Craig your expert safari planner & private guide
Southern African Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- SATSA & CTT
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $79 to $129 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
BE
Email Herman | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Flexible tour arrangement in function of best timing to visit all places to be seen and much more
We (myself and my son) contacted Southern African Tours for a tailor made 7 days tour arrangement for Cape Town, the Cape and the Garden Route till Port Elisabeth, where we left towards Kruger by plane. Our wish list was given by someone who lived for three years in Cape Town. Craig and Bianca were able to organize a tour after which we were able to check mark every line of our wish list. No surprises about the fee that was agreed for in front. The road trips were animated by Craig and Bianca. Because of their long experience they had a lot to tell about South Africa's history, culture, language (Afrikaans and English), nature, etc . The places where we stayed during the night were well chosen and variable. We had a fancy hotels in Cape Town nearby the Waterfront, B&B's in front of the whales or above the lagoon in Khysna, a studio in front the Indian Ocean, an exceptional lodge in Addo. They also helped us to find the wright places to eat. They even prepared a 'braai' for us. It is a tour that will stay unforgettable and it gives also a reason to come back.
PS: a security topic ... don't call a traffic light a traffic light. South Africans call them 'robots' ?!
CA
Email Shadab Khan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Longing to relive an amazing experience!
It's been close to 3 weeks since we got home and if there was ever a trip we didn't want to end and would like to repeat without changing anything, it would be the trip my family took in Southern Africa in August. From the beginning when I reached out to Craig, the experience had been excellent. Between Bianca and Craig, every detail was worked out keeping our requests and tastes in mind while leaving an enormous amount of room for last minute requests and changes. And the suggestions both Bianca and Craig gave were definitely worthwhile and they also worked with us when we wanted to books specific Marriott hotels as I had tons of points to spend.
Initially a trip that should have only been 10 days ended up being 27 days when the planning ended and included 5 countries - Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. And we enjoyed every minute of the trip regardless if we needed to get up at 3 AM to take a hot air balloon ride. We just saw so much including incredible scenery, animals on the various safari, Cape Town (one of the most beautiful cities I have seen). And we also had amazing food and stayed at some excellent bed and breakfast places, farm houses and hotels.
But the best part was the time spent with Bianca and Craig. Not only did they take care of our every request, but they made sure we an amazing experience. And it's the extra things they did which made the experience great. One of the places we stayed at suggested a restaurant for our dinner, but before it was decided on, Bianca and Craig checked them out and their menu. There were many similar behind the scenes things that Southern Africa Tours did from the first time I reached out to them and this made the difference. We can't wait till August, 2025 when we return for Malawi, Namibia and Zambia and look forward to traveling with Bianca and Craig again.
US
Email Gene and Pat | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Trip of a Lifetime
We had the trip of a lifetime. It was all we had hoped it would be and even more. Thanks to the folks at Southern African Tours for the way they took care of us and for the people who guided us along the way. Levi, with Kurt Safari was wonderful; and how could we have asked for anyone better than Gareth in Cape Town. Both Levi and Gareth were very sensitive to my wife's mobility issues and took care of her tenderly as if they were caring for their mother. The same was true of Anthony in Johannesburg. We loved being at the Umbhaba Eco Lodge, Shearwater Explorer's Village, The President Hotel, and the Emperor's Palace. The ballooning experience in the wine country was fantastic and the people from the ballooning company were a delight. All of our flights went without a hitch. Words cannot describe how much we enjoyed our African adventure. Many thanks to Craig and Bianca for doing such an excellent job of turning our dreams into a reality.
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Email John & Chryl, Columbus, OH USA | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Southern African Tours made our family trip a huge success
My wife and I had the goal to return to southern Africa ever since we took our elementary children to Zimbabwe in 1989 and 1993. It finally seemed that 2022 would be the year. However, this time our family of four had grown to 11, including our children’s spouses and five grandchildren spread out in both Ohio and Wisconsin. Our age span was from 8 to 70, quite a challenge to coordinate.
After lots of research and interviewing Craig and Bianca on Zoom, we finally made the choice. We weren’t the easiest group to work with considering our varied ages and expectations, but with regular communication we were able to develop a wonderful two-week itinerary for South Africa, Zimbabwe and a day trip to Botswana. We had some definite things that we wanted and they had a wealth of ideas. We also had financial restrictions that they were able to work within.
When we put everything together, it turned out to be our family’s trip-of-a-lifetime. We were able to tour Cape Town and the surrounding area. It was stunning. Then we moved on to Blyde River Canyon and Kruger National Park. We saw many natural wonders that we will remember for years to come. After that, we flew to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. It was even more spectacular than we had remembered. If you’re at the Falls, make sure that you don’t miss the opportunity for a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana. You enter the park on safari vehicles and come out by boat. It was spectacular being up close to crocs, many hippos sunning themselves and in the water, and this was topped off by watching an elephant family swim across the river.
Southern African Tours worked out everything – the in-Africa flights, ground transportation and excursions. Both Craig and Bianca were the keys to the trip’s success. They were flexible, accommodating and caring as well as a wealth of knowledge. A real bonus is that our family has new friends in South Africa.
We highly recommend Southern African Tours for your future trip’s guide. They’re the best!
CA
Email Harry Verge | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Top notch and reliable
My daughter and I booked with Craig and Bianca for late March / early April 2022. Dealing with them was a great relief since we had just had our original tour cancelled by another operator and we ended up being very happy with Craig and Bianca's level of concern, communication and flexibility in laying out our semi-private tour. They kept us in the loop the entire time.
I feel we had excellent value for our money and ended up staying in great places throughout our trip. We especially loved staying near Kruger National Park as the accommodations were beautifully arranged and very peaceful. We had an excellent time on safari, where we were able to see tons of wildlife including the big five. Craig and Bianca showed up a great time all around Cape Town, making sure we had a safe and enjoyable experience. Very reliable and we would definitely rely on them if we ever had the chance to return to beautiful South Africa.
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Email Tomica B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Craig & Bianca made my tour amazingly memorable.
I cannot express how incredible Craig & Bianca made my trip to South Africa & Zimbabwe. The level of communication leading up to and during my trip was stellar. Their overall level of service was awesome. I had a spectacular time and won't hesitate to book with them again. I did a semi-private tour and they made me feel more like a friend than just a client. It was worth every penny.
Email James | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Tour guide Operation
James tours company
P.o.box 1265
Kagera,
21 november 2020.
Dear Sir / Madam
Re : APPLICATION FOR CLIENTS WANTS TO VISIT TANZANZANIA
I am tour operator from Tanzania. I would like to get the tourist from South Africa who wants to come at Tanzania.
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Email Eva | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Competently and helpful
The tour was perfectly organized. When ever we needed help we got immediately informations. The safari in Gondwana was great and also the other spots we visited were over our expectations. We had a great time!
AT
Email Sophie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional, great service and availability. Excellent choice of accomotations!
great flexibility when it comes to combining prearranged tours with individual interests. Good guidance on through the whole experience. We can only recommend.
AE
Email Elmira | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very professional
good tour program, pleasant guide, timely services