Guides & Their Toys
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
- Offices In:
-
United States
Canada
Australia - Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Catherine | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fulfilled a Dream, and exceeded all expectations!!
I paid on this trip for years, so made it easy to afford, but then there was Covid and passport problems with my granddaughter, but GTD was very accommodating and worked with me.
As for the trip...WOW!!! Accommodations were A±±±. Do you know what it is like to be treated like one of the rich and famous, even if you aren't? No crowds, everyone is so nice and friendly. A chef to prepare delicious meals, even prepare the fish you can catch while fishing. If you have certain food restrictions, they will make whatever you need to take care of you. You have plenty to eat, and when you aren't eating, they are feeding you more. You better not plan on loosing weight, because you won't.
Then, you have all been to the zoo, and seen some of the animals. That was cool when you were little, but, you will never have the same feeling as you will when an elephant comes out of the trees, headed right for your vehicle. Heart rate increases dramatically! Then you see more elephants together than you have ever imagined. Zebras, Impalas, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Hippos, Rinos, Giraffes, and then the big cats, Lions, Cheetahs and Leopard. None of them are caged, all running free. Baboons, and make sure you close your door when you go on the morning or evening game drive, as the monkeys know how to get in your room. Very early morning you may encounter the Bushbabies.
Kruger National Park, what a great place! Would be great to spend more time there. If you like dogs, Jackals are great to watch, and a real beauty is the African painted dog.
I just can't say enough about this trip, and I would go back in a heartbeat. GTD has exceeded all expectations.
US
Email Leslie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly fulfilled a lifelong dream...wildlife, culture, and breath-taking views!!!
Our Spring 2024 trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe was extremely interesting, quite educational, and absolutely sensational!!! We experienced a safari, visited Capetown, and trekked Victoria Falls. This venture was made possible by Go Touch Down Travel & Tours (GTD). From start to finish, Lucia and Deon and everyone associated with GTD went out of her/his way to make sure that all of our questions/concerns/needs were met.
The thatched roofed huts at both Reserves were spacious and comfortable. The chefs went all out to make sure there was plenty of food that all appetites would enjoy. Vegetarians and vegans should not worry; plenty of choices for you too. Our rangers were fantastic. Their vast knowledge of wildlife and foliage throughout the Reserves truly enhanced the experience. We saw the Big Five, plus many other animals and birds. Our wonderful driver also shared his knowledge and understanding of the Reserves and the countryside while driving to different locations. The Endangered Species Reserve is a must see. The afternoon was interesting and offered much information about the wildlife being protected and nurtured at the facility.
During our stay in Capetown, we learned about the city’s culture. A walking tour had us seeing first-hand the lives in a shanty community, a school, and sharing a meal with a local resident. For those liking jewelry, Shimansky’s will have you smiling. (Save your receipts and VAT paperwork!) Dinner and the show at Gold’s Restaurant was so much fun. The food was delicious, and vegetarians/vegans can request a separate menu. Neethlingshof winery was wonderful. We tasted many varietals and took an informative tour. Our visit with the Sans grouping taught us about how we are all connected to each other. And, I cannot forget the penguins; they are simply adorable. Lastly, Victoria Falls is breathtaking. The views looking at the Falls were beautiful, as well as from behind the Falls during our sundowner cruise. This three-week experience was truly a treat!!!
US
Email Donna | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a pleasure to work with Lucia on planning our trip of a lifetime to South Africa.
My dream trip was to travel to South Africa. It was great working with Lucia in planning the trip. She was vey thorough in explaining what to expect. Lucia made some great suggestions and was always available to answer my questions by phone, text or email. It was also nice to view the video of South Africa prior to our trip.
The safari experience was wonderful. I never thought I would ride in an open jeep and see so many animals in their natural habitat. In the morning we enjoyed having a muffin and a cup of hot tea or coffee in the bush and also watching the sun set while drinking a glass of wine.
The Cape Town Tour was educational and spectacular. We enjoyed Robben Island, Table Mountain, Wine Tasting, Botanical Gardens, The Ocean.... I could go on and on. Shopping was great. The food was simply superb.
Our accommodations made us feel like royalty and our tour guide treated us like royalty.
I would highly recommend Go Touch Down Travel and Tours for traveling to South Africa.
US
Email Alice B | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An extraordinary experience
The trip was just amazing. Since you go on a trip like this you go for the animals, the first part was a little dull but it built as we went along and the safari portion was exquisite. Memories for a lifetime. The lodge was perfect and oh! the animals... The planning & care by Go Touchdown were terrific.
CA
Email Barbara | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Totally fulfilled ecpectations
Excellent. In particular our guides were outstanding!
CA
Email Lynda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely fabulous experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to South Africa. I was very impressed that on this trip they were one of the very few companies that did not charge an extra premium because I was travelling alone. Being in small groups was excellent as we were all friends by the end of the trip. Both in Johannesburg and Capetown our guides were excellent. They were flexible with us while providing an excellent experience.
CA
Email Barb C. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing-Trip of a Lifetime!!
I travelled with Go Touch Down in 2019. The customer service from the get go was great. Staff helped to arrange our add-ons, flights etc when time to travel.
