US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the most memorable trips we have taken.
My wife and I had been planning a trip to South Africa for several months but scheduling the trips and tours and finding the right accomodation was taking too much time. While surfing the web I came across Safari Bookings and saw that Pembury Tours offered customized tour itineraries for South Africa. Once I submitted a request for help in arranging our trip, Heidi from Pembury Tours contacted me within 24 hours. I gave her the dates that we had in mind and the places we wanted to visit. She took care of all the details. We could set aside only 7 days for the trip but she was able to come up with the perfect itinerary. We spent 3 days on Safari and stayed at the Narina Lodge which was excellent. We loved the lodge and the attentive service there was excellent. They made the game drives extremely pleasant and comfortable. And we saw the Big Five.
From Kruger National Park we went to Capetown. We loved Capetown. We stayed at the Table Bay Hotel on the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. The waterfront area was great for shopping and dining and simply loitering around enjoying the nightlife. But the hotel was disappointing. Taking a shower was challenging. The water was either too cold or scalding hot. Though most of the staff was attentive, the staff at the main desk were not helpful and rather condescending. They were more worried about the minibar in the room being under lock and key than making our stay more enjoyable. Our room had been paid in full by Pembury Tours in advance but the hotel charged us again, though they did ultimately refund the charge after Heidi called to complain.
In Johannesburg we stayed at a very nice boutique hotel in an upscale area of town before catching our return flight to New York.
While in South Africa we did not have to worry about transportation or booking any tours because Heidi had arranged for private tours in and around Capetown and Johannesburg. She took care of all internal flights and hotel bookings well ahead of our arrival even though we gave her only 2-3 weeks notice. There was always someone waiting to pick us up at the airport to take us to our hotel or to drop us off at the airport in tine for our flights. and Heidi was always available on the phone. The guides who took us sight seeing were very knowledgeable and helpful, especially Graham who was extremely gracious, accompanying us in and around Capetown for 3 days.
All in all this was one of our best vacations and we will have pleasant memories for years to come.
NZ
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional, unspoilt surroundings, superb staff - unforgettable
Everything was well done; the tented accommodation inviting and comfortable - hot water bottles a wonderful touch - bucket shower and African sounds to fall asleep to. All the staff were amazing - always smiling and happy to help in every way. Kennedy, Partner, Junior, Might KB and BB -all of them extraordinary. The guide, Singa was outstanding and did everything he could to ensure we loved our time there. The food was outstanding, simple but absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. Every minute was to be treasured from sitting around the fire in the evening - the tales of Africa and of course the songs ....beautiful Botswana and beautiful Khwai Camp still ring happily in my head.
Personally I wouldn't change a thing and much preferred the existing tented accommodation rather than the so called 'up market one' with sliding doors.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime (Cape Town, Kruger Area, Victoria Falls)
Megan and Discover Africa did an amazing job helping us plan our trip. During the trip we kept thinking man are we glad that we didn't have to think about planning that. We booked over 16 months prior to our trip and were planning 3 months prior to that. Any and all questions were answered in a timely manner, any accommodations that we asked for were planned, shuttles were on time. Basically everything that one would ask for from a safari operator we received. Also we had a snafu with luggage and flight delay getting out of the US that we called on the day of and they took care of everything on the backend to a new hotel we needed, to letting our hotel know we wouldn't be there, to telling our rental car company that we wouldn't be there. We are already talking about returning to South Africa in the future, and we will be calling Discover Africa again to help us book!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!!
We booked our honeymoon with Rose, and had the most amazing trip EVER! She did a great job incorporating everything we wanted, and everything went off without a hitch.
We did some research into safari travel companies, and spoke to the major tour companies and few smaller ones, and ultimately went with the Luxury Safari Company because of Rose's personal reviews and how quickly she responded to emails and answered our questions. I'm so glad we went with her, and felt like we really got the personal attention we needed.
We basically ended up doing three trips - the beach, safari and wine country. We ended up going to an island off of Mozambique for 5 days that we got to by helicopter, spent 5 days at Londolozi in Sabi Sands, and then 2 nights in Franschhoek. Everything was customized to our preferences and requests and each part of the honeymoon was perfect! Almost all of it was paid for upfront which made it easier, and we knew what we were getting. She arranged transportation for each part of the trip and booked our local flights which was also very helpful.
We would absolutely recommend using Rose, she was incredibly knowledgeable, was always reachable, and answered the million questions we had. I wish we could do it again!!
US
Review about Tarangire National Park by DaveGibsonImages.com
Famous for its tree-climbing lions, I only saw them on the ground. This is where I saw my first-ever leopard which was quite a thrill! Accommodations and food at Tarangire Sopa Lodge was great. Lodge was
US
Review about Selous Game Reserve by DaveGibsonImages.com
My visit occurred at the end of January when the temperatures reached 98 degrees. The shaded pool at Rufiji River Camp was a welcome respite from the heat as was the cooling breeze created by our safari vehicle. Vervet monkeys rule the camp. Pay respect to the alpha male with the blue scrotum! The best predator viewing is in the Lake Manze area where I spotted a hyena with a fresh wildebeest leg in its jaws. Birding is excellent and crocs are everywhere. One person in camp saw a crocodile take down a buffalo!
US
Review about Ruaha National Park by DaveGibsonImages.com
Few destinations are better during the dry season for lions and bat-eared foxes. My visit coincided with the green season and I still saw several lion and foxes. The scenery is spectacular. Ruaha is known for its numerous elephant herds. Colorful agama lizards frequent Ruaha River Lodge. The sounds of hippos fighting over territory in the river during the night just outside my banda door will always be with me.
US
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by DaveGibsonImages.com
My only regret is that I didn't spend more time there. A huge bull elephant, a hyena chasing a jackal with a bone in its mouth, a black rhino and calf, and Cape buffalo just outside my door at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge come to mind. The sunsets from the crater rim are exceptional. A complimentary Ngorongoro Crater sunset cocktail of gin, cognac, and passion fruit juice enjoyed by the pool at the end of the day was a great way to unwind.
US
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by DaveGibsonImages.com
I only spent a day there but recall a jackal, baboons on a termite mound, an elephant and hippos. The weaver colony at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge made for good photos.
US
Review about Arusha National Park by DaveGibsonImages.com
Arusha N.P. is a convenient stop if you are staying in Arusha. Monkeys and antelope are common and flamingos frequent the lake.