Owners Ines & Christopher
Indigo Safaris
- Offices In:
-
United KingdomUnited States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- ASTA, APTA, FGASA & DEMA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $1,205 to $17,215 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CO
Email Roberto Marroquin Grillo | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Indigo Safari was the worst of the companies I booked a safari with in Africa
Indigo Safari was the worst of the companies I booked a safari with. The companies in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe were very diligent. It's true that the safari itself is run by different companies, bringing together groups and different accommodations, but everywhere the company I booked with, picked me up at the hotel and took me to the departure point. Indigo Safari doesn't do this, and the excellent manager who assisted me simply made me feel like I couldn't make any demands. In the others safaris, every day, everyone was attentive to informing me about the schedule, pickup time, and what each game included. In Namibia, with Indigo Safari, I had to find out at the accommodations what time they would pick me up, and they would contact Namibia 2 Go, the operator, and then inform me of the time and program. The excellent manager only informed me, once, that I had to be at the departure point fifteen minutes before the departure time, and I didn't know which one. I asked her several times if water was included, but she didn't answer. She also didn't inform me if lunch was included. Every day I eat breakfast and one meal, either lunch or dinner, and she offered me a plan without either option. Since he never explained the scope of the meal, he forced me to pay extra for food at the lodgings.
Namibia 2 Go, the opearator, every day, carried not only water but also other beverages and always brought lunch for everyone, asking first if they were vegetarians or had a special diet. The top manager seems to have no idea how to operate in the field. But the worst part of all was that I asked for a quote for two safaris, one in Salousvlei and another in Etosha, and manipulated me into choosing the most expensive plans with absurdly high food charges, arguing that the other lodges, more reasonable but also mid-range, were full. At both locations, the Namibia 2 Go vehicles arrived at these lodges first, and from there they took me, usually alone, to the other lodge. At reception, they always asked me why I wasn't staying there, and when I explained, they told me they weren't full at the time. The top manager got upset because I insisted that the safaris I wanted were available; if they weren't, they would close them and wouldn't allow me to quote them. I felt manipulated and poorly treated, and I informed him. His reaction was unprofessional, and after the start date, which he had no idea what time it would start, he never contacted me about anything. The safari was over, and she never did.
Reply from Indigo Safaris
Posted on Oct 16, 2025We strive to provide excellent service and value and have built our reputation on it over the 16 years we have been in business. We take complaints very seriously and investigate them as thouroughly as possible, as mistakes can occasionally occur, and we are always looking to improve.
In this case, Roberto was looked after by Michele, one of our Senior Safari Specialists. Michele has over thirty years of travel and hospitality experience in operations, lodge management, and safari planning and regularly gets great reviews on this platform and others. At no point was Roberto in contact with any of our management team. Perhaps the reference to "top manager" is the result of using online translation tools from his native language.
We offer safaris which are fully escorted like the safaris Roberto had previously done in Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The Namibia safari that Roberto booked was not an escorted safari. The one he booked makes use of daily shuttles to get from one destination to the next and it is the guest's responsibility to get to the shuttle stops on time. This shuttle tour is much more affordable than an escorted tour. These shuttle tours also provide more freedom and flexibility than an escorted tour. We offered him several Namibia escorted group tours, including a cheaper group camping tour, all of which he turned down.
The itinerary for the trip that Roberto booked can be found here: https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/eeb95061-f10c-44d8-be2a-23116b52ca67
The above link shows departure times for all the transfers from one lodge to the next. In addition, on day 1 of the tour, it explicitly states that a pick up is not included from his hotel in Windhoek, a hotel that he booked himself, not through us. This fact was again brought to Roberto's attention by email before he arrived in Windhoek, when he contacted Michele and asked for information regarding the transfer he replied that it was not his job to read itineraries, it was our job to pick him up, despite it being made as clear as possible that Indigo Safaris does not have vehicles on the ground doing transfers, and that these are arranged through tried and trusted third parties.
The above itinerary link also states that lunch is not included. Roberto was also informed of this in emails before he booked the tour. The other guests on the tour who had packed lunches had bought them themselves from the lodges they stayed in. Roberto could have done this, too, if he had wanted to.
We provide all of our guests with all the information they need before embarking on a safari. When we send guests the invoice for their safari, we encourage them to read their itinerary again and double check that they are happy with everything.
On top of the pretrip digital itinerary, and PDF invoice with inclusions and exclusions, and a travel app with all the details of the digital itinerary in it, that can be viewed when offline.
If Roberto had read his itinerary, all of his unhappiness could have been avoided.
