Nick van de Wiel of Tailor Made Safaris
Tailor Made Safaris
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- FGASA, TKZN, MHCTO & EDTEA
- Tour Types:
- Self-drive mid-range & luxury tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $84 to $366 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
10 out of 10 for a fantastic family trip!!!
What a GREAT journey with Christmas and New Year included!
We also had the special honor of having both Nick and Freya on tour with us! It’s crazy how life is, one moment your sit at your hairdressers, talking about possible next holiday destinations and the next moment you’re driving around South Africa! A long and in depth preparation via emails paid off to ensure that the whole trip from beginning to end was exactly what we wanted. A long journey via Dubai brought us on Christmas Eve 2011 to the private lodge in Hluhluwe iMfolozi where the decorated Christmas table was waiting for us. Nick had gathered Christmas decorations and gifts which was wonderful. We then spent 3 days doing game drives and walks with the lodges guides who were very competent. We were lucky because on the first day we saw lion, hyena, a lizard and a herd of more than a 100 elephants. During one of the game walks we even saw a lion in a tree. So we could have gone home after that….I don’t think so, we were just getting warmed up! And the photography course provided by Nick had to be put into practice.
We then travelled to Kosi Forest Lodge in Kosi Bay for the water element of our tour. Here we took beautiful pictures of tropical fish (snorkeling safaris), water lilies and tropical birds during our canoe tour and a loggerhead turtle laying eggs on the beach during our turtle - tour. That was really impressive and indescribable. And there was always a big lunch, served on a nicely set table, on the beach or on that wonderful vantage point.
On New Year's Eve our “fireworks “were from very energetic, traditional Zulu dancers in Tembe Elephant Park . The commitment of the staff, the guide there and all the dancers was very special. For the real "die- hards " there was another game drive ( at 05.00 ) on New Year’s morning and Nick and Freya were back in action !
Our last pit stop before we went home was the heavenly home of our host and hostess; St. Lucia Estuary. There we combined the bush and beach, including a hug with a baby crocodile, a cuddle with two elephants and one with a CHEETAH! During the whole tour we took over 3000 photos, you name it we saw it, apart from a leopard, but we did see a leopard-tortoise and that was wonderful!
The photos remind us of our first visit to South Africa, but we are infected with the South African safari virus. It was memorable and we will definitely return in the foreseeable future! Hopefully back to Nick and/or Freya, because they were great!
C u again soon :-)
NL
Email Frank Veldhuijzen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great experience!
A great experience for us, something we had not expected in our wildest dreams
Surprising! Enjoy a real holiday and learn something! The design of our trip was perfect with game drives interspersed with other interesting things from South Africa, and seeing how the locals live, with time to also enjoy a good book in the lodge in St. Lucia.
It isn't necessary do think about somebody else: our next trip to SA will be with Tailor Made Safaris
NL
Email Jan en Martine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Coming home with a shameless amount of pictures!
For the second time we went with Geert on the hunt for big and small game in South Africa. Not in the home province of Geert like last year, but in Pilanesberg, Soutpansberg, Kruger and the Panorama route. What an experience yet again to see such beautiful landscapes, filled with many animals that Geert can tell fascinating stories about. Pilanesberg is really a beautiful park and was a logical bridge between Johannesburg and Kruger. Soutpansberg is a wonderful place to unwind; what views!
And then of course Kruger. We drove to the south from the north (Punda Maria), and have thus gained a good overall impression of the park, both in nature and facilities. Unforgettable days! The afternoon trip out to Kruger Moholoholo Rehab Centre was definitely worth it.
Finally we did the Panorama route with Graskop as our base. Beautiful views - a must!
Also thanks to Geert we again came home from a brilliant holiday with many great memories and a shameless amount of photos, we have attached some examples.
For all images, see: Note Tailor Made Safaris: very worthwhile to watch! There are really beautiful pictures!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joco_knoop/sets/72157631849966852/
and:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/---martine---/sets/72157631951767533/
Geert , until next time!
Jan and Martine (Utrecht, The Netherlands )
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal Honeymoon
Phenomenal Honeymoon!
Firstly we want to thank Tailor Made Safaris for our phenomenal honeymoon! The trip exceeded all of our expectations. Everything was perfect; romantic lodges, deserted beaches, private dinners under the stars, but also culture and safari!
We started with a few days on the beach to rest after our wedding. From our porch we looked out over the sea and deserted beach. After that we went to a romantic lodge in the woods, where in the evening candles and oil lamps were lit everywhere, both inside and outside and on the paths running to our lodge. In the evening we enjoyed a private candlelight dinner in a clearing in the forest.
After this our safari really started and we saw many animals to admire in the Mkhuze Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park, St. Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Hluhluwe -iMfolozi Park ; all different but all equally beautiful. And in the evenings we enjoyed African braais, it was very cozy. Your private guide was not just a guide but also a private cook and chauffeur etc.
During the trip, the program was adapted to our needs, and was not rushed, everything we did was relaxed. We really feel that we have experienced real Africa, and not just sightseeing on the tourist trail!
Tailor Made Safaris, thank you again!
Sandra and Sebastian Weijers, The Netherlands
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great self-drive trip through Northern South Africa!
Geert and Freya, we want to thank you for the great service you have given us in the preparation and compilation of our self-drive trip. Tailor Made Safaris has provided us with good information, through the wonderful book produced by Geert and also via skype and email sessions prior to the holiday. The trip we did was a good fit for our needs and requirements and our perception of South Africa.
We can absolutely recommend Tailor Made Safaris! No better organizer!
