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
NZ
Email Dave Cherry | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best way to see Kruger
When we decided to visit Kruger we were looking for a company that would spend the entire time in the park . On previous visit to South Africa I had booked a mini Kruger safari only to find we were booked into a private game reserve on the edge of the greater Kruger area and only spent one day in the park itself. Right from our first enquiry Wild Planet were so helpful, e-mails were answered straight away so we were able to do detailed planning from our home in New Zealand. We were able to incorporate a drive along the Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon and a visit to an endangered species centre as well. We told Wild Planet what we wanted to do and they did all the planning for us.
The actual safari was way beyond our expectations, our driver/guide Chris worked tirelessly to make sure we saw as much as possible, ably assisted by Benjamin our cook/guide providing delicious meals under the stars listening to the sounds of the African bush. We covered huge distances and saw as much of the park as time permitted. We were rewarded by sightings of the big five plus numerous other species all of which thrilled us.
Africa is a place that gets under your skin, we will be back, and certainly will use Wild Safari again ! Thanks guys.
CA
Email Ian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very Professional and really personable, Wild Safari exceeded expectations at every level.
We really felt well taken care of from initial email to final fond farewell. There was no detail too small and no request too large, that weren't dealt with cheerfully and easily.
We had zero issues arise on tour, in large part due to careful planning and attention to detail from the staff.
I feel confident that had any issues arose from circumstances beyond their control, these would have been dealt with swifly and effectively.
Experience and knowledge shine through every interaction. We couldn't be happier with our choice and happily recommend Wild Safari to friends and family.
Email Beth | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely fantastic!
We would highly recommend Wild Planet Safaris to anyone wanting to visit Kruger. It struck us that this was one of the only safari operators offering a truly tailored and customisable trip with all safari drives being in a private 4x4 (except the night drive run by SANparks). They met us directly from the airport to suit our flight arrival time and we were in Kruger and on safari the very same evening! Our two and a half days of safari were jam-packed with animal sightings including all of the big five. Our guides, Chris and Lungisani, were always on time to meet us at our rondavel (even at 4am!). Chris’ driving meant we got close to wild animals for amazing photographs while remaining safe and respectful of their wild nature. Lungi’s keen eyesight meant we spotted animals only visible with binoculars! Both Chris and Lungi were very friendly and extremely knowledgeable of the bush. We learned so much from them that we then decided to do a self-drive safari in Addo Elephant Park and saw far more than we would have had we not had this guided experience beforehand. The food which Lungi prepared for us every day was delicious and kept us going during our long days of game-spotting. On the final morning, despite being pushed for time to get back to Jo’burg for a domestic flight, we squeezed in a final safari drive where we stopped to witness two lions mating! Chris ensured we arrived with plenty of time for our flight after driving the scenic Drakensberg Escarpment route, again the timings were tailored to suit our schedule. We had a truly unforgettable experience with Wild Planet Safaris.
Email stephanie oatley | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
best trip ever
HI,
Thale at Wild Planet Safari was an absolute pleasure to work with as she went way over the top to ensure we were provided with the best trip possible within the time we had. She promptly responded to every inquiry and was able to find a solution to all issues, including difficult dietary requirements.
Our tour guide was Paul and he was assisted by Dion. These guys truly provided us with everything we could imagine on a Kruger safari. We saw the big 5 and we had a couple of very special lion sightings. Their knowledge and patience was greatly appreciated, and nothing was too much to ask. We had extra drives, and extra activities at Hazyview for our daughter, which we all really enjoyed. Dion did a wonderful job setting up camp and cooking us great meals -his chicken stew was something to write home about. He even cleaned up for us which truly showed us that we were on holidays. We experienced two horrendous storms and Dion gracefully protected our tents whilst his and Pauls flooded!
I would recommend Wild Planet Safaris to everyone - i cannot sing them enough praise and we will defiantly be using them again next year when we return.
Thank you Wild Planet safari
IE
Email Mary Friel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really enjoyable six days in North Krugar with super knowledgable and friendly guides.
From pick-up on Sunday morning in Jo'bourg to drop back on Friday evening we were looked after so well in every respect. We were given a constant stream of information on the countryside we were passing through. In the park the animal spotting ability of the driver and guide was amazing. Their knowledge re the names of the animals - including the birds - was to be admired and reliable as on occassion the driver referred to some of his information books for specific names. We got plenty of time to take photographs. Binoculars were provided which were a bonus for the birds in particular. The food was superb and lots of it, we were treated royally.
