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 Laz | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great staff & experience!
I truly enjoyed my African travel experience! The trip was simply amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire itinerary and team, but I want to specifically highlight James and Humala River Lodge for being my favorite experiences! I can't say enough about the entire experience and will definitely use Touch Down again when I return to Africa!
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Email Jonni Bondarenko | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All of the Go Touch Down staff are extremely dedicated to providing the best experience.
On the day we were leaving to come home, we were already discussing when we should go back. And I would absolutely reach out to Go Touch Down again to help us set up our next adventure. All of the agents who helped us were from South Africa, and therefore incredibly knowledgeable. They all hung in there with us throughout the Covid pandemic and assisted with a couple different rescheduled bookings. Ultimately, they ended up creating three separate bookings for us due to all the government shutdowns that caused us to reschedule. Agents were always prompt in their responses to us and always eased my anxiety over all the unknowns created by the pandemic. They created a level of trust that is so important for a big tour so far from home. Ultimately, we were able to finally enjoy our tour and it was the most epic journey of a lifetime. The food and the accommodations were all incredible. And we LOVED all of our local guides! These guys felt like instant family and we had so much fun driving to and from our activities with them.
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Email Bill | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip to Africa
Go Touchdown has done a great job despite the pandemic. Our group of 9 bought the African Safari package 2 years ago and they help us reschedule our trip several times...outstanding!
The trip was a true bucket list experience and Go Touchdown provided us with great drivers, guides and places to stay. Everything was top notch and we highly recommend them for all travel experiences.
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Email Dave | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Tour Operator was Awesome from the start to the finish of the of a lifetime.
All the locations of the trip were well staffed and clean. The US dollar went a long way in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We saw 4 of the Big 5 Water Buffalos,Lions , Rhinoceros and Elephants . The Leopards only come out at night to hunt, no one wanted to go looking for them. Most of the Safari Sites were in the wild. All the countries were beautiful landscapes that went for miles and miles. All of the staff were always available for questions and anything you needed. All drivers were very personable and could answer any questions that we all had . There was 9 family and friends in our group. Each one would recommend this trip of a lifetime to anyone. We were always safe and looked after no matter where we were.
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Email Linda | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Five stars all the way
Our GoTouchDown trip to South Africa was the trip of a lifetime and did not disappoint. Accommodations and food were all excellent. All of our tour guides were knowledgable, fun, and dependable. I would recommend this agenda to all of my friends.
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Email Judy K | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touch Down-The tour company you want it to be. A Big, Huge Success!
We went in September 2021, everything opened up from Covid, and just before it closed again. Now travel looks a lot better.
We had the best vacation. I loved going to South Africa and Go Touch Down did not disappoint us. We stayed at the Humala River Lodge. Our guide took us on early morning and evening safari. We saw a herd of elephants, zebras, giraffes, kudu, wildebeest, hippos. Took our first hot air balloon ride, buffet breakfast included. No worries there, our driver picked us up at the airport. Took us to each destination. They do small groups 6 people max. We flew to Cape Town, stayed at Belle Marco. What a fabulous view of Table Mtn., right on the waters edge. Went to the vineyards, saw fields of canola, baboons, lovely drive. Went to the waterfront out to see seal island. Had dinner at the seafood restaurant. Ate too much, you pick what you want at the restaurants. Everything was wonderful, it was the definitely the "Trip of a Lifetime ". I could go on forever about it. Now they've changed the itinerary this year to include Krueger and Humala. You will love Go Touch Down .
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Email Lauren | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience - Amazing Trip
Booking my Safari thru Go Touch Down was an easy experience from start to finish. I felt like I could email or call my operations guide at any time for questions and the responses were quick. I also loved how organized my documents were and how easy it was to pull them up online at anytime and print out what I needed. Before the trip, the communications team checked in with me and made sure I had everything I needed for a successful trip. My transport was waiting for me at the airport with a large sign that was easy to find. The van had air conditioning and water for guests. Check in to the lodge was easy and my Tour Guide was in touch with me right away to talk about the plan for the week and meet up times.
The Tour itself was well thought out. Travel and accommodations met expectations and having a group of 6 or less makes a huge difference. The best place was Humala Lodge for a totally unique experience. Communication about the next day's events was clearly explained each night at dinner.
All in all a great value for the money and felt like I had the information I needed on time. The only issue I had was at the end of the trip and very situational to the times in which I had to request a PCR Covid test instead of the rapid test that was suggested for me. I had to have the PCR to get into my home country.
