in 2016 and had a wonderful time. The whole trip went off without a hitch and we loved all the camps Chris picked out for us. We have now been to Africa in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, twice in 2020 (The first trip got cut short because of Covid.) and 2021; all organized by Chris and company. We have been to Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Chris picked out great camps in all the countries and all the trips came off without a hitch other than having to come home early from our first trip in 2020 due to Covid. We are definitely very satisfied customers and can highly recommend Chris and Piper & Heath to anyone who wants to experience the best that Africa has to offer.
Fantastic experience: Just got back from a magical two week safari trip to Kenya organized by Piper & Heath. Very personal service by Chris via phone to get a good feel of what we'd like. He taylored it perfectly to fit our style. Everything was well organized with no hitches at all. I would highly recomment this company to plan your adventure to Africa. I'll definately call on them again when I go back!
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath helped me plan a fantastic (and much needed!) vacation to Kenya this past month. I'm a travel agent and frequently partner with Piper & Heath to plan African safaris for clients, but this was the first time I was able to experience the trip myself. Chris and Mark were extremely helpful, supportive, organized, and detailed-oriented and it made for a flawless experience. They chose the perfect safari camps for me and my husband and it was a 5* service at every stop. It was very evident that Chris & Mark have very close relationships with all of the vendors on-site in Africa, which made it even more comforting while we were there. They prepared us with every possible detail beforehand and checked in while we were there. Piper & Heath is my #1 choice for tour operators in Africa and I'm looking forward to partnering with them in the near future! Thanks so much, Piper & Heath - you are rockstars!
Fantastic experience: To Do List: Go to Africa If you want the most extraordinary experience of your life, go to Africa. If you want to do something purposeful for the animals and people of the world, go to Africa. If you want the best, most knowledgeable facilitator, go with Piper & Heath. They will take care of you like you can't imagine. You will feel safe, pampered and have an individualized experience that fits you perfectly. Your interests, passion and pocketbook. Equally important, they make sure a generous portion of our dollars spent go to supporting many communities and their conservation efforts. Our experience in Kenya and Rwanda was beyond our hopes and expectations. We already long to go back for more. And we have Piper & Heath to thank for that. They will impress you from the moment you interact with them. You will learn quickly that their passion for and dedication to conservation and the people of Africa is genuine and their knowledge is vast, Chris having been born and raised there. You are in good hands from the time you land, weary and blurry-eyed, till they put you on a plane home, glowing from how the beauty of the countries, the animals and people you encountered changed your life. Not to mention their attention to and help with every little detail on your pre-travel checklist. After every amazing conversation with Chris and every email from the Piper & Heath team we said, "Wow." You will feel like "the rich and famous" and friends at the same time. While you are traveling independently, you are accommodated every step of the way by the escorts at the airports, city guides, the hosts and guides at the camps, all professional, knowledgeable and -- well, just charming. The accommodations are first class. Even the bush camps. This period of sheltering in place is a great opportunity to start planning your trip. Planning how you can help the marvelous people and animals of Africa. Help the planet. Help yourself. EnJOY! In awe and with great appreciation, Laurel and Richard Dunn
Fantastic experience: WOW, My husband and I just got back from a 10 day trip in South Africa and it went off flawlessly. If you are looking for a no stress way to travel THIS IS YOUR COMPANY! I honestly cant recommend this company enough.
Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Piper and Heath for ALL travel needs. I am an experienced international traveler, having been six continents and I am assured I would have never planned out trip as well as they did. We used their company to book travel for nine people. The communication was bare none, very professional, and any changes or additions were dealt with seamlessly. We were given options in all pricing ranges, accommodated VIP services, helicopters, and all safari needs. No detail was missed and like I said above, they are a real asset to your travel planning needs.
Fantastic experience: They organized a family trip for us to the Serengeti and Zanzibar and everything worked out perfectly. They really know the best places to visit and make it all very easy.
Fantastic experience: Our family (6 of us total) had an amazing experience with Piper and Heath during our recent trip to Kenya and Rwanda. We all share a serious passion for travel and this was the first time we had used a travel agency for a trip before which we were a bit wary about but knew it would be well worth working with a company that has a deep knowledge and understanding of the different parts of these countries. We provided Chris with a background on why we were going on this trip and what we wanted to get out of it and his team came back with the perfect, well-balanced itinerary for our 10 day stay. Chris also stayed in close communication with us during our trip whenever we had questions which was really impressive and we were thankful for his help throughout the entire process. However what really sold us on working with Piper and Heath was learning from Chris (throughout several long phone chats) how dedicated they are to conservation and directing the money that their customers spend on trips back into the communities. This made all the difference for us during our trip as we were reassured that while it wasn't cheap, we could genuinely feel good about where our dollars ended up. Thank you to the WHOLE team at Piper and Heath for the trip of a lifetime, truly. Our hearts are full and we can't wait for a chance to explore new countries on the incredible African continent as a family again in the future.
