Question 1

How does the planning process work?

Accepted Answer

Our in-depth planning process is what sets us apart, and we take great time and care at every stage. After you contact us, we’ll pair you with one of our Destination Specialists. You’ll be matched up based on your destination and their expertise. Because all of our trips are completely bespoke, your specialist will arrange a short call to get to know you better. This is so important to our process as our itineraries are bespoke and based on your personality, travel style, and interests—the more we know about you, the better your trip will be. After the call, your specialist will distill hundreds of options into a tailor-made draft itinerary, then together, we’ll refine your trip to ensure it meets your expectations. Once we’ve received your deposit, we’ll confirm the trip and secure accommodations, flights, and permits. We coordinate every detail so that your trip feels seamless. By the time your trip comes around, we’ll make sure you have all your visas, travel insurance has been arranged, and all essential documents are printed. Throughout your journey, our in-destination travel concierge will reach out and check in; support is never more than a quick message away.

Question 2

What is included when I book with Extraordinary Journeys?

Accepted Answer

Beyond trip planning, accommodation, and experiences, all Extraordinary Journeys trips include the following: Bespoke itineraries Our destination specialists personally experience our activities and accommodations, and we build relationships with our partners to gain first-hand knowledge to curate unique experiences for you. We are great listeners and the result is that no two trips are alike. We welcome feedback to make sure we’re curating the adventure of a lifetime. Dedicated travel team There’s no one (wo)man show around here. Clients receive a dedicated team: a Destination Specialist and a Trip Coordinator well-versed in the region, available before and after their journey. Client liaison  Before you travel, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re connected with a direct point of contact on the ground to provide support and to help resolve any issues during your journey. Behind the scenes, our client liaison is seeking out upgrades and planning spoils for special occasions. 24-hour assistance line while you’re traveling  Even when you’ve planned your journey down to the finest detail, things can still go wrong. But don’t worry, we have you covered with our 24-hour helpline. So if you’ve missed your plane or lost your luggage, we’re only one call away. 100 per cent carbon absorption.  We are proud to absorb 100 per cent of the carbon footprint generated by the air and ground transportation of each journey taken by our clients. We also include flights independently booked by clients in those calculations.  In order to achieve this goal, we are participating alongside nine European groups in the new €100m Livelihoods Carbon Fund to help fight global warming. We are doing so by taking a highly practical approach aimed at having a strong local social and economic impact. Exclusive Extraordinary Journeys travel gear We provide in-depth packing lists (and offer personal advice in our pre-departure calls) so that you’ll be very well-prepared with all the clothing, gadgets, and gear you’ll need for your Extraordinary Journey. The contents of your final package will depend on your trip and destination needs. City guides We have the insider scoop. With boots on the ground, our team provides expertly curated authentic local city and restaurant guides—an invaluable resource for our travelers.  Assistance with international flights, travel insurance and guidance on visas While most trips happen without issue, things do occasionally go wrong. If they do, a comprehensive travel insurance policy is your best form of cover—this trip is a big investment, and like all big investments, it needs a high level of protection. If you need to file a claim, we’re here to help you through the process from start to finish.  When it comes to international flights, we will advise the best flights to book, or in some instances, can put you in touch with a flight specialist to take care of them for you. We will also help with your visas, advising you based on the destination. Printed travel documents and pre-departure calls  Our pre-trip preparation experience is unparalleled. You’ll receive a highly customized pre-departure call, beautiful online itineraries, and printed booklets outlining trip specifics before take-off and throughout the journey. You will be well-prepared and properly informed the entire time you’re with us. All applicable hotel and lodge taxes, game park entry fees, private transfers, and light aircraft transfers are included.  We aim to make your travel as fully inclusive as possible.  A big part of our role is being there for you—start to finish. Right from the initial call, we take great time and care in getting to know you and your interests. We check in regularly and offer helpful reminders about the practical stuff, such as flights, visas, and vaccinations. Where possible, we work to get you complimentary add-ons, such as room upgrades and amenities. If you’re celebrating a special occasion during your trip, we’ll include a few nice surprises, too. Behind the scenes, we’re in constant contact with our teams on the ground to ensure your trip is everything you dream of. Plus, our client liaison team is only a message away throughout your trip (on local time). It’s these little things that make unforgettable trips, and we’re all about the little things.

Question 3

How should I choose the right company to plan my trip?

Accepted Answer

Many of our clients also have an initial conversation with our industry peers but say they ultimately choose us because of our specialists’ passion, extensive knowledge, and the thoughtful questions they ask to curate the right combinations of lodging, activities, and experiences. Planning a trip with us isn’t just a transaction; it’s a relationship. We genuinely care about what we do, and our process reflects this. In our experience, travelers who continue past that ‘get to know you’ call and try to plan the same trip with multiple companies ultimately end up working against themselves. With such limited room availability and several operators vying to secure space, the itineraries presented won’t be the best representation of what could have been possible. We encourage travelers to choose a company to work with based on the strength of their ideas and overall fit.

