Travel-Ass

Welcome to Travel Ass

At Travel Ass, we believe that travel should be more than simply visiting a destination. It should be about the people you meet, the stories you hear, the wildlife you encounter, the landscapes that take your breath away and the memories you carry home with you.

We specialise in creating personalised African travel experiences designed around you.

Whether you dream of a luxury safari, an adventurous journey through Southern Africa, a cultural experience, a romantic honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime multi-country adventure, we take the time to understand what you want from your trip and turn those ideas into a journey that feels uniquely yours.

From luxury to adventure, from carefully planned independent journeys to intimate small-group expeditions, Travel Ass is your gateway to authentic African experiences.

Safari travel planning has never been easier.

Travel Ass was created with one simple belief: travel should feel personal.

Instead of offering one-size-fits-all holidays, we focus on creating journeys around your interests, preferences, travel style and budget.

Our team takes care of the planning, logistics and details, allowing you to concentrate on what truly matters — enjoying the experience.

From the moment you begin planning until the end of your journey, our goal is to make your travel experience seamless, meaningful and unforgettable.

Our Story

Passion Meets Experience

Travel Ass was founded by Divan and Vanessa Hattingh, a South African husband-and-wife team with a shared passion for travel, guiding and showcasing the extraordinary beauty of Africa.

With almost a decade of guiding experience internationally, we have had the privilege of working with travellers from around the world.

Those experiences have given us an appreciation not only for the destinations we visit, but for what travellers genuinely want from their journeys.

We have seen how incredible destinations can lose their magic when trips become rushed, generic or impersonal.

We believe there is another way.

Travel should allow you time to experience a place. Time to stop and appreciate a breathtaking view. Time to watch wildlife behaving naturally. Time to meet local people and hear their stories. Time to enjoy a beautiful meal, a sunset or simply the feeling of being somewhere completely different.

That philosophy became the foundation of Travel Ass.

Meet the Team

Divan & Vanessa

At the heart of Travel Ass are Divan and Vanessa — a husband-and-wife team who share a genuine love for Africa and the travel industry.

As qualified guides with years of hands-on experience, we bring together professional knowledge, personal attention and a passion for creating meaningful experiences.

We don't simply plan trips from behind a desk.

Many of our journeys are personally guided by us, allowing us to share our knowledge, stories and love for Africa directly with our guests.

For us, guiding is more than a profession.

It is a calling.

We love introducing travellers to the places we know and love, revealing hidden gems, sharing local stories and helping guests see Africa through a different perspective.

Travel Is Personal

Every Traveller Is Different

No two travellers are exactly the same.

One person may dream of tracking the Big Five across the African bush. Another may want to explore Cape Town's food and wine scene. Someone else may want adventure, photography, culture, beaches or simply a peaceful escape.

That's why we don't believe in generic travel packages.

We take the time to understand:

• What you want to see
• How you like to travel
• Your interests and passions
• Your preferred level of luxury
• Your available time
• Your budget
• Who you are travelling with
• The experiences you want to remember

We then bring those elements together to create a journey that feels as though it was designed specifically for you — because it was.

Tailored Trips

Your Journey, Designed Around You

Our tailored trips are for travellers who want something truly personal.

As a VIP guest, your journey can be designed around your individual interests and preferences, with careful attention given to every part of the experience.

From the moment we welcome you at the airport to the moment we say goodbye, we can guide you through an unforgettable African adventure.

Your itinerary can include everything from:

Safari & Wildlife
Experience Africa's incredible wildlife through carefully selected safari destinations, private reserves and national parks.

Culture & History
Discover the people, traditions, history and stories that give each destination its identity.

Adventure
From thrilling activities to spectacular landscapes, we can incorporate adventure into your journey at exactly the right pace.

Accommodation
We carefully select accommodation that complements your itinerary, from luxury safari lodges and intimate properties to carefully chosen hotels and guesthouses.

Food & Wine
Experience local flavours, celebrated wine regions and memorable dining experiences along the way.

Photography
Capture the moments that make your journey special and return home with more than memories.

More Than a Holiday

We Create Experiences

At Travel Ass, we don't simply want you to say, "I went to South Africa."

We want you to remember the moment you first saw an elephant in the wild.

The sound of the African bush at sunrise.

A spectacular sunset over the savannah.

A conversation with a local guide.

The taste of South African wine in the Cape Winelands.

The roar of Victoria Falls.

The first glimpse of the ocean along the Garden Route.

These are the moments that turn a holiday into a story.

And stories are what we love creating.

Photography & Video

Your Memories, Captured

Travel Ass combines travel expertise with professional photography and visual storytelling.

As a professional photographer, Divan understands that some travel moments deserve to be captured properly.

Our approach goes beyond simply taking holiday snapshots.

We aim to capture the atmosphere, emotion and small details that make your journey uniquely yours.

From incredible wildlife encounters to breathtaking landscapes, candid moments and unforgettable experiences, we can help preserve your adventure through photography and video.

Because your journey shouldn't end when you return home.

You should be able to relive it for years to come.

Pre-Arranged Journeys

Small Groups. Big Experiences.

For travellers who prefer a structured itinerary but still want a personal experience, Travel Ass offers carefully planned pre-arranged journeys.

Our small-group trips are designed with fewer than eight guests, creating a more intimate experience than traditional large-group tours.

Small groups mean more personal attention, easier interaction with your guide and fellow travellers, and greater flexibility throughout the journey.

