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 Dan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
With the exception of some challenges with the Capetown guide on the last day of our visit to the city, every portion of our booking experience and the two week tour in South Africa exceeded our expectations.
Email Lund Family | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service, great accommodation.
Everything was great about this experience, communication leading up to the tour was good, any queries I had were answered quickly. As soon as we were picked up at the airport we were wanting for nothing, our guide Bakkies was friendly, funny and informative.
The safari was great, we had quite a few morning and evening safaris and they lived up to our expectations. The accomodation and food in each of the places we stayed at was exceptional, as was the service.
Thanks Go Touchdown Travel for helping us achieve one of our dream holidays.
US
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!
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.
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".
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.
US
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;
CA
Email Jennifer & Trent | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Now with Go Touch Down!
We have been home a couple of weeks, and yet our hearts are still in South Africa. Our incredible trip is constantly on our minds. Plans to return were happening before we even left! I don’t know if I can find the words to describe how much we enjoyed our trip - but I’ll try!
The first rate service began long before we landed. Plans to book started a few years ago, but life got in the way, so we chose to wait. Deon (CEO) never pressured, and instead said “When you’re ready, we are here.” Deon & Lucia remembered us and made true on their promise to find us the trip of our dreams! Lucia prepared us so well for our trip and seemed genuinely excited for us as the date approached. We arrived a couple of days early, and Lucia booked our hotel and made excellent recommendations of excursions to fill our day before the “official” tour started.
Each guide, ranger, and lodging staff we met along the way were top notch! Friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and just a joy to be around! At Royal Morubisi, our ranger Abrie’s (the Best!!) passion for his work, the land, animals and teaching was obvious and we felt so lucky to spend time with him! Michael, at Tshukudu answered all questions thoroughly (even ones that made him chuckle) and had a great sense of humour that added to our experience! The safari drives were exciting, beautiful, and a highlight for us. We saw so many animals (even a baby Chameleon - how did Abrie SEE that??) although the Leopard remained elusive. Just another great reason to go back!
Johnathan, our guide in Cape Town was amazing, warm, and knows his stuff! He kept us on track, all while keeping everything relaxed and fun! We enjoyed every minute with him!
The Food!! My advice - Bring Your Stretchy Pants!! All meals were Truly Delicious, including those at the restaurants our guides chose during excursions. Suppers were dining experiences; Never rushed, taking our time savouring every course, wrapping up the days perfectly. .
One of our favourite things was that each lodge and hotel had a different vibe and decor. This made it feel like a whole new vacation each time. Go Touch Down’s consistency in the cleanliness, luxuriousness, comfort, and friendliness of staff was evident across all properties.
Throughout our entire stay, we felt pampered, cared for, and at home away from home. Thank you for an unforgettable experience that will be treasured forever.
US
Email Melanie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing experience of my life time and I have lived and traveled all over the world!
If you have ever wanted to visit South Africa and go on safari Go Touch Down Travels is the way to go. It is first class all the way. My group did a week in Cape Town and a week Safari. Having a small group of only 6 is key. I wouldn’t want to do it any other way. Cape Town was amazing. We saw and did everything and more. We also ate at the best restaurants breakfast lunch and dinner. The accommodations were above my expectations. We had excellent communication before the trip. During the trip I couldn’t believe the care and attention each of us was given. We were a demanding group and our guides exceeded our expectations as well.
The safari week was even better. Their reserve is special as are the accommodations. A magical place. The places we visited outside of the reserve were world wonders. Everyday I had tears in my eyes with the beauty. The value is excellent. My family and friends who have done similar tours with other companies paid much more, had huge groups, the accommodations didn’t compare and the places they ate were not nearly as high end as Go Touch Down. Especially if you have a family or a group this is the company to use. Thank you Go Touch Down for the trip of a lifetime.
US
Email Judith Horn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
More than expected
This was a trip of a lifetime for me. My expectations went over and beyond. Cannot wait to go back and will not travel with anyone but Go Touchdown. They made my dream come true