OUR UNIQUE APPROACH & FAQS
Here’s what you can expect from us, and how we bring your vision for Africa to life.
The Hope African Way
At Hope African Adventures, we believe travel should be personal, purposeful, and profoundly transformational. Through our unique process, we take the time to understand your story, your desires, and your vision for Africa.
We don’t just plan trips; we curate journeys that create the space, connection, and clarity you need to move through whatever called you to travel in the first place. Our promise is to walk with you every step of the way: guiding you through the options, helping you make informed and empowered decisions, and designing an experience that offers both deep meaning and total peace of mind.
Our process is intentional, supportive, and designed to be as energizing as it is efficient, so you’ll always know what’s next, what’s needed, and where we’re going together. Here’s how everything works from start to finish.
Our process is intentional, supportive, and designed to be as energizing as it is efficient, so you’ll always know what’s next, what’s needed, and where we’re going together. Here’s how everything works from start to finish.
Curated Journeys Design Process
Step 1: Inquire & Complete Your Questionnaire
Submit an inquiry form through our website. Once submitted, you’ll receive a link to schedule a “Get to Know You” Call. This is where we walk you through our process again, ensuring complete transparency about how we operate and what you can expect moving forward.
Step 2: Complimentary ‘Get to Know You’ Call
This enriching session is where the magic begins. We take time to connect with you on a personal level, learning about your story, your background, where you live and work, and why you're feeling called to visit Africa at this point in your life.
We save the logistics, such as travel dates, preferences, and budgets, for the end of our discussion. Our aim is to first understand your vision, what this trip means to you, and how we can bring your dream to life.
Please allow at least 45 minutes for this call. It often runs over because we love getting to know our clients and believe this human connection is foundational for a productive and enjoyable partnership ahead.
If a call is not possible, we can send these questions to you via email. That said, we strongly encourage scheduling a call to foster alignment and kick off a more connected planning experience.
We save the logistics, such as travel dates, preferences, and budgets, for the end of our discussion. Our aim is to first understand your vision, what this trip means to you, and how we can bring your dream to life.
Please allow at least 45 minutes for this call. It often runs over because we love getting to know our clients and believe this human connection is foundational for a productive and enjoyable partnership ahead.
If a call is not possible, we can send these questions to you via email. That said, we strongly encourage scheduling a call to foster alignment and kick off a more connected planning experience.
Step 3: Review Our Creative Genius - Vision Board + Itinerary Combinations for Perfect Pairings
Before committing, you’ll have a chance to review our sample work, including vision boards and itineraries that showcase our thoughtful, high-touch approach to travel design. You can explore these examples on the Curated Journeys page of our website, which is also linked below for your convenience. If our aesthetic, creativity, and values resonate with you and you would like to move forward, we’ll invite you to submit your formal approval via email to engage our services, beginning with the discovery guide phase.
Delve Into Our Perfect Pairings for Our Ideal Clients
Step 4: Discovery Guide Engagement Fee – Complimentary
The Discovery Guide Creation Stage includes the following:
*Disclaimer: Through the end of 2025, as we roll out our new concept, the Discovery Guide Creation phase will be offered on a complimentary basis.
*Disclaimer: Through the end of 2025, as we roll out our new concept, the Discovery Guide Creation phase will be offered on a complimentary basis.
- 1 x Custom Discovery Guide (includes video walkthrough)
- 2 x Discovery Guide Revisions (additional rounds incur a surcharge)
- 1 x Live Call to Discuss Deliverables (otherwise, if call not preferred then feedback will be sent via email)
- Weekly Progress Reports Distributed on Mondays (include client updates and feedback, along with our team’s action items and upcoming deadlines for the next round of deliverables)
- Ongoing Email Communications (24-hour response time)
Step 5: Discovery Guide Creation
Here’s where the dream begins to take shape. Using everything you’ve shared, we create your personalized Discovery Guide. This is a tool designed to uncover your core motivations, emotional needs, and authentic travel style within the context of your desire to explore Africa during this season of life.
By bringing these truths and insights to light, we’re able to thoughtfully match you with the countries, regions, accommodations, and meaningful experiences that align with who you are and what you’re truly seeking from this journey.
As part of this stage, we’ll also provide a general price range to help you understand what the experience may cost based on the number of travel days and the overall travel style you’re envisioning. This gives you a clear sense of the possibilities before we move into building your full itinerary.
By bringing these truths and insights to light, we’re able to thoughtfully match you with the countries, regions, accommodations, and meaningful experiences that align with who you are and what you’re truly seeking from this journey.
As part of this stage, we’ll also provide a general price range to help you understand what the experience may cost based on the number of travel days and the overall travel style you’re envisioning. This gives you a clear sense of the possibilities before we move into building your full itinerary.
Step 6: Discovery Guide Revisions & Alignment
Together, we’ll refine your Discovery Guide until it fully reflects you and your vision. Two (2) rounds of revisions are included, with any additional rounds subject to a separate surcharge.
This stage is all about ensuring 100% alignment between us before moving into the next phase of preparing your formal quotation and custom itinerary design.
