Themba Day Tours and Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 1988)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $44 to $359 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
BR
Email Paulo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Company Closed? No response from Themba Tours
I've discovered Themba Tours in the Safari Bookings website. Last Monday Nov 16th, I have booked a 3 Day Safari with Themba with consultant Wayne. Since then no response from the company anymore. I've tried email, telephone and skype. Luckily they did not complete my payment though. I believe the company was closed. Other users complaining in the Trip Advisor as well. Be aware!!
Friendly hospitality at a high price.
The Sunset lodge is a nice and wonderfully located in a private game reserve. If you are looking to get away from the big city and stress, and are willing to be overpriced for it, then this is the place for you.
Unlike what I was told by Rueben, there was no buffet for meals, but a limited tasty set meal each day. On the actual safari days, although it says you will get sausage and eggs and hot coffee, in reality it is one boiled egg, a muffin, maybe no coffee, or one sausage, and the rest of the items mentioned (depending how many people are in the group).
At dinner, all beverages ordered - juice or wine - you will be charged for it, even if it is a glass. I think this this important to mention, because for the price you pay, you would expect a glass of wine or juice would be included with dinner. They never tell you the price or that you will be charged for it until the last day you leave which was a surprise to me. Although it wasn't too expensive, it still was an unpleasant surprise. Another unpleasant surprise is here on Safaribooking.com, it says a 3-5 day safari is whatever, but they charge an extra 14% in taxes which makes it more than originally advertised when you actually book with them.
If a single person did this as a once in a life time event, then I would rate the Themba operators and the whole experience as average and overall a great experience with the wildlife and seeing this part of the world. If I rate this for people who have a family, I would say it was overpriced for what you get, especially the bigger the family.
Considering that a four person family is paying about $4-500 a day to be there, you are paying a lot for limited food and drink (although the family who runs the Sunset Lodge are spectacular), and time. A "3 day safari is really 2 days - or 1 1/2 days" etc because the last day you are only driving back to Johannesburg, and the first day you take 6 hours to get there, and you are paying for any snacks or drinks along the way. This is WAY too much to pay for what you are actually receiving.
However, with this being said, the animals in and around Kruger's park are amazing, and the experience was unforgettable. I will definitely go back, but I am unsure I would use this operator again unless I got a serious discount to match what I felt I received.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Four Star Big Five Safari
I just wanted to say thank you for such a fantastic vacation on my five day safari. Everything that was promised on your website was exactly as stated. The hotel was excellent and the safari's suburb. All of the reps were really helpful and gave a good insight into what we were seeing. Although cold in the mornings (I would say to your customers to bring winter clothing) it was worth the early start. You responded to all my questions quickly and gave very good advice. Once again many thanks. I will be recommending your company to everyone I know that will embark on a safari.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very nice 4 days trip to the Krugerpark!
I went to a 4days trip to the Krugerpark and had a night in their guesthouse included. We passed the panoramaroute with the important sights. We had a awesome stay at the lodge and I saw the big 5 animals!
On the way back we went to the elephant sanctuary! I had even an elephant back ride there! Brilliant!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A fabulous 5 day safari to Kruger with Themba
My wife and I wanted to escape the cold in Toronto and booked a guided 5 day tour to Kruger with Themba. This was our second tour with Themba and they did not disappoint. The logistics of being fetched from the airport and the drive to Kruger from Johannesburg etc was faultless. The whole trip was organized very well and we enjoyed our guide, Sue, who is extremely knowledgeable with animals, birds and trees and plants.
We were lucky to see a lot of game and Sue made sure that she positioned the vehicle so that we could have the best vantage point. We stayed in Skukuza camp and it was very adequate with good food and facilities.
I would highly recommend Themba and look forward to our next trip in a few years time.
Email Alistair Barnwell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari Title says it all - Simply The Best
We were collected in Johannesburg by our guide for the 4 days, Alban Rolando, and driven over the High Velde and down the escarpment to Hazyview, although this took about 7 hours Alban was a font of knowledge and made the drive very interesting.
A bit more on Alban, he was an extremely interesting and well educated person who really knew his subject of the animals, their habitat and Kruger, he proved to be great company over the 4 days for myself and my wife.
We changed vehicles in Hazyview to an open backed Safari vehicle and headed into Kruger at about 3.30 on our first day, the game drive finishing at 6.30 (Dusk) followed by a lovely dinner in our lodge.
The accommodation in the Rondials is a bit basic but fine, you do not spend a lot of time in it.
The next day was full, off on a game drive at 6.00, breakfast at 9.30, continued drive until 1.30, lunch at lodge and back out at 3.30 to 6.30 on another drive.
Our final morning in Kruger consisted of another early morning drive followed by breakfast and then back to Hazyview to change back into our air conditioned mini bus.
Throughout our stay in Kruger Alban demonstrated his absolute command of his knowledge of Kruger that he had developed from living there for a few years earlier in his life. Our viewing of the animals, including the big 5, was exceptional.
The next phase was a 1/2 day tour of the escarpment, God's Window and the waterfalls. I was scepticable about this phase of our trip, as I really wanted Safari not sight seeing, how wrong could I be, this part of our trip was fascinating with some unbelievable views and well worth the time spent doing it.
We then arrived at another Lodge, Shiduli, in a private game reserve. This was very luxurious but now we were in a safari vehicle taking 8 people and with Shiduli's guides, I found this a little tame after the open wilds of Kruger and the in depth knowledge and experience of Alban. But after saying that we did see a lot of game and enjoyed some lovely meals and pampering.
After our final morning game drive and breakfast we then departed, driven by Alban back to Johannesburg.
I have been very pleased with Themba's organisation throughout the period from booking the trip to finally being delivered back to our hotel in Johannesburg. I get the impression that it is a small family run business that points their guests' quality experience to the forefront, I would imagine that from talking with Alban that all of their guides will deliver a similar level service to their guests, which is very important when you are spending 3 to 5 days with them.
I will have no hesitation using Themba Tours again and recommending them to my friends
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding safari - great value!
We had only 3 full days and 2 part days in Johannesburg, and Themba Tours organized our time perfectly. We were picked up at the airport at 10:45am (they patiently waited with our name on a card) Saturday morning and driven close to Kruger Park to meet our guide who then took us (and only us) the rest of the way stopping to see some great scenic spots. The trip totaled about 6 hours. We arrived at the Sabie River Bush Lodge (lovely) in time to unpack and have dinner. The next two days began at 5am so we'd get priority entrance into the park. Both days lasted 10-12 hours - with breaks. Saw tons of wildlife - and the Big 5 several times. Great weather - warm, but clear. The open jeep allowed for great sightseeing and a constant breeze on the warm days. Our last day there we left early for the elephant sanctuary which was interesting (bought the $20 DVD of us videoed with the elephants) and then the long drive back to town. Two days in the park was enough for us - saw so much! We stayed in the Waybury Guesthouse - nice! Relaxed at the pool and enjoyed a wonderful home cooked meal for just us at a reasonable price. The next day, our last, we took a tour of Soweto with lunch included. It was a good overview of how many of the folks live there and the impact Nelson Mandela had on the country. We felt spoiled and attended to by all hosts. It was a wonderful trip - at a great price!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great day trip to the Lesedi Cultural center and Elephant Sanctuary
Michele was very responsive to my emails when helping to book a few day trips before our arrival to South Africa. Ben was a great guide and host for our day trip to the Lesedi Cultural center. The Elephant Sanctuary was fantastic. Themba Day Tours and Safaris did a wonderful job of picking us up at our hotel and taking my wife and I on two great day trips.