A Dream Realized
Truly a dream come come true. From sales (Angie Main)to service (Dana Spencer) to the actual adventure, every phrase was top notch. It all starts at with the airport pick-up. Our driver guide, James was with us the entire time in South Africa. He was knowledgeable professional and treated not only as VIPs, but also like family. The staff at the resorts we stayed at were all outstanding. But the true experience begins at Humala River Lodge. The staff there was superb. Our twice daily safari drives proved to be an adventure of a life time. Our safari guide, Lindo, was on point with his knowledge of the wildlife and how to spot them. Every aspect of this trip was beyond our expectations. We added side trips to Victoria Fall in Zimbabwe (3) days and a day trip to Botswana. The entire trip was a dream come true. Thank you Go Touchdown Travel
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Email Susan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touchdown provided a South African tour which was personal, service centered and upscale.
For those of you considering a safari in South Africa, we highly recommend Go Touchdown Tours. If you are looking for a small upscale group tour which is guided by caring, knowledgeable and detail oriented professionals, then this tour company is for you.
Their stateside representative, Angie Main, was very knowledgeable and accessible. She answered emails within 24 hrs and was flexible in arranging her schedule when a group conference call was requested. Upon arrival in South Africa, we were greeted by a tour guide who was prepared to take us to our first hotel, Seasons Spa. It was clean and fairly spacious with a front or back porch. There was a common area in the middle of a 4 room configuration. We took the Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary tour. Highly, highly recommend it. Very interactive.
Thabo, our guide, was with us the entire tour. He was punctual, organized and very knowledgeable. His attention to detail went even so far as to warning us about the potholes in the road in case we got jostled. I could write a lengthy list of the many thoughtful things he did to to make this a memorable trip for us. Suffice it to say that Go Touchdown has an invaluable employee in this man. He is a wonderful representative for this company.
Dunkeld Estates is a beautiful resort. We highly recommend the horseback riding. The rooms are beautiful!
Humula Lodge is exactly how we envisioned a first rate accommodation. Our room had a front porch next to the river. The flowing water was a constant background sound. The staff truly cared about our needs and our wants. A special shout out to Blessing and Ayanda. They both are hardworking young men who catered to our every need. Ayanda not only made our soups and delicious bread but served our meals, as well. Blessing was the bartender, front desk clerk and conceriage. He did everything with a warm and gracious smile.
Our safari guide, Lindo, possesses exceptional tracking skills. He drove our group on 5 safari outings. Each time he never stopped looking for signs of animal activity. We were so lucky to have him as our guide through the Bush.
We returned to Seasons for our final 2 days. Visiting Plainsburg Reserve was one of the highlights of our trip. There was an abundance of animal sightings including elephants, giraffes, hippocampus, kudus and even a jackal. Buffalo Soldier was an outstanding and knowledgeable guide.
If you are contemplating a South African safari you would not regret choosing Go Touchdown. We loved every minute of it.
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Email William R Cavins | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolute Amazing African Adventure
We participated in a drawing at Gay Days back in 2017. We were contacted and decided to book the tour to mark our 20th year together and our 10th Wedding Anniversary. We’ve gone through a few different people handling various portions of the trip. Everyone tried to make us happy.
Touchdown handled the airfare and all aspects of the tour. We were pleased with the easy payment plan that fit our budget. Sadly I understand the 5 year plan isn’t available for future travelers. However they will work with you to make your Adventure in South Africa is a memorable one.
I will write a separate review of the tour itself at another time. For now know that Go Touchdown’s staff in Sarasota, FL is there for you.
Could they have have done more. Perhaps a few little things that should be improved. Adapters that said they were for Africa weren’t. So perhaps a brand recommendation or make them available through Touchdown. Also I don’t recall seeing a reference to a limit on ATM withdrawals to 3000 Rand per card per day. I also suggested they provide us with a cheat sheet of some local languages for staff members so we could say hello, goodbye, please and thank you in Swazi, Zulu or one of the other 9 languages. All little things.
Rest assured they have the big items nailed down! They even mark birthdays and anniversaries.
We will always.remember the work Angie, Deborah, Natasha, Deon, Joseph, Bakkies, Thabo, Bill, Rosemarie, Tandi, Buffalo Soldier and Anisa did for us. We look forward to booking Cape in the future.
