Email Isadora Brandao | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Even better than I thought it would be
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.
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Email Martin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Big 5 safaris and awesome bush lodge experience with VivaSafari.
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
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Email Raul Hancock | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beauty personified.
We truly enjoyed our two week vacation to South Africa. Our trip started in Capetown then to Cape aguhlas Mossel Bay and Knysna on the Garden route we visited Plattenburg bay. We also visited Johannesburg. The crown jewel of our trip was a four day safari in kruger. We loved everything about our trip the people were nice and welcoming.
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Email Michael Caf | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
South Africa is an absolutely beautiful country with very diverse areas and experiences!
We spent 16 days in country and we started with a Kruger National Park Safari with Endless Summer Tours. This was outstanding. Wade, our guide offered knowledgeable insight for the Safari as well as South African life in general. We would highly recommend Endless Summer Tours.
We then spent 5 days in Cape Town. This offered its own unique experiences. Hiking Table Mountain, visiting Kalk and Falls Bay (scuba diving at Falls Bay) doing a food tour thru Cape Town, and enjoying the Cape Town waterfront. Then off to Stellenbosch and enjoying the wineries for 3 days. Great wine, beautiful views, and quaint wineries/farms.
Each area; Safari, Cape Town, and Stellenbosch offered its own unique experience. We loved our trip!
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Email Barbara R | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Every day was better than the day before!
My friend & I were on a cruise that stopped in Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, & ended in Cape Town. We went to Addo Elephant Park & it was so beautiful! The scenery & the animals were so stunning! The next day, we did a Game Drive at Botlierskop. It was so much fun & the seeing more animals & different scenery, it was even better! The cruise ended in Cape Town & we did 2 days of touring. We saw the lighthouse at Cape Point (beautiful views) & the Cape of Good Hope, along with seeing the penguins at Boulders Beach! Wow! What a day! The next day, we had 2 winery tours, a Game Drive & a visit to the top of Table Mountain! Again, WOW! The views were incredible! We did a trip to Aquila Game Reserve that was 2 nights/3 days! We had 4 game drives (2 morning & 2 evening). Every game drive was different! My friend & I kept saying, it can’t get any better than today…and the next day was better! And, the sunrises & sunsets were the best we have ever seen! We took pictures but they didn’t do them justice! All I can say is WOW! What a trip!
Email Daniel Haile | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Stunning views, awesome food, great people.
Travelling in May the weather was fair and temperatures comfortable between 22-28 degrees. Umkumbe Safari lodge was absolutely stunning and the game drives very good. Booking and confirmation with Rochelle Buys was very straightforward and left us at ease and answered any questions we had prior to travel. As for the safari, we managed to see Lion, Leopard, Pangolin, Elephant and Rhino all on the same drive! Food at the lodge was exceptional and the staff very friendly. A big shout out to Jurie our driver on our game drives, what a friendly, knowledgeable guide. It's something I definitely want to do again and would recommend everyone to try Umkumbe!
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Email Leah H | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari Kruger Park Safari with Red Africa!
We enjoyed our 7day/6nights Safari with Red Africa. The price was very reasonable and staff Amelia when booking and our guide Jocko was very accommodating. Our flight was delayed into Johannesburg and he was able to pick us up at the airport and rearrange the schedule so we didn't miss anything. We are a challenging group of 10 seniors, a couple with mobility issues and it was great for everyone. The food was good, we stayed in 5 places over 6 nights and the huts in the park were a little rough but if you want to do bush drives you need to stay in the bush. A couple of the places before we got in the park were really great, overall I think there's real value for the money.
Email Robert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical place to visit. The scenery, wildlife are magnificent and the people are welcoming.
Experience everything of this beautiful country not just a safari which is wonderful in itself. South Africa has an enormous amount to see , a stunning country!
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Email Sylvia Carvajal | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
South Africa offers incredible natural beauty, an abundance of animal life, and cultural diversity.
Took a full day tour of Pilanesburg Reserve, Ultimate Johannesburg Tour which included Nelson Mendela House and Museum, Constitutional Hill, and Soweto. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and fun to be with. Our visit to Soweto was enlightening. There were five of us on the tour and we always felt safe. We booked a three-night/four-day Kruger National Park tour through Mmilo Tours. Norman Lok took care of everything! Mmilo Tours made the best decision when they booked our room at the Pestana Kruger Lodge. Absolutely incredible! This lodge is situation on the Crocodile River. Imagine having breakfast, dinner, or enjoying drinks while watching African animals who come to drink water. There were hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants, etc. We stayed in a premium room at this lodge and had the same view of the river from our room. The staff and the general manager were especially gracious and accommodating. Four private game drives, two sunset and two sunrise, into Kruger National Park were included on this tour with Mmilo Tours. Amazing! We also spent one full day with Thapelo Seerane from Vince Shuttle and Taxi Services, taking in the Panorama Route, which included several waterfalls, Blyde River Canyon, the three Rondavels, God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and a lunch stop at Harrie's Pancakes...the best! I would encourage everyone to buy your souvenirs from the vendors at these stops. You are helping to support the people of South Africa and they are most appreciative! Book your trip today!!!
CA
Email Neal Ellerbeck | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic, amazing and very affordable
It has been 15 years since I last visited and was pleasantly surprised at how energetic and vibrant the Western Cape was. We were vacationing in the Houtbay area and enjoyed our stay immensely. Surrounded by mountains and the Atlantic ocean. The area was conducive to hiking and water activities. Cape Town was a few kilometres away and offered stunning views, restaurants and night life. Table Mountain was a challenge we accepted with trepidation but conquered in about five hours..the gondola ride down was about 5 minutes. Highly recommended
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