Question 4

Do you plan group travel?

Accepted Answer

Whether you’re planning an extra-special family reunion, a memorable getaway with your closest friends, or a far-flung retreat to celebrate your team, we can design a luxury bespoke trip that fits your group. However, if you’re looking to join an existing group trip—for example, you’re a solo traveler, and you want to go on a safari with other solo travelers— then we’d recommend looking elsewhere as we don’t book set-departure group trips.

Question 5

Is tipping included on an Extraordinary Journeys trip?

Accepted Answer

Although some travel companies include tipping in the cost of itineraries, we believe that tipping should always be discretionary and based on your personal experience. We provide detailed tipping guidelines for each destination and lodge before you travel so that you will be prepared for every scenario during your trip. If tipping is part of your total trip budget, please mention this during the planning process so we can account for this, as, in some instances, tips represent a significant cost.

Question 6

Does Extraordinary Journeys charge a booking fee?

Accepted Answer

There is no booking fee to plan your trip with Extraordinary Journeys. In some instances, we may request a small planning fee that would be fully applicable to the cost of your trip.

Question 7

How far in advance should I start planning my trip?

Accepted Answer

We recommend starting to plan your trip as far in advance as possible. As a rough guide, if you want to travel during the summer or Christmas, you will need to start planning at least a year in advance. Because we work with select small camps, lodges, and hotels, our favorite accommodation options can fill up fast. Once you’ve decided on a trip, contact us, and we’ll get started.

Question 8

Is a deposit required to confirm my trip?

Accepted Answer

Once you’re happy with your itinerary and ready to confirm your trip arrangements, we’ll request a deposit, plus the full payment for any services that need to be secured as soon as possible, such as internal commercial flights or special permits. The balance payment is typically due 100 days prior to your departure. In some special cases—for example, travel during the Festive period—we may require the balance to be paid earlier than this. For all of our trips, we recommend that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Life circumstances can change in an instant, and in the unlikely event that something occurs to stop you from traveling, travel insurance is the best protection for your investment.

Question 9

Do I need travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

We have seen travel insurance come to the rescue on countless occasions, therefore, we strongly recommend you take out a comprehensive policy before your trip. At a minimum, we ask that all clients have medical evacuation insurance before travel. If you are a U.S. resident, we can help you arrange insurance based on your itinerary and personal requirements.

Question 10

Do you book international flights?

Accepted Answer

Extraordinary Journeys does not book long-haul international flights. However, we can happily put you in touch with our Air Desk partners—a team of specialists with decades of experience booking flights to and from the destinations we offer—who can help you choose the best carrier for you. If your trip requires internal flights within a destination—for example, a short flight to a remote airstrip or between most cities and countries—we will include these fares and take care of the logistics for every destination in which we operate. We value clarity and simplicity and will make sure flight inclusions are always clearly communicated. For travelers who wish to book all their flights independently, we provide itinerary-specific flight routes with your travel confirmation—this contains the precise dates and times to make booking your flights online simple.

Question 11

Can I choose a pre-made itinerary?

Accepted Answer

If one of our example itineraries just so happens to be your dream trip, then, of course, we’d be more than happy to arrange it for you. That said, they are meant to be more inspirational, idea-generating starting points rather than something set in stone. All of our itineraries are tailor-made based on your personal interests, preferences, and dreams. We love to mix and match different styles of accommodations and experiences for the most extraordinary experience. Please bear in mind that the accommodation options in our example itineraries are always subject to availability or different rates depending on the time of travel and a handful of factors.

Question 12

What are some health and fitness considerations for adventurous travel?

Accepted Answer

Many of the destinations that we sell are quite adventurous, requiring a good level of fitness. We require all travelers to be in good health—it’s essential for you to enjoy your adventure. Our journeys can be tailored for most age and fitness profiles but it’s important to communicate any limitations or hesitations you have during the planning process. If someone in your group has mobility issues or has difficulty with uneven stairs or terrain, that’s important information for choosing the correct destinations and lodges. If you have a bad back or have trouble sitting for extended periods of time, that’s something we should plan for. Note that not all camps and lodges have 24/7 electricity—if you require a CPAP machine, please advise your Destination Specialist so we can make the appropriate recommendations while planning your trip.

Question 13

What passport, visa, and vaccination requirements should I be aware of?

Accepted Answer

You will need visas before traveling to certain countries, while some countries allow you to purchase visas on arrival. If you hold a U.S. or Canadian passport, you will not need a visa for South Africa, Botswana, and most South American nations. Wherever you are going, our experts will give you all the information you need to obtain your visas well before your trip. When arranging your travel, we will also review any health requirements with you. Some countries require specific vaccinations, such as yellow fever, for entry. If you’re traveling to a destination where malaria is prevalent, we can help you arrange that, too. Passport requirements differ depending on the destination. For many countries, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond your return date, and between one and three blank pages for visa stamps. Once again, our travel experts will advise you based on your destination(s).

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Extraordinary Journeys difference

Common travel questions