Journey Beyond
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $60 to $1,400 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience ever!
If there truly is a vacation of a lifetime, our Journey Beyond safari was it. Journey Beyond was the key difference that turned our adventure into the most exciting, beautiful and unforgettable experience ever.
First off, we never once had to worry about any of the travel logistics. Journey Beyond took care of everything. There was a Journey Beyond representative at the airport gate literally walking us to the front of the custom line, picking up our bags, making sure our hotel rooms were ready. We even enjoyed a beautiful dinner at the owners home. With all the VIP attention we were getting, we had other travelers wondering why we were so special.
Moving on to the safari itself, Journey Beyond made great accommodation recommendations. We chose the Singita Lodge. The lodge staff knew well in advance that we will be celebrating my wife's 50th birthday. She spent her birthday like no other. Turning 50 never felt so good. The entire lodge crew came out to sing her happy birthday. Our safari guide surprised my wife with a white linen draped table with champagne and treats at sunset right out in the middle of the bush. Seriously, I almost thought I heard the theme song to "Out of Africa" at that moment. Returning from the afternoon trek, dinner was already set up for her in our room with decorative flowers, rose petal bubble bath...on and on. You just can't get better than that!
We consider ourselves well-travelled, but Journey Beyond makes every effort to ensure your vacation goes beyond your expectations! For us, they succeeded beyond a doubt!
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding experience!!!
I travelled to Tanzania with my family in March 2008 for a wildlife safari experience. Journey Beyond helped us with our travel arrangements. I found them on the internet and wrote to them about our desired itinerary. They answered promptly, understood our requirements and also made suggestions where they felt we could have a better experience.
It was a pleasure interacting with skilled professionals who advised us at every step, and took into account all our reservations and questions regarding hotels, travel and activities. They made us aware of the wonderful experience we could look forward to, and went ahead and delivered it. In all we visited four different parks and saw a large variety of wildlife and vegetation, while also imbibing the local culture. It has been the most memorable holiday for me and my family, and I still remember every detail of the trip.
I am grateful to Ms. Tanya Robinson from Journey Beyond, for all her efforts in putting together this wonderful program. She was prompt and straightforward throughout and left us with no ambiguity about any part of the trip or experience. We also received a 'welcome home' email at the end of our visit. I am very impressed with the entire team who made this possible, and would recommend them to all for their African holiday experience.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nice luxury accommodation
The accommodations recommended by Journey beyond, were nice luxury accommodations, with very nice food.
We have really enjoyed our stay.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
From the Kalahari Desert - Moremi - Okavango Delta - Chobe and Vic Falls
Deception Valley Lodge and the Kalahari are well worth a visit. The Lodge was great and just by observing the area around the waterhole I could see plenty of big groups of tiny little birds up to Giraffes, Wilderbeest, Kudu and much more. The guides and the tracker was very knowledgeable so we could see lots, specially lions and also lots of birds, owls on the game drives. It is amazing what the guides and trackers can see and find on the drives. I also want to mention the amazing scenery and also the bushmen walk was very interesting. Accommodation, Food, Service and the activities was excellent.
Xakanaka - from the desert to the water. I think Xakanaka is another must visit on a trip to Botswana. The game drives were amazing, the guides very knowledgeable and excellent, the atmosphere in the Lodge was very personal and sleeping in tents while hippos walk through the camp is an experience!
Sanctuary Chiefs Camp - another change in the scenery. Accommodation, Service and Food were excellent. Unfortunately the transfer from Sanctuary Chiefs Camp to Sanctuary Baines Camp was delayed by 4 hours. We were waiting at the airstrip for 30 minutes when the guide asked at the lodge and they asked at Mackair. So then the lodge found out about the delay and we drove back to the lodge and they were already preparing a 3 course lunch menu for us. My compliments in preparing this in such a short notice.
Sanctuary Baines Camp - very personal service, I loved the Mokoru ride through the delta, the very surprising and romantic bath under the stars and sleeping outside. Due to the delayed transfer from Chiefs Camp I didn't have enough time to do the elephant acitivity. The drives through the waterways is certainly an experience you don't get anywhere else.
Chobe Game Lodge - this 3 days made this trip from excellent to "only" good. I cannot rate the Chobe Game Lodge as a 5 star Lodge. They only offer buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinners. In a 5 star property I expect dinner to be served on the table. In the 4 main meals I had, there was one pizza buffet (lunch)und one pasta buffet (dinner). If I want Italian food I don't need to travel all the way to Botswana. There are no waiters in both bars to take orders and bring the drinks to the table. I have seen 12 seater game drive vehicels from the Chobe Game Lodge packed up with 10 passengers of different parties and other cars had only 4 passengers. The staff didn't help elderly guests in and out of the cars. This was done by other guests and watched by the staff. In comparison to the other lodges I also need to say that I had the feeling that the guides are less knowledgeable then at other lodges.
I am sorry but in a 5 star Lodge I expect a higher quality of service.
The Chobe Nationalpark ist known worldwide for excellent game viewings and I was really looking forward to it. During my visit the game viewings were very poor and I believe one reason is that the access to the park is very limited. And when there is a sighting you might have to share with 20 or more other cars everyone fighting for the best spot. This is not a safari experience I would recommend.
Ichobezi Houseboat - very relaxing and a nice change to the Lodges.
Elephant Camp - all excellent, the Lodge, the staff, the food, the activites. I could do the walk with a Sylvester the cheetah and enjoyed the excellent guides and met the elephants. Also the tour to the Vic Falls was phantastic and our guide showed not only the falls but gave us also lots of information and showed us plants and wildlife.
Vic Falls Hotel - just awesome. You can feel and read about the history of this special place throughout the hotel. The location, the atmosphere, the service are phantastic. Thank you very much for this special place.
And finally the sunset cruise on the Zambesi River. That afternoon was a storm coming and I didn't realy feel to go on this cruise. But I went and it was a nice closing to this trip through Botswana and Zimbabwe. We had some great sightings and another amazing African sunset.
Thank you very much