The old adage is true – to know Africa is to love Africa! We’ve explored this continent first-hand and take it from us, and the guests who have travelled with us – the people, landscapes, wildlife, sunsets and experiences are truly infectious! Nothing can compare to its enchanting beauty, and if you’ve been lucky enough to visit here, you‘ll know what we’re talking about. And if you haven’t, well, we can help with that.

We work with the best luxury properties in Southern Africa and curate trips that focus on undiscovered destinations and unique experiences. How do we do it? It starts with people and passion, and the rest comes quite naturally. We’ve asked Scintilla’s CEO, Lidia Folli, to give you a better idea of how we curate our luxury Southern African trips and insight into why a Scintilla trip is so special.

1. How do you curate your trips? What is the process travellers are taken through?

It’s all in the detail! We like to get to know you, your interests, your passion, and your reason for travel – to plan every detail to your liking. We don’t only want to know where you would like to travel, but more importantly, we want to know why – because understanding your motivations and hopes is how we make sure the journey is right for you. Our preference is to set up a call (video call if you prefer) at a time that suits you, to get the ball rolling.

2. What makes Scintilla trips different to others in the market? What makes your trips stand out?

Firstly, it’s our team. Our travel curators are the best in the business with a special knack for detail. Based on the ground in South Africa, we have travelled extensively across Southern Africa, to bring you the best in local expertise, advice and insights that really sets us apart. You can be sure you’ll receive expert recommendations and impartial advice from specialists who can not only recommend the finest safari lodges but can also offer an expert view on the best room to book for watching the sunrise, the best for views over waterholes, and the best for wildlife spotting from bed! We’ll give you the honest lowdown, and insights you would expect from a friend.

Working alongside our travel curators, our on-the-ground support team is dedicated to making sure your Scintilla trip is seamless, supporting you throughout your journey, and on-hand to jump in to resolve any mid-trip issues before you even know they’ve come up. Travel in Africa can occasionally throw curve balls but having a team of experienced, informed and connected people behind the scenes offers security and peace of mind.

Secondly, it’s our local guides and in-house touring. We’ve developed our own touring brand, Scintilla Escapes, with one aim in mind – to give you the most memorable days exploring the areas around Cape Town – a must-visit destination on any trip to Africa. We’ve hand-picked incredible guides, found quieter, more exclusive corners of world-famous attractions and bundled them with our own activities, tailormade to your travelling style. We’ve also built-in finely crafted food and drink stops in drop-dead gorgeous locations that will be etched in your memories forever.

3. What makes your process different?

We are driven by innovation and curiosity, and you’ll see this on our website, which seeks out lesser-known wilderness areas and experiences not commonly found in the travel world. Our journeys feature owner-run properties in striking locations. But it’s the attention to detail both in the consulting process and the operational process that is equally critical, to ensure that your trip maximises your time on the ground logistically and that your booking has gone through numerous operational checks before you arrive to ensure that the execution is flawless.

4. Why do you think travellers can trust the Scintilla trip planners?

You’re in particularly safe hands. Scintilla is a specialist division of Bidtravel, which has been providing travel services through some of the best-known travel brands in South Africa for the past 15 years. Your travel arrangements are backed by one of the most financially sound, listed companies in South Africa, with a strong emphasis on good governance and ethical business leadership. This means that your booking and payment are always secure with us, and wherever you travel in Southern Africa, we have the required network and backup to ensure we’re always there to assist. You have 24/7 access to our emergency team while travelling to assist with any queries and for peace of mind.

5. What do you think is the overriding memory travellers will take back with them after travelling with Scintilla?

We know – and love – our part of the world, and take enormous pride in our passion and understanding of this incredible landscape! There is no place quite like it, and not only will you leave with a deeper connection and appreciation for wildlife conservation, but Africa will root itself and leave you with a true sense of our people and cultures. We are inspired by how many travellers feel compelled to return to this continent after a single visit, to unearth more of her sights, sounds, smells, and contrasts.

6. Are there any other ways that Scintilla stands out from the crowd or does things differently?

Professionalism, attention to detail and creativity: it’s a combination of which we are extremely proud!