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
Email Will S | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic tour with an extremely knowledgeable and friendly guide
This was our first visit to South Africa and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Southern Africa Tours setup a great itinerary tailored to our needs that packed in a great deal of things in a relatively short space of time.
We started by giving them a list of the attractions we wanted to see and the timescale that we had and they managed to get everything we'd requested and more.
I'd also like to make special mention to Gerard our tour guide. My wife and I were both instantly comfortable with him from the get-go. He is extremely knowledgeable about South Africa and each of the locations we visited and made great company.
Thank you again for such a fantastic experience!
Email Jeff | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Cape to Addo national Park with the owner and guide. Highly recommended.
My wife and I went on a private tour with Craig, the owner and guide of his tour company, what a wonderful,intelligent and highly knowledgeable chap, we could discuss any subject whether it be the ecologically sensitive Knysna lagoon, the price of property or the political situation.
Accommodation was in ''charming'' friendly establishments, including a private ''lodge'' in the Addo National Park. I highly recommend this tour for it's huge diversity, value for money and Craig's personal touch. Bravo Craig I know Southern Africa tours will grow from strength to strength.
NL
Email Lauren Kaas | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Breathtaking!
Craig and his team at Southern African tours took really good care of us. They handled every aspect of the planning of our trip, which eliminated any anxiety that we had of travelling to an unknown destiny. They also put in a lot of effort to tailor make our trip to suit our budget and our wish-list of places to visit. Whilst the tours are set out with a specific itinerary, they had absolutely no problem tweaking and adjusting our travel programme.
Craig’s hosting and guiding skills are excellent. He made us feel at ease and was very knowledgeable on every aspect of our tour. There was never a concern about our safety, or that an unforeseen glitch would spoil the trip for us. It’s been a truly breath-taking and educational experience and we highly recommend Southern African tours to anybody who wants to travel to Africa. We will be homeward bound in the next two days with happy memories and smiles.
MY
Email Steve Morton | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Taste of South Africa
My wife, adult daughter and I have just completed a private 5 day garden tour with Craig. We only had limited time to see and do as much as we could in South Africa and Craig achieved this for us. While the tour was structured we had the flexibility to add and subtract to better tailor our trip to cater for our personal interests and tastes day to day, making the whole experience so fantastic. Some of the things we saw and did would not have been achieveable on a larger bus tour and we would probably have missed if we had taken a self drive option. Craig is passionate about his country in all respects, has great knowledge of its history, flora and fauna and wants to share his enthusiasm with you. A very likeable and responsible guide that really made our trip something special. Best memories....Storm River, Catching a wave at Natures Way, geology throughout the trip, exploring little towns and Victoria beach near George. I would definitely use Craig's services again.
US
Email Malvina | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above and Beyond: Bianca and Craig, My Unforgettable Heroes
Southern African Tours, was chosen by my tour organizer to guide the 14 of us through the captivating sites of Cape Town for the first five days of our 16- day journey. Each of the first three days I spent with Craig as our guide was an extraordinary adventure. He was extremely knowledgeable, flexible, and charismatic. However, fate took an unfortunate turn on the fourth day when I encountered a debilitating accident, rendering me unable to continue the remainder of our scheduled trip. As the tour group carried on without me, leaving Cape Town and me behind, a sense of abandonment overwhelmed me, leaving me unsure of how to navigate this unforeseen predicament.
In the midst of my despair, an unexpected beacon of hope emerged: Bianca and Craig, the epitome of compassion and care. They embraced me as though I were kin, tending to my every need with unwavering devotion. Bianca took charge and swiftly contacted my travel insurance company, leaving no stone unturned to ensure my well-being. She arranged for medical visits, holding my hand throughout the process, and accompanied me on a gentle stroll to the pharmacy, making certain I lacked nothing. Sensing my discomfort, they orchestrated a seamless transition to a charming boutique hotel near their home, surpassing any expectations I held. Bianca even did my laundry!! She rescheduled my return flight and arranged for a wheelchair. She and Craig drove me to the airport, sparing no effort to guarantee a smooth journey back home.
In this ever-chaotic world, where selflessness often feels scarce, Bianca and Craig shone as beacons of hope, guiding me through the darkest moments of my trip. Their actions surpassed the boundaries of their professional obligations, leaving an indelible mark on my heart. I am forever indebted to their unwavering support and profound humanity.
Above and beyond the call of duty, Bianca and Craig exemplified the true essence of heroism, transforming an otherwise traumatic experience into a testament of human compassion. Their unwavering dedication and remarkable care will forever be etched in my memories, a testament to the extraordinary individuals who stepped forward when I needed them the most.
DE
Email Alexander Bering | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect 12 day honeymoon
We had 12 days for our honeymoon in June 2022 and wanted to see as much as possible. Southern African Tours looked after us very well from the start and we certainly weren't easy customers. Bianca and Craig listened to all of our requests and worked with us to put together our dream vacation. On site, we got along very well with our guide Gareth right away. He really drove us everywhere and convinced us with his enormous knowledge. If we travel to South Africa again we will definitely book with Southern African Tours again!
