Tailormaking African Safaris since 1994
Taga Safaris Africa
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1994)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Safari Operator around
I recently took my wife and two of our best friends on our third trip to Africa through Targa Safaris Africa. We are all amateur photographers , we shoot Nikons and we love the look of big glass lens. As you know there are weight restrictions set by the airlines. It is very hard to fit computers, cameras, clothes, chargers and a 500 mm F 4 and a 200 to 400 F4 and all the support gear in the stated weight restriction.
However, Mark lives in South Africa and has excellent connections with the camps and the airlines. He is an insider! He is more than familiar with the difficulties and frustrations facing international travelers with photog gear .
So we pared down our equipment to the bar bones and trusted Mark. Needless to say, we were met at the airport by Marks driver, who took some very tired travelers to our lovely hotel in Johanesberg, where we crashed out for the rest of the day and night. Early next morning, there was our driver who wisked us to the airport and from where we flew up to Maun. We collected our luggage and gear and loaded into the smaller "puddle jumper " planes to fly into the Botswanna Okavango Delta . On a previous trip we had stayed at Duma Plains and just missed a Buffalo kill by the lions and then the lion pride was well fed while we where there. We got a lot of cool photos but we missed the difficult to see Kill shots …
So we flew out to Duba Plains, made our selves at home in our lovely tents and set out of our first Safari right after lunch . We faced a lot of water which the guides expertly drove us through, it was fun picking up all our gear as the water washed over the floor boards and of course, there was a superb Malachite kingfisher sitting on the reeds as we drove by in three feet of water. The bird was quite used to this and didn't flinch. However, we could not slow down for fear of sinking into the mud. this was frustrating but when we got out in the delta we quickly found the buffalo herd with a very hungry pride of Lions with their ribs showing. We were glad as we thought the lions would be forced to feed and soon! It took almost two hours see the great wheel of life turn! Talk about the right place at the right time.
We also found when we drove through a certain area of tall grass that we were being straffed by Carmen Bee Eaters! Why would this bee? I figured out that the truck scared up insects and the bee eaters would swirl around us scarfing up grasshoppers. Great photo opportunity, but when I stopped the Land Rover they flew away, everytime. Time for a new game plan. I asked the guide to turn the truck around and drive the same speed as last time. Only this time I pushed the ISO up, focused the lens on manual, same for the camera body and when the Carmens raided us I would go to 10 frames per second and estimate the distance and machine gun them .. Huge fun running up hundreds of exposure a couple of which turned out fabulous !
The camp made us amazing dinner and deserts and told us amazing stories. We ate under the stars and enjoyed great wines. The guides walked us back to our tents and we stayed there. We had a great time listening to the millions of Rhodesian tree fogs all singing their little hearts out. A great way to fall asleep. Around 4 AM we heard a huge roar about a mile away. We were really sleepy and it was only once, but something big had happened.
After an early breakfast, we were on safari again…..We drove throught the deep waters, past our pet Malachite, and watched the cat and mouse game between the lions and the buffalo. The large herd of Buffalo where holding their turf while the lions moved around them probing for weakness. The buffalo , would respond and send out a half dozen "bouncers " which where very large and muscular buffalo in their primes. They were fearless and the lions gave way choosing not to challenge them. This went on for an hour or more, then through the binoculars the guides figured that one of the buffalos had given birth and they needed a few hours to let the little one get up on his legs. The herd was protecting the little one, buying it time to get used to its legs ! After another hour or two as if on command, the whole herd suddenly retreated across the river with the little new born last in line. As soon as the buffalo's retreated the lions ran across shallow standing water in the meadow, one of the guides hit the gas and got his photographer across the shallow pond for a stunning series of shots with lions running through shallow waters at break neck speed. I really wish we could have gotten that image. But between the shallow meadow pool and the fast retreating buffalo herd was a small forest. So we saw the lions running after the herd. The herd running into the river, the little one slowly struggling in the water, the scene was set for disaster ! We kept waiting and watching and the lions didn't make it through the little forest. The newborn buffalo was noticed and the herd sent back a couple of bouncers to protect the little one again and they made it. We picked up some great images of the herd migrating across the river, our driver then drove us to the little stand of trees and it was there we found the source of the great noise the previousl night.
What had happend was that two alpha male buffalo had duked it out for top dog honors, one had gored the other and that was the source of the great sound, not a new large male lion announcing his occupation of this territory!
The looser of this match had been penetrated by a very large horn to the diaphram and he just layed down and died at the same time another had given birth. So the buffalo elders had held council and worked out a brilliant plan. Send out the bouncers, keep the lions off balance, slightly intimidated, give the baby time to get his legs working, then as one they retreated across the river and "sacrificied " their fallen commrades body to the lions to buy time for the little one cross the river. A life saved, a fallen hero's body given up to by time. Nothing short of brilliant. I did not think Buffalos had any game plan or planning abiliity. We were impressed totally.
