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:
- $92 to $402 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Wout en Anke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Three weeks roundtrip SA with 10days private tour guidance (GREAT)
While reading the reviews we are proud that we where Freya's first couple (2010) for such a long private guidance tour :-)
We had a great trip which, for us, was a unique experience. The diversity (of surroundings) we requested was really there. Also the quality of the accommodations was outstanding.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect trip and very well organised
It was fantastic and highly recommended!
At the end of October 2012 we visited South Africa for 19 days, our first introduction to Africa and first Tailor Made Tour.
We started in Cape Town and visited Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Point, Hermanus, vineyards and did white shark cage diving.
We then flew to Durban and went on safari. We visited five different parks and went on many game drives. We also took part in game walks and safaris on horseback which were both exciting.
We stayed in fun and unique accommodations in beautiful locations, where we were looked after by the guide. If there was no restaurant the guide prepared the meals and also during the game drives we had breakfast and lunch prepared for us in the bush.
In short it was FANTASTIC and it is definitely recommended!
The score: All big five, plus black rhino, hyena, white shark
Richard and Gisela (Holland - St. Oedenrode Municipality)
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of our lives!
Dear Tailor Made Safaris,
We had a great trip which, for us, was the journey of our lives. The diversity (of surroundings) we requested was really there.
During game drives in Tembe Elephant Park and Leopard Mountain Lodge we saw everything, including wild dogs, the largest elephant iSilo, rhinos, warthogs, lions, a herd of approximately 120 buffalo, which went to bathe, giraffes etc.
On to the beautiful White Pearl Lodge, with sea views from your bed and bath and a great swimming beach, followed by St Lucia with its many charms and possibilities.
The only thing that could stop us is our age but we certainly hope to go again in 2014!
Thanks again.
Email Mark Weaver | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding game viewing, first rate accommodation... A fantastic time to be repeated soon!
We are proud to have been the first to provide a review for this fantastic team and we are so please that every review since has been just as positive. Well here we are less than 12 months since our last trip with Tailor Made Safaris and again we have to congratulate them on providing another first rate vacation, now that has to be a good recommendation! This trip we thought we would pile on the pressure, so my wife and I brought our daughter, her partner, my Mum and Dad, we were to meet up with Ollie (our son) again and his girlfriend was to join us for a few days at the start of the trip! To add further interest, my parents would do a different tour after 6 days and then meet up with us again for the last day. I have to say that even with all these complications the Tailor Made Safari team just got stuck in and came up with absolutely fantastic tours for everyone. Mum & Dad did the more scenic/cultural side of things. Ours was much more of the wildlife direction with a little rest in the middle. I would consider this to be quite a complex pair of trips and jet the response to our many and probably sometimes annoying questions was always prompt, efficient and clear.
The accommodation recommendations were varied (B&Bs to 5* lodges, first class tents to hi quality beach hotel) but all were great. Little things are what often count in the customer care game. We mentioned in our pre-booking questionnaire that my wife likes Earl Grey Tea with skimmed milk. That was what was provided at every accommodation, great attention to detail!
To pick up the format of our last review we had more things to tick off our respective Bucket Lists; Cheetah in the wild…not one though but six…and on a kill!
Ollie saw an Aardvark which is extremely rare.
We saw Black Rhinos …with calves which were had not managed to see last year.
Memories – this time in addition to the cheetah, there was sitting in bed in a tent at Tembe while a wild elephant roamed in the camp just feet away.
Sitting in an open game viewer while two lioness, one adolescent male and four cubs pass just feet away.
Visiting the Zulu village and seeing and playing with the kids at the crèche.
Sitting in the deck at Ithala Lodge enjoying a fantastic fillet steak salad while laughing and joking with my family and Nick (now also part of our family weather hi likes it or not).
The whole trip was so full of new and fantastic experiences and many very happy memories that are far too numerous to list here.
Tailor Made Safaris again created a diverse, interesting trip with plenty to see and do, good quality accommodation and importantly fantastic game viewing. Ollie was kept engaged and learnt things that he otherwise may not have and the rest of us saw and learnt more than I could have imagined.
The mix of B&B, in park, luxury safari tent, reserve lodges and hotel accommodation was great.
Again, I will have to repeat myself from the last review, “With any holiday of this type there are two important questions
1) Would we pay good money to go again?
2) Would we recommend the guide company to friends and family?”
Our answer in both cases is again a resounding yes and while still in Africa, Mum & Dad had already started planning another trip with Tailor Made Safaris for 2015!
