Team Wild Planet Safari
Wild Planet Safari
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- SATSA & FGASA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $410 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
CA
Email Jim | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
One more off our bucket list and would do it again
The park is wonderful and we saw lots of every kind of animal there was except a leopard. (we think we saw 2 cubs at quite a distance away but not totally convinced it was leopards). The best part of our 4 days had to be the guide Mr Ker and Chef Mr Hope. They did everything they could to make this Safari memorable, comfortable (there was an unusual cold snap but blankets and rain gear were made available). The food that Hope made using outdoor grill was excellent and with myself being a vegetarian, I was impressed. The huts we stayed in were basic but comfortable with 2 bed, AC and a private bathroom/shower. I think there was good value for the cost ($1755 CDN each for 4 days). The only thing that could have been better was the initial transfer from Johannesburg. We were late getting to pickup spot at the airport because our prearranged pickup from our Airbnb was not give clear instructions as to where to meet the transfer van for Kruger. It worked out in the end as they waited for us. We real enjoyed this experience and would do it all again in a heartbeat.
US
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Safari Experience
I had been dreaming of an African safari for years, so when the opportunity arose, I had to jump on it. I have to say our guides, Chris and Goodwill, gave me the experience of a lifetime! They were extremely knowledgeable about all of the animals we came across, spouting out random facts throughout the game drives. We saw an abundance of animals throughout the 8 day safari. I still can't believe how Chris managed to spot our first leopard. These guys really do have hawk eyes!
Mealtimes were wonderful, taking into account our meal preferences and providing us with very well prepared dishes. The wine in the evenings was much appreciated. And I think I can speak for everyone in my group that the comradery provided during our meals was wonderful!
I highly recommend Wild Planet Safari for your Kruger National Park adventures.
Email Gary | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant
First class, fantastic value for money, great service
Email Joelle | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wild Planet Safari delivered a once in a lifetime experience
I opted for a private safari for the 3 of us. After some fumbling on my part with dates and pick up points, Wild Planet Safari arranged a great itinerary for us. They even deducted some money from the bill because we started at one of the Kruger's airports rather than from Johannesburg. Any email was replied to promptly. They provided information about the weather, what is advisable to wear and what to expect when on safari. They also arranged for a bush walk and a night drive for us in the 2 resorts we stayed on. Raphael - the safari guide (or is it spelt Raphaele?) - was a great guide, patient, attentive and really good at spotting all kinds of animals as well as being personable and fun to be with. He also knew an awful lot about the animals and birds in Kruger. We loved him and are really grateful to him for enhancing our experience!
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Email Wanda Stevens | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Education, excitement, and full-on exhilaration, all in one package.
Thale Kolhus put together a great lodging package. Each lodge was unique to the park's varied areas. She then matched us up with knowledgeable drivers who educated us on not only the wildlife and their habitat but also an inside on the people of South Africa and points of interest. Thale added the Moholoholo Rehab Center to help raise awareness of how endangered these animals are. I would not change a thing and would recommend Wild Planet Safari to anyone, and any family looking for a trip of a lifetime.
US
Email Katarina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not suitable for a couple's getaway
My fiancé and I booked a 6-day Kruger safari with Wild Planet Safari and we were so excited! Unfortunately, we were disappointed and ultimately, I do not recommend this company.
I will say that the safari guide was super knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions regarding wildlife.
I think the biggest problem we had is that we went as a couple, and it was not specified that all three meals would be eaten with the guide and his assistant. We were looking for a more intimate experience at dinnertime under the stars with a bottle of wine.
In general, we also had problems with the included food; the “friendly coffee gatherings” – as to quote the day-by-day itinerary– in the early mornings, for instance, consisted of instant coffee served in tin cups. (All coffee drinkers will agree that instant coffee is terrible). I had pictured sharing a hot thermos filled with freshly brewed coffee. There were coffee shops at the camp sites, so this could’ve easily been arranged.
Some of our food and drink requests (which were approved prior to the safari) were not met; and there were no crackling fires and bonfire glows at nighttime, as to quote the safari description. The owner (who was very defensive when I emailed her afterwards) told me that because of a cold front (which only started at the end of our safari), it got very windy and they could not risk lighting bond fires. She also said our opinions were molded by the cold weather when we had packed long layers, gloves, jackets, etc. just to be on the safe side.
Whoever wrote the safari description is a fantastic writer because we didn’t even think about asking questions re: coffee and fires (etc). I really fell for the beautiful, idealized descriptions of the itinerary.
There were a couple of other little things, such as a missing bottle of wine, some terribly overcooked steaks (I find that mind boggling, because the cook asked us how we wanted it prepared and we said “rare” and “medium”, yet everything steak came out identical); and I still don’t know what happened to a dinner salad that supposedly went bad. I eat TONS of fruit and veggies, so yes, it was THAT important to me.
They do get 5 stars for providing us with great wine in the evening though :).
So if your heart is set on visiting Kruger, I strongly urge you to choose another company.
Reply from Wild Planet Safari
Posted on Oct 31, 2024Hi Katrina and Marc
Thank you for joining Wild Planet Safari on your 6 Day Kruger Safari, I am terribly sorry that we were not able to provide you a 5 star experience.
I am glad that you were happy with your guide, Chris, and that overall your wildlife sightings were very good and it seems that you did enjoy the Safari part of the trip.
