Cape Town-based travel planning startup Timbuktu has officially launched in the US, an interactive experience where travelers can fully customise their safari trips.
Travelers have access to a selection of curated routes across Africa, allowing them to choose from multiple themes that fit their travel preferences and access to hundreds of handpicked lodges.
Once complete, the individually designed trip is sent to Timbuktu’s on-the-ground concierge team who have expert knowledge of African tours and safaris to guide the traveler throughout the planning process.
“United States travelers are extremely tech savvy and very engaged in the ‘DIY’ planning process of booking a safari trip,” said Johnny Prince, CEO and Co-Founder of Timbuktu.
The company is seeing safari bookings from guests across the US, especially in California, New York and Texas.
“Almost 50 percent of our current bookings are from the US so launching here was imminent and we’re excited to be able to finally provide this service.”
Additionally, Timbuktu is launching a new technology called “Routes“, giving travelers access to a selection of handpicked routes by a travel concierge, showcasing favorite ways to explore Africa based on the company’s on-the-ground safari experiences.
They also redesigned their “trip-builder” feature by adding innovative filters, making it easier to find lodge availability in real time, as well as varying locations based on personal style and budget.
“Our new live availability technology instantly shows the traveler how busy the accommodations will be on preferred travel dates and if a deposit should be put down to secure their favourite choices,” said Prince.
“Saving travelers time, money, and giving them a wide array of choices along with having 24/7 assistance is a big priority for us.”
Timbuktu ultimately aims to expand from an interactive planning tool to a highly regarded resource of Africa travel information through their curated travel guides.
By: ClaraDoku/techvoiceafrica.com
