50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sara was INCREDIBLE!!!
5 Stars FOR SURE! Where do I even begin? This is by far the longest review we have ever written!
I have to tell you, we had an absolutely INCREDIBLE time on our two-plus-week South African safari!
Before booking, we contacted six different safari companies. One company never even responded. Another took almost a week just to send us information. Four others replied promptly, and after doing a lot of research, two companies clearly stood out above the rest. We spoke with both and told them we were looking for the very best value. They each put together their best offers, and Safari.com's itinerary was not only the better value, but after speaking with Sara Van Coillie, we knew we had found the right person to help us plan this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Sara was incredibly patient, extremely knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in creating the perfect trip for us. She took the time to learn exactly what we were looking for, answered every question we had, and then put together several itinerary options for us to compare. Sara lives in Cape Town and has spent many years creating incredible African vacations for families from around the world. One thing that really gave us confidence was knowing that she has personally visited many of the lodges and safari destinations she recommends. Her firsthand knowledge was invaluable, and it showed throughout the entire planning process.
After reading countless outstanding five-star reviews, we felt confident choosing Safari.com. One thing we really appreciated was Sara's honesty. We told her we didn't need five-star luxury accommodations—we simply wanted clean, comfortable, quality places to stay. Every lodge exceeded our expectations. Literally, every time we sent Sara a message the response was nearly immediate! If it was outside of her work hours I would positively hear back the following day!
The amount of planning that went into this trip was simply amazing. We had several domestic flights that saved us countless hours of driving between destinations. Whenever we traveled by vehicle, our drivers were excellent. They weren't just drivers—they were friendly, knowledgeable guides who shared fascinating information about South Africa, its people, and its wildlife, making every transfer enjoyable.
Every lodge we stayed at was unique and memorable. We typically spent two or three nights at each location, which gave us enough time to truly experience each area without ever feeling rushed. Some lodges were luxurious while others were more rustic, but every single one was outstanding. The food was exceptional everywhere we stayed, and the hospitality was second to none. The staff at every lodge made us feel genuinely welcome and went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed.
One of our favorite camps didn't even have a fence, allowing wildlife to roam freely through the property. At first, this made my wife a little nervous, but by the end of our stay it had become one of her favorite places. When we first arrived, an elephant was drinking from the swimming pool. The next day, another elephant casually wandered over while children were swimming nearby. It peacefully drank from the pool for several minutes before slowly walking away. Another morning, we watched three elephants drinking from a pond while we enjoyed breakfast. Those are memories we'll never forget.
Then there was the wildlife.
It was simply breathtaking.
We saw the Big Five within our first two days, and somehow the sightings just kept getting better.
I guess it can be a little difficult, even a bit gruesome at times, to watch predators prey on other animals. But that's nature, and it's exactly how God designed these magnificent, beautiful creatures and the incredible ecosystems in which they live. Witnessing it firsthand gave us an even greater appreciation for the balance and wonder of creation.
Some of the unforgettable experiences included:
Watching two cheetahs hunt a waterbuck. The waterbuck escaped into the middle of a pond while the cheetahs patiently waited along the shoreline. We eventually had to leave, but another guide later told us the waterbuck won the battle of patience. The cheetahs finally gave up—they simply didn't want to get their paws wet.
Watching a large pride of lions - males, females, and cubs - feast on a massive Cape buffalo.
Seeing three lionesses strategically hunt an enormous herd of buffalo. They circled, charged, retreated, and tried every angle while the buffalo repeatedly stood their ground and charged back. It felt like watching a live National Geographic documentary.
Getting within ten feet of giraffes, including mothers with adorable babies that were less than one-third the height of the adults.
Watching two male giraffes "necking" as they battled for dominance.
Seeing a massive herd of elephants playing, splashing, and rolling in a giant mud bath.
Having a spotted hyena casually walk within two feet of our safari vehicle.
Watching several lions stroll right beside our vehicle as if we were not even there.
Seeing countless rhinos, many of them incredibly close.
Watching hippos both in the water during the day and wandering around after dark.
Getting amazing close-up views of baboons and vervet monkeys.
Taking two walking safaris gave us an entirely different appreciation for the African bush.
Watching countless herds of impalas sprinting and leaping across the savanna.
Seeing countless "dazzles" of zebras. We learned that a group of zebras is actually called a dazzle thanks to our wonderful guides.
Following fresh animal tracks with our guides as they searched for wildlife.
Hearing lions growl during the day and roar at night.
Listening to jackals call to one another as predators moved through the area.
Seeing an unbelievable variety of colorful birds, many from just a few feet away.
Experiencing spectacular African sunrises and sunsets that looked almost too beautiful to be real.
