Reviews

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 61-70 of 108 Reviews
Lori   –  
Canada CA
Visited: March 2018 Reviewed: Apr 5, 2018

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

Giltedge Africa went above and beyond creating our trip of a lifetime.
5/5

From the moment of contact with this company they did everything to ensure all our desires were met. They are very accommodating. They tweeked every little thing to make our wishes come true. We only started planning this vacation 1 1/2 months prior to our departure date. Never in a million years did We think we would get to do everything on our wish list in such short notice. Due to the hard work and perseverance of Tanya Drummer, all our wishes came true.
Everything went as planned with the detailed itinerary book they provided us. When we arrived in Johannesburg there was someone waiting for us with our names on a sign to guide us through customs. This happened for every flight, every road transfer and every lodge. We were never waiting or wondering what we needed to do. This service was impeccable. We are now spoiled!

The safari lodges and tours were beyond our imagination. All our accommodations were 5 star and exceeded our expectations. We stayed at Sabi Earth Lodge in Sabi Sands private reserve, Victoria Falls Island Lodge, The Chobe Princess House Boat, and Belmond Eagle Lodge in Botswana.
My husband wanted the “wow” factor, and WOW did we ever get it!
We were worried that nothing would compare to Sabi Earth Lodge, but every where we stayed at had its own WOW factor. The beauty of the lodges they recommended were 5 star, but a different feel to each one. The lodges could not be compared to each other, because they were unique in their own way. We loved them all.

All in all, I would recommend this agency to all our friends, clients and future travelers we meet. We travel extensively and this is by far the best agency we have ever used.

Thank you Tanya, you have now spoiled us! How in the world do we ever top this vacation that you planned for us? We will definitely contact you for our next African adventure! BTW, I left a piece of my heart in Africa!

Jorge Nogueira   –  
Germany DE
Visited: May 2017 Reviewed: Feb 25, 2018

Email Jorge Nogueira  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Absolutely outstanding
5/5

This was our first experience in Africa,so we were not in a great position to know in advance what we were looking for except for that we wanted to go to Botswana based on the little research I have done.
We were so fortunate to have to have Sandi putting together our itinerary.Just perfect in any sense .
The lodges,the people ,the timing ,the transfer .All spotless.We are going back next year with Sandi for sure.
We are very thankful to her for doing her job with the attention and care she did.Congrats

Joshua   –  
Israel IL
Visited: February 2018 Reviewed: Feb 20, 2018

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

We've had some problems with car rentals and every time were promptly been taken care of by Samantha
5/5

We had a great time travelling in South Africa and the safari tour was above our expectations

Mutlu   –  
Turkey TR
Visited: September 2017 Reviewed: Oct 8, 2017

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

Just perfect!
5/5

Pre-trip communication was very professional. The service was just perfect in terms of quality, timeliness and meeting our expectations. I recommend without hesitation.

Philippe   –  
France FR
Visited: July 2017 Reviewed: Aug 7, 2017

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

A wonderful honeymoon in Botswana & Victoria Falls - thank you Philippa!
5/5

11 days/10 nights trip in Botswana + Victoria falls kindly and perfectly organized from Philippa, senior tour consultant working at Southern Africa Travel (Giltedge).

Tour was as follow:
- 2 nights in Leroo La Tau (Makgadikgadi salt pans)
- 3 nights in Camp Xakanaxa (Moremi)
- 3 nights in Camp Okavango (Okavango Delta)
- 2 nights in the Elephant Camp (Victoria Falls)

An amazing combination of activities (all kind of safaris and flights), landscapes (deserts, swamps, deltas...) and experiences (meeting people, animals...).

Many souvenirs carved into our memories!

Thanks again Philippa for this perfect organisation.

Thomas C   –  
United States US
Visited: May 2017 Reviewed: Jun 19, 2017

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

Excellent planning and organization!
5/5

We spent a week in South Africa (Sabi Sands area and then Cape Town), all planned by our agent Sandi. She was very helpful from the beginning, giving us many safari lodges and hotels to choose from, as well as providing helpful information. Furthermore, the price was better than any of the other companies we had compared them to.

Once we arrived, the agents were all friendly, professional and organized. They had our schedules and tickets in individual booklets and always gave us some background about the places we were going. We stayed at Ulusaba Rock lodge for 4 nights, followed by the Queen victoria hotel, both fantastic recommendations from Sandi. We would definitely book with Sandi and South Africa Travel again if we return.

Craig and Jeri Cohen   –  
United States US
Visited: May 2017 Reviewed: May 24, 2017

Email Craig and Jeri Cohen  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

A week in Namibia
5/5

This is the email we sent to our Travel Agent, Sandi Bird.We had been on a group safari elsewhere in Africa, and had asked Sandi to arrange a week in Namibia following this safari. We made an error as to the date when our fist trip ended (this was not booked by Sandi) and our Namibia Safari was to start. We contacted Sandi as soon as we realized this (only 2 days prior to our planned departure for Namibia) and she promptly and expeditiously rearranged flights and accommodations for us which saved the day.

"Thank you again for rearranging flights, etc. for us after our little error. It worked out great. The Galton House was fine, but paled by comparison to the Olive Grove. The accomodations were great, the staff was wonderful, and the food, perfect. Ate our first Oryx here.

