Part of the happy Pembury team having a laugh!
Pembury Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 1996)
- 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)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Expert, friendly and spot-on excursion planning through South Africa
We just wanted to express our sincere gratitude to Pembury Tours for its planning assistance, contacts and absolute gold-star service with our multi-city holiday through South Africa this April. We had one of the best trips of our lives, and we travel quite a bit.
I found Pembury Tours online while looking for that 'perfect' safari itinerary, and we were not disappointed. Our 10-night vacation was just perfect. Together, we worked to find various styles of 4-star and 5-star accommodation in Cape Town, Franschooek, Stellenbosch, Grahamstown and Johannesburg and all suited us, very well. Your recommendations and ideas were spot-on. Your responsive service and kindness was warmly appreciated, Tammy. Transfers and itinerary were flawless, too. Our highlight was the safari at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve - at one of the 9 villas at Great River Lodge. WONDERFUL experience at a reserve that is very conscientious toward conservation and customer service. Perfect.
Thank you so very much and it will be our pleasure in recommending you to our friends in London, UK.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Impeccable Service Resulted in a Rewarding African Safari & Adventure
We booked a ten day safari with Pembury Tours for September 2014 from which we have just returned. The managing director, Susan Pattison-Wait, was our tour coordinator from the start of our initial inquiry into an African safari, without passing services on to others. We very much appreciated the continuity of working with Susan for the duration of our planning, which commenced in August 2013. Susan worked diligently and enthusiastically to assist us in planning for what was most likely a once in a lifetime adventure to the country she so proudly represents. Throughout the planning process, Susan patiently listened to our concerns, answered innumerable questions and was responsive to our budgeting restraints. She responded promptly to all emails and messages; and provided informational support services whenever requested. Services were exceptional with impeccable attention to detail. Our African adventure to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Chobe National Park in Botswana, Notten’s Bush Camp in Sabi Sands Greater Kruger National Park, and Cape Town, including a Cape Town City Tour and Cape Peninsula Tour, was outstanding. All pre-booked accommodations met or exceeded our expectations and were as described by Susan in our communication exchanges. All coordinated transport services were prompt; and while there was potential for disconnect relating to numerous transfers, the agents were always courteous and on time. Our African adventure culminated with memories to last a lifetime and a desire to offer praise where well deserved. We would not hesitate to recommend Pembury Tours for anyone interested in planning a journey to the South Africa.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very high standard of service, friendly, attention to detail and very good advice.
My husband found Pembury Tours while planning a three centre holiday to Cape Town, Kruger and Zambia to see Victoria Falls. We approached other companies also but were impressed by the efforts that Susan went to in order to get us a great package within our budget. It was all quite last minute in the end but she was very patient and we had a wonderful time. It was most certainly a holiday to remember and the standard throughout with transport, etc. was high quality and we were treated so well. The hotels Susan recommended were just right for us as well. Highly recommended and definitely would use this company again. Thanks so much. Times as a family when young people are about to leave home are precious and this one will be hard to beat.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Logistics and timing handled perfectly
Kerry at Pembury was very helpful in making recommendations and we probably exchanged over 50 emails as we adjusted the itinerary to build the best possible experience on our 3-country stop in Africa. Having someone with local connections and first-hand knowledge of the area was invaluable, particularly in setting up the transfers to go from point A to point B. Our arrival and departure flights were also timed perfectly so that we were able to get to the lodge for the afternoon game drive, and depart after the morning drive and breakfast. Other guests didn't have that good fortune and missed out on the best part of being on safari! Overall, very happy with Pembury Tours and would highly recommend.
Email Steve | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Smooth as Silk - 3 lodges in 7 days - Kruger and SabiSands
Having once been ripped off by a tour company I always have reservations about booking through companies I don't know. Not having Pembury on TripAdvisor therefore worried me a little as I couldn't check out the reviews, good and bad.
I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Everything from selecting the accommodation to actually travelling around South Africa was just perfect. The freedom to select from a range of lodges makes you feel as if you're doing it all yourself, but without the hassle. Once in South Africa everything went like clockwork, pickup from the airport, internal flights, transfers between lodges, the lodges themselves..........everything was wonderful.