We did work the scene of feeding lions for two days. We got some really amazing images and then took a boat trip down the river for other less intense imagery.
My point is, you never know what you are going to see . You need to figure out what it is you want to see, you need a great safari booking person to get you into the territory and camp offering you the best chances. I would highly suggest Taga Safaris Africa as Mark certainly knows his stuff.
We then went to Selinda Camp in the Selinda Spillway and found some other really great images. They are located on a large system of canals or rivers with a very large population of hippos. On a favorite evening we boated out to the hippo pool and celebrated the sunset with cocktails and watched the hippos pop up out of the water like giant jack in the boxes.
The food at Selinda was nothing short of phenomenal , We thought the staff was superb .
We then went to Chobe National Park . Our camp was great and we even had air conditioning and limited internet. Our first game drive out , we photod elephants, crocadiles, prides of lions, countless antelopes, amazing birds, hippos, we found giraffes drinking with the elephants which is unusual . Lots of birds, we really were impressed with the diversity and density of the wildlife . tons of animals and great food in the evenings.
We just felt this was one of our best safaris to Africa ever.
We talked with Taga Safaris about what we wanted to photograph and they made it happen!
Thank-you Mark at Taga Safaris Africa ! You are The Best !
NL
Email Paul | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
TS is a very good company with a lot of experience in South Africa.
The service from TS was excellent. The contact by mail and Wathsapp was great. The planning was correct.
US
Email Michele Bowen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
wonderful experience
Booking our trip with Taga Safaris was a breeze. They took care of everything, and the accommodations that we had were wonderful. They really thought of everything and went the extra mile to make sure our vacation was a once in a lifetime experience.
US
Email Roger Mueller | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Second Safari Arranged By Taga
This was the second safari (2012 and 2014) that I used Taga to arrange all lodging and transporatation bookings. They also helped guide me in making decisions on which lodges to choose.
All arrangments were expertly and flawlessly handled. Mark met our party both trips at JNB airport upon arrival and departure. Of all the reserves, SabiSands is my personal favorite for the rangers, trackers, and overall game sighting experiences. I would highly recommend Taga to assist anyone in planning their safari.
DE
Email Robert MacDonald | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly planned and carried out.
We were in South Africa from Sept. 15 – 25. The entire time in the Safari region was organized by Mark Garzancich, who started out by gathering information from us regarding wishes and, importantly, our budget. Simply put, his planning and follow-through were flawless; we stayed in 3 different lodges, all of which provided us with unforgettable, rich wildlife experiences. If we were to return, we would definitely have Mark plan the Safari experience for us again.
US
Email Kimberly G. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience from beginning to end
Communication before, during and after was excellent. We received such wonderful advice and guidance while putting together or dream honeymoon and it lived up to its expectations.
BG
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Again, again and again Taga Safaris Africa!
I cannot even remember the number of safaris we did with Taga Safaris Africa’s Mark and Celeste. Isn’t that the best review a tour operator can receive? We have been several times to South-Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and this year my wife and I plan another trip to Namibia. Of course with the help of these great guys. Mark as well as Celeste were always so helpful and dedicated and personally involved in our trips. They even joined us during a trip in the Sabi Sands. If you go for a safari, go for Taga!
The best Safaris
I have booked 3 safaris with Mark and Celeste. They provide absolutely the best safari experience. They answer every question and are very knowledgeable about all aspects of the safari experience. Plan to continue booking with Taga Safaris again and again.
Mark and Celeste did all the work...all we had to do was enjoy the experience
We had an incredible experience through Taga Safaris. Celeste and Mark made all the arrangements and everything went like clockwork. We visited Victoria Falls and got to view from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides. Next we flew to Ruckomechi for our canoe trip down the Zambezi river. Then on to Davison's Camp and finally back to Johannesburg. We had told Mark and Celeste the things that we wanted to see and we saw all those things and so much more. Lots of animals, tremendous service, excellent lodging, delicious food and warm and welcoming camp staffs. We enjoyed this safari so much that we are planning another next August but this time family members will join us! We wouldn't have anyone but Mark and Celeste plan this safari for us.
GR
Email Bill | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Southern Africa Adventure
Taga organised my honeymoon. A city break in Cape Town, followed by a few days on he garden route, followed by a three day safari at Sabi Sabi in Sabi Sands and then on to Zambia to the Victoria Falls for three days. All of the accommodation was exactly as described. Celeste of Taga Safaris made the effort to come and visit us at our hotel in Cape Town which was a much appreciated touch. Overall a hassle free booking experience and we got exactly what was promised.