Personal & Genuine African Safaris
Siya Phambile Expeditions
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $14 to $828 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
GR
Email Georgios | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Benjamin is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly companion
I recently went on a safari trip in South Africa, exploring Kruger, Hlane, iMfolozi, iSimangaliso National Parks, as well as a short stay in St Lucia.
Our guide Benjamin was simply exceptional - passionate, helpful, and incredibly friendly.
His expertise in the African wilderness, coupled with his genuine passion for wildlife, made for a memorable and fun 15 day adventure.
The prices were quite reasonable, in fact we didn't expect the kind of service provided at this price ooint.
I strongly recommend Siya Phambile Expeditions to anyone seeking an extraordinary safari adventure that is both educational and immensely enjoyable.
FR
Our best expedition ever
We are a fairly fit elderly couple who really wanted a real 'bush' experience without staying in 5* lodges all the time.
We got it! Well done Benjamin! You gave us an experience to cherish for a life-time. We also appreciate every time you went the 'extra mile' on a game drive to see something special or the lovely meals in the bush. Really enjoyed your company and nice evenings around the fire with Scott your assistant.
Your selection of the itinerary, mixing it up with camping( nice tents and quality stretchers!) and then a day of two in luxury accommodation in between,
was on target- thank you! We spent two weeks in your company and enjoyed every day of it.
We can really recommend Benjamin and his tailor-made expeditions!! We thought great value for money.
LU
Email Thanos | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very friendly, highly motivated and knowledgable
Already during our written communication prior to the trip, Benjamin was responding very quickly to our requests adjusting the schedule to our wishes but also giving us his useful recommendations. Having booked with Siya Phambile our 4 nights tour in Kruger National Park removed any stress and hustle about planning (routes to take, accommodation, vehicle rental, etc.).
During the trip, Benjamin was patient to answer all our questions, also related to South Africa in general (as this was our first time there) and eager to drive us for hours around the park to watch the animals for as long as we pleased. Also he shared some of his books he had in the car, so that we could study a bit more about the animals and their behaviors.
Our vehicle (Toyota SUV) was comfortable and in a good state and Benjamin was a very careful driver.
Another important point is that Benjamin was always punctual on our appointments, be it early morning waking ups or evening dinners.
Next time we visit South Africa we will meet again for trips in Kgalagadi desert or elsewhere!
CL
Email Isabel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic first experience at Kruger Park
Ben is an excellent professional, friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgable and flexible.
He replied all questions on emails on time.
He arranged great accommodations at Satara Camp, which is laid back non pretentious and comfy, and to end my trip, at Kruger Shalati Train, which is Fantastic and luxury style
Ben was THE BEST TOUR GUIDE possible surpassing all my expectations. He has a wide knowledge of South Africa history, wild life and birds. He has excellent ears and eyes to spot all the animals, and I was really lucky to see many of them on my first time in Kruger thanks to him.
Also he arranged to take me to Blyde River Canyon for great views and pictures, with flexibility, which is very much appreciated.
This trip of 4 days in Kruger Park and the Canyon has been a total dream and beyond perfection thanks to Ben.
Email Philippa | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unassuming, easy to get on with, extremely competent and well priced!
Ben arranged the accommodation in Kgalagadi with quite short notice and got us a selection of great camps. He picked us up at the airport in Upington and drove us around for seven days, catered and found an amazing array of birds and animals for us to photograph. He was very knowledgeable about the birds and could spot like a champion. He knows the park well and was always happy to explore just one more waterhole. He was an excellent guide, sensitive to our needs, easy going, great sense of humour, never intrusive. We stayed at Twee Rivieren, Nossob, Bitterpan and Kalahari Tented Camp. Nossob was our favourite with fantastic sightings at the waterholes north of the camp. Every day we saw some amazing birds and animals - leopard, lion, cheetah, Cape fox, pygmy falcon, baby owls, raptors - too many to name. The Bataleur was my prime target and on the fifth day there he was, in the waterhole, waiting for us. It was brilliant! Ben catered for our various dietary requirements without a problem. He was efficient and always on time. The cost was very reasonable. I will definitely return for future trips with Ben. We couldn't have done it without him.
