 Founded: | March 1, 2024 |
 Years in Operation: | 21 Years |
 Founders: | Kobus & Neil de Jonge |
 Managing Director: | Neil de Jonge |
 Core Service: | Luxury African Safaris, Tailored Tours, Private Safaris |
 Top Destinations: | South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, |
| Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique |
Founded in 2004 by South African tourism pioneer Kobus de Jonge and his son Neil de Jonge, Jewel of Africa Safaris is a family-owned luxury safari operator specializing in private, tailor-made journeys across Southern and Eastern Africa. Born from a deep-rooted love for Africa and a commitment to sharing its wonders with the world, the company has grown into a trusted name in bespoke travel, delivering experiences that are immersive, safe, and unforgettable.
For over 20 years, we’ve designed personalized safaris that blend comfort, adventure, and authenticity. Now under the leadership of Neil de Jonge, a qualified safari guide and the founder’s son, Jewel of Africa Safaris continues to evolve while honoring its legacy. Neil's firsthand knowledge of the continent, combined with his innovative spirit, ensures every itinerary reflects local expertise and global expectations.
We offer luxury African safari tours that are consistent in quality, flexible in design, and varied in destination. Whether you dream of tracking big cats in the Sabi Sands, sailing the waters of the Okavango Delta, or standing in awe at the edge of Victoria Falls, our journeys are tailored to you, with exclusive access to top safari destinations and rare, intimate wildlife encounters. Each safari is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, placing safety, comfort, and storytelling at the heart of the experience.
Our portfolio includes privately guided safaris, luxury lodge circuits, family-friendly wildlife journeys, and coastal add-ons to the Indian Ocean islands. [Explore our destinations] and discover how our curated experiences immerse you in the richness of Africa. With a founding team comprising Kobus and Neil de Jonge, our company remains proudly family-run. Every journey is infused with their shared passion, personal relationships with local partners, and a vision to create safaris that leave a lasting impact on travelers and on Africa itself.
What is the Mission of Jewel Of Africa Safaris?
The mission of Jewel of Africa Safaris is to deliver exceptional, personalized safari experiences that immerse guests in Africa's breathtaking beauty and rich culture while ensuring the highest standards of luxury, comfort, and safety.
How This Mission Impacts Your Experience:
- Every safari is tailored to your unique preferences, ensuring a one-of-a-kind adventure.
- Luxury and comfort are paramount, with handpicked accommodations that elevate your journey.
- Safety is our priority, allowing you to explore Africa's untamed wilderness with complete peace of mind.
- Cultural immersion through authentic encounters with local communities enriches your understanding of Africa's heritage.
Our mission defines who we are and what we offer. It reflects our commitment to providing a transformative safari journey that leaves you with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for Africa.
What is the Vision of Jewel Of Africa Safaris?
The vision of Jewel of Africa Safaris is to craft unparalleled bespoke safari experiences that not only fulfill dreams but leave every traveler with lasting memories, a renewed spirit, and a lifelong connection to the heart of Africa and its diverse cultures.
How This Vision Shapes Your Journey:
- Dream-Fulfilling Experiences: Every safari is designed to turn your travel aspirations into reality, delivering personalized adventures that go beyond expectations.
- Lasting Memories: From breathtaking wildlife encounters to immersive cultural interactions, your safari will create moments you’ll treasure forever.
- Renewed Spirit: Our safaris are not just about exploring; they’re about reconnecting with nature and yourself, leaving you feeling refreshed and inspired.
- A Lifelong Connection to Africa: By immersing you in Africa's beauty and traditions, we foster a deep appreciation for the continent that lasts a lifetime.
What is the Purpose of Jewel Of Africa Safaris?
Jewel of Africa Safaris aims to design bespoke, high-end safari experiences across Africa, combining personalized service, expert local knowledge, and exceptional attention to detail, ensuring every traveler experiences the magic of Africa in comfort and style.
How This Purpose Translates Into Your Safari Experience:
- Tailored Adventures: Every safari is designed to match your unique interests, whether exploring the Serengeti's migration, relaxing in the Okavango Delta, or enjoying Big Five game drives in Kruger.
- Local Expertise: Our guides and planners use their deep local knowledge to create authentic and immersive experiences that showcase the best of Africa.
- Luxury and Comfort: From opulent lodges to seamless transportation, we ensure every moment of your journey is indulgent and stress-free.
- Unmatched Attention to Detail: Every aspect of your safari is carefully crafted, from the smallest personal touches to the grandest adventures, ensuring an unforgettable trip.
Why Travel With Us?
How Does Jewel of Africa Safaris Make Safari Tours Special?
We create truly private, luxury safaris powered by two decades of on-the-ground expertise and exclusive access to Africa's most protected wild spaces.
Our Cape Town team hand-builds every itinerary—no templates—then pairs you with guides who live the landscapes you’ll explore. Because we operate inside private game reserves and community concessions, you enjoy uncrowded wildlife encounters, night drives, and lodge suites chosen for intimacy rather than size.
What Does Jewel of Africa Safaris Offer Travelers?
We deliver bespoke adventures that fuse comfort, safety, and unrivalled variety across Africa's headline destinations.
Tailored African Safari ToursHow Does Jewel of Africa Safaris Make Safari Tours Special?
Your journey is led by a second-generation safari family and Africa's top private guides.
President Neil de Jonge (FGASA-qualified) oversees every itinerary, drawing on lessons from founder Kobus de Jonge, who still consults on route design and lodge curation. In the field, our hand-selected guides—many raised near the reserves they interpret—blend naturalist insight, cultural fluency, and conservation ethics, turning sightings into stories you’ll recount for life.
