The Wild South Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2000)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
Reviews
US
Email SeViGo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Valentine, Please pay us back the money you owed us when you deserted us half way through our trip.
Please be a man and pay up the money you took from us.
Email Gavin Whitman | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Valentine Gumpo - Wild South Safaris
Never, ever use Valentine Gumpo as a guide or any of his companies, he took our money, never met us and left us completely stranded In Zimbabwe. We originally booked with him in October 2013 and his reviews appeared fine - 2 months before our trip we noticed a couple of negative reviews about him on tho site. I e-mailed him and he assured us everything was okay and this was simply a man with a grudge about him. When we arrived in Vic Falks he was no-where to be seen - he sent a lady who said histruck was being repaired and he would meet us on the way to Robins Camp in Hwange - the car transporting us continually broke down on the way and we arrived at Dete near Maon Camp and got handed over to another safari providers truck and got taken to main camp. He had sub-contracted part of our trip without notifying us. Hw also hamper not paid for most of our trip in Hwange - denied having received any money and told this company to charge us. We also were supposed to stay at Hwange Safari Lodge (again pre-paid) and again none of this was booked or paid for. He completely ruined our trip. He is a total con-man and still owes us a lot of money as we had to pay for a lot of meals, drives and accomodation in Zimbabwe. Never travel or trust this man and if you have already booked with him, I would advise you to make alternative plans as he will not fulfill your booking. We are currently I the process of pursuing him through the Hogh Commission and The Zimbabwe Toursir Authority.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible!
DO NOT BOOK WITH VALENTINE!!!! He took our money and abandoned us half way through our trip. We had to pay for our own meals/ hotel/ safari and transport after having paid him the whole amount before we even got there. I've asked him for the vouchers before we left USA and he said he has everything and not to worry since he will be with us the whole time. WRONG! It was an 18 day trip and he was with us for only 7 days. We drove with him in the nastiest SUV I've ever been for 4 days and the other 3 days on different cabs. He didn't deliver all the tours he promised and made us pay some of the meals saying he'll pay us back once the bank opens again. I'd say he's not to be trusted. I find him a deceitful and a horrible person. We haven't heard from him since we left Africa on June 23 2014.
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mr Valentine Gumpo makes empty promises and I find him UNTRUSTWORTHY
Mr Valentine Gumpo had advertised for a 15 day Wildlife tour to Zambia from Lusaka from 11 to 25 Nov 2014,essentially to cover the Bat Migration at the Kasanka National Park--Lusaka--Upper Luangwa River -- South Luangwa River -- Victoria Falls from Livingstone -- end of tour at Lusaka.
He had offered a discount of 15% on payment of full tour fees ( USD 2800 ) , if paid 6 months in advance. A sum of USD 2380 was therefore remitted to him through my bankers in India , on 6 May 2014-this was duly acknowledged by him , though after my repeated persistence to do so.
My troubles started after he had received the money in his account. He has not given me, todate , the finalised itinerary together with the hotel/lodge reservations and a formal letter saying that I ( ABL Gupta ) have formally been booked for a tour with him-- this is the letter which is mandatory for me to get the visa from the Embassy of Zambia in India.
I am getting to be 79 and have travelled to various wildlife destinations in Africa 4 times in the past 10 years--my impression was that one could trust the tour Operators in Africa on their advertised word on the Net , as invariably I have dealt directly with them ( and not through a tour operator in India ).
I am of the belief that a Code of Honour exists in all such transactions -- but in the present case with Mr Valentine Gumpo, I feel , it is being belied.
I have requested him for a refund , but , on persistent prodding , he simply says that the tour is on.
I would be grateful if Safari Bookings could help me recover my money from him.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Valentine is an outstanding guide and trip leader!
I met Valentine as our trip leader while he was with a former company. While I have not traveled with him and Wild South Safaris, I found him to be the most amazing guide. He took care of all our traveler's needs, was extremely professional, polite, and friendly. He is also a wonderful, knowledgeable guide for the bush with tons of information on the wildlife, plants, ecosystems, local people, governments etc. I would travel with him anytime!
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Valentine Gumpo is and excellent guide we looved the 19 days trip
We had a 17 days Safari tour with Wild south safari In South Africa. It was the most amazing interesting diverse tour we have ever had. We were lucky to have Mr. Valentine Gumpo as our excellent guide. He is a bright, most professional, warm, reliable generous guide. We spent ours of most interesting discussions on life in Africa and Zimbabwe and got invaluable diverse information one that a usual tourist can not get. All guest houses we stayed in were wonderful. All places we visited were so amazing interesting and beautiful. We wanted to add Durban and Mr. Gumpo was very flexible to add the place to the tour. The explanations we got were very knowledgeable, interesting. Spotting the big 5 animals was unbelievable in Kruger park, Learning about rural life in Le Soto in Malealea was very special. Interacting with local people was easy and friendly. The waves of the Indian ocean in Tsitsikama just touched our bedroom in the guest house. All went very smoothly. We became really friends. There could not be a better introduction for Africa as the one we got from Valentine Gumpo. Thank you Valentine for such amazing trip.
Dr' Nava Sonnenschein and prof, Cobi Sonnenschein
The School for Peace director
Neve Shalom/ Wahat Al Salam
Israel
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible tour with Valentine!
We booked a safari to explore Zimbabwe with Valentine and it was the most perfect trip. Valentine customised our tour to fit our needs just right. Everything was organised for us and we had no problems whatsoever. He is so knowledgable about the land, history and even the animals- it was invaluable to have him with us.
We were able to have a private tour with just our group, and at such better cost than any of the larger companies. Valentine even rearranged our itinerary to fit in some extra activities that he knew we would love- and we did! I recommend Valentine and Wild South Safaris as the perfect way to explore Zimbabwe.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Splendid!
We went on a safari to Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia in september/october 2013.
Valentine was our guide.
It was a wonderfull journey; a splendid experience.
We learned so much about the animals, nature, the environment, even history.
Valentine could tell so much about all this, and in a very interesting way!
When there were little problems (on the road or with organisation or so) he arranged it all.
That's how a perfect holiday had to be.
We enjoyed this trip so much, that we will go on safari again, and if possible with this guide again.
Thanks a lot!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
BEST experience of my South African trip!!!
I LOVED my time in Zimbabwe!! Our Guide Valentine was an amazing, caring, humble individual! If you are touring Zimbabwe you must book your tour with Valentine or this company. Whenever we needed anything Valentine provided and was the best! I had the best time of my life and most if it was due to our awesome guide. Our group traveled from The Ohio State University in the US and we we on a study abroad trip. He was very knowledgeable on everything that there was to know in Zimbabwe! I WILL be back in Africa and go with this company.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Valentine is the best tour guide ever!! Knowledgable, friendly, and fun!!
Valentine is the best tour guide ever! He is knowledgable, friendly and fun. The tour took us through Zimbabwe including Victoria Falls-- a true wonder of the world-- a must see for everyone. On safari we saw very close up every type of wildlife that we wanted to see. It truly was the trip of a lifetime.