A cordial greeting from Marcel and Brigitte Kramer, Ronald and Wiesje Kramer,
Hengelo, The Netherlands
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A top holliday!!!
We had a top holiday with Tailor Made Safaris!
Last June we had the journey of our lives after booking with Tailor Made Safaris!
Everything was arranged and taken care of to perfection, we only had to enjoy and watch the animals we saw which included all members of the Big 5!
Family Roest-Wester (Soest, Netherlands)
NL
Email Nicolette & Arie Oorebeek | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super tour
We could not have picked a better tour operator than Tailor Made Safaris.
First of all they advised to limit our travel distance instead of doing all of Africa in one trip so we would have more time to enjoy our expeditions within the three weeks of holiday we had available, but secondly we only briefly mentioned we would celebrate our 40th aniversary with this trip and they managed to raise special focus to this by all lodges we visited, which made our tour so much more memorable. We had great sightings of the big 5 wildlife thanks to the expert knowledge and skills of all safari guides. Very good mix of lodges, from fairly basic to fine luxury places, just the way we liked to experience and all located in places with limited numbers of visitors, but maximum numbers of animals to see. Travel distances never too far, always an easy drive, pre-programmed GPS provided by Tailormade Safaris, as well as an emergency handy phone with African number to limit cost (if any). Very friendly staff everywhere, trying to make life as comfortable as possible for the guests.
Siyabonga Kahula !
Email Wout en Anke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Three weeks roundtrip SA with 10days private tour guidance (GREAT)
While reading the reviews we are proud that we where Freya's first couple (2010) for such a long private guidance tour :-)
We had a great trip which, for us, was a unique experience. The diversity (of surroundings) we requested was really there. Also the quality of the accommodations was outstanding.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family Santegoeds - Een fijne reis tot in de puntjes verzorgd!
Thursday 15th of May 2014
Well, holidays in South Africa, what are you writing, what are you thinking about? Of course, you write about what you already knew in advance and about what you see in real life afterwards. The wilderness, animals, beautiful landscapes, the tension when an elephant walks right next to your tent during the night. A perfect country if you love photography. We have seen the beautiful Milky Way for the first time. And all of this in South Africa? No, we have only been in the region KwaZulu Natal.
That was it? No, not at all. Most people we met, have impressed us. Casual encounters with great people. As Steve, B & B manager, he insisted that we didn’t go to bed without supper, drove us to a takeaway, drank a beer with us, exchanged information, thoughts and expectations. He gave us a glimpse into his life and his country. A very warm, cheerful, positive man. Or like a moment in the early morning in a nature reserve, we made coffee for 3 cleaning ladies spontaneously. They were very surprised that we served them coffee instead of the opposite. A dinner with a South African man and with a couple from Ireland. He was as a 5-year-old boy emigrated from the north of Holland and he was excited to talk Dutch with us. And we South-African with him. We talked about past and present, in the Netherlands and in South Africa. The couple had worked in Ireland, in a hospital, for years. They were back in South-Africa to enjoy the country where they have worked and lived for so many years. Don’t forget Theo, entrepreneur par excellence and a good man. What a invention to get people acquainted with your village, the people in your village acquainted with people from far away. He received us in his house. He helps the village to getting a better life environment, especially the vulnerable, young people. How little children in a nursery with so little, have fun and radiate energy. The 17 -, 18, 19-year-old students at a high school willing to participate in a game from the Netherlands and treat you with a swinging concert.
We’ve got so much energy from these people, sunshine can’t equalise this. Be there for others, listen and show understanding. And amaze, learn and appreciate how special the world is. Surprised by the openness and friendliness, we have enclosed Kwazulu-Natal and its people in our hearts. Engaged, engraved in our memories. Thank you for making this possible, Geert and Freya.
During our short stay, we’ve got to know South Africa as a country which is developing. Of course, with all the problems and contradictions. But who are we to judge. The Netherlands have had 200 years to become the democracy as we are nowadays. South Africa is just a democracy since 20 years. And in a huge country with so much diversity. A multicultural society. An example for The Netherlands.
Chapeau for Nelson Mandela
Hans and Sonja Santegoeds, Olland, The Netherlands
The best way to celebrate our 25-year friendship!
July-August 2014
A few years earlier, we were for the first time together in Cape Town and we knew for sure; we will come back to this beautiful country to celebrate our 25-year friendship!
Tailormade Safaris made us the perfect trip; one day after arriving in Johannesburg we were already on the bike to make a sporting tour through Soweto. Along the way we met several nice people and drank some home-brewed beer in a local shebeen.
We were introduced to the beautiful scenery in the Drakensberg where we walked surrounded by different species of deer and monkeys. We drove routes trough a lot of varies landscapes, it was beautiful. Just as the night we spend in a luxury guesthouse in Kloof. After that the journey went on to St. Lucia where we met the many hippos and crocodiles. In Kosi Bay we met the underwater world and we could snorkel among colorful tropical fish.
Then it was time for other kind of large wild animals we encountered in the various wildlife parks such as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Tembe Elephant Park and Pongola Park. We were even witnessed the capture of an impala by three lionesses! A unique and very special moment that will remember a long time.
The guest houses and lodges that were planned for us were great too; from pleasant to super luxury!
We have seen a lot and really enjoyed it, as evidenced by the thousands of photos that we have made! In short; we never could have celebrated our 25-year friendship in any other way!!
Greetings from Toine and José from Tilburg
and Ben and Jolanda from Wijk bij Duurstede