Explore our small group scheduled departure itineraries below, which are fully supported and guided from beginning to end for the ultimate hassle-free and stress-free adventure. All our itineraries focus on travelling deeper, more authentically and in a way that uplifts the communities you visit to ensure a long lasting positive impact.
Let us help you create your ultimate holiday to any of the countries in Southern or Eastern Africa. One that’s even better than you can dream up on your own. And oh so much easier!
How does it work?
Step 1: Complete questionnaire
Nobody does travel quite like you. That's why we don't do generic mainstream packages. Ever. Working with
you we'll tailor an itinerary around your
unique style, budget, and precise needs.
Step 2: Tweak & Reserve
Once we've fine-tuned and confirmed your itinerary until you are 100% in love with it, we'll flesh things out and book flights, accommodation
and activities.
Which country would you like to discover?
South Africa ….With its breath-taking landscapes, incredible wildlife, stunning cultural diversity, its never-ending coastlines of crystal blue ocean, hiking routes, exciting cities and emergence as one of the gastronomic hotspots of the world. This country truly has it all!
Home to the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world, the inhospitable Kalahari Desert, and the Skeleton Coast that is as rugged and desolate as its name implies, this is a country of stark dramatic landscapes, wide open spaces and a feeling of vastness which will truly leave you humbled.
The Victoria Falls marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and can be accessed from both countries, each offering their own distinctive beauty and activities. But the waterfall is just the beginning. The Victoria Falls are framed on both sides with beautiful national parks, and the local wildlife is thriving. You can start a day with visiting the majestic Falls, and finish your day with a safari experience of a lifetime by tracking rhino on foot.
Botswana is justly considered the crème de la crème of African safari destinations.
This is not surprising, since the diversity of habitat boggles the mind – desert, rivers, salt pans, savannah and lakes to mention a few. And diversity of habitat leads to incredible diversity of wildlife and breath-taking animal sightings.
This is the Africa we all fell in love with the first time we watched the Lion King. Between its remarkable people and local cultures, its thriving wildlife, its fairy-tale landscapes and the beautiful exotic beaches of Zanzibar and other smaller islands, Tanzania truly is an unforgettable holiday destination.
The island of Mauritius, with its 160km of picture-perfect beaches and azure waters, its lush interiors and sparkling waterfalls, is one of the most popular destinations in the Indian ocean.
Easily accessible by direct flight from Johannesburg, this very affordable destination is malaria free, and a favourite place for honeymooners, families and young adventurers alike to unwind after an unforgettable African safari. With over a hundred beaches and distinct regional differences, this extremely versatile island truly offers something for everyone.
Picture yourself lying on a white sandy beach, palm trees above you rustling from a gentle breeze, the waves lapping at your toes, while you lazily sip on your lavish cocktail. The only decision left to make for the day is whether or not to take one more dip in the gin-clear waters in front of you before heading off to your romantic candlelit champagne dinner, or to go for a romantic massage... Cliché? Perhaps, but in this case the cliché really does exist.
The Seychelles is what most people will automatically picture when dreaming of a secluded paradisiac island. As the chosen location for movies such as Castaway and Robinson Crusoe, it is easy to see why this island nation has become a quintessential honeymoon destination - it is truly gorgeous.
And yet, the Seychelles is so much more than just a collection of beautiful white sandy beaches. The nation is comprised of 115 islands, of varying sizes and characteristics, some rocky and mountainous, others lush with dense forested areas, and others still are exotic with palm trees overlooking dreamy beaches and low-lying coral reefs.
Kenya is the birthplace of the world renowned African safari, literally. Meaning “journey” in Swahili, the word safari was first introduced to the English language in the 1850s by an intrepid adventurer called Sir Richard Francis Burton. Kenya’s mystical pull over the rest of the world has not diminished over the centuries since then.