In response to Roberto's allegation that we manipulated him into booking more expensive lodges, he booked this tour of his own free will. At the time of booking, the more affordable lodges were fully booked. His claim that the other tour was available relates to him seeing the itinerary on Safari Bookings and not understanding that it is a sample and does not reflect live, dynamic availabilities.
That the cheaper accommodation was not available was explained to Roberto and Michele sent screenshots of availability from the lodges to prove to him that they were fully booked. We also have emails from the lodges stating that the more affordable options were unavailable; otherwise, we would have booked them. The lodge has confirmed that between the time of booking and Roberto arriving at the lodge, there were cancellations, with provisional bookings that did not materialise.
We did not force Roberto to book anything. If he didn't want to book the more expensive lodges, he didn't have to. He was free to book a different tour with another company.
Guests are also free to get quotes from other safari operators to ensure that they are getting good value for money, and we are always happy to explain the reasons for the price of our safaris.
However, this was a last-minute enquiry, and Roberto seemed to be in a rush to book it without reading everything properly first, something beyond our control.
If any problems arise during a safari, clients can WhatsApp their safari specialists, who will do their best to resolve the issue. Roberto had Michele's work and personal WhatsApp. Furthermore, Michele messaged Roberto via WhatsApp several times during the trip, but he never responded.
It was only several weeks after the tour that Roberto expressed any dissatisfaction, and we tried to clear this up with him, explaining the above, but his communication was limited to a seven-word response.
Regrettably, Roberto didn't have an experience that would have prompted him to leave a great review, like hundreds of other clients have left on this platform and others. Still, I believe Michele and Indigo Safaris can shoulder no responsibility for that in this case.
Christopher, Managing Director, Indigo Safaris.
CA
Email Troy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stranded at the airport
I wouldn't recommend you use this company. They are not a real tour company and only book you with a different company. I was supposed to be picked up at the Airport. No one was there to get me. I was told to take an Uber. Arrive at the hotel and they wouldnt pay for the Uber. Very stressful situation in a foreign country.
Email Daniela | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A travel agent who does not listen based on my experience
Super disappointed about the experience: a travel agent who does not listen, empty promises, long wait after 5 hours of drive, another 2 hours for a room ( triple for a person)
Definitely not an agency which I recommend, try and get someone who is really professional and tries to do something for you
No value for money, despite promises of a good experience, just excuses
Reply from Indigo Safaris
Posted on Oct 22, 2024This is one of the most surprising and untruthful reviews we have ever received. As the Managing Director of a company I have built over the last 16 years by providing tailor-made experiences to travellers of all budgets and backgrounds, I take any complaint very seriously and look into them with commitment. Thanks to our detailed communication systems, I have been able to look into all the communication that took place between the client, Cristina (not Daniela), and my safari specialist Michele, who looked after this inquiry.
Initially Cristina enquired about a budget accommodated two-night short Etosha safari at short notice, which we found availability for, then changed her mind on the dates, then came back asking for a one-night Etosha trip from Windhoek, which we do not offer as we consider it to be too short a time on site for what are two long transfers either end. Our advice was unheeded, and Cristina insisted one night would be fine. Michele found availability at Etosha Safari Camp, booked it, invoiced it, and sent a detailed digital itinerary with images of the camp and details of the routing. The accommodation was reconfirmed as being at Etosha Safari Camp and not Etosha Safari Lodge via WhatsApp. All Michele's replies were punctual and very timely, and did as the client requested.
Upon arrival at Etosha Safari Camp, Cristina messaged Michele that the drive had been five hours. This is as per the usual driving time, and as per the information provided in the digital itinerary. I find it very surprising that someone who works in Windhoek and who has a senior position at the University of Namibia doesn't know that Etosha is five hours away. Nevertheless, there is nothing we can do about making the point of departure and the national park closer together. Moving either of Windhoek or Etosha NP is beyond our powers :-)
The client then complained about having to wait to check in to her room, even though she had arrived prior to check in time. Again, as a frequent traveller, I am at a loss to understand why she thought there would be an early check in as none was ever discussed or offered.
Christina then requested an upgrade to Etosha Safari Lodge. Immediately Michele enquired an found a room was available, at normal check in time, for an upgrade fee, and informed Cristina, who refused to pay it. Cristina then contacted the lodge by phone, and tried to make them believe we had sold her Safari Lodge and that is what she had paid for. Having worked with us for many years, the lodge found this hard to believe, and asked her to pay the upgrade fee if she wanted the upgrade.
During this time, Michele tried t ascertain why the client wanted to change, having been provided what she had been offered and paid for, to whit a private room with en suite bathroom, to no avail. Why it a room designed and sized for three occupants is a problem for single occupancy remains a mystery, as after the trip I reached out to Cristina to have a chat to try and ascertain where she felt Michele had made promises we didn't deliver on, but was told that she didn't want to talk about it.
