Red Africa Safaris Team
Red Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- SATSA, FGASA, SATIB & LEDET
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $141 to $558 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
BY
Email Tania | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A mixed experience
We opted for a 5 days private reserve tour + Panorama route with RedAfrica.
Overall, we have to highlight that it was very pleasant to spend time in Jaco’s company: he is a highly dedicated and motivated person eager to do his best to share his passion of nature and his knowledge. We greatly enjoyed our exchanges with him throughout the trip and his respectful attitude towards us.
The first part of our tour – the gorgeous landscapes that we saw along the Panorama route – was just great.
However, the private reserve part of the tour was unfortunately disappointing: the area, which was described as located in the Greater Kruger ecosystem and thus hosting the same animal and bird species, was highly affected by the recent draught, which forced the animals to migrate elsewhere; a factor which we were not aware of prior to our trip. During our stay in the private reserve, we thus saw extremely few animals. Moreover, the information and time management by the reserve staff was not entirely satisfying, which added to our overall frustration.
Afraid of leaving Kruger disappointed, we requested Jaco to change the plan for the last day of our trip and spend it in Kruger proper instead of the private reserve. Luckily, Jaco was flexible and accepted this last minute change. This last day trip (although a rushed one) enabled us to see almost all of the Big Five in one day and somehow compensated for the frustration related to the impossibility to see animals during the previous days.
Reply from Red Africa Safaris
Posted on Apr 29, 2016This Private reserve is in the Greater Kruger Park which is situated on the banks of the Elephants River, where we normally have great sightings, we were there with other clients 3 days before this trip who had excellent sightings from which we received a very good review (like all our other reviews). We’ve had unpredictably late summer rains here in South Africa at the time which caused the animals to hide from the wind and rain and in turn caused less than normal sightings. These animals are truly wild and freely moving in the Greater Kruger Park causing unpredictable sightings.
The river came down in full flood the previous evening that forced the lodge management to postpone the scheduled river safari to the next day due to safety reasons, we had to then do a bushwalk which started a little later than usual as this was unplanned. Unfortunately the walk was also cut short by 10 minutes due to heavy rain, causing poor visibility and a safety risk.
Unfortunately we have no control over nature and it's effects that from time to time causes less sightings because animals will hide from wind and rain and they move freely in the greatest wilderness area in Southern Africa. We and whichever lodge we use at the time may change the itinerary if needed due to safety reasons or changing weather conditions.
We wish all of our clients a good experience and feel sorry if it's not the case, we cannot control nature even if we sometimes wish we can. Video testimonials on our website can testify of the great experiences pervious clients had at this specific lodge.
US
Email Sarah Salter | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
RAS goes ABOVE & BEYOND for their guests- my trip was life changing and an absolute dream come true!
In late February, my boyfriend and I did a 5-day Kruger National Park tour with Red Africa Safari and it was the most spectacular trip that we have ever been on-- truly a dream come true!
Amelia planned the most incredible for trip for us, and tailored the trip to accommodate every add-on that we requested (such as several private transfers to and from the airport, a panoramic route tour, and an all day elephant excursion), at a very affordable price. Since we only had 5-days, it was really important to us that we were able to make the most of every minute, and Amelia arranged the trip so that it was action packed and we wasted no time at all.
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Picked up from Johannesburg airport, drove to Graskop so we were in a good location for our panoramic tour the next morning
- Day 2: Panoramic tour, sunset safari in Kruger
- Day 3: Guided bush walk in Kruger, afternoon drive with Jaco in Kruger, night-time safari
- Day 4: Quick Sunrise drive with Jaco in Kruger, all-day elephant excursion, relaxed by pool at our beautiful Hazyview lodge
- Day 5: Sunrise safari in Kruger, drive to Johannesburg airport
- In terms of communication, service, value for money, reliability, and the tour itself: Red Safari deserves 100/10 stars across the board :)
- In terms of safety, they took lots of precautions around COVID. We felt super safe!
- This tour was perfection! Jaco is the most fantastic guide EVER!
As for our tour and experience, Jaco literally went above and beyond to make this trip extraordinary for us. Immediately upon Jaco greeting us at the airport, I was given a birthday card from the Red Safari team and some small mementos (my bday was the day before our arrival). It was SOO sweet and thoughtful! Really made my birthday extra special :).
Additionally, Jaco not only provided us private airport transfers for us at the beginning and end of our trip (~5 hour drive each way!), but he gave us an amazing panoramic tour, ensured that we made it to all of our excursions, took us on several private game drives in Kruger during down time (in between excursions), made us some excellent meals while staying in Kruger, and provided us with so much knowledge about Kruger, South Africa, African animals/ecosystems --- literally such a wealth of information!! We learned SOOO much from him, which gave us an even deeper appreciation of Kruger and South Africa.
Jaco is the kindest and most knowledgable person. His passion for what he does is really inspiring. We truly couldn't have asked for a more remarkable guide. We are already saving for our next trip with Red Africa Safari & Jaco! Again, this trip gave me some of the best moments of my life! I'm so grateful to Red Safari, Jaco, and Amelia for making our time for special.
FUN FACTS:
- Got to see all of the Big 6 (lions, leopard, elephants, buffalo, rhino, hippo)! And LOTSSSS of other animals
- Got to see lots of rare animals (wild African painted dogs, white tailed mongoose & cobra fighting, lion cubs etc.)