Unspoiled and untamed, with over 2,500km of uninterrupted coastline and clusters of postcard-perfect islands dotting its shore, Mozambique is a little corner of paradise. Its pristine white sands and turquoise waters can rival those of the Maldives or Seychelles, yet it is more affordable than these islands. It is also less built-up than most Indian ocean islands. For now, Mozambique is still well-off the beaten tourist track, however it is fast becoming the place to go for those searching for some sand, sea and sun in Africa.
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Join our next Guided Small Groups
CAPE PENINSULA
DAY TOUR
This full day tour takes in all the heavyweight sights of the Cape Peninsula. Guests are collected from their central accommodation and can look forward to the following: Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach penguin colony, Kalk Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive and Camps Bay.
Includes:
+ Qualified tour guide
+ All National Park entrance fees
+ Chapman’s Peak toll fee
+ Light lunch
+ Instagram-worthy stops
+ Spectacular scenery by the bucketloads
+ Dreamy seaside stops
Why book with The Travel Café?
We Know Our Stuff
As a boutique agency comprised of a few African travel experts, we guarantee an intimate experience from start to end, exceptional attention to detail and a bespoke personal touch at every turn. Unlike large tour operators, we deliberately choose quality over quantity and passion over profit!
We Are Passionate
It might sound corny in a world that often ranks margin above all else, but because we truly work with all our hearts when designing journeys and experiences for our guests we go much further than if we were “counting the hours”. As enthusiastic explorers ourselves, we are constantly researching and discovering new finds to add a magical touch to our guest itineraries.
We Care
JD’s background is as a travel journalist and François worked in the airline industry for 12 years. Together, and apart, we have crisscrossed this continent time and again, and continue to do so. Our deep love, respect and knowledge of the region put us in an enviable position to curate the best our continent has to offer.
We Build Your
Dreamtrip
You are in the driving seat every step of the way. We will work around your requirements, budget and needs and won't give up until we've designed a trip that is even better than what you could dream up on your own, and we will keep tweaking and refining until you're 100% thrilled. With us you have nothing to lose, and so much to gain.
Authentic travel to experience Southern & Eastern Africa's soul
There is a an Africa that’s exactly right for you. Our passion is to help you get it right, right from the start. That way you can squeeze every bit of goodness from your once-in-a-lifetime trip, get to experience the real heart of our wonderful country, and return home with bucket memories that will be the envy of your friends and family.
Nothing makes us happier than using our extensive local know-how to create a truly authentic trip for you, in the safest and most unforgettable way. What is the “real” South Africa, Namibia, Victoria Falls, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique or any Indian Ocean Islands? For us it’s the difference between just being a spectator, or fully experiencing and engaging – immersing yourself in the culture, travelling in a way that’s been tailored to you rather than generic mainstream packages, and frequently veering off the well-trodden track.
That’s why The Travel Cafe was born, and that’s our commitment to you, whether you’re just after an experience
or fancy a truly unique trip
that’s been tailored to be right just for you.
Much love until we meet under the sunny Southern or Eastern African skies,
François and JD organised our romantic trip to the Kruger for us and everything was perfect. They were very quick to suggest a list of different options for us, matching our needs and budget. They took care of all the admin and details and we didn't have to worry about a thing! I've never been so at ease about a holiday, as I usually take care of everything myself. The travel app is really well designed and personalised. I loved the service and I absolutely recommend them for your next African trip!
Aurélie, France
JD, Francois & The Travel Cafe are brilliant. Everything from the start of our trip to the finish has been wonderful & taken care of. Personally, this has been the best experience with any travel agents/trip-planners (and I have dealt with many). They take away all your sorrows and we got to see so much more than when we would have booked by ourselves. They made us feel at ease and maximized our enjoyment of the trip.
All in all, fantastic.
Iron, Netherlands
The Travel Cafe is exactly what any traveller wants (and needs)! Personal, swift, full of hidden gems, and tailored to your wishes and budget! They will share all their secrets with you, to ensure you get the best out of your holiday. Be prepared to be amazed from start to finish. JD, Francois and their team will continue to exceed your expectations in every single way!
We admire the passion you have put into every single part of our holiday! It was the perfect escape from our daily life back home. Thank you all a million and hope to see you again soon!
