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:
- $86 to $377 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
10 out of 10 for a fantastic family trip!!!
What a GREAT journey with Christmas and New Year included!
We also had the special honor of having both Nick and Freya on tour with us! It’s crazy how life is, one moment your sit at your hairdressers, talking about possible next holiday destinations and the next moment you’re driving around South Africa! A long and in depth preparation via emails paid off to ensure that the whole trip from beginning to end was exactly what we wanted. A long journey via Dubai brought us on Christmas Eve 2011 to the private lodge in Hluhluwe iMfolozi where the decorated Christmas table was waiting for us. Nick had gathered Christmas decorations and gifts which was wonderful. We then spent 3 days doing game drives and walks with the lodges guides who were very competent. We were lucky because on the first day we saw lion, hyena, a lizard and a herd of more than a 100 elephants. During one of the game walks we even saw a lion in a tree. So we could have gone home after that….I don’t think so, we were just getting warmed up! And the photography course provided by Nick had to be put into practice.
We then travelled to Kosi Forest Lodge in Kosi Bay for the water element of our tour. Here we took beautiful pictures of tropical fish (snorkeling safaris), water lilies and tropical birds during our canoe tour and a loggerhead turtle laying eggs on the beach during our turtle - tour. That was really impressive and indescribable. And there was always a big lunch, served on a nicely set table, on the beach or on that wonderful vantage point.
On New Year's Eve our “fireworks “were from very energetic, traditional Zulu dancers in Tembe Elephant Park . The commitment of the staff, the guide there and all the dancers was very special. For the real "die- hards " there was another game drive ( at 05.00 ) on New Year’s morning and Nick and Freya were back in action !
Our last pit stop before we went home was the heavenly home of our host and hostess; St. Lucia Estuary. There we combined the bush and beach, including a hug with a baby crocodile, a cuddle with two elephants and one with a CHEETAH! During the whole tour we took over 3000 photos, you name it we saw it, apart from a leopard, but we did see a leopard-tortoise and that was wonderful!
The photos remind us of our first visit to South Africa, but we are infected with the South African safari virus. It was memorable and we will definitely return in the foreseeable future! Hopefully back to Nick and/or Freya, because they were great!
C u again soon :-)
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you letter from Veldhoven
Already home for 4 weeks now, back in the rhythm of daily life. Every evening we sit down and discuss the day’s events and often we come back to talking about our experiences in South Africa and the great times we had there.
How we enjoyed this holiday!
We found Tailor Made Safaris through word of mouth and were told that it would offer us great trips at a reasonable price.
We then contacted the company and told them what we would like to plan for our holiday. We talked about the budget straight away so that there would be no false expectations.
Within a few days we had a wonderful proposal for a trip of 16 days through Kwa Zulu Natal, together we tinkered with some of the final details so that we were a 100% happy with the itinerary. This was a great start and we were very excited, but were cautious that things sometimes look better on paper than in real life.
With high expectations we flew with 7 people, via Johannesburg to Durban where we were picked up by Geert, waiting for us dressed in his ranger outfit! And so the adventure began.
The first few days we spent in various wildlife sanctuaries. The striking thing about this was that you encountered few tourists allowing you to get the real sense of Africa. In these parks, we experienced not only beautiful scenery but also a great variety of animals (including the Big Five). The enthusiasm which Geert and Freya showed from morning to evening was great. They took care of everything to perfection. They shared their knowledge with us in a pleasant way, and we have really learned a lot about nature and animals.
Every day was a new adventure with a variety of activities from snorkeling, boat trips, just lazing on the beach with a fabulous lunch, excursions to traditional fish traps, more beautiful wildlife parks and game drives, days to relax , whale watching, visiting a Zulu village, feeding elephants, petting a cheetah and a horse ride between wildebeest and zebras. The pace at which we gained new experiences was perfect. Not too fast so that you had time to enjoy everything. Also, the travel times between the various accommodations was not too long so that you still felt like you were on a relaxing holiday.
The accommodations ranged from good to very good. Each venue had its own charm such as beautiful settings, great hospitality and very tasty food so we could not say which the best one was at the end of the journey.
Geert asked us which activity we enjoyed most, but we failed to choose just one as there were so many great activities.
Some of our party had already done a trip by bus through South Africa with a large tour group. In itself, this trip was pretty fun, but now that they have experienced the journey with Geert and Freya they noticed the difference. The bus trip was a lot of traveling time and enjoying brief moments. Geert and Freya showed us the real Africa.
