East Cape Tours
- Located In:
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United Kingdom
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 1998)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, SATOA, ATOL & SATSA
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $27 to $107 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Andy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our planner (Cearl Marney) was perfect and she exceeded all expectations.
My now wife and I took our honeymoon trip to South Africa. We used Cearl at the travel company and she was absolutely incredible. From the very first conversation she was super attentive and really considered all of our needs and budget. We wanted the trip of a life time and she made that happen. Cearl carefully planned our itinerary, listening to all our wants, and formulated a trip specifically tailored to us. Further, Cearl went above and beyond to ensure fair prices as well as safe and reliable tours and transfers for the entire trip. Every aspect of the trip was planned out for us and we really just needed to show up. Cearl has vast experience with the southern Africa area and even has perfect guides and transfer partners to show you the best time. I highly recommend this travel company for any trip to South Africa or that general area and you will not be disappointed. My wife and I are big travelers and had very high expectations for a luxurious honeymoon to the Sabi Sands reserve, Cape Town, and the wine country, and all of these were exceeded.
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Email Ken | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip and tour exceeded expectations, thanks to Cearl Marney.
Had a terrific “bucket list” vacation to South Africa planned by Cearl Marney at East Cape Tours. Despite the difference in time zones, she was extremely responsive, patient and thorough. Recommended stay at Ulusaba was beyond expectations, in addition to lodging arrangements in Cape Town. All transport arrangements made by Miss Marney were on time, courteous and efficient.
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Email Alli | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
So helpful - made the trip!
After vetting several travel companies in search of help planning our trip to Africa, we fell into the hands of Cearl from East Cape Tours. I had submitted enquiries on countless safari lodge websites, and her response was punctual and helpful. I spoke with Cearl on the phone for roughly an hour, describing what we were looking for, and she presented full itineraries for a few various safari options. Once our decision was made, she communicated with the property on our behalf -- sending everything from arrival and departure details, room requests, dietary restrictions, etc. and even succeeded in getting us a more competitive rate.
Every detail went off without a hitch. All of our transfers appeared as promised right on time, and our safari experience was UNBELIEVABLE. We decided on Ulusaba, and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Thank you to Cearl and East Cape Tours for guiding us through some of these challenging decisions and action items. It was the trip of a lifetime!
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Email Michael O | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best vacation i've ever been on.... by far
What made my experience great?
- Our driver, JV, was AMAZING! He was one of the most well spoken, experienced, knowledgeable, and professional workers I have ever encountered. By the end of the trip, I considered him a dear friend. Make sure you get JV as your driver and tip the man what he deserves!
- Our bartender, Ishmael, was one of the most kind people I have ever met. He was always there asking if there was anything else that you needed. A great conversationalist and an even better person!
- Our private chef, Mama Kate, whipped up some of the best meals I have had in my entire life! Her lamb shank and Ox tail were to die for and her homemade desserts were out of this world!
Overall, it was the best vacation ever. Thank you to everyone on the team that helped to make it happen. Would reccommmend to anyone!
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Email Mike | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Experience/Trip of my life
I have been on many vacations previously. This is single-handedly the best experience I have ever had. It was unlike anything I have done before. Not only was the safari itself amazing, but the staff was even better. We saw everything that we had hoped to see and then some.
This is due to our AMAZING tour guide JV. His knowledge in his field is absolutely unrivaled. Any question we had there was an answer for. He knew exactly where to look to insure that we saw everything, and was able to explain it to someone not as educated with extreme patience and full of information.
In addition we had our chef, Mama Kate, made some of the best food that I have ever had. She catered to a few preferences our group had and still made food that felt authentic to South Africa while still maintaining a familiar feel of something home-cooked. She sure was able to make sure we had the energy we needed for the long days!
Ish was our bartender and that man can make a drink! Incredibly friendly and tentative. Like everyone else, he made sure that we had everything that we needed at all times. When he wasn't making drinks he was telling stories and having a great time hanging out with the rest of us as well.
