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
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Email Susan B | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I thought this would be a trip of a lifetime, but South Africa is now in my heart. I want to go back
Everything about Go Touch Down traveling tours was fantastic. From the ease of booking to the transportation to and from each resort. The staff and drivers were kind and courteous. They were knowledgeable about the surroundings and shared many stories about their own adventures in South Africa. The accommodations were top notch and the food was spectacular. South Africa will forever be in my heart and every time I talk about South Africa to my friends and family or look at my pictures from my glorious trip, I get goosebumps and I get teary-eyed
US
Top notch all the way. Great guides who looked out for us. Great food. Great places to stay. Great!!
GTD was quick to answer all questions and help with all travel arrangements. The tour and safari far exceeded our expectations in every way. The price was fair. We love GTD and have nothing negative to say about anything! If you get a chance, book with them!!!
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Email Bettye | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Tour Guide was knowledgeable, accommodating, and timely.
My tour was Cape Town only. The service was impeccable, the restaurants selected were "top of the line" and each wine tour that we went on were very memorable experiences. I enjoyed myself so much, I have plans to return to Cape Town with Go Touch Down Travel & Tours. It my understanding that there are over 500 winery in that region, I need to go back to do some more tasting. The best thing about the whole trip was the maximum number on the tour was 6 people. I highly recommend this trip.
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Email UrbanH | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
awful
Do not use this travel agency. Go Touch Down and Deon Barnard have used the COVID-19 crises to defraud us of all monies we spent with them for a trip to South Africa. They essentially contend that because our trip, which was scheduled to begin on May 12, 2020, could NOT happen because of the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa, they should keep all of the $24,513 we had paid to them in December 2019. When pressed as why we were not to receive a full refund, or at a minimum that amount less the Sales Agreement’s specified 20% cancellation fee, Barnard replied, “get a lawyer.” We will shortly be bringing a civil action against Go Touch Down, Barnard and all associated entities. FYI: we received a full refund from Delta Airlines for the airfare purchased for this trip.
Reply from Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
Posted on Aug 11, 2020Dear UrbanH
We are sorry to see that you feel this way. Your complaint and statement is incorrect and is simply not the case. Go Touch Down has under no circumstances defrauded you or any client. Go Touch Down has on several occasions confirmed in writing to you that a full credit without any penalties or change fees, has been applied towards a travel date of your choice in 2021 or 2022. In addition, we have provided you the option to transfer all your benefits to a third party should you wish. Furthermore, the USA and SA imposed travel restrictions (not just SA). It is very unfortunate that you have attempted to leverage Covid-19 into an exit from contractual obligations. We have addressed this on numerous occasions direct with you and your attorney.
Our statements, terms and conditions that you accepted are very clear regarding cancellation and refund policies. Your original tour purchase was $17K less 10% discount. The terms and conditions were supplied to you at the time of sale. Several months later; you purchased additional trips to Vic Falls and the statement and invoice you received clearly stated "No Refunds". It is important to remember that we recommended that you consider travel insurance, which you did not accept.
Please contact Go Touch Down any time to reschedule your future travel when you are ready. We repeat; You have not lost your travel investment.
Sincerely;
Email Chris | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 7 day Safari Tour in South Africa
My wife and I had a great week in South Africa with Go Touchdown Travel and Tours on their 7 Day Safari Tour staying at Dullstroom, Humala River Lodge and Seasons Sport and Spa. We saw animals in the wild on our multiple game drives, visited villages, went sightseeing, saw native shows, ate interesting and great food and generally relaxed all the while. We patted and fed an elephant at Elephant Whispers and nursed lion kittens at The Lion and Safari Park. Excellent coordination meant everything ran smoothly and we were well looked after at every point by human dynamo Bakkies and local guides. Even the “traffic jams” were enjoyable being caused by elephants and baboons. We highly recommend this tour.
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Email Michael Bell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent choice for my group tour for a South African Safari
Go Touch Down went over and above my expectations! I organize group tours in the US and we interviewed several organizations before choosing Go Touch Down as our South African Safari tour partner. They handled everything in the same manner I would for my tours in the US. My group of 14 was informed, entertained and cared for during our time in South Africa. We stayed in the best accommodations and the food was amazing. I will continue to work with Go Touch Down for all of my African Safari groups and any other area in the world we can colaborate together and take people to exotic destinations! Thank you Go Touch Down for being a business I can trust with my hosted group tours!
