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
Trip of a LIFETIME!
We were the "family" of 10 on the trip with Kathy. I felt it was necessary to set the story straight. We were together for the full 17 days of the trip. We booked our trip 3 years in advance and paid in full almost a year in advance for everyone in our party of 10. I found it delightful to work with Chris over the 3 years. He was always available to answer my questions and concerns and explained everything to the fullest extent before we locked our house and went to the airport. We knew exactly where our hotels were--i especially n Stellenbosch Valley outside of Cape Town. This was never kept "secret" and if this bothered Kathy so much she should have raised questions before she left, not 3 months after the trip. By the way, the hotel in Stellenbosch was fabulous. Regarding being left at Victoria and Albert Wharf, we returned to the "pick-up" point an hour before we were told to be back. We never saw Kathy there. The rest of the group appeared on time and some were actually late getting back. We waited another 30 minutes in the van and there was no Kathy. I don't believe she was "abandoned".
Speaking for the rest of our family, we all agreed that this trip was unbelievable from the time we set foot in South Africa. All hotels, excursions, flights, meals and guides were super. It's hard to wipe this grin off our faces, the trip was that fabulous! For this reason, I give Kanyezi 5 stars out of 5; I wish I could give it more.
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Email Kathy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Left stranded in Capetown when Owner Chris No-Showed-Terrifying Experience
I will get straight to the important points.
1) I booked this tour as a single, middle aged women traveling alone. I booked and paid nine months ahead. Twenty one days prior to depature I called about my flight and tour arrangements. Chris stated "I am sorry but your tour has been cancelled. You will have to leave five days earlier or you can't go with us. We can still make it happen, but not with us." I made arrangements, at great inconvenience, to leave 5 days earlier.
2) Hotel for Capetown is TWENTY FIVE MILES FROM CAPETOWN.
3) Chris dropped me off at V&A for a shopping trip, at my request. I confirmed, three times, that he would pick me
up at the designated stop at 5 p.m. HE NO SHOWED. PERIOD. LEFT ME TOTALLY ALONE AFTER DARK. TOOK A TAXI BACK TO HOTEL WITH THE HELP OF V&A security. I was terrified, but made it back to the hotel.
4) I was dumped so Chris could assist a dentist who had booked his family of ten. There were numerous adults supervising all children at this time, on that night. There were no children left alone. I was left alone.
5) Chris called me the morning we were to depart for Sabi Sabi, and asked me to meet him alone in a hotel conference room, prior to our group departure that morning. I WAS MET WITH THIS THREAT:
"If you say anything negative about our company, I will take legal action against you."
Great trip otherwise.
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Email Mary Ann Kerkvliet | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
I wish I could have given it a 10 Star!!
My grandson,Peter,and I went on a 16 day trip with Kanyezi Safari! I am slightly handicapped and I was helped every step of the way by “Doc” and “Sheldon” our spotter and guide and Chris and Michael, our hosts. I get tired sometimes in hearing someone say “it was the trip of a lifetime”. This was the trip of about 3 lifetimes. Our every need and request was pleasantly granted. Naturally the 8 safaries which we were most looking forward to fulfilled our greatest expectations! We saw all the Big Five many times and many other animals and birds. The animals on safari walked so close to our open Jeep we could have reached out and touched them. (Of course we did not.). We followed our spotter and guides directions and thus there was never a time we were fearful. Sabi Sabi Lodge is fantastic! The food, the people and the outdoor atmosphere. Cape Town and Table Top Mountain —-Magnificent.
There were so many surprise treats added to the trip that we knew nothing about beforehand. I could write a book! I’ve gone on long enough. Kanyezi Safaries is welcome to give my email or phone number to anybody that wants a referral! You might be interested to know that this 78 year old lady is redecorating her wall with pictures Peter took on our trip. Thanks to all who made this a 10 star trip of 3 lifetimes!
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Email Love Z. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was the trip of a lifetime!
If you had told me 13 months ago that I would be returning from the most amazing safari adventure in South Africa and Zimbabwe in July 2018, I would have laughed in your face. I had no intention on doing any of this. But then my parents surprised my family and my sister's family with a trip. A year later we were on our way to South Africa for the trip of a lifetime. The rest is history.
None of this would have been possible (nor as elegant and amazing) without Kanyezi Africa Safari. My mom had secretly been planning this trip for all of us (ten people total, including four kids between the ages of 7 - 14) for three years. She developed a close working relationship with Chris, who was incredibly helpful, kind, knowledgable, responsive, and supportive. It is because of Chris that we saw so many spectacular things. He worked hand-in-hand with my mom to arrange tours and sights that would be appropriate and meaningful to our family. He personally took us around Cape Town. We learned so much! He also arranged little things, like a gourmet seaside picnic, flowers at the airport upon arrival, and great restaurants.
And that was only Cape Town. After that we went to Sabi Sabi Lodge for five days of safari. Chris made sure we had the best guide and the best rooms. Everything was taken care of. The animals, of course, were spectacular. (I highly recommend Sabi Sabi Lodge -- it was out of this world.) After that we went to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe -- it also was magnificent.
