Guides & Their Toys
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
- Offices In:
-
United States
Canada
Australia - Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Steve and Sue | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A very well run operation.
We would like to say how this trip exceeded all our expectations and more, from the communication lines always being open, receiving replies before we left, to the staff and tour operators once we arrived.
Everyone was helpful, knowledgeable and punctual.
The accommodation, food and transport were all excellent.
The amazing thing was seeing all the African wildlife, fauna and scenery, I don't think there was too much we missed.
Steve and Sue
Queensland
US
Email Janet | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fanatastic!! A joy to be around and very informative.
The scenery and animals of Africa were amazing. They guides were all very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour offered a great variety of food during our trip.
US
Email Terri and Courtney Sebastian | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing South African Tour for my Daughter and I!
We booked our South African tour through Go Touch Down Travel at a travel convention my daughter and I attended about a year before we took the trip. We did the 10-day Signature Safari tour, and eventually added the 3-day additional for Victoria Falls. We worked with Lucia for all the planning, and she always made herself available when I called for questions. One of the things I liked about their tours is there is no more than 6 people on the tours and Safari's. On the Signature Tour, my understanding is they own the lodges which my daughter and I found quite charming and quiet. The food at these lodges was mostly included and was very good. The staff was always friendly and accommodating. The daily Tours, and Safaris were well planned out and all of our guides were amazing! They were very knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure our experiences were memorable (Thank-you to Thabo for tours in Mpumalanga and Hoedspruit, Tyler for Safari's in Tshukudu and Kruger, Johnathan for Western Cape, and Mthulisi at Victoria Falls!)
If you have never been to South Africa before, this is a very good trip to get an excellent overall experience of this beautiful country. We experienced the beautiful landscapes and geography in Mpumalunga and Hoedspruit, amazing Safaris in Tshukudu, Kruger and Chobe (Boswana), The seaside, Table Mountain and Gold's African performance in Cape Town and Victoria falls in Zimbabwe.
US
Email Bonnie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable experience
This was the trip of a lifetime thanks not only the countryside and wildlife but to the guides, drivers and staffs who were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in any way possible. Despite some check-in issues on arrival in Johannesburg and waiting for our pickup the next day, the hotel being right next to the airport was very convenient. Our safaris and lodgings differed in locations and in atmosphere. Driving between them was a good way to get an idea of the countryside.
Overall, this was a good value for the money
Communications before the trip ( which began pre- Covid) were good even though dealing with different people for various functions over a few years time.
US
Email Anita F | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
As a travel professional & first time traveler to South Africa I was so pleased with my recent trip.
Some experiences just make that "special spot" in your travel memories and "Ka ingo Private Game Reserve" / Royal Morubisi Lodge was above our expectations. I meant Go Touch Down Travel & Tours at the area Travel Show, became intrigued and ended up traveling to South Africa as part of their offering with 5 other friends. We were seeking a unique experience without a half dozen safari vehicles crowding the animals and causing that "tourist" feeling. Royal Morubisi is set amongst 44-thousand acres and the entire 5 days unless our field ranger radioed another vehicle with news of a special animal siting we never saw a soul. Sunrise and sunset game drives never failed to amaze everyone in the land rover. Photography is a hobby so needless to say I was in my glory. Prior to traveling I worked with Lucia at Go Touch Down Travel & Tours to arrange for the trip. I don't think I could have believed how great this property would be or how spectacular the private game reserve actually was. A watering hole quite near to the thatched roof open air restaurant and bar made for spectacular animal sitings even during meals. This is the way to go on Safari!
US
Email Barbara | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience in South Africa
The accommodations, food, guides and overall experience were wonderful. I thought spending the first night at the hotel in OR Tambo airport was perfect after our long flights. James met us Wednesday morning after breakfast and drove us to the lovely Equestrian Estate. James was a fabulous guide, very knowledgeable and fun to be with.
I LOVED staying at Tshukudu Game Lodge! The entire staff were wonderful, accommodations & food very enjoyable. The best part was the safaris and close interaction with the animals! Our guide, Michael, was so knowledgeable, friendly and an absolute pleasure to be around! We also had the good fortune of going out with Chris on our first morning safari & came across two male lions shortly after they killed a zebra. The lions had full bellies and willing to pose for us while we took hundreds of pictures. I was very sad to leave Tshukudu and say goodbye to our home away from home.
