Craig your expert safari planner & private guide
Southern African Tours
- Located 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)
Reviews
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Email Arthur | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 night, 4 day Tour
My mother and I hired Craig for a 3 night, 4 day tour of cape town and it's surrounding areas. Craig put together an amazing package starting with a over night train ride from Johannesburg to Capetown. The entire tour was planned and have a variety of different activities from exploring caves, to seeing ostrichs and visiting a ostrich farm, to going on a game drive.
He was also very adaptable to any changes we needed and fit in "spur of the moment" whims. I would 100% recommend Craig to anyone whom is seeking a guided tour of ZA.
P.S. i lost my sunglasses in his car and he even mailed it back to the USA for me!
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Email Jim | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Simply Stunning Experience
My wife and I just completed the 15 day tour of South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho. We started the tour in Cape Town with Craig, who happily honored our request to reverse the normal order of the tour. We asked for some other modifications of the tour while booking, and again Craig bent over backwards to make us happy. He is a wonderful guide, providing insight into the features and history of his beautiful country. At the end of our time in Cape Town, Craig came down with a case of the stomach flu, and was unable to continue. This had the potential to be a disaster, but Craig simply would not let that happen. He arranged for another expert guide, Louis, to take over and the adventure continued without missing a beat. We saw the big 5 in Kruger, and spent an exciting day in the Hluhluwe reserve as well. Swaziland and Lesotho were both well worth the visit. This tour far exceeded our expectations. We have traveled a fair amount, but this experience is at the top.
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Email Mary Val Palumbo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 days of awesome South Africa with Derek
We are so pleased with our time on tour on the Garden Route in S. Africa with Derek. My adult daughter and I had so much fun; but the highlight was our whale tour because we had 2 whales who treated us to many sightings... enough to even get a selfie with a whale! Loved the ostrich farm, the caves, the penguins, the Garden Route Game Lodge, Rt 62 but most of all getting to know Derek who is a knowledgable and compassionate man. He gently guided us through the complexities of S. African society and gave us real insight into this beautiful land.
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Email Kiah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Educational, passionate, fun and eye-opening.
Derrick was an amazing tour guide. His passion and love for what he does came through every single day. He provided us with educational experiences and went above and beyond day after day. He responded to whatever we felt worked and didn't as we went throughout our trips. He was ready and waiting for us at every turn. From the Penguins @ Betty's Bay (in a down pour with Derrick by our side!), to the additional whale watch we could fit in, he was enthusiastic and positive. I have learned more in 5 days than i EVER would have independently. Worth every single penny.
DE
Email Helga and Rainer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect week along Garden Route
we travelled for one week with Craig to Klein Caroo and Garden Route. It was a impressive program including a visit to the history of South Africa ( Stellenbosch, Diaz Museum) and a one day safari experience. Craig was an excellent tour guide, explaining a lot of things, and being always flexible to our interest, what we really appreciated. We have in mind to do another trip with him one of the following years.
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Email Susan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Southern African Tour with Patrick and Craig exceeded my expectations
Our tour (which included Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria, Cape Town, Swaziland, Kruger National Park and Zimbabwe, and finally Egypt) was the tops, with thoughtful, caring guides, comfortable places to stay, exciting views of wildlife and in-depth information about what we were seeing. Throughout the tour I felt well-cared for by attentive yet not over-bearing guides, who enjoyed sharing their knowledge and pride in their country with us. The accommodations were thoughtfully chosen to give us a range of settings and styles, and we enjoyed the opportunity to stay in guest houses as well as interesting hotels. The actual safari itself, viewing animals in Kruger National Park, was the least anticipated part of the trip to me, but I was pleasantly surprised at how knowledgeable the guides were and how conscientious they were about helping us view and appreciate the animals. It was definitely better than just visiting a zoo! The real star of the tour was actually the country itself. South Africa seems filled with variety and vitality, with the different peoples who live there appreciative of the uniqueness of their lives and their history. In short, the tour with Craig and Patrick from Southern Africa Tours whetted my appetite and curiosity about South Africa and I look forward to another visit sometime to see more interesting people and places.
TH
Email Cate and Jonathan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable 14 day Best of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho (Craigs Fav)
Communication was quick and effective.
We experienced everything we wished for. A fantastic Guide, nothing was too much effort, outstanding knowledge and great food.
The Drakensberg mountains was our favorite highlight of the tour and we loved the Kruger Park.
I would highly recommend Southern African Tours, for their skill and expertise.
We will definately book our next holiday with them.
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Email Mike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience on our first Africa trip
My wife and I booked a three week tour with Craig and had a great time. The itinerary was excellent as we enjoyed Joberg, Blyde River Canyon, Kruger National Park, St. Lucia Wetlands, Swaziland, Drakenberg area, Capetown and its surrounds as well as an add-on to Vic Falls and Chobe Game Reserve to the North. Craig designed the itinerary to meet our desires (lots of wildlife and outdoor activities mixed in with a sampling of the Capetown area without spending too much time shopping or in city centers). Because of the personal nature of the tour with Craig driving us almost everywhere, we saw the country through the eyes of a native South African and without the cumbersome nature of a larger group tour.
We were allowed to choose the general quality of the lodging (midrange) and we're pleased with the accommodations at every stop. Craig was always willing to do more. We were the ones who had to say that we were ready to rest up and relax a while.
We saw almost every type of animal you can think of, including all the big cats. Tasted wine in the Stellenbosch area, climbed Table Mountain, viewed more beautiful scenery than we could imagine and met lots of truly nice South African people.
Craig's company is relatively new but he is bonded and enthusiastic about his subject matter. As he is the owner, I imagine at some point very soon he will have to use other guides to cover the areas outside of Capetown but he seems like the kind of guy who will monitor the quality carefully and see to it that you get the experience you want. I actually think it might be better to have more than one guide so you can get diverse outlooks and information.
We were amazed by our first trip to Africa and appreciate Southern African Tours' role in putting everything together.
Wonderful Trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana with Southern African Tours
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Craig and Catherine from Southern African Tours were very professional, caring and organised a great trip for my friend and me to this area. We were met at the airport by their professional and personable representative, Graham who accompanied us during our time in South Africa. Highlights of this trip were the many game drives to see quite a variety of animal life - zebras, lions, giraffes, elephants, hippos, rhinos, baboons, crocs, impalas, wild dogs and so many different species of birds. Many more animals were observed, too numerous to mention at this time.
I was very pleased with my trip organized by Southern African Tours and heartily recommend them for their caring and commitment to ensure a carefree and pleasurable tour.
CA
Email Sheryl | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrific Garden Route Tour with added extras
My son and I recently took the Garden route tour with Craig...he was great!..He added a 6th day to the tour to accommodate us as we wanted a surfing lesson for my son...all was taken care of. The accommodation provided for the whole trip was well above my expectations!!..well done Craig!...the food was excellent as well. Craig was more than willing to adjust the route to our liking....spending more time in some places and cutting out places we were not so interested in. The Safari tour was magnificent!...We saw all the animals except for the elusive leopard...got some great pictures to share with our envious friends. The Cango Caves adventure tour was well worth it!...try it if you can fit through the openings!!... If you are looking for a great trip..look no further...this trip hits all the hi-lights!...We would recommend this company to anyone who is interested seeing a part of this great country...a very scenic part!..From ocean drives to mountains to semi desert..you will see it all...thanks so much Craig...we had a fantastic time!