50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beware of This Fraudulent Tour Operator – Avoid at All Costs
We booked an 8-day South Africa luxury trip through Bianca Els and Craig Lucke, and it turned into a nightmare.
Our itinerary included:
• 1 day in Johannesburg
• 4 days in Kruger (Kapama & Ulusaba luxury lodges, 2 nights each)
• 3 days in Cape Town (One&Only hotel)
We paid in full upfront, trusting their promises. Here’s what actually happened:
• Last-Minute Bookings: After weeks of chasing them for confirmations, they finally booked our Johannesburg stay at Four Seasons – but only on the day we arrived.
• No Flight/Resort Confirmations: When we landed in Johannesburg, we repeatedly called Bianca for flight and resort confirmations to head to Kruger. She never responded.
• Excuses & Lies: Craig finally replied saying Bianca had “overdosed,” claimed all bookings were prepaid, and asked us to pay for two nights out of pocket, promising a refund in two days (which never came).
• Nothing Was Paid: When we arrived at Kapama, we discovered the booking had been made just the day before – and nothing was paid for. We then called every other resort and hotel on our itinerary — none were booked.
• False SATSA Membership: Their website claims SATSA membership, but SATSA confirmed their membership is expired.
At this point, it became clear they were running a Ponzi scheme, using client money for other purposes. We essentially paid for their addictions while being stranded.
Adding insult to injury, Craig responds to negative reviews as though they did everything right — a blatant gaslighting tactic.
This experience has completely destroyed our trust in the system and caused massive financial and emotional stress.
Recommendation:
Avoid this couple and their company entirely. Verify memberships directly with SATSA, demand written and prepaid confirmations well before travel, and never transfer large sums upfront without protection.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great value for money, excellent help and communication
From the first inquiry we had already a great feeling with Inspired Feet. Fiona sent us an extensive pdf with all the information quickly and was there to answer all our questions. Also the price for our 6 day safari was really great considering the value you get, compared to prices from many other safaris. We had a great time during our safari in Kenya and it was the experience of a lifetime. We loved our guide Jackson who brought really good vibes. We would definitely recommend choosing Inspired Feet for your safari. You are in the best hands with Fiona!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They took our money and didn’t plan anything.
We began planning our 2025 trip to South Africa back in September 2024. Originally scheduled earlier, we had to postpone due to friends in our group becoming new grandparents. Bianca and Craig from Southern African Tours came highly recommended, and at first, they lived up to the praise—responding promptly to inquiries and accommodating the adjustments we made nine months ahead of time.
However, as the trip approached, communication began to falter. We were repeatedly assured that a detailed itinerary, including guide names and reservation numbers, would be provided, but we never received it. One week before departure, we managed to speak with Bianca, who again promised to send the necessary details. Unfortunately, nothing ever arrived.
Despite the lack of information, we remained hopeful that everything had been arranged as promised—after all, we had paid in full for the trip, including accommodations and excursions. That hope quickly vanished upon arrival in South Africa, where we discovered that no internal flight reservations had been made. Even more troubling, our accommodations in Kruger and Cape Town had not been booked or paid for.
This was a devastating realization. I have never experienced anything like this with a business. It feels as though they took our money and disappeared. Although Bianca had assured us she’d be available for support during the trip, she has not responded to any of our group’s calls or messages.
Looking back now, some warning signs were there—particularly Craig’s defensive responses to other reviews, which, in hindsight, should have raised concerns.
We’ve been saving for this trip for a long time, and it’s heartbreaking to see our money mishandled like this. Thankfully, members of our group have stepped up to salvage the experience, and we’ve had the opportunity to meet some truly wonderful people here in South Africa. Sadly, we can’t count Craig and Bianca among them.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Always available and professional
Available and professional. Always ready to customize everything.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
We had a wonderful safari with Grayson as our guide. He asked what we wanted to see and made sure we saw it, while also sharing his knowledge with passion and enthusiasm.
We really appreciated how connected he was with the other guides, constantly communicating to make sure we didn’t miss out on any special sightings.
Overall, we had an incredible experience and we would 100% recommend Grayson as a guide.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Experience
My friend and I had an amazing safari experience and a big part of that was due to having Newton as a guide. He showed us so many things and always took the time to share many interesting facts.
We really appreciated that he communicated with other guides, to make sure we didn’t miss out on any special sightings. Also, he was respectful of the animals’ space, never disturbing their natural behaviour.
Overall, our experience was incredible and I would definitely recommend Newton to anyone wanting an exciting, interesting and respectful safari experience.
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly professional and reliable tour operator who delivered a seamless, well-organized experience
From start to finish, everything about this trip was seamless with smooth communication, reliable service, excellent value for money, and a tour that exceeded expectations in every way. The operator was always professional and responsive, and I never had to worry about a single detail along the way.
A special shoutout goes to our guide, Johny Jackson, who made the experience unforgettable. Thanks to his incredible skills and sharp eyes, we managed to see the Big 5 all in one day. He always seemed to be the first to spot the perfect photo opportunities and positioned us in the best place before other vehicles even arrived. His knowledge of the wildlife, the landscape, and the parks added so much depth to the journey, and his friendly personality made the long game drives a joy.
The safari itself gave us memories for a lifetime, we saw giraffes up close in Lake Nakuru, came face-to-face with elephants in Amboseli, watched a lioness hunting in the Masai Mara, and even managed to spot a leopard in the Masai Mara, which is often the hardest of the Big 5 to find. Every day brought something special, and Johny’s guiding ensured we never missed a moment.
I would highly recommend this tour operator to anyone considering a safari in Kenya, everything was perfectly organized, stress-free, and filled with unforgettable moments.
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Interesting Trip
Johny is a funny and always happy tour guide. He knows the routes very well and always get the best views for us.
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable Safari Experience
Our overall experience during our recent trip to Tanzania was exceptional and very enjoyable. We loved all the parks we visited, with Serengeti and Ngorongoro standing out as the main highlights. We witnessed all the Big 5, along with numerous other animals, including some close encounters. Everything went flawlessly, and I must commend Tanzania Wildlife Adventures for arranging such an unforgettable tour!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Trekking Experience
Doing Kilimanjaro with Zara Tours was not only rewarding but an unforgettable experience. The guides were supportive, experienced and knowledgeable. I observed that the whole team was genuinely interested in our success as they went above and beyond to keep us safe, comfortable, and motivated throughout the entire trek. The food was great and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. We both reached the summit and owe it all to Zara Tours. They deserve all the flowers that they get.