​User Reviews – South Africa

Sort By: Date Most Helpful 61-70 of 944 Reviews
Christian Anthony Wiberg   –  
Sweden SE
Visited: July 2024 Reviewed: Jul 15, 2024

Email Christian Anthony Wiberg  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Great adventure
Overall rating
5/5

North eastern SA had not only exciting safari but also offer guider tours to diamond mines and Mandela’s old neighbourhood as well as apartheid museum.

Colette   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jul 13, 2024

Email Colette  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Wonderful!
Overall rating
5/5

I’ve wanted to go on a safari since I knew what they were. I went on a 5 day trip with Bongan Safaris and loved it! I saw the Big 5 and many more. I also took a day trip to see Blyde Canyon, among other wonderful sites. Everyone I encountered in South Africa, from airport and hotel personnel to safari and game reserve employees, were so kind and helpful. This was one of my all time favorite vacations. I’d love to go back.

Paola   –  
United Arab Emirates AE
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jul 13, 2024

Email Paola  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

it was magical
Overall rating
5/5

Our trip to Kruger Park was beyond what we could imagine. we stayed at Kapama private reserve. we did many safaris. we could see all the animals we wanted to see. The service, the hotel and the overall experience were excellent and above our expectations. great trip that i would recommend to everyone.

Erica   –  
France FR
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jul 8, 2024

Email Erica  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Definitely one of the most beautiful countries on earth
Overall rating
5/5

It was my first time in South Aftica and definitely not the last!
I've been amazed by the variety and beauty of the landscapes from Joburg to Cape Town! My time at the Kruger Park during a 3 days safari was the highlight of my trip! I was lucky to witness the beauty of the nature and the majesty of animals (lions, girafes, elephants, zebras, etc.).
Joburg is a busy and rich city, visiting Soweto to learn more about the history of the country was very moving but necessary!
Cape Town stole my heart! This city is definitely one of the most beautiful cities I've had to visit in my life, between Table Mountain or Lion's Head, Camps Bay and the other parts of the city, all I could do is to admire the beauty and diversity of this city. I'll definitely come back sooner than I thought!

Fernando Arbach   –  
Argentina AR
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jul 6, 2024

Email Fernando Arbach  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

A dream come true
Overall rating
5/5

We loved the experience of going on a safari for the first time! Everything was magical, the people from different places are very kind and friendly.

Ira Lembong   –  
Indonesia ID
Visited: May 2024 Reviewed: Jul 4, 2024

Email Ira Lembong  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Experience Like No other
Overall rating
5/5

South Africa have been a long time bucket-list destination for us, when we finally took the trip, it was once in a lifetime experience.
What we love most about South Africa are the people, how accommodating, how they dress so vibrantly, how artistic these people are.
I used to hear horror stories about people’s experience in South Africa, the robbing and the violence, i did not experience any of that and i felt safe.
Maybe some areas have to be avoided but that’s like any other part of the world.
The Safari experience was just thrilling, the anticipation of seeing some animals in the wild was like a game of hide and seek. We did not have the expectation to see the big 5 because it’s not guaranteed in the wild. We were very lucky though to witness a cheetah with it’s kill, devouring an impala. This experience made me have even more respect for nature, the circle of life.
Seeing the vast bushland with all the animals give one some sort of perspective, a need to protect all these animals that share the earth.
Cape Town… just WOW!! It is said to be one of the most beautiful city in the world, you believe it when you see it! This city is surrounded by beauty everywhere, from mountains to beaches to cities. I was most surprised with the South African cuisines, they are delicious, even more surprising, the Thai restaurant in Cape Town is as authentic as it is in Thailand!
South Africa is definitely live up to their Tourism motto “Out of the Ordinary”
If you ever had the opportunity to go, seize it! It will be a travel experience you will never regret.

