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
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
CA
Email Bryan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good viewing - poor guiding
The booking process was easy and Thale was a pleasure to work with. Very accommodating.
The accommodations were as advertised and decently comfortable.
It was on overall good value for a private tour, with food included and in those accommodations. I enjoyed the food, great cooking by Lungisani!
My problem and reason for 3/5 is the guides. I honestly don’t know if Isaac can see well enough to be guiding tours. He was knowledgeable when we spotted an animal, but he never saw them. Lungisani would spot all the animals and tell Isaac to stop (his driving wasn’t great either). On the 2 drives in which Lungisani didn’t come, Isaac didn’t even stop the vehicle once because he didn’t see anything (even though we did). Also he didn’t speak once to us. When they were both there, on the drives and at camp/during meals, they just spoke to each other in their own languages or were on their phones, which made it very awkward and uncomfortable for us. Very little conversation with us and getting to know each other. Although we saw lots of animals, and the park was incredible, the guides detracted from our experience a lot.
Overall, would I go back to Kruger? Yes, 100%. Would I use Wild planet safari? Possibly, but it would totally depend on who the guides were. Service levels while spending 5+ full days with someone needs to improve drastically.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Basic safari billed as luxury, disappointing
Ryan is knowledgable and enthusiastic but customer service is not his strong point, it felt almost like we were following him around on his safari. Despite being billed as a luxury safari the food and accomodation were basic at best. For some reason he asked us in advance for our preferences for food, wines and spirits but then completely ignored what we had asked for. He only supplied one bottle of cheap wine which he shared with us so I ended up buying him more drinks than he provided. I would happily have paid more for the luxury touches I had specifically asked him for but he seemed not to have read my emails - he initially turned up at the wrong airport terminal.
Reply from Wild Planet Safari
Posted on Jun 9, 2015Hi Carl
I am really sorry to read of your disappointment on tour with us in April. However I would like to remind you that I was in correspondence with you throughout the booking of your tour and I explained very clearly about every aspect of the tour including accommodation. I have copied and pasted an email which you replied to before your booking in which I provide photos and video of your accommodation, I also very clearly explain that it is Not luxury accommodation. It is clear on our booking form, safari bookings and our website that alcohol is not included in the price. I ask you what drinks you prefer in case it is not available in the park and to provide you with a complimentary drink for the first night. I replied each and everyone of your emails and I know you had asked for `luxury touches` however as I explained April is one of the busiest months in the park and when you had done your booking in February the availability was limited. I did book you into a semi luxury bungalow in Kruger for your first night. I believe I put full effort into your tour and spent as much time with you as possible. I was there to meet you at the airport before you arrived. I am sorry you did not enjoy my cooking and I will try harder to improve this and my service in the future.
Regards
Ryan
Below is an email where accommodation is explained.
On 3 February 2015 at 10:18, <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Carl
I completely understand the importance of making certain everything is perfect for you trip.
All of our tours are run as private tours. So it will only be the 2 of you on tour. I will be your guide, as I run each Wild Planet Tour personally to ensure it is perfect for you. My wife is on maternity leave so she will be unable to join. I use a 9 seat minibus. with custom designed windows.
On the tour you will go on one night drive in an open safari vehicle, this will not be private will have other guests and is run by a Kruger guide.
The accommodation inside Kruger is standard throughout the park, it is very simple 2 or 3 star, the park claims it is 3 I would say that it is 2 star. There are 2 single beds, no double bed option, the unit has air-conditioning, there is a shower,toilet and wash basin. It has a small patio which is usually closed to keep the monkey`s out, there is also a small fridge. I will attach some photo`s for you to see. We would stay at 2 different camps inside Kruger, one for one night and the other for 2. The exact camp I book will depend on availability once I have received your deposit. Usually we stay at Skukuza the main park camp for the first night and then Satara for 2 nights.
below is a link to a video inside one of the rooms.
http://bit.ly/1HuTOqP
Attached are photos of the accommodation, there are no upgrades it is standard. If you want to book luxury accommodation the only options are private reserves outside of Kruger.
April is a busy month in the park, if this tour does suit you we should move to book accommodation asap.