Sophie, Netherlands
Visit our lodge in the Little Karoo
Starry Starry Night โญโญN
Located on the iconic Route 62, between Montagu and Barrydale and a quick 2½hr drive from Cape Town, Starry Starry Night eco mountain reserve is located in the foothills of the rugged Langeberg Mountains. Conveniently close to surrounding towns yet far away for that middle-of-nowhere feeling so you can properly switch off. The reserve is perfectly positioned as a midway stop-over between Cape Town and the Garden Route.
Our reserve is blessed with two stunningly beautiful rivers, waterfalls, hiking routes, natural rock pools, views that seem to stretch into the future, an abundance of stunning fynbos, organic herb and veggie garden, tranquillity, fresh air, dazzling night skies and the chance to truly disconnect from the busy-ness of everyday life and properly recharge your batteries. Our accommodation is pet-friendly to sociable and well-behaved dogs by prior arrangement (maximum of 2 dogs per cottage).
We recommend a stay of 3-nights or longer to truly get to experience everything our beautiful eco mountain reserve and its surrounds have to offer.
As one of our recent guests observed: “Starry Starry Night is tonic for the soul. Plain and simple”. We cannot argue with that – why not book and come see for yourself?
We are RECRUITING at The Travel ๏ปฟCafé
Junior Travel Designer Position
(fluent in English and/or French, Cape Town-based job)
Calling all romantic adventurers and passionate travellers. We are growing our merry band of passionate explorers and travel designers and we are looking for a Junior Travel Designer to work from our Cape Town office. Strong language skills in English and/or French are a major bonus. Are you the one we’ve been looking for?
More information about the job and how to apply at www.thetravelcafe.co.za/jobs
The Travel Café Blog
๐ซ๐ท À cette période de l’année, on ne se contente pas de voir les chutes Victoria — on les ressent. ๐ De mai à juillet, le fleuve Zambèze atteint son débit le plus spectaculaire, projetant des volumes d’eau impressionnants dans la gorge. Le grondement résonne dans tout le paysage, la brume s’élève comme une fumée, et le sol semble vibrer sous vos pieds. Des arcsโenโciel se forment dans les embruns. Le rugissement traverse la forêt tropicale. Chaque point de vue paraît presque irréel. C’est à ce momentโlà que les chutes Victoria sont les plus puissantes : sauvages, immersives, inoubliables. En ce moment même, les voyageurs les découvrent en pleine puissance : baignés par la brume, survolant les chutes en hélicoptère, naviguant sur le Zambèze au coucher du soleil, et vivant l’un des plus grands spectacles naturels d’Afrique à son apogée. ๏ปฟ Et si cela fait partie de votre bucket list… c’est le moment parfait pour organiser votre voyage pour l’an prochain. Au Travel Café, nous créons des voyages africains sur mesure, pensés autour d’expériences qui laissent une empreinte durable. โจ En savoir plus sur les chutes Victoria: https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/les-chutes-victoria ๐ฌ๐ง At this time of year you don’t simply see Victoria Falls, you feel it. ๐ From May to July, the Zambezi River reaches its most dramatic flow, sending unimaginable volumes of water crashing into the gorge below. The roar echoes through the landscape, the mist rises like smoke into the sky, and the ground itself seems to tremble beneath your feet. Rainbows form through the spray. The roar echoes through the rainforest. And every viewpoint feels almost unreal. This is when Victoria Falls is at its most powerful. Wild, immersive, unforgettable. Right now, travellers are witnessing the falls in full flow, soaking up the mist, taking scenic helicopter flights, cruising the Zambezi at sunset, and experiencing one of Africa’s greatest wonders at its peak. And if this is going straight onto your bucket list… now is the perfect time to start planning for next year’s high water season. At The Travel Cafe, we create tailor-made African journeys designed around experiences that leave a lasting impact. โจDiscover more about Victoria Falls here: https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/victoria-falls #VictoriaFalls #ZimbabweTravel #ZambiaTravel #AfricanAdventure #TheTravelCafe
โจ Suite à l'incroyable succès de nos deux circuits de novembre 2026, déjà complets, nous avons décidé d'ouvrir un départ supplémentaire en octobre 2026 pour répondre aux nombreuses demandes.
