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
CA
Email Y E | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Memories
Hello and thank you for this offer to give a review of my South Africa experience. For me, this was a trip of a life long desire, considering that I had been a part of the resistance of apartheid oppression, while attending university some 50 years ago. So I was happily blown away by the beauty of the country, the tours offered and my living accommodations, making allowances when necessary, as the tours mattered more than sleeping quarters. What has left an unforgettable impression and which I have retold excessively is the following incident. Five individuals (me included) arrived at XXX for the safari experience. The Five consisted of a White couple and 3 Black ladies. At dinner on the first night, the 3 Black ladies were seated at a table by themselves, while the other guests (all white and meeting for the first time ) were seated together. Not a good impression. This practice changed but only after the guests themselves (foreigners) reacted to the situation On leaving the safari, we were told that any gratuities should be given to the owner for distribution to staff.. Again this smacked of something distrustful to foreign eyes, I am happy with my memories and momentous of your beautiful country, but there is a nagging reminder that the arc of progress is slow.
CA
Email Susan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
overall a wonderful experience
Both the Cape Town and Safari tour were wonderful,knowledgeable staff,very good food and accommodations and amazing animals on safari.Africa is a very beautiful country that your company enables tourists to experience.
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Email Jim Kirkman | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
My wife and I could not have been more pleased with all aspects of this wonderful trip of a lifetime
I had never had an interest in going to South Africa until my wife and I met Lucia and Deon with Go Touchdown Travel & Tours at the Dallas Travel Show in 2018. They described to us a trip that sounded almost too good to be true. We talked 3 other couples into considering the same trip. They joined us on the Signature Tour and we just returned on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The trip was even better than we thought it would be. My wife and I travel quite extensively and we both agreed that this might be the best trip we have ever been on. There were too many highlights to mention in this short space. We expanded our Signature Tour to include Victoria Falls for 2 days. Humala River Lodge and Victoria Falls Resort were top quality and very unique. The wine paring lunch at Grand Provence was first class all the way and our favorite meal presentation. We went on at least 5 safaris, each with a very qualified, informed, and helpful guide. I took over 600 pictures and treasure each one We will talk about our wonderful experiences on this trip probably for the rest of our lives. Thanks for exposing us to a beautiful part of the world!
CA
Email Sherry | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bucketlist - Retirement Gift to Self!
Since forever, I have wanted to go on an African Safari. Through serendipitous connections, I was introduced to a lady who had travelled with GoTouchDown in the Spring of 2017 and absolutely raved about it. From start to finish I was not disappointed and everything that she had shared with me of her experiences were met and more... accept, perhaps, for some confusion around the mobile phone offered at the time.
My friend and I signed on for the Signature Tour with GoTouchDown. They took care of getting us an amazing deal on flights; accommodations were great including 3 meals a day (unheard of - and not a set menu ever!); staff were extremely personable and accommodating; and friends who are from SA said that the tour had captured all the highlights, and from my perspective in fine style!
We were told up front that other than tips (and they even suggested the amounts) there would be no additional costs. That was never my experience until this trip!
We were there in the SA spring and seeing new births in their natural habitat left me awestruck. South Africa, is beautiful, which is not of GoTouchDown's doing, but they certainly provided an experience that will last my lifetime. Since our return, both my traveling companion and I have had friends/family sign-up.
Thank you GoTouchDown.
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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.
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Email Christy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Presentation, contract, itinerary, and actual experience never matched up, and no resolution.
We booked a safari in South Africa at a travel show in Dallas. We received an itinerary 2 weeks before the trip. On the trip our experiences were not what was communicated at the travel show, nor on our contract, nor on the itinerary. The contract says they can change anything they want at their leisure and as a customer there is no recourse. Many of our safari guides exceeded the 6 passengers, so that small group feel...gone, forget it. They only allow you to stay at their resorts so there is EXTENSIVE driving to and from every activity. Our itinerary said we would be on a jeep safari in Kruger, but once we arrived we were told we had to pay an additional 130 for the jeep. Our trip to Kruger took 3.5 hours to arrive, only got 3 hours on the jeep, then a 5 hour drive back to the resort (Hamala). It was a miserable day in the van and not worth the drive for such a short safari. Hamala is a nice resort but dinner is what they choose, not what the customer would like. They served a steak one night that was too tough to eat. I told the host the steak was too tough and his response was "your welcome", so needless to say I went to bed hungry that night (there were NO other food options provided). The safari's at Hamala were at 7 am, wake up call at 5:30, coffee at 6:30 and safari from 7-10, then breakfast is at 10am. I struggled with my blood sugar being up for 5 hours without any food. I finally had to buy snack cakes at the gas station during an outing. Persons on the Cape Town tour are flown into JBurg and they say a free night at Seasons resorts to recover from the travel, but all it is, is a sales pitch to buy into the resort, as they then have to fly from JBurg to Cape Town the next day. We also booked a shark dive with Go Touch Down, they charged us 350 per person. When we arrived at the shark dive operator we found out the cost is 186 per person. I assumed there would be a small up charge for Go Touch down to book it, but seriously, double the cost. Save your money and book your own shark cage dive directly with Apex Shark Encounters in Simon's Town, your cost will be cut in HALF. I will never recommend this company. I wrote 6 emails during my travels of my negative experience and received NO assistance, many emails I didn't even get a response. I wasted so much money with the company and want to ensure other people don't get scammed like I did.
