Exploring Cape Town by Helicopter
Safari Online
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $2,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Graham | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A travel company that listens and delivers
We started planning in mid-2019 for a safari in 2020. After talking to a few companies we settled on Safari Online primarily because Sabrina was happy to have a dialogue with us, listen to our ideas and make suggestions. There was no hard sell and she was happy to go to and fro checking availability, prices etc with different lodges. Eventually we settled on a trip visiting Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Due to covid the trip had to be postponed, initially to 2021 and finally to 2022. In mid-2021 every country seemed to have it's own set of covid rules and we decided that it might make sense to simplify the trip to one country - Botswana. Not a problem, more time spent finding the right lodges for us and, once again, no pressure. To our surprise and delight, Safari Online's relationship with their suppliers was such that none of the cancelled lodges retained any of the deposits paid.
The trip finally went ahead last month and really lived up to our expecations. A great safari, organised by a great company. I would certainly recommend them and use them again. And a special thank you to Sabrina for her patience and expertise.
DE
Email Ulrike | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most reliable, friendliest and best tour operator, accommodating to all requests
We have already booked a trip to Africa through Walter for the second time and are 100% thrilled. He is available and approachable at all times and makes even the most impossible things possible. The service is great and when we had problems with booked flights, he helped us immediately and made sure that we still got to our destination.
The tour (first Victoria Falls and then 9 days tent safari through Botswana) was unique and breathtaking. The impressions and experiences were so fantastic and will be remembered for a long time.
There was an unbelievable amount on offer for the price.
Safari Online is highly recommended. I would book a trip to Africa here again and again, because you can fully rely on the team.
(automatic translation from German)
Email Clive & Louise | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari Online’s Incredible Botswana adventure
Our trip was to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, however having made the best laid plans with Safari Online, Covid struck! Luckily Walter@SafariOnline maintained great communications throughout, initial delayed by a year, then due the omicron variant another. Walter rearranged all the lodges & internal flights / transfers calmly & efficiently. Two years of build up certainly heightened the excitement & expectations……we were not disappointed!
We commenced our trip at Maun, with a short flight up to the Okavango Delta , to Xugana Island Lodge. What a way to start…on the boat transfer to the actual Xugana Island Lodge we saw Crocs, Birds & Hippos, my wife’s favourite animal & the only requirement I asked Walter to guarantee!
We received a lovely welcome to Xugana, our room was wonderful, overlooking the lake with Birds & Hippos aplenty. Safaris here consistent of small boat , traditional canoes or walking. Walking through the bush with our fantastic guide ‘Wise’ was an awesome experience, learning to not only lookout for, but to listen out ( for bird alarm calls etc.) & even smell the environment around us.
We were lucky enough to see Elephants, Hippos, Baboons, Warthogs & Impala up close. Our two nights at Xugana Lodge were very comfortable with great company from both the staff & small number of other guests.After a morning walking Safari we caught the 20 min flight to Savuti.
We were staying at Ghoha Hills (for a couple of nights) which was set up one of the few hills in the more savanna style area of Savuti. Despite being a bit further away from the airfield & reserve (about 30 mins drive) we did get to see Hyenas feasting on a dead elephant carcass! Our luxury tent was amazing & the staff at the lodge were lovely. We felt a little self conscious as we were the only guests, but it did mean we had our own guide ‘ Kennedy’ all to ourselves, he was very knowledgeable & chatted about what he was looking for when tracking various animals. In Savuti we saw lots of different Antelopes, Giraffes, Zebra, Wilder-beasts, Elephants, Birds, but the highlights were the Lions & Cheetahs. We spent a wonderful hour or so tracking then finding “Scorty” a male lion, so named as born with a short tail! Kennedy said ‘ these look like fresh lion tracks’, a which point my wife pointed to the Lion 20 feet in front of the Jeep!…very fresh!
Our transfer again by small plane, was slightly delayed……due Elephants on the runway!
Flight took about 30 mins to Camp Moremi, which was a slightly bigger lodge but had the most wonderful tented rooms & the staff had made some great towel art of Bats , Crocodiles & Elephants. We had excellent company each evening around the camp fire, with stories of the local tribes & descriptions of the huge southern sky. We had game drives around the lagoons & waterways again seeing everything from Hippos to Lions….plus the added bonus of seeing a couple of illusive Leopards. One evening we were given a private dinning experience to help us celebrate our anniversary, which was wonderful. On retiring to bed we could hear & occasionally see the Hippos, Warthogs & Water Buffaloes wondering around the lodge grounds.
From Camp Moremi we took the slightly longer transfer ( about 50 min flight) to Kasane Airport & onto Chobe Game Lodge.
We had a slight shock on arrival….Walter@safarionline on the phone! Unfortunately Comair had just cancelled our flight back to Jo’berg at the end of our trip! Luckily Walter had calmly & professionally checked out our options & managed to secure two seats on a suitable alternate flight, he was just sorting the road transfers & would let us know when all done…..at least 3 others at hotel were due to be on same flight & didn’t even know it was cancelled! Walter’s quick & calm sorting of this problem ment we suffered no stress & were able to continue enjoying our incredible adventure.
