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
BE
Email Erich & Danielle | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just marvellous, the dream safari we always wanted to do, perfectly organised, perfectly executed.
We planned for the trip in early 2016 and were originally trying to combine Namibia and Botswana. After contacting several organisations we came quickly to the conclusion that it would be better to focus on just a safari in Botswana - and do it the right way = fly in safari. Doing self-drive you will not reach the best camps and you will not see lot of animals ... (self-drivers told us). We booked with Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) as they gave us the best impression - and finally a price somewhat cheaper than the Desert & Delta Camps itself. Email exchange during the exploration / booking process was easy and fast - Monique Dean did really her best. All worked liked clock-work and we are very happy with our safari experience. We saw everything which was to see in the Desert and the Okavango Delta. The guides from the camps were really nice and knew how to find the animals. They told us a lot about the animals and their habits - so we returned quite educated ...
We stayed at 5 locations, first the Chobe Game Lodge, which is out of question a must do. Put it last in your trip - it's the crown jewel at the end ... but we enjoyed it first and did not regret it in comparison to the camps thereafter. Next we stayed at Moremi Camp and here the infrastructure is a bit old. But the staff was the most happiest and friendliest in our experience. But even somewhat old, you have all the comfort you need. In Chobe and Moremi we saw most of the animals - so those 2 are a must do. We moved on to Okavango and this was a nice surprise. The camp just reopened after a complete reconstruction in April 2016. Everything brand new and very comfortable. Friendly Management (Lodewijk & team) and also very happy and friendly staff.
Game viewing is somewhat different here, as you ride on a boat thru the channels and at our season, grass was high and one couldn't look over and above it. Sometime an elephant made his way through the high grass to the water and it was nice to see them in the waterways. We saw also a lot of hippo's and had the experience of a walking safari on an island. You don't see a lot of "new" animals during the easy walk, but you learn a lot about animal poo ... Next we stayed at Leroo La Tau - a very nicely situated camp overlooking a river. Upon arrival we looked down to the river bed and both banks were just crowded with Wildebeest and Zebra and Elephants, in a constant move towards or away from the tiny river. We sat on our terrace and watched it all. A unique experience. Game drives here were good and we saw a lot, but they were somewhat repetitive, as we followed more or less always the same routes. Lastly, we moved on to Savute. Nice camp as well, a bit hidden in the trees and some "tents" have a good view of the waterhole. (No. 6,5,4 and 3). The waterhole was heavily used by elephants of all sizes and we could watch also very little one's. The game drives are longer - from a distance - and we saw most of the animals, but not in numbers as in Chobe or Moremi. We had a groups of lions feeding on an elephant and could watch that for 2 - 3 days. That was it ...
Our ranking is perfect - excellent and we do not regret that it was more costly, we really enjoyed it.
If you want to spend less time and money, go for the Chobe Game Lodge, Moremi and Leroo La Tau, with those 3 you cover the best.
A special thanks to Monique having put this trip together for us. We'll be back.
Erich & Danielle
Belgium
US
Email Jim Lemley | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was extremely organized and went smoothly!
Monique was wonderful to work with. The trip was very organized and everything went as planned. All details/activities that we were told about happened as scheduled, which made things easy with no stress. The animal viewing was Fantastic! I would definitely recommend Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) to anyone looking for a safari tour or travel throughout Africa.
US
Email Matthew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Giltedge did a great job!
We organized a trip with Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) in September 2016. We were coming from New York and had some very specific requests on dates, lodges, nights at each location which were in several countries, ground transfers, light air transfers, and others. They were able to put everything together in short order at a competitive price, were very organized, and were available for any questions. We worked with Monique Dean who did a great job and always responded promptly and thoroughly to all of our many questions and requests. All of the partners that they worked with on the ground, specifically for transfers across borders, were great as well. Thanks!
SG
Email Carolina Armand | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent choices and perfect logistics for the entire trip
Giltedge Africa (Southern Africa Travel) offers a wide variety of choices regarding lodges and activities. I had great communication with my agent (Monique Dean) during the whole process of booking. Her suggestions and the final trip were fantastic. I would highly recommend this Agency and if I have the opportunity to travel to their destinations I will certainly contact them again.
