Welcome to Soul of Africa Travel

About us

We are passionate about Africa and honored to guide you on a journey to a remarkable land that will ignite your senses and rejuvenate your spirit.

Our Story

Meet Richelle Lavin, Founder of Soul of Africa Travel

At the age of 15, I moved from South Africa to the United States, yet my heart remained deeply connected to my African roots. My passion for exploration never waned, and I eagerly sought opportunities to travel, expanding my experiences throughout Africa.

Throughout my journey, I encountered extraordinary people from diverse cultures, fueling my desire to make travel an integral part of my career.

After graduating from the University of California, San Diego, I ventured into the corporate world, working in finance and medical technology. These roles allowed me to travel extensively across the US and internationally.

Following the birth of my second child, I took a sabbatical and returned to South Africa, where I immersed myself in the African bush. It was during this visit that I fell in love with the African experience and realized I needed to share my passion for travel, nature, and wildlife with others.

In 2013, I combined my corporate background and my love for Africa to establish Soul of Africa Travel, a boutique travel company specializing in luxury African safari experiences. Since its inception, I have had the privilege of traveling back to Africa multiple times, discovering hidden treasures and expanding my knowledge of the amazing places to visit on this enchanting continent.

We believe that safaris transform individuals at their core, creating profound connections with the wildlife, landscapes, people, aromas, and flavors – leaving an indelible mark on your soul.

Our SOUL-ful approach

With us, you can expect a smooth, tailor-made journey, beginning with our first call and continuing until you depart for home.

1. Tailor-Made Travel

Every safari we plan is uniquely customized to your individual preferences, ensuring a one-of-a-kind experience that exceeds your expectations.

2. Comprehensive Guidance

We provide expert planning / support from the moment you contact us and never leave your side until you depart back home. This ensures a seamless and worry-free travel experience.

3. Unbiased Recommendations

As an independent agency, we don’t own any camps or properties. Our suggestions are based solely on our firsthand experiences of these accommodations and commitment to delivering the ultimate safari experience.

4. Expert Knowledge

We take pride in our extensive knowledge, having personally explored nearly all of the destinations we recommend. Our expertise ensures that your safari experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

5. Responsible Travel

We thoughtfully select partners and properties that share our values of social, ethical, and conservation-minded practices.

6. Unrivaled Flexibility

No request is too big or small for our resourceful team. We’re equipped to adapt to any changes or special requirements during your trip, ensuring a truly personalized experience.

Kind Words

"Thanks Richelle for the most incredibly planned trip to Africa. From the second we stepped off the plane every driver was timely, every hotel beautiful, and the actual game drives were an absolute dream. There is no way that I could’ve put together an itinerary on my own you definitely need to know the lay of the land for a trip like this!"

"I would highly recommend Richelle and Soul of Africa Travel if you are planning any sort of African trip. We planned a 3 week, 10 year anniversary trip with Richelle and couldn't be happier. She listened to our wants/desires for our trip and our budget and was able to customize a fantastic South Africa experience for us."

"Working with Soul of Africa Travel was the best decision we made when planning our honeymoon to Tanzania! They listened to what we wanted upfront, so when the itinerary was delivered, it was exactly what we had in mind. Upon arriving in Tanzania, every detail was flawless and we never had to worry a single second about the coordination of logistics. We were carefree the entire time because of Soul of Africa, and able to focus on the gorgeous settings."

"If you're looking for a guaranteed amazing time in Africa, Soul of Africa Travel has you covered. They are extremely communicative with no question going unanswered. They are very meticulous and adequately prepare you with pre-travel information in addition to expectations upon arrival. Their booking is smooth and seamless, easing the stress of planning. They are also very knowledgeable on a multitude of countries within Africa as she has visited many of them herself numerous times. I cannot reiterate enough to book through Soul of Africa Travel to maximize your time in Africa and have peace of mind doing it!"

Book your trip

Welcome to Soul of Africa Travel

We are passionate about Africa and honored to guide you on a journey to a remarkable land that will ignite your senses and rejuvenate your spirit.

Meet Richelle Lavin, Founder of Soul of Africa Travel

We believe that safaris transform individuals at their core, creating profound connections with the wildlife, landscapes, people, aromas, and flavors – leaving an indelible mark on your soul.

Our SOUL-ful approach

With us, you can expect a smooth, tailor-made journey, beginning with our first call and continuing until you depart for home.

Let's start planning your tailor-made safari.

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Experiences