For cheaper flights to Victoria falls check flyafrica.com. I think they have daily flights.
Regards
Ryan
Email Priscilla | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Small operation with knowledgable guides and comfortable arrangements!
Chris, our guide from Zimbabwe, was very knowledgable and eager to show us the best that Kruger has to offer taking us to different parts of the park to try to catch a diversity of animals. He was patient and easy to connect with. Being a private tour, we were happy to be able to have the freedom to stop and continue on as our schedule allowed and it allowed us to find what we were most interested in. We saw 4 of the Big 5 on our 3-day tour which is really 2 days with the transfers from Joburg taking half a day each way.
We didn't realize that the driver and guide were one and the same person but this seemed to be the norm at Kruger. Our chef was lovely and made delicious foods but we would have appreciated being given different options beforehand to select our menu from.
Thale from the head office was not very responsive regarding the booking after the initial engagements were made. He doesn't seem to be on the ground with his guides and so may be a bit out of touch with the goings on.
Reply from Wild Planet Safari
Posted on Feb 5, 2024Hi Priscilla,
thank you for the review. I just want to clear up what might be a misunderstanding. I am in contact with my guides every step of the way as well as the transfer company. I made sure you were on the transfer and that my guides were there to pick up when you arrived. I provided them with all the guest info, booking info for the tour as well as a menu for all the meals, based upon the info you provided in the booking form. I know how important staying in contact before and during a safari is, and will always do my very best to stay on top of communication.
Email Andrew Turner | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly guides who helped us see lots of animals within Kruger
Friendly guides who helped us see lots of animals within Kruger
Email Darren | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A well thought and planned African experience
Our tour started in Johannesburg and went up through Kruger and Zimbabwe finishing at Victoria Falls
Our family 4 had a driver/spotter and chef/spotter throughout Kruger- with their expertise we saw everything and had great time. Zimbabwe we had one person doing both jobs - bar no electricity we had a ball. Highlights being walking with rhinos, matapo hills and close experiences with lion and leopard. Food better than expected.
US
Email Chelsea Curry | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A personalized experience with delicious food and comfortable accommodations.
My husband and I's experience with Wild Plant Safari was great! We had a personalized experience as it was just the two of us and our guide. Our guide Gibson really worked to make sure we saw as many animals as possible and we really appreciated his vast knowledge about the animals as well. He was a wizard at spotting the animals through the bush. The food was very good as well and accommodations were comfortable. We enjoyed our jam packed days and would recommend this a safari over a group safari any day.
QA
Email Laurie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Guide and Assistant Save the Safari Experience
The safari turned out to be a great experience despite a rocky start. Our guide, Chris and his assistant, Benjamin were absolutely wonderful and did their best to provide a good experience. The rocky beginning started with me having to contact the person I was booking with about pick up information which she had not provided. On the drive out Chris mentioned that we would be in Kruger National Park for 3 days, but unlike what the proposal that had not been modified in advance, we would not be staying at Skukuza for 2 nights. Instead we would be in a smaller camp for one night and have to move to Satara for the next two nights. This would have been fine, but we were prepared to be staying where we could get cash from a bank and get WiFi in the camp. Neither was available outside Skukuza so we struggled with that. The company should have informed us well in advance about the change. Also, Chris had not been told that we were supposed to go on the Panoramic Route on day 3 and 4. When he talked to the manager about this, we were given the option of going on this as planned. However, we would have had to pack and move again. Instead we agreed to have a quick Panoramic Route trip the last day only. The guides were great and flexible. Benjamin's food was absolutely fantastic. Chris is very knowledgeable and helped us see the Big 5 and so much more. These two men saved the trip!
Email Sand | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Informal and easy going
+ves:
- Wild Planet Safari responds promptly to all email communication. It is very easy to organise the tours.
- They demonstrate much flexibility and can adapt to your last minute request.
- They are a small team and seem to be passionate about wildlife. Ryan shows significant know-how of the wilderness.
- Polite with a true sense of caring.
-ves:
- The vehicle is quite humble, no land rovers here.
- no fancy food on the tours
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!