US
Email Ashley | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Warning do not trust this person or risk your money or safety with him. He is a fraud!
Benjamin Wilson stole $2908 from me for a trip he never gave us. The trip could not happen as planned in September 2020 due to COVID and travel bans. He refuses to return my money numerous times and did not honor trip voucher to do the trip promised in September 2022. I initially asked for my money back in June 2020 after the pandemic situation was in full swing, but he assured me there no need to worry. Then he still refused to return my money when no one could he fly there. He is very unprofessional, dishonest, and above all he is unethical. I am not sure how he is still in business and my prediction is that is will not be for much longer with his behavior. He was drunk on the phone the last time I spoke to him in August 2022. He even admitted drinking and cussed at me. He made it clear he had not booked our trip as planned, refused to go over any details, and even had our trip dates incorrect. He has even played games with me pretending him will return the money and then turns around and says he will not. He asked for my bank details to wire the money and of course never did. I do not anyone to fall victim to the fraudulent actions of this person or company. As a result of the above situation, I did not travel with this company or Ben, a blessing in disguise given my experience with him up to this point.
US
Email Jim and Zena Parson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond our wildest expectations!
Days after booking our trip in March 2020, COVID shut down the world. Benjamin kept in regular contact with us for over two years and when travel became possible again, honored our two-year-old deposit and did not change our pricing. My wife and I had a 12 day private tour with Siya Phambile, just the two of us and every step of it was perfect. Cape Town and Victoria Falls were wonderful but the best part of the trip were the safaris in Botswana and Kruger National Park. Benjamin was the perfect guide and even in the rain was able to provide more Big 5 and wildlife sightings than we ever imagined we might see, including rare white rhinos, caracal and sable. Not only was he the perfect host and guide, the price was cheapest by half of any other tour company and believe me, we checked out at least a dozen of them before booking with Siya Phambile. When little issues popped up, as they always do, he solved them instantly. We would gladly pay triple what we paid for the service and private itinerary we experienced. If you want a safari in South Africa, I promise you, you will not do better for service or price than Siya Phambile. We are already planning our next trip and would never consider anyone else but Benjamin.
BE
Email Kristel and Ellen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great experience
My daughter and me traveled for 9 days on the garden route. Everything was arranged very good and reliable. We had a great time, in future we will travel with Siya Phambile again.
Email Allan Macdonald | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Total professional for which nothing was any trouble or an issue. First class.
I was looking to do a trip to the Drakensberg and Rorke's Drift and had been let down by people who i was trying to book with. Ben took this on and at very short notice arranged bookings Car hire and accommodation for me and made my trip happen. He gave me various options that I could do and recommended a bespoke trip for me that more than met what I was looking to do. Ben enabled me to have the trip of a lifetime with memories that will stay with me forever. He also sorted me out for a short safari in Kwalata Lodge in Dinokeng Game reserve which helped wrap up a truly memorable trip.
Ben is a true professional and really knows his stuff. He is an absolute pleasure to deal with and if it can be done then he will get it sorted for you. I am looking to come out to SA again in the not-too-distant future and would not hesitate to get Ben to make my arrangements.
If you are looking to get a truly personal and unique trip don then these are definitely the guys to work with. I wasn't disappointed and I'm sure you won't be either.
Email fiona | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing trip to Kgalagadi with Siya Phambile
From the very first contact with Siya Phambile Expeditions Benjamin was extremely prompt and helpful when answering my emails, he put together an amazing itinerary staying 5 nights in different areas of the Kgalagadi.
Picked up at upington airport and whisked away to a remote yet magical landscape and park full of unique and amazing wildlife. Saw all we had hoped for and more including the elusive cheetah we had previously missed on our first 2 safaris in the Kruger area.
Amazing campsites with equally amazing sunrises/sunsets and Benjamin provided all that was needed for a comfortable yet wild camping experience as well as cooking up delicious food and also catering for vegetarian requirements.
Benjamin was a brilliant guide, extremely knowledgable re the wildlife, vegetation and the park in general. He put together a superb trip and we couldn't be happier, if you are looking to visit Kgalagadi or anywhere for that matter you can't go wrong booking with Siya Phambile.