Our safari guides were phenomenal. Each had a different personality and style, but every one of them was passionate, incredibly knowledgeable, and determined to give us the best experience possible. Their ability to spot wildlife was absolutely unbelievable. They routinely found animals that the rest of us would have driven right past.
By the end of the trip, my wife and I had taken nearly 7,000 photos! We have so many incredible pictures. Every single day brought new adventures and unforgettable memories.
Without question, this was the vacation of a lifetime.Anyone considering an African safari and wondering who should plan it, I cannot recommend Safari.com and Sara Van Coillie highly enough. They handled every detail flawlessly, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy each moment.
Five stars honestly isn't enough in our opinion. There is a reason Safari.com has earned a 4.9-star rating across thousands of reviews. After experiencing this trip ourselves, we completely understand why.
Thank you, Sara, and Safari.com, for giving us memories that will last the rest of our lives.
There are so many places we would like to see in this world, however if we ever return, we will definitely use Safari.com again and will absolutely want to work with Sara!!!
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable
Super personalized company! They managed to adapt a 3-day program where they picked us up at our hotel in Zanzibar and took care of everything, including transfers, domestic flights, and even accommodation. It was a private safari, but very lively with cold drinks in the jeep and a guide with extensive knowledge of the entire Serengeti. It was spectacular! I 100% recommend them for the treatment, culminating in the sighting of the Big Five!
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IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable
From a practical point of view, Gilbert is an outstanding safari driver and guide. We spent 4 nights and 5 days with him across, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and everything was extremely well organized.
His driving skills are excellent — especially on long and sometimes rough roads — and he always seemed to know the exact timing and positioning needed to maximize wildlife sightings. We never felt lost or uncertain; everything was handled with confidence and precision.
One thing that impressed me was his ability to read animal behavior and park conditions. Thanks to that, we managed to see an incredible amount of wildlife, including the Big Five and three leopards, which is not something you just get by chance.
He is also very reliable with logistics: punctual, prepared, and always focused on making the itinerary work smoothly without stress.
If you are looking for someone highly professional who truly knows the parks inside out, Gilbert is absolutely the right choice.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lanana peak
Edward organized this trek perfectly. The team was fantastic, Ken was an excellent, efficient, and attentive guide, the chef provided delicious and varied meals, and our porter was very dedicated. Overall, a wonderful and, in some ways, unexpected experience. I highly recommend it.
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IT
An amazing safari with Gilbert, a professional and very kind guide!
This safari was honestly one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
We spent 5 days and 4 nights with Gilbert (our dover and guide) going through Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire and I still can’t believe how many things we saw.
Gilbert was amazing at always putting us in the right place at the right time, like elephants literally walking right next to the jeep, a bunch of puppy cheetas with the mom, and those super quiet moments just watching lions chill. It never felt stressful or chaotic, which I really appreciated.
And the animals… I mean WOW. We saw the Big Five and somehow even three leopards (still not over it, honestly). I kept thinking “ok this is the highlight” and then the next day got even better!
Also Gilbert is just such a calm, good energy person. He always checked in on us, made sure we were comfortable, and honestly made the whole trip feel super easy and fun at the same time.
I came back home exhausted but SO happy. My camera roll is basically just lions, elephants and me screaming in the background 😂
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised 8 days
Avery special thanks you goes to our guide Albert .his knowledge of the parks wildlife culture and best driving skills made every game drive and incredible experience
Another heart felt thank you goes to operator of the group safari
Thank you
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Informative
Peter did an amazing job driving us around the safari. He was actively working hard to ensure we saw the big 5. If you come to South Africa this is definitely a must do.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Peter was amazing and deserved 5/5. The 500 Rand extra was unexpected and the only reason it’s not 5
Overall great experience. Peter our guide was great and they picked us up right on time! Lunch was amazing!
The only reason it’s not 5/5 is that they hit us with a 500 Rand surcharge per person that we only got told about <24hrs before the tour. They said this charge has been there for a long time now >1year. I am happy to pay it but think they could have gave us more notice then the day before.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great day at Pilanesberg
I spent a very nice day at Pilanesberg with Peter as our guide. I totally recommend !
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Much more than just a Tour Operator!
After a few days of research, I decided to book our safari with Inspired Budget despite the fact that they had fewer reviews than other tour operators and it turned out to be an excellent decision!
From day one, Lina was incredibly helpful and kind, answering all my questions and providing all the information I needed. She tailored the tour to our preferences and in the end we had the best experience we could have hoped.
On top of that, she went above and beyond by helping us with something unrelated to the safari itself. She solved a major issue that came up during our trip by booking train tickets for us ( tickets we would never have managed to get on our own) which truly saved our vacation!
Highly recommended!