Chobe Game Lodge was a larger more hotel set up with a more formulaic style of early morning game drives & afternoon boat safaris in small groups of 8 people. Our guide was slightly less engaged & appeared to follow a fairly set route through the national park, although we spent some fantastic times watching the baby & larger Elephants play & saw some superb game from Hippos to Lions. Ilala was missing some of the little touches that made the earlier lodges so wonderful, such as hot water bottles for early game drives & boat trips (especially) as at 6am it was very cold on the water. The food at Chobe was excellent & we spent a couple of lovely evenings chatting with other like minded travellers. We were also given a lovely cake with a singing a compliment on our anniversary.To top it off, on our transfer out of the park we saw Lions plus Hippos out of the water.
Transferring over the boarder to Zimbabwe ( Victoria Falls) was as painless as possible the agents Wild Horizons were very helpful. We checked into Ilala Lodge Hotel which was wonderful, great location, 1000 steps to the falls, with helpful staff & a lovely atmosphere. We had a superb meal at there restaurant in the evening & really enjoyed the sunset cruise on the Zambezi , seeing more Hippos, Crocs ,Birds & Elephants. Our highlight here was on our last evening seeing three large Hippos in the gardens of the hotel ‘mowing’ the lawns!
Walter had done a great job rearranging our transfer back to Kasane & flights to Johannesburg for our return home, all went smoothly, can’t thank you enough.
This trip was a truly unforgettable experience, we feel very lucky to have seen everything we possibly could. Can’t recommend Safari Online highly enough for making it such a wonderful trip & for all your assistance not only over Covid but also with the last minute hiccups that Walter dealt with so quickly.
Regards
Clive & Louise
CH
Email Martin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very in tune with our needs, created happy memories.
The choice of camps was spot on and we hugely enjoyed the uniqueness of Botswana. Karina was very professional, reacting quickly to wishes and queries and at the end of the day everything (flights, logistics) worked just fine. She organised the COVID testing with the additional night's stay to our satisfaction. Thoroughly recommend this organisation.
Personalized and helpful attention to our trip
We loved our trip~ it was very special, and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. We are residents of both South Africa and USA, so we have experienced only "budget" safaris and the occasional travel splurge. This was a 5 start safari! But good value all the same. Karina, who helped us decide and book, covered all the info we needed, and kept us up to date. Highly recommended.
US
Email Tom | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Detailed oriented and excellent operator
From the start of the planning process to the day we ended our trip, Karina and Walter at Online Safari was there to make sure our trip was everything that we had hoped for. If your looking to plan the trip of a lifetime, go with Karina and Walter at Online Safari. The trip was well organized and reasonably priced, trust me, just book it with them.
Email Angelka | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nothing Short of Outstanding
My husband and I are experienced and confident travellers and yet, when it came to getting the best from our safari in Botswana, we couldn't possibly have delivered on such an outstanding itinerary alone.
During our first telephone conversation, Walter at Safari Online sought to understand our requirements - our safari travel history to date, the level of comfort we would prefer, the diversity we were looking for in our itinerary between land and water-based safari and the type of wildlife/animal behaviour we would most like to see. He then crafted a six day trip, which began in the rugged landscape of Savute, know for it's predator action, followed by the serenity of the Okavango water-based activities and topped off with a bonus few days at a camp in the lap of luxury. He read our personality and requirements perfectly and made recommendations, without at any time, seeming to prefer one option over another. His focus was rather to ensure that our choices were well informed and suited to our needs. The logistics in terms of transport, dietary requirements and birthday surprises were flawless - thank you.
When dealing with Walter is was more like dealing with a knowledgeable and honest friend, whose passion just happened to be safaris! The electronic presentation of the itinerary was professional, easy reading and packed with information. Walter went the extra mile to answer our endless questions and, in Covid times, ensured that we were reassured with the terms and conditions of the lodges. We knew that he would be there to help us overcome any hurdles.
As independent travellers, we normally book our own trips and are understandably cautious whenever seeking out a tour operator. From the first moment, we had no qualms whatsoever that we were dealing with an honest, straightforward company who had extensive knowledge and had our best interests at heart and that was very much the case from start to finish. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Safari Online at the highest level and will travel with them again in the not too distant future, as will, I am sure, many family and friends to whom we have recommended Walter and his team.
SE
Email Rolf Meyer | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very profesional and 100 percent relaiable
it is difficult to put all this in words, it was more than you can expect, just wonderful. The guides tried so hard to show all the wildlife, even in difficult times. The accomodations were all special and all the staff just great. I can really recommend it.
Email Graham B | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Helpful, friendly and knowledgable service
Communication was very easy and fast. Karina was very helpful and managed to give suggestions to meet our budget and time table.
The two centres chosen, Gold Reef City and Lush Private Lodge exceeded our expectations.
Transfers were on time and also efficient. Would have no hestitation in recommending them to others and we plan use to use their services next time we travel to africa.
US
Email Lori | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!
My husband and I just returned from a 9 day safari experience in Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, and Okavango Delta. Kim from Safari Online planned out a truly amazing safari trip for us. She was extremely responsive and accommodating with various questions and requests we had during the planning phase. She made sure every detail was taken care of. The trip itself was great! We never really had to worry about a thing in terms of transportation pick-ups, flight charters, etc. Everything was well-planned and executed. We really liked all of the camps/ lodges that Kim booked for us. We saw so many animals and so much wildlife, from lions to leopards to aardvarks. There really were way too many to list here. The safari guides we had were excellent and worked hard to make sure we had great wildlife sightings and stayed safe. The food was excellent everywhere we stayed and I was surprised by how well-fed we were. Everything was perfect except for the scorching heat (the rainy season seemed to be refusing to start) when we were there but we didn't really let that get to us as we were having such a great time. I'd definitely recommend Safari Online.