Fantastic experience: It took me months to decide on my safari trip in Kenya, and I had MANY changes to my schedule because I was going to Kenya for work and had to plan the safari around my ever-changing work schedule. Piper & Heath was extremely patient with me, never pushy, and always quick to respond. Despite being passed to multiple different people within the company, they all seemed to know my situation, and all were accommodating and helpful. I missed my connection on the way to the safari and called and left a message on the company voicemail because it was after hours. Within a few minutes, I received a call from Chris, who helped to calm me down and evaluate my options. He gave me his cell number to call him back once I figured out my new flight info. I was surprised to get any response at all given the time of night. My safari was fabulous, and my experience planning it with Piper & Heath was no less.
Fantastic experience: I cannot recommend Piper & Heath more. We typically plan all of our own travel and were a little unsure how things would go with a travel professional. We needn’t have worried. Chris and team took the time to ask the right questions and listen to the answers. The result: the best trip we have ever taken, including adding some things we would never have considered on our own and some that were a little bit intimidating. But I am beyond thrilled that we trusted Chris and took his advice. We had a true adventure and I can’t imagine visiting Namibia any other way. We will definitely be going back to Africa and we will definitely will be calling Piper & Heath when we do!
Fantastic experience: Working with Piper & Heath is truly amazing. My husband and I are avid travelers in our 30's, and we were looking for a mix of different experiences while in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Piper & Heath welcomed the challenge with open arms, listened to what we were looking for, and delivered beyond our wildest dreams. We've never used a travel partner before (as we typically plan our own trips), so we weren't sure what to expect, especially since each location was a surprise as to what the accommodation was going to be like, what the area / activities were going to be like, and so on. We also wanted to work with a travel partner that is invested in ethical tourism, conservation, giving back into the communities. We are so happy that we found Piper & Heath for all of this, and we will be doing this again. Every single thing was above expectations, from the communication and planning leading up into the trip, the resources that were given to us for our trip, the entire experience that they laid out for us, to our post-trip debrief phone call. I look forward to working with Piper & Heath again for additional travel adventures!
Fantastic experience: March 2018 If you want to travel to Africa for safari, call Piper & Heath. They will customize your vacation and plan every detail meticulously. Chris, Emily, Mark and Josh and I had many conversations and they took as much time as needed to answer my questions. As soon as I spoke with Chris, I knew he understood what we wanted and I am so grateful he made it a reality. We say it was a trip of a lifetime - but now we know we will go back to Africa again, and without doubt, rely on Piper & Heath to plan and book it. Sept 2019 We just returned from Tanzania - our 2nd African safari arranged by Chris and his amazing team at Piper & Heath. (2018 Botswana) Piper and Heath are so detail oriented, everything goes seamlessly. You feel completely safe and both trips were even better than our expectations. The animal sightings were numerous and diverse. I highly recommend seeing the wildebeest migration - a very moving & emotional experience. The lodges and guides P & H work with are superb. The staff at the lodges make you feel like you are a part of their family. Chris and his team are easy going and dedicated to planning a tailor-made trip for you; they are a joy to work with. If you ever wanted to go on safari - call Piper & Heath for your trip of a lifetime!
Fantastic experience: Everything was perfect from start to finish.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath, specifically Chris, helped us plan an incredible honeymoon to Uganda and Kenya. I’m not someone who likes to use agents to book a vacation so it was difficult for me to let go of control and trust the process. However, Chris heard me out on things I had researched and worked with me to get to a budget we were comfortable with. I know I couldn’t have planned a better trip myself! Chris is also no BS and I really appreciated that every conversation we had with him was honest and didn’t feel like a sales pitch. He has stayed at many of the lodges he recommends and even knows some of the guides and staff personally. Needless to say, he knows his stuff and will plan a life changing trip for you. Aside from Chris, his team is also wonderful. They were always on top of things and available to answer any of our questions. Can’t recommend Piper and Heath enough!
Fantastic experience: We recently returned from a trip to Kenya and Tanzania booked by Piper & Heath and it was hands down the most incredible vacation of our lives. Chris is very attentive and started off our planning process by asking what we wanted to achieve, learned our travel style and our major goals for the trip. From there he planned a trip that was beyond anything we could have possibly put together. Everything went seamlessly, Chris and his team obviously know what they're doing - giving us private handling in airports where there was a fast transfer (we're 100% certain we would have missed one flight if we didn't have this), contacting the lodges prior to let them know about my food allergy, you name it they did it. The next time we go to Africa... yes, we will DEFINITELY go back... we will be coming back to Chris and his team.
