Kanyezi Africa Safari
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 1983)
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
Reviews
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Email Sharon | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly a Life Time Dream Comes True
Many words come to mind when describing the Kanyezi Safaris trip to Southern Africa - Amazing, Fantastic, Rewarding, Educational, Stunning, Luxurious, wonderfully planned and coordinated - just perfect. Our hosts, Michael and Chip took care of us from the minute we landed in Johannesburg until we departed 14 days later.
Our first destination for four overnights was Lanzerac Resort located not far from Cape Town. The accommodations were luxurious and wonderfully appointed. The food at the breakfast buffet, two onsite restaurants and the winery was excellent. The winery gives most enjoyable tastings and the prices are enticing for purchasing a case to ship home. From the resort we took scenic and well designed day trips to the Indian and Atlantic oceans, Simon’s town to see the hundreds of penguins, a tour of Cape Town where there are many attractions, a visit to Victoria Wharf, the Cheetah Outreach, shopping and dining in the lovely town of Stellenbosch and a wine tasting at Groene Rivier. This area of Africa is at the time of our trip in March lush and green at quite lovely.
Our second destination was Dulini Safari Lodge Resort near Krueger National Park in Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It’s not easy to get there as just two flights a day are offered. But it was more than worth the travel to get to this fantastic part of South Africa.
Dulini consists of three beautifully designed, modern and luxurious lodges. The theme is African Safari and every bit of it lived up to our expectations. The location of the lodge on the Sand River offers wonderful views of the bush area along with a variety of animal visitors that roam right on the grounds. The food was tantalizingly prepared and delicious. But the best part was yet to come.
The safari rides were utterly amazing. Twice a day we went out early in the morning and late afternoon for 3 hour all terrain vehicle rides to see dozens if not hundreds of wildlife during our five day stay. The guides and drivers are skilled in driving and locating all varieties of wildlife including: lions, elephants, cape buffalos, hippos, leopards, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, jackals, impalas, kudus. Bushbucks, wildebeests, hyena’s, dozens of birds and much, much more. We were able to get close up to really see these magnificent animals living naturally in the wild.
There is no way a review can really fully describe this amazing trip of a life time. All so perfectly planned, coordinated and executed. Kanyezi Safaris can custom plan a trip for you or offer you options on already planned trips such as ours. There were 22 in our group that joined together to experience and amazing trip in a lovely and remote part of the world. I highly recommend Michael and Chris to you to help you have an experience of a life time.
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Email Bernie & Jody | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnificent!!
In March 2023 my wife and I enjoyed a 16 - Day Luxury Safari with Kanyezi Safaris - our best travel experience ever!! The team of Michael, Chip and Manny were excellent from the start as they planned an amazing itinerary including a very informative and historical tour of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Wine Country and then onto Dulini Lodge in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve near Kruger National Park for 6 days of Safari and closed with a wonderful visit to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Amazing is all I can say!
The professionalism and knowledge of Michael, Chip and Manny were on full display as they were able to effectively team together and provide a wonderful experience for all, including catering to individual requests.
While all was wonderful, I cannot say enough about our time at Dulini. Observing the animals in their natural habitat was made possible by the expertise and experience of our guide and tracker - these folks are amazing. We were awestruck by mother nature and all she has to offer in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. In between Safaris we were able to enjoy the 5-star accommodation of Dulini and all its comforts. The staff at Dulini is second to none.
I highly recommend a South African journey with Kanyezi, in fact, I am planning my second trip in October 2024 as I want my children and their spouses to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.
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Email Tom W | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!!
We're just back from our safari, and on a scale of 1-10, it was a 12! The animals, lodgings, and staff were all much better than expected. We were on the 17-day safari (Cape Town, Dulini, and Victoria Falls), which I highly recommend. Nothing was planned for our first two days at Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch which was great as it allowed us to adjust to the time difference from California and recover from our 30-hour flight. Lanzerac is five-star, and is located about 45 minutes from Cape Town. It's smarter to dine in Stellenbosch (a charming university-town) than to drive all the way into Cape Town to eat. Note: you will tour Cape Town one day and can dine there (try Pot Luck, it was excellent), and the hotel will pick you up for a fee. The Dulini Lodges are also five-star. We stayed in Mora and our suite backed-up to a creek with a lushly covered hill behind it so it was very private. There are no windows on the front of the suite (60 feet wide, with inside and outside showers, living room, and heated plunge-pool) but the rear is all glass so it's like living outside but you are inside in an air-conditioned environment. The Dining Room is open-air, and we even ate a dinner on the lawn--no bugs. If it's dark, you are escorted to your room for safety. We saw every type of animal imaginable as game is very abundant. We did 30 hours of Drives, and saw leopards and lions several times, elephants were often encountered as were giraffes and zebras. We were fortunate enough to see some rare ones, including wild dogs, and a pangolin. We also sat among a herd of cape buffalos that stretched a quarter-mile. We sometimes got within three feet of a lion or leopard, which is very exciting--as long as we remained seated in the safari-vehicle, we were ignored by them. At Victoria Falls, we stayed at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, which is perched on a hillside and has a magnificent view of the Bush below. The Falls were roaring, so were dramatic, but you will get wet despite wearing a poncho. The staff everywhere we went could not have been nicer or more accommodating. In sum, it was one of the best vacations we've ever had.