Our accommodations at Ilala Lodge were very nice & comfortable and the grounds/setting were beautiful. We enjoyed the guided walking tour of Victoria Falls and the sunset river cruise.
The trip far exceeded my expectations. I loved So Africa and hope to be able to visit Kenia, Tanzinia and Cape Town in the future.
Thank you all at Touchdown Travel for job well done!
CA
Email Carol | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Money Well Spent on the Amazing 10 Day Signature Tour
We recently returned from the 10 day Signature Tour in South Africa, with the 3 day add on of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. It was an amazing trip! The ability to be as close to the animals as we were was unbelievable. The highlight of the trip was being 15 feet from two lions eating a young giraffe at Tshukudu. We couldn’t get enough of giraffes, zebras, rhinos, buffalos and elephants. Our guides were very knowledgeable and personable, and always available. All in all a great time and a great big tick on our bucket list. We definitely would recommend Go Touchdown and this specific tour to others.
US
Email Alex | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Almost made it to Excellent!
It truly was a trip of a lifetime! The people we met, the animals we saw, the scenery...all just amazing! Our drivers and guides were wonderful, especially James who went above and beyond to make sure we got to see and do as much as possible and was so informative as well. The staff at all of the accommodation sites were welcoming and delightful to be around. The food was very good and we were never hungry!! We stayed at 5 different Go Touch Down properties and 4 of them were lovely. We would have been happy staying at any of them the whole time! However, the Belle Maroc was not up to the standards of the other properties. Our sliding glass door to our balcony did not close properly so there was no way to lock it. We had no hot water in the shower the first day. There was what looked like black mold in the shower. There was no hair dryer in the room but I was able to get one from the front desk. And speaking of the front desk, everyone working there was extremely nice but apparently filling several different positions at the hotel, ie desk clerk, waitress, barista
I was glad that we did not end our trip there as I would have left with a sour feeling about Cape Town. Aside from this, it was one of the best trips we've ever taken and have told everyone who would listen that they really should put South Africa on their bucket list!
US
Email Karen and Chris Graber | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime in a beautiful country
Wow this trip exceeded our expectations. We booked the 8 day safari and 8 day Cape Town tour with Lucia who was great to work with and very helpful. The itinerary that she sent before we left was so helpful and had so much information about our trip. Once we arrived in Johannesburg everything ran seamlessly. Bakkies picked us up at the airport and was so friendly and a wealth of knowledge. We stayed at Dunkeld Country Estates and Tshukudu Lodge for the first part of our trip. Both were nice lodges with beautiful grounds. The staff were all friendly and eager to make our stay enjoyable. We will never forget the safari’s and seeing all of the majestic animals in their natural habitat. Tyler was our safari guide and was very informative and his love for animals showed. He was determined to find as many animals as possible including the big 5. The highlight was watching two male elephants playing in the water for over 30 min and we could have watched all night.
Cape Town was a beautiful coastal city. Jonathan was our guide and is a proud Cape Town native who provided insight into the culture and history of his city. As for the hotels Belle Marco and Shark Bay were right on the water so we enjoyed walking the beach and it was the first time we’ve seen flamingos in the wild. Stillness Manor had beautiful grounds, but needed some updates and TLC. Again all the staff were friendly and eager to help. We enjoyed some delicious seafood and some wine in the wine lands.
Overall it was an amazing trip and we enjoyed every day to the fullest. If you are considering a trip to South Africa you would be foolish to try and book your own itinerary. Go with Go Touchdown Travel because you will experience things you would never see on your own.
US
Email Robert and Karen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our trip was beyond our expectations.
We were taken care of from the start to the end when we were dropped off at the airport. Every accommodation was excellent as well as all the food provided to us. The Safaris were amazing, we were so lucky to have had Johnson as our guide while in the bush. Being in the nature among the wildlife was a once in a lifetime experience. When in Cape Town we were treated to so many site seeing tours and adventures to experience. We had the best time and would do it all over again.