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Email Annette & Michael | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome experience, will definitely go back!
The entire safari experience was great. Our guide, Matthew, from African Safari Guru, picked us up in Johannesburg and made sure we had everything we needed (including helping us to get a local SIM card for our phones). During the transfer to Arathusa, Matthew provided tons of interesting information about the area, the people, the economy .. the country in general. After 3 days at Arathusa, Matthew picked us up and drove us to Lukimbi. He took us through Kruger National Park, took us to the top of a "koppie" to get a 360 degree view of the park, which was amazing. My husband finally understood what I meant when I said "the bush" ... After our stays at the lodges (6 nights total), Matthew drove us to Nelspruit airport where we caught a flight to Cape Town where we spent another week. The lodges (Arathusa and Lukimbi) were very different but both amazing in their own way. The food and service was excellent all around. I can't think of anything negative at all. It was a great experience and we plan to go back. African Safari Guru did not disappoint and we will use Matthew again.
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Email Sandy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical
I was a solo female traveler who was eager to see the wildlife but was also nervous about traveling by myself. I should not have been. The safari was wonderful! Fantastic and knowledgeable guides, incredible scenery and excellent lodge all of which quickly relieved me of any trepidation. The lodge itself was built overlooking a small valley and a vast open-air balcony. It was a beautiful and restive spot for wildlife viewing. The staff were warm yet professional, and the service was excellent. Food was also very good. I went on morning and evening game drives. Our guide grew up just outside of the park, and was informative about both wildlife and Zulu culture. I also went on a bush walk which was the highlight of my trip. Why travel so far and stay in a car when you can walk with the animals and see things you would otherwise miss? For me the only drawback was that I am a birder. The game drives were in jeeps with five to six other people who were not asinterested in stopping to see the birds as was I. As a result, the bird watching was rushed but we did see many animals including four of the big 5.
Poor Communication and Follow up
We saved money for our South African vacation for over a year and a half and the part we were most looking forward to was our 2-day Safari in Pilanesberg. My husband even purchased a new camera for the game drives.
Shortly after we arrived at the Bakubung Lodge in Pilanesberg we were told by another guest that the evening game drive had been cancelled due to wildfires. The entire park had been closed for the first time in history. We were told that we would be informed of the status of our morning drive later that night. Had it not been for this individual we would not have been told of the cancellation- we did not hear anything from Go Safari.
We inquired on the status of the morning game drive several times that evening and nobody at the resort seemed to know anything. We went to bed disappointed but hopeful for a morning drive.
We awoke the next morning at 5AM to get ready just in case the drive was going to occur. We went to the lobby and, again, nobody had any information. Worse still....no word from Go Safari. After standing in the lobby for an hour exchanging awkward glances with the front desk staff we finally went back to the room assuming the drive was cancelled (we were literally the only guests standing in the lobby). Still...no word from Go Safari.
Our ride back to Joburg was not scheduled to pick us up until noon so we had 6 hours to sit there and do nothing. So, we sat on a bench outside and waiting for 6 hours to be picked up. As we sat there, we had hoped for word from Go Safari. Anything would have been nice. "We are sorry about the cancellations", "Would you like to try again another day?", "Can we provide a voucher for a future date?" But Go Safari did not reach out.
We understand that the wildfires were not anyone's fault and those things happen. We can tolerate disappointment. What we are upset about is the total lack of communication from Go Safari and the horrible customer service we have received.
We spent nearly $900USD on one night at a lodge with crappy food and poor service from the staff.
We had several more days to spend in Joburg and would have gladly paid for another driver to take us back after he park opened so we could even get one game drive in.
This was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime. Go Safari really messed this one up.
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Email DianeB | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous and Perfect time of the year.
We used Kruger Park Tours, for our Safaris...Johann was our personal Safari planner.
It was perfect from beginning to end.
I specifically like that we stayed at so many different wildlife preserves and accommodations. Living in Tents in different locations, was magical. Safari walks with armed guides was thrilling.
Going to several location every 4 days is perfect.
The differences are amazing and it makes each Safari experience unique.
My favorite was Sabi Sands with Kruger a close runner up
BBQ dinners in the bush with only lanterns for light. And the fire pit glowing.
The most special Safari Camp was Tydon Safari.