Thank you Kerry for all your hard work in putting this together and making it a most memorable experience.
p.s The wildlife sightings from all the lodges ( Simbavati, Nottens and Idube) were unbelievable! I've never seen better.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible Greater Kruger/Botswana/Victoria Falls/Okavango Delta Independent Safari
Kerry @ Pembury Tours helped us arrange a fantastic independent game viewing trip that was affordable and exciting. She worked with us over several months, finding great camps and accommodations to suit our individual preferences . . . lots of wildlife/fishing/birdwatching. She booked all the internal flights and a car rental so we could make good connections and make the best use of our time. We emailed frequently, and Kerry was flexible and easily made changes to the itinerary so we could visit all the areas we wanted to see, including Victoria Falls, in a logical sequence. And, when there was a problem with a booking at Kruger National Park, Kerry went above and beyond, and called them daily to see if an opening occurred, and she was able to book the Rest Camp we wanted. Notten's Bush Camp was spectacular, and we loved Simbavati, Chobe Safari Lodge, Pom Pom Camp and Kruger National Park. This was our second time booking a tailor made tour with Kerry and Pembury Tours, and we have enjoyed it so much, we want to go a third time. We will call on Kerry again the next time we travel to Africa!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cape Town, Safari & Victoria Falls
Wonderfully planned trip. Everything went smoothly in terms of transitioning to different accommodations! Best trip ever!
US
Email Elise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highest level of service and expertise - so good!
About 8 months out from my intended trip date, I started reaching out to tour operators/travel agents to help plan my South Africa/Zimbabwe 2-week vacation. I had requested quotes/suggested itineraries from several different ones, and none of them seemed to "get it", until Gail from Pembury responded (in record time!).
What I so appreciated about working with Gail was her ability to listen to what we were looking for in a trip and pull it all together, within a more-than-reasonable price tag. I believe Gail booked us rates better than rack rates available to the general public. I also think Pembury being local in SA helps.
Some standouts points of service:
1. Gail's suggestions. For our safari, we stayed at Motswari Lodge in Timbavati. If you aren't sure where/what game reserve to visit, check out Motswari. It is the only one I want to go to for now on.
2. Responsiveness. One hotel booked (for just a single night on the way to the airport) did not live up to our expectations and we had some service issues at the hotel. I emailed and called Gail quite frantic, after work hours, and she responded extremely quickly and had squared the issues away with the hotel. And, in the months leading up to our trip, I received responses back in hours - even when the time difference meant it was very late or early in SA.
3. Price. As I said before, I can't believe how cheap our entire trip was, with domestic airfare, hotels, and airport transfers included.
If you're looking for someone to plan your trip, look no further. I know I'll be emailing Pembury again soon for another visit!
US
Email Jay Schwartz | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
As a global traveler for business I was looking for what I call a "hands-off" three week trip to South Africa where I did not need to think about anything. Susan at Pembury Tours did an excellent job of putting together the trip of a lifetime. We toured Cape Town, down through Cape Point and then a few days in the wine country then back up to Livingston area to take in Victoria Falls where we enjoyed three fantastic nights at Tongabezi Luxury River Lodge enjoying the Tree House Bungalow. Then off to 3 additional safari camps each one wonderful and unique in its own way. Over our three week stay we took 10 in country South African Airways flights and 4 small plane flights. Everything worked perfectly with a person waiting to great my wife and I each time we stepped off a plane to personally guide us to the next flight or to our lodging. Have taken many personal trips in my 60 years of life but this one had much more logistics than any previous and it was perfect. I would highly recomend the expertise of Pembury Tours. THey did an excellent job for us!
SG
Email Denise | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream Holiday in South Africa
We had 8 short days to see Cape Town, Johannesburg and go on Safari, but Heidi from Pembury Tours managed to customise 2 different tours for both of us to suit our needs. As our point of contact, Heidi was patient, resourceful, extremely professional and pleasant throughout. Even when we had an accommodation crisis, she handled the situation smoothly and we ended up with a better option. From airport transfers to private guided tours to 5-star accommodation to an unforgettable Safari at Sabi Sands, everything was arranged to great satisfaction. Thank you Heidi & Pembury Tours! I'd return to South Africa with Pembury in a heartbeat.