Reviews

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 21-30 of 69 Reviews
Lara K.   –  
United States US
Visited: November 2016 Reviewed: Dec 3, 2016

Email Lara K.  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Delightful Adventure
5/5

Armadillo Overland Safari company - Chris, Nicky, and Morris specifically - is a wonderful organization. They were responsive to emails and helpful with logistics beyond just the tour. "Truck Norris" is truly a unique vehicle to tour Kruger. Unlike all other vehicles we met on the road, Truck Norris has enormous windows and an aisle to easily jump to either side of the truck for the best viewing and pictures. Most tours have seats window to window and you see what you see from your seat only. The truck also has a great library to help you identify all of the wonderful things you see. Another real bonus is that we carry our meals and bags with us, so we don't backtrack to a spot to find meals or retrieve our bags. Finally, Morris our guide was gracious and knowledgeable. I will never understand how he spots lions under a tree 100 yards away, but he does it! Please remember, nature is not predictable, Morris works with what he has. For an example, we saw 102 unique species of birds, animals, and all of the big five on our trip. It was amazing, but I'm sure experiences vary.

While I don't find these things bothersome, some of you might want to know the following. Wifi is available in the truck, but you're in a National Park, so understand it won't be reliable, not the guide's fault. Guest houses sometimes have an en suite bathroom and sometimes do not. You're in a park so things like cicadas might be in season and create a maddening/hilarious experience, but hey, that's part of the adventure! Finally, the "roads" are bumpy, you'll be seated but turning your head to look outside a lot, your body may feel some of that after six days (great excuse for a massage), but again, I wouldn't trade the experience for any other.

Gary Dukeshire   –  
Canada CA
Visited: November 2016 Reviewed: Nov 27, 2016

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

Awesome experience
5/5

I preface this review with the fact that this is the first and only safari I have taken, so I have no other frame of reference with regards to safari service. However, it is difficult to imagine better service than we received.

I am Canadian and was in South Africa on business in October/November 2016. My colleague and I researched various companies and chose Armadillo because of the good reviews and the advertised unique truck they offered. It is truly rare when already high expectations are exceeded in every possible way. We were taken on this experience by Morris, a guide employed by the owners, Kris and Nicky.

The only other spiral galaxy besides our own that can be seen with the naked eye is the Andromeda Galaxy. It takes approximately 2.5 million light years for its light to reach Earth. Even if I contemplated for this amount of time, I could not come up with one way in which Morris could have been a better. He was a fantastic guide, cook, driver, and general resource for everything. He literally worked non-stop 13-15 hours a day to make our safari experience the best it could be, even to the point of us asking him to take a break. He knew the name of every plant, animal, bird, and tree imaginable along with the anatomy, habits, and pretty much anything else we asked. As a spotter, he could spot the smallest animal in the tallest grass, all while driving. Many times we needed to strain 2-3 minutes to discover what he had seen. It was truly uncanny. We have also never seen anyone who can stop at a rest area and within 15 minutes have prepared a full, hot breakfast. He catered to our every need. For example, my colleague mentioned that she may need to buy a new suitcase as the zipper on one of hers had completely broken. The evening we went out on our night drive, when we returned, it was mysteriously fixed. Morris is truly one of a kind.

The vehicle was amazing and lived up to its billing. Kris, the owner, certainly has a unique talent as he custom built it. It was kind of cool to be stared at every time we pulled into a parking lot. We gladly gave tours of the truck to a few people, as if we ourselves had anything to do with creating this work of art. There is a fridge, electrical outlets to charge all your devices, a coffee machine, a mini bar, and the floors open up to reveal ice boxes for any beverages you may wish. I'm not sure how many other safaris end the day watching animals while sipping a pop or beer in the comfort of a truck which allows an incredible view of everything. The wifi offered in the truck was also very important, as wifi in the park is otherwise pretty much non-existent.

Suffice it to say we appreciated our experience. Based on my experience, you can't go wrong with this company.



Bernadette   –  
Canada CA
Visited: November 2016 Reviewed: Nov 14, 2016

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

Wonderful experience! Wonderful safari!
5/5

I just finished my safari with Armadillo Overland Safari (Full House) in the beautiful Kruger National Park. My expectations for this 4 day-3 night safari were high. I have to say that my expectations were exceeded. This safari was absolutely phenomenal! I don’t even know where to start.

