Bianca & Craig your expert safari planner/guides
Southern African Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- SATSA, CTT & intrasure
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $69 to $129 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email SMT | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unreliable
A few years ago, 10 of us traveled on safari to Kenya and Tanzania through a different travel agent who went above and beyond. That trip was flawless, which made us excited to try Kruger in South Africa, as it is often considered even better. Sadly, our experience with Bianca Els and Craig Lucke of Southern African Tours was the complete opposite—and it has left us heartbroken.
We first contacted them in September 2024. Craig was responsive in the beginning, but soon handed us off to Bianca, whose replies were slow and inconsistent. After our first deposit, her communication slowed even more. By March 2025, we had paid in full—including domestic flights—for a group of 14, totaling over $56,000 USD, because Bianca said everything had to be paid in advance. From that point, communication nearly stopped. Confirmations never came, and when replies did arrive, they were delayed and filled with excuses.
Two members of our group required visas. Despite repeated requests, Bianca sent only one document, with incorrect information, and gave no real guidance on the requirements. She never even asked if the visas were obtained . She also ignored repeated requests for proper flight and hotel confirmations. Bianca did take a call a few days before our departure to discuss the trip and also again gave assurance she would be available 24/7 and that everything was confirmed. Because this company had come recommended, we trusted her assurances that “everything is taken care of” and boarded our flights to Johannesburg believing our arrangements were secure.
The reality was devastating. Upon arrival, we learned that nothing was booked: no domestic flights, no safari lodges, no activities, no transfers, no dinners. The only exception was a single night at one Johannesburg hotel. We were left scrambling, on our phones at all hours, trying to salvage an 8-day trip for 14 people at the very last minute. This caused incredible stress, disappointment, and financial loss.
During this ordeal, Bianca and Craig never once responded to our messages or calls. Yet when friends back home posed as potential new clients, Bianca replied to them immediately. That contrast was deeply painful and showed us where their priorities truly were.
We also discovered that the company operates under another name, Afrique Australe Tours (PTY) Limited. Their Southern African Tours website displays the SATSA logo, which typically signals credibility, but when I checked directly, I was told they are not current members. Perhaps they once were, but displaying the logo now feels misleading to travelers.
We tried everything during our stay—calls, emails, even asking locals for advice—but there was no accountability or resolution. The staff at the hotels we eventually stayed in were kind and sympathetic, and even they expressed shock that agents representing their country would allow this to happen. Several suggested our only option was to pursue legal action once home.
This experience has not only cost us greatly, but it has also shaken our trust in visiting South Africa at all. It is a beautiful country, and the people we did meet were wonderful—but what happened with Southern African Tours was devastating.
Warning: Based on our experience, we strongly urge travelers to avoid Southern African Tours / Afrique Australe Tours . We relied on them entirely, only to be abandoned, with the $56,000 we paid unused for our trip. We hope sharing this prevents anyone else from going through the same pain.
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Email EJ | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They took our money and didn’t plan anything.
We began planning our 2025 trip to South Africa back in September 2024. Originally scheduled earlier, we had to postpone due to friends in our group becoming new grandparents. Bianca and Craig from Southern African Tours came highly recommended, and at first, they lived up to the praise—responding promptly to inquiries and accommodating the adjustments we made nine months ahead of time.
However, as the trip approached, communication began to falter. We were repeatedly assured that a detailed itinerary, including guide names and reservation numbers, would be provided, but we never received it. One week before departure, we managed to speak with Bianca, who again promised to send the necessary details. Unfortunately, nothing ever arrived.
Despite the lack of information, we remained hopeful that everything had been arranged as promised—after all, we had paid in full for the trip, including accommodations and excursions. That hope quickly vanished upon arrival in South Africa, where we discovered that no internal flight reservations had been made. Even more troubling, our accommodations in Kruger and Cape Town had not been booked or paid for.
This was a devastating realization. I have never experienced anything like this with a business. It feels as though they took our money and disappeared. Although Bianca had assured us she’d be available for support during the trip, she has not responded to any of our group’s calls or messages.
Looking back now, some warning signs were there—particularly Craig’s defensive responses to other reviews, which, in hindsight, should have raised concerns.
We’ve been saving for this trip for a long time, and it’s heartbreaking to see our money mishandled like this. Thankfully, members of our group have stepped up to salvage the experience, and we’ve had the opportunity to meet some truly wonderful people here in South Africa. Sadly, we can’t count Craig and Bianca among them.