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Email Will & Marilyn Cantrell, Travelers | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Special attention and exceptional service!
Having spent a month on safari in East Africa, we thought we knew what to expect on Kanyezi’s South Africa safari. Little did we know we’d see the Big Five within 24 hours of our stay! We started our trip in March of 2020, then the pandemic broke out and the State Department called us home halfway through. We at least had a glorious time exploring the regions of Cape Town and Stellenbosch. In March 2022, we went back for the safari at Sabi Sands Reserve. A big surprise upon our arrival, was the quality of the service we received. It was truly a 5-star experience! That includes the lodging, as well as the staff. The trip was an exhilarating, once in a lifetime adventure!
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Email Garth and Anne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well worth the wait!
Our recent trip with Kanyezi Africa Safaris was a bit unusual. We had started our adventure with a tour of the beautiful Cape Town area in March 2020, but were forced home early due to US restrictions to travel on account of Covid-19. Our experience with owner (and our tour guide) Chris, along with top-notch accommodations and personal attention, made us determined to return for the missing safari part of our planned vacation when it was possible again.
That turned out to be nearly two years later. Our already high expectations were exceeded by our stay at Dulini River Lodge under the auspices of Kanyezi. The lodge’s setting, overlooking a beautiful river valley with frequent animal sightings, was hard to beat. Each room was actually a separate villa with comfortable and spacious lounging and sleeping quarters, bathing area with soaking tub and walk-in shower, and riverfront deck with plunge pool and outdoor shower.
Food was creative, varied and more than ample. Our twice-daily game drives brought us in remarkably close proximity to all the legendary animals we had hoped to see – and a few more – in their natural habitat, behaving naturally if occasionally surprisingly. We were delighted to be the first group in two years to visit the local village where so many of the staff called home, to meet with groups of children and enjoy an impressive performance by the young people’s choir. Kudos to Chris for making it happen for us.
What really made the trip for us was the wonderful Dulini staff. Without exception, they were caring and competent, eager to take care of whatever we needed or wanted. Special mention should be made of our ranger Mac and tracker Prince, who seemed to have an almost telepathic ability to communicate the best routes and locations of the sometimes-elusive wildlife. Mac’s ability to multitask the challenging off-road driving, radio contact with other rangers, game-finding, and explanations to us was quite remarkable. We were also expertly catered to in the lodge by Sipho, our butler. Many thanks to all for making our stay so special!
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Email Pam | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour operator was amazing!!!
I would like to thank Kenyezi Safari (Chris, Michael, Chip) for the most amazing vacation experience I have ever had. I think I can speak for the other 8 ladies in my group, that the professionalism, detail and care we received made this trip such a success.
From start to finish, they were experts in planning airfare, touring the Cape Peninsula, especially the Penguin Sanctuary, while staying at the Spier Hotel and Winery in Stellenbosch, to Krueger National Park and staying at the Dulini River Lodge within the park. Having lunch on their deck and having elephants walk by is a sight I won’t soon forget. With our extremely educated rangers and trackers we entered the animal kingdom like no other. No words can describe the up close and personal experiences we had with the animals in their world.
We are all hoping to convince our husbands to come back for a golfing/safari combo trip in the near future. Take care and thanks you for an experience of a life time.
Pam Staub (Draggoo Girls)
Oxford, MI. USA
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Email Laverne and Kevin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip of a Lifetime!
