The Giltedge family - end of the year function
Giltedge
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 1999)
- Member Of:
- IATA, ASTA, SATSA & CTT
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $1,400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Karen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience in Travel Unparalleled
The Giltedge Travel group, Philippa Lawrence, arranged our two week travel to South Africa (CapeTown, Winelands, Safari, Zimbabwe to include Victoria Falls. Every single part of the trip was outstanding. During the planning phase Philippa helped us navigate our choices within our budget, including prioritizing evenly the 2 adults and 2 kids (ages 15 and 19) so that everyone had multiple experiences to look forward to. The country of South Africa offers so much to see and do; I believe it is an under-estimated travel experience. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens alone is worth the long flight from the states! The accommodations were always better than we expected- outstanding. The food was delicious and varied and a central part of our fun. Wine tours- not to be missed! The most beautiful rural experience! The safari at Arathusa was so spectacular it is difficult to put into words. Travel to Arathusa: small planes to small landing strips- amazing and safe and beautiful. At Arathusa, days begin early with a 3 hour safari drive, followed by breakfast, later in the day lunch, high tea, 3 hour drive, followed by dinner. The staff is warm, helpful, so proud of their community; the trackers and rangers are so adept at their work. We saw all animals and often. Our trip concluded in Zimbabwe with Victoria Falls. There are no words to describe the warmth of the people, the beauty of the country. Now home, no one can agree as to what part of the trip was the best. Too many bests, thanks to Philipa and her able team! We cannot wait to return. The tour in every way exceeded our expectations. This is a special travel experience.
CA
Email Lori | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Giltedge Africa went above and beyond creating our trip of a lifetime.
From the moment of contact with this company they did everything to ensure all our desires were met. They are very accommodating. They tweeked every little thing to make our wishes come true. We only started planning this vacation 1 1/2 months prior to our departure date. Never in a million years did We think we would get to do everything on our wish list in such short notice. Due to the hard work and perseverance of Tanya Drummer, all our wishes came true.
Everything went as planned with the detailed itinerary book they provided us. When we arrived in Johannesburg there was someone waiting for us with our names on a sign to guide us through customs. This happened for every flight, every road transfer and every lodge. We were never waiting or wondering what we needed to do. This service was impeccable. We are now spoiled!
The safari lodges and tours were beyond our imagination. All our accommodations were 5 star and exceeded our expectations. We stayed at Sabi Earth Lodge in Sabi Sands private reserve, Victoria Falls Island Lodge, The Chobe Princess House Boat, and Belmond Eagle Lodge in Botswana.
My husband wanted the “wow” factor, and WOW did we ever get it!
We were worried that nothing would compare to Sabi Earth Lodge, but every where we stayed at had its own WOW factor. The beauty of the lodges they recommended were 5 star, but a different feel to each one. The lodges could not be compared to each other, because they were unique in their own way. We loved them all.
All in all, I would recommend this agency to all our friends, clients and future travelers we meet. We travel extensively and this is by far the best agency we have ever used.
Thank you Tanya, you have now spoiled us! How in the world do we ever top this vacation that you planned for us? We will definitely contact you for our next African adventure! BTW, I left a piece of my heart in Africa!
DE
Email Jorge Nogueira | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely outstanding
This was our first experience in Africa,so we were not in a great position to know in advance what we were looking for except for that we wanted to go to Botswana based on the little research I have done.
We were so fortunate to have to have Sandi putting together our itinerary.Just perfect in any sense .
The lodges,the people ,the timing ,the transfer .All spotless.We are going back next year with Sandi for sure.
We are very thankful to her for doing her job with the attention and care she did.Congrats
IL
Email Joshua | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We've had some problems with car rentals and every time were promptly been taken care of by Samantha
We had a great time travelling in South Africa and the safari tour was above our expectations
TR
Email Mutlu | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just perfect!
Pre-trip communication was very professional. The service was just perfect in terms of quality, timeliness and meeting our expectations. I recommend without hesitation.
FR
Email Philippe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A wonderful honeymoon in Botswana & Victoria Falls - thank you Philippa!