Thanks Nick for being a fantastic guide and for putting up with us, keep up the good work.
The Weaver family
United Kingdom
NL
Email Nicolette & Arie Oorebeek | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super tour
We could not have picked a better tour operator than Tailor Made Safaris.
First of all they advised to limit our travel distance instead of doing all of Africa in one trip so we would have more time to enjoy our expeditions within the three weeks of holiday we had available, but secondly we only briefly mentioned we would celebrate our 40th aniversary with this trip and they managed to raise special focus to this by all lodges we visited, which made our tour so much more memorable. We had great sightings of the big 5 wildlife thanks to the expert knowledge and skills of all safari guides. Very good mix of lodges, from fairly basic to fine luxury places, just the way we liked to experience and all located in places with limited numbers of visitors, but maximum numbers of animals to see. Travel distances never too far, always an easy drive, pre-programmed GPS provided by Tailormade Safaris, as well as an emergency handy phone with African number to limit cost (if any). Very friendly staff everywhere, trying to make life as comfortable as possible for the guests.
Siyabonga Kahula !
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A top holliday!!!
We had a top holiday with Tailor Made Safaris!
Last June we had the journey of our lives after booking with Tailor Made Safaris!
Everything was arranged and taken care of to perfection, we only had to enjoy and watch the animals we saw which included all members of the Big 5!
Family Roest-Wester (Soest, Netherlands)
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable journey. In one word: Awesome!
It was memorable and we are confident that we will go back. We greatly enjoyed the Drakensberg , the many animals that we saw ( zebras , giraffes , antelopes , the " cats " including lions, elephants , wild dogs , whales , dolphins, turtles , etc. ) And the very friendly locals. Tailor Made Safaris planned a wonderful trip for us by listening to our needs and delivering what we asked for. The three and a half week trip provided a variety of activities and adventures and also a chance to relax. The Mozambique and Swaziland extensions, each for a few days were very nice. The accommodations was very good (luxury bed and breakfasts to beautiful luxury tents). We found it very helpful that Geert and Freya were continuously accessible and worked ceaselessly to please us. An unforgettable journey. In one word: Awesome! Thanks a lot for everything and see you soon!
NL
Email Manouk Goettsch | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best holiday ever!
We never been on a holiday outside of Europe and I am so happy that we booked our holiday with Tailor Made Safaris!
We booked a self-drive tour from Drakensbergen, via St. Lucia, to Mozambique, Tembe Elephant Park and we ended our fantastic journey in Swaziland.
Everything was perfectly arranged. The accomodations, the navigation, the excursions. We never booked a holiday that was so well-organized.
Also all the accomodations where beautiful, clean and of high quality.
We recommend Tailor Made Safaris to all our friends and we ensure you that you can't find a better operator for your dream journey to South Africa!!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great self-drive trip through Northern South Africa!
Geert and Freya, we want to thank you for the great service you have given us in the preparation and compilation of our self-drive trip. Tailor Made Safaris has provided us with good information, through the wonderful book produced by Geert and also via skype and email sessions prior to the holiday. The trip we did was a good fit for our needs and requirements and our perception of South Africa.
We can absolutely recommend Tailor Made Safaris! No better organizer!
A cordial greeting from Marcel and Brigitte Kramer, Ronald and Wiesje Kramer,
Hengelo, The Netherlands
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect combination of wildlife, nature, photography, adventure and relaxation!
We have come back from our lovely trip through Kwazulu Natal (Mkhuze, Kosi Bay, Tembe Elephant Park, St. Lucia, Hluhluwe, Drakensberg) and it has taken us quite a while to work our way through the many beautiful photos and videos.
The trip was a perfect combination of wildlife, nature, photography, adventure and relaxation. Tailor Made Safaris has shown us this beautiful part of South Africa in a special way, with a highly skilled and attentive private guide and a sturdy 4x4 Land Cruiser. An unforgettable safari experience! As active travelers and ‘hobby’ photographers the many "up- close and personal” encounters with Elephants, Rhinos, Giraffes, Lions and Wild Dogs, and the beautiful nature was a real treat.
The trip was diverse and varied: forest, savanna, tropical forest, dune, beach, marsh and rugged mountains; various environments and wildlife parks came into our over three week trip.
We can also tick off 2 more UNESCO World Heritage sites from our wish list: Ukhahlamba in the Drakensberg and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Due to the good organization, the beautiful accommodations and personalized treatment of Tailor Made Safaris, we feel privileged to have been able to experience such a safari.
Darja and Sander (The Hague - The Netherlands )