Well, I will start by the guide/driver/cook, Morris.
He provided us with a remarkable service and did everything possible to make our safari an unforgettable experience!
I was very impressed with his personal knowledge of this particular ecosystem and the wildlife of the Kruger Park. Obviously, Morris knows this area like the back of his hand. He knew not only the name every single animal, bird and even tree we saw, but also much more information about them. He answered all our questions.
Morris is also a great spotter! While driving, he was able to spot everything, even the smallest creature, even if it was the same color as the grass or the threes.
He was so resourceful too! I mentioned that my suitcase was ruined because the zipper was broken. We went for night game and when I returned, he had fixed it!

I have to say that the vehicle is amazing! It was so comfortable and everything was carefully designed. It was high which make it easy to see the animals. We had Wi-Fi, refrigerators and a freezer, a bathroom and plenty of space to put all our stuff. The company took care of everything for us (for example we were provided with blankets, with binoculars, etc.).

The experience of being in this wild and beautiful Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa and following trails in areas of wilderness that seemed almost untouched by humans was absolutely fascinating. We not only saw the Big Five, but so many more animals and birds! I just can believe how many animals and birds we saw!

We had a sublime safari!

I want to add that the panoramic Route we followed the first day (including Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Mac Falls etc.) was an excellent inclusion. We were able to stop and take as much time we needed to admire the magnificent many views. Morris took us to several best spots. It seems that he knew them all!

Many thanks to Chris (owner) and Morris (guide/driver/cook) for this wonderful experience!

I really recommend this company to anyone.

Annette   –  
Singapore SG
Visited: September 2016 Reviewed: Oct 8, 2016

Email Annette  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Truck Norris; best safari vehicle!
5/5

Our guide, Morris, was really friendly and informative. He was quick to point out animals even whilst driving, and was able to communicate well with us. Tour was pretty well-planned, and the best thing about the entire tour is our vehicle! We were able to spot animals easily in Truck Norris, due to its height, which is definitely an advantage. Paired with binoculars (available in the truck, TBH all we had to do is be present), we were able to look further than if we were in cars or SUVs. This definitely has been an experience I will never forget. Highly recommend Armadillo--the communications and arrangements made us feel right at home, and will return to look for them if I do decide to go to South Africa again!

Isabel Gómez Villafañe   –  
Argentina AR
Visited: May 2016 Reviewed: Jul 15, 2016

Email Isabel Gómez Villafañe  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

An incredible and very comfortable tour
5/5

It was an amazing experience, we saw all the animals we could see,including lions hunting a buffalo.
Chris is a very nice person, always concerned that we are comfortable and prepares excellent food!
The truck is well equipped with books on mammals, birds, insects, etc. I proved very useful and it has binoculars if you do not remember to take them.
The organization was very good, Chris plan everything to the last detail.
The tour with Chris is highly recommended.

Andreia   –  
Mozambique MZ
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Jun 28, 2016

Email Andreia  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Highly recommended! You won't regret!
5/5

It was a really nice trip. Chris is extremely professional and caring. The trip is adjusted to your needs, expectations and interests. Moreover, it is always a pleasure to spend days with a such knowledgeable and passionate professional. Top quality equipment and food. Even if I make an effort I can't find anything negative about my experience. Thanks Chris!

Bettina   –  
Argentina AR
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Jun 20, 2016

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

A unique, amazing, safari experience!
5/5

If you want to have the best safari experience, Armadillo should be your choice. The truck is amazing: with its height it gives you the best overview of the landscape from a confortable seat, it is fully equipped with books on Southafrican biodiversity so you can check whatever you see, and with Chris as a guide you don´t miss anything that is out there! You will also learn a lot about animals and trees!! Logistics is also perfectly organized: you always have a nice spot at the camps in the park where you enjoy a nice campfire and delicious food and since you do not need to worry about anything because they take care of everything you can enjoy and relax 100% of the time. I fully recommend it!!

Lorraine   –  
Australia AU
Visited: May 2016 Reviewed: Jun 16, 2016

Email Lorraine  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Fantastic safari in the Kruger
5/5

My family and I (4 adults, 2 kids) had a wonderful time on the Armadillo vehicle with Chris and Nicky. We were met at the airport and taken care of from then on. Nothing was too much trouble and the meals were scrumptious. It's a terrific vehicle with great viewing and we saw almost all of the Big 5 (just found the leopard to be elusive this time). We took the softer option of staying in lodges but the camping option would have been great too - something for next time!! We can fully recommend this safari to anyone wanting a great adventure.