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Email S mathew | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible experience! Abandoned in South Africa after full payment
Horrible Experience – Abandoned in South Africa by Southern African Tours
We had a devastating experience with Southern African Tours, run by Craig and Bianca. We began planning our trip with them over a year in advance, starting in September 2024, for our visit in September 2025. Our payment schedule was as follows:
• First deposit: September 2024
• Second payment (local flights): November 2024
• Final payment: June 2025
Initially, communication with Bianca was good — she was responsive and professional until just after our second payment. After that, she became increasingly difficult to reach. Messages and emails often went unanswered for days or even weeks, and she frequently claimed to be “too busy” to talk.
The worst began right before our departure:
• 5 days before the trip, we asked for a group call to finalize the itinerary. She said “Monday,” then ghosted us.
• The day before departure, we urgently requested our pickup and flight information for our trip to Kruger National Park. No response.
• Upon arriving in Johannesburg, we discovered no local flight reservation was made — we had to book and pay out of pocket, on the spot.
• When we got to our first lodge, we were told our reservation had just been made the day before, and they wouldn’t let us stay unless we paid again for the first two nights.
• The next part of our stay was also a disaster — no transportation or accommodations were arranged, and again, we had to make and pay for our own arrangements.
• Later, we flew from Kruger to Cape Town, only to find out no flights had been booked there either. Once again, we covered everything ourselves.
Essentially, they took our full payment and provided none of the agreed-upon services. We were left stranded multiple times and had to rebook everything ourselves.
We read other reviews that mentioned similar issues but were reassured when we saw Southern African Tours respond defensively, blaming customers or claiming miscommunication. Now we know the truth — do not trust the reviews or their responses.
👉 Based on our experience, we strongly advise against using Southern African Tours.
👉 We felt let down by Craig and Bianca and would not recommend dealing with them.
👉 After paying, we felt abandoned and unsupported during our trip.”
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Email Peter B. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Touring with Southern African Tours, we had one of the best holidays of our lifetime.
We booked our three-week holiday in South Africa with Southern African Tours on a recommendation, and it turned out to be the best decision we could have made. Our goal was not only to experience the “Big Five” safari but also to gain a deeper understanding of the country and its people. Craig and Bianca delivered far beyond our expectations.
They designed an itinerary that blended wildlife encounters, cultural interactions, and unforgettable adventures. From Kruger National Park to Eswatini that included an elephant interaction, swimming with dolphins in Sodwana Bay and enjoying the relaxed charm of St. Lucia. We hiked the Drakensberg Mountains, explored Cape Town, visited wineries, spotted whales and penguins, and even had a personal encounter with giraffes. Craig and Bianca arranged excellent accommodations and meals that made the trip even more enjoyable.
What truly set this experience apart was their deep knowledge and passion for South Africa. Their insights gave us a far richer appreciation of the people, culture, and history of this remarkable country.
Our three weeks were stress-free, unforgettable, and filled with moments we’ll treasure forever. We recommend Southern African Tours to anyone planning a South African adventure.
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Email Brian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 week trip of a lifetime!
We recently had the pleasure of touring South Africa with Bianca and Craig over a three-week holiday trip that spanned Christmas and New Year's. The experience was nothing short of exceptional, exceeding all our expectations.
Our journey began in Johannesburg, where Bianca and Craig warmly welcomed us. From there, they guided us through an incredible itinerary: driving to Kruger National Park for thrilling wildlife safaris, exploring the breathtaking Panorama Route, and visiting Eswatini for a unique cross-border experience. We continued to the coastal town of St. Lucia, ventured into the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, and even made a stop in Lesotho. We then flew from Durban to Cape Town, where we explored the vibrant downtown area, relaxed in Hermanus, and soaked in the charm of Kalk Bay.
Bianca and Craig meticulously planned every detail. They surprised us with thoughtful giraffe-themed gifts and even arranged a visit to a giraffe rescue center, knowing how much we adore giraffes. Over the holidays, when many restaurants were closed, they ensured we were well-fed—even cooking us a traditional South African braai, creating unforgettable memories.
The activities they organized for us were fun and tailored to our individual interests. We experienced multiple safari game drives, including after-hours safaris, and embarked on a ranger-led game walk where we had the rare opportunity to get close to wild rhinos. We enjoyed a peaceful riverboat cruise featuring loads of hippos, went snorkeling, and took part in a stunning 4x4 mountain drive into Lesotho via the Sani pass. Bianca and Craig also arranged a giraffe feeding at a sanctuary, a memorable cheetah encounter where we could interact with the animals, shark cage diving, surf lessons along the coast, and invigorating mountain hikes through South Africa's stunning landscapes.
Navigating South Africa's challenging roads, with unmarked speed bumps, unexpected pedestrians and animals, and unique driving customs, is stressful. We were grateful that Craig handled all the driving, allowing us to relax and enjoy the journey aside from when the roads were truly crazy. Their responsiveness was outstanding—always available on WhatsApp to address any questions or needs.