In short, highly recommended! We will definitely be coming back.
Bart , Karin , Jaga , Cor , Rob , Marieke , Bert
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great trip which we won't forget!
We have thoroughly enjoyed our trip, and Tailor Made Safaris had organised it to the utmost detail, leaving us not to worry about anything. We booked rather last minute and yet Tailor Made Safaris managed to organise everything. The best destination, in our opinion, was Tembe Elephant Park. The park and the lodge are managed by super friendly people that are committed to give you an experience of a life time! And sure they did! You could notice that the staff enjoyed working there, which was great to see! Apart from doing game drives, we also enjoyed some time at the Elephant Viewing Hide and spend hours there watching herds of elephant that came to drink. Fantastic!
In summary: A great tour which we won't forget! Tailor Made Safaris, thanks a million for everything!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A weekend in Tembe Elephant Park
A weekend in Tembe Elephant Park. As if that isn’t enough- add in Nick, and you’ve got the most amazing experience ever!
I met Nick in 2008, as a volunteer in St. Lucia and knew if I ever returned to South Africa- he would be my first call.
In 2011, I decided another African adventure was necessary and Nick, being my first call, was incredibly helpful in organizing and planning my free time.
As I had not been to Tembe before, we decided this would be a perfect location for 3 days of safari and relaxation. I was not disappointed.
To reconnect with Nick was wonderful- he is passionate, educated and always willing to share his vast knowledge on photography, animals, geography, culture and many more topics. He really is Swiss-Army Nick.
Tembe was an exceptional experience. The most beautiful welcome from the staff, the cool accommodations, the food(!!), the guides, the park itself, and of course the animals. My morning game drive and our elephant encounter is rooted deep in my heart. Apart from elephants and lions, we also found a skink eating a scorpion!
Nick is forever a friend and the person who “opened up” Africa to me.
Janet Faveri, Canada
From big 5 to big 500
Following a succesfull trip in 2011 this year again I joined Nick and Freya from Tailormade Safaris on a Safaritrip with a focus on birdwatching to the Kwazulu Natal coasline and inland to Wakkerstroom and the Drakensberg. Their knowledge of the region is outstanding and thanks to their enthusiastic guiding we managed many exciting bird species to the trip list. We ticked elusive larks, magestic lammergyers and saw many of the enigmatic mammals too, turning our safari in a big 500 adventure! Highly recommended!
NL
Email Ine en Jos schouten | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable journey
Hi, our safari with Tailor Made Safaris was unforgettable, thanks to the chosen destinations and good guidance. It was an experience to drive amongst wildlife, as well as go on a walking safari, where you get an elephant or rhinoceros only a few meters away from you (heart rate increasing!).
Our safari consisted of two parts; wildlife in Tembe Elephant Park, Mkhuze Game Reserve, Kosi Bay, St Lucia Estuary, Hluhluwe iMfolozi and landscape in the Drakensberg at Thendele (Royal Natal National Park) and Didima (Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve).
Our photo gallery can be seen on my website, www.josschouten.com under travel.
Tailor Made Safaris, thanks very much again!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our great vacation to South-Afrika!!!
We had a great trip thanks to Tailor Made Safaris!
The itinerary was super and we had good guides / drivers. We have seen a lot of diversity in the country, both rich and poor parts. The night drive to see the animals was the most wonderful experience for us. We did not see all of the Big Five, but we did see a lot of other special things that we will remember, our guide never failed to spot the wildlife for us which was great. For us this was the first time in South Africa, but certainly not the last! Geert, Freya and Nicholas all ensured that we really had a truly great experience! Thank you very much for this unforgettable trip!!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was awesome!
Well, it is actually indescribable. Looking back on our trip and sharing our photos with friends is fun but much work awaits us, i.e. going through 4000 photos and two hours of film but that flashback should be fun. I have to cram a digital series on SA for Fotoclub Schijndel into four minutes for a promotional film course.
We will not hesitate to recommend Tailor Made Safaris to anyone.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For the fourth time in South Africa with Tailor Made Safaris and, as always, great!
The Big-3 from Rooi - for the fourth time in South Africa with Tailor Made Safaris and, as always, great!
This year we came back for the fourth time to Tailor Made Safaris and we chose KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, finishing off in Kruger.
We started in Pongola in a lodge with a very nice view. Here we enjoyed rhino tracking on foot, which was very impressive!