Lors de notre dernier circuit accompagné francophone en Namibie, nous avons eu le privilège de passer du temps dans un village Himba du nord du pays. Une rencontre authentique, sincère et profondément émouvante qui a marqué notre groupe et toute l’équipe du Travel Café. ๐โจ Au-delà des paysages grandioses et de l’aventure, ce sont les sourires, l’accueil chaleureux et la force de cette communauté qui nous ont touchés en plein cœur. Aujourd’hui, ce village porte un projet essentiel : installer une pompe solaire qui permettra non seulement d'améliorer l'accès à l'eau potable pour les familles, mais aussi d'irriguer leur potager afin de cultiver davantage de légumes frais et nutritifs. ๐งโ๏ธ๐ฅฌ Dans cette région où l'eau est rare, ce projet représente bien plus qu'une simple installation : il contribuera à améliorer la santé, l'autonomie alimentaire et la qualité de vie de toute la communauté. Au Travel Café, nous croyons que le voyage est aussi une formidable opportunité de créer des liens et d'avoir un impact positif là où nous passons. C'est pourquoi nous souhaitons soutenir ce projet et faisons appel à notre communauté de voyageurs et d'amis. ๐ Chaque contribution, même modeste, peut faire une réelle différence. Si cette belle initiative vous touche autant qu'elle nous touche, vous pouvez participer ici : ๐ https://tribee.fr/participations/3AF8A7NHDD8DJBDJTRJ19EA4MW Et si vous souhaitez découvrir cette Namibie authentique qui nous a tant inspirés : ๐ https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/la-namibie-circuit-accompagne-francophone ๐ Merci du fond du cœur pour votre générosité, votre soutien et vos partages. Ensemble, nous pouvons aider cette communauté à construire un avenir plus serein et plus durable. #Namibie #LeTravelCafe #VoyageSolidaire #Himba #TourismeResponsable #Solidarité #EauPourTous #PompeSolaire #AgricultureDurable #VoyagerAutrement #AfriqueAuthentique โค๏ธ๐ณ๐ฆ๐งโ๏ธ๐ฅ๐ฅฌ๐
๐ซ๐ท Un désert… qui se transforme en oasis sous les eaux. Difficile d’imaginer un phénomène naturel plus spectaculaire. Au cœur de la saison sèche au Botswana, alors que l’on s’attend à ne trouver que poussière et silence, un véritable miracle se produit : l’eau. Lentement, discrètement, elle métamorphose la région du delta de l’Okavango en un paysage presque irréel. Chaque année, les eaux de crue entreprennent un long voyage depuis l’Angola avant de se déverser dans cette immense étendue sauvage, la remodelant en un labyrinthe de chenaux cristallins et d’îles foisonnantes de vie. À mesure que les eaux montent, les animaux affluent, et le delta devient un sanctuaire où la vie se concentre de façon exceptionnelle. C’est à cette période que l’Okavango révèle toute sa magie. Beaucoup le considèrent comme la crème de la crème des expériences de safari en Afrique. Naviguer sur ces voies d’eau à bord d’un mokoro traditionnel, avec des éléphants à proximité et une incroyable diversité d’oiseaux au-dessus de soi, n’a rien d’un safari ordinaire. L’expérience est plus lente, plus paisible, infiniment plus immersive… et tout aussi mémorable. Dès le mois de mai, cette transformation commence, pour atteindre son apogée en juillet. Les camps les plus prisés affichent souvent complet longtemps à l’avance, la plupart des voyageurs réservant entre 12 et 18 mois avant leur départ afin de bénéficier du meilleur choix, quel que soit leur niveau de confort recherché, du 4 étoiles de charme aux lodges ultra-luxueux 5 étoiles et plus. Si le delta de l’Okavango figure sur votre liste de rêves de voyage, c’est peut-être le moment idéal pour commencer à le concrétiser. โจ Découvrez le delta de l’Okavango : https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/aper%C3%A7u-du-botswana ๐ฌ๐ง A desert… that floods. Natural phenomenon doesn’t get much better than this. At the peak of the dry season in Botswana, when you’d expect dust and stillness - a miracle arrives. Water. Slowly, quietly it transforms the country’s Okavango Delta region into something almost surreal. Each year, floodwaters make their long journey from Angola, spilling into this vast landscape and reshaping it into a maze of crystal-clear channels and wildlife-rich islands. As the water rises, animals are drawn in, and the Delta becomes a place of rare, concentrated life. This is when it feels at its most extraordinary. Many describe it as the crème de la crème of safari experiences in Africa. Gliding through these waterways in a traditional mokoro, with elephants nearby and birdlife overhead, is not your typical safari. It’s slower, quieter, far more immersive and far more rewarding. From May onwards, this transformation begins, peaking in July. The most sought-after camps tend to fill well in advance with most guests planning 12 to 18 months in advance to get the pick of the crop at their ideal level of luxury, be that entry-level 4-star or super-lux 5-star+. If the Okavango Delta has been on your bucket list, perhaps now is the moment to start shaping it? โจ Discover the Okavango Delta: https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/botswana #OkavangoDelta #BotswanaSafari #TravelAfrica #WildPlaces #SeasonalMagic
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๐ซ๐ท Pas de bus bondés. Pas d’itinéraires précipités. Pas cette impression d’être un voyageur parmi tant d’autres. Nos voyages South Africa Essentials en petit groupe sont pensés pour ceux qui souhaitent la simplicité d’une organisation entièrement prise en charge, avec une approche beaucoup plus personnelle et réfléchie. Seulement 8 voyageurs. Des hébergements soigneusement sélectionnés. Des guides experts. Et tous ces petits détails attentionnés qui transforment un voyage en une expérience bien plus profonde. C’est toute la différence entre voir un lieu… et véritablement s’y connecter. À partir d’octobre, nos prochains départs sont ouverts, et ces voyages se remplissent souvent rapidement. Si cela correspond à votre façon de voyager, il vaut peut-être la peine d’y jeter un œil de plus près. โจ Découvrir le voyage : https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/afrique-du-sud-circuit-accompagne-francophone ๐ฌ๐ง No crowded buses. No rushed itineraries. No feeling like just another number. Our South Africa Essentials Small Group Tours are designed for travellers who want the ease of everything taken care of, but with a far more personal, considered touch. Just 8 guests. Beautifully curated stays. Specialist guides. And lots of those small, thoughtful moments that turn a trip into something far more meaningful. It’s the difference between seeing a place… and truly connecting with it. From October onwards, our next departures are open, and these journeys tend to fill quietly and quickly. If this feels like your kind of travel, it might be worth taking a closer look. โจ Discover the journey: https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/small-groups-accompanied-tours-south-africa #SmallGroupTravel #ExploreSouthAfrica #TravelBetter #TheTravelCafe #CuratedJourneys
First ever Namibia Mini group organised by Travel Café
๐ซ๐ท Laissez-vous plonger dans l’aventure, en photos et en histoires. ๏ปฟ ๐ฌ๐ง Step back into the adventure, through photos and stories.
