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:
- $218 to $244 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Peter N | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent from start to finish
Communication pre safari was great - Wildlife answered all our questions and were clear about methods of payment, what was included Nothing came as a suprise. Wildlife was a bit more expensive than other similar tours but we chose it because it had the highest number of game drives, accomodation within the park (for one night), included the panromic route and did not include any private game reserves. The panoramic route did get shifted to the first day, but it meant we saw it with good weather and could spend extra time in the park on the fourth day.
The guide (Simon) was fantastic, not only did he have encyclopedic knowledge about the different animals but he was also able to talk at length on the history, geography and politics of South Africa which made for some interesting conversations on the road. He was very flexible in start times, when to break and have meals - ultimately we decided to spend as much time in the park as possible. We were taking photos with our cameras, and he always made sure we had a good angle for the shot. The route and time management was also spot on, I did wonder if we could cover more ground - but in hindsight we had enough time to stop at spots for extended periods of time. For example, witnessing a herd of elephants playing in a watering hole before eventually crossing and being met by 300+ buffalo coming to the water - we watched that play out over 20-30 minutes and it was worth it.
We were not aiming to see any specific animals, we really just wanted to see animals in their natural habitat. Over six game drives, a sunset drive and a bush walk we were not disappointed.
The sunset drive was a definite highlight, seeing the park as the sun falls is completely different to the game drives. We were lucky enough to see a pack of hyenas and three sleeping lions. The bush walk was the morning after (maybe this could be scheduled better but given we only had the one night in Satara, I don't think there are any other options). The guides (from Satara camp) for both the bush walk and sunset drive were professional and put you at ease. On the bush walk we were stalked and approached by a hyena, it was nerve wracking but we never felt unsafe. We were also able to witness two leopards on foot about 20m away - a truly special experience that got the blood pumping!
We had an amazing experience doing the 5 day tour, being able to travel up north to Satara and see the different landscape was worth it in my opinion. At no point were we suprised with additional costs, everything ran very smoothly (from pick up at our hotel to drop off five days later). Even little details like making sure we were at the right place/right time for the sunset drives/bush walks was appreciated. If we were to travel to Kruger again, we would not hesitate to use Wildlife Safaris.
QA
Email Lu & Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's worth it!
My husband and I had a great experience with Wildlife Safaris. They had good communication before the trip, providing us with useful information and promptly clarifying our questions. Our safari was amazing; we saw many animals. Our guide, Mr. Anthony Hoppy, was experienced, patient, and very attentive with us. We stayed for 3 nights, each in a different accommodation, and all were good. We loved the safari and strongly recommend Wildlife Safaris
Email Isabella Dedrick/ Kim Wells | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simon our Tour Operator was exceptional in every way.
Not only is Simon extremely knowledgable on the wildlife in Kruger National Park he has a deep knowledge about the history of South Africa. But more than that he is a great human being. His warm and friendly, he was exceptionally easy to talk to, approachable and very accommodating. He was more than happy to stop for us to take photos and answer every silly question we had. This is the only way to tour Kruger National Park. The whole process from start to end, booking the tour, the three amazing days we had in the park and our transport back to the airport was incredible! We could not recommend Simon enough and we will be back as soon as we can. Thanx again Simon you were the BEST!!!!!
CH
Email Tariq & Karina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari Experience: Gratitude to Wildsafari and Guide Simon Taylor
We can only express sincere gratitude for the unforgettable 5-day safari experience and the Panorama Route under the guidance of Ranger Simon Taylor. From the pickup at the Johannesburg airport to the smooth return at the end of our safari, the organization by the Wildsafari team was outstanding. We felt well taken care of by the team. Particularly noteworthy was our Ranger Simon Taylor, who exceeded our expectations with his attention and dedication. He sensitively addressed our individual wishes and designed the safari with love and passion. His extensive knowledge of Kruger National Park, wildlife, and other topics enriched our experience. The evening conversations were not only interesting but also created a warm atmosphere in which we felt completely comfortable. We are more than satisfied with our safari experience as well as the beautiful places along the Panorama Route that we visited on the last day. Wildsafari and Simon Taylor definitely met our expectations.
CH
Email Steve and Stephanie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Perfect
We just returned from a South Africa trip that included a six-day (five night) safari hosted by Wildlife Safaris (WS). WS normally offers a five-day safari, but I asked whether our safari could be modified to add an extra day. This turned out to be a fantastic decision, and a modification that we would encourage anyone looking into a safari with WS to investigate. WS should ideally offer this as a standard offering since it elevated the experience well beyond what the shorter timeframe could offer.
