Africa, Madagascar & Latin America specialists
Since 1997 we have been providing the very best in tailor-made holidays to Africa and Madagascar. Rainbow Tours' expertise has been recognised with four best tour operator awards in the Guardian / Observer Travel Awards over the last nine years. We continue to deliver the same high quality expert service that has been our hallmark.
We are delighted to be able to offer customers the same high standard of holiday to Latin America. Our team of specialists (formally South American Experience) are widely travelled throughout the region and have firsthand knowledge of both the iconic highlights and the lesser-visited corners. Wanderlust Magazine chose our Ecuador Explorer as one of their 50 recommended trips for 2012.
Financial security
Every holiday that includes flights is financially protected through our ATOL bonding, giving our customers complete confidence and security. Our ATOL number is 10417. Get in touch with us if you would like to talk with Rainbow's General Manager, Des Walsh, to discuss any aspect of our service. We are based at Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5QU.
More about our service
Self-drive and private transfers
Self-drive holidays are most popular for South Africa, Reunion and Namibia. If you don't want to drive on holiday, you may travel by air charter, train, car or people carrier with driver/guide. There are some opportunities to self-drive in Central and South America but people usually travel by private transfer, train, coach or scheduled domestic flight. In Ethiopia, Madagascar and many Latin America countries, travel between destinations is frequently by air given the distances between attractions. In both continents there are a wide range of quality small group escorted tours.
Small group tours
Our small group tours are mainly by 4WD, people carrier or minibus, and in Latin America they can be by coach. You can choose a complete two-week tour, or modules lasting from one to seven-days. Among the most popular are Garden Route tours, Kruger Park tours, the northern Tanzania circuit, camping, walking and mekoro safaris in Botswana and wildlife tours in Madagascar. We also run small group tours for special interests - or your own group. Ask about our birding, photographic and cultural tours.
Honeymoons
We will help you plan the honeymoon of your dreams for a realistic price. Safari and beach honeymoon combinations (typically South Africa, Botswana, Kenya or Tanzania + Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique or Zanzibar) are a popular choice. Madagascar is ideal for couples seeking adventure, but who still want time on a breathtaking beach. Latin America offers romantic options too - both the Caribbean and Pacific beaches in Central America are superb, and the region has unparalleled pristine landscapes and ancient cultural sites. Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Colombia have all the ingredients for a very special honeymoon.
Family Holidays
Consult us about an affordable family safari holiday for all ages - or a 'bush and beach' combination holiday. Your teenagers will be glad you made them go!
International flights or land arrangements
If you have flights already, let us help you with your land arrangements. If you need flights, we can quote with these, too. Our flight prices are very competitive, when part of a 'package'.
Quality Travel
Our business is based on sound knowledge of the countries in which we operate honesty and a genuine commitment to finding the right trip for each person. You can judge our results from the feedback pages you will find in the information section of each country.
Financial Protection
We are a Member of ABTA, membership number Y1152. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of, or in connection with this contract. Further information on the Code and arbitration can be found on ABTA’s website.
The arbitration scheme is arranged by ABTA and administered independently by IDRS, part of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. It provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you in respect of costs. Full details will be provided on request or can be obtained from the ABTA website. The scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 per booking. Neither does it apply to claims which are solely in respect of physical injury or illness or their consequences.
The scheme can however deal with compensation claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,000 on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element.
The application for arbitration and Statement of Claim must be received by IDRS within nine months of the date of return from the holiday. Outside this time limit arbitration under the Scheme may still be available if the company agrees, but the ABTA Code does not require such agreement.
For injury and illness claims, you may like to use the ABTA/Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Mediation Procedure. This is a voluntary scheme and requires us to agree for mediation to go ahead. The aim is to help you resolve your dispute in a quick and cost effective way. Details on request or from www.abta.com.