11 days/10 nights trip in Botswana + Victoria falls kindly and perfectly organized from Philippa, senior tour consultant working at Southern Africa Travel (Giltedge).
Tour was as follow:
- 2 nights in Leroo La Tau (Makgadikgadi salt pans)
- 3 nights in Camp Xakanaxa (Moremi)
- 3 nights in Camp Okavango (Okavango Delta)
- 2 nights in the Elephant Camp (Victoria Falls)
An amazing combination of activities (all kind of safaris and flights), landscapes (deserts, swamps, deltas...) and experiences (meeting people, animals...).
Many souvenirs carved into our memories!
Thanks again Philippa for this perfect organisation.
US
Email Thomas C | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent planning and organization!
We spent a week in South Africa (Sabi Sands area and then Cape Town), all planned by our agent Sandi. She was very helpful from the beginning, giving us many safari lodges and hotels to choose from, as well as providing helpful information. Furthermore, the price was better than any of the other companies we had compared them to.
Once we arrived, the agents were all friendly, professional and organized. They had our schedules and tickets in individual booklets and always gave us some background about the places we were going. We stayed at Ulusaba Rock lodge for 4 nights, followed by the Queen victoria hotel, both fantastic recommendations from Sandi. We would definitely book with Sandi and South Africa Travel again if we return.
US
Email Craig and Jeri Cohen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A week in Namibia
This is the email we sent to our Travel Agent, Sandi Bird.We had been on a group safari elsewhere in Africa, and had asked Sandi to arrange a week in Namibia following this safari. We made an error as to the date when our fist trip ended (this was not booked by Sandi) and our Namibia Safari was to start. We contacted Sandi as soon as we realized this (only 2 days prior to our planned departure for Namibia) and she promptly and expeditiously rearranged flights and accommodations for us which saved the day.
"Thank you again for rearranging flights, etc. for us after our little error. It worked out great. The Galton House was fine, but paled by comparison to the Olive Grove. The accomodations were great, the staff was wonderful, and the food, perfect. Ate our first Oryx here.
The two camps were both great in their own ways. Although Little Kulala was very posh, we actually enjoyed Desert Rhino more. We had our own private guide, Herunga, who was amazing. At 26 he was a wealth of knowledge, had a great sense of humor, and was a true gentleman. One could easily tell that the rest of the staff really enjoyed what they did and this translated to a very enjoyable stay for the guests.
Our only regret on the trip was not seeing more of Namibia. Could have stayed another 2 weeks to see the Skeleton Coast from the ground (the flight over was spectacular, perfect weather, no fog, got to see both shipwrecks and the flamingos), Damarland, and Etosha. Maybe another time. I think our next trip to Africa will be to see the gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda (heard the daily permits are now up to $1500 USD) and the migration in Kenya or Tanzania.
We will certainly be happy to recommend you to anyone planning a trip to southern Africa.
Thanks again,
Craig and Jeri"
US
Email Kirt Hall | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Victoria Falls and Botswana
Wonderful trip to Victoria Falls on the Zambia Side and to the Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero resort in Botswana. Each day of the 9 day trip was well planned. Was able to add in several side trips including a trip to the Makuni village which was both enlightening and most educational. My wife particularly enjoyed the guided trips through the savanna to view the wildlife and natural fauna.
The two hotels they scheduled for us, The Avani in Zambia and the Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero Lodge in Botswana could not have been nicer. The Avani was within easy walking distance to the falls and hosted zebra, impala and monkeys on the property! I can not speak highly enough about the Chilwero Lodge. The rooms were spacious and immaculate. The staff was professional and eager to please the guests and make the stay there enjoyable.
An excellent trip I would heartily recommend to anyone thinking of visiting Africa.
US
Email Rebecca & Tami, NYC | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our travel agent, Sandi, did a great job. We had an amazing trip and Hotels stayed. Love Shamwari Sa
Sandi, our travel agent was very good at communicating via emails. The Hotels we stayed were amazing. We love shamwari safari and the lodge we stayed. Amazing time. Can't wait to go back and do it all over again.