Chris had everything arranged for us and anticipated every want and need for us throughout our 17 day adventure. Even our flights (which included 25 hours of flying time on our return!) were meticulously thought out. We didn't have to think about anything throughout the trip. I think this was the first real vacation I have taken in 20 years -- I've never been so relaxed and at ease!
I highly recommend booking your safari vacation through Kanyezi African Safaris. It was the best decision that I never made!
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Email Joel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kanyezi and Sabi Sabi are an exceptional Safari company- highly recommend!
My family and I recently returned from a South Africa vacation and used Kanyezi (Chris and Michael) for our trip. We could not have been happier with entire process and experience. Having never been to this region we nervous and unsure of how to plan the trip. Kanyezi Safari's walked us through the planning, the booking, the visa's/passports, the medical/health prep, and the final details including what to pack. It could not have been easier. We chose July (African Winter) due to more comfortable temps, less mosquitos and no snakes. Although the landscape was brown (dry season) it was still beautiful and we felt it was a good trade off. The accommodations were excellent - very comfortable, and quite luxurious while maintaining a safari camp feel. Our guide was the same gentleman everyday- a sixty year old native South African (Elliott). He was extremely knowledgeable, of the land, the animals, and the culture both modern and historic. It was joy to get to meet him. The staff in general was extremely attentive and accommodating to our every need. The food was exceptional including a mix of American, European, and South African cuisine prepared daily by a five star chef. The meals were beautifully served and paired with a full compliment of wine, beer and cocktails if you desire. I was happy to learn that this company also supports (financially and hands on) preservation of the land, the animals and the local people including active support of the orphanage in the local village which we visited. I absolutely 100% recommend this company!
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Email Candi and Jake | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Most amazing time I have ever experienced in all our 40 and 74 years of travelling.
My son and I have been on safari with Kanyezi twice (April 2016,2017) and we are getting ready to return again in 45 days.
You are greeted at the Capetown Airport and taken to the hotel (we stayed at the wonderful Spier Wine Estate). The following day you will be taken along the coast through Simon's Town and down to the Cape of Good Hope and as you will finish the coastal tour by enjoying the view of the Twelve Apostles. There are some very nice restaurant on the Spier Estate and only a short cab ride to Stellenbosch. The next day you will head into Capetown for the tour riding on open air double decker bus, go to Table Mountain, make your way to an open air market and lunch and or dinner at Victoria and Albert Waterfront. Day four we went to the Cheetah Rescue, which was absolutely wonderful . We got to be with baby cheetahs as well as adults. We chose to fly into SabiSabi so we had a free to cage dive with great white sharks while others went to Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned and other went to a hospital where the first heart transplant was ever done by Christiaan Bernard, And now safari begins which words can describe.
The Kanyezi Safari lodge is exceptional with a wonderful staff, food and service. You go on two game drives daily and see many, many animals with wonderful photo opportunities from your open air jeep. Your tracker and guide make sure your African safari is all that you dreamed.
Thank you Chris & Michael for some of the best times of our life, see you soon!
Candi and Jake
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Email Kristin Bloom | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family owned company you can trust, took the stress out of arrangements for almost entire trip!
We traveled to South Africa in May 2018 with Kanyezi African Outfitters. We can both honestly say that this was an experience of a lifetime!
Our trip began in the picturesque hills & vineyards of Stellenbosch, where we resided & played at the Spier Wine Farm. This intriguing, beautiful estate is not only brimming with history and art, but is also a modern – environmentally friendly farm centralized on farm-to-table food.
With Chris & Michael as our knowledgeable and welcoming hosts we were able to experience a great variety of what this part of the country had to share. From the scenic drives on the coasts of both the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans, to the adorable penguins at Boulders Beach, we were mesmerized. We then traveled to The Cape of Good Hope where we climbed to a lighthouse with indescribable views. We had another unforgettable day at the Cheetah Outreach Center. Here we had the rare opportunity to observe and interact with both adult and cub cheetahs. Add the breathtaking views of a sunset wine tasting and the adventures that each of us found in Cape Town, and we consider our time here truly magnificent.
For the next leg of our journey we went to Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.
We were welcomed by the absolutely incredible staff of Sabi Sabi along with the kind & capable Chip Allen.
Here, our all-to-temporary home was the luxurious Bush Lodge. There are not enough wonderful things we can say about our time at Sabi Sabi. The staff was over-the-top welcoming, friendly, professional, helpful, and knowledgeable.
Our time spent on safari is unparalleled! The adventure of looking for and tracking animals, then the excitement of finding and observing them in their natural, wild environment, up close and personal, both during the day and at night, was positively exhilarating!
We took the opportunity to visit a local village. This was something we both look back on as an essential part of our journey.
These moments, so many captured on video and photo, were not only breathtaking and unforgettable, but also indelibly life changing!