What truly set Bianca and Craig apart was their extensive local knowledge, strong network of trusted operators, and their commitment to supporting minority-owned businesses and animal welfare, ensuring a positive impact on South Africa. Their passion for their country was evident in every thoughtful decision they made.
If you're looking for a personalized, seamless, and deeply enriching South African adventure, we wholeheartedly recommend Bianca and Craig. They turned our trip into an unforgettable experience. Five stars without a doubt!
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Email Keith | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Poor communication
We felt that this tour operator had poor communicative and didn’t book our tour or flights as originally expected. We originally booked our November safari with them in March 2024 and paid our 50% deposit at that time. After multiple emails over the next several months asking for confirmation that our flights and lodge had been booked, we found out in September 2024 that the flights hadn’t even been booked yet. We proceeded to book our own flights at that time. We would not recommend this company.
Reply from Southern African Tours
Posted on Dec 6, 2024Dear Keith
Bianca did make the flights work, spending time on your job. You then decided it less expensive to book yourself. I'm not sure why she deserves a "terrible" review. .
We have mindblowing reviews, especially for our personally guided overland safari tours.
WE SENT YOU TO OUR VERY BEST SAFARI OUTFITTER ON A PRIVATE SAFARI GIVING YOU RATES OF WHICH EVEN A BUDGET OPERATOR WOULD BALK AT!
If you have any compassion, you could amend the review to include the positive aspects, like how much you appreciated your safari, of which you have already aknowledged, but dont comment on it here?
It’s unfair to break somebodies’ passion and livelihood when they have done their best.
Craig
Email Celeste Booysen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Interesting
I was very stressed and scared. I have never done a game drive before.But I found it to be quite nice.
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Email Mig | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service which goes beyond the normal expectations of personalization
Prior to diving into the details, I would like to thank Craig and Bianca for the great experience. Beyond the sites and activities, I must mention that Bianca was so instrumental in ensuring my wife's birthday was memorable. It takes a special, caring individual such as Bianca to ensure that we were able to obtain a beautiful, delicious (only got better later - trust me!) gluten free cake to celebrate my wife's birthday, during which of course, based on the amount of time we had spent conducting activities together, was only fit you were a part of. Thank you for not only assisting me with ordering and selecting the right cake but retrieving it from the baker and "surprising" my wife in the hotel lobby. She loved it!
Specific to the tour services, it was tailored to us completely. My wife and I are "on-the-go" folks, who hike, SCUBA dive, surf, and love to drink coffee. Regardless of the time constraint challenge in their hands, Craig and Bianca ensured they could accommodate every single activity we wanted - including an overnight stay at Inverdoorn Game Reserve, paragliding off Signal Hill, shark cage diving, hiking to/on Table Mountain, and a light buzz for my wife and me on a wine tasting (that was an unexpectedly fun time)! Plus, luckily enough for us, we got to drink some awesome South African coffee in a couple of spots, which included a small Cuban café across from our hotel.
Hence, what can I say, but thank you again for treating us like "long-time" friends, and for ensuring my wife's birthday and the whole visit was just outstanding!
GH
Email Curtiss D. | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Appears not to be a trustworthy tour operator
I booked a ZAR 144k tour with this agency and unfortunately had to cancel due visas issues beyond our control . I paid a deposit of ZAR 78k and the operator advised that they could only refund ZAR 50k , deducting various penalties and their own admin fees. This was happening in summer 2023. I even agreed that they repay in installment of ZAR 10k as they were raising some cash flow issues. For the last 6 months they haven’t paid anything !! They always come with an excuse as to why they have not paid me yet….This has become a nightmare!
I would caution anyone to deal with this agency as I believe they are simply not trustworthy
Reply from Southern African Tours
Posted on May 12, 20249th June – We received a email from Curtiss stating the trip cannot happen as his wife’s Visa was denied – This was 15 days prior to tour starting and the client had received vouchers as we made an acceptation to assist with the Visa even though we had only received 50% of the tour payment price and we had flight tickets organised.
22nd May - Curtiss asked for his tour to be brought forward to 24th June – The whole trip then needed to be rebooked.
Original Tour was supposed to start on 4th July.
Bianca went well out of her way, changing bookings at the last moment, sending receipts for her wife's visa, basically being there at all hours for every wish and whim required by Curtiss. Many, many hours of work was put into it.
The bottom line is we cannot retrieve the deposit paid to our suppliers at the very last moment. I told Curtiss earlier on, well prior to his arrival date that he should take out a travel insurance which would have covered his deposit in many unfortunate eventualities.
Its sad that such an ethical and hardworking tour operator deserves to get a bad review for a situation where our terms and conditions are quite clear. We had also promised to pay him a compensation in instalment's as and when funds where available.
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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.