This stage is all about ensuring 100% alignment between us before moving into the next phase of preparing your formal quotation and custom itinerary design.
Step 7: Choose Your Path Forward
Once your Discovery Guide is finalized, you have the following options:
- Take your Discovery Guide and book your own travels independently.
- Or, move forward with us and activate the full Curated Journeys design experience.
Step 8: Curated Journeys Engagement Fee – Complimentary
The Curated Journeys Design Stage includes the following:
*Disclaimer: Through the end of 2025, as we roll out our new concept, the Curated Journeys Design phase will be offered on a complimentary basis.
*Disclaimer: Through the end of 2025, as we roll out our new concept, the Curated Journeys Design phase will be offered on a complimentary basis.
- 1 x Custom Quotation + Day-By-Day Digital Itinerary (includes video walkthrough)
- 2 x Quotation Revisions (additional rounds incur a surcharge)
- 1 x Live Call to Discuss Deliverables (otherwise, if call not preferred then feedback will be sent via email)
- Weekly Progress Reports Distributed on Mondays (include client updates and feedback, along with our team’s action items and upcoming deadlines for the next round of deliverables)
- Ongoing Email Communications (24-hour response time)
Step 9: Formal Quotation & Itinerary Design
This is where we transform your final vision from the Discovery Guide into a practical, actionable plan. We check live availability, confirm routing, and build out the full cost of your journey.
Within about a week (often sooner), you’ll receive a complete day-by-day digital itinerary along with a detailed, itemized quotation. You’ll see exactly where your investment is going, what’s included, and what’s not, ensuring full transparency from start to finish.
Within about a week (often sooner), you’ll receive a complete day-by-day digital itinerary along with a detailed, itemized quotation. You’ll see exactly where your investment is going, what’s included, and what’s not, ensuring full transparency from start to finish.
Step 10: Quotation Revisions & Alignment
Now we’ll fine-tune the logistics together. Two (2) rounds of revisions are included, with any additional rounds subject to a separate surcharge. This stage is your opportunity to adjust the routing, accommodations, experiences, or any other elements before committing to book.
Just as we did with the Discovery Guide, our goal is to ensure the final itinerary fully reflects your vision and feels like the perfect fit before moving forward.
Just as we did with the Discovery Guide, our goal is to ensure the final itinerary fully reflects your vision and feels like the perfect fit before moving forward.
Step 11: Ready to Book? Let’s Go!
If you’ve made it this far — whoop, whoop! It means your itinerary design is complete and you’re ready to take the leap.
Now you can officially confirm your custom Curated Journey and step fully into the experience you’ve envisioned and co-created alongside us.
Now you can officially confirm your custom Curated Journey and step fully into the experience you’ve envisioned and co-created alongside us.
After You’ve Booked
Step 1: Booking Confirmation & Deposit Payment
After you approve the final itinerary, we will send your booking confirmation documents for signature along with your deposit invoice. Proof of payment will be due within 24 hours of receiving the invoice. Once payment is received, we will secure all arrangements with the vendors featured in your itinerary and reconfirm everything again before your arrival to ensure a seamless travel experience ahead.
Step 2: Introduction To Your Client Portal
As soon as you confirm your booking, you’ll receive access to your personalized, password-protected client portal through our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system called Dubsado. This central hub is designed to keep you organized and in-the-know throughout the rest of the journey. No more searching through emails; everything you need lives here. Inside the portal, you will find:
- Booking confirmations & trip documents
- Outstanding & paid invoices
- Pre-departure forms & essential information to help you prepare for your travels
- All major email communications
Step 3: Pre-Departure Prep & Balance Payment
From the moment you book until the day you depart, we provide step-by-step guidance to ensure you feel supported, prepared, and completely confident in the lead-up to your adventure. We’ll walk you through every task, share helpful reminders, and answer any questions you may have along the way.
Payment for your balance invoice is due 60 days before departure, and we’ll help you stay on track with all travel-related requirements and final preparations.
To keep the spirit of your journey alive as the countdown begins, we also share a monthly “Africa News & Fun Learning” email filled with inspiration, insights, and interesting tidbits to get you even more excited for what’s ahead.
This is where the anticipation builds, and we’re with you every step of the way.
Payment for your balance invoice is due 60 days before departure, and we’ll help you stay on track with all travel-related requirements and final preparations.
To keep the spirit of your journey alive as the countdown begins, we also share a monthly “Africa News & Fun Learning” email filled with inspiration, insights, and interesting tidbits to get you even more excited for what’s ahead.
This is where the anticipation builds, and we’re with you every step of the way.
Step 4: Adventure Time - Off To Africa!
You’re off to Africa — hooray! Our team will be on standby via a private WhatsApp group chat for real-time support, updates, or assistance. All you have to do is show up and soak in the magic.
Step 5: Post-Trip Reflection
After your journey, we’ll invite you to share feedback through a survey or virtual meeting. Your insights help us grow and allow us to serve others even better.
Just Need Expert Advice?
Not sure if your AI-generated itinerary or a quote from a different provider is truly what you need? Have you done some research on your own and are now seeking further direction or insights?
