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Email Joaquín Oviedo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Impressive
Incredible Country with great culture, landscapes, attractions. I will come back for sure.
TR
Email Schisandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An absolute gem!
South Africa is was a surprise. Beautiful people, amazing scenery and mind-blowing wildlife. I was worried about security, but this was never an issue, as long as you stick to a few basic personal safety rules. I started my journey in Joburg and found the Red bus city tour to be a great choice for initial intro to the city. Definitely don't skip a trip to Soweto. From Joburg, the journey took me to Sabi Sands private reserve where we saw the big five (minus buffalo) and then some, spending a lot of time with leopards in particular. What an amazing experience! The weather was a bit unfriendly as it rained 2 out of the three days, but the lodge was well-prepared with ponchos for everyone. Do pack a sweater though. I also had the opportunity to visit Cape Town which essentially is L.A. but better--it has penguins! Here, I also used the red bus to tour the city for the highlights and a trip to Cape of Good Hope (really felt like standing at the edge of the earth). I also did shark cage diving with Marine Dynamics in Gansbaai--another amazing experience despite the water having 13 degrees! Due to the short time, I missed the vineyards and the food, so I'll definitely have to go back soon. Overall a great travel destination.
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Email Nasira | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's for literally for everyone as it has beach, wildlife, nature, chill, adventure.
South Africa was an amazing experience for me. I love being active on holidays so I went surfing, did a bungee jump, lots of hikes but my sister likes chilling so she enjoyed the beaches and weather. We love the nature and saw amazing wildlife which would never be possible where we live. This country is literally made for every tourist, whether you're a couple, a group of friends or a solo traveller: you can make it as active or chill as you want, as luxurious or basic as you prefer. Everything is possible.
The highlight of this trip definitely was our 5-Day Tremisana Lodge Kruger Park Safari. We slept in a tree house and saw the Big Five. It was the most authentic experience with the most amazing people to guide us there. The food was super good, everyone was so nice and the nature is indescribable.
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Email Jihye Shin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Happy time with wild animals
It was unforgettable experience to see wild animals in the nature. They look so peaceful unlike the animals in the zoo. The scenery was also awesome not only in Kruger national park but also in Hazyview but due to the rain and heavy fog could not enjoy the scenery well. I recommend this safari tour to everybody who likes nature or unique experience.
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Email Allison Huff | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once in a lifetime opportunity
South Africa is a must see on anyone's list. They have entertainment for all! You can go from hiking in national parks, to visiting wineries, to sarfari rides and seeing animals, to bungee jumping and cage diving with great white sharks. There is always adventure waiting around the corner!
We had a fantastic time with Shinzelle Safaris! They really took care of us and made sure we got to do and see everything we wanted. Would 100% recommend them!
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Email Farah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique
observing the wildlife of South Africa by game drives is a wonderful experience, and surpassed my expectations my trip was arranged by africanwelcomeSafaris who also arranged some activities in cape town based on our preferences everything from the food, people and wildlife were amazing, beside enjoying the southern hemisphere starry nights in the bush
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Email Bart & Liza | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hakuna Matata, wildlife heaven, just a magical journey ...
What an adventure! Hakuna Matata ....
After arriving in Johannesburg and exploring the city for 1 day, we flew to Hoedspruit. We’ve started with the Simbavati Trails Camp with glamping facilities and clear star skies in Greater Kruger (2 nights). We enjoyed encountering animals on short distances from small to big and to learn about their footprints and behaviour. After a scenic walk in the evening, we were surprised with a sunset Gin Tonic and a hot bubble bath under the stars. It was a unique experience in an unfenced Camp, where elephants drink from the swimming pool by night. The food served out of that basic kitchen was 1-star quality and versatile. Thompson is an excellent chef. The facilities were clean, confortable and we had everything we needed or wished for. The staff was outstanding. Donald brightened our days.
After 2 nights, we’ve moved to another area (Klaserie Private Nature Reserve) and the Simbavati Amani Lodge (also 2 nights). We had close encounters with the animals while enjoying the afternoon at the swimming pool. The water hole in front of the lodge is a dream come true. We had the feeling the whole Lion King movie just passed by ;-). In the morning and afternoon we’ve enjoyed fantastical game drives with drinks and snacks in-between. Our guide Julius was amazing. The facilities were luxurious, and we felt very welcome and as part of the Amani family. For us the combination of the Trails Camp and the Lodge with game drives was a perfect fit and the ideal combination between luxury and proximity to nature with close encounters. We always felt safe and got very close to those wild animals.
We definitely recommend Safaribooking and the team of SW AFRICA Destination Management and Simbavati Trails Camp and Amani Lodge. Everyone helped us to make our dreams come true.
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Email Brooke Baker | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, would recommend and visit again!
We visited South Africa as part of our honeymoon and started our trip with a 4-day Safari/Panorama Route tour (with Wild Planet Safari). We could not have had a more excellent experience with our Safari. We booked a private tour which included a group night ride, and we decided to add a group bush walk as well. We did meet up and eat with other private groups which broke up the tour and allowed us to meet other adventurers!
Our guides were extremely knowledgeable on all animals, plants, and park/area history which was amazing when we had questions! They were amazing photographers (and shared their images with us after we left), and awesome cooks (all meals were great and made us feel like we were really getting a taste for South Africa). All of the guides were so friendly, passionate, and provided the most amazing experience to kick off our honeymoon we would recommend them for anyone traveling and trying to experience a safari. We saw so many animals (even a Cheetah, although we missed the elusive leopard, a reason to return :)) and the Panorama route was absolutely a gorgeous way to end our safari before returning to Johannesburg.
After the safari we flew to Mozambique and ended our time in Capetown enjoying some amazing adventures (paragliding, hiking Lion's head, Hermanus whale-watching, Stellenbosch wine tours). Would recommend South Africa to anyone who has enough time to travel from the US!
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Email Tyler W. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautifully diverse landscapes with very friendly people and awe inspiring wildlife
South Africa exceeded my expectations—the weather when I went on my Safari was perfect (85 F or 28 C). The people were especially friendly and accommodating, and overall seemed like a very happy people. The landscape was often pristine and green, especially as we approached the parks. My safari experience was incredibly easy to navigate with a pickup at my AirBnB and transport directly to our accommodations near the park. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, and zebras in the first day and many many more types of animals along the way—what an incredible time. The food was prepared by the local staff and we had a wonderful variety of delicious meals.
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Email Sonia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
We went on an 8 day, 7 night safari in South Africa with Wandering Thru with stays spread out across two lodges. We stayed at Simbambili Lodge and Thornybush Lodges in the greater Kruger area. This was our first time going to Africa, and on a safari and it was the trip of a lifetime! Everything was amazing.
**We made sure that the lodges we booked weren't in fully enclosed reserves that are fully fenced on all sides entrapping the animals so they aren't exactly "wild" by definition as a result.
**We also made sure that the reserves we stayed at didn't allow hunting as we deeply care for the wellbeing and conservation of the beautiful wildlife.
We flew locally with AirLink from Johannesburg after spending the night at the Intercontinental at the airport to rest from our long international flight in. We found it to be very comfortable, safe and convenient. Road transfers between the two lodges were also very comfortable and safe.
Food was delicious everywhere, we drank the water and had no stomach issues, animal sightings were unreal! Surrounded by a herd of elephants, saw big 5, saw leopards almost everyday, lots neat birds, etc! The hospitality was incredibly warm, kind and caring. We felt at home and with family and friends everywhere we went. We didn't get any mosquito/tick bites but did take malaria as a precaution.
Would recommend to anyone looking to do a safari for a first time or not! We will return.
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