African Safari Specialist

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Yvette Taylor, Travel Agent in El Dorado Hills, CA

Yvette Taylor

El Dorado Hills, CA Travel Agent
Super Agent

Yvette Taylor

El Dorado Hills, CA · 25+ Years of Experience

El Dorado Hills Travel LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(163)
100% Recommended
We just came back from a cruise and tour of Alaska planned by Yvette. She suggested Celebrity, we wanted to do the tour portion by train... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Africa

Interests:

Safari, Adventure, Bucket List, Escorted Tours, Eco-Tourism

Suppliers:

Micato Safaris, Abercrombie & Kent, AmaWaterways, Insight Vacations, Kensington

About Me

African Safari Watering Hole
African Safari Watering Hole

I expertly craft Luxury African safaris and tailor-made safari journeys across East and Southern Africa, helping travelers experience some of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on earth.

From the Great Migration in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, I help design unforgettable safari itineraries that combine wildlife, culture, and luxury. As an African safari travel specialist, I guide my clients through every step of planning an African safari—from choosing the best destinations and time of year to travel, to selecting the right luxury safari lodges, private game reserves, and expert-guided wildlife experiences.

African safaris are not one-size-fits-all. The best safari locations, seasons, and wildlife viewing opportunities vary greatly depending on what animals you want to see, and I help travelers plan the perfect itinerary based on their interests. 

I design custom safaris throughout East Africa and Southern Africa, including:

• Tanzania – Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire

• Kenya – Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu

• South Africa – Kruger National Park and private game reserves like Sabi Sands

• Botswana – Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park

• Zimbabwe & Zambia – Victoria Falls safari extensions

• Rwanda & Uganda – mountain gorilla trekking experiences

• Namibia – desert wildlife and unique safari landscapes

Many of my clients combine multiple destinations, such as Serengeti + Zanzibar, Kruger + Cape Town, or a Kenya safari followed by Victoria Falls.

When to go on an African Safari?

Choosing the best time of year for an African safari is essential for wildlife viewing. I help travelers understand seasonal highlights such as:

• The Great Migration in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara where millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the plains

• River crossings in northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara

• Dry season wildlife viewing in Botswana and Kruger National Park when animals gather around water sources

• Best months for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda

• Elephant migration and large herds in Chobe National Park• Optimal seasons for seeing the Big Five — lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo.

Bucket-List African Safari Experiences- A luxury African safari offers far more than game drives. I help my clients plan extraordinary experiences such as:

• Hot air balloon safaris over the Serengeti at sunrise

• Tracking the Big Five on expert-led game drives

• Gorilla trekking in the forests of Rwanda or Uganda

• Walking safaris with professional guides

• Luxury tented camps and five-star safari lodges

• Private conservancies and exclusive wildlife reserves

• Photographic safaris for wildlife enthusiasts.

Seeing elephants roaming the savannah, rhinos grazing on the plains, lions resting in the shade, and giraffes silhouetted against African sunsets is a life-changing experience.

Luxury Safari Lodges & Camps-

One of the most important parts of planning an African safari is choosing the right accommodations. I help travelers select the best luxury safari lodges and boutique camps based on location, wildlife access, and level of luxury.

Options range from:

• Luxury tented camps in the Serengeti

• Private safari lodges in South Africa’s Sabi Sands

• Eco-luxury camps in the Okavango Delta

• Boutique wildlife lodges overlooking watering holes. Many offer private plunge pools, gourmet cuisine, spa treatments, and expert naturalist guides.

Beyond Safari: Cape Town, Wine Country & Victoria Falls

Many African safari itineraries include iconic destinations beyond the game parks. I help travelers combine their safari with:

• Cape Town, South Africa — Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, penguins at Boulders Beach

• The Cape Winelands — Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine tasting experiences

• Victoria Falls — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World

• Zanzibar — idyllic beaches after a Serengeti safari.