Cameron Peverett   –  
Australia AU
Visited: May 2016 Reviewed: Jun 16, 2016

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

Wonderful dedicated staff who ensured we had the best experience possible.
5/5

This safari went well beyond my expectations. Chris and Nicky were wonderful to deal with and made us feel comfortable at all times. Their knowledge of the animals and obvious delight in experiencing the sightings with us made it really special. I feel a bit spoilt as I can't imagine a better way to see so many wonderful sights and animals in such a short amount of time. The opportunity to take our time and really enjoy what we were experiencing was perfect. Thank you so much!

John   –  
United States US
Visited: January 2016 Reviewed: May 2, 2016

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

Great safari experience: safe, fun, and worth every minute
5/5

If you are looking for a luxury safari, this is not your company. If you are looking for an adventure in the African Bush the way that South Africans do it themselves; if you are looking for safari guides who truly care about the plants and animals of South Africa above all and who want to share those with the world; if you are looking to have some fun, to get a little dirty, and to see a part of the world rarely seen anymore in its raw beauty, Armadillo is for you!!

I'll start off by saying that we booked this particular tour because it perfectly fit our timeline and budget. We were looking for a low-budget, camping tour that would really allow us the time and flexibility to see the animals and terrain of Kruger. We are 3 young men from the USA who have extensive travelling, camping, and adventuring experience. This was the only safari we could find that fit everything we wanted for the timeframe we had. We did the 8-day safari with 5 nights in the park and a trip to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and Elephant Whispers as well as the Blyde River Canyon.

I am SOOO glad we went with Armadilo!! They gave us everything we wanted and more!!

This is truly an all-inclusive company. From the time we were picked up from the airport to the time we were dropped back off at the airport in Joburg, we never lacked anything. The food was certainly plentiful, filling, and tasty. We would buy the occasional snack at one of the park shops, but even as 3 big guys used to American-sized portions, we were never hungry. The tents we used were spacious and sturdy, and we were provided with sleeping bags, pillows, and comfortable, 4-inch mats to sleep on. Drinks were available in an honesty bar on-board the safari truck whenever we needed for a very small fee. Potable water is available from taps at all of the campsites as well.

Chris and Simon (his son) were our guides. Chris is truly an expert of the African wildlife and fancies himself a birder as well. Not only were they great at spotting animals for us, they could identify most species with ease as well as give us more in-depth information about them. We did see all of the Big 5 including a Black Rhino, as well as a Sable Antelope, Cape Clawless Otters, and several other rarely seen animals. Yes, we were lucky to have seen them all, but Chris and Simon really helped create our luck. They were not simply tour guides who were doing their job, happy to be rid of their customers at the end of a game-drive. They became friends and companions who were fun to be around. Along with their combined knowledge, well... it was a privilege to be with them!

The last thing to note here specifically is the safari truck. It is no ordinary vehicle. This thing was custom-built specifically for taking groups on safari. There are some pluses and minuses of it, but in all, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. First of all, it is completely enclosed. That makes it feel far more secure than the traditional open-sided trucks you may be expecting. That does sometimes limit the visibility of animals if they are directly in front of or behind the truck; however, because it stands a good 15 feet above the ground, you are so far above the other vehicles that you will see things they could never see. We were eye-level with girrafes and elephants. We could see above the road-side brush and small trees. We could even see over the top of any other vehicles that would pass by or park next to ours. One major caution: If you have a difficulty with ladders, this may not work for you. Because of its height, you have to climb a ladder or steep stairs to get in and out of the truck. Also worth noting is that it has an on-board espresso machine for those early morning game drives and a charging station for all your electronics which takes standard South African AND European plugs.

So, in summary: we were hoping to go on a safari to see the animals of Kruger. What we got was an adventure much more fulfilling than that! We thought this would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa, and all of us want to go back even more now than we did before. And I can tell you this: If we were going back, we would definitely go on a safari with Armadillo again in a heartbeat! I hope to keep in touch with Chris and Simon as well.


Average User Rating
5.0/5
Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 68
  • 4 star 1
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0
Write a Review

Disclaimer

  • All corporate and/or tour info is provided by Armadillo Overland Safaris, not SafariBookings