US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip to Sabi Sands( Kruger) and Victoria Falls
Laurette at Pembury helped us in planning our trip to Kruger for Safari Viewings and on to Victoria Falls . It has been one of our most enjoyable trips so far ! Pick ups and transfer from the airports were very well coordinated , accommodations were superb, and Laurette even suggested activities we would not have thought of on our own. She was always very easy to get hold of via emails and very responsive to our queries.
I would recommend them for your Safari bookings without any hesitations
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our day was like a dream!
My daughter and I were given our safari in Tarangire National Park as a gift and are so thankful that Tai Adventures was our tour operator! We saw giraffes, zebras, elephants, waterbuck, water buffalo, impalas, warthogs, male and female lions, babboons, monkeys, mongooses, ostriches, a variety of smaller birds, and beautiful plants and trees. The animals crossed the road directly in front of our vehicle a number of times as we took pictures! All the animals had babies, so it was an ideal time to go. Danny Boy, our guide, answered our questions about the wildlife with knowledge and skill. He made our day fun, laughing and visiting with us, and waited patiently during our lengthy stops for photography. When we ate lunch, he never left us alone so that we were safe from the thieving monkeys. Many other tourists were not so blessed! This is a company that gives its best so that you will have the best possible safari experience as you enjoy the beauty of God's creation!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and Personable operators, compass are Fantastic!
It is no wonder that Darren and Kate have so many 5 star reviews. After contacting 4 tour operators, compass Odyssey stood out from the others by a mile. They were prompt, professional, and personable, and I could tell that they genuinely got a kick out of organising safari's and making sure their clients have a great trip.
My trip from Johannessburg to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana was planned to perfection and I didn't need to worry about a thing. The guides and lodges selected by Compass were amazing and their local knowledge was invaluable.
Following my safari, Darren stayed in touch with me during my remaining 2 weeks in Africa and offered me great advice on locations for me to see, and contacts of his for places for me to stay, the service offered by compass went far and beyond my expectations. These guys really are the best.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Pilanesberg Game Reserve by noel
Some unique wildlife to be seen here, including Brown Hyena.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome
This National Park, I would rate as the 3rd best National Park in South Africa, (after Kruger Park and Pilansberg National Park), in terms of the wildlife on offer, despite that it is larger in size than Pilansberg. Located a mere 70 Kilometers from Port Elizabeth,(which itself is a wonderful tourist destination) it offers opportunities for day visits as well as extended stays in camps. I did the former option.
Security
Travelling is safe and secure, with one entrance a few kilometers from the National highway. This entrance however includes an extensive section of dirt road once you enter the Park. An alternative and more scenic route to the main entrance of the Park involves travelling through countryside and small towns. Inside the Park, security was excellent, with the presence of Rangers frequently seen.
Game
The Game in the Park is wonderful, diverse and appreciable. Opportunities for photography is excellent (from macro/insect to landscapes). The Park offers the Big 5 (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino), as well as a Marine section (which I did not experience) but which can be arranged. I have seen Lion on all 3 occasions I visited the Park. Only Leopard eluded me. I also saw my first Black Rhino in this Park. But it is the elephants that are the main attraction and any lover of these wonderful animals will not be disappointed. From lone bulls to herds in excess of 50 have been sighted. These have afforded the most wonderful photographic opportunities, especially the young calves. One of the most amazing experiences for me is the close proximity to these animals which you are able to enjoy in Addo.
Several other carnivores have been seen, notably Jackal, which has at times reached epidemic proportions and have had to be culled. Hyena, Caracal and Mongoose have been sighted. One highlight for me was a clan of Suricate (Meerkat) on the move. I also saw 2 male Cheetah, but I have been advised that these were “rogue” animals that escaped from a neighbouring reserve.
Herbivores are well represented, except for the Giraffe, and include magnificent Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Zebra, Warthogs, several smaller antelope. I enjoyed an abundance of Tortoise; primates were represented by the Chacma Baboon and Vervet Monkeys. Addo is home to a unique Dung beetle, the flightless beetle, a wonder to watch.
Bird life is a photographer’s dream, and formed part of the reason for me to visit this Park as a bird lover, and I was not disappointed, and saw several birds for the first time, some of which are endemic to this area. Included are several Raptors, flocks of Ostriches, Sunbirds, Black headed Heron. The latter I watched for half an hour as it caught 3 Lizards in quick succession to my complete and utter delight. I also saw a pair of Stanleys Bastards.
