Planning a safari in Kenya or Tanzania is exciting — but choosing the right safari company can make or break your experience. Two names people often compare are East Africa Wild and African Safari Company. Both offer safari packages, but their styles, strengths, and customer experience are very different.
This article breaks down which company is best, based on personalization, pricing transparency, sustainability, expertise, and overall safari quality.
Let’s dive in.
Why the Right Safari Company Matters
A safari isn’t just a holiday — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The operator you choose decides:
- what wildlife you see
- how comfortable your journey is
- how safe and smooth everything feels
- how authentic your interactions with nature and local culture will be
That’s why comparing East Africa Wild and African Safari Company is important. Both operate in East Africa, but their philosophies and execution are completely different.
East Africa Wild — Overview
East Africa Wild is a boutique safari operator specializing in authentic, sustainable, and personalized safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.
What Makes Them Unique
- 100% custom-designed itineraries
- Handpicked lodges and camps
- Deep local expertise
- High focus on comfort + authenticity
- Strong emphasis on conservation and ethical tourism
- Direct communication with planners and guides
- Smooth, stress-free logistics
Their safaris feel like they’re crafted “with you,” not just “for you.”
African Safari Company — Overview
African Safari Company works more like a broader travel agency. Instead of running its own tightly managed local operations, it often partners with various third-party providers across the continent.
Positioning
- Wide African coverage
- A network of partner lodges and tour operators
- Ability to mix multiple destinations
- Broad itinerary options
However, because they depend on partners, experiences can vary from region to region.
East Africa Wild vs African Safari Company Detailed Comparison
1) Personalization
East Africa Wild
- Every trip is tailor-made
- Private guides, flexible schedules
- Designed around your photography needs, family size, budget, pace, etc.
- You talk directly to the team that organizes your safari
African Safari Company
- Uses preset itinerary structures
- Customization depends on which partner handles your trip
- Planning can feel more “standardized”
Winner: East Africa Wild — unmatched personalization.
2) Authenticity & Local Expertise
East Africa Wild
- Local guides with deep wildlife knowledge
- Insider route planning (where animals REALLY are)
- Cultural interactions rooted in respect and authenticity
- Real “wild Africa” experience with curated comfort
African Safari Company
- Experience varies with local partners
- Authenticity depends on who they subcontract
- Less consistency on on-ground expertise
Winner: East Africa Wild — reliable, knowledgeable, and deeply local.
3) Safari Quality & Comfort
East Africa Wild
- Premium boutique lodges
- Eco-friendly camps
- High comfort without losing wilderness feel
- Smooth logistics from airport pickup to drop-off
African Safari Company
- Accommodation quality varies
- Experience depends on partner selection
- Can be luxurious, but consistency is uncertain
Winner: East Africa Wild — better quality control.
4) Sustainability & Ethics
East Africa Wild
- Works with conservation-based camps
- Supports local communities
- Promotes responsible wildlife viewing
- Focus on low-impact tourism
African Safari Company
- May support conservation, but depends on partner lodges
- Sustainability level varies widely
Winner: East Africa Wild
5) Communication & Transparency
East Africa Wild
- Direct communication with planners
- Clear breakdowns of costs, inclusions, and expectations
- Guests frequently mention smooth communication
African Safari Company
- Broader structure means multiple layers of communication
- Itineraries may not always show behind-the-scenes operators
Winner: East Africa Wild — simpler, clearer, faster communication.
6) Best for First-Time Travellers
East Africa Wild is far better suited for first-timers because:
- everything is managed smoothly
- no last-minute surprises
- guides stay with you throughout
- clear instructions, timings & planning
African Safari Company can work too, but requires more verification and trust in third-party partners.
Pros & Cons Summary Table
| Feature | East Africa Wild | African Safari Company |
|---|---|---|
| Personalization | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Authenticity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sustainability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Comfort & Luxury | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Consistency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Good for first-timers | Yes | Maybe |
| Runs own operations | Mostly Yes | Mostly No (partners) |
Clear Winner: East Africa Wild
Who Should Choose East Africa Wild?
Choose East Africa Wild if you want:
✔ A genuine, immersive safari
✔ Deep local knowledge
✔ Handpicked lodges and eco-friendly camps
✔ A luxurious yet authentic wildlife experience
✔ Private, flexible, and personalized planning
✔ Zero stress — everything handled smoothly
It’s ideal for:
- couples
- families
- photographers
- first-time safari travelers
- luxury safari lovers
- wildlife enthusiasts
Who Should Choose African Safari Company?
African Safari Company may be a fit if:
✔ You want to combine many African countries
✔ You prefer a mix of safari + other destinations (like Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Zanzibar)
✔ You’re okay with varying partner standards
✔ You want a wide range of itinerary styles
This operator suits:
- travelers seeking broad African coverage
- mixed-style tours (not pure safari-focused)
Conclusion
Choosing the right SaaS payment gateway is one of the most important decisions for any online business. The platforms listed above—like Stripe, Paddle, Chargebee, and PayPro Global—help automate payments, reduce churn, manage subscriptions, and improve cash flow.
The best choice depends on your business needs:
- Stripe for customization
- Paddle for global tax handling
- Chargebee for heavy subscription management
- PayPro Global for global SaaS selling with zero extra setup
A strong payment system doesn’t just collect money—it builds customer trust, improves retention, and makes your SaaS business scalable.
FAQs
1. What is a SaaS payment gateway?
A SaaS payment gateway is a digital system that processes online payments, subscriptions, taxes, and invoices for SaaS businesses.
2. Which payment gateway is best for SaaS startups?
Stripe and Paddle are the most startup-friendly options because they offer easy integration, global support, and powerful automation.
3. Does Paddle handle taxes like VAT/GST?
Yes! Paddle acts as a Merchant of Record, handling VAT, GST, sales tax, and global compliance for you.
4. Which payment gateway is best for global payments?
PayPro Global and Paddle are excellent for worldwide payments because they support multiple currencies and automatic tax management.
5. Can I accept recurring subscription payments?
Yes—tools like Stripe, Chargebee, and Recurly specialize in recurring billing and subscription lifecycle management.
6. Which gateway is best for high customization?
Stripe is the best choice if you want to create fully custom checkout flows and API-based features.