Reply from Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
Posted on Aug 11, 2020Dear Christy
It is with sadness that I read your review. Our clients travel far and the trip to South Africa is often a trip of a lifetime. We pride ourselves on our success rate and social media reviews.
You wrote to us 5 times during your tour in South Africa. I replied to you every time that you did. My replies were detailed and lengthy, even thou you were in destination. Four of your emails were about the same subject. I replied with extracts from your agreement and the itinerary you agreed on.
There is no point in going over each point you raised, as we have done so in detail in writing to you after this review. Your detailed itinerary you received prior covered the times, breakfasts, and driving. Instead, I want to say I am sorry that we do not agree on all the points you raised, as the other 3 people on tour with you enjoyed the experience. All the constructive remarks have been shared with the resorts/camps and they have taken your review to heart.
Please note that after much feedback, including yours, we no longer drive to Kruger Park as it is a long day, and instead now visit Pilanesberg that's only 70 min away. The reviews are fantastic.
Again, I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy our 8-day Safari and would like to offer you a travel voucher for $500 to use towards one of our other Exclusive Tours.
Sincerely,
the COO
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Email Patricia Grech | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touch Down is a first class act!
Go Touch Down communicated regularly & always replied promptly to our questions. My friends and I, immediately recognized the professionalism and were impressed with Marie and the group in Sarasota, Florida. The tour guides, Jonathan, Bakkis, and Bastion were the ultimate professionals, each fun in their own way; and very knowledgeable. Without a doubt, on my/our return to South Africa, I/we will go through Go Touch Down.
Cape Town was more than I/we had ever imagined. It is truly an impressive city with the most majestic sceneries one can ever experience. The dining experiences were beyond our expectations. Jonathan, our tour guide and was kind and patient, but more importantly, we learned so much from him about the South African people, history, and its cultures. He is a class act for sure!
Bakkis, our tour guide for the second leg of our trip, was a very "happy chappie" and always made sure we were all taken care of and safe. Bakkis was fun and we enjoyed his great expressions. He is unforgettable!
Bastion, our tour guide for the safari/game drives, appears serious, but has a great sense of humor. We shall never forget his keen eye for detail and loved that he knew exactly where to stop to capture the ultimate sunrise or sunset experience. These are treasured moments for the rest of our lives!
Thank you a million times! My long life dream came true and it would not have been so perfect withour your entire team at Go Touch Down. Look forward to seeing you all again!
Affectionately,
Pat Grech
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Email Erica | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect and Life Changing
My South African Safari was awesome and perfect.
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Email Donna | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great guides food selection off menus in restaurants. Happy 2 weeks
Very good. The days were long and tiring but worth it
Email AnnaB | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Humala River Lodge Experience
During early January 2019, my husband and I went on a Safari holiday, which was arranged by Go Touch Down Travel …. What an experience! It could not have been better. It was a trip of a lifetime – far more than our expectations. They had every day planned for us. There was a maximum of 6 people in each vehicle, ensuring that we were very comfortable.
We started our Safari at Humala River Lodge.We were met at the gate by our guide (Richard). We travelled to the Lodge in a safari vehicle, giving us our first game drive. Richard had a lovely sense of humor and patiently pointed out the animals and bush, telling us more about their habits. Arriving at the Lodge was an eye opener.
The accommodation was really great. We had our own very luxurious bungalow, surrounded by bush and on the river bank. It was wow inside – spacious and very comfortable and only a short distance from the main building.
The main building was beautifully furnished, and we had a very warm welcome, being briefed about what to expect. The meals were to die for – the chef certainly know what he was doing. The pub area created a great, relaxing atmosphere and encouraged chilling with new and old friends. We were also entertained at the bhoma by the staff singing and dancing around a bon fire, while having a real African braai.
Richard took us on two bush drives a day. One very early in the morning bringing us back just in time for a late brunch. Then we had time to relax and lull around the pool to be treated with a late lunch/finger snacks before going on another game drive, stopping for some drinks in the bush. A beautiful supper was served at 19h00 in the evening (once again the chef had outdone himself). Thereafter relaxing and mingling in the pub, sharing the sights of the day.
We were sad to leave Humala River Lodge after only 3 days.