The lay away plan over 3yrs was great, I don’t think I could have gone without it.
Our guide in Cape Town (Tony) was awesome and knowledgeable, we definitely made a friend for life. You definitely will not go hungry on this trip!
Our guide for the Safari portion (Bekkies) was also amazing, lots of stories and fun facts he will keep you entertained.
Definitely worth doing both the Cape Town and Safari ventures. Accommodations for both were great very clean and welcoming.
You’ll get to try some amazing food.
I would definitely travel with Go Touch Down again if given the opportunity in the future. The people we met and places we saw were fantastic. And it was nice only having 5 people in our tour group.
US
Email Steve and Renée | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
All of us experienced an incredible vacation!
It all began when I met Angie Main at the San Diego Travel Convention. Because of her genuine warmth, I immediately trusted what she told me about what to expect on a South African Safari. It's now 6 months after we returned from our memorable vacation. If we were told that we could only ever go on one more vacation and asked where we would go, we would immediately reply South Africa with Go Touch Down Travel. It all started in September 2019 when four of us traveled on a l-o-n-g flight to Johannesburg where we were met by our guide, the full-of-knowledge, fun-loving, thoughtful Thabo. Oh, the beautiful sights we saw as he drove us from one destination to another! Staying at Dunkeld was our first eye-opener to South Africa. The staff was super helpful and kind; bending over backwards to meet our every need. And the food? WOW!!! Humala was breathtaking! We all LOVED our lodge; safe, comfy, and cozy. Our guide, Wessel, was always pointing out wildlife. To have zebras and giraffes casually strolling by our safari vehicle was awesome. Favorite events? Our daughter would probably say being mauled by a lion at Lion Safari Park (Yup, a little lion cub decided to chew holes in her sneakers!) and hugging and playing with Tumbo, the gigantic, gentle elephant at the Elephant Whisperers excursion. My husband's and my favorite would probably be the glorious morning hot air balloon ride over the Magaliesburg Valley. Our son-in-law would probably say EVERYTHING was incredible!
Email Kallia Papapetrou | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I have found my travel agency for all my trips
They are a very polite team. They have fast and impeccable service. Immediate information for each step. And of course they are interested in the good of their client.
As I have said to my title I have found my travel agency for all the trips I will do from now on.
Guys are the best
US
Email Dave | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Did not meet expectations
After a year delay due to the pandemic we finally made out trip to South Africa. I would first like to say that the Go Touch Down staff were friendly and accommodating. We started our tour at the Seasons Resort and Spa, we would not rate this as a five star resort there were many small maintenance issues that needed to be corrected, from loose door knob, no wash clothes for 4 days, towels not replaced, animal droppings on the miniature golf course playing area, bricks sticking up on with walking path. The restaurant on the property (only one) had a very limited menu offering and than a lot of the items were not available. The elephant sanctuary tour was fantastic, would highly recommend, also enjoyed the hot air balloon ride. The drive from Seasons to Dullstroom for the panoramic route was long however the sights were very beautiful. It started with a grab and go breakfast to enjoy while driving, ( a cheese sandwich, hard boiled egg and an apple) , not a usual American type of breakfast. Made three stops along the way. The Dunkeld Lodge was very nice, we had a late lunch in the 1883 dinning room, in the evening we had an outdoor fire with a dance performance and retreated into the bar area to enjoy the bbq that was prepared. Was a cool temperature for the time of the year but the fireplace in the room kept it warm and cozy. Next morning we left for Humala River Lodge, stopped in Dullstroom, would have enjoyed a longer stop in town, only had 30 minutes to walk around. than a long drive. Once we got to Humala we had to transfer from the van to the game jeep for a 45 minute ride from the entrance out to the lodge. The lodge was everything we expected it to be, little cold as it got down to 39 degrees one night, the game drives we great. The only negative might have been at there is no menu , you get what the cook prepares. For us luckily it was all good and we enjoyed everything but for some people it could be a problem .
Humala was what you expect Africa to be. We again had an outdoor bonfire and Swaziland dancers did a show. Since this is a game reserve the amount and type of animals are limited. Than a long drive back to Seasons Resort. with a stop at Lion and Safari Park. The animals here are in large fenced in areas that you are driven through, have a good variety of animals but it is a captive situation. Next day it was drive to Pilamesberg National Park. again we had grab and go breakfast to eat in the car (tuna sandwich which no one ate) at the park we choose the open jeep and had a very good guide. Highlight here was watching the parade of 17 elephants going to the water hole, the restaurant at the park was closed so we ended up at Blimpies a fast food hamburger restaurant. Next day it was off for the hot air balloon ride which had been delayed from day to until the next to last day. We originally received a very detailed itinerary for the trip, it was however in constant state of flux as tours changed, and due to the pandemic some tours were cancelled or only parts of them were available.
Overall for the cost you get a lot with the tour, meals, transportation in country, some tour guide local tours it is not a high end tour but it is a good tour, more detail to the property maintenance at Seasons and what US visitors are expecting could be improved. Expect to spend a lot of time driving 6 people plus the tour guide in a 2 row van.