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Email Andrew C | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
My 3 weeks in Soth Africa
We travelled for 3-weeks in SA, inc the Cape Town-Stellenbosch area, Kruger, St Lucia, and the Garden Route. Cape Town is beautifully situated and interesting. We visited Robben Island, which was moving and helpful in understanding the history and identity of the country. The views of the city are from the island and boat are great. We visited the Stellenbosch area, saw the Penguins at Simonstown (great fun), the Cape, and Houts Bay, the scenery all dramatic and beautiful. We then flew to J'burg and did a 5-day safari tour (booked with a tour company) in the Bulule-Kruger area, in private game reserves (2 lodges) and a day in the Kruger proper. We went on several game drives organized by the lodges and the tour company, early morning, late afternoon-early evening, and all-day in the Kruger. The lodges were beautifully situated, the accommodations luxurious, and the food and service wonderful. Our game drives were fascinating and emotionally moving to be so close to so many different types of animals, large and small. We then did self drive tours from J'Burg to St. Lucia and then, after a flight, on the Garden Route. Highlights included hiking and trail running in the Drakensberg, self drive game drive in Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, the Hippo and Crocs cruise, Addo Elephant Reserve, and a cruise out of Knysna to see the dolphins. The scenery in the Drakensberg and Garden Route was dramatic and beautiful. We stayed in several different guest houses, bed and breakfast, etc. Uniniformly the accommodations had tremendous charm and character (tho each different from the other). The level of service was very high, and the food excellent. No problems with the roads or getting cellular signal. As a visitor from the USA I found the cost of 4 star accommodations to be MUCH less than I am used to in the USA and the quality of food and hospitality better. The weather (in March) was cooler in the Cape and Garden Route, warmer in the Kruger and St Lucia areas, but a drier heat in Kruger and moderated by the ocean at St Lucia. So, basically pleasant everywhere. We travelled just after the rainy season, so everything was green. We loved it and will go back.
Email Laurence F | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Too good to miss. Don’t get deterred by the naysayers
We had another amazing few weeks in SA. Garden Route, Karoo, winelands, Cape Town and then Kruger to finish. To have a holiday that’s so varied and so much fun anywhere else is probably an impossibility.
The food, wine, hospitality, the scenery, roads and towns, the welcomes, the helpfulness and everything else is amazing.
CH
Email Leonie Zimmermann | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mindblowing, stunningly beautiful safari experience
Everything was perfectly organized by Pembury Tours. It was a once in a lifetime holiday with exceptional accomodation, food at Simbavati Waterside Lodge was incredibly delicious and we've been very lucky in seeing all kinds of animal we could wish for. We can only recommend staying in two Private Game Reserve as you get to see different animals.
We always felt very safe, the staff everywhere was so warm-hearted that we felt home immediately. Nothing to critizice, we would book it again for 100%.
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Email Judy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable beautiful
Our trip to South Africa greatly exceeded our expectations. It is an extremely beautiful country, lush, and green. We booked a stay in Pilanesberg National Park where we did several game viewing drives. We saw many wild animals on each drive. Our lodging in the park was great, had a pool, goid food, including a braai one evening. Service was great and staff extremely friendly and helpful. We also spent eight days in Cape Town and enjoyed the mountains, ocean, wine farms, museums, more great food, and friendly people. Despite safety warnings, we always felt safe. Would absolutely recommend a visit to South Africa.
Email Katy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's a beautiful wonderful country
Part of our trip we stayed at the all inclusive amekena lodge. It was quite expensive to stay there but worth every penny. The game drives were brilliant and saw lots of different animals and the tour guides were very knowledgeable.
The food was excellent and as good as any 5 star posh restaurant you would have in London. Staff very friendly and couldn't do enough for you. The only issue we had was there was a storm over night and our room flooded. However it was quickly mopped up and didn't destroy our trip. I would love to go back there.
Email Jane | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing scenery, beautiful weather & lovely people.
Although we didn’t see a lot of South Africa, what we did see was amazing. It was a very last minute decision to travel to SA to join our daughter & boyfriend on their last two weeks of travelling. It was so much better than we thought it could be. Fantastic scenery, friendly people & amazing wildlife. And coming from England, no jet lag & reasonably priced accommodation & food with very good vegan options in all the restaurants we visited. And they drive on the left! We did find the poverty difficult to deal with, and load shedding every day was sometimes inconvenient. But we are definitely hoping to come back in the whale watching season. So, all in all I would recommend a visit! Also, you must visit to the Panthera Big Cat Sanctuary who are doing such fantastic work with rescued cats & trying to educate people as to the atrocities that go on regarding canned hunting, lion breeding etc.
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Email Randy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Loved it
We did two nights in Kruger with a very experienced guide. Great on details of all animals. Saw many animals, including the Big 5! Then two nights in Sabie Sands. More luxurious and closer to animals because they drove off road. Also saw a good variety of animals. Very close to rhinos, leopard and female lions.
KR
Email Helena | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful country to visit
We were picked up without any issues and arrived at out destination and went on game drives twice a day and it was just amazing seeing animals in their natural habitat, seeing different species of birds and animals at the watering hole was great. Would do it again.
Listen to advice on safety and you will the best holiday ever
Listen to advice on safety and you will the best holiday ever
Awesome Journey
Tour Operator was Pembury Tours; Gail was our Representative.
Our trip was affected by the flood. Both Timbavati & Sabi Sands were inaccessible. Gail was great in arranging other lodging for us, Simbavati Waterside & Kambaku River Sands. Both were fantastic.
Great atmosphere. Staff were friendly & very attentive.
Rooms were huge & very clean. Food was delicious. Game Drive Guides & Trackers, Michael & Jeffery at Waterside, JuJu & Douglas at Kambaku, were exceptional. They made sure we saw everything there was to be seen, up close & personal yet safe.
At first I was disappointed. I had wanted to go to Sabi Sands for years; however, I would not trade my experiences at these two lodges.
I would definitely recommend Pembury Tours & Gail for any travel needs.