CA
Email Floyd | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
wonderful tour and very well done
We very much enjoyed our tour experience with Go Touch Down. Very well done. The idea of small groups was excellent. The accommodations and the various meals at local restaurants was also very good. It was so nice to order directly from a menu and the dinning at the various wineries was fabulous. We really tours to other parts of South Africa. Over all we feel the company did a fabulous job conducting the tour. I have recommended the company to others I have had conversations with. We really enjoyed meeting the company owner as well as the other persons working for the company. Our tour guides were very good particularly "Buckies".
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Email Sandy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go "Worry Free" with GTD (Go Touch Down)!
For an "Adventure of a Lifetime" Don't Think Twice. Book it! I love to make my own travel plans, but in places where they drive on the opposite side of the road & limited wi-fi, why not go worry free. From the time we met Angie at the travel show with her enthusiasm & pictures (that really were accurate photo's of our adventures), to the phone conversations with Dana's knowledge, organization & fun planning our signature tour, and than the excellent helpful African guides like James, Bill & Fredrick, I say, think about the time of year you want to go for your best experience and than "just book it"!
Some tips that I think might be helpful: Wifi is available at several places,but usually it's by the resort lobbies or restaurants.Print or take pictures of the vouchers & itinerary found on the web site before you go. Enjoyed the small 5-6 group size. Much easier for the guide to accommodate everyone and would have been impossible on a big bus tour. Consider going a few days early with the signature tour for the cultural excursions. Lessedi, Mandala day in Joburg, Cradle of Mankind, interaction with the elephants (we even fed & got a kissed from an elephant). All of these were so worth the extra time & money.
Prepare for a wonderful culinary experience. The meals are 4 to 5 star. A great time to try the ostrich & other African dishes. We loved the true dirt road safari experience at Humala vs the commercialism of Kruger. Over exceeded our expectations for the animal & nature lover that I am. In October we were able to see several babies. For city lovers, you will love how they were able to pack so many adventures into the few days in Cape Town. The wait to get up to Table Mt was well worth it, Penguins, Seal Island, Wharf area, wineries & more. Consider the add on Vic Falls adventure. Not just for the falls but waking up to zebras outside your resort window, seeing herds of wild elephants, & interacting with the people from Zambia & Zimbabwe. We liked the low water season of the falls vs high water that you need to wear rain gear. The guides & resort staff helped us contact the African GTD contacts to answer any questions we had while in Africa, THANKS GTD for the memories & pictures of a lifetime".
CA
Email Lynne | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond expectations
The service we received from the time we signed up with Go Touch Down was excellent The customer service was impeccable. Everyone was so helpful in the planning and booking of our trip.
The accommodations, tours and safari drives were everything we could ask for and more. Our guides were extraordinary -- knowledgeable, accommodating and friendly, going above and beyond on many occasions. The food was excellent.
We were a bit hesitant when Pilanesberg National Park replaced Kruger Park but it was an incredible place. We opted to take the drive in the open air vehicle rather than the van. I would suggest this to anyone. We were very fortunate to see some pretty amazing sites. The restaurant within the park that we stopped at for lunch was excellent and I would highly recommend the ostrich burger. The restaurant overlooked a watering hole and we viewed giraffe and hippos there as we ate lunch.
Go Touch Down found us the Pangolin Lodge in Botswana to extend our vacation for an additional few days. Everything about it was incredible – from the lodge décor, the rooms, the grounds and food to the photography safaris -- both on the river and in the Chobe park. They provided professional photo equipment and instruction.
This was definitely the vacation of a lifetime and we certainly hope to return one day. Thank you to everyone at Go Touch Down for making our trip so amazing.
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Email Lou | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A dream vacation!
The communication from the time of booking until we returned was great. The accommodations, transportation and tour guide was outstanding! We had a fantastic time everyday and Humala was the best! The staff, food, luxury tents and safari drives was an experience we will never forget. The best part of this tour is that is limited to six people which makes it more personal. We had 4 other people that are now friends because we created great memories like having drinks at sundown watching Rhinos! The only negative thing to say is the at the Lion park and Pilanesberg we were not in groups of 6 but in buses with 20 plus other people and lost that personal touch we had the rest of the tour. It was crowded and it catered to people in front of the bus next to the driver, not everyone. We also wished we had more time in Pilanesberg, wished we got there earlier and stayed after lunch not just half a day. Other than those two things the vacation was a dream come true! The food was great and the wine even better (alcohol is not included but very affordable, something like 2 bucks a glass, same for beer bottles). We have so many great pictures of animals and the beautiful scenery of Africa. Thank you Touch Down for a great time! Improvement in Lion park and Pilanesberg vehicles to a group of 6 will make this a five star rating. I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5!
