50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Full of Breathtaking and Memorable Moments
I organised a party of 5 from London to go on a 4 day Garden Tour of the Western Cape area. The itinerary was negotiated so that it was bespoke. Gems of Africa was chosen from a short-list of 2 based on value for money. I would not be surprised if the tour company just broke even as it was significantly at a lower price point that its competitors. The driver/tour guide was highly experienced and knowledgable. (he told us he is freelance and works for serveral of the South African tour companies). He cleared up the confusion of the name - Garden Tour. Contrary to what you may think it is not a tour of wild flower-filled fields! It is a tour of an ever varied landscape of the Western Cape region that due to its abundant rainfall is known as the Garden of South Africa.
We started from our accommodation in Cape Town and joined Route 62 and witnessed some spectacular scenery from rugged mountains to semi-arid dessert. We ended Day 1 at Outdshoorn, 260 km away where we stopped outside an ostrich farm and visited the must-see Cango Caves and visitor centre. We could stop at viewpoints to take photos and Benjamin, the guide gave us a commentary on the towns, wineries, history and landscape. Our guest house accommodation was of a high standard with a reasureing electronic gate and strong perimeter security as a precaution against burglary. Day 2-4 was a relative 200 plus Kilometres amble mostly through the coastal N2 coastal Route road, stopping at Knysna; Storms River Village; a half-day safari at the Bottlierskop private game reserve; Mossel Bay; Hermanus (whale watching); and lastly Stony Point (a penguin colony).
At Knysna we went on a guided township tour (Emzini) where the tour fees help to fund an orphanage for children of parents unable to look after their children due to being alcoholics. We visited the orphanage and made music with the children by playing drums accompanying the tour guides singing a song. We also went on a 90 minute paddle cruiser trip up and down Knysna Bay.
The accommodation on days 2 and 3 were a Lodge and a B&B respectively (the Lodge is particulary recommended where I saw two adult baboons taking a morning stroll oustide the front door of my room!).
I, originally had wanted to go on a self-drive tour to save money but there is no way that I would have been able to cover the territory covered in the allotted 4 days. The distances covered were sometimes vast but the roads are excellent, the equivalent of UK motorway construction standards.
As a party of 5 black Britons, there were some poignant sights on the tour such as black women with children waiting for minibus transport. One scene summed up the inequality in the Western Cape area - as we approached the outskirts of Cape Town, a young white man had just landed at the end of his paraglider flight on a grass area next to a beach. His equipment was then rolled up into a neat bundle by a young black man. A few yards away was an elderly black woman sleeping on the grass with her few possessions.
Race is still an unspoken issue which simmers under the surface post-Apartheid but I am amazed that there are only rare acts of hostility, (particularly between the black and Afrikaaner ethinic groups) which is a minor miracle. But tensions between locals and migrants from other African countries occasionally erupts (the black unemployment rate is 32%). However as a foreign tourist with a local guide I always felt safe and highy recommend visiting a country which has had the courage to go undergo a Truth and Reconciliation process. It was a privelege to visit a country that I had only been able to experience on the TV screen for the past 55 years during its turbulent social and political history .
The food portions can be gargantuan and excellent value. Meat particularly is good value but we also had beautiful sea food. I will defintely be going back. This tour would have been good value at twice the price. This tour made our holiday one of the best holiday experiences ever. We went during spring time where the temperature was in the early 20s and the roads and tourist attractions were were not overcrowded we did not face long queues. After paying for the airfare; accommodation, food and domestic travel is significantly cheaper than an equivalent holiday in the UK. The Western Cape region is a gem of a holiday destination.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best Safari ever
John is the perfect guide! He is kind, polite, punctual and has a super view that made us detect animals we otherwise probably wouldn't see. He speaks perfect Italian and English. We traveled with two children and he always patiently answered all their questions. Both of them cried when we finished our safari. We had a great time with him. I really recommend you to choose camptrek safari for your next trip! You will not regret it!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect!
