
Sense of Africa
About Company
🌍 Overview
Sense of Africa is a leading Inbound Destination Management Company (DMC) dedicated to crafting authentic and memorable African travel experiences. Originating in Namibia in 1968 under the name Oryx Safaris, it has, over 50+ years, expanded organically across Southern and East Africa to become one of the region’s foremost DMCs (senseofafrica.com, tourismupdate.co.za).
In July 2020, Tourvest DMC rebranded as Sense of Africa, consolidating its reach across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda—and extended coverage via its sister company into Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Zanzibar (tourvestdm.com).
Offices are located in Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, with further outreach via ‘Sense of Oceans’ across other African countries .
📌 Mission, Vision & Values
Vision: To become a unified African family dedicated to mastering the African travel experience—geographically, experientially, and ethically .
Purpose: To deeply connect clients through travel with the essence of Africa, delivering seamless service, peace of mind, and genuine human values .
Mission: To be Africa’s undisputed leading inbound leisure travel company .
Core Values (POWER):
- People‑focused
- Owner mindset
- Win as a team
- Embrace diversity & equality
- Respect & trust
- Plus FUN & LOVE for what they do (com).
🌐 Coverage & Infrastructure
- Primary offices: Namibia (Windhoek), South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town), Botswana (Maun), Kenya (Nairobi), Tanzania (Arusha & Zanzibar), Uganda (Kampala) (com).
- Extended reach: Ethiopia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique via Sense of Oceans (com).
- On-the-ground presence ensures localized expertise, synchronized operations across booking and reservations, 24/7 emergency support, passenger liability coverage, and medical evacuation protocols (com).
🛠 Services & Products
B2B & Traveller Offerings:
- Tailor-made Tours (FITs)
- Scheduled Guided Tours & Safaris
- Group, Incentive & Special Occasion Travel
- Self‑Drive & Mobile Camping Safaris
- Family Travel Packages
- Flying Safaris
- Meet & Assist airport services
- “Add‑on” packages before/after tours
- Luxury travel options (com).
Technological Capabilities:
- Powerful B2B platform with API connectivity
- Centralized marketing, collateral support, and dynamic contracting
- Collective buying rates for competitive pricing (com).
🧑🤝🧑 People & Training
- Staff are seen as their greatest asset, guided by passion, pride, and strong internal support (com).
- Guide Academy in Johannesburg trains local guides, including German-language speakers, for all South African regions (com).
- Active internship programs across East Africa (~15–20 annually), South Africa, Namibia with institutions like Strathmore University and Kenya Utalii College (com).
- Regional training (“educationals”) help staff experience lodges, safaris, and cultural context firsthand (com).
🌱 Sustainability & Social Responsibility
- Sustainability is non-negotiable, focusing on wildlife, people, and the planet (com).
- Supports conservation and community initiatives in each region.
- “Green Seat” initiative channels client contributions to local wildlife and community projects (com, senseofafrica.com).
- Holds recognized certifications: Eco‑Tourism Kenya, Approved Tour Operator (2017+), Standards’ Core Status (2011–2017) (com).
🏆 Reputation & Track Record
- Celebrated 50 years of excellence in 2018, starting from Swakopmund as Oryx Safaris, later evolving into Namibia’s top inbound operator with 105 staff and 80 tour guides (co.za).
- Unmatched “boots on the ground” approach, with deep local knowledge and insider access (e.g., Okavango, Sossusvlei) (com).
- Trusted partner to global travel agents and leisure partners across 46 source markets under Tourvest Destination Management (co.za).
📊 Comparative Edge
Strength Area | Description |
Local Presence | In-country offices with full staff on site |
Product Control | Owns vehicle fleet, lodge access, workshops |
Tech-Driven | B2B platforms, API integration, marketing support |
Training & Quality | Guide Academy, internships, continuous upskilling |
Safety & Security | 24/7 emergency support, evacuation, liability cover |
Ethical Focus | Environmental stewardship & community initiatives |
✅ Summary: Why Sense of Africa?
Sense of Africa stands out by combining deep local roots, tech-enabled operations, a highly skilled workforce, and sustainable practices, delivering personalized, secure, and immersive experiences across the African continent. Its lineage from Oryx Safaris through Tourvest DMC showcases enduring growth and trust—making it a top choice for global travel partners and discerning travellers.