Preparing for Your African Safari. Planning a safari involves important details, and I guide my clients through everything they need to know, including:

• Vaccination recommendations and travel health preparation

• Visa requirements and entry documentation

• Packing guidance for safari conditions• Choosing the right safari camps and reserves

• Flights and internal charter transfers between parks.

Why Work With an African Safari Specialist?

African safaris require expert planning and local knowledge. I help travelers avoid common mistakes, choose the best wildlife regions, and create a seamless safari itinerary. My clients rely on me for:

• Expert destination knowledge

• Trusted safari lodge and camp recommendations

• Seasonal wildlife expertise

• Seamless logistics across multiple countries

• Luxury safari planning and curated experiences

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
163 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 163 reviews

Alaska was amazing!
Reviewed By Kenneth & Barb - El Dorado Hills CA | Traveled to Alaska | USA
We just came back from a cruise and tour of Alaska planned by Yvette. She suggested Celebrity, we wanted to do the tour portion by train from Seward to Fairbanks. Yvette was wonderful to work with especially her attention to detail. I can't wait to plan another cruise with Yvette, maybe this time to Iceland! Thanks, Yvette, for all your hard work!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Best Agent Ever!
Reviewed By Eva - Tampa FL | Traveled to France | Europe
Always puts 100% into booking our travel needs. Yvette is the best agent we have ever worked with.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Yvette is the Best!
Reviewed By Lori M - Dallas TX | Traveled to Mexico
Yvette is the absolute best to work with! She has been helping me plan vacations for the last 10 years including my destination wedding.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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From Krakow to Budapest and in between!
Reviewed By Dee Dee - Santa Monica Ca | Traveled to Poland | Europe
Yvette did a great job right from the start. She got us booked right away and always followed through with keeping us updated. She helped plan everything. Since this was our first European trip, her advice and guidance was really helpful.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Bora Bora!
Reviewed By Chris - San Francisco | Traveled to Bora Bora | French Polynesia | South Pacific
Yvette has gone over and beyond helping us with our travel plans. We've been working with her for five years and she has been most helpful! At some point, there was an issue with booking a particular hotel and she corrected this by upgrading us to a 4 star hotel! We were so grateful!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

Client Testimonials

Celebrity Cruise to Alaska for Nursing Anniversary
"If you are planning a group trip-especially something as meaningful as a milestone anniversary- you want someone who truly understands how to bring it all together flawlessly. This is exactly what Yvette Taylor did for us." Our nursing class anniversary brought together over 5 nurses from all over the United States, many of whom hadn't seen each other in decades. Yvette coordinated every details of our Celebrity Cruise to Alaska, including pre-and-post cruise hotels, scenic train travel, transfers, and group logistics- and she did it seamlessly. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfectly organized. What truly sets Yvette apart is you never feel like just a booking. You feel supported before, during and after the trip.
Remy, G- Folsom, Ca
The Best Planner Ever!
Yvette really cares about her clients and it shows. She takes care of all the details and makes sure everything is perfect! We have never had a better travel agent.
Shirley G, Jackson, Ca
Viking Cruise Expert
Yvette booked us on the Rhine River cruise, and it was the best decision ever! So smooth, stress-free, and truly breathtaking.
Jim K, Rhine River Cruise, Folsom, Ca
British Isles Cruise
Yvette took care of every single detail for our British Isles Explorer cruise. It was perfect from start to finish! We loved how she had been to so many of the places and gave us great advice. There is nothing compared to having someone know what they are talking about.
Robin Z, Folsom California
American Cruise Line Columbia and Snake River
Yvette planned our American Cruise line Columbia & Snake river cruise and it was absolutely amazing. Every detail was handled perfectly, and the excursions she recommended were spot on. The jet boat ride on the Snake River, was unforgettable and ended up being one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip. Thanks to Yvette's knowledge as a luxury cruise travel advisor, we fell in love with American Cruise Line. We trusted her completely, became loyal to the brand, and have now taken five more cruises with them. We only sail on small ships and we love how everything is included and in the US. She truly knows how to match her clients with the right cruise and make the whole experience effortless and special.
Madelyn B Folsom California
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