Fantastic experience: We are SO lucky to have found Piper and Heath, and look forward to using their services in the future! Piper and Heath planned the most amazing trip for us, catered to exactly what we were looking for. Their level of time, commitment, detail, and customer service is what every business to aspire to have. Outside of our international flights, they took care of literally everything. Not only did they supply us with baggage that meets the travel restrictions between safari camps, they also let us borrow binoculars and supplied us with other safari gear. We would recommended looking nowhere else but to Piper and Heath for trips to Africa (or India)!
Fantastic experience: We loved working with Piper and Heath. We would have had no clue where to start since this was our first time to Africa. The knowledge and expertise about the countries we wanted to visit was top notch. The transitions between camps was seamless. The recommendations were fantastic.We will definitely use them again.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath planned a perfect Honeymoon for us Namibia! Couldn't recommend them more highly. Namibia is a beautiful country, wish we could have stayed longer.
Fantastic experience: We returned from our trip to Ethiopia and Kenya in July 2019. We traveled with 3 generations (including my 70-year-old mother and 10-year-old son). Piper & Heath made sure everything went smoothly for us. They helped us rearrange some dates at the last minute when we had the opportunity to visit a family in Ethiopia. Their partners in Africa are top-notch. We will use them for our next visit.
Fantastic experience: Piper and Heath did a fantastic job of helping us narrow down where to go and what to do during our safari to Africa. We were very impressed with the depth of knowledge and recommendations made for our accommodations, activities and general scheduling. Everything went off without a hitch and exceeded our expectations. I love that they only work with responsible and ethical travel partners in Africa. Highly recommend!
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath made so our trip of a lifetime to Namibia. We would never have gone to as remote places or had the experiences that we did without their guidance. They really listened to us in terms of what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do it and then made it so - all flights, lodging and door-to-door handoffs. It was so great to just focus on our amazing experiences and not worry at all about logistics. I’ve already raved about P&H to all of our friends and family and would absolutely go with P&H again if we ever return to Africa!
Fantastic experience: Piper and Heath exceeded my expectations! They planned every detail of my Kenyan safari with my 7 year old daughter. This was a trip she will never forget. Thanks to Chris, Emily, Matt, Josh and everyone at the camps!
Fantastic experience: EXCELLENT service! Great support both before, during and after our trip - Chris and the whole team truly cared and made sure all our questions were answered. Chris took the time to help us figure out what we wanted out of this trip, then made it happen - it was an amazing safari beyond anything we could have imagined. We look forward to using them in the future and highly recommend their services! Ecotourism at its best!
Fantastic experience: My husband and I just returned from a two week trip to India planned by Piper & Heath. They don't just do Africa! This was one of the finest adventures we have ever been on. The hotels were glorious, the guides and drivers informed and fun. My husband wanted to play cricket and an informal game was arranged at an incredibly beautiful venue outside Jaipur. The trip was both exciting, interesting and relaxing. Chris and his team did a superlative job. I only wish they handled travel all over the world!! Maybe they will decide to. If so, I will use them all the time.
Fantastic experience: It's been my dream to go to on a safari for a while now, but always felt overwhelmed by the process of selecting the perfect place out of an immense array of options. When planning my 30th birthday, I reached out to three travel agencies and Piper and Heath was not only the quickest to respond, but they were the only ones to actually pick up the phone and call me directly. After hearing about our interests, they were able to select the perfect safari for us. It ended up being one of the best trips I've ever taken -- and I got engaged along the way! We did have one hiccup along the way when our driver in Zanzibar thought we were going to another hotel, which resulted in an increase in fees for transit. Piper and Heath was even nice enough to refund us the difference and take accountability for the mistake that wasn't even their fault. All in all, highly recommend.
Fantastic experience: Our group of 8 just finished a safari thru Piper & Heath Travel. My thanks to them for a wonderful experience. The itinerary was well planned and just kept getting better along the 10 days on safari. The guides chosen were excellent and each day was an experience to remember in what we did and saw and learned about animals, birds, etc. from the knowledgeable guides. I highly recommend this company and thank Chris, Emily and Josh for everything they did to make our trip one to remember. And we will remember our guides who made each day exciting.
