South Africa · Founder
Shaun Ritson
Founder of Ritson Safaris, exploring South Africa’s parks and private reserves since 2008.
English
Talk to ShaunLuxury Journeys in Southern Africa.
Personally designed safari journeys, luxury villas and curated escapes across Southern Africa. Founder-led, from first enquiry to final night.
Awaken to the wild.
Every itinerary is built around the traveller. Remarkable destinations, hand-picked lodges and seamless logistics, brought together into a safari that is entirely your own.
Owner-led by Shaun Ritson, with first-hand relationships across Southern Africa's leading reserves and lodges.
The Ritson difference
Why travel with us
Direct rates, no mark-up
You pay what you'd pay the lodge directly, with the benefit of our experience in knowing which lodges will suit you, your pace and the way you like to travel.
Founder-led, start to finish
We work closely together as a team, and I'm involved in planning every journey, from the first conversation to your final night.
Exploring South Africa since 2008
I've travelled South Africa's national parks and private reserves since 2008, so our recommendations are grounded in real time spent in the bush.
Planned by a safari family
I've explored the bush with my wife and children since they were infants. Family journeys are planned from experience.
Your whole trip, in one app
Our own Journey App, built in-house, gives you complete oversight of your trip: itinerary, documents and payments, always up to date.
On hand while you travel
Your journey planner, backed by our team at Ritson Safaris, stays with you throughout your trip, so someone who knows your itinerary inside out is always a message away.
Why book through a specialist
Structure and coordination, from enquiry to the final transfer.
- 01
Consultation
A detailed conversation on travel style, interests, timing and budget — before a single lodge is suggested.
- 02
Itinerary design
Lodges and experiences hand-selected and sequenced so every leg of the journey works together.
- 03
Refinement
We adjust together until it’s exactly right, with access to rates rarely available direct.
- 04
In-journey support
Reservations, logistics and pre-travel preparation handled — with support throughout your trip.
Cape, Wine & Berg
From the Cape Coast to the Drakensberg.
The magic of South Africa reaches far past the bush. A hand-picked collection of luxury accommodation across Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, our coastline and the Drakensberg — added seamlessly to your itinerary.
Add to your luxury African experienceMeet the team
The people behind your journey.
Two homes, one standard. Speak to us in English or Hebrew, from South Africa or Israel — and plan your safari with people who know the bush and will look after you from your first question to the final transfer.
Israel · Partner
Nicole Tsadok
Connecting her two homes, bringing the wild heart of South Africa to travellers from Israel.
English · Hebrew
Talk to Nicole
Who will I be working with?
If you are travelling from Israel, Nicole can be your first point of contact, guiding you in Hebrew or English. Your journey can be designed by Nicole, by Shaun, or together — always to the same Ritson standard.
Why book through you instead of directly with the Lodge?
Beyond securing the right lodges, I bring structure and coordination to your entire journey. Once you've arrived in South Africa, I'll plan your local transfers, travel timings, and the order of your destinations — designing an itinerary where every component works seamlessly together. That's a smoother, more enjoyable experience than booking each element independently.
And it won't cost you more. My rates match what you'd pay booking directly with the lodge — there's no added markup. In fact, thanks to my relationships with many of the lodges and travel partners, I'm often able to offer special rates that aren't available to the public, so in some cases you'll pay less.
How do I get started?
Simply reach out via the enquiry form or schedule a call.
From there, I’ll take the time to understand your travel style, interests, and timing before crafting a tailored proposal designed specifically around you.
What is the planning process?
Every journey begins with a detailed consultation. I then design a curated itinerary, selecting lodges and experiences that align with your preferences.
We refine this together until it’s exactly right, after which I manage all reservations, logistics, and pre-travel preparation—ensuring everything is seamless from start to finish.
What makes you different?
Ritson Safaris is entirely founder-led. I personally design and oversee every journey, combining first-hand safari experience with trusted lodge relationships to create thoughtful, seamless itineraries that go beyond the standard offering.
What does a typical safari cost?
Costs vary depending on the level of luxury, destinations, and time of year. As a guideline, most journeys range from $250 to $2,500+ per person, per night, including accommodation, meals, game drives, and guiding.
I’ll tailor recommendations to align with your budget while ensuring exceptional value.
Do you provide support while we travel?
Absolutely! I remain available throughout your journey, monitoring your trip and providing assistance whenever needed. You travel with the reassurance that someone who knows your itinerary inside and out is always on hand.