SG
Email Minjie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An Adventure with My Parents
First of all, Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) was referred to me by a friend, and nothing beats recommendations from sources you can trust. More importantly, i was not disappointed.
Planning and booking - Monique was the best. A comprehensive itinerary which catered to our specific requests resulting in a bespoke trip. Planning phase was overall smooth and good.
On the actual trip itself, Sabi Sabi and Desert & Delta Safaris were very professional operators and the trip was good overall. I had brought my retired parents on this trip, and would say they thoroughly enjoyed it.
Couple of feedbacks would be i) temperatures gets a bit more chilly than expected, and for folks coming from tropical weather, they may not be as well prepared, so some reminder would be helpful; ii) the Victoria Falls segment was slightly rushed and could perhaps have been better with half a day to a day more. In addition, got the impression that Vic Falls would be better seen from Zimbabwe side.
Nonetheless, from Giltedge perspective, it was enjoyable and met our expectations. Definitely worth it and would recommend to friends and family.
US
Email marilyn jacques | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
fantastic experience
I worked with Nicki Kirchner- she was wonderful! professional/helpful/patient/always available. The lodgings she suggested were perfect, the transfers all on time. the guides all excellent. We were thrilled with our trip and we are extremely grateful to Nicki!
US
Email Bruce | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nicky created the ideal itinerary for us and was helpful and patient in answering our questions
Everything about the trip was perfect. The itinerary worked out great, all the arrangements, tours, transfers, etc were smooth, and the Deserts and Delta lodges were amazing. Trip of a lifetime, and the agency did a great job.
SG
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exploring Amazing Namibia in 2016
A booked vacation to Namibia for my wife and I was almost scuppered when the tour agency cancelled the tour with 2 weeks to go. A quick enquiry to SafariBookings got Sandi Bird of Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) in touch with us and in no time at all she put together an itinerary for us that showcased the best of amazing Namibia.
The remote and intimate Wilderness Safari lodges and camps of Little Kulala, Damaraland Camp and Desert Rhino Camp were simply fabulous. The service and warmth of the staff made us feel so welcome. The patience and knowledge of our guides was simply fantastic.
All our many transfers by Wilderness Air and all our lodge bookings were confirmed quickly and without hassle by Sandi and we enjoyed an amazing vacation in beautiful Namibia. From our arrival at Windhoek to our last day in Namibia everything went well without a hitch.
Despite never having any prior experience with Giltedge we felt we could trust Sandi and she came through with the vacation of a lifetime for us. We're looking forward to working with Sandi and Giltedge Africa again for our next African safari!
AE
Email Nancy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family Safari and Capetown Adventure
Upon contacting Giltedge Africa (Southern Africa Travel), I received a response in 24 hours. Nikki was able to guide me through all of my questions. I originally enquired about a self driving tour and we ended up customizing the entire trip so that by the time we reached South Africa, I knew that everything was planned to the last detail. South African arranges our transfers, in-country flights and amazing hotels that worked with my family's needs. They used professional transfer companies who also went above and beyond in providing not just a transfer to a hotel or another area within South Africa but always a historical/ geographical reference. The 'Luxury' Safari was true to it's word. The resort exceeded all of our exceptions from their amazing guides/trackers to the wonderful reception we received when coming off safari and the meals and service were outstanding. My family thought I arranged the most brilliant trip, but it was all Southern Africa Travel. We can't wait to go back and explore more. Our time in Cape Town and surrounding area was also great, and we even were able to arrange a day in Wine Country. The food and wine scene in Cape Town has a great vibe, they are serious contenders on the world stage. I truly think South Africa has something for everyone; adventure, hiking, food, wine, safari's or just relaxing, you can trust Southern Africa Travel to create a vacation specifically for you.
Email Edouard | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great family trip made By Giltedge Africa
Our experience have been really good, Julien was answer to all our expectations. It was a family trip with children and it was exactly what we were thinking to do.