Reviews

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 51-60 of 65 Reviews
Andy A   –  
United States US
Visited: February 2017 Reviewed: Feb 15, 2017

Email Andy A  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Garden Tour and 3-day Cape Town Tour
5/5

My wife and I visited South Africa for the first time on this trip. We set up the tour not knowing what to expect. What we got exceeded our expectations. It was easy communicating our arrival and subsequent hook up with our guide. Derek has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Western Cape and was fantastic. The Garden Route tour was like driving down Highway 1 in California but with more magnificent scenery if possible. The Game preserve is fascinating, Knysna is a gem, Tsitsikama is glorious, and the Conga Caves are something to behold. We visited the both the Little and Great Karoos and learned a lot about South African history. Derek was adventuresome and was willing to deviate from the route and cross the Schwartzberg Pass - on a road built in the 1880's and unchanged since then. Then the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. And the wine country. And the Boulders with the Penguins. - I could go on and on. Overall we saw more of the Western Cape then we could have imagined in just 8 days. The places we stayed were first class and the food was too much!!! An unbelievable trip - we will be recommending this trip to everyone we know.

Arthur   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2016 Reviewed: Sep 4, 2016

Email Arthur  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

3 night, 4 day Tour
5/5

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!

Helga and Rainer   –  
Germany DE
Visited: May 2016 Reviewed: Jun 12, 2016

Email Helga and Rainer  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

perfect week along Garden Route
5/5

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.

Susan   –  
United States US
Visited: April 2016 Reviewed: May 25, 2016

Email Susan  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Fantastic Southern African Tour with Patrick and Craig exceeded my expectations
5/5

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.

Cate and Jonathan   –  
Thailand TH
Visited: March 2016 Reviewed: May 4, 2016

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)
5/5

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.

Mike   –  
United States US
Visited: April 2016 Reviewed: Apr 19, 2016

Email Mike  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Great Experience on our first Africa trip
5/5

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.

Penny   –  
United States US
Visited: January 2016 Reviewed: Apr 9, 2016

Email Penny

Wonderful Trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana with Southern African Tours
5/5

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.

Sheryl   –  
Canada CA
Visited: February 2016 Reviewed: Feb 27, 2016

Email Sheryl  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Terrific Garden Route Tour with added extras
5/5

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!

Daniel   –  
France FR
Visited: February 2016 Reviewed: Feb 9, 2016

Email Daniel  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

An exciting and wonderful 3 weeks trip.
5/5

During 3 weeks Craig does like to share his passion for his country.
With him we were able to wander off the beaten track.
Of course we visit the main sites of SA. We met the locals.
He can show us animals, vegetal...he has a good grounding in natural sciences.
The trip was very well done and Craig waits on us hand and foot.
The choices of accommodation were judicious.
We can heartily recommend this kind and enthusiast guide.

Peter Jones   –  
South Africa ZA
Visited: January 2016 Reviewed: Feb 8, 2016

Email Peter Jones  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Nothing better than hosting overseas friends and loving the SA experience as much as them!
5/5

I was not sure what to do with my old school friend and his wife from London, as they wanted to spent time with me as well as experience the beauty of SA. Why do I not go on a trip with them - will I be bored? Well, I should never have worried - we opted for Southern Africa Tours 15 day trip - and what an experience - I never knew that there were live Hippo's wondering the streets of St Lucia! Where else in the world can one see the big 5 and go snorkeling on the same day - Isimangeliso Wetland Park is a must for all travelers (and South Africans). I had been to Kruger before, but one day is never the same, and it is even more special when you get to share the magnificent park with close friends - it makes us proud to be South African. Our guide, Craig, was witty and regaled us with endless interesting stories during our 2 weeks - a true Tour Guide that seemed to love his "job".

Average User Rating
4.7/5
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