Our itineraries combine carefully selected accommodation, incredible destinations, wildlife experiences, scenic routes and authentic local experiences.

Unaccompanied Journeys

Freedom Without the Hassle

Prefer to explore independently?

Our unaccompanied journeys are designed for travellers who want the freedom of travelling at their own pace without having to manage all the complicated logistics themselves.

Depending on the itinerary, we can arrange carefully selected accommodation, transfers and domestic flights, creating a seamless travel experience from beginning to end.

These journeys allow you to explore some of Africa's most spectacular destinations while knowing that the important details have already been carefully planned.

Explore Southern & East Africa

Our journeys can take you across some of Africa's most iconic destinations.

South Africa
Experience the diversity of South Africa — from the wildlife of Greater Kruger to the energy of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, the Garden Route and beyond.

Botswana
Discover the untamed wilderness of Botswana, including the Okavango Delta and Chobe, with incredible wildlife and intimate safari experiences.

Zimbabwe
Experience the wildlife of Hwange and the extraordinary power of Victoria Falls.

Kenya
Explore destinations such as Laikipia, Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara, with opportunities for exceptional wildlife encounters and unforgettable safari experiences.

Uganda
Combine safari experiences with extraordinary primate encounters, including gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest.

Across every destination, our focus remains the same: authentic experiences, carefully planned journeys and memories that last.

Journeys for Every Kind of Traveller

Whether you have four days or twenty, we can help you find the right adventure.

Our journey options range from shorter escapes such as:

4-Day Adventures
Chobe, Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Kruger.

To longer experiences including:

7-Day Adventures
Zimbabwe, the Garden Route, Cape Town & Winelands, and Kruger & Panorama.

9-Day Adventures
Kenya, Botswana, Cape Town to the Garden Route, and Kruger with the Panorama Route.

12-Day Adventures
Southern Africa, Kenya & Uganda, Botswana & Zimbabwe, and Kruger combined with Cape Town and the Garden Route.

14-Day Adventures
Uganda, Botswana & Zimbabwe, and an extensive South African discovery.

And for those who want to truly immerse themselves in Africa:

20-Day Southern Africa Grand Safari
Combining Kruger, Cape Town, the Garden Route, Chobe and Victoria Falls into one extraordinary journey.

Small-Group Journeys for 2027

Discover Africa With Just a Few Fellow Travellers

Our 2027 accompanied journeys have been carefully designed for travellers who want the benefits of an organised itinerary without the feeling of being part of a large tour group.

With a maximum of eight guests per departure, these journeys offer a more personal and intimate way to explore Africa.

Upcoming experiences include:

• The Southern Africa Grand Tour – Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Greater Kruger
• Sabi Sands & Cape Town Escape – Safari, wine and coast
• F.A.M Trip – Greater Kruger, Sabi Sand and Cape Town for travel agents
• Kenya: Black Leopard & Migration – Laikipia, Naivasha and Masai Mara
• Safari to the Zambezi – Greater Kruger, Cape Town and Victoria Falls
• Icons of Southern Africa – Kruger, Cape Town, West Coast and Victoria Falls
• Botswana: Wild & Untamed – Okavango and Chobe
• South Africa: Safari & Cape Town – Greater Kruger and Cape Town

And if one of these itineraries catches your imagination but doesn't fit your dates or travel style, we can also tailor the journey specifically for you.

Luxury Meets Adventure

We believe luxury isn't simply about five-star accommodation.

Luxury is having someone who knows the destination.

Luxury is not having to worry about every transfer.

Luxury is knowing your itinerary has been thoughtfully planned.

Luxury is having the flexibility to stop when something catches your eye.

Luxury is feeling looked after without feeling restricted.

That is the kind of luxury we aim to provide.

Authentic African Experiences

Go Beyond the Tourist Trail

Africa is about more than ticking destinations off a list.

It is about connecting with places and people.

We love finding those special experiences that help travellers understand the destinations they visit.

Whether that means discovering a hidden viewpoint, learning about local history, spending time with communities, experiencing regional cuisine or watching wildlife in a quieter corner of the bush, we look for opportunities to make every journey feel authentic.

Behind the Name

Why "Travel Ass"?

Our name has a story.

Travel Ass was inspired by one of our favourite animals — the donkey.

For centuries, donkeys have been trusted travel companions. They are humble, reliable, patient and resilient, carrying people and goods across challenging terrain.

Those qualities reflect what we want Travel Ass to represent.

We believe in being dependable.

We believe in taking care of our clients.

We believe in being steady when the journey gets complicated.

And we believe that travel should feel authentic, grounded and personal.

The name may make you smile, but the values behind it are something we take seriously.

Reliable. Loyal. Resilient. Personal.

That is Travel Ass.

Our Philosophy

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

We believe some of life's best moments happen when you allow yourself to explore.

Travel opens your eyes to different cultures, landscapes, wildlife and ways of life.

It challenges you, inspires you and sometimes changes you.

Our role is to make that exploration easier while giving you the freedom to truly experience it.

We don't want to simply take you from one attraction to another.

We want to help you experience Africa.

Your Adventure Starts Here

Whether you are planning your first African safari, returning to Africa for another adventure, looking for the perfect honeymoon or dreaming of an epic multi-country journey, Travel Ass is ready to help.

Tell us what you have in mind.

Tell us where you want to go, what you want to experience and what matters most to you.

We'll take it from there.

Because your trip should not feel like someone else's holiday.

It should feel like your story.

From luxury to adventure, we've got you covered.

Your Adventure. Your Story. Crafted by Us.