Armadillo Overland Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Member Of:
- Field Guides Association of Southern Africa
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $140 to $373 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
QA
Email Rebecca Wyatt | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best way to see Kruger National Park
Cannot say enough good things about our camping trip with Chris and Nicky! The vehicle is one of a kind and affords a great view for wildlife spotting as well as making friends with your fellow campers. A little bumpy at times, but that's to be expected. We saw an amazing amount of wildlife and learned so much about the park. Great food, great company and memories we will cherish. Booking was very easy and everything we were promised was delivered. This is not a tour for people who want to be pampered, but if you have a sense of adventure and really want to see the park up close, this is the tour to book!
US
Email Alok | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Game Drive on one of a kind Truck, Hospitality was second to none
We have done the 5 day catered safari trip with Chris and Nicky, the owners of the Armadillo Overland Safari and Adventure Tours. It was our 1st safari trip. The accommodation was top notch and every meal was hand prepared. Chris and Nicky are very knowledgeable about various animals, birds, wildlife that we have encountered in our game drives. They had a genuine passion for nature and its occupants. For the 5 days we were a family of 8, never felt anything less. We have seen 4 of the big five except Leopard, though Chris had tried very hard to locate one for us. The panorama route was a memorable last piece to our adventure. They have also dropped us to our hotel in Santon, 20+ km from the airport at 8:30PM at night. I have to mention the one of a kind truck that was used for the game drive every morning, afternoon and overall transportation. That is one of a kind and there is no other like it in South Africa Period. They had everything you will ever need (pillows, blankets, binos, glasses, books, water, beer, wine..) + the loo(bathroom) in that truck. If you are looking for a safari, i promise, they will show you a good time with awesome food, a passion for wildlife and a lasting friendship. Now ask yourself when was the last time you thought like this about a service provider. In the sea of safari providers they are truly exceptional.
An amazing experience with family and friends.
From the start the communications with Chris were helpful and friendly. A very personal approach which we valued. Chris arranged the tour and explained what would be happening. From the time Nicky and Chris arrived at the hotel to collect us we were made to feel like valued friends, with every detail being taken care of. The truck is so comfortable, with a lot of thought about small details. The meals were delicious, and the accommodation chosen was carefully thought out to meet our requirements. Every effort was made to show us what we wanted, and we experienced a wonderful part of the world in all its glory, both with fauna and flora. The knowledge Chris and Nicky shared with us was amazing, and contributed to our whole experience. Thank You does not even begin to cover it.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari - Amazing Meals - Amazing Hosts
What you see on the website is what get (only better)! Our group of 15 (8 adults 7 kids) from Canada got picked up from our hotel in Jo-Burg and to our amazement all of our luggage fit in the vehicles. The truck was roomy, comfy and offered great game viewing due to it's height and huge windows. Both Chris and Nicky accomadated all our requests which were plentiful due to our large group. Both were pleasant, knowledge and extremely hardworking. Chris was very meticulous and organized which made our trip run smoothly. We heard that the food was good, but is was delicious! Chris was a gourmet chef and prepared more than enough for us for each meal. All of the camping supplies (tents, chairs, pillows etc) were in excellent condition. I would definitely recommend this company to everyone. Thanks for the amazing experience!
SE
Email Susanne and Timo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best way to explore Kruger National Park
Our tour with Chris and Armadillo Overland was way over our expectations. It was much better than self driving and a true relaxing experience. We were really spoiled by Chris. He provided us with everything, from the tents, chairs, the amazing home cooked food and a lot of knowledge, about kruger, the animals and just life itself. The honesty bar on board the truck was an extra plus. Time was on our side as we didn't hurry, and we saw 4 of 5 Big 5 together with all the other animals and a lot of beautiful birds. Thank You Chris. Hope to see you again.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari with Armadillo!
Chris and his helped Darin were so kind and supportive during our 4 day, 3 night tour. We flew into Jo-burg and Truck Norris came and picked us up right in front of our hostel, then drove us via the panoramic route, per our request. Every day Chris gave us options of what we wanted to do, and even helped us book a night drive with the park provided service. The food was incredible, and Chris took us to get a drink at the visitors centers in every campground. We had difficulty paying on time, but he worked with us and was very flexible and understanding. I highly recommend this service!! It was the highlight of my time in South Africa!
