Nick van de Wiel of Tailor Made Safaris
Tailor Made Safaris
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- FGASA, TKZN, MHCTO & EDTEA
- Tour Types:
- Self-drive mid-range & luxury tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $93 to $407 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fantastic holiday in South Africa!
In July 2014 we booked a tour with Tailor Made Safaris. The tour was well organised and went smooth, and we still had the freedom we were looking for.
We didn’t have a good start though; Our first flight was cancelled and our luggage was not there when we arrived in Johannesburg (it was still in Amsterdam). After lots of phone calls with the airline company and airport, Tailor Made Safaris came to the rescue and took over this hassle, even though we booked our flights ourselves. In times of need you get to know your travel agency: Tailor Made Safari’s did everything they could to make sure we had our luggage back as soon as possible!
After a day in Johannesburg we went to Thendele and Didima, both wonderful destinations at the Drakensberg Mountains. What a views and beautiful resorts! We did some great walks (in between the baboons). Make sure you lock your chalet, before the baboons are inside…
After visiting Kloof and Durban, with the Moses Mabhida Stadium which is worth visiting, we went to St Lucia. You can do lots of nice activities there. We did the hippo and crocs boatcruise and went on the Wetland Game Drive (where our guide also teached us some Zulu).
Rocktail Beach is a superb resort. They pamper their guests in a beautiful environment. We booked the Ocean Experience (with whales!), snorkeled and drove around on quad bikes.
If you want to have a close look at elephants, you must stay at Tembe Elephant Park!
After Tembe we went to Kosi Forest Lodge. A nice lodge where you can bath yourself under a sky full with stars. The manager has two African Wild Cats, which were just like our cats at home. We snorkeled and did some walks.
Our next destination was Ithala Game Reserve, where we had some guided game drives. Our car was too small to go for a drive on our own. We were told that the elephants in this park are bit unpredictable, so we kept our distance. Besides the game drives we also made a safari walk with an armed ranger.
After Ithala we went back to St Lucia. We saw lots of whales during our whale watch trip. We also booked the Cultural Village tour. Our tour was on a saturday, so the school was empty during our visit. But the Sangoma predicted our future and we took part at an impressive church service with lots of dancing and singing.
We would recommend The Elephant Interaction at Bayete and the Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre also!
Our last destination was Leopard Mountain, Zululand Rhino Reserve. Geert-Nick recommended this destination and it was definitely worth visiting! This resort has lovely chalets, faboulus views and the staff makes sure you have a great time.
We saw lots of animals at this stunning park: Lots of lions with their cubs, buffalo’s, elephants, white and black rhino’s, giraffes, zebra’s, etc
On our last morning in South Africa we saw an African Wild Dog. The chance of seeing one is rare, according to our guide you have more chance to see a leopard!
There was no better way to end our tour!
So, Geert, Freya and the Tailor Made Safari’s team, thank you for organising this fantastic trip!
NL
35-50 years of age
The most amazing trip I made in my life!
During our safari drive in Tembe Park there was an elephant coming at us in a threatening way, while we were sitting in the jeep. This is one of the most impressive moments of our trip. The elephant stopped at only 2 meters away form us, observed us for a while, and then turned around to proceed what he was doing. It’s amazing to see an elephant from this close! We’ve seen lots of animals during this safari at the beautiful wildlife reserves. We’ve visited fantastic destinations, like Kosi Bay and Drakensberg. This is the most amazing trip I made in my life; thanks to Tailor Made Safaris!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A amazing experience
Well organized . Our wishes are realized. The book was incredibly convenient and a nice souvenir afterwards.
The team was always open to questions. The trip has met our expectations. It was a great experience which is partly made possible by Tailor Made Safaris.
NL
Email Jacobien en Wim de Bruine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great safari tour in only 5 days
We heard about Tailor Made Safaris from our dutch friends who live in Kaapstad, they told us the had great experience with them, and so did we. Their name "Tailor Made", the every right to use it. We only had 5 days, but they made it possible for us to have a great time. From the time the picked us up at they airport until they the dropped us there again. We had the privilege to have a privat guide, which was perfect for a first time safari. We spent 2 nights in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, which was unique and we spent 2 nights in St. Lucia, at a very nice guest house. I can recommend everybody to book their Safari with "Tailor made Safaris" because they do what they promise and wil make your stay unforgettable!