The two camps were both great in their own ways. Although Little Kulala was very posh, we actually enjoyed Desert Rhino more. We had our own private guide, Herunga, who was amazing. At 26 he was a wealth of knowledge, had a great sense of humor, and was a true gentleman. One could easily tell that the rest of the staff really enjoyed what they did and this translated to a very enjoyable stay for the guests.
Our only regret on the trip was not seeing more of Namibia. Could have stayed another 2 weeks to see the Skeleton Coast from the ground (the flight over was spectacular, perfect weather, no fog, got to see both shipwrecks and the flamingos), Damarland, and Etosha. Maybe another time. I think our next trip to Africa will be to see the gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda (heard the daily permits are now up to $1500 USD) and the migration in Kenya or Tanzania.

We will certainly be happy to recommend you to anyone planning a trip to southern Africa.

Thanks again,
Craig and Jeri"

Kirt Hall   –  
United States US
Visited: April 2017 Reviewed: Apr 18, 2017

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

Victoria Falls and Botswana
5/5

Wonderful trip to Victoria Falls on the Zambia Side and to the Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero resort in Botswana. Each day of the 9 day trip was well planned. Was able to add in several side trips including a trip to the Makuni village which was both enlightening and most educational. My wife particularly enjoyed the guided trips through the savanna to view the wildlife and natural fauna.
The two hotels they scheduled for us, The Avani in Zambia and the Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero Lodge in Botswana could not have been nicer. The Avani was within easy walking distance to the falls and hosted zebra, impala and monkeys on the property! I can not speak highly enough about the Chilwero Lodge. The rooms were spacious and immaculate. The staff was professional and eager to please the guests and make the stay there enjoyable.

An excellent trip I would heartily recommend to anyone thinking of visiting Africa.

Rebecca & Tami, NYC   –  
United States US
Visited: February 2017 Reviewed: Mar 17, 2017

Email Rebecca & Tami, NYC  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Our travel agent, Sandi, did a great job. We had an amazing trip and Hotels stayed. Love Shamwari Sa
5/5

Sandi, our travel agent was very good at communicating via emails. The Hotels we stayed were amazing. We love shamwari safari and the lodge we stayed. Amazing time. Can't wait to go back and do it all over again.

Erich & Danielle   –  
Belgium BE
Visited: November 2016 Reviewed: Nov 29, 2016

Email Erich & Danielle  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Just marvellous, the dream safari we always wanted to do, perfectly organised, perfectly executed.
5/5

We planned for the trip in early 2016 and were originally trying to combine Namibia and Botswana. After contacting several organisations we came quickly to the conclusion that it would be better to focus on just a safari in Botswana - and do it the right way = fly in safari. Doing self-drive you will not reach the best camps and you will not see  lot of animals ... (self-drivers told us). We booked with Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) as they gave us the best impression - and finally a price somewhat cheaper than the Desert & Delta Camps itself. Email exchange during the exploration / booking process was easy and fast - Monique Dean did really her best. All worked liked clock-work and we are very happy with our safari experience. We saw everything which was to see in the Desert and the Okavango Delta. The guides from the camps were really nice and knew how to find the animals. They told us a lot about the animals and their habits - so we returned quite educated ...

We stayed at 5 locations, first the Chobe Game Lodge, which is out of question a must do. Put it last in your trip - it's the crown jewel at the end ... but we enjoyed it first and did not regret it in comparison to the camps thereafter. Next we stayed at Moremi Camp and here the infrastructure is a bit old. But the staff was the most happiest and friendliest in our experience. But even somewhat old, you have all the comfort you need. In Chobe and Moremi we saw most of the animals - so those 2 are a must do. We moved on to Okavango and this was a nice surprise. The camp just reopened after a complete reconstruction in April 2016. Everything brand new and very comfortable. Friendly Management (Lodewijk & team) and also very happy and friendly staff.

Game viewing is somewhat different here, as you ride on a boat thru the channels and at our season, grass was high and one couldn't look over and above it. Sometime an elephant made his way through the high grass to the water and it was nice to see them in the waterways. We saw also a lot of hippo's and had the experience of a walking safari on an island. You don't see a lot of "new" animals during the easy walk, but you learn a lot about animal poo ... Next we stayed at Leroo La Tau - a very nicely situated camp overlooking a river. Upon arrival we looked down to the river bed and both banks were just crowded with Wildebeest and Zebra and Elephants, in a constant move towards or away from the tiny river. We sat on our terrace and watched it all. A unique experience. Game drives here were good and we saw a lot, but they were somewhat repetitive, as we followed more or less always the same routes. Lastly, we moved on to Savute. Nice camp as well, a bit hidden in the trees and some "tents" have a good view of the waterhole. (No. 6,5,4 and 3).  The waterhole was heavily used by elephants of all sizes and we could watch also very little one's. The game drives are longer - from a distance - and we saw most of the animals, but not in numbers as in Chobe or Moremi. We had a groups of lions feeding on an elephant and could watch that for 2 - 3 days. That was it ...

Our ranking is perfect - excellent and we do not regret that it was more costly, we really enjoyed it.

If you want to spend less time and money, go for the Chobe Game Lodge, Moremi and Leroo La Tau, with those 3 you cover the best.

A special thanks to Monique having put this trip together for us. We'll be back.



Erich & Danielle

Belgium

Average User Rating
4.8/5
Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 101
  • 4 star 5
  • 3 star 1
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 1
Write a Review

Disclaimer

  • All corporate and/or tour info is provided by Giltedge, not SafariBookings
  • The tours offered by Giltedge are subject to their terms & conditions