Amanda Robinson   –  
Egypt EG
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jul 3, 2024

Email Amanda Robinson  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Fabulous
Overall rating
5/5

We had a wonderful time in South Africa, The hotel I booked near airport was great as was the tour to soweto and Johannesburg through them.But the safari arranged for me by Discover Africa and Matthys was excellent everything organised perfectly.The wildlife and birding was great and we stayed at 2 different safari parks that were both different.Sabi Sands and Kruger. Cannot say enough what a great trip this was

Bibhas R Kundu   –  
India IN
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jun 30, 2024

Email Bibhas R Kundu  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Exotic destination with mountains Oceans and Wild life
Overall rating
5/5

We started our trip from Cape Town spreading to the garden route which included wonderful Hermanus Mossel Bay Knysna Port Elizabeth and then flying out from there to Victoria Falls, back again to Johannesburg, driving out to Kruger National Park and ending our trip at Johannesburg
Every bit was exciting.
I want to highlight Kruger done through Safari Booking via Wild Planet.
A team of two people Chris and Hope met us at Hoedspruit and then rolled us to a wonderful park, putting up at Satara camp
We took multiple game drives with excellent views of the park and animals.
Hope did the cooking and packing ( very good at it and maintaining time) whilst Chris showed us around spotting the animal well in time for a photo shoot
It was an unforgettable experience!
Strongly recommended

Isadora Brandao   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jun 30, 2024

Email Isadora Brandao  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Even better than I thought it would be
Overall rating
5/5

I'm not sure why I haven't done much research about South Africa itself before my trip. I think I wanted it to be a surprise, but I was always told to be careful, it's a dangerous place etc. I'm from Rio de Janeiro so I was never to worried about this comments. People in UK only get to know some places via the news, and the news not always say good things.
What I found when we arrived in Johannesburg was the most friendly and helpful people. Yes, we tipped everyone for the smallest favour, which some people can find a bit annoying, but we went prepared, and really, when you think that this is how a lot of people make their living, and converting to GBP this was such a small amount to us, we were more than help to tip for a good service.
In Johannesburg we got Ubers from our hotel to the Aparthaid museum, a must if you are interested in history. And on another day we tried to go to the Origns Centre at Wits University, but getting there we found out it was temporarily close, so we got another Uber and went to Cradle of Humankind. In my honest opinion, it wasn't worth the 1 hour trip, being at the Cradle of Humankind its quite an amazing thing alone, but the information centre, unfortunately, wasn't that great to me. There are some information about human evolution and the fossils found there, but that's about it.
After a couple days in Johannesburg we headed to Hoedspruit. Shinzelle Safari has organised our trip and they did the best job. We were picked up in the airport on time, our drive took around 5/6 hours but our driver stopped every two hours. We were took to our lodge Khaya Ndlovu, what a place! The view was just breathtaking, the staff again, all so friendly, the room was beautiful and clean, and the food was sensational!
We went on game drivers in the reserve where our lodge were, and on Kruger. In both we saw so much wild life, and we had the best guides as well, they had so much knowledge and love for the animal which were truly inspiring. We also did a day driving around the Blyde River Canyon, and we also did a boat trip, the Canyon is definitely on the list of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
I have been telling everyone how fantastic everything was. I would 100% recommend everything we did, and would definitely go back and try things we haven't had time to experience. We did a 7 days trip and this was simply not enough to see everything this beautiful country has to offer.

Martin   –  
France FR
Visited: June 2024 Reviewed: Jun 28, 2024

Email Martin  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Amazing Big 5 safaris and awesome bush lodge experience with VivaSafari.
Overall rating
5/5

I had an incredible time in South Africa with VivaSafari during my stay at both Tremisana and Marc's treehouse lodge. I want to thank all the staff at both lodges and all the guides who took us on safaris in Balule and Kruger. I got to say that we were very lucky with our sighting, including a leopard on a night time safari, 3 black rhinos, all the big fives, hyenas, hippos, baboons, and other beautiful species like ground hornbills and a saddlebilled stork.
Also a pleasure to stop by the Blyde River Canyon's 3 rondavelles spots on the way back to Joburg. Wildlife, scenery, accomodations and great food all made it a truly special trip to me. South Africa has always been a favorite of mine for wildlife photo safaris and scenery, and this is without a doubt one of the best times I've had on a trip.
I would highly recommend this safari, and can honestly say I just wish I could have stayed another 5 days !
All my thanks again to every person at Viva Safari, Tremisana and Marc's treehouse lodge for making all of this possible.
Martin

Average User Rating

  • 4.8/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 944
  • 4 star 144
  • 3 star 15
  • 2 star 3
  • 1 star 3
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