CZ
Email Peter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
fantastic wildlife experience at Sanbona Resort
We had a fantastic stay at Sanbona Wildlife Resort about 3 hours from CapeTown very well organized by Gems of Africa. After this safari we enjoyed a few days in CapeTown, one of our favorite cities in the world. Finally we went to Stellenbosch to visit some wineries including the degustation of very good South African wines. Overall our trip was one of the highligt of our life.
CL
Email María Paz Venegas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dissapointing
The experience in Kruger Park was ok but not how we expected, we didnt saw too many animals. We think that our guide wasnt good, he drive for the same part of the park most of the time, we spend our without seeing animals.
We didnt saw any cheetas, leopards and Rhinos. The thing is that most of the time you can see them there, so we think that our guide wasnt good. We’ve been in Tanzania but there is another thing, we really enjoy there, the parks, the tour guide and we saw a lot of animals.
We noticed that many people that pay a lot in the private reserve they has more chances to see animals and different species, I dont know if that a point to consider because they own a lot of animals , and the know exactlu where they are, but is very expensive too. Or maybe the option to drive by yourself could bebetter because you can go everywhere..
Also the communication during the tour with the agency wasnt good (Shinzelle Safaris).
We regret to add Kruger Park in our trip to Africa, that money could worth it, in another place, because we visited Tanzania and Uganda and everything there was amazing.
US
Email Lisa B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful, must see
Awesome experience! Our guide Hoppy was the best guide we could ask for. He was knowledgeable, thoughtful, fun, and cared about the wildlife. We got to see the Big 5 in just three days. Loved our stay at Sabie Bush River Camp, the open jeep drives were great. If you book a safari request Hoppy, he made the experience excellent.
Email Pearl Beynon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I went on a Safari for 3 nights to Kruger National Park - budget package
Everything was well organised- Big 5 spotted
US
Email Cathy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An adventure everyone should do!
South Africa was more than we had expected, absolutely beautiful! This was a bucket list trip and South Africa did not disappoint us.
Umkumbe Lodge was very nice and the people who work there were very nice and accommodating. The safari tour guides were extremely knowledgeable which made the trip even better.
Email Mary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful country with so much to offer tourists
On our second visit to South Africa we stayed a week in Franschhoek in the Winelands area. This is a lovely large village with many excellent restaurants, a fabulous Saturday market with lots of craft and local food stalls, and of course many local wineries to visit. We absolutely loved our time there and felt very safe walking to and from restaurants in the evening. We then moved on to Hermanus on the coast to do some whalewatching. This is a much larger town but again with many good restaurants and safe walking at night. it was coming to the end of the whale season but we saw several, firstly on a trip with Southern Right Charters who we would recommend, and then from the clifftop walks which are very accessible.
The food in restaurants is really good and extremely reasonable, aided by the favourable GBP/Rand exchange rate.
From Cape Town we then flew up to the Timbavati Game Reserve for a 4 night safari arranged by Indigo Safaris, who we would also recommend for their organisation of our trip. Timbavati is at the edge of the Kruger and is home to the Big5 all of which we saw. Have only given the Wildlife 4 stars though as animals were rather scarce we felt, but as I have said, we did see all the Big 5 and a lot of other animals too as well as some beautiful birds (though we are not birders). Everywhere was very dry while we were there, but they had had a few days of heavy rain just before we arrived and the rainy season was about to start when apparently the rivers would be full, whereas we were driven along the sandy river beds!
Everywhere we went in SA we were impressed by the smiles on the faces of all the local people, who were very friendly and welcoming.
We can't wait to return, in hopefully two years time.
SI
Email Bostjan Krajnc | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
trully amazing country
Great game safari, we loved Kruger park, we loved Cape Town, food, open market
Email Rebecca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Easy Way To Get Out Of The City And See The Big 5
I live in Johannesburg and was hosting family members from the United States. After several days taking in the sites in and around the city, we wanted to get out of town to see some wildlife. We booked an all-day game drive in Pilanesberg with transportation to and from our residence. This was my first time visiting Pilanesberg, and I was not sure what to expect. We saw almost all of the Big 5 -- lion, rhinoceros, elephant, and even a leopard! However, we did not see a Cape buffalo. Impressively, we did get to see some interaction between elephants and lions when the elephants chased the lions away from a shady area.
The game drive vehicle was one of the largest I've seen, sitting at least 20. That wasn't ideal, but we sat in the front so we could hear the very-knowledgeable driver and it didn't feel like we were crammed onto an amusement park safari ride. During the lunch break, giraffes and other wildlife (mostly birds) visited the restaurant located inside the reserve. The restaurant itself had a nice selection of food -- even given the fact we had the limited menu created specifically for the game drive guests. The establishment was totally full, so the service was a bit slow.
Norman Muchacheni with Nhlalala Travel Agency provided transportation to and from the reserve. He was friendly and knowledgeable about the area and sites we passed. He arrived promptly for pick up and provided refreshments for the ride. Plus, the van was very clean. It was overall a great day and game drive experience.
ES
Email Esther Sanchez | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing holiday destination
I would totally recommend to travel to South Africa. The country is amazing, and you can find everything is one place, from coast and beaches, to gorges and mountains, to waterfalls and animals. I totally recommend the Garden Route, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Addo Elephant Park and of course, the Kruger. Get to see the animals so close is something I will never forget. I travelled solo and never had any issues in SA, and this is my 6th time!
NL
Email Liz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful scene
Even though I visited South Africa between (their) winter and summer, it was still such a beautiful scene! I only got to see 4 of the big 5, but I saw so many other animals. It is definitely worth a visit.
