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
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Email Simon | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional, Laser Focused on Details, Exotic Trip Organizer
I planned this trip for myself and my son starting a few years ago. I chose to book my trip with Giltedge based on the feedback from friends in the travel industry. My initial trip was canceled due COVID so I had restart from scratch. Giltedge was there from beginning to help me navigate the desired 10 day safari trip to Botswana. Even though it was not possible to duplicate the original itinerary 100%, I was extremely happy with the trip that we came back from yesterday morning. We stayed in 4 camps in Botswana and 2 hotels, one on arrival in Johannesburg and the other in Victoria Falls. Each of the camps in Botswana was just perfect, from travel to accommodations, location and the knowledge of each camps safari drivers/trackers. We first stayed at Camp Xakanaxa for 2 nights, which both, my son and I liked the best. We then flew to Xugana Island Lodge where we also stayed for 2 nights and liked it a lot as well. The 2 mentioned camps were smaller and in one we were 8 people and the other 10 all together, so that at most, we shared the daily rides into the bush with 2 other people. The next camp for 3 days was Savute that was a bit more modern (not that it mattered) and sported a water hole that faced the dining room tables. There was always lots of game to watch while you had your dinner. We saw elephants, hyena, lots of impalas and kudus. The final camp was Chobe Game Lodge for 3 days as well. This was a fairly large place that can accommodate over 100 people. Somehow we felt that the camp was a re-introduction of what awaited us back home. Great service, food and service. We even had massages. In my opinion, this camp should be either the first one on the itinerary or second, this way one retains the exotic feel of the safari. To end our trip my decided to drive to Victoria Falls for 1 day. Needless to say, the falls are just amazing. However, it was too much travel for 2 hours of sightseeing, so I would recommend that people who plan on our type itinerary, perhaps start from Victoria Falls and end at Xakanaxa or Moremi, another camp close by.
Obviously took lots of picture that will take lots of time to organize, but it's all worth it for a "once-in-a-life" experience.
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Email Michael Lyon | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very competent and responsive to questions. Great selections of camps in Zambia.
The accomodation, staff and locations on the Zambezi and Luangwa rivers were outstanding. Giltedge came up with a first class experience. I had a difficult time finding a travel company that understood what I expected when in Africa, i.e. walking in the bush, night drives and general desire to get away from others in the bush. l was please by the competency of the staffs at the various camps. The guides were highly skilled and knowledgeable. The food was outstanding. The camps provided laundry service which meant I could take less clothing. Some of the planes are not able to take large pieces of luggage. Giltedge got it right.
Clean water, either out of the tap or bottled wa available at all the camps. I think Giltedges tipping suggestions were appropriate. Bring cash!
BH
Email Alyssa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent tour operators,
My partner and myself had enjoyed our 2 week vacation that had been si well planned out accordingly to our schedule. I didn’t want it to end, felt like we had been on a months long trip! Excellent operators and excellent tours! Would definitely use them again
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Email Shannon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our agent made the process very simple and thought of details we would not have traveling that far
The agency listened to the changes we requested for our “bush and beach” vacation. Their communication was excellent and there we absolutely no problems.
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Email Sandra Gruber | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Giltedge delivered on its promise of a tailormade, luxury safari experience!
After three years of planning and postponing, we were finally able to check "African safari" off our bucket list in July--and was it ever worth it! Tamera Laine worked with us every step of the way, through all our changes and indecision, even meeting with us on a weekend when we needed reassurance. If you are looking for an inexpensive trip to South Africa, do not look into Giltedge, but if you're looking for comfort, excellent service from the camp staff, knowledgeable guides, and attention to detail, Giltedge can't be beat. We wanted to see as much wildlife as possible, be fairly secluded from others, and have "en suite" bathrooms--and Giltedge delivered! Our tents were quite comfortable with king-sized beds, desks, WiFi (sometimes spotty), and hot water, but very cold at night during the winter season! To take care of that, there were three blankets on our bed and a hot water bottle under the covers, and on early morning safaris we were given heavy, warm ponchos to wear. We had no worries about eating or drinking anything we were served--food was excellent (often served buffet style) and water and alcohol were readily available. We really enjoyed the coffee breaks on our morning safaris, and the sundowners with those gorgeous sunsets in the afternoons. The way the guides could find the animals just by sight or by following their tracks in the sand was just amazing. Among other things, we saw hippos, a den of hyenas, a mama and baby giraffe, wild dogs, an ostrich, a pride of lions stalking a herd of Cape buffalo, and elephants that were so close to us in our blind, that we could have reached out and touched their huge feet. We have so many great pictures and memories... Thank you, Giltedge, for our once-in-a-lifetime experience in Zimbabwe and Botswana!
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Email Brenda Sagarese | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
In one word excellent
First of all, our travel agent, Tamera Laine was excellent and went out of her way to make everything perfect, even last minute changes in our itenerary. All of our transfers went smooth. Everything about our vacation to the Maasai Mara North Conservatory and where we stayed at the Royal Mara Safari Lodge in Kenya, Africa was unequivocal to any other vacation we have ever been on. It was the experience of a lifetime. If you want safari that is the place to go.
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Email Elizabeth | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Experience: Extremely organized, responsive, and helpful!
After thorough research on Safari Bookings, we decided to use Giltedge to book our safari. We originally booked it for August 2020, but then re-booked to 2021, and then to 2022. They made this process very easy for us and we did not incur any additional charges.
The booking process was very smooth. We knew of two properties we wanted to visit, and we let our Giltedge representative recommend two others based on our preferences. The lodges they recommended were incredible and they really hit the mark by sending us to a lodge with a very high concentration of zebras- my favorite animal. They were able to work within our budget to give us exactly the kind of experience we wanted.
We had never been to Africa and we were nervous about this trip and the logistics. But everything was made very clear and easy by Giltedge. While we were on the trip, all of our transfers arrived in a timely manner and every person we encountered was very helpful and friendly. We did a lot of internal travel within Africa (flights to and from Johannesburg, light aircraft) and all the transfers went very smoothly; something I had been a little nervous about beforehand.
When we book our next trip to Africa I will definitely use Giltedge. They were extremely professional, took care of EVERYTHING, and we always felt very well taken care of before, during, and after our adventure.
Email Sean | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Instrumental in our most amazing honeymoon
Giltedge (Tanya) worked with us to create the most amazing honeymoon in South Africa and Victoria Falls. We have travelled quite alot around the world usually organising and planning trips ourselves. However utalising local knowledge and experience was invaluable and allowed us to remain hasslefree throughout. Communication has been great throughout and nothing was to much would highly recommend.
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Email Karen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful trip with Giltedge
We had the most wonderful experience in SA for two weeks. Everything was handled for us by Monique Dean of Giltedge from the moment we stepped off the plane from the U.S. until we returned to the airport sadly head home.
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Email Dan G | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana
I worked with Tamera from Giltedge to plan a birthday safari for my friends and me. She was amazing! She responded quickly and she helped shape my thinking about the right places and time for my trip. My guests had some particular considerations and she was able to tailor the trip in a way that everyone had a great time and felt safe. In some instances, we went to a cheaper place because we could get a better value. In another instance, she told us when it was worth it to play a little more if we wanted and it ended up being a great decision. I trusted her guidance and appreciated her support. We had an amazing time and everyone enjoyed it from people who were on their first safari ever to veteran safari goers. We liked all the places we went to and the transfers between places were seamless.