Amazing Safari Adventure with Nhlalala Travel
Nhlalala Travel
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $156 to $1,249 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
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Reviews
TW
Email Chiang | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Racist remarks during our safari — and no direct response to our complaint
Unfortunately, what should have been one of the highlights of our family trip to South Africa became a deeply upsetting experience — not only because we were subjected to what we experienced as explicit racist remarks during a safari, but also because of the way our complaint was handled afterwards.
During a game drive in Kruger, another guest sharing our vehicle complained loudly throughout the safari, repeatedly criticized the guide and tried to control where the guide should drive. When I asked her to stop complaining and allow the guide to do the job, her behavior towards us became aggressive.
She repeatedly told me, “Get out off my country,” and then said, “That’s why I don’t like Asian people.”
As Asian travelers, there was no ambiguity in how those words made us feel. We felt targeted because of our ethnicity. It was humiliating, offensive and deeply uncomfortable, particularly because we were traveling with our child.
The same guest was also vaping throughout the game drive while our child was in the vehicle. I do not know whether vaping is permitted in safari vehicles, but as parents we found this inappropriate and uncomfortable.
I want to be fair: many other parts of our trip were well arranged, and we understand that a tour operator cannot control everything an individual guest may say or do. Our greatest disappointment with Nhlalala Travel is therefore not simply that this incident happened. It is how we experienced the company's response after we reported it.
I personally sent the tour operator a detailed message explaining what had happened, including the racist remarks directed at us and how distressed and uncomfortable the experience had made us feel.
The message was read.
We received no direct reply.
We received no direct acknowledgement, explanation or apology, and no one contacted us directly to ask whether we and our child were okay after what had happened.
Because we were so uncomfortable with the lack of a direct response, I eventually asked a South African friend to contact the company on our behalf. My friend received a brief apology, but the company still did not contact us directly. To this day, we have not received a personal apology or any meaningful explanation regarding how our complaint was handled.
For us, this is the most disappointing part.
I do not expect a tour operator to be able to prevent every conflict between guests. I do, however, believe that when a guest reports what they experienced as explicit racial abuse, a professional tourism company should take the matter seriously. At the very least, I would have expected an acknowledgement, some concern for our wellbeing, an apology for the experience, and an explanation of how the situation would be addressed.
Instead, after telling the company that we had been repeatedly told to “fuck off” from the country and that the other guest explicitly said she did not like Asian people, our detailed message was read without any direct response to us.
That silence made us feel that what happened to us did not matter.
We traveled a long way to experience South Africa and Kruger as a family. We did not expect special treatment. We simply expected to be treated with dignity and, when something this serious happened, to feel that the company responsible for our tour cared enough to respond to us directly.
I am leaving this review because I was invited to share my experience. I believe reviews should reflect not only how a tour operator performs when everything goes according to plan, but also how they respond when something goes seriously wrong.
There were enjoyable parts of our trip, and I appreciate the people who worked hard to make those parts possible. But unfortunately, when we genuinely needed care, communication and support, we felt that we did not receive it.
For that reason, what could have been a wonderful memory of our family safari has instead been overshadowed by both the racist remarks we experienced and the disappointing lack of a direct response that followed.
Email Parimal Shah | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Brilliant service cannot anything.
Norman, what a man. Organised the tour flawlessly. Clayton the safari guide recommended by Norman was amazing.
NZ
Email Jason Rogers | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent from start to finish. Relaxed and flexible.
Great tour. Ran smoothly. Good accommodation, travel and guided tours. Recommend
MX
Email Rosalind Pattyn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Flexible pickups, Excellent Communication and good tour choice options
I chose Nhlalala travel because they were the only tour company that allowed me to choose my pickup time instead of having to stick to a pre-defined pickup time. They were very good responding to questions and were good value for money. However, I was not too happy with the fact that the advertised price of the tour changed after I had paid my deposit in that VAT was added on at that point. I was also disappointed in that it was difficult to get information about inclusions and exclusions - I wanted to be able to easily see each day what was planned, the times and which meals were included and which meals needed to be paid for by us.
Our guide Konghi was amazing, from picking us up at the airport and driving us out to our first hotel. He kept up a good conversation throughout the 5 hour drive and we were able to share ideas and knowledge with each other. He took us to amazing places and made each experience a fascinating adventure and over the 5 days we felt as though we had gained a good friend. We felt respected and that it was all about us and what would be the best experience for us. I give him an 11 out of 10 ..
Email Mike P | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great people that can accommodate your experience!
Norman and Khongi organised a great trip for us. Credit has to go to Knowledge, who was great getting us to Kruger via the Panorama route. Then on the safari, Clayton was great both for the full day and half day we chose. I’d recommend Kruger Gate Hotel as well. Well worth the money, and a truly special experience!
Flexible and understanding
Had some lovely days in Kruger Park with nhalala travel. They were very flexible and can change the trip depending on my wishes. Additionally was my guide Khongi lovely!
The trip as itself was spectacular and can not point out how much worth it is to put som little extra money to go to the hotel Kruger Park Gate hotell. One of the best hotel I have ever visit!
DE
Email Kathi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
10/10 would recommend
If you are looking for an unforgettable experience, I cannot recommend booking your Kruger trip with Nhlalala Travel enough!
The entire team went above and beyond to make my trip truly special. I had a very tight schedule, but they handled everything perfectly and made sure the whole experience ran smoothly from start to finish.
I felt well taken care of at all times, from the pick-up at Johannesburg airport to the drop-off again. Everyone was incredibly friendly, professional, and attentive, which made me feel completely relaxed and able to enjoy every moment.
Thank you to the whole Nhlalala team for such an incredible Kruger experience!
HK
Email Hubert | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Remarkable service and flexibility
Such a memorable trip of a lifetime!
Most of the tours have standard shuttle service which we couldn’t make it because of our flight schedule. Glad that we’ve found Nhalalala Travel who offers great flexibility and customises based on our time schedule!
We knew we picked the right one from the friendly and polite greet. We were blessed with the perfect weather, the greatest animals and people we met during the tour.
We cannot wait to come back and travel with them again!
Email Lucy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a life time, perfect!
The team were amazing and Norman was very responsive over bookings. Each driver we interacted with was brilliant and the guides were amazing. We were lucky enough to have a full day safari to our selves and it was so special. I can’t wait to visit Kruger again and wouldn’t hesitate to book with Nhalalala travels. Kruger gate hotel was again so special and I could not fault the service.
Email Kirsty | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent all round!
We had a very seamless experience with Nhlalala Travel. We actually found them through reviews and they were not lying. Norman really was so good with communication from start to finish. It was great value for money and we would definitely recommend. We were picked up from our hotel in Joburg and driven to Kruger gate hotel with two lovely drivers - one of which was Normans brother (only tiny feedback was quite fast and erratic driving!). They were lovely and chatty in the car and so polite and welcoming. But also respected when we wanted a little nap.
The organisation of the safari drives was seamless and on the Saturday main drive, we were actually the only people in our vehicle so felt very special.
Thanks so much to the whole team!