We arrived at Nelspruit airport and were met by Hoppy, who became our guide, driver, companion, and friend over the six days we were with him. Hoppy was the consummate host, and we could not ask for a better travel companion. His knowledge and insights into everything relating to Kruger National Park and the wildlife we encountered was as valuable as anything we saw. He spotted things (Dung Beetle with its ball-o-dung, beautiful porcupine quills lying on the road, etc.) along our drives that we would never have noticed, all the while keeping his eyes on the road and driving expertly. He knew/sensed that two lions we encountered were about to mate and waited around until they did so, right under our noses! Amazing. Hoppy also seemed to have bionic hearing from the front seat of the van, always noticing when we had questions or wanted to make a stop. He made sure our curiosity was satisfied, asked if we'd like to stay at a particular spot longer, and made sure we had gotten all the photos and videos we wanted. Hoppy's early morning coffee-making skills were also much appreciated since we normally don't do breakfast. His quiet sense of humor was also very welcome. We already miss him.
We saw so many animals from the very moment we entered Kruger that it felt almost staged. We saw a distant leopard as well as two close-by rhinos the very first afternoon. I cannot promise that everyone's safari will be as fruitful (animalful?) as ours was, but a large part of our success was due to Hoppy's sense for what and where to look. Dinners at the Kruger lodges were a great chance to revisit what we had seen, and what the next day's drive might bring. Hoppy seemed bemused by our questions and interest, especially my predilection for various antelope steaks for dinner. If you get the chance to try the Impala and Warthog pie at the Skukuza Station Restaurant, I highly recommend it!
The last two nights were spent at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge. This included two daily drives in the open safari vehicle with a tracker and a guide from the lodge. Words cannot do justice to what all we encountered on these drives. From more rhinos (3!) and buffalo just meters away from the vehicle to lions feasting on a (stolen) Impala, every drive was an adventure. Our guide, Lucky, and tracker, Enock, were fabulous at finding the animals, but also made sure we felt safe around them. This is not easy when lions are devouring an Impala just meters from the vehicle or when a group of elephants, with young in tow, wander past.
The staff at Mohlabetsi was fabulous, from Kiddy greeting us with iced tea when we arrived, to Sam (another lodge guide) sharing his harrowing experiences living so close to dangerous and unpredictable animals. Prescilla was justifiably proud when announcing her daily creations from the kitchen - we certainly did not suffer from a lack of excellent food. I hate to leave out the rest of the staff, but there were simply so many people making sure that we were indulged throughout.
Staying that second night at Mohlabetsi and developing a familiarity with our lodge guide and tracker really made the difference in our trip. Only one night there would have felt too rushed and overwhelming without that extra time.
Thank you again to everyone, especially Hoppy, who greased the wheels every step of the way and made this a truly stress-free, perfect vacation for us. He is a true professional and the best possible travel companion and guide you could ever ask for.
Email Christopher Mumford | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable Experience
The whole trip was fantastice from start to finish. The accomodation was very comfortable and the food very tasty and satisfying. The best part of the trip was of course the safari itself. I don't know if we were just lucky but we saw so much wildlife, including 'the big five'. Our guide was Hoppy who greatly enhanced our experience. He was extremely knowledgeable and experienced and knew exactly where to find the animals. We really couldn't ask for more!
IT
Email Nunzia Gizzi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
extraordinary experience
Fantastic trip with an extremely competent, professional and kind guide, with a very high level of customerorientation and care.
Email Brian Barkby | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional can recommend this company
Our guide Hoppy was amazing. His knowledge of the flora and fauna in Kruger NP and ability to spot the animals both great and small was incredible …
US
Email Doug | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very efficient, great service and our guide Simon was wonderful.
The entire experience was great from the booking to the departure. Our guide Simon was knowledgeable and found us literally thousands of animals to include 2 leopards, more than 2 dozen lions, 3 rhinos, hundreds of buffalo, hundreds of elephants, as well as thousands of Impala, birds and many other animals
NO
Email Ida and Marte | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional and highly recommended
We recently had the pleasure of experiencing a safari with Wild Life Safari in Kruger National Park, led by the exceptional guide, Hoppy. From the moment we set out, Hoppy's expertise and passion for wildlife were evident. His keen eye and deep knowledge enriched every sighting, making each moment memorable. Hoppy's commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism added another layer of depth to our journey. We also gained a deeper appreciation for the animals habitats and ecosystems. During the trip we had problems with the car. Nevertheless, Hoppy did what he could to ensure that we, his "princesses", had the best possible experience.
The accommodations were luxurious yet thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding environment, allowing us to feel fully immersed in the wilderness without sacrificing comfort. Each meal was a culinary delight, showcasing local flavors and ingredients that added another layer of richness to our journey. The diversity of wildlife we encountered was simply astounding and the overall experience was nothing short of exceptional.
We wholeheartedly recommend Wild Life Safari, especially with guides like Hoppy, for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Africa's wilderness. Thank you, Hoppy!