Regarding value for money, this is obviously a matter of personal perception. This trip, as a two-night, three-day Etosha lodge safari with transfers is, in my professional experience of nearly 30 years of Namibia travel, very good value and the cheapest option out there at 9425 NAD for single occupancy for two nights half-board with a half-day and full-day game drive into Etosha (or 8500 NAD pp based on two sharing a room). As a one-night trip, it does lose some of its value for money as the transfers make a large portion of the trip, and this was communicated from the outset. But when the offer was sent, with images of the accommodation and camp, Cristina considered it to be what she wanted and one would assume value for money. I have tried to find out why that was not the case once on site, and why she felt the need to lie about our contract with her to a tested and trusted service provider, but no answers have been forthcoming.
The conclusion to my investigation is that Michele did nothing wrong, other than allow herself to be persuaded to provide a trip that I consider to be too short in duration in relation to the transfer times, in order to please a demanding client. Michele has been involved in African travel in many capacities over four decades; scuba dive business owner, lodge manager, and safari specialist to name some of them, and has excellent reviews from our clients, some of which can be found in reviews as recent as September and August below.
As we are as committed as ever to providing quality experiences for our clients, for whom we handle around 800 trips a year, I have reminded my team of experts that one night trips are not to be provided, however good the intention is.
Christopher Bartlett, Managing Director.
Email Faraz S. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good service from agent; poor game drives
Booked 2 nights (4 game drives) at Xanatseni Lodge in the Klaserie Game Reserve, part of greater Kruger, through this company. Working with the agent was easy, and he was helpful with changing dates/last minute booking. The lodging, food, and airport transfer were great; however, the game drives (you know, the whole point of the thing) were pitiful. In fact, every person I told about my safari afterward was shocked that someone could see such few animals over four game drives, particularly during a peak month such as August, despite paying around $1000 for two nights and suggestion from my agent that the lodge was a solid place for animal sightings (I had expressed concern that it would not provide ample game viewing opportunities, and I was correct). I did not see a single predator—no lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, etc. Only some rhinos and a hippo in addition to very common sightings like elephants, giraffes, zebras, etc. A couple of the game drives were oddly redundant/unproductive and each one started later than scheduled (two of them 30 minutes later because it was “too hot” and did not end any later). I actually saw the same variety of animals and some rarer ones (incl cats) during a single game drive in Etosha (organized separately). To be clear, I understand that a safari can be a game of odds, but it is hard not to feel ripped off after paying $1000 for sightings you could get during a drive from the airport, and this review will hopefully serve as a helpful data point for anyone trying to determine their odds in the future.
Reply from Indigo Safaris
Posted on Sep 2, 2024Hi Faraz,
It's Christopher, the founder of Indigo Safaris here.
Thank you for your feedback. I will pass on the feedback regarding the late departure on a couple of game drives, though I don't know where you would get easy elephant sightings in a natural environment an hour from Joburg airport, or any meaningful game viewing without a bunch of self-drivers or coaches around.
I am sorry you didn't get to see major predators in your two-night stay, but that is nature, there are no guarantees. The longer you stay, the more chance you have. Two nights is the bare minimum. In a three-night stay, from a purely mathematical point of view, you would increase your chances of major predator sightings by 50%. Expecting to see the Big 5, plus endangered wild dog and cheetah in four game drives is not a realistic expectation in most national parks. I am sorry that this expectation wasn't managed better by Matthew. If a client expresses a specific desire to see leopards, or wild dogs, in a natural environment, then there are specific reserves and parks we would recommend, subject to lodge availability and client budget. From your exchanges, though, I can see that it was a last-minute booking; you had a limited budget, and there was nothing else available that would fit. I understand you were in touch with at least two other companies, and neither of those found anything available for you.
Generally Klaserie game reserve is excellent for lions, good for cheetahs, and not bad for the rare and elusive wild dog. I come across them quite regularly in Klaserie, even when driving inspecting lodges and camps. Leopard sightings are rarer, Sabi Sand is the top Kruger reserve for them, but is also more expensive. Xanatseni is used regularly by our clients, and until your review, entirely to their satisfaction. We do our utmost to put people in the right places at the right times to see wildlife in the best conditions possible and to give them realistic expectations. I am sorry Klaserie did not meet your requirements.
Best regards,
Christopher.