Let’s have a “Human Temperature Check,” a quick call where Katherine will offer expert advice, clarify your options, and make sure your plans align with your travel vision. Whether you need help refining your itinerary or simply want confirmation that you’re on the right track, we’re here to provide the guidance you need. Ask us anything, because every question matters.
INVESTMENT: $100.00 FOR 2-HOUR SESSION
*Before our session, you’ll be asked to share the full context of where you are in your travel journey. That way we can come prepared and support you in the most helpful way possible during our time together. If you need additional time or multiple sessions beyond the 2-hour period, we will negotiate a custom rate based on your specific requirements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE WORK
Help, I’m overwhelmed! Where do I begin?
You're not alone, and we're here to help. Here’s how to start your journey with clarity and confidence:
- Explore our website fully. It’s designed as a rich resource to help you understand what kind of African journey aligns with your soul and vision.
- Reflect on your intentions. Take time to journal or jot down what you're envisioning for this trip. What are you most drawn to? What have you uncovered in your own research? Picture yourself in your ideal African experience. How do you want to feel? How do you want to travel? What elements are non-negotiable for you? Writing this out can bring focus and purpose as you begin shaping your future adventure. For extra inspiration, explore our social media channels to see what sparks your interest or curiosity.
- Gather your questions. As you reflect, make a running list of everything you’re unsure about, from logistics like timing, budgets, and travel requirements to more personal aspects such as how to choose the right destinations or what experiences will resonate with your values. This will give our first conversation structure and help us offer you the most relevant guidance right from the start.
- Book a no-obligation “Get to Know You” call. This is a relaxed space for us to connect, explore your ideas, and see if we’re the right match. It’s often the point where things start to feel less daunting and more exciting as you begin to see what’s possible.
- Choose your next step. After our call, we will help you determine which path fits best for where you are. You might decide our Curated Journeys process is the right path, or perhaps one of our Soulful Travel Adventures. If you prefer something more focused, we also offer a Human Temperature Check 2-hour consultation or a series of coaching-style sessions. Whatever you choose, we’ll help you move forward with alignment, momentum, and a plan tailored to you.
When will you start charging for the Discovery Guide and Curated Journeys engagement fees?
As we roll out this new process, engagement fees will remain complimentary through the end of 2025. Beginning in 2026, the fee will be USD $150.00 for each phase. However, if you move forward with booking a final tour offering with us, the engagement fees will be credited toward your total tour cost, so they are not considered an extra expense. These future fees simply reflect the time, care, and expertise that go into completing the work involved in these phases for you.
What is your turnaround time for the first draft Discovery Guide? What about revisions?
Turnaround time is 5 days or less. For revisions, please allow a minimum of 72 hours, depending on the nature and scope of the changes.
What is your turnaround time for the first draft Formal Quotation & Itinerary Design? What about revisions?
Turnaround time is 5 days or less. For revisions, please allow a minimum of 72 hours, depending on the nature and scope of the changes.
What software or programs do you use to create the deliverables mentioned?
- For the Discovery Guide, we use Canva
- For the Quotation + Detailed Digital Itinerary, we use Safari Portal.
- For the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Client Portal + Invoices, we use Dubsado.
What methods of payment do you offer?
Payment can be made by Chase Quickpay, Zelle, Venmo, check, wire transfer, and all major credit card providers.
If paying by wire transfer, are any additional fees charged?
Wire transfer fees will not be charged on the engagement fees once these go into effect in 2026. However, for the amount due for the final Curated Journey, an additional wire fee of USD $15.00 is charged per incoming transaction.
If paying by credit card, are processing fees charged?
Processing fees will not be charged on the engagement fees once these go into effect in 2026. However, for the amount due for the final Curated Journey, a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 is charged per incoming transaction.
What is your payment schedule policy for final Curated Journey?
The payment schedule is as follows:
- At time of booking: 25% land deposit + 100% airfare
- 60 calendar days prior to departure: 75% land balance + any add-on amounts
We’re open to discussing alternative payment plan options on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to explore what might work best for your needs.
What is your cancellation schedule policy for final Curated Journey?
The cancellation fee schedule is as follows:
- More than 60 calendar days prior to departure: 25% land deposit + airline cancellation fees
- 60 to 30 calendar days prior to departure: 75% land balance + airline cancellation fees
- Between 29 calendar days and date of departure 100% total program price
What if I need to cancel my final Curated Journey last minute? Are there any funds I can get back?
Cancellations are handled on a case-by-case basis, as policies vary across our third-party suppliers throughout Africa. While we will always do our best to advocate on your behalf, whether that means trying to recover funds or exploring the possibility of rescheduling, in most cases funds cannot be returned. On rare occasions, there may be a degree of flexibility, but this is never guaranteed and depends entirely on the specific terms, timing, and reasoning for the cancellation.
This is why we strongly advise securing comprehensive travel and medical insurance. The right policy can help you recover costs related to trip cancellations, delays, interruptions, or medical emergencies. For more details, please refer to our recommended insurance broker platforms: InsureMyTrip and VisitorsCoverage.
Where can I find your complete Booking Terms & Conditions?
You can view our full Booking Terms & Conditions by clicking this link.
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