It is unfortunate that you did not enjoy the parts of the trip that you were not on safari. With regards to your biggest problem that you went as a couple, and it was not specified that all three meals would be eaten with the guide and his assistant. This is one of the most important parts of the safari and one of the things that our guests enjoy the most apart from viewing the amazing wildlife. It is such a big part of what we do as a company and guests really enjoy getting to know their guide and listening to all his stories and the guides really enjoy learning about our guests and hearing their different life experiences. In 14 years of owning and managing Wild Planet Safari this is the very first time that we have received this complaint and to find out it was your biggest problem comes as a shock to us. There are hundreds of reviews where guests have specifically mentioned how they enjoyed sharing meal times with our guides and the chef.
We will certainly not be changing this and for anyone that is reading this review, please be assured that while on Safari with us your guide and chef will join you for all the meals that they prepare and you will all get to enjoy this experience going forward. One more point on this, if you had mentioned to Chris that you would prefer to eat your meals on your own, I can tell you with absolute certainty he would have accommodated this request, and your biggest problem would have been sorted. There is nothing we can do or that your guide can do after the trip has concluded.
I apologise the coffee we supply was not up to standard, we try to supply top quality instant coffee, in the range of Jacobs and Douw Egberts. Going forward we will get a stainless-steel French press for each vehicle and provide top quality locally manufactured filter coffee as well as instant coffee options. The friendly coffee gatherings occur at 5:30 in the morning and at that time the coffee shops at the camps are not open.
We operate mobile Kruger Safaris and we carry all our equipment with us, we have to have equipment that will withstand the bumping and bashing that happens in the trailer on safari, for this reason we cannot possibly have anything that is made of glass, porcelain or ceramic and we have to use items that are stronger like stainless steel coffee mugs.
Your safari was operated at the end of the dry season and there is higher risk of fires spreading at this time, all the roofs of the accommodation units are thatch and made from dry thatching grass, these roofs are very vulnerable to fires. Your guide, Chris made a call that it was too windy to make a fire for you to sit around, he made a fire to cook on, but decided a bonfire was not appropriate. Just 3 weeks after you were on safari with us, 3 accommodation units in Kruger were set on fire from people making fires that were too big. I stand behind my guide and his decision with regards to this.
I am sad the chef, Goodwill, over cooked your steaks, I will provide him with more training on this and get his standard up going forward. The guide and Chef were both told to provide extra vegetables and fruits with every meal as you requested, unfortunately they did not carry out this request, I do apologise for this. I wish you had asked, they would have provided you with any extra fruit or vegetables that you they had, and they were sent with additional supply.
With regards to your heading `Not suitable for a couple's getaway`, a big majority of our tours are private tours for Couples and nearly all of our reviews for these couples tours are 5 stars. We have had so many couples on safari, even loads of honeymoon safaris, we do not market Romantic Getaways or anything in that range, I believe this was a very unfair heading for your review and we strive to be the best option for a couples getaway to Kruger National Park.
Best Regards
Ryan Ker
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Email Laura | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Better than we ever expected
Our guides Chris and Goodwill gave us the experience of a lifetime! We saw an amazing variety of animals in awe inspiring numbers thanks to their excellent spotting. Chris never seemed to run out of new information about what we were seeing. I have never eaten so much excellent food. I had high hopes for my dream trip to Africa, and this trip far exceeded my wildest dreams.
Extra points to Chis and Goodwill for treating our rowdy group of 6 women like queens all week long.
US
Email Diane Williams | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
excellant
this was the best expeience of my life loved every day and new adventure and so much to see the animals were so awesome and all i could say was omg beautiful babies the food was great hope was an excellant cook and so friendly to visit with. Chris was great at finding the animals we wanted to see and we all had such a great time definetly want to come back again with them two. thank you for such a wonderful experience and all my baby animals i will cherish the memories for my lifetime.
Email Lauren | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Kruger camping safari
We had the best 6 day safari with our guide Eric. We chose tent camping (including 1 night Blyde River Canyon for panorama route, and 1 night rustic bird hide) and it was great. The tents and camp beds are comfortable, and campground amenities are good. Eric is a fantastic guide - knowledgeable about the wildlife (and history & culture), a great campground chef, and just fun to hang out with. We saw all the big 5 plus so much more, even a rare wild dog! I’m very happy with the private tour we booked with Wild Planet Safari, definitely recommend them, we can’t wait to return to Kruger.
LU
Email Bessa Carlos | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
You will not just do a Safari, you will live the best Safari experience ever!
What an incredible experience with Wild Planet Safari!
First of all, Thale is a very professional, she adapted the Safari trip to our needs and to our flights!
Once we arrived in Skukuza, our guide, Rafael was waiting for us to start our Safari.
Rafael was very professional. His goal was not only for us to see the animals but to experience the Safari journey! He was always available for us, gave to us all the explanation about everything and always showed to us how to respect the animals! He was also in charge to cook for us (breakfast, lunch and diner). He is an amazing cooker, you will not regret!
Rafael always wanted to be the first in the gate so we could enjoy as much as possible outside! He was always with his eyes open, to be the first to find the animal! With his skills, we were able to be the firsts to find for example a leopard with an impala on a tree!
He tried always to have the best position for us to enjoy the nature and the animals.
With his help and with positive mindset we had our best experience. Be ready to find all the Big 5 (we saw lots of lions male & female, 3 Rhinos, 3 Leopard, etc) but also to enjoy other animals that make the Safari in Kruger an amazing experience!
Thanks a lot to Wild Planet Safari for all the help!
Special thanks to Thale, which helped us to organise the Safari and to our wonderful guide which helped us to have the best experience of our lives! You will not regret this experience with Wild Planet Safari!
