Native Escapes
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $190 to $1,014 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NZ
Email Evans Family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Family Adventure
We traveled with our Two young children to South Africa for almost a month, and are so pleased that we used Native Escapes for our bookings. As well as helping us design the trip, they took care of all of the logistics; flights, transfers, accommodation, rental cars, safari tours etc and I can honestly say we did not experience a single hitch. Ironically the one thing we did arrange ourselves was the NZ /SA visas and opted for single entry which meant we could not enter Swaziland. Stuck at the border and with no accommodation for that night we called the number provided by Native Escapes and were immediately put at ease by their local team who diverted us to excellent alternative accommodation. We could tell from the very first contact through to the end of our amazing experience that Native Escapes is run by a small, caring, and knowledgeable team.
We would not even consider another agency for our next adventure !
Email Roger | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Personal Service and Great Response when things go wrong
We have used Native Escapes twice - once for a self drive in Malawi and one for a tour covering Victoria Falls, Hwange and Cape Town. Simon put together a great itinerary in conversation with us - and then made all the arrangements. These were quite complex with numerous transfers plus attention to accommodation for a family travelling with two 12 year old children plus grandmother. All proved to be excellent choices and all the transfers went smoothly with the exception of the car hire in Cape Town which was not delivered to our apartment when expected. However, Simon's response was rapid, personal and solved the problem together with understanding that this had messed up a morning for us - and so was able to get us the car for extra time. Things do go wrong, and being able to talk with Simon directly via email rather than go to a call centre was great. I would recommend them for any trip which is beyond the very standard that you can get from the big operators and where you need personal service and personal experience of where you are going.
Email John and Jo | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic self drive holiday in Namibia and Botswana!
We had previously used this company for a self drive holiday in Namibia and knew just how good our latest trip would be. We were not disappointed, as expected the accommodation was fantastic, the scenery breath taking and the people unbelievably friendly. For anyone planning a trip in any of the countries covered by this company, we would suggest you stop looking for alternatives and use them! We had some issues with one of the lodges and on our return these were dealt with comprehensively and to more than our full satisfaction. That said even these issues could not detract from the holiday of a lifetime. Thank you all so much!
AR
Email Luciano Casanova | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceeded expectations!
We live in Argentina and we got to Native Escapes by the internet, without having had any reference from anyone we knew. We were looking for a family safari and beach in east Africa.
Marie was so very helpful and immediately got the type of holidays we were looking for. All her suggestions were great and while in Tanzania we realized we had taken the right decision with NE. Our guide was great and helpful. Our children (13 and 11) were astonished from such an experience of watching wildlife that close. Accommodation was very good and food was good for us and the children.
This were one of our best holidays and Marie and Native Escapes had a lot to do with it.
Email Sue | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic, professional service based on their experience.
Expectations met over and above on all three safaris. We have used Native Escapes before and we can't fault them. Choices of accommodation were offered making this a very personal trip.
Nothing was too much trouble and everything went like clockwork.
Botswana was wonderful and accommodation,staff and safari guides were welcoming and knowledgeable especially if you learn a few words of the local language.
Email Joy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip to Namibia was our best holiday ever!
Simon at Native Escapes recommended a fantastic itinerary for our trip to Jo'burg and Namibia. The trip exceeded all our expectations and we would highly recommend it to everyone. We had a one night stop over at the Africa Rock Hotel in Jo'burg which was so welcoming and friendly and when we returned from our trip to Namibia they couldn't do enough for us. Simon arranged a great 5h tour of Jo'burg which gave us a real overview of the city. Our trip to Namibia was very well organised and our guide, Will, was friendly, patient and very knowledgeable about the birds, wildlife and Namibia in general. All aspects of the trip were very well organised and the lodges very welcoming and friendly and all very different. Every day of the trip brought new and exciting adventures, from climbing up a huge sand dune at sunrise, walking through a deep canyon, seeing whales, penguins and dolphins on a boat trip in Walvis Bay, quad biking in the sand dunes near Swakopmund, seeing the rock paintings at Twyfelfontein, visiting a Himba village, seeing the desert adapted elephants, seeing the wildlife in Etosha National Park and finally visiting Afri Cat conservation project for big cats.
Email Bhasker and Bharti Raja | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderfull trip to South Africa
** UPDATE 23 OCTOBER 2017:
In addition to the review written on12th October, we would like to add that we have now heard from Shamwari and Native escapes who investigated the matter of our complaint very thoroughly and professionally, and the matter has now been resolved to our satisfaction. Really appreciate the time spent and effort made by both Native escapes and Shamwari safaris to investigate our complaint, and compensate us adequately. Very happy with the whole experience with Native escapes.