Only complaint is re the information provided prior to heading to SA. We followed the guidlines and brought too many clothes and sleeping bags which were not necessary as sleeping bags were provided.
Overall the four of us had a wonderful time and can highly recommend Wild Planet Safari and its staff.
Email Pamela | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable journey of a lifetime, a "must do" for everybody
It was so easy to book our trip (for my daughter and myself) with Wild Planet Safari. Everything was done online with Thale whose service and communications were excellent. Our guides Chris and Lungisani were friendly and courteous and great "spotters" of the wildlife which we saw in abundance. We were so lucky to see a pack of 12 wild dogs together, in addition to a group of six cheetahs in one sighting. We saw the big five plus more and were rewarded during our bush walk with a sighting of a pride of lions with cubs. It's difficult to mention a highlight of the tour, there were so many! I'll be back!
BR
Email Gabriela Oliveira | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First safari, great experience!
This was our first safari and we're glad we went in a toured guide, it made the difference having someone driving, spotting and explaining about the animals. Wild Planet Safari provided us with a private tour, which was also great as we were able to stop as desired and do things in our own time. Paul was our guide and he was great, had a lot of knowledge about the animals and seemed to really love his job. Benjamin was our cook and he was also great, cooked good food and had a good eye for spotting animals. The only minor issue we had was about dietary restrictions, one person was vegetarian and the other was not, but the food was planned as if both were vegetarian... Anyhow, it was a great tour, we spotted many animals, stayed in very comfortable places inside the Kruger Park, which was excellent as we could really enjoy our time inside the park, and had good company. I highly recommend Wild Planet Safari, just be sure to double check what's included in your tour and to ensure all the tiny details as the food thing I mentioned before. It was great and now I'm hooked on safaris!
Amazing Experience in Kruger National Park
We spent 4 days with Chris and Lungi in Kruger National Park and in Blyde River Canyon. We will never forget these 4 days! They have been absolutely great: in observing the animals, in discovering them, explaining and sharing their big knowledge about bush and park. Chris was really perfect in planning the days, he made us feeling so confortable, with him and Lungi we felt like being in the right place at the right time. and least but not last, the mobile kitchen was great! Thank you very much!
Great 3-day tour with Chris
We had a great 3-day safari with Chris and Benjamin as our guides. We were glad to have a guide, because he was able to spot more animals than we did. Chris told us a lot about the trees and birds as well. The tour started when we left at Johannesburg. Chris showed enthousiasm and knowledge. On the second day we saw 17 rhino's before breakfast! Benjamin was a good cook.
Email Alex Massey | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic 10 Day Big 5, Bush and Beach Safari
We booked the 10 day bush and beach safari as our "once in a lifetime" family holiday and chose Wild Planet Safari based on all their positive reviews. We were not disappointed! Even before the trip they really looked after us with regular updates and messages. Our guide Ryan and his assistant Benjamin collected us from our hotel at exactly the appointed time and looked after us fantastically from then on.
We spent four days touring Kruger Park, travelling from north to south and staying at Letaba, Orpen and Berg-en-Dal. En route we saw all the Big Five (Big Six if you count Black and White Rhino separately!) as well as many more birds and animals. Ryan guided us excellently throughout, telling us not only about the wildlife, but also the geology and history of Kruger. He really knows his stuff and answered all our questions patiently, as well as regaling us with many stories over a glass of beer in the evenings! As a birdwatcher, I was pleased to find that Ryan is one too and he really helped me increase my life list, even stopping for the "small brown jobs" from time to time! We recorded over 100 bird species in Kruger alone. Ryan certainly has eagle-eyes and some kind of special intuition for when and where to find the wildlife. He helped us connect with some of the more unusual creatures too, such as porcupines, honey badgers, and a rock python.
From Kruger we travelled south through Swaziland and spent one night at Royal Hlane, where you get close-up views of White Rhino in particular at the waterhole there. We then continued south and spent two days in Hluhluwe, staying at Hilltop camp, where we saw plenty more rhino, as well as lots more other birds and animals.
After seven days on tour we ended up at Greenfire Lodge on the beach front in Umdloti, near Durban, where we spent two days relaxing by the beach and unwinding. There is wildlife there too - vervet monkeys in the town, and whales and dolphins in the sea, which we watched from the balcony of our room - fantastic!
We had an absolutely fantastic holiday - truly a "lifetime" event - thanks to Ryan and his team, and hope to repeat it again one day. We cannot recommend Wild Planet Safari enough - book your tour with them and like us, you will not be disappointed!