- Got to experience a 'Big Foot' all day elephant excursion at Hazyview Elephant Sanctuary. This was a dream come true! Can't recommend this experience enough.
- Panoramic view was truly breath-taking! Definitely recommend this if you have time!!!
Email Philon Parpottas | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 5 Day Safari Tour and our Guide Jaco really is an asset to this company!
We did the 5 Day safari and panoramic tour in Kruger Park and it was absolutely amazing.
Our Guide Jaco is super knowledgeable, interesting, helpful and passionate about the wildlife.
We learned so much from him, and never had a dull moment.
I would highly recommend Red Africa Safaris to anyone, and we are hoping to go back again on another tour in Botswana and Zimbabwe at some point in the future.
MD
Email Lana Mayor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Jaco is the best tour guide you can find, we had an amazing experience! :)
I think that each tour or travel is as good as people who you spend it with.
First, Red Africa Safari did a really good job preparing our customized tour, every detail was covered and we felt so excited to start!
Second, Jaco our guide was very considerate and flexible with our wishes, he really wanted us to have a wonderful vacation and did everything for it! From the moment he met us at the airport and started driving, we felt well cared for and relaxed. We saw Panorama route with its breathtaking landscapes and enjoyed our drive with many jokes and laughter. We had a BBQ dinner each evening and it was so delicious! It took some convincing for Jaco to allow us to help him with dinner preparations and it was so much fun to do it together! He became a part of our group very quickly and it felt like a very good friend was on a trip with us :)
Another part we were very impressed was that Jaco knows everything about everything. Any question we asked was extensively covered and it was a highly educational trip regarding a life in South Africa and all the animals, birds and lands we came across. We could clearly see that he is very passionate about what he does :)
Our stay in Kruger park was wonderful as well, we saw the big 5 and many other animals and birds. The vacation felt beautiful and very well prepared. Thank you so much, we can't wait to be on our next vacation with you!
DE
Email Mara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I am hooked
That I like South Africa, that I already knew from a previous, private trip. But that this place would actually get under my skin, move me deeply and would have me longing to go back the moment I entered my plane back to Germany, that I did not expect. So how did that happen? Well basically it comes down to four letters: Jaco. Jaco, our guide for our Panorama Route and Kruger Park Tour has such a passion and great understanding for nature, wildlife and the lands' history, that his love for South Africa is simply contagious. Also did we as a group click very quickly and since everyone shared pretty much the same humour, it was a week full of learning, laughing and living to the fullest. Already planning our next trip with Red Africa Safaris and Jaco. Highly recommendable.
Amazing
Our tour guide Jaco was amazing. He went above and beyond our expectations. We had an incredible time.
IT
Email Erika & Elia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An exciting experience
We loved traveling with Jaco: we visited the Panorama route and spent 3 days in the Kruger park. Jaco has been a special guide, so passionate and caring. He is very expert and explained us a lot of things about wildlife and South African history and culture. Last but not least, he has been a very special chef cooking delicious vegan meals on open fire.
We will definitely book another trip with Red Africa Safaris in the future hoping to be guided by him again!
SG
Email Jacky | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personalized, Enjoyable and Value for Money
The entire experience was great from start to finish. Amelia did a great job in creating an itenary that suited our needs and they allowed us to change activities for our personal need. We did an 8 day (Kruger + Greater Kruger + Panorama route) tour and it did not disappoint. We managed to see a bit of everything and even had a luxury experience in the private lodge.
Special shoutout to our guide, Jaco, for making the trip so much better. He is a great driver, cook and is one of the most knowledgeable guides in the business. He was able to identify and describe the different animals in the reserve, and we learnt many things from him. He ensured we were comfortable and safe throughout the trip, and was a great company as well.
Compared to the other tour groups, this was definitely one of the better value for money and you be hard pressed to find a better deal.
We will definitely work with them again!
US
Email Susan Barr | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Tour and Good Value
Wonderful tour! Did the six-day Panoramic Route and Kruger. Hotel in Kruger was booked so they put us at the Idube Lodge in Sabie Sands for two nights. Animal viewing and accommodations were much better than in Kruger so be sure to request this modification (you still do a day trip to Kruger). First three nights were at the Hazyview Lodge. Both lodges were upscale, clean, comfortable, well-located, and had excellent food and service. Yacob, Stanley, and Keegan were our guides, and they were all super knowledgeable and friendly. Vehicles were clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned. Everything went smoothly. Excellent value. Highly recommend!
CA
Email Eric Wahl | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Red Africa Safaris delivered on everything they promised and gave us a once in a lifetime experience
Red Africa Safaris, and our guide Jaco, delivered on their promise of a trip of lifetime. Having never been to South Africa or on a safari, we were unsure what we were doing or how to make our dreams a reality. Red Africa Safaris took care of everything and put together an experience that was truly awesome. They took care of all the details and delivered on all of them, meaning we were able to relax and enjoy the magic of a safari in Kruger National Park. We couldn't have been happier with this stress free experience that kept delivering the 'wow' factor we were hoping for. The detail and planning that Red Africa put into our trip was outstanding, but what really made our safari the trip of a lifetime was our guide, Jaco. We spend 4 days with Jaco and he was unfailingly kind, fascinating, knowledgeable, reliable and easygoing. He took such good care of us and was deeply invested in making sure we had a fantastic time while also helping us to appreciate and understand what we were encountering. Could not recommend Red Africa Safaris highly enough or express our profound thanks to Jaco for bringing Kruger National Park alive for us. 5 Stars.