Fast Facts about Jewel of Africa Safaris
Who is the Owner of JOA (Jewel of Africa)
Jewel of Africa Safaris is owned and led by Neil de Jonge, a qualified safari ranger and Tourism-Management graduate who assumed full control in 2019 after his father and founder, Kobus de Jonge, stepped back from day-to-day operations.
Together, father and son combine more than 40 years of frontline safari expertise to guide the company's strategic vision while safeguarding the personal touch that has defined JOA since its founding in 2004. Neil directs product design, partner relations, and client care, while Kobus remains an advisory presence, lending decades of bushcraft and logistics insight.
Our multidisciplinary team—supported by FGASA-certified field guides, veteran logistics managers, and a 24/7 concierge desk—works in concert to craft luxurious, immersive, and unquestionably safe journeys. From private charter coordination to real-time medical contingency planning, each expert adds a layer of assurance so you can focus on the wonder of Africa.
Meet Our Team:
Kobus de Jonge
Founder
Role: Sets overarching safari vision, vets new routes, mentors guides, guaranteeing authenticity, safety and enduring company values.
Contact: info@joasafaris.com
Neil de Jonge
Director & Owner
Role: Steers strategic growth, forges premier lodge partnerships, and applies guiding expertise to enrich every client itinerary.
Contact: neil@joasafaris.com
Elize Loubser
Manager & Travel Specialist
Role: Orchestrates supplier relations, crafts bespoke luxury itineraries, and supervises operations for seamless guest experiences.
Contact: elize@joasafaris.com
Adele Fouche
Reservations & Travel Specialist
Role: Secures prime availability, handles complex logistics, and designs coastal extensions complementing inland wildlife safaris.
Contact: adele@joasafaris.comWhat Are the Services Offered
by Jewel of Africa Safaris?
We provide an end-to-end luxury travel service—consulting, designing, operating, and supporting bespoke African journeys—plus a portfolio of curated experience categories that guests can mix and match.
1. Tailor-Made Itinerary Design:
We begin with an in-depth consultation, then craft bespoke routing, hand-pick lodges, schedule activities and transfers, orchestrating each day's tempo around your personal interests and style.
2. Private Guiding & Specialist Guides:
FGASA-certified big-game drivers, photographic tutors, birding experts and walking guides interpret behavior, track quietly, and adapt commentary to your individual passions throughout the journey.
3. Aviation & Ground Logistics:
From private charters and helicopter hops to luxury 4×4 vehicles, we synchronize every airstrip, border crossing and road segment, ensuring smooth, time-saving transitions between remote wilderness areas.
4. 24/7 Concierge & On-Trip Support:
Our round-the-clock concierge monitors movements via WhatsApp, books restaurants or spas, fast-tracks airports, troubleshoots delays, and provides immediate medical or security liaison wherever you roam.
5. Travel Documentation & Insurance Facilitation:
We streamline formalities with proactive visa advice, vaccination reminders, detailed health briefs, and links to insurers offering cancel-for-any-reason cover, medical evacuation, and high-value gear protection.
6. Conservation & Community Integration:
Visit vetted community projects, fund anti-poaching patrols, join researcher briefings, or plant trees; we weave meaningful conservation impact seamlessly into every luxury itinerary.
TripAdvisor Reviews for African Safaris
TripAdvisor reviews are guest-written, third-party evaluations that TripAdvisor screens with automated fraud filters and human moderators, making them a widely trusted yardstick for judging safari operators.
What are TripAdvisor Reviews?
TripAdvisor hosts the world's largest repository of travel feedback, allowing verified travellers to rate accommodations, tours, and experiences on a 1-to-5 scale and add detailed commentary and photos. In the African-safari niche, these reviews typically cover guide expertise, wildlife sightings, lodge quality, safety standards, and overall service
Jewel of Africa Safaris on TripAdvisor
Are TripAdvisor Reviews Legitimate?
Yes. TripAdvisor's Content Integrity team employs machine-learning detection, IP tracking, and manual audits to remove suspicious or incentivized posts. Operators risk penalties or delisting if manipulation is detected, which is why seasoned travellers and industry media still cite TripAdvisor as a reliable, user-generated barometer of quality.
Consistently perfect scores and four Traveller's Choice wins affirm Jewel of Africa Safaris’ unwavering commitment to safety, luxury, and unforgettable wildlife moments—evidence you can trust when choosing your African adventure!
Contact Jewel of Africa Safaris
How to Book a Safari with Jewel of Africa Safaris
1. Browse & Dream:
Explore our Luxury Safari Collection to spark ideas, compare itineraries, and note lodges or experiences that excite you.
2. Request a Custom Quote:
Click “Request a Quote” (or Contact Us) and submit travel dates, group size, budget, and any special interest
3. One-on-One Consultation:
Within 24 hours a senior Travel Specialist schedules a call or video chat, clarifies priorities, and advises on seasonality, health, and logistics.
4. Receive & Refine Your Proposal:
Get a detailed, day-by-day draft with pricing, lodge images, and flight plan; tweak as much as you wish until every detail is perfect.
5. Confirm with a 30 % Deposit:
Secure lodges and flights by card or wire; we issue your booking pack, lock in services, and assign a 24/7 concierge for on-trip support.
Jewel of Africa Safaris is an award winning, family owned, South African, luxury tour operator offering you effortless access to personalized, tailor-made safaris in Southern and East Africa.
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