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
An awesome experience - and don't let a disability put you off going on safari with Wild Planet!
Out of all the companies offering guided safaris in South Africa I'm so glad we chose Wild Planet Safari.
From the minute Ryan picked us up from Jo'burg airport to when we were dropped off everything was taken care of and we were very well looked after - that made the trip for me as I am disabled with limited mobility and did need extra help, which was offered with no fuss and before I even asked for it. Somehow Ryan and Lungisani knew what I required. Being a private tour I didn't feel I was holding anyone up - apart from my travelling buddy! - and there was plenty of space in the van for my mobility scooter and wheelchair.
Every drive - and we did many on our 6 day tour - was full of fantastic wildlife. We saw the Big 5 and so much more. Ryan's passion for what he does so well is infectious, and his knowledge of the wildlife, and Africa, is incredible; couple that with his and Lungisani's spotting skills and it makes for an amazing experience.
Our bungalow accommodation was very comfortable, clean and spacious, and every meal they prepared was fresh, healthy and delicious. We didn't have to lift a finger.
I can't fault anything about our trip - including our communication with Thale which was efficient and prompt - and don't let a disability put you off going on safari - just make sure you book direct with Wild Planet Safari.
Email Howard | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best visit to Kruger ever (out of 15 to 20 visits)
Upon reflection, having done +/- 15 trips to Kruger, I believe this was overall the best. The convenience (you guys handled everything) was fabulous but the eating interactions (once again your cooking skills) enhanced the experience past just seeing animals. Whilst there may have been a couple of things I may have preferred different, they are insignificant in the enjoyment of the whole experience.
The range of information and the intangible extras such as the friendly interaction was appreciated, too.
My compliments and thanks to yourself and Lungisani for all this and my regards and thanks to Thale for the administration and fantastic attitude in dealing with the plans.
I have a number of people wanting your details. If all come you will be busy !.
Once again, thank you all for a wonderful trip. This was my first holiday for 12 years and it exceeded my expectations.
NO
Email Bjørn Ole | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic safari with the greatest guides :-)
An absolute perfect safari. Wild Planet Safari guided us through Kruger in an entirely exemplary manner. Perfect service, always with a smile, good food and 100% professinal at all time. No doubt that they possess a vast knowledge about the animals, Kruger park, the country and the environment. They guided us to all "the big 5"and many many more animal.......missed the cheetah!
Email June | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had an amazing time - everything was wonderful.
I enjoyed the whole experience and would highly recommend Wild Planet Safaris. We saw loads of amazing animals and enjoyed the camps we visited in Kruger National Park. The accommodation was good and I loved having the meals included. The vehicle was very comfortable and clean. Everything was taken care of very well and made for a super experience. Many thanks to the staff of Wild Planet Safaris.
Great trip to Kruger
From start to finish, our trip was very well organised. Our guide was Ryan, a very personable chap who has a wealth of knowledge and knows what he is doing. His helper, Lungisani, also worked hard to make our experience as enjoyable as possible. As a result, it was a very full trip in which everything went well.
AR
Email jose dominguez | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excelente aventura. Guia muy experimentado. Viaje entre 20/05 y 27/05/2017
La atención de Ryan, Thale y sus ayudantes fue muy buena. El es un experimentado hombre de campamento. La familia nos ofreció su tienda para comer y nos hicieron probar en varias oportunidades el vino local, que es muy rico. El safari cubrió nuestras expectativas, aunque debo reconocer que no poder bajar del vehículo en ningún momento fue un poco cansador. No obstante ello, quiero mencionar algunos puntos que tienen que ver con la información y satisfacción del cliente, entendiendo que le puede servir a otros viajeros:
-Nosotros, probablemente por una cuestión de marketing, y de mirar los capítulos exitosos de Animal Planet o de NatGeo, no estábamos bien informados de la dinámica de Kruger, de que “no es un zoo” como nos manifestó Ryan, y que los felinos pueden aparecer… o no. Hay que estar preparado para ello.
-No somos asiduos viajeros de aventura, ni de safari, pero hemos recorrido bastantes lugares del Caribe y America del sur; y como turistas internacionales nos sorprendió un poco no poder decir cuántas veces quisiéramos que se detenga de tal o cual forma para sacar una fotografía… teníamos que aceptar el criterio de Ryan, como si estuviésemos haciendo su safari y no el nuestro…
-De acuerdo a lo manifestado en los correos previos mantenidos con Thale, en ningún momento se nos dijo que la bebida no estaba incluida en el precio… ni siquiera el agua. Se mencionó que la comida estaba cubierta, menos dos almuerzos y una cena, pero nada más. Tampoco el almuerzo del dia de salida estaba cubierto. Nosotros supusimos que la bebida si, porque se nos pidió indicar en formulario previo de adhesión nuestra preferencia por el tipo de bebida, y esto nos creó confusión…. De todos modos, reitero que Ryan nos invitó con vino en varias oportunidades. Para evitar la confusión sugerimos que quiten del formulario previo la mención a preferencia de bebidas y que agreguen, en cambio, una mención muy clara indicando que la bebida no está incluida en el precio.
-En una parada del camino de regreso, Ryan se enojó con nosotros por regatear el precio de algunas artesanías, manifestando que esa gente pobre tiene días y días de trabajo sobre cada artículo, y que no es moralmente aceptable ese regateo. Pues bien, luego de abonar una obra casi U$40, encontramos exactamente la misma en Johannesburgo por la mitad de precio. Asi que como le contesté, Ryan debe dejar a los turistas ser turistas y limitarse a opinar sobre su actividad de guía, que es lo que conoce.
-Tomen los servicios de Wild Planet Safari y al finalizar, recuerden solicitar el pen drive o la memoria prometida con las fotos tomadas por Ryan o por Lungisani. Se les olvidó entregarnos la nuestra.
The attention of Ryan, Thale and his assistants was very good. He is an experienced camp man. The family offered us their tent to eat and we did try the local wine several times which is very rich. The safari met our expectations, although I must admit that being unable to get off the vehicle at any time was a bit tiring. Nevertheless, I want to mention some points that have to do with information and customer satisfaction, understanding that this can serve other travelers:
We, probably because of a marketing issue, and looking at the successful chapters of Animal Planet TV or NatGeo TV, we were not well informed of Kruger's dynamics, that" it's not a zoo"as Ryan told us, and that felines may appear ... or not. You have to be prepared for it.
We are not very adventure travelers, nor safari, but we have visited many places in the Caribbean and South America; And as international tourists we were a little surprised not to be able to say how many times we wanted to stop in some way or another to take a picture ... we had to accept Ryan's criteria, as if we were doing his safari and not ours...
According to the previous emails maintained with Thale, at no time told us that the drink was not included in the price ... not even the water. It was mentioned that the food was covered, minus two lunches and one dinner, but nothing more. Also the lunch on the day of departure was not covered. We assumed that the drink would, because we were asked to indicate in our previous membership form our preference for the type of drink, and this created confusion... Anyway, I reiterate that Ryan invited us with wine on several occasions. To avoid confusion we suggest that you remove from the previous form the mention of beverage preference and instead add a very clear mention stating that the drink is not included in the price
At a stop on the way back, Ryan was angry with us for haggling over the price of some handicrafts, stating that these poor people have days and days of work on each item, and that bargaining is not morally acceptable. Well, after paying a work almost U$ 40, we find exactly the same in Johannesburg for half the price. So, as I said, Ryan must let tourists be tourists and just comment on his guide activity, which is what he knows.
Take the services of Wild Planet Safari and at the end, remember to request the pen drive or the promised memory with the photos taken by Ryan or Lungisani. They forgot to give us ours.
US
Email Amanda | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Authentic and Personalized Experience!
My husband and I did the 7 day, 6 night Kruger safari with Wild Planet, and they really surpassed our expectations. We had the best time! Thale was so helpful when we booked, especially with the wire transfer, which was nerve wracking and not entirely straightforward due to South African banking rules. We picked Wild Planet because we wanted an authentic and personal experience, and we felt we got exactly that. I cannot even convey the wealth of knowledge Ryan has about every plant and animal. He knows every inch of Kruger - where specific animals hang out and tricks to help increase your chances of animal sightings. We felt like they respected the park, its rules, and its wildlife. It felt like we had an insider's view of the park, which was awesome! The entire safari was built around our interests and desires. It was truly an authentic and personal experience - something you don't get with the larger safari companies. We wouldn't hesitate to send any of our friends and family to Wild Planet and we plan to book with them again in the future.
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!
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!
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