IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great communication, always happy to answer questions.
Amazing experience. We did the Budget 5 day Nairobi - Maasai Mara - Lakes. Great communication via WhatsApp with Derrick and our Guide Francis was amazing. Highly recommend both. We saw so many animals, and all the accommodation and food was great.
UY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Alex was an awesome driver and tour guide
I spent really good time with the company in the 6 days safari. We were able to see many animals and enjoy the views. The accommodation were good enough and the food was complete.
PH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Takes care of you like family member. Very personalized and keeps you at the center of the trip
We went on a Safari trip for my recent birthday celebration. We are so lucky to have gone with Susan and gowitos who made our trip unforgettable and life changing. The raw nature, cultural immersion and wildlife encounters made the trip worthwhile. The trip was well organized and we were taken cared of like family. I felt so safe and it perfectly aligned with our celebration. From Susan's selection of accommodations, meals and travel plan, it was well personalized and she made me feel like she knows me for years. Thank you Susan and Richard for taking care of us! Hope to see you again soon! Go with gowitos if you are looking for an unforgettable experience! Highly recommended!
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Carson is a brilliant driver and very engaging. Feel very safe with him driving. Highly recommended.
This is a very convenient service being offered. We will definitely use your services again.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic local company, highly recommended
We had a fantastic 10 day safari, loved every minute. Had some amazing sightings that will stay on the memory banks forever.
Accommodations arranged for us were excellent. Food was top notch and plentiful.
The days were long, our guide Deo was engaged throughout. We specifically wanted a company that employed guides, not one that hired subcontractors and we are glad we did. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable, took us to some amazing spots. He also had a knack of finding very difficult to spot animals. We saw everything we wanted to, most better than expected, our guide made sure we were happy throughout.
Not dwelling on the topic, but we thought we would have an issue during the trip. We made contact with the company and it was resolved immediately. 10/10 for customer service, too.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional,friendly, very knowledgeable and a time keeper
What an unforgettable adventure with BonAfrica Tours! Our driver and guide, Dun Paul, was absolutely amazing — so kind, professional, and full of knowledge. He gave us the ultimate game drive experience where we spotted zebras, the graceful Maasai giraffes, antelopes, deer, a majestic white rhino, hippos lounging in the water, and even the king of the jungle — the lion! Every moment felt magical, and Dun Paul made sure we didn’t miss a thing. I loved every second of this safari and would highly recommend BonAfrica Tours for anyone looking for a truly thrilling and memorable experience.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Personalized & unforgettable experience
I would highly recommend Tanzania Horizon. From the very first contact, everything went smoothly. They truly listened to us, communicated openly, and tailored the planning to our specific needs. Throughout the journey, we always felt taken care of and in good hands. The entire crew are people with a genuine passion for their work and their country, and you can feel that in everything they do. Thanks to their dedication and hospitality, this trip has been an unforgettable experience.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect for Families — A Safe, Joyful Adventure
Traveling with two children can be stressful, especially in a new country, but Expedition Rwindi Voyage made every step effortless. They understood our needs as a family and built an itinerary that balanced excitement with rest. We saw wildlife up close — from playful golden monkeys to towering giraffes — and yet at no point did we feel rushed or unsafe. The guides were wonderful with the kids, answering their endless questions with patience and genuine warmth. The accommodations were family-friendly, clean, and comfortable, with food that even our picky eater enjoyed! What I appreciated most was how thoughtful the planning was: enough adventure for us adults, enough fun and downtime for the kids, and smooth logistics so we could simply relax. Rwanda is a gem of a destination, and seeing it through the care and expertise of this company made it shine even brighter. The children are still talking about “our friend the guide” weeks later. If you’re considering a trip as a family, this is the team you want by your side — safe, organized, fun, and truly caring.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wild Portraits with James offers an authentic, respectful, and unforgettable safari experience.
We spent 10 days on safari trip with Wild Portraits. Travelling with James is to experience Africas savanna gives you as a whole.
The chance to see the five iconic African animals – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and African buffalo – is truly special. To witness the magical sunrises and sunsets of the savannah, where the senses of sight, hearing, smell and touch come together, is something James brings to life in a remarkable way. He has a natural eye for suggesting the most captivating scenes for photography, always without compromising the dignity of the animals. His passion for wildlife and nature shines through in everything he does, and his deep respect for both is evident in the way he acts.
With genuine humility towards nature and the way animals live – always mindful of a sustainable future for all, and a place one longs to return to – James is a true role model whom many other guides could learn from.
If you simply want pictures of one or two animals, James is not the person for you. Save your money and visit a zoo. But if you are looking for a complete experience – one that offers rich in genuine and profound knowledge of wildlife and breathtaking nature, along with the unforgettable scenes of the African savannah where all your senses are stirred – then James is the one your surely want, where I warmly recommend - where you will get real value in your journey. You will leave with renewed energy, memories to treasure, and magical experiences that no picture or words can ever fully capture, only the feeling of having truly lived them.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unreliable
A few years ago, 10 of us traveled on safari to Kenya and Tanzania through a different travel agent who went above and beyond. That trip was flawless, which made us excited to try Kruger in South Africa, as it is often considered even better. Sadly, our experience with Bianca Els and Craig Lucke of Southern African Tours was the complete opposite—and it has left us heartbroken.
We first contacted them in September 2024. Craig was responsive in the beginning, but soon handed us off to Bianca, whose replies were slow and inconsistent. After our first deposit, her communication slowed even more. By March 2025, we had paid in full—including domestic flights—for a group of 14, totaling over $56,000 USD, because Bianca said everything had to be paid in advance. From that point, communication nearly stopped. Confirmations never came, and when replies did arrive, they were delayed and filled with excuses.
Two members of our group required visas. Despite repeated requests, Bianca sent only one document, with incorrect information, and gave no real guidance on the requirements. She never even asked if the visas were obtained . She also ignored repeated requests for proper flight and hotel confirmations. Bianca did take a call a few days before our departure to discuss the trip and also again gave assurance she would be available 24/7 and that everything was confirmed. Because this company had come recommended, we trusted her assurances that “everything is taken care of” and boarded our flights to Johannesburg believing our arrangements were secure.
The reality was devastating. Upon arrival, we learned that nothing was booked: no domestic flights, no safari lodges, no activities, no transfers, no dinners. The only exception was a single night at one Johannesburg hotel. We were left scrambling, on our phones at all hours, trying to salvage an 8-day trip for 14 people at the very last minute. This caused incredible stress, disappointment, and financial loss.
During this ordeal, Bianca and Craig never once responded to our messages or calls. Yet when friends back home posed as potential new clients, Bianca replied to them immediately. That contrast was deeply painful and showed us where their priorities truly were.
We also discovered that the company operates under another name, Afrique Australe Tours (PTY) Limited. Their Southern African Tours website displays the SATSA logo, which typically signals credibility, but when I checked directly, I was told they are not current members. Perhaps they once were, but displaying the logo now feels misleading to travelers.
We tried everything during our stay—calls, emails, even asking locals for advice—but there was no accountability or resolution. The staff at the hotels we eventually stayed in were kind and sympathetic, and even they expressed shock that agents representing their country would allow this to happen. Several suggested our only option was to pursue legal action once home.
This experience has not only cost us greatly, but it has also shaken our trust in visiting South Africa at all. It is a beautiful country, and the people we did meet were wonderful—but what happened with Southern African Tours was devastating.
Warning: Based on our experience, we strongly urge travelers to avoid Southern African Tours / Afrique Australe Tours . We relied on them entirely, only to be abandoned, with the $56,000 we paid unused for our trip. We hope sharing this prevents anyone else from going through the same pain.