Email Mark Weaver | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An absolutely first rate Photographic Tour, a great group and we learnt so much.
Duration: 12 day Photographic workshop visiting the highlights of Namibia (+ one day either side of the tour and 4 nts in St Lucia, SA).
I should start by explaining that I have been on safari tours before with this company and knew the high levels of service that would be provided. Also, I have done a small amount of wildlife photography and although I am happy with it, there is significant room for improvement in all aspects of my photography knowledge. Landscape photography was however something completely new to me and 12 days of complete submersion in this subject was very daunting to say the least.
I should not have worried.
Tailor Made Safaris and their partner company Lime Photo were first rate. The level of tuition was outstanding with Nick and Emil making themselves available to us probably way more than they should have. One catered to the needs of those newer to digital photography like me and the associated software and one to the more proficient guests. "Classroom" theory dealt with Lightroom and Photoshop as well as composition, balance, interest, subject matter and much, much more.
The practical’s covered, star trails by different methods, astrophotography, sun rise, sun set, blue hour, dawn and dusk and obviously daylight shoots as well as covering the elements covered in the theory sessions.
At the start it has to be said that I was completely out of my depth (as perhaps were others) but we were all treated as individuals and it took no time at all for our hosts to gauge out ability levels. Noticing I was struggling without me having to ask for help showed an understanding of guests (my) shortcomings and I was given assistance when needed but was pushed to stretch myself too. My learning curve was vertical; there was no curve, which gives one a fantastic feeling of achievement when good shots are taken.
It has to be understood that this is a work shop; but this is NOT grinding, boring and tedious work. This is enlightening, broadening, exciting and exhilarating work. Yes there are some very early mornings and long days but the rewards can be seen in your photos… No pain, no gain!
The inclusion of the option to take a photography flight over the dunes was outstanding and for many, a once in a life time opportunity. This is a completely different type of shooting to that we had been learning to that point. This is a point and continuous shooting on auto focus style while looking for patterns, composition, balance etc…it definitely got the heart racing. Seeing Deadvlei, Dune 45 and wild Oryx on the dunes from the air was amazing!
Due to the scale of the country and the high number of Photographer Bucket List locations visited, there is quite a bit of traveling but due to the structure of the tour, the transport arrangements, the views and photo opportunities en-route the traveling is easily considered to be part of the experience rather than a chore. If you offer to assist with the driving as I did, it makes the journey even more of an experience.
Due to the traveling, the preferences of the guests, weather and the need to sometimes split the group to get the best from the locations, the tour; and so the timings need to be a little fluid, this requires one to go with the flow and it keeps things interesting. This type of tour can’t be run to the tick of a Swiss watch.
The accommodation ranges from basic but comfortable to Namibian 4 /5 star, the food ranged from marinated fillet steak sandwiches cooked by Nick and Freya under the stars in a stunning national park to good wholesome hotel and/or restaurant fair…I would go for the steak in that location any day!
A few words about my fellow guests, I had a good idea before I left the UK that this was going to be a great tour because of those running it, but without the ladies and gents that attended; their humour, their understanding of limitations in fellow guest’s abilities, their appreciation of the needs of others; their willingness to help when needed and their tolerance of seven other strangers in close proximity for 12 days, this would not have been the outstanding experience that it has been. My thanks to all of them.
All in all… A fan-bloody-tastic tour. Nick with his un-flappable attention to tour detail and logistics, his concern for guests comfort and enjoyment and his calm, always patient teaching method. Emil with his exuberant and ever present photographer’s admiration of every vista that this magnificent country presents to you, his un-ending enthusiasm (even at 02:00) and his phenomenal knowledge of photography. They make an ideal team.
In all my reviews ask “Would I go back?” But this applies to properties and sightseeing tours/safaris, so it’s not appropriate here. So I will ask "Would I book with Tailor Made Safaris for another Photography Workshop?"
