Customers having diner
Simba 4x4 Tours and Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- OGATO & IPTGSA
- Tour Types:
- Budget camping tours that can start every day (clients assist with camp chores)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Hersia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Bad expierence with Malcolm
We just returned from touring Botswana with Malcom.
Our experience with him as a tour guide was not positive.
At every border control post, he neglected to inform us of the procedure and necessary requirements.
This was also the case during the tour, we were not informed about when to take along water, diesel/petrol etc.
His cell phone was also not roamed.
With regards to confronting him with our problems, he was not approachable and dismissive.
Reply from Simba 4x4 Tours and Safaris
Posted on Sep 19, 2016
Hi Hersia
I am sorry you felt like this, however, I am not surprised, as on day one you complained about catering for yourself. You stated as much when you said on all your previous safaris, the operator catered for you, even though this safari was advertised as "Self Catering". After that I could do nothing right.
The issue with the border post only occurred at the last one we crossed; when I was instructed by a border official to vacate the area as soon as I was done, as space was restricted and it became busy.
The comment about water and fuel is blatantly not true. I even got you to buy a 20lt container at RAKOPS to enable you to carry enough fuel. It was the only place where fuel was a problem. The water issue came in when the town of Victoria Falls ran out of water. I could hardly be blamed for that, but had you filled up with water on arrival, like everybody else, the issue would not have arisen. In the end, the extra water was not even needed, as the 30lt of water you had (for the two days left on tour), was sufficient as I predicted.
The roaming issue with my phone was due to a misunderstanding by my new cellphone service provider, but at least my cross border SMS facility was operational.
As said in the first line, I am sorry you felt like this about this tour, as you are the first person to make the type of complaints that you did.
Unique experience
Our trip to Johannesburg on May 2017 was the first time. The trip was more to personal customized. Price was reasonable. Although Malcolm expertise is in 4x4 tours but he worked hard to make our trip become memorable. We did Safaris tour and he enjoyed entertained my son, wife and I about various animals and its habitat. Instead of Safaris, we also enjoyed and appreciated to Malcolm for his willingness to tell the brief about Johannesburg and South Africa, almost everything!...
CA
Email P&J | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Botswana and Zimbabwe Safari!
Had a great safari experience with Malcolm. We had a set itinerary however due to weather we had to change locations which Malcolm re-arranged with ease for us. Locations were varied and remote including Hwange and Chobe National Parks. Malcolm arranged our vehicle hire which was brand new and well equipped and also lead us through immigration check points without hassle. Our first safari experience and looking forward to seeing more of Africa.
Email B&W | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great varied safari
On our month long tour we visited Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The itinerary was varied and included lots of different, exciting activities. Ranging from a boat trip in Chobe National Park to white water rafting down the Zambezi to visiting the beautiful Epapu Falls. We had a wonderful time. Malcolm was a confident guide especially when dealing with the unexpected and a vehicle problems that we experienced.
It would have been helpful if Malcolm could have detailed the itinerary, what provisions may be needed and whether extra money needed to be withdrawn on a more daily basis. Otherwise an unforgettable experience.
Email Daniel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant guide.
We did three day trips with day trips with Malcolm (Joburg & Soweto, Cradle of Humanity, and Cullinan & Pretoria). All were great fun. Malcolm is a funny, knowledgeable guide who gave us a great insight into South Africa. I would highly recommend booking tours with him.
Email Tony and Natasha | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Day tours around Johannesburg
On a short visit from Australia, we contacted Malcolm via our guest house.We wanted especially to visit the Cradle of Humankind but left the rest to Malcolm . His local knowledge and ease of manner made that visit , the Soweto tour and especially the day at Pilanesburg a delight.He knows his stuff and steers visitors, especially photography zealots, in the best direction. No doubt his longer safaris would be even bigger fun but , for day tours, you couldn't be in better hands.
FI
Email Sara and Janne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Kalahari adventure
We had a great two weeks trip with Simba 4 x 4 Tours and Safaris to Witsand, Kgalagadi, Mabuasehube, Khutse and Pilanesberg. Malcolm did all the planning and booking and we were very happy with the itinerary. We had a hired car with tent and full camping equipment and we went also to the most remote areas, where is no cell phone reception. We communicated with radio phones while driving. Everything went really good and we did see a lot of animals in Kgalagadi. Inside the parks or reserves we could drive just by our own as we wanted by our own schedule, when it was time to move to a different park, we drove together. Malcolm seemed to have a lot of knowledge of African nature and many other interesting things also, and he was very helpful with all things concerning car and at the camp generally. Malcolms companion Siggy was amazing recognizing every little bird or bug we asked him about. We really had fun time with them both. Some of the drives were quite long and tiring, although we were fully aware of that beforehand. At times we felt little rushed and didn´t always know how long the drives would be.
We would warmly recommend this company!
Reply from Simba 4x4 Tours and Safaris
Posted on Feb 8, 2019"At times we felt little rushed and didn´t always know how long the drives would be."
Thank you Sara and yes, it is amazing how different perceptions of different people could be!
We were told by 2 people in Twee Rivieren Entrance Gate that to travel from Nossob to Motopi we had to leave Nossob in the dark to avoid the hot sand of the sand track and that it would take us between 6 and 8 hours to do this piece of road. This road was apparently so bad, it shook their vehicle's roof rack apart.
If put us under a lot of pressure and had us very worried. We had to get up very early and pack up tents and the rest of it in the dark to leave Nossob Camp by 05h30.
We were worried about the conditions and duration on this section, yet we arrived at Motopi by 08h30 (only a 3 hour trip) and did not find the road at all bad!
In the end, we need not have felt rushed and worried at all!!
US
Email Norman & Susan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perspectives on South Africa
We hired Malcom for a 4 day tour to visit Swaziland and Lesotho, out of Johannesburg. I understand that this not one of Malcom's typical safari tented trips, but it was exactly what we wanted. Communication with Malcom was fantastic, and the trip couldn't have gone better. Also, a GREAT value! Malcom arranged all the hotels, met us at the airport and provided great commentary along the way. Malcom has lived in South Africa most of his life and has seen many changes. For us the hallmark of a great guide is someone that provides their own perspective on life and doesn't just show you the sights. As liberals from the USA, we may not fully understand his views, but we certainly appreciated being challenged by them.
US
Email John Kraft | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime.
Had to write a quick note about our trip. Malcolm is an excellent guide and a fun person to tour with. We enjoyed our journey to Botswana and Zimbabwe. The campsites were very nice and it was fun to rough it and cook and eat under the stars at night. All our border crossings were seamless and we had no problems with anything during our trip. We relaxed and let Malcolm give us a tour like we have never had before! Hope to go back and pick a different trip to do with him sometime in the future. Thanks Malcolm!
BR
Email Daniel Machado and Adriana Ferreira | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and amusing
Using the services of Simba 4x4 Tours was a great experience. Malcolm has provided us a nice and professional service. He knows the best places to go and has an amazing knowledge about safaris. We were delighted.
We are looking forward to coming back and making a longer safari with him.