Neil de Jonge | Safari Travel Expert
Jewel of Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $354 to $981 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Caroline | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An unforgettable tailor-made safari
My boyfriend and I are regular travelers to the southern part of Africa and this time we booked a «tailor-made » trip with Jewel of Africa Safaris. Even if we had many experiences in taking safaris tours, this one was really special, as we were on our own with Kobus, a native south African, with a lot of humor and passionate about his amazing country !
First the advice in organizing our trip was perfect and we made probably the most of our ten days, there. The places, he chose for us were great, charming, always adapted to our request and needs and the food was yummy. When we first arrived, we stayed in a comfortable hotel close to Pretoria, before heading to Panzi Bush Camp, a nice, charming and simple place in the bush, closer to Kruger Park. From there, we visited the neighborhood (blyde river canyon…) and also had an elephant-back tour that was a lot of fun.
We then spent a few nights in the really beautiful camp of Skukuza, in one of the best rondavel close to the river side. During the day, Kobus took us to “extensive” safaris, looking for wildlife, as I never can get enough of it! We’ve been lucky to see a lot, amongst them lions, hyenas, rhinos, elephants, hippos, pythons, loads of various birds and of course, warthogs, impalas, giraffes, zebras… Kobus was always ready to tell us a good story or answer any question about culture, fauna or anything else! One evening we took a special “sunrise tour” during which we spotted a python eating an impala… Woaw, that was something.
At last we spent a few days in a private bushcamp of the Timbavati reserve, Umlani. A very beautiful eco-camp very comfortable and again with passionate people, which made it really interesting! Following Kobus advice we booked a night in the tree house. A hut in the trees overhanging a waterhole… This was truly unforgettable!
Therefore, and for a lot more reason I did not take time to write down here, we are highly recommending Jewel of Africa Safaris for your next holidays to South Africa! It worth the money spent…
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Email Johanna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a really grear!
I think it lived up to my expectations and the communications was great.
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Email Thale Børresen gropen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable
We had such an amazing time in our travel.
I remember spending time in the Kruger park and we got to see so many great animals. Specially the big five and a leopard we spotted early in the morning.
I'm so happy I got this opportunity and having tour guides showing and telling us everything we waned to see. They make your travel experience unforgettable.
NL
Email Eric Janssen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful South-Africa
We went to South-Africa and we met Kobus de Jonge, he was our host. The journey we had was good organised. Perfect hotels with good food and enough beverages. It was never a problem to organize a trip. He told us a lot about the country, the animals and the culture. Every day with Kobus was a lot of laugh and humor. We will never forget this special holiday. The price that we paid for the holiday was it more than worth. Value for money. We saw a lot of South-Africa. From Joburg till Capetown, from Krugerpark till Addo and from Table mountain till Robben Island. Kobus thanks a lot for this special holiday
BE
Email Lenny and Marcel Vranken | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mpumalanga and Soweto Tour
Kobus De Jonge from "Jewel of Africa Safaris" took us on a private and spectacular Panoramic Tour of Mpumalanga while telling us all about the history of South Africa which is so intensely connected to this region. Back in Johannesburg he took us on an extensive and amazing tour of Soweto including the Hector Pieterse Memorial and Museum and Vilakazi street were Nelson Mandela and Rev. Desmond Tutu lived. We ended with a fine a meal in Soweto. We were struck by the warmth and the friendliness of the inhabitants of this country. Kobus' planning, guiding and safe driving was just perfect, he gave us a memorable trip.
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Email Margrethe | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fun and professional :D
I was with a group of volunteers, who went to Kruger nationalpark for safari in 2014. We had such good time with Neil (our tour operator). He is so much fun, and he knows so much about all the animals and the nature. He is a great guide, and we all had so much fun, so I went back the year after too, with the same tour operator. Neil told us a lot about nature, the big five, birds and all other animals, and he has a lot of funny jokes and stories to tell, so you will never be bored (even if there is some dead time, when your just driving around looking for animals). We got to see most of the animals we wanted, and it was great. I would definitely recommend Jewel of Africa Safaris to everyone! You will have a great time! :D Next time i'm back in South Africa I will definitely book a safari with Jewel of Africa Safaris again, for a third time! :D
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Email Katie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best vacation ever!
5 stars just doesn't even do this justice. My friends and I had the most incredible time in South Africa and I couldn't have imagined spending it with anyone other than Neil. He is very knowledgable and passionate about what he does. I expected to have an amazing time however this trip exceeded any expectations I ever had! Everything about this trip was simply amazing!! No need to shop around anymore. Book any of the many options they have to offer on tours. There is no way you could be disappointed!
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Email Whitney | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Trip Ever!!!
Giving Jewel of Africa 5 stars because Neil made my Africa trip the best trip of my life! If you're researching African safaris or tours stop the research and go with Jewel of Africa. You will not regret it!! Neil was an amazing tour guide... Educational, professional, and super fun to be around. We met as strangers and parted as friends. I could go on an on about how awesome of a tour guide he is but you should just take my word for it and contact Jewel of Africa as soon as possible.
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Email Joel Lang | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Immaculate
Our Kruger safari with Neil was a dream trip in every sense for my mother and I. We'd dreamt of such an adventure for years, and when we were actually there it was an immaculate dream of a trip...hypnotizing landscapes/wild, dusty roads/lions literally close enough to touch (if the windows had been down)/galloping herds/lazy jaguars/royal giraffes. This really can't be overstated. I've just tried, but I've failed.
Regarding the day-to-day, the most important thing is Neil. He's a classy, fun, intelligent dude with a mildly humorous accent. As a result of this, everything else falls into place. Lodging could be described as rustic, spectacular. And South African bacon should be considered a national treasure.
The only thing anyone really needs to understand is that if Neil were not guiding others, he'd probably be out there himself. He, and Jewel of Africa Safaris, have a real and proud hunger for what they do.
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Email Camilla Skjær Brugrand | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The heart of Africa
I went to work as a volunteer in South Africa for three weeks in the summer of 2013. During my trip, I had the fantastic opportunity to see the heart of African culture through the eyes of our amazing guide and friend, Neil De Jonge. The group explored the incredible wildlife that lives in Kruger National Park, we gazed at the spectacular view from God's Window, enjoyed local food and hidden and wonderful restaurants, but most of all, we experienced the kindness and calm of the African people. I will forever be grateful and astonished over the friendly and informative guide we had in Neil. He made us feel safe all the time and opened our eyes to a whole new world.