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 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.
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Email Anthony | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best tour guide I have ever met!
Cape Town was worth every penny. We had a wonderful time. Everyone we came in contact with was friendly and accommodating. The food was outstanding. We loved the villa upgrade, especially the fireplace and the hot tub. Our tour guide Johnathan made our vacation so memorable, he gets five stars! Also, we would like to request him for our next visit to Cape Town. Go Touchdown Travel we love you all.
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Email Theresa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touchdown Tours is a great tour operator!
I can't say enough about Go Touchdown! Great company! I added a day in Johannesburg before my 8 day Cape Town Tour. They booked all my flights for me and my hotel in Johannesburg and a tour. The Go Touchdown staff was very helpful with questions and concerns I had.
I stayed at City Lodge at O.R. Tambo Airport. Very convenient. Great hotel. Friendly staff! It's right in the airport!
I took the Soweto Tour in Johannesburg and enjoyed it. I learned a lot. Went to Nelson Mandela's house. It is very small.
Cape Town is beautiful! Had great weather! The cruise along Langebaan Lagoon was wonderful. We had a beautiful sunny day for it. Learned about fossils at the West Coast Fossil Park. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre was very educational. We even got to cook a piece of Spring Bok on an open fire! We went to Table Mountain. The views from there are incredible! Loved the ride up to the top. The floor in the car rotates so everyone can get the same view! Saw the penguins and seals! Cape Point Lighthouse was great. Great views from there as well. We also went to Cape of Good Hope. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has some great shopping. The Watershed is a local place where individuals can sell their jewelry, clothing and other items! On our last full day in Cape Town, we did 2 wine tastings. The wine is great! I bought a bottle! The dinner at Gold Restaurant was incredible! Each course was delicious!
The hotels we stayed at were great. Very friendly staff. The manager at Shark Bay could not have been more accommodating! My only issue was that my bed at Stillness Manor creaked when I got up from it. Being a beach girl, I loved the location of Belle Maroc Blouberg! Right on the beach!
Our tour guide Jonathan is one of, if not the best, tour guide I ever had! He was always on time or even early. He is very knowledgeable and is a proud native of Cape Town! He recommended a great restaurant at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for fish! I had the King Clip and it did not disappoint! He was also very helpful when taking me to Cape Town International Airport for my flight home.
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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.
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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!!!
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Email Clyde | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
They were very professional
I booked a trip with Go Touch Down Travel for a Kruger safari and Victoria Falls tour. Angie and her staff were very professional. The accommodations provided were top notch. Meals were well prepared and tasty. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. I gave them a four-star rating as part of the safari required me to take a flight to one of the safari locations, however only a last-minute observation prevented me from being left at the location after the safari. The flight did not include a return. This return flight became an additional expense. Notwithstanding the return flight mix up, I would recommend Go Touch Down Travel to others.
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Email Lisl B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We had an incredible experience with Go Touchdown Tours at Tshukudu Game Lodge!
We had an incredible experience with Go Touchdown Tours at Tshukudu Game Lodge. The staff was wonderful, always friendly and attentive. The guides were knowledgeable and made our game drives unforgettable. The food was delicious, offering a variety of tasty options. The accommodation was amazing, providing comfort and stunning views. Highly recommended for an unforgettable safari adventure! Price was great and worth every penny. Communication with staff beforehand was on point, while at the lodge staff kept us informed. Very reliable and we can't wait to go again!
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Email Bob L | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very knowledgeable in the tracking of the animals and had a fantastic personality.
This was our once in a lifetime vacation and it didn't disappoint. The staff was very friendly and helpful while we were there. You'll never go hungry because they feed you four times a day and the food was great! We saw were able to see almost ALL of the animals and get plenty of pictures. Would highly recommend this to anyone.
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Email Attila Deri | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect Game Drive
We enjoy 3 days in Royal Murubishi, and 3 days in Tshuduku. Both of them was excellent.
Murubishi was more relaxed, with very nice surrounding, garden. The staff and game driving was professional, we saw everything what we was looking for.
Tshuduku was similar, but the game drive was more closer. The driver bring as to the animals very close trough the bush. Sometimes 4-5m. We could hear the breath of them, saw lions hunting, eating warthog, baby rino, a lot of elefants, girafs, leopard, cheatah, buffalo, ect. It was a very close experience, what can not be told in writen text. It must be expereinced personally, nothing comperabel to any video.
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Email Arnis | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great way to see and experience S Africa and Vic Falls
Our tour was well organized, interesting and fun. Morning and evening safaris were tiring, but led us to see the Big 5 and the Ugly 5. Time in Capetown was thoughtfully planned and we experienced emotional events that I did not anticipate such as the tour of Langa. Best of all were the people we met throughout the tours- the Guides, drivers, and Lodge staff were very friendly and helpful. I would not hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone.