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
A great experience for a small group of six Aussie friends with Ryan and Thales' Wild Planet Safari
Our small group was fortunate to choose Wild Planet Safari to host our recent visit to South Africa and Kruger NP. Ryan and Thale met us in Johannesburg, took us to breakfast, helped organise our days sightseeing there and then collected us bright and early the next morning for the drive to Kruger. Ryan's knowledge of the birds, animals and topography is faultless and his obvious enthusiasm for locating likely spots for great viewing gave us up close photo opportunities. At one point we were surrounded by 17 lions..... (In total we spotted 29 different animals and 43 birds.) Not forgetting to mention Thales input and sharp eyes. Lungsani backstopping with preparation of meals etc made late morning breakfasts after (very) early safari welcome and dinners under the stars were great social times with Ryan and Thales extended family. We were made to feel very welcome and more than just paying customers.
Thanks from all your Aussie friends.
Regards Jim and Jan
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!
ES
Email Sara and Javier | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome three day safari
We are so happy of choosing this company to do a three day safari at Kruger. I think it is the best option because of the price and all the good experiences that Adriaan and Benji have given to us. A big thank you for them!
We will repeat in some years for sure.
Email Cheryl | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was a wonderful experience and Ryan and Lungisani were great guides with so much fun and knowledg
Myself and three friends had a wonderful visit to South Africa and loved the safari with Ryan and Lungisani. The animal sightings were fabulous and I think we managed to see most of the big five as well as other smaller shy animals - honey badger, porcupine and so much more. Ryan's knowledge of the native birds and animals was amazing so we managed to get up his nose not remembering any of them - especially bush bucks. Wonderful trip - I'd recommend it to everyone.
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Email Joe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent and knowledgeable guides enabled perfect viewing of the Big 5
Communication and service were great, and overall enjoyed our experience. Ultimately everyone's goal is to see the big 5, and we saw them all and more thanks to the determination and expertise of our guides. They understood the tricks and necessities to navigate the park at the right time as well as the right places to see the different wildlife, while avoiding super crowded areas. Certain services, such as walk-about and night drive, are not allowed by private guides within Kruger - but Ryan arranged these tours on our behalf with the in-house park rangers.
Accommodations were exactly as expected - however, we were completely blow away and happily surprised by the additional hospitality when our guides prepared our meals the entire time we were in the park.
The overall logistics were convenient and helpful. They picked us up in Jo-burg, transporting us all the way to Kruger National Park. The drive and scenery and additional information along the journey were wonderful. They also drove us back to Jo-burg and dropped us off at the airport with plenty of time to catch our flight.
One downside was being in an enclosed vehicle the whole time, rather than the perceived experience of "open vehicle safari"; however, the enclosed vehicle enabled them to provide the Jo-Burg pick up and drop off, so that was a trade-off we proactively chose. Ultimately, the enclosed vehicle did not prohibit our views nor the overall experience of the safari.
We were very happy with our experience and would recommend to others looking for a great safari experience within the national park.
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
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything We'd Hoped For
We are so glad that we booked with Wild Planet Safari. First, my communications with Ryan and Thale over email were so quick and easy, that we got everything lined up in no time. Then the excursion itself was just perfect. Ryan was EXTREMELY friendly and knowledgeable - I know because I asked him a thousand questions! He was also great at showing us around Kruger - knowing the spots to see the most animal, readings traffic patterns to find more, and trying very hard to fill our every desire. And our general interactions with Ryan were great, as we talked about South African sports, culture, social issues. Ryan was a great guide not only for Kruger, but South Africa in general. I truly hope we can book another safari with Wild Planet, be it in Kruger, or wherever they schedule tours!
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Email Jan-Petter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excelent safariexperience and well planned roundtrip with Wild Planet Safari.
We were two families, four adults, four youths, travelling with Wild Planet Safari 14 days in Eastern South Africa. First time in SA, first time on safari, so we were curious in what to expect.
We had a fantastic tour with Thale and Ryan, a tour showing us much of the variety in this huge country.
When we look back, the most fascinating part was at the start, in Kruger, where we camped at Skukuza. We went for both early morning drives, starting at daybreak, and afternoon trips.
We saw all possible animals to see out there, including big five, like lions with fresh catch (buffalo).
It was good to have Ryan there, spotting animals from long distance, hiding in the vegetation. If Ryan didn’t spot animals, well, then there where none there.
After Kruger we went to Royal Hlane in Swaziland. This park was less impressive than Kruger, but as the camp was situated near a waterhole, we had good view of animals like rhinos, elephants and impala.
Besides knowing everything about wildlife and nature, Ryan has very good knowledge for history, culture and sociallife of the areas visited, information shared with us, broadening our minds and giving another dimension to this wonderful experience.
Let me also mention the delicious food prepared by Thale and Ryan – most nights prepared on open fire outside. Very good meat served with different vegetables, meat and vegetables many of them new to us.
One thing to remember for those of you traveling this time of year, July/August; Bring warm clothes. Fortunately Wild Planet Safari did supply us with blankets while traveling the open safarivehicle early mornings.
We also visited St Lucia for hippos and crocs, the Durban area for some relaxation, and had a good stay in Drakensberg with two good hikes.
The best part of the trip, very well organized by the guys at Wild Planet Safari, was Kruger – spend some days there !
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Email Casen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely knowledgeable, professional, and friendly!
Our time with Wild Planet Safari was AMAZING! It was honestly, the trip of a lifetime. Our guide, Chris, was so awesome! He took care of all of our needs, showed us amazing wildlife, and gave us countless facts and tidbits about everything in the park. There was no question I had, that he didnt know the answer in detail. Breathtaking view, stunning close up encounters with incredible animals.. I would go back out with Wild Planet Safari RIGHT NOW if I could! It was worth every penny!
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Email Luke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Comprehensive tour, amazing sightings, and wonderful people!
The service was great: we got to cook great food and told interesting stories, and also were able to get up by 5am and get out there to see the sunrise sightings! I thought we would be a little closer to the animals, however, most of them were pretty far away, even on the bush-walk. Also, more bathroom breaks needed! Overall it was so fantastic to go on this Safari.