Indigo isn't making trips to Namibia by themselves
I've found the nice reviews of Indigo Safaris looking for a trip to Namibia. To my enquiry about the price for "6-DAY SAFARI & DESERT EXPERIENCE - GROUP ACCOMMODATED" with additional 2 nights pre- and post tour and airport transfer I got 21900 NAD. Only after asking isn't it the tour that costs "from 15720 NAD" (according to indigosafaris.com) we ended with 17800 NAD with additional percentage for paying by card and for conversion to EUR. We corresponded quite long and a had a feeling that something not said. Only after asking direct about the group size, Corinne Bly whom I communicated with, wrote it was not a trip of Indigo Safaris. The tour was good, the guide - perfect, but decide yourself if there's sense to pay commissions for a dealer, - or just look for Chameleon Safaris (or anybody else) when going to Namibia... And it's recommended to ask about the max group size and max places in the vehicle (we were 8 what was optimum, - for the maximal group of 12 the vehicle wouldn't be convenient)
Reply from Indigo Safaris
Posted on May 23, 2019Hi Zivile, thank you for booking with us and leaving a review. Let me deal with your points.
We never claim to operate the tours we sell in Namibia, as a travel agent we sell tours that we have tried and tested, and we NEVER add anything on to the tour price. If the local operator sells at 17800 Namibian dollars, we sell at 17800 Namibian dollars. We make our margin by buying it at a discounted rate, just like any retailer.
The 15720 price was the rate that ended 31 March 2019, and was still current when you made your enquiry, but you booked a tour departing after that date, hence the difference in price. Most tours have seasonal rates. Hence the 17800 rate for the standard tour after 1 April 2019 is the correct price, and understandably adding extra nights and services increases the cost.
By booking through us, you get a range of different locally operated tours to choose from, all trusted partners, with the safety of booking through an international travel specialist. On top of that we can offer a range of extensions and combinations that local partners do not, with completely impartial advice, all combined into one invoice, saving our clients the trouble and cost of making multiple international payments as we can take payment in a range of currencies (USD, GBP, AUD, EUR, ZAR) all at no cost if you pay by bank transfer to one of the currency accounts above. If you choose to pay by card though the secure third party portal we use, the cost varies from 1.4 to 2.9% depending on the currency chosen and the domicile of your card.
Unlike banks and credit card companies, we do not charge a conversion fee or a foreign transaction fee (typically 3%). The rate we use is the rate we buy the foriegn currency at, which is about 1.5% off the mid-market or interbank exchange rate on xe.com, that no bank actually gives, and is generally better by 1.5 to 2% than most high street banks. So our clients get the best exchange rate possible, and if they bank in one of the currencies above, typically they have no bank transfer fee to pay.
Nothing is ever "not said". If you ask about group size for example, we tell you. It is even stated quite clearly in the itinerary on this website. As you wrote here, you asked about the group size she told you. When clients book they all recieve the name and contact details of our partner in-country, as you did. I'm sorry you feel that somehow being given all the information you asked fo
and being given a choice of cost-effective payment methods downgraded the experience you describe as having a perfect guide and an optimum sized group to. 3 out of 5.
Christopher Bartlett, Managing Director, Indigo Safaris.
Email Sean McClellan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Slow and rude to respond, then failed to organise the few things left to him
Indigo safaris were sometimes slow to respond. The scanned documentation provided failed to give enough information, which also led to some confusion, for example exactly which side of Victoria Falls we were visiting. There was also a breakdown of communication between Indigo Safaris and the 3rd party safari provider in Kasane which resulted in us waiting from 6 am until 7:30 am to go on safari.
We had asked for a game drive as early as possible, as this is the ideal time to see birds. Along with an evening boat trip - also ideal as you get to see an amazing sunset. What was arranged was a mid morning boat trip, followed by a game drive starting at 1:30pm, i.e. the heat of the day. When I pushed back about this, I was told via email:
"All that has happened is that they have been switched round as Kalahari Tours have put their scheduled game drives on in the afternoon and boat cruises in the morning as they that gives better results."
When I said this was not what we wanted, or paid for, and gave good reasons, I was then told:
"I can ask to move the boat safari earlier, but doubt it will be much earlier.
The afternoon game drive in Chobe is a group activity, as you know, and the focus is going to be on animals and they love to go to the river to drink when it’s hot."
I then pushed harder, with an emphasis on how I felt we would see more first thing. The trip was then changed to what we wanted. Albeit on the day the change had not made it to the schedule, hence standing around for an hour and a half. Plus Christopher continued to argue the case for midday safaris. Perhaps he should put that as a unique feature of his safaris!