Absolutely!
This was a tour of more shooting and more tuition, great coaching, low guest to instructor ratios and first rate sights all at a good value for money. Enjoyment level 10 out of 10.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Namibian Photographic Workshop
Tailor Made Safaris make an incredible effort to ensure that from the moment we arrived at Windhoek airport until the time we all left to go home, we were to experience something really rather special. The organisation was exceptional. Having done a recce the year before, Nick & Emil had meticulously planned the itinerary. There was an element of tourism for those of us new to Namibia, but of course primarily it was a photographic workshop, an intense one at that! Dawn shoots, dusk shoots and star shoots all at the most amazing iconic venues. Quite exhausting but we all learned an awful lot thanks to Nick van de Wiel and our photographic expert Emil von Maltitz. Both of them had an in depth knowledge of photography and who gently and patiently nudged me up a very steep learning curve! We were a happy, cohesive group made so by the huge efforts of Nick, his wife Freya and of course Emil. They made every effort to ensure that everyone's needs were catered for and that we indeed got value for money. My heartfelt thanks to them and my fellow students for making this truly, a trip of a lifetime.
US
Email Ellen & Barry Trencher | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible time in South Africa on trip organized by Tailor Made Safaris
This was probably the best vacation we ever had. We hate guided tours but wanted a trip where hotels/cars, etc. was pre-arranged. We couldn't have been more pleased with the accomodations, vehicle, food, safaris and personalized service of Tailor Made staff (thanks Nick, Freya & Claire). Claire met us in St. Lucia and Nick met us at Royal Natal Park.
South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are great places to visit; people were so friendly, we felt very safe and the scenery is incredible. Favorite spots: Royal Natal Park (the view from our room was incredible), Sani Pass in Lesotho and the 3 days we spent in Little Bush Camp (we saw so many animals including lions, cheetahs & leopards).
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service and knowledge
Because we travelled with our nearly 2 year old girl we contacted tailor made safaris to see if they had experience in creating tours that included a small kid. Although it didn’t happen often they tried to change the schedule and accommodation in every way we wanted, making proper suggestions along the way. They contacted the accommodation if it was possible to go on game drive and arranged what was within their limits. All the people contacted where helpful in creating our tour.
Because we did a self-drive we received a GPS, cell phone and a very nice tour book. Good service and useful. I don’t know what they could do more to provide excellent service.
Elephant Coast is an excellent destination for those wanting to keep travel distances between accommodations short and have a big diversity of activities as well as accommodation. The amount of game parks all different, kosi bay with its beaches and st lucia for a more touristy experience all within a few hours driving. If we go back we would definitely book with Tailor Made Safaris again.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful, wel organized and magnificent trip with Tailor Made Safaris!
South Africa was on our to-do-list for a long time! Thanks to Tailor Made Safaris we had a super journey!
We had a good feeling from the first time we had contact with them. We spoke to people who also travelled with them. They were very enthousiastic and told us about their experiences. That helped us to make the decision to book our trip with Tailor Made Safaris.
We knew what we want to see and Geert advised us to limit the traveldistances and enjoy and feel the country. After all; we are on a holiday!! The combination of our wishes and their tips made a perfect journey!
We choose a selfdrive tour combined with some guided activities. Travel like this give us a feeling of freedom.
We have seen the best of Kwazulu Natal and ended our journey in Capetown. Walking in Drakensbergen, Whalewatch in St. Lucia, gamedrives in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Tembe Elephant park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Zululand Rhino Reserve, beach in Rocktail and Capetown for desert. What else can you wish for??
Unfortunately we only saw four out of five. So we have to come back to find the leopard and complete the Big Five.
We had a great journey thanks to Geert, Freya and Angela from Tailor Made Safaris!!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Had a wonderful experience using tailor made safaris they helped plan my amazing proposal!
The communications were simply and straight forward and all the trip was planned to perfection. would certainly use the services again. The safari tour itself was excellent considering the weather problems but they still went out of there way to cater for myself and my partner. highly recommended!!!