Travel in the Park.
Roads in the Park are very good and well maintained, with part tarred roads, and part dirt roads.
Scenery
Wonderful scenery abounds, with several spots where I was allowed to get out of my vehicle and enjoy vistas, some with benches where you can spend hours enjoying the view and wildlife. As a photographer, this was an added bonus to my visit.
Ambiance and experience
All my visits to the Park have been wonderful experiences, rejuvenating and calming. In my experience it is not as crowded as Kruger. Overall the weather was good. Interactions with Rangers was always pleasant, a reassuring presence. The restaurant in the main camp served excellent meals, though I opted for take-away meals, preferring to sit at a dam to enjoy both a meal and wildlife. Satisfying from both a wildlife and experience point of view is how I describe my experience, and will gladly visit here again. My only regret is that I have not yet stayed overnight in the Park, which I am sure will enhance my experience.
CH
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Stunning Madikwe Game Reserve
I have spent a week in Madikwe region of South Africa in September 2016.
My stay was split between the lodge Royal Madikwe (3 nights) and Madikwe
Hills (3 nights).
The lodges were luxurious and the suite I had in Madikwe Hills was simply
fabulous!
Delicious breakfasts were served on the terrace with a spectacular view on the animals
gathering around the water spot: kind of paradise :-)
The lodges all have wifi, which was really super; nothing else to do in the evening
other than having drinks (all included in Madikwe Hills), surfing and reviewing photos.
It was very impressive to have the lion roaring loudly near my window in the evening.
Was also exciting to see them just about 60m away from my bungalow in Madikwe Hills.
The landscape in Madikwe was quite nice. It would recommend to stay at least
4 nights, so you can increase your chance to spot the leopard.
Also the dry season (winter) is to be preferred because the grass is low and we
can easier observe the animals, which are forced to converge somewhen to the
water ponds.
In Madikwe, the rangers had to track the lions/leopards/rhinos by following
their traces, which made the games more interesting.
In one or two game drives, we couldn't see many animals because they were hiding
themselves from the heat (that's why we need to plan enough game drives to see all
the big five).
You need to have your camera ready all the time as the animal viewing is unpredictable.
I could see the leopard only on the last day in Royal Madikwe and also on the morning
I left the lodge for the air strip, but unfortunately at that time i had my tele-zoom already
packed :-/
A big advantage of Madikwe is that we have much less tourists compared to Kruger Park,
according to different people i have met during the game drives.
Always choose a private safari reserve, as your ranger can drive you off the tracks into
the bushes to follow the animals.
In summary i love Madikwe safaris and will for sure return back.
And I loved flying (1 h) from Johannesburg to Madikwe with the small air plane, which
gave some touch of adventure to the safari trip.
My previous safaris were in 2014 in Shamwari near Port Elizabeth, but it was too
easy to spot the animals which looked somewhat too civilized :-)
My Madikwe album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9-dragons/albums/72157678925869625
My Shamwari album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9-dragons/albums/72157642871816915
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about South Africa by noel
I have had 3 visits to this Park, and all my expectations were met in terms of Wildlife, birds and ambiance. There always seemed to be more to explore and experience. The hide is wonderful, as are the vista points. The elephants seem very comfortable with human presence. Highly recommended.
CH
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by Thanh
Excellent lodges + beautiful landscape + big five + experimented rangers
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Honeymoon!
Thank you so much for organising such a great safari for us for our honeymoon. The trip was unforgettable, Jeff was a great driver taking us around for the week and we had such a wonderful time. Dusty Roads were really helpful and responsive pre planning our itinerary via email and came to meet us in our hotel the day before to make sure everything was ok. The accommodation booked was wonderful (they even put a word in to a couple of the lodges that it was our honeymoon and they organised something special for us!). We won't forget this trip in a hurry and would definitely book with them again should be we back in the future.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in Krüger Park - what a great experience
We were taken excellent care during our safari in Krüger Park in January 2017 - from first meeting at airport in Johannesburg till return at same spot! Adrian and Lunghi were great guides with enormous competence, wonderful chefs and good company. They took care of exactly everything so that we could enjoy of our safari for 100 %. Booking, arrangements, accommodation etc were professionally organized by Thale. We are so happy that we chose Wild Planet Safari and recommend it warmly! And all Scandinavians: Thale är norska!