Fantastic experience: Piper & Heath created a flawless 17-day itinerary to Southern Africa for us. We are experienced international travelers, but this was to be a trip-of-a-lifetime for our 30th anniversary, and we weren't sure how to navigate Africa. The safari camps in S. Africa and Botswana were beyond our expectations, seeing all of the Big 5 by day 2! Our biggest concern was transfers between places and countries. Every transfer was flawless, with not one second of concern on our part. They also alerted our camps and guides about our anniversary, and we had special dinners, upgraded rooms, etc. along the way. We can't say enough about the service provided by Mark, John, Chris and Emily, except thank you for a perfect African trip!
Fantastic experience: Great attention to detail in the planning of our trip. Highly recommend Piper and Heath!
Fantastic experience: Some how when I looked up the Piper and Heath phone number I must have inadvertently hit an incorrect rating star. That was sooo WRONG!! We are a group of four couples traveling to Tanzania and everyone at Piper and Heath have gone beyond what could be expected to give us a fabulous vacation. If you are planning to go to Africa and want knowledgeable and helpful attention from a tour company you can't go wrong with Piper and Heath. Call Chris or anyone there, they will give a fabulous itinerary. Ignore my previous rating. It was a wandering finger mistake. Give them a call. A very satisfied customer. Ellis
Fantastic experience: Top notch service from Piper and Heath! They planned and coordinated the trip of a lifetime for us- safari in Tanzania. Every detail was perfect and the service was truly remarkable. Thanks Emily for answering my endless questions and for everyone at P&H for always being so attentive and responding so quickly. We look forward to planning another trip with you!! Thanks for making a lifelong dream come true :)
Fantastic experience: Awesome to work with - and loved the trip to Namibia that they helped us plan! Would definitely work with Piper and Heath again.
Fantastic experience: If I could give 6 stars I would. This is the first review I've done and that attests to the quality of service we received from Piper & Heath Travel. All members of the staff were responsive, polite and beyond helpful. Not only will I recommend them to anyone, we will surely use their services again in the future.
Fantastic experience: After an afternoon with Chris to discuss a safari, Piper & Heath developed the perfect itinerary for us to South Africa and Botswana. The selection of our camps was perfect and in the perfect order. Beginning with Jack's, the 1940's style camp with no electricity to a more luxurious camp to a remote island camp only accessible by water and ending at another luxury camp. It was the perfect mix of rustic and luxury with regard to accommodations and amenities. Also, each camp offered a different wildlife viewing experience - from the Zebra migration at Jack's Camp to the Big 5 at Qorokwe - as well as various activities (in addition to morning and afternoon game drives) from horseback riding to touring by Mokoro. Finally, we very much appreciated the great services, guidance, and transfers from point to point that were arranged by Piper & Heath. Everything went smoothly and we always felt safe and comfortable and in great hands. We highly recommend working with Piper & Heath for your travel to Africa. They will tailor the perfect safari for you.
Fantastic experience: I've traveled to Five continents and over 20 plus countries for my obsession with Wildlife Photography. I believe I've taken 6 trips to Africa with Piper and Heath now. THEY HAVE NEVER MADE ONE TINY MISTAKE. I've used used so many different companies over the world and each one normally has a couple of things wrong with it. Piper & Heath delivers what they promise and above and beyond every single time. Signed, Sealed and Deliver. Here is the best part Chris and his staff are amazing friendly people who have their ethics lined up as well. They are active in conservation and think about the animals first. Rarely do you find a company in any field that are as good as Piper & Heath. They sell wonderful experiences with piece of mind while you travel in a foreign country. TRAVEL WITH THEM.
Fantastic experience: Dreaming of a trip to Africa? Team up with Piper & Heath Travel for a journey that will thrill and inspire! For our group of six travelers, Chris, Emily, and the team at Piper & Heath put together a South African travel itinerary that invited us to jump in and immerse ourselves fully without having to worry about travel details and logistics. The incredible sights we saw, the insights gained, and the deepened love of the African people, culture, landscape all combined to create a journey that will always stay with us. Every accommodation was lovely, comfortable, and unique, and each guide was knowledgeable, professional, and fun. All travel arrangements worked seamlessly. Thanks, Piper & Heath for the best ever African travel experience.
Fantastic experience: We have used Chris and his team at Piper and Heath for two African trips and will certainly use them again, and we have no hesitation about referring them to others. They are very responsive and with you all the way-- from trip planning to itinerary details, throughout the trip and even afterwards. Their follow-up is exceptional. They always make us feel like we are their most important clients. There is no "cookie cutter" plan for them--each trip is custom planned for the wishes of each client. Chris knows Africa and the camps very well and has excellent contacts there. If you want special attention from a knowledgeable team for your African trip, I suggest you use Piper and Heath.
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