Kanyezi took all the work out of planning this trip, made all flight, transfer and activity arrangements, in addition to providing us with everything we asked for and more. Chris personally met us inside the airport in Cape Town, then Michael met us all curbside to escort us to Spier.
From the first time I called his number, Chris was friendly, answered all my questions and helped me feel secure in the decisions we were making to take this trip. It was a pleasure finally meeting then spending time with he and Michael once we arrived.
Kanyezi is a family owned company you can trust. Overall, we are very happy with our decision to travel with Kanyezi.
Deeply grateful for it all,
Larry & Kristin Bloom
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Email Lonnie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari
We joined Mike and Chris on their safari adventures in May of this year.My personal impression prior to joining the safari was that there would be a level of uncomfortableness. How wrong could anyone be. From the moment we arrived in Cape Town t to our flying out from the Kruger National Park it was strictly five star accommodation and treatment.
The daily programs were well thought out and executed with precision. Our stay and accommodation in the Stellenbosch Valley was truly superb. The staff could not do enough to make our stay as comfortable and pleasurable as possible.The food was very good, and so varying from day to day.
Moving on to our base at the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, if anything the quality of everything just got better. The quantity as well as the quality of everything was truly superb .Our guides were friendly and so informative. Everyone in our party could not say enough believing that expectations were simply exceeded.
This is the type of vacation that one considers once in a lifetime and once again so many thanks to Mike and Chris and indeed the whole staff we encountered for a glorious vacation and indeed to the friends we met during this vacation.
Haydn Leigh/LONNIE Dean, Palm Springs, Ca.
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Email Bettie U | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond My Expectations...The Adventure Trip of a Lifetime
My adult sons and I cannot say enough good things about Kanyezi Africa Tours. We knew what we wanted to see, what we had hoped the trip would be and the travel involved. From the beginning of the booking process until we set foot back in the USA was an adventure. Chris and Michael were so helpful with everything and their response time with each question was almost immediate. It was hard to imagine how responsive they were from the other side of the world. There were a few bumps that Chris and Michael had to jump over because of the restrictions and warnings from US Government regarding Middle East Travel. It was remarkable how they were able to do what they did with the airlines, and as a note of thanks for the last minute juggling, we had extra favors extended to us which spoke loudly to what good hosts they would be. When we arrived in Capetown, what a treat it was to see our names on a sign welcoming us. And then the adventure soared. Every day it was another way to lavish their guests with above average excursions that many will never enjoy. Chris and Michael were informative, friendly, charismatic and attentive. They informed us at the end of Capetown their inability to finish up the safari portion with us due to a family illness but assured we would be more than adequately accomodated. We Were!! The short flight to the game reserve was spectacular and the Sabi Sabi Lodge was incredible. Then the wonderful Safari trips ensued. We enjoyed our guides so much we put in a request that they take us on each trip. They were there at our pleasure even remembering the specific drinks each liked at happy hour (we pulled over before sunset each afternoon to capture the beautiful sunsets from different locations. One evening we were on a private airstrip and the panorma was stunning. A moment captured in memory forever. The animal sightings were of course the true highlights and the ability for the guides to go off the main roads and get up close and personal (safety concerns first and always) to really be able to see and take amazing pictures. When the journey ended and it was time to get back on the plane it was a sad silence knowing what we were leaving behind. We went on to Johannesberg, as did our travelmates and enjoyed so many things to see there. The culture completely different than C apetown but just as interesting. A couple of days there with wonderful foods and many things to do and then back to the USA. KANYEZI gets a 5 star rating from us. Everything about our Safari was beyond what we'd expected and more than we'd hoped for. I would book with them again and have recommended them to friends.
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Email Lori | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
WOW! Still on a high from the experience and hope to never come down!
My husband and I returned at the beginning of June (2018) from an awesome trip through Kanyezi Safaris! Chris and Michael (Father and Son) are great guides and we had the most amazing experience! A few days in Cape Town (seeing penguins, the Indian Ocean, Table Top Mtn, wine tasting, a trip to Robben Island, etc., etc), then to Sabi Sands Reserve for 2/day safaris (more impressive and awe-inspiring than you can begin to imagine...my walls are now filled with animals, beautiful sunsets and my favorite memories) and then we finished up in Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls - AMAZING! And more animals!). Communications were a bit confused at times prior to our departure, but Chris and Michael were always ready to take our calls and answer any questions we had...and we had a lot! Each one was answered so personally, making us feel as if we knew these two before we set foot in Africa!
Chris met us at the Airport in Cape Town (with flowers) and we were put at ease right away! I highly recommend them! One of the people traveling with us was doing this for the 2nd time and she was traveling alone. I think that speaks to how they run things....We were very well cared for! They are a small company and, as such, they treat their clients as if they're family! It was everything we were promised, and more. The photos we took on safari left me feeling like I could have been working for National Geographic. It was, as they say, a trip of a lifetime! The accommodations (especially at Sabi Sabi) were perfect! The guides and trackers are so knowledgeable and humble. I was so impressed with the knowledge they had. Wish everyone could experience what we did! I truly cannot make a higher recommendation!