Christine Sales Office
Wildlife Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1971)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $206 to $230 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
There experience of a lifetime
The entire experience was first rate from communication to accommodation to guiding to Kruger Park. The only downside was the food which was so - so. However, we didn't go for the food. We would highly recommend the experience and Wildlife Safaris.
US
Email Rick Wilson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A most fabulous and wondrous time.
I am very pleased with our 5-day Kruger safari. It could not have been easier to arrange and I do not know how it could have been more fun. Lynn and Christine with Wildlife Safaris made it a snap to set up the tour via the internet. One or the other were in contact via email and ensured that everything was arranged beforehand. There were three of us traveling together for the safari and we did not know what to expect. Wildlife Safaris specializes in small group tours and for this one it was just the three of us. It was our own private tour! We were extremely fortunate to get “Hoppy” to be our guide. Hoppy quickly adjusted to our idiosyncrasies and was very patient with us. He is exceedingly knowledgeable and has a sharp eye for spotting something interesting while driving in Kruger. He was happy to stop whenever we wished and managed to find an angle for viewing by everyone in the vehicle. I appreciated the fact that he did not spend his time “chasing down” animals, but rather let things unfold. We were drawn to the birds and other animals and not just the “big five.” Hoppy gave us a magical experience in a fabulous country. Wildlife Safaris made it very easy for us.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime!
Thank you for a perfect trip and a wonderful adventure. The plans worked perfectly, and accommodations were fine. We preferred the Park to the private game reserve, though folks there were also very accommodating and friendly. “Hippo Hollow” was also fun, and a great way to end the trip.
Most importantly, Anthony Hawell (Hoppie) was a fantastic guide, on every dimension. He is extremely knowledgeable, and knew the answers to all of our questions. It is clear that he loves the Park, and this made touring with him a very special experience. He led us to remarkable sightings, including a beautiful leopard and so many lovely birds. He would pull into some amazing sight, like a watering hole with a variety of animals to see, and quietly point out key features, giving us plenty of time to absorb what was there, and ask lots of questions. We never felt rushed or pressured. He took excellent care of us. In addition he was delightful company, so funny and kind, and quickly came to be a real friend, not merely a guide. I especially enjoyed the after-tour, stimulating conversations, over dinner or drinks, where I learned a great deal. It was a trip of a lifetime, and I will never forget it.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was quite simply the perfect adventure!
We booked with Wildlife Safaris because they were willing to let us customize our trip itinerary to meet our travel needs. Not only were they willing to work with us, they bent over backwards to make sure everything went smoothly. I cannot express enough how wonderful our guide, Paul, was. He saved us once from a bad situation and kept us laughing and learning the whole time.
Christine was also beyond amazing. She called ahead to our guesthouse knowing we might not have working phones just to make sure everything was set for us.
The others on our safari all spoke the same language, which made it even easier to make friends. It was the trip of a lifetime and then some!
I urge you to booked with Wildlife Safaris!
US
Email Susan & Blair | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The perfect introduction to Kruger National Park!
After a great deal of research, we sent inquiries to Wildlife Safaris and another company. In just a few minutes, Lynn called us! We discussed what we were looking for in a safari to Kruger National Park and she explained that this week end was a 4 day holiday and all the camps at Kruger were fully booked. She could book us for the Monday, she offered. We agreed. We proceeded through the booking and payment process and waited for Monday! Hoppy, our driver and guide, arrived to pick us up in Jo'burg. The ride to Kruger showed us a fascinating region of South Africa. Once inside the park, the sightings of birds and animals began. Hoppy was a great guide, knows so much about all the wildlife, especially birds! We identified so many birds during our drives - amazing and fun, and we observed elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and other critters Kruger is so well known for. He took very good care of us, too. This 3 day safari was the perfect introduction to Kruger National Park. We are SO happy Lynn called!
US
Email Cliff | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful 5 day safari to Kruger National Park and Game Preserve
We had a fantastic time and the excellent service was complete and portal to portal from our B&B's in Johannesburg. Anthony our humorous guide was an indefatigable driver, a sharp game spotter, and a knowledgeable naturalist with a great love of the African outdoors which he conveyed to us. Since he had served in the Johannesburg fire department as both a fireman and paramedic, we felt we were in great hands in this our first time in Africa. And we photographically bagged the Big Five. Highly recommended.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect days
Our guide, Anthony came to get us at our hotel. As soon as we met him, the holidays began....He's very nice, he laughs all the time. We were lucky enough to be only 4 with him, and we felt privileged. He's a real bushman, with great knowledge about the bush and South Africa, always available, but most af all, he's a great person. At the end, we considered him as a friend and were very sad to leave him.