Email Oli | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
South Africa Kruger Park Safari
Chris and Nicky provided us with a First Class Safari Experience. We spent 5 days on safari in which Chris and Nicky who were our excellent tour guides. They took us out in their custom built vehicle that gives you excellent views due to its ride height and also extremely comfortable. All questions we had about the wildlife in the park were answered and extremely well catered for in the evenings where we camped in a Bush Camp to the sound of all the animals and insects that come to life when the sun goes down. Chris & Nicky ensured the Safari was completely tailored to what we wanted to see/do and it was clear to us that they are very passionate about what they do. This was shown through the fantastic stories they have of their experiences on Safaris in Africa. I would like to take the chance to thank you both for giving us the experience of a life time, seeing 4 of the Big 5 and would recommend anyone wanting to do a safari to book with Chris and Nicky at Armadillo Overland Safari & Adventure Tours.
CA
Email Melanie & Patrick & girls | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
You won't find friendlier, harder working, more accommodating tour operators!
I used to live in South Africa and have been to the Kruger Park more than once, both on a tour and on many self driven stays, so I had a fairly good idea of what to expect from Kruger. As a group of 4 families with kids (half of whom had never visited South Africa) we decided that taking a tour and having the advantage of being all together in the overland truck while game viewing would be a fun and practical choice. With 7 kids 10 and under we also looked forward to not having to organise, cook and wash up after meals!!!
Chris took into account our wishes for where we wanted to visit in the park, although some practical considerations (our group required a large campsite area to fit in all 7 tents plus two vehicles and a large area for us all to sit) meant that we had to stay more central in the park rather than stay in the busy southern areas - smaller groups at less busy times won't have this consideration.
Throughout he made accommodations for our requirements (having so many small kids meant timing meals a little differently than would suffice for all adults) and we changed up meals, drives, accommodation sites and worked in a very last minute game walk with an excellent guide organised by Chris & Nicky. Chris always had a smile on his face and was extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the local bird and animal life. Travelling in the high truck gave a brilliant vantage point for game viewing and allowed the kids to sleep on the floor on the (majority of) days we opted to aim to be out of the gates at 4:30am in an effort to take advantage of the best game viewing. Accommodation was in safari tents which stood up to a torrential overnight downpour with no worries of getting wet. The first time visitors to the park especially loved being accommodated in tents for an authentic park experience.
Lastly, the food was absolutely delicious and prepared with obvious pride and care - they put a lot of thought and effort into the meals that they serve and it really shows. I put on 2 kgs in a week!!! They kept the "honour bar" well stocked at virtually cost prices and everything was kept cold with regularly stocked ice (and we were welcomed to keep our own drinks and water cold in the coolers as well).
I can say that while I am the kind of person who normally prefers the control of self driving in Kruger, I thoroughly enjoyed the advantages, perks and benefits of being taken care of by Armadillo Overland Safari & Adventure Tours in their awesome overland truck! Recommended for groups, families, first time visitors to the park and anyone who wants to relax and let someone else take care of the details!
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
2 days Pilanesberg Safari
We made 2 days Pilanesberg Safari with Chris, it was just great as we saw plenty of animals. His truck is clearly of added value as it is perfectly equiped. Chris knows very much about the bush and is willing to share his knowledge. We just regret that the catering plans changed in the course of the safari.
I clearly recommend Armadillo as it's a guarantee to have a great safari experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lovely Tour, and Lovely People.
Hello, I wanted to write a review because I think that the tour operator deserves a special mention. I had been on a tour once before to Tanzania and had enjoyed it thoroughly. My son decided to buy me a ticket to this tour as a birthday gift. I was really nervous as I hadn't traveled for so long and I was going alone. Once the tour started the Friendly Staff and Lovely food set my mind at ease and I really enjoyed my time, The trip was absolutely great and I actually meet some great people who were on the tour with me. I'm heading home in a day or two, what a special time I've had. Thanks To All