I've never been to Africa and was thinking about going on a 11 day escorted tour of South Africa with Adventure Center travel. Just wanted to know what others think of this travel co.

thanks, Blair

Anyone have info on this???

Blair

I believe adventure center is really just a travel agency/tour broker and not the actual tour company. They basically arrange tours with a bunch of different tour providers, like dragoman, geckos, peregine, etc. You should ask advanture center who the tour operator is for the particular tour youre interested in, and then research the company that way.

As lovesublime said, Adventure Center, based in California, mostly connects you to various adventure/active tours provided by companies around the globe. When you click on the tour you want, the actual trip provider's name comes up.

I did a four week Africa trip with Adventure Center last year. Though it was booked through Adventure Center, the tour company was actually British based, an organization called Explore. I was on the Botswana safari, with stops at Vic Falls and Zambia. I was the only American in a group of Brits. Normally, I wouldn't be bothered, but there was definitely some anti-American tension in the group. Being out numbered I just had to grin and bear it without losing my temper and try not to let it get to me. They were very surprised to have a Yank in their midst. Explore caters their trips to British tourists, i.e. stops for tea in the middle of the day...everyday; hotel stays were a places where everyone is from the UK, camp food is catered to British tastes, like beans and toast for breakfast. There were also teenagers in the group, even though it was not a family tour, which made things "lively" you might say.

I also arranged an extra night's accomodation in Maun before the trip started and Explore over charged me double the rack rate. It took several emails and phone calls to clear this up. And by the time I arrived, the hotel didn't even have my reservation!

The sights were amazing and we did have some laughs and good times, but I'm definitely not going on another Explore trip again.

Hi all thanks for the information. Gomaddog, I spent some time last year in the UK (at a B&B) so I got used the beans for breakfast and the like. Took tours there and found that I too in most cases was the only American. Had same in Central America and SE Asia. Either Europeans or Aussies.

Thanks again, Blair