Reply from Indigo Safaris
Posted on Aug 1, 2016I'm not sure what Sean considers slow, but in the course of our exchanges, spanning 70 emails received and several phone calls covering numerous itinerary options not only Botswana with quotes for 2 and 4 travellers, considerable advice about seasonality, lodges, transport etc, but also Mozambique and Papua New Guinea, rearranging the itinerary booked with six local service providers when Sean booked his international flights home on the wrong day, and then switching back to the original plan when the flight problem was fixed, I mostly replied on the same day, sometimes immediately.
When exchanges are immediate and multiple, like in a conversation, I confess I do not start every email with a salutation.
Regarding the change in the activities in Chobe, these were made by the service provider, and changed back to Sean's preference as soon as possible. He alerted me to his preference for the schedule on a Thursday evening, the Friday being a public holiday in Botswana, and the switch back was effective on the Monday morning. The local provider unfortunately and uncharacteristically did not enter the change in their schedule, for which i apologised to Sean, despite his initial defamatory and untrue review, the title of which remains unchanged.
As a side note, the game viewing of mammals along Chobe riverfront is excellent throughout the day, including at midday, and also conveniently fit with early morning and afternoon boat safaris, for those who don't want to wait four or five hours between the two activities. The light isn't the best for photography, but there is plenty to see. There are also full-day game drives along the riverfront and visitors can experience the difference in behaviour and light. If they were no good, they wouldn't be offered.
Sean's documentation (not scanned, but a PDF created for him) listed a transfer to Victoria Falls (in Zimbabwe), as per his request, after he had been quoted for transfers to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Livingstone, Zambia, and after a considerable discussion on the phone on the merits of both locations. I really don't think I could have made it any clearer that the town of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe, not Zambia.
Email Jeremy Vines | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Chamelion is well organised with good equipment and Gideon was an excellent guide, driver, and cook.
Mathew was very efficient, understanding and quick to respond.
Namibia is a very young and interesting country. It seems to be well governed and at peace with itself. They also speak English, drive on the left, watch plenty of football, and rugby is a national sport.
The tour or safari took us North to Etosha National Park, West to the Skeleton coast and South to the giant dunes. About 2000 km of driving in 6 days. Everything went to plan. A lot of good tar road, but also plenty of 'African massage' on dirt tracks. We saw around 20 different mammals including lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe and rhino. Plenty of birds too.
The accommodation was good, particularly in the lodges where air conditioning was a blessing. Chamelion backpackers lodge in Windhoek was fun and very adequate. Food was good, and I was lucky to have great companions from USA, Singapore, New Zealand, Spain, Denmark and Japan. Gideon our guide, was excellent and very caring. I am 86 and probably the oldest visitor he has had to cope with!
All in all it was a great experience and good value for money.
MY
Email Loke SY | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Genuine, Reliable
We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Thank You Indigo Safaris. Thank you specialist Judy Burrows! We reached out to Indigo Safaris via Safaris Booking platform owing to their (Indigo) various interesting itineraries.
Initially, there may be moments of hesitation- are they (platform and/or operator) reliable? genuine ? as we have read many adverse stories/experiences on bookings made online- specifically on terms of payments (of other platforms or operators / various countries).
However, we went along, and were we glad how responsive, genuine and reliable Safaris Booking, Indigo Safaris & Judy Burrows.
Response from Indigo Safaris was prompt. The itinerary was curated, Judy was swift in her replies, explanations / clarifications, changes can be made if needed- they were accommodating, as much as they are able to.
Personals/guides with us were all good, on time, approachable, friendly, courteous and we were safe. Transportation - good.
The hotels were charming- recommendations by Judy were spot on.
Viva to South Africa and Zimbabwe- exceeded expectations. Hospitality is commendable, equaling or more to other countries. Well done!
With wonderful memories of SA and Zimbabwe a huge THANK YOU to Judy Burrows, Indigo Safaris and Safaris Booking.
Genuine and reliable- safe to consider / place one’s bookings through the operator / platform.
Keep up the good work!
FR
Email wenli | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience! recommended!
In general I am very happy satisfied with the "fish eagle" 10 nights trip, whole new experience,safari itself exceeded my expectation, the guide and chef are very professional,which made the trip unforgettable, I recommend! .... only very small remark, it could be better to tell the participants there is no need to buy drinking water since there is a filter system in the car, as well as the rent of sleeping bag could be charged at the beginning together with the Safari fee
Email Hilary | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexible and effiencient at organising a trip to the destinations we had chosen.
Communications were good during the setting up of the safari. The final itinerary and communications near the date of the holiday were a bit late but this did not effect the trip. The tour lived up to our expectations and we enjoyed our wildlife experiences in Katavi and Ruaha as well as the evening in Dar es Salaam.