Then Hluhluwe - iMfolozi in an unfenced camp. During the braai on our first evening we were visited by a hyaena and on the second night, a bushpig. Exciting! We saw our first wild dogs, as well as buffalo, lions, many birds, rhinos, elephants and more.
We couldn’t leave out a few days in St Lucia. There we enjoyed a boat ride, horse riding, good food and a drink once in a while. Of course we were very curious about the famous Sushi Safari. Well..... it did not disappoint. Highly recommended! We went on our first night drive and what an experience in itself with a great driver who saw everything in the dark.
Then on to Mkhuze and beautiful accommodation. At the waterhole we enjoyed the coming and going of many different animals. This is never boring.
And then Tembe.... nice and luxurious. We stayed in tents in the park and had been warned of the elephant iSilo who occasionally broke through the fence to visit the camp and yes, on the last night we heard a lot of noise and there he was! He then walked through the gate back into the reserve. This was a beautiful gift.
Furthermore, we had Ndumo Game Reserve and Mlilwane, Swaziland still on the programme. Ndumo with its many birds and Mlilwane with its great markets.
Finally, Kruger National Park. We had seen most of the Big 5, with only the leopard remaining missing in action. That had to happen in Kruger. On both of the last two days we managed to see leopard, both times lying on a tree branch. The second time it even had prey!
We were happy to have seen the Big 5 again.
This holiday was great. We saw a lot and also enjoyed good food and a drink once in a while!
NL
Email Herman en Elly | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A holiday celebration with Tailor Made Safaris ....... an amazing experience!
We enjoyed our three week tour in South Africa which started with two days in Johannesburg where we visited the Apartheid Museum. This made a great impression and we did need the entire day for it. The next day we enjoyed a bike ride through Soweto, where we visited a nursery with a Dutch couple. This Dutch gentleman dressed as a clown to surprise the children of the nursery. Then he stepped got on the bike in his clown suit ....... result: a lot of attention and contact with the population. This provided beautiful pictures. That evening Nicholas Uys (our guide) arrived at our guesthouse to meet us.
Day four: Swaziland
Nicholas taught us how to look for animals and birds, as well as the many different species of animals and birds. We learnt a lot. Our time in Swaziland included sleeping in the beehive huts, a day off walking in the nature reserve and a visit to a Swazi village where we could see how people live in the villages.
Day seven: Tembe Elephant Park
A wonderful place to learn to look at the tracks of the animals because of all the sand paths. Game drives in the morning and evening, with time spent relaxing in our accommodation in between. We saw elephants, a lion hunting, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, rhino, wildebeest, lots of birds and many species of antelope. A beautiful property with cheerful and welcoming staff.
Day nine: Kosi Bay
From a boat we viewed ancient local fishing methods. This was a wonderful trip and we saw kingfishers, flamingos and a beautiful sunset. We snorkelled for the first time..... what a wonderful world it is underwater. Nicholas knows a lot about the mangrove forest and we learned more and more.
Day eleven: Mkhuze Game Reserve
Nicholas taught us a lot during game drives, a lot about the birds but also the trees and flowers. We also spotted a lot of game including kudu, rhinos, warthogs and hippos. Nicholas is also good cook, therefore the braai was good. The weather during our Fig Forest Walk was not easy and there were few birds to see but the walk was beautiful. On the way back we even spotted a black rhino.
Day thirteen: St Lucia
A quiet place to walk around and move freely. We visited the Butterfly House and Crocodile Centre.
We walked along the sea and estuary and later saw the estuary by boat where we got to see a lot of hippos. We enjoyed a bit of local culture by visiting a Zulu village and a shelter for cats. On the way to Cape Vidal we saw many birds and waterfowl. A night game drive was a real experience, with a guide who knew where to find the animals and knew their behaviour. We followed a leopard while it was hunting and even a small chameleon got the attention of the guide.
Day twenty : On to Hluhluwe - Umfolozi Game Reserve
Here we met the vervet monkeys; you have to watch your food! The warthogs grunting at night under the platform of the safari tent. In the evening the hyaena came to see what we were eating. We encountered many rhinos, even with little ones, a lion with prey surrounded by trees full of vultures waiting for scraps. In the clear evening we enjoyed a beautiful starry sky.
Day twenty-three: on the way to the airport in Durban
While leaving the park it seemed that all the animals come out to say goodbye! Giraffes, buffalos, zebras, elephants, rhinos, a crocodile, various antelope species on the road ....... a fine ending to a wonderful, relaxing and educational trip.
Therefore: Nick, Freya and Nicholas.... our thanks