The rest of the staff that we did not spend as much time talking to yet was still around was amazing as well. The place truly felt like home with all of the smiling faces and welcoming people.
I cannot express enough how satisfied I am with the trip and how these new friends of ours made it that much better. Thank you so much. If anyone is on the fence, let this be your sign, book it ASAP!
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Email Andrew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
From start to finish I was completely blown away on my experience. Shaun and Valencia helped us book and they were there to answer any questions during the whole process (there was a lot).
When we got to Simbavati Amani Camp we did not know what to expect, and lets just say it didnt disappoint. The accommodations were phenomenal. But one thing that completely blew me out of the water was our safari guide (JV). His attitude, knowledge of animals, experience, and friendliness really made our trip. Countless times our group talked amongst ourselves that JV really made our trip whole. Through continuous long days of safaris, he always had the best attitude and passion towards tracking these animals.
After our experience at Simbavati Amani, and our experience with JV, I can assure that my next safari tour will be with JV again.
Also I would like to note that Ishmael was also amazing. Ishmael was our waiter/bartender/etc and he was on top of the ball throughout the whole stay. He was unbelievably likeable and friendly, but also extremely experienced. He made me feel as if I was at a Ritz-Carlton the way he took care of us.
Lastly, the food was amazing. Momma Kate was our cook and I cant stop raving about her food. It was authentic, fresh, and cooked to perfection.
Nonetheless, I had the best experience I could have imagined, and I have JV, Ishmael, and Momma Kate to thank for that.
Til next time!
DE
Email Reimer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service and brilliant communication
Our safari tour was delayed due to Covid from January 2022 to October 2022. Stephanie took care of us in reorganizing everything. Communication was outstanding and the whole trip was flawless and a great success.
Thanks again for all of your support.
Reply from East Cape Tours
Posted on Nov 17, 2022Hi Reimer
Many thanks not only for your great review, but also for bearing with us through Covid we really appreciated it and am very glad it was worth the wait.
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Email Don and Linda Marsic | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Better a than Expected and more!
Shaun is our go to guy. He was always available and heard what we thought we were looking for. From transfers to flights, accommodations, tours, food and being blessed with fabulous animal sights this was our bucket list trip. When we needed advise while on trip, Shaun was quick to respond. Hat’s off to EastCape Tours for our special experience.
Email LUCY | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional, they definitely know Africa.
This was a delayed trip and should have been for the British & Irish Lions Tour, but we had to change the date and redo the itinerary. Stephanie was fabulous, all my queries were promptly answered, suggestions to itinerary changes were perfect and all the properties we stayed in, recommend by East Cape Tours, were excellent. Costing was kept to minimum which was a bonus. Nothing was too much trouble.
East Cape included a brilliant Wine Tour in Franschoek and a Coastal Explorer Trip in Knysna, which was upgraded to a Whale Watching Tour.
We decided to drive Route 62 instead of the normal Garden Route, from Franschoek to Knysna and loved everything about it. Lots of places to stop and break up the journey, its about 6hours non stop driving.
Definitely put Woodhall Hotel and Spa, Elephant Hill and Villa Afrikana, Knysna on the itinerary. Both fabulous, friendly properties, great food, brilliant staff and good locations for some peace and quiet. Our choice of Safari at Pumba was based on East Cape Tours recommendation and a friend had stayed a few years before. It was brilliant, our Ranger {Brando} was knowledgeable, interesting and we felt in very safe hands.
I would definitely use East Cape Tours again and have recommended them to friends.
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Email Sheri | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shaun took out the stress of all the logistics of safari planning.
Shaun was integral in nailing down my safaris on very short noticed. We video chatted about what I wanted to do and he made it happen including the transfers and flights which are quite complicated. Even though I had planned the rest of my trip on my own, he offered me advice and great suggestions for my whole trip to South Africa.