We enjoyed ourselves tremendously! Chip Allen was very efficient with our itinerary and guidance of our travels. The staff at Dulini Lodge was so friendly, like “Ohana”. Everything was so perfect! The food was fantastic, the lodge was so beautiful and very comfortable, and the safaris were breathtaking! We mostly appreciated getting very close to the animals and feeling safe at the same time, thanks to our Ranger, Nic and Tracker, Dyke. Being able to go off road and into the bush to watch the animals in their habitat was totally awesome! We came home with lots of fond memories and amazing pictures. We had so much exciting stories to tell everyone, they were very envious of our trip. They too, hope to experience a once in a lifetime trip to Africa. We will surely recommend Kanyezi Africa Safari to everyone. Thank you for making my ultimate dream trip in Africa an experience of a lifetime!
CA
Email Bill | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded expectations
In late October, Early November, my wife and I took the 16 day package which included time in Cape Town, Kruger National Park in South Africa and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
The ultimate experience of the tour was in Kruger where we saw a multitude of animals. Our first request was to see wild dogs. In five minutes we were observing a pack of wild dogs. We later saw a juvenile leopard that had downed an antelope but before he could eat it a hyena stole his meal. Undaunted he caught a duiker and went up a tree to safely eat his meal. In two days we saw the big five. If it is photos of animals you want you can’t get closer and in a better position for these pictures.
We met some great people from Georgia and Virginia who were our Jeep mates. A more compatible group could not have been found. Our guide and tracker had excellent skills in following animals and were very knowledgeable. Their positive and friendly nature added to the pleasure of the trip. All aspects of this trip were excellent. I would highly recommend this trip for animal lovers and anyone concerned about the planet.
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Email Brandon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
Words cannot describe the emotional high we experienced while on safari. It was other worldly! The shear number of animals we saw was incredible and the fact that we could almost touch some of the animals was breathtaking. We could not have asked for a better trip. From our liaison Chip, to our guide Steph, to our tracker, the cooks, and waitstaff. Each and every employee was an absolute joy. Each employee provided the best care of our needs and you could tell that they loved their jobs. We had two, three hour safari rides each day. Each ride provided us with a zoology lesson on the animals and environment that was amazing. Our guide Steph is truly an amazing person and she taught and shared her passion with us all so much that we are forever changed by the experience. The food was amazing as well. There were a half dozen chefs that prepared the most amazing meals and dishes. Our rooms were amazing, from the oversized bed to the huge bathroom and shower, this was like a second honeymoon for my wife and I. A few animal highlights....leopards mating, lions feeding at night, elephant herds that passed us within 10 feet, hippos, rhinos, puff adder, so many species of birds, giraffes, wildebeests, kudu, impala, dwarf mongoose, and a dung beetle rolling his poop ball looking for a female to mate ;) But the highlight was on our last day. Four lions in the daylight out walking through the safari. Steph positioned the jeep so that they walked by us twice. They were within 6 feet. We could hardly breath. They were they most amazing animals. I still get filled with joy as I think about the experience. If you want to experience the most amazing trip choose Kanyezi Africa Safari. I will be taking my family back one day.
Fabulous!!!!
Africa......it’s been on my bucket list for a long time. First Kenya, then Tanzania, but then I found the Kanyezi tour for South Africa and Victoria Falls. Decided right then and there....this was it. Took the business class option. Basically flew first class on Qatar Airlines which was to die for. I had never been issued pj’s before. Service and comfort was impeccable. Met at airport, just as stated my Manie, greatest guy ever. Flowers in hand, we proceeded to our hotel, Spier, in Stellenbosch. I see ‘why’ for Stellenbosch. It’s is beautiful. Wine tasting, tours of Cape Town, Cape Point, feeding ostriches, and even a fabulous beachside picnic crashed by a hug baboon. Chris and Manie worked continuously to cater to our needs. Then on to Sabi Sabi Bush lodge. OMGosh! Luxury and beauty tied with a ribbon. Safaris twice a day with a walking safari in the middle. Zwa and Philos, guide and tracker, knew so much about the the animals, the vegetation, the stars, the history, everything you could possibly want to know. I figured up that they fed us seven times a day!! Chip was our Kanyezi host at Sabi Sabi and he took excellent care of us....all twenty that were on the April Safari. All you had to do was voice a ‘want’ and presto, it was there. On to Victoria Falls, via a one night stay in Johannesburg, which was a learning experience in itself. Beautiful airport and the hotel/casino area was HUGE. Vic Falls with helicopter ride, river boat excursion and the walk along the falls was so interesting. Thanks to the Kanyezi staff and especially our fellow travelers, what a fabulous trip.