Had a great experience booking with Leken Adventure! They were able to add us to a group safari just 2 days before it started. Everything went off without a hitch, and the free hotel was really nice. Bonus: the price was less than most of the quotes I got from other operators. Highly recommended!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very informative , friendly , and understanding. Amazing from the beginning .
Our tour guide was AMAZING! (Johnny )
Very friendly, approachable, informative and polite .
He made sure everything and everyone was taken care of constantly.
The trip was worth the money .
The small stops for lunch made it real authentic.
The change of different locations was really good too .
All atmosphere were great . We got little rain which made me super excited.
Overally , it’s a must try . Beautiful
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing, he went above and beyond to make our experience something to remember!
From start to finish the experience was faultless. Johny did everything to accommodate us and made our trip fantastic. He was friendly, flexible and good fun. He made the trip memorable and I'm so glad that we were able to spot The big 5 and the ugly 5. The food and accommodation was well worth the price and the trip overall was excellent value for money. I will definitely be recommending Jocky Tours and Safaris to my friends and Johny J in particular. 5 stars!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised, professional, friendly, high quality, great communication with pure luxury.
We chose to use Lion King Adventures due to the great reviews they received online and we haven't regretted it for a moment. Ever since we started speaking with Nickson and Pendo the communication was excellent and they organised a once in a lifetime trip for us (8 day premium luxury tour with hot air balloon ride). We added a day hike up Kilimanjaro, it was a pleasure to meet Saladin who looked after us on our 10mile hike.
We were picked up by Bright at Kilimanjaro airport who was very friendly and helpful. He dropped us off at the first of many gorgeous hotels where we were treated like royalty. All the hotels (except one) were divine with amazing views, comfy beds, great food and lovely staff. The one issue we had with a hotel was rectified quickly by Anna in the LK office and it didn't affect the enjoyment of our trip at all.
Salehe was a brilliant guide. He worked so hard, always made us feel comfortable, welcome and at ease. He showed us great sights and we managed to see all the big 5 plus many more. We even learnt quite a bit of Swahili due to his great tutorship. Salehe went above and beyond to make our trip sensational.
Thank you Lion King it was amazing and we highly recommend anyone to use you.
ES
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
OSCAR AFRICA Safaris. Buenas vacaciones en Tanzania
I have read the previous reviews about OSCAR AFRICA SAFARIS and join them. 7 days in October in Tanzania, 4 parks and visits to 3 tribes. The plan was organized by BEATRICE, Perfect!. As soon as he knew what we were interested in, her offer was the best and I had consulted several. The guide was HASSAN, very professional, kind, prudent and funny; always pending with the travel program.
The last day I met Oscar and understood the success of his work. He is a young entrepreneur who will go far. He knows how to choose his collaborators and they all work 24/7 to meet your expectations. Congratulations to those who entrust their vacations to this group.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had an amazing trip with Safari Soles and our guide Isaac
We had an amazing safari in Tarangury, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Hotels booked by Safari Soles were just fantastic. Especially the view at our hotel on the crater was amazing. Also a big thanks to our guide Isaac wo made our trip wis his knowledge and expertise on the animals and best game drive spots in the park. Also the communication with Safari Soles went very smooth.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Has very good interpersonal/people skills
Reliable travel partner even for minors without guardian..
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very knowledgeable and very helpful
Dason was recommended to me by my close Kenyan friend.
He is knowledgable about safari. Dason was very helpful in organising customised tour package in a short notice for few days of holiday we have in Kenya. We had great and pleasant experience. We were able to see most of the animals including the big 4 in a three day safari trip to Masai mara. My 13 years old son described his experiance as very special and adventurous. Our driver ,Joseph was an excellent driver and conscious of our expectations. We didn't feel unsafe or uncomfortable during the entire duration of the trip. Dason also supported us beyond the safari tour -in facilitating currency exchange, our movements and booking night train to Mombasa . I will recommend Africompass travel and tours anyone who is looking for a great safari experience.