Celebrating 50 Years of Private Safaris

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Five Decades. Countless Journeys. One Remarkable Story.

Fifty years ago, a small office opened its doors in Nairobi. Today, that beginning has grown into a remarkable East African travel story shaped by transformation, resilience, partnerships, unforgettable journeys and, above all, people. As Private Safaris celebrates 50 years, we look back with immense pride and gratitude at a journey that has taken us from a single office in Nairobi to a company with a rich heritage, a global outlook and an exciting future ahead.

Our story began in 1976, when Private Safaris opened its first office in Nairobi under the name “Privat Safaris”, with a strong focus on the Swiss market. Those who have been with us for many years may remember our distinctive orange logo, which became an important part of our identity. As the business grew, we expanded to the Kenyan Coast with the opening of our Mombasa office, responding to the growing demand for beach tourism and creating new opportunities for travellers to experience Kenya.

Fifteen years later, another important chapter began when Private Safaris was acquired by the Kuoni Travel Group, an international travel company founded in 1906 and headquartered in Zurich. At the time, Kuoni was among the world’s largest travel corporations, operating weekly chartered flights that brought approximately 300 clients to Kenya. The acquisition marked a significant period of growth and gave Private Safaris greater international exposure while strengthening its position within the travel industry.

In 2003, our journey expanded beyond Kenya. Private Safaris opened an office in Cape Town, South Africa, followed by another office in Windhoek, Namibia. This expansion broadened the Private Safaris footprint and strengthened our ability to create experiences across some of Africa’s most remarkable destinations.

In 2014, another significant transformation took place when Private Safaris was separated into two independently managed Destination Management Companies, Private Safaris East Africa and Private Safaris Southern Africa. This allowed each business to focus more closely on its respective markets while continuing to build on the strong heritage and reputation of the Private brand.

In 2017, Private Safaris East Africa entered another important chapter when it was acquired by Fairfax’s Thomas Cook India Group from the Kuoni Group. Private Safaris East Africa continues to be part of the TCI Group to this day, benefiting from the strength of the partnership while continuing to build its own story across East Africa. Our history is also defined by the extraordinary experiences we have created for our clients.

Our history is also defined by the extraordinary experiences we have created for our clients. In 2019, we had the privilege of managing a major M.I.C.E. group of 500 guests into the Maasai Mara, as well as arrangements for another 180 guests travelling to Victoria Falls. These were significant achievements that demonstrated the experience, coordination and commitment required to deliver large-scale, high-quality experiences across Africa.

Then came one of the greatest challenges the global tourism industry has ever faced. The COVID 19 pandemic brought international travel to a standstill, businesses were tested and uncertainty became the order of the day. Yet Private Safaris persevered. The experience tested our resilience, but it also reminded us of the importance of adaptability, determination and the people behind the business.

In 2022, Private Safaris played a key role in the revival of Kenya’s tourism sector by helping usher in chartered flights back to the Kenyan Coast, including a maiden flight from Romania. At a time when the return-to-normalcy of international tourism was still filled with uncertainty, the arrival of that flight brought renewed hope to Private Safaris, the coastal hospitality sector and the wider tourism industry. It was a powerful reminder that Kenya’s tourism story was ready to rise again.

That achievement reinforced something that has always been at the heart of Private Safaris. We are not simply in the business of selling holidays. We are in the business of creating connections, experiences and memories, while contributing to the growth and development of the destinations we call home.

Today, 50 years later, we continue to expand our global footprint and shape some of the most meaningful journeys across East Africa. Yet, as we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we believe our greatest achievement is not the offices we have opened, the milestones we have reached or the number of travellers we have served. Our greatest achievement is our people.
To every employee, past and present, who has contributed to this journey, we say thank you. Your dedication, commitment and contribution have helped shape the Private Safaris story. To our clients, business partners and shareholders, thank you for trusting in us and for being part of our journey. We look forward to strengthening these partnerships even further.

To Thomas Cook India Group, our mother company, we extend our sincere appreciation for your continued support. And to the Private Safaris team, the next chapter is ours to write.

The tourism industry is changing rapidly. Traveller expectations are evolving; technology is transforming the way we work and new markets and opportunities are emerging. Our responsibility is therefore to honour the legacy of the past while having the courage to innovate, adapt and lead into the future.

Looking ahead, Private Safaris continues to be guided by the values that have brought us this far: excellence, integrity, innovation, partnership and a genuine passion for creating extraordinary experiences.

Fifty years ago, our journey began with one office in Nairobi. Today, Private Safaris stands as a company with a rich heritage, a global outlook and an exciting future ahead. As we celebrate this milestone, we celebrate not only where we have come from, but also where we are going.

Here is to 50 years of Private Safaris. Fifty years of journeys. Fifty years of memories. Fifty years of resilience. Fifty years of excellence. And most importantly, here is to the next 50 years.

May God continue to bless Private Safaris, our people, our clients, our partners and our families, and guide us as we write the next chapter of this remarkable journey.

Long live Private Safaris!

Beach

East Africa

Kenya

Tanzania