About the safari, the landscapes are amazing, we could see very animals, even leopards, lions, elephants...
Two weaknesses:
- The visit of the elephant sanctuary after 3 days in the Kruger is not a good thing. Elephants are locked like in a zoo and we didn't enjoy it at all.
- The drive night was not with our guide Anthony, but with guides from the Kruger Park. We had to take a bus for 10 persons, and felt like tourists. It was too crowded. It was not so interesting as it's too dark and you can't see animals.
Thanks to Wildlife Safaris for their availability, flexibility and enthousiasm!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect
Everything was organized in a perfect way.
A qualified and well prepaired tourguide accompained us all the the time allowing us to take the best of our 3day safari tour. The care received made this trip an exciting experience.
CA
Email Francois Potier | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experience with highly professional team looking after guests to ensure the best moments!
It was really a fantastic experience with highly professional team (Antony) looking after the guests to ensure the most memorable experience. Understand the wild life so well that we could benefit extra view, undersatnding the animals habit.
A peaceful moment in our life. Thanks for that amzing experience. Antony has exceeed all expectation we had. He raise the bar of detailed service at a new levels. he BBQ, drive carefully, nice and quiet, polite and so experience and knowlageable with animals, birds, trees, etc.
Also, a special thanks for recommending the Waybury guest house and arranging the pick-up from the airport and drop-off afterward. Everything was executed perfectly! 100% right.
Thanks again Antony from your guest: Francois, Alexis and Karine.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kruger Park is amazing, however the contractor that supplied the open vehicles needs to be changed.
Our Safari in Kruger had a rough start, on the first official game drive ( late afternoon, with the open safari vehicle ) the vehicle broke down. When our driver/guide stopped to view animals, the vehicle refused to start. After soliciting the assistance of a passerby who had mechanic tools and knowledge, we returned to the camp safely and finished the game drive in a mini van.
The following day on our early morning game drive ( different open safari vehicle) we again broke down. This time a much greater distance from the camp and outside of cell phone range. We had to wait approx. 2 hours in the hot morning sun until another Safari company stopped and assisted in contacting the camp to arrange for alternate transportation. In the end we agreed to continue with the game drive, in another vehicle . However as a whole we were concerned for our overall safety with these vehicles and we had lost faith and trust in this tour company to deliver a product as agreed upon!
When you operate a Safari company in a huge Wildlife Park such as Kruger, you need to have safe guards in place. Having access to reliable vehicles for the game drives, should be their number one priority. Other communication equipment, such as satellite phones, that will provide contact to the camps in event of break downs or emergency medical issues, is a must. We were informed that the use of the open safari vehicles was fairly new to this company.
In closing, I found our driver / guide, to be very knowledge with the wildlife in Kruger and friendly. On the other hand , the other company employee whom we had direct contact with during this Safari was unacceptable. I felt he forgot who he was working for at times. His communication with our tour was very poor, at no time did he apologize for the inconvenience's of the break downs or inquire as to our safety during the break downs. We also witnessed his unacceptable rants towards our driver in front of us, blaming him for the mechanical breakdowns. He was very unprofessional and not a good representative of Wildlife Safaris !
Reply from Wildlife Safaris
Posted on May 16, 2014Response from Wildlife Safaris
As Management we would like to apologise for the unreliable standard of open safari vehicles we were obliged to use for this tour . Our normal supplier did not have sufficient vehicles so we sub-contracted to another company . We were informed about the breakdowns when they happened on both occasions & we assisted with replacement vehicles . Consequently we have not used this company again & have made enquiries about alternate backup services .
We have requested reports from both guides involved with this tour & we are satisfied that following the delay on Day 2 , the game drive was extended later than usual so that guests received the services we had agreed upon .
Regarding communications , officially S A National Parks does not allow drivers to have satellite phones in Kruger Park because this leads to congestion at Big 5 sightings , so drivers have to rely on their own mobile phones .
As a qualified Tour Guide myself, I am aware of the stress caused by any interruption to an itinerary which may be due to mechanical failure , unexpected conditions such as floods or fire, ill health of passengers or dangerous animals . The guide is usually alone & has to deal with the situation as well as consoling his passengers which can be very difficult . We regret any altercation which took place between guides & they have been reminded to be more considerate to the passengers stranded out in the bush.