Explore the Hidden Gems of Africa
Gems of Africa Safari and Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $83 to $500 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
Email Ike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Full of Breathtaking and Memorable Moments
I organised a party of 5 from London to go on a 4 day Garden Tour of the Western Cape area. The itinerary was negotiated so that it was bespoke. Gems of Africa was chosen from a short-list of 2 based on value for money. I would not be surprised if the tour company just broke even as it was significantly at a lower price point that its competitors. The driver/tour guide was highly experienced and knowledgable. (he told us he is freelance and works for serveral of the South African tour companies). He cleared up the confusion of the name - Garden Tour. Contrary to what you may think it is not a tour of wild flower-filled fields! It is a tour of an ever varied landscape of the Western Cape region that due to its abundant rainfall is known as the Garden of South Africa.
We started from our accommodation in Cape Town and joined Route 62 and witnessed some spectacular scenery from rugged mountains to semi-arid dessert. We ended Day 1 at Outdshoorn, 260 km away where we stopped outside an ostrich farm and visited the must-see Cango Caves and visitor centre. We could stop at viewpoints to take photos and Benjamin, the guide gave us a commentary on the towns, wineries, history and landscape. Our guest house accommodation was of a high standard with a reasureing electronic gate and strong perimeter security as a precaution against burglary. Day 2-4 was a relative 200 plus Kilometres amble mostly through the coastal N2 coastal Route road, stopping at Knysna; Storms River Village; a half-day safari at the Bottlierskop private game reserve; Mossel Bay; Hermanus (whale watching); and lastly Stony Point (a penguin colony).
At Knysna we went on a guided township tour (Emzini) where the tour fees help to fund an orphanage for children of parents unable to look after their children due to being alcoholics. We visited the orphanage and made music with the children by playing drums accompanying the tour guides singing a song. We also went on a 90 minute paddle cruiser trip up and down Knysna Bay.
The accommodation on days 2 and 3 were a Lodge and a B&B respectively (the Lodge is particulary recommended where I saw two adult baboons taking a morning stroll oustide the front door of my room!).
I, originally had wanted to go on a self-drive tour to save money but there is no way that I would have been able to cover the territory covered in the allotted 4 days. The distances covered were sometimes vast but the roads are excellent, the equivalent of UK motorway construction standards.
As a party of 5 black Britons, there were some poignant sights on the tour such as black women with children waiting for minibus transport. One scene summed up the inequality in the Western Cape area - as we approached the outskirts of Cape Town, a young white man had just landed at the end of his paraglider flight on a grass area next to a beach. His equipment was then rolled up into a neat bundle by a young black man. A few yards away was an elderly black woman sleeping on the grass with her few possessions.
Race is still an unspoken issue which simmers under the surface post-Apartheid but I am amazed that there are only rare acts of hostility, (particularly between the black and Afrikaaner ethinic groups) which is a minor miracle. But tensions between locals and migrants from other African countries occasionally erupts (the black unemployment rate is 32%). However as a foreign tourist with a local guide I always felt safe and highy recommend visiting a country which has had the courage to go undergo a Truth and Reconciliation process. It was a privelege to visit a country that I had only been able to experience on the TV screen for the past 55 years during its turbulent social and political history .
The food portions can be gargantuan and excellent value. Meat particularly is good value but we also had beautiful sea food. I will defintely be going back. This tour would have been good value at twice the price. This tour made our holiday one of the best holiday experiences ever. We went during spring time where the temperature was in the early 20s and the roads and tourist attractions were were not overcrowded we did not face long queues. After paying for the airfare; accommodation, food and domestic travel is significantly cheaper than an equivalent holiday in the UK. The Western Cape region is a gem of a holiday destination.
Email Iola | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience, very helpful
Great trip with Gems of Africa. Solo traveller in SA for business and had a weekend in Pilanesberg. Special mention to Janine for her help, I was extremely well looked after before, during and after the trip!
Black rhino lodge great, saw the big five
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Email Kareem O. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
The entire trip to South Africa was a blast with the Safari being the memorable highlight.
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Email Thomas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gems of Africa is helpful, prompt in their response, and a group I would use again.
We submitted a request to Safari Bookings a little over a month in advance of our trip to South Africa. Within a day of submitting the request, Janine from Gems of Africa responded to our inquiry with multiple options available that met our initial parameters. Throughout the correspondence, Janine was very prompt in her responses to me, even with the time change. She was able to provide great insight and I felt like with the information we were provided, we were able to make the right decision for our vacation. Upon booking our stay with Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, Janine provided us with detailed instructions on where to go and when we needed to arrive at our destination. The experience we had at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve - staying at the Kuganha Luxury Tented Camp felt like the right price that we were quoted/charged by Gems of Africa. If we return to South Africa in the future and need to book another safari, I will be working with Gems of Africa again!
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Email Preet | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gems was communicative, flexible, and helpful.
Visiting Kruger National Park was a must for our South Africa vacation. The logistics, however, were not easy. After significant research, we contacted Gems and within hours had secured ground transportation from Jo'burg, a stay at the Mdluli Lodge, and ground transportation back via the Panorama Route with stops along the way. Our driver was very timely and accommodating. The Lodge was wonderful and thanks to Gems, we secured the full board plan which allowed us to enjoy the magnificent location without worrying about meal plans. I highly recommend Gems for any foreign travelers wanting convenient and safe transportation and lodging.
CH
Email Zivile | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great help, very clear and very quickly responding, service received exceeded request & expectations
All the provided service was really of high quality, very helpful, service that we received exceeded request and expectations. For example, car transfer from airport was private instead of group transfer. We were positively surprised, very happy, comfortable, safe and very grateful. All possible instructions and advice was given beforehand the trip, thus we were well prepared. We cannot recommend it more.
DE
Email KathInga | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
"Wilderness light" almost close enough to touch
Round trip was in comfortable minibuses for 10 people. Aquila is a wonderful place if you want to experience the Big 5 in the wild for the first time. Of course it’s not the real wilderness, but it gives you a taste of real safaris. I enjoyed the ride through the grounds in a small group. Our companion Charlie gave us interesting insights into the animal world and guided us very well. Time flew by and I was in a completely different world all day long.
DK
Email Dea Hoeg | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
We had the best advice and help we could ask for by booking with Gems of Africa Safari & Tours. I had a million questions since this was our first (but not last) time to South Africa - always mails answering my questions. We can only recommend other travelers to book with Gems of Africa Safari & Tours.
Professional and extremely helpful
My husband and I were clueless about how/what to book for our Safari honeymoon. I found Gems of Africa online and Janine was so incredibly helpful and patient with us. She provided us with endless options for everything we wanted to do and prompt answers to all our questions. What we ended up booking was so incredible and beyond our expectations. We are so happy with how our trip turned out and when we go back to Africa, we will most definitely reach out to Janine again!
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Email Melanie C. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience!
My husband and I used Gems of Africa Safari & Tours to book 2 luxury safari experiences while vacationing in South Africa for 2 weeks. We started planning 6 months in advance. They made the process easy by providing us with various options and laying out all the details. Prior to and during our vacation, they were very communicative and responsive! For the 2 luxury safari packages we chose, the detailed itinerary was planned for us - from pick up, drop off, flights, and lodging (includes game drives). The itinerary was perfect for us! Thank you Gems of Africa & Tours for making our first South African safari experience so memorable!