๐ซ๐ท Vous envisagez de découvrir les chutes Victoria ? C’est l’une des meilleures périodes pour y aller. La fin de l’été (de janvier à début mars) offre un équilibre parfait : les chutes sont puissantes et spectaculaires, sans encore être enveloppées par le brouillard dense de la saison de crue. Attendez-vous à des paysages verdoyants après les pluies d’été, des vues à couper le souffle et cette sensation unique de vous trouver face à quelque chose de véritablement grandiose. Profitez encore d’expériences accessibles à cette période : ๐ La Devil’s Pool, Angel’s Pool et Livingstone Island restent généralement ouvertes jusqu’en mars ๐ฃ Le rafting en eaux vives se pratique sur les parcours de hautes eaux ๐ฟ Les environs sont luxuriants et pleins de vie Il fait chaud — les températures peuvent atteindre 35°C — mais la fine brume des chutes apporte une fraîcheur surprenante lors des explorations. ๐ Envie d’une escapade estivale de dernière minute ? Envoyez-nous un message privé ou cliquez sur le lien pour commencer à planifier votre voyage : https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/les-chutes-victoria ๐ฌ๐ง Thinking about Victoria Falls? Now is one of the best times to go. Late summer (January through early March) offers the perfect balance, the Falls are full and dramatic, but without the heavy spray and mist that arrive during flood season. Expect lush green landscapes after the summer rains, incredible views, and that unmistakable sense of standing somewhere truly powerful. Enjoy experiences while water levels still allow: ๐ Devil’s Pool, Angel’s Pool & Livingstone Island are usually open until March ๐ฃ White-water rafting shifts to high-water routes ๐ฟ The surroundings are vibrant and alive It’s hot, temperatures can reach 35°C, but the cooling mist from the Falls makes exploring surprisingly refreshing. ๐ Ready for a last-minute summer escape? Send us a DM or click the link to start planning: https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/victoria-falls #TravelCafe #VictoriaFalls #TravelNow #AfricanEscape #BucketList
๐ซ๐ท Le Mozambique est une destination qui se remplit en toute discrétion, notamment durant ses plus belles saisons. S’il figure sur votre liste d’envies, voici le moment idéal pour commencer à planifier — plutôt que de courir après les disponibilités plus tard. ๐ L’automne (mars – mai) est une période vraiment spéciale, souvent sous-estimée. Mars amorce une transition en douceur et peut encore apporter quelques averses, mais avril et mai sont presque parfaits. Vous profiterez de températures agréablement chaudes, d’une mer idéale pour la baignade, et d’une atmosphère paisible propice aux longues journées en bord de mer. ๐ธ En regardant un peu plus loin, le printemps (septembre – novembre ) reste l’une de nos saisons préférées. Toujours en saison sèche, il offre des journées ensoleillées autour de 30°C, des soirées douces, et cette sensation inimitable que l’été approche. ๐ C’est aussi la pleine saison de migration des baleines — un spectacle inoubliable le long des côtes mozambicaines. Notre période coup de cœur ? De fin octobre à début novembre , juste avant l’arrivée des pluies. Que vous rêviez d’une escapade automnale ou que vous anticipiez le printemps, réserver tôt vous garantit plus de choix, de meilleurs hébergements et une expérience fluide du début à la fin. ๐ Prêt à commencer à planifier ? Envoyez-nous un message privé ou cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous. Votre moment d’évasion n’attend plus que vous. https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/fr/mozambique ๐ฌ๐ง Mozambique is the kind of destination that quietly books out, especially during the most beautiful times of year. If it’s on your travel wishlist, this is your sign to start planning now rather than scrambling for availability later. ๐ Autumn (March – May) is a truly special (and often underrated) time to visit. March acts as a gentle transition month and may still bring a touch of rain, but April and May are close to perfect. Expect lovely warm temperatures, comfortably swimmable ocean water, and the kind of calm atmosphere that invites long, leisurely beach days. ๐ธ Looking a little further ahead? Spring (September – November) remains one of our favourite seasons. Still within the dry season, you can look forward to sunny days around 30°C, balmy evenings, and that unmistakable feeling that summer is on its way. ๐ It’s also peak migratory whale season, an unforgettable experience along the Mozambican coastline. Our sweet spot? Late October to early November , just before the rains arrive. Whether you’re craving an autumn escape or planning ahead for spring, securing your trip early means more choice, better stays, and a smoother journey from start to finish. ๐ Ready to start planning? Send us a DM or click the link below. Your island escape is waiting: https://www.thetravelcafe.co.za/mozambique #TravelCafe #MozambiqueTravel #PlanAhead #AfricanEscape #BeachDreaming