** ORIGINAL REVIEW
We went on a trip to South Africa, arranged by Native Escapes , and were very happy with the experience. Sharon Who advised us and arranged the whole trip, was very helpful and tailored the itinerary to our requirements. We visited Victoria fall, Cape Town, self drove along the garden route from Cape Town to Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg bay, and Shamwari safari lodge, and finally to Port Elizabeth for our return flight. All the hotels/guesthouses were of a good standard and everyone was very helpful and friendly.
There was a slight mix up with directions , but the lady (name not known)at La Fontaine Franshoek was very helpful in redirecting us , and Gail the owner of La Fontaine guest house in Hermanus was very helpful and resolved the issue promptly by contacting Native escapes and their ground staff. Sharon was very apologetic about the mix up and made up to us .Everything went according to plan apart from that and we had a fantastic experience at all the guesthouses. The Shamwari safari experience was fantastic too. Lovely Lodge, yummy food and very entertaining and knowledgeable Ranger (Jonathan).
Just a word of caution about personal possessions though. I was a bit complacent and trusted the closed environment so was not extra careful with my belongings,and left my handbag unattended while I went for a shower after massage treatment at Shamwari and after that I left it at the poolside by mistake. The bag was recovered quickly but some cash was taken out of it. We reported it immediately, but as it was our last day there, it was not possible for them to investigate . We reported it to Sharon on our return, who was helpful and did contact Shamwari who promised to investigate the matter. We returned on 23rd sept,Still waiting for their reply.
Email H&C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Self-drive trip to Namibia
We have just returned from a 2 1/2 week trip around Namibia organised by Simon at Native Escapes. The holiday exceeded our expectations in every way. Right from our initial conversations with Simon about what we'd like to do, Native Escapes gave us a range of flexible options and patiently went through each location in terms of accommodation, things to do, travel between locations etc... Emails were always promptly responded to and no question was too much trouble. All the documentation, itinerary etc. was very clear, the route and maps were very helpful and the on-the-ground agent, ATI, was v helpful providing local mobile phone, first aid kit, and even a cool box and ice blocks. One of our party had a specific dietary requirement which was recognised at every point from the airline flights to each lodge we stayed in. Finally the overall cost was very competitive when compared to some of the other big brand operators who offered exactly the same package (we know coz we met some of their clients at the lodges we stayed at). So thank you Simon and Native Escapes for a brilliant holiday and all your help in organising it.
US
Email Debbie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
I don't have the words to describe how incredible this trip was thanks to the wonderful people of Native Escapes but I will try. Start to finish they FAR exceeded my expectations (and truthfully my expectations were probably abnormally high). Simon was so kind and patient with me, I put him thru the ringer with all my questions and dozens and dozens of emails / phone calls, etc. He happily helped me thru the entire process and completely tailored the entire vacation to my exact specifications and desires. His advice and expertise were invaluable as I was trying to navigate thru the many options one has when planning an extended stay in Africa. We started in Rwanda and hiked to see the mountain gorillas - unbelievable experience, cannot recommend this enough. We then went to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater - another life changing experience - highly recommend. We ended our trip with 4 nights in the Seychelles - no words to describe how beautiful and exotic it is there. The accommodations, food, service, etc. etc. at every location were outstanding! Every piece of the trip was arranged by Native Escapes, all transfers and logistics, literally all we had to do was show up. This is really key for Africa because it would be very difficult to arrange all of the intercontinental travel (flights, cars, etc.) on your own. With Native Escapes they handled it all and we got first-class service the entire way. We have traveled many parts of the world and all over Europe numerous times, and I have never felt so treated and pampered as I did during this trip. The vendors and resorts that Native Escapes partners with are truly world-class. I am currently researching our next adventure in Africa and will undoubtedly be using Native Escapes again. Thank you for giving me a once in a lifetime experience that I will always cherish!
US
Email Jeff & Becky Clement | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had an amazing experience in Tanzania with our guide Ephraim
We wanted to share we had the most wonderful and magical trip in Tanzania. We thought South Africa with Cape Town and Kruger park was special but the Serengeti with Ephraim as our guide was moving and breath taking as was Zanzibar as an ending to our travels. Everyone should be so lucky to experience Serengeti once in their lifetime. Thank you all so much for your help and arrangements. Every place we stayed was perfect and will give good reviews in trip advisor