We stayed in the main camp for 4 nights, then moved to the Bush Camp. It is limited to 4 tents with private baths. It is located right in the Bush, with wildlife. It is fabulous. They do not allow small children- for safety reasons. If you are lucky enough to get a reservation in the bush camp...grab it.
DianeB
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Email Kelly L | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This trip was incredible.
Safari bookings website was very useful to narrow down some criteria for our trip. Once our criteria was entered, Safari bookings webpage produces all of the tour companies who meet that criteria. From this list, I narrowed my search to about 6 tour companies as Safari bookings suggest obtaining a few quotations from different tour companies to compare cost, itineraries, etc. When I narrowed down my search, I contacted the tour companies directly and asked more specific questions, such as availability and some more details about what was included. We booked through Viva Safaris, this company was a great organization for first time travellers to South Africa. The itinerary was busy, but well organized and included both visits to Kruger and Private reserves as each has a different feel. The busy itinerary made good use of the 6 day safari but also had good down time as well. The accommodation at Tremisani Lodge were nothing short of fantastic, it was a bit of an upgraded price but well worth it and would definitely be happy to stay there again - zero complaints. Very private, secluded chalets and a private chef for the 8 lodges. The staff at the lodge could not have been more friendly and helpful and the chef was passionate about the food he prepared. The time of year we went was winter, the trees are sparse and it makes viewing the wildlife better. The scenery was spectacular and the stop at the Blyde River Canyon on the way back to Joburg was great. I particularly enjoyed our guide Nico, he made the safaris fun and interactive. One thing about these guides that impressed me the most, that being a guide isn't just a 9-5 job, but a way of life and conservation is of the utmost importance to all of the guides that we encountered - very impressive. The one thing I also noted was that safari wasn't as expensive as I originally imagined, there are all sorts of packages available. This is a must do bucket list kind of trip. Prior to this trip, we could only see wildlife like this on television on nature specials, so thankful I was able to see these beautiful animals in person, its almost like a trip back in time. Lastly, I was very impressed with the efforts at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehab centre, the job at hand that these people are undertaking is difficult and trying, but I so appreciate their efforts at conservation.
CL
Email Pamela Ruiz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing
It was really amazing, a very good experience. I highly recomend it.
BR
Email Jose Reck | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most incredible experience for those who love nature and animals
South Africa is an amazing place to visit... For those who love to see animals and nature it is a dream place. I want to come back every year... Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Game Reserve were places that every person who want to see wildlife must go.
Exceeded Expectations -- Great Safari plus Beautiful Country
South Africa has been on our bucket list for years mainly for the safari but our trip was so much more than that. We started with Kruger and couldn't have asked to see more wild life than we did. We then traveled to Cape Town, Stellenbosch, the Garden Route and Durban. Golf was a major part of our trip and we played 3 golf courses ranked in the top 100 in the world. Great scenery throughout -- long stretches where mountains are just a few miles from the ocean. Not surprisingly, Table Mountain was a highlight in Cape Town but also enjoyed tour of Cape Point, the history of the District 6 museum, a casual seafood feast in Hout Bay, and the Waterfront. In Stellenbosch, stayed at Lanzerac which was one of the best hotels we've ever visited. Franschhoek was a scenic excursion well from there and well worth it. Enjoyed penguins and whales in Betty's Bay and Hermanus on the way to George. Detours off the main road were well worth it along the Garden Route.
We went in winter (August) so while weather was a bit cool at times, it also made for great wildlife viewing in Kruger as foliage is less full and animals converge on watering spots. We felt safe at all locations and navigation was easy (we had our own rental car from Cape Town to George).
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Email Nicole | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing animals, incredible experience!
We got great viewings of all the big 5 and many more. Accommodations were extremely comfortable ("glamping" is underselling it), food was delicious and varied. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and really went out of his way to find the cool animals. It was a fabulous trip. So wonderful to be able to see so many animals in their natural habitat.
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Email Svetlana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Impressive!
It was a great experience with VivaSafari tour operator. I stayed at Tremisana lodge and it was a piece of paradise in a dry and brownish bush. The staff is excellent, accommodations are comfortable and the food is very good. The safari itself is incredible - lots of animals and birds. when wild animals appear next to you - it is magic. The company structure the stay well and have interesting activities like for example visiting the animal rehabilitation center. They have several properties for those who do not want to stay at the lodge all the time. They can arrange a night in Kruger under the sky!
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