ES
Email Alvaro Moleon | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A SAFE OPTION TO TRAVEL IN AFRICA
Last week, my girlfriend and me came back from Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana). We did the trip with this agency and we only have good words for all they did for us. They were attentive during all our stay, solving any problem even at midnight. The activities, hotels, guides... everything was perfect. They got we have one of the best experiences in our lives. Thank you so much Sheila and Craig! I hope see you again in Africa!
US
Email Sara R. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful adventure!!
Highly recommend this tour company. Gerry was a fantastic guide for our private 11-day tour ; very knowledgeable about the history of the country and very eager to be sure we were taken care of and that we had a great experience. Sheilagh was very thorough in setting up all of our accommodations and reservations and sending us a detailed itinerary along with contact info prior to our arrival. The 2 highlights of the tour were Kruger and Cape Town. In Kruger, we were fortunate to see almost all of the animals in their natural habitats: leopard, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, hippos, baboons, buffalo, wildebeest, hyenas, water bucks. Cape Town is the most beautiful city I have every visited: 360 degree views of mountains and coastline; the penguins; botanical gardens. Blyde River Canyon was also spectacular. Take a good camera with a good zoom lens. Can't say enough...this company is trustworthy and eager to be sure you have a memorable trip. And we loved that it was a private tour with just the 5 of us in a van and not in a big tour bus with 20-40 other people. All the accommodations were very nice and clean with good breakfasts included.
_Ltd-74521.jpg)
_Ltd-74522.jpg)
_Ltd-74525.jpg)
_Ltd-74527.jpg)
_Ltd-74528.jpg)
_Ltd-74529.jpg)
_Ltd-74530.jpg)
_Ltd-74532.jpg)
CA
Email Steve | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great “once in a lifetime” experiences with knowledgeable local guide. Overall great value!
Anyone looking for great experiences in Southern Africa should consider hiring Craig as their private tour guide. Being a native South African, Craig has local firsthand knowledge of South Africa past and present. He answered all our questions and educated us about 'all things South Africa' with knowledge and pride. His own enthusiasm was contagious! Our adventure in South Africa would not have been as seamless and positive if it wasn't for Craig.
Our family of 4 from Toronto, Canada had an incredible time with Craig as our private tour guide. We hired his company for 2 separate trips; a 4 day 3 night tour of the Southern Cape (including Cape Point, Oudtshoorn, Congo Caves, Private Game Reserve, Cape Agulhas, Hermanus and Betty’s Bay) and a 5 day 4 night tour of Swaziland, Kruger Park (including many hours of Safari driving) and the Blyde River Canyon.
Craig took care of all the details including itinerary, bookings, vehicle rental, driving and guiding. We appreciated that Craig drove us through spectacular regions, ensured we saw major tour spots, as well as, experienced special 'off the beaten track' places that made our trip so special. The best things about our trip were the many excursions, knowledgeable local guide, flexible itinerary and overall great value.
US
Email Terri J | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded Expectations on Safari & Cape Town City Tour
Our experience with Craig and Bianca with Southern African Tours was exceptional. They were incredibly easy to work with, responsive to messages, and provided solutions to our specific travel needs. We were delighted with our Kruger safari and accommodations at Umbhaba Eco Lodge. Our game driver, Fortune, was knowledgeable and highly skilled in spotting animals. I had read "80% chance of spotting the big 5 in a three day safari". We saw them all (repeatedly) in our first day! We were astonished by how close we were to the animals. I never would have believed how many animal species could be viewed so close in Kruger and with the exceptional skill of our guide. My husband and I had booked a semi-private tour and the company of a Danish couple and Spanish solo traveler added to our enjoyment. Also more eyes in helping to spot animals. We also visited the Elephant Whisper. It was neat to learn more about the elephants and get to interact with them directly.
We did the Panorama Tour one day and visited God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck potholes, and Blyde River Canyon-3 Rondavels. It was a private tour with Nicky as our guide. Nicky was very knowledgeable and set the pace to ensure the best viewing times (to avoid the fog). We enjoy hiking and it was a pleasure to get out and walk/hike these unique and beautiful settings.
We completed our trip with a private 2-day Cape Town city tour. Gareth was our guide and organized and timed everything perfectly. We stayed at Radisson Red which is an ideal location to safely enjoy the city night life. We had a wonderful dinner at Den Aker (French/Belgian) and highly recommend. A few of our favorites included Table Mountain, the Boulder Beach penguin colony, and Cape Good Hope. There was high wind and Table Mountain had been closed the day prior. Gareth was on top of all details and was monitoring the situation and our itinerary to ensure we were able to see it and at the optimal visibility. Sightings of wild baboon and ostrich right at the side of the road were an unexpected delight. After wine tasting at De Grendel, Gareth surprised us with a stop at a lovely beach and we were able to tip our toes in the water. We ended our adventure with a drummies and dinner show before heading to the airport for a late night flight back to the USA.
We truly had the most wonderful time. Without hesitation, we felt completely safe and well cared for. Our program was customized with the safari, panoramic tour and Cape Town and we would not have changed a thing. We give Southern African Tours a 5+ star rating and highly recommend.
