It’s 2025, and a.i can write your emails, plan your meals, and even compose film scores. So why not let it plan your African safari too? Here’s the honest answer about where a.i shines – and where (in our humble, human opinion) it currently falls dangerously short.
The reality check
In the last three months alone, we’ve received over 30 enquiries with text clearly generated by a.i. Interesting starting point, right? But here’s what happened next: once we started actually working with these clients, their brief changed, the parameters changed (some broadened others narrowed), and the real conversations and exciting journey planning began.
The end result?
Some absolutely outstanding tailor-made holidays to Africa that bore little resemblance to those original a.i-generated enquiries. Others decided to book package deals with high street travel agents because budget was their main motivation – and that’s totally fine too.
Work within your means, always!
But for those who wanted something truly special and perfectly suited to them?
That’s where the human touch made all the difference.
Where a.i gets it right
A.i is brilliant for initial research. It can instantly tell you:
- Popular safari destinations
- General best travel times
- Basic cost estimates (please can I emphasise basic estimates)
- Common wildlife you might see (ok they don’t always get this one right so be mindful)
- Standard packing lists
Of course try it out and use it for this foundational research – we encourage it! AI can help you dream and get those initial ideas flowing.
Where AI gets it wrong
(and why it matters)
The Safety blind spot AI might suggest gorilla trekking for your family without mentioning it’s strictly 15+ years only. Imagine planning your entire trip around this experience, only to discover your 14-year-old can’t participate. Ai may also not know that mokoro excursions in the Okavango Delta (traditional dugout canoes with local polers) also have age restrictions for safety reasons. Now these restrictions are not merely suggestions, they are monitored and implemented to keep you and your loved ones safe and enforced by the properties. And does a.i know that some of these parameters vary vastly, from camp to camp, region to region, country to country?
The personal touch gap AI can’t tell you that the camp or lodge it recommends has paper-thin walls (disaster for light sleepers), or that the luxury camp actually has shared bathrooms, or that the particular guide at that location is phenomenal with teenagers but struggles with younger kids.
Real-time reality check A.i’s information is static. It doesn’t know that the road to that ‘must-visit’ park is currently washed out, or that there’s unusual animal movement this season that makes a different location far better for your travel dates.
The ‘who are you?’ factor AI can’t assess whether you’re the type who’ll love camping under canvas listening to lions roar, or if you’re someone who needs luxury amenities and spa treatments after game drives. It doesn’t know if your group dynamics work better with fast-paced adventure or leisurely, immersive experiences unless you type it all in.
Family dynamics miss Travelling with teenagers and grandparents? Multi-generational groups work best with significantly different camp or lodge selections, pacing, and activities. A.i can’t read between the lines of your family dynamics or suggest the specific accommodations that are likely to work best for your unique group.
The currency of experience While a.i pulls from databases, human specialists pull from experience – and not just their own. They know which vehicle handles rough terrain better, which sundowner spot is truly magical, and the local guides most likely to spot that elusive leopard you’re dreaming of.
The bottom line
Use a.i for inspiration and initial research – it’s fantastic for that. But when it comes to crafting your actual African safari holiday, especially when safety, family dynamics, and personal preferences matter, nothing replaces the insight of someone who’s actually been there, knows the places intimately, and can tailor every detail to exactly who you are.
Your African adventure deserves more than generic algorithms. It deserves the human touch that transforms a good trip into an unforgettable, safe, and perfectly tailored experience.
Ready to move beyond a.i suggestions to real destination specialists?
