Christine Sales Office
Wildlife Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1971)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $207 to $231 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Family trip of a lifetime!
My husband and I traveled with Wildlife Safaris in 2006 and had a wonderful experience. When we decided to plan a safari with our family, we immediately contacted Wildlife Safaris and were pleased that Christine was again the person to help us with our booking. Through her expert help, we arranged the perfect vacation including staying at Waybury House the first and last night. Hoppy was our guide for our 4 night safari and I can't say enough about how well he took care of his. He was friendly, accommodating and very knowledgeable. We saw the Big Five within the first two days! An added bonus was running into Clive, our guide in 2006, in Kruger! I highly recommend Wildlife Safaris and hope to return for another safari in the not too distant future.
US
Email Cliff | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful 5 day safari to Kruger National Park and Game Preserve
We had a fantastic time and the excellent service was complete and portal to portal from our B&B's in Johannesburg. Anthony our humorous guide was an indefatigable driver, a sharp game spotter, and a knowledgeable naturalist with a great love of the African outdoors which he conveyed to us. Since he had served in the Johannesburg fire department as both a fireman and paramedic, we felt we were in great hands in this our first time in Africa. And we photographically bagged the Big Five. Highly recommended.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime!
Thank you for a perfect trip and a wonderful adventure. The plans worked perfectly, and accommodations were fine. We preferred the Park to the private game reserve, though folks there were also very accommodating and friendly. “Hippo Hollow” was also fun, and a great way to end the trip.
Most importantly, Anthony Hawell (Hoppie) was a fantastic guide, on every dimension. He is extremely knowledgeable, and knew the answers to all of our questions. It is clear that he loves the Park, and this made touring with him a very special experience. He led us to remarkable sightings, including a beautiful leopard and so many lovely birds. He would pull into some amazing sight, like a watering hole with a variety of animals to see, and quietly point out key features, giving us plenty of time to absorb what was there, and ask lots of questions. We never felt rushed or pressured. He took excellent care of us. In addition he was delightful company, so funny and kind, and quickly came to be a real friend, not merely a guide. I especially enjoyed the after-tour, stimulating conversations, over dinner or drinks, where I learned a great deal. It was a trip of a lifetime, and I will never forget it.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
There experience of a lifetime
The entire experience was first rate from communication to accommodation to guiding to Kruger Park. The only downside was the food which was so - so. However, we didn't go for the food. We would highly recommend the experience and Wildlife Safaris.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!
My husband had been on safari before with Wildlife Safaris and was so impressed that he would only travel with them again. The trip to Kruger Park far exceeded my expectations, it was just amazing. All the travel arrangements were made for our Private safari with Christine who arranged our itinerary. Nothing was two much for Christine she answered all our questions and put together the perfect holiday. Everything was well planned and arranged. We even had to work our holiday around Hoppy the guide my husband had had previously! No Hoppy, no holiday!
Hoppy is wonderful,so knowledgable about all wildlife and could spot an animal anywhere. He's also funny two lots of stories to tell. We saw the Big 5 before breakfast on the first morning we arrived.
A big, big thank you Hoppy for an amazing time. A holiday I'll never forget....
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fulfilled a 50 year old dream
This was a truly memorable experience. Having been fascinated by the natural world from an early age it was wonderful to see the big five (and so many more) in their natural habitat. Our guide was extremely good at identifying any animals or plants. My only criticism would be that I would have liked to learn more about specific creatures, it seemed a little like a "box-ticking" exercise. I would certainly go again like a shot, but would try and make it a more "academic" trip.
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Email Teja, B | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the best experience's of my life
I choose Wildlife Safari's after a thorough research, because this was my first time and also because I usually don't go to the same country twice, so i made sure I got the best experience and boy was I right. I had such an amazing time. Hoppy Howell was our tour guide and I joined a couple from Australia and one gentleman from England. Mr. Hoppy picked me from the hotel at exactly the time, the company told they'd. It was such an amazing tour. I spotted so many animals in the wild and it was everything and more than what I had expected. Hoppy was also extremely friendly and patiently answered all my questions, his expertise and knowledge on the wildlife is pretty deep. He was extremely accommodating in a lot of ways, he'd wait patiently till everybody in the tour group got a full view of the animal we would try to spot. Overall such a wonderful. I'd definitely recommend. Worth every dollar I spent. If I ever be in SA again, I'd definitely choose them and do a safari with them again.
CA
Email Jude | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
could not have asked for more... it was absolutely fantastic experience
This was my second trip to South Africa, and for that matter, second safari at Kruger National Park. Surely there was a bit of hesitation at the start, especially due to reports on media and certain blogs, strikes and load shedding etc.... Surely, South Africa has her share of challenges just like many other places but this place is magical in my view.
About the tour group, Wildlife safaris, from the beginning they were very professional. Jonathan with whom I had my initial communications was very professional, extremely helpful and courteous. Always answered my questions to the point and made additional helpful suggestions when needed. Also I had a positive experience with Lorraine in the office.
Our tour guide was Simon Taylor. He was absolutely fantastic. Not only his knowledge, but his passion for nature and African Wildlife is commendable. He took every possible effort one can possibly take to show us more and more animals. I have no doubt that he has seen all that on many of his trips to Kruger yet he was so eager to spot the animals as if it was his first visit. He is an absolutely super guide who is well organized, efficient in time management, and above all so passionate about his work and extremely friendly. We also had a super good group, six of us altogether from different parts of the world, but we gel well as a group, and overall, had a fantastic 4 day safari... spotting the big 5 twice in 4 days. All that thanks to Simon's effort.
NL
Email Levi Schouten | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Splendid experience, great guide and some (really) exiting wildlife encounters.
We had a great guide, very experienced and good company. We saw 4 of the big 5, missed the leopard by a second! Some exiting moments with an elephant in must, I will never forget this. The sounds at night, the views, the wildlife, the special birds and photographic scenes, the male lion @ 2 meters distance from the vehicle, the unexpected moments and the fun with the group.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kruger Park is amazing, however the contractor that supplied the open vehicles needs to be changed.
Our Safari in Kruger had a rough start, on the first official game drive ( late afternoon, with the open safari vehicle ) the vehicle broke down. When our driver/guide stopped to view animals, the vehicle refused to start. After soliciting the assistance of a passerby who had mechanic tools and knowledge, we returned to the camp safely and finished the game drive in a mini van.
The following day on our early morning game drive ( different open safari vehicle) we again broke down. This time a much greater distance from the camp and outside of cell phone range. We had to wait approx. 2 hours in the hot morning sun until another Safari company stopped and assisted in contacting the camp to arrange for alternate transportation. In the end we agreed to continue with the game drive, in another vehicle . However as a whole we were concerned for our overall safety with these vehicles and we had lost faith and trust in this tour company to deliver a product as agreed upon!
When you operate a Safari company in a huge Wildlife Park such as Kruger, you need to have safe guards in place. Having access to reliable vehicles for the game drives, should be their number one priority. Other communication equipment, such as satellite phones, that will provide contact to the camps in event of break downs or emergency medical issues, is a must. We were informed that the use of the open safari vehicles was fairly new to this company.
In closing, I found our driver / guide, to be very knowledge with the wildlife in Kruger and friendly. On the other hand , the other company employee whom we had direct contact with during this Safari was unacceptable. I felt he forgot who he was working for at times. His communication with our tour was very poor, at no time did he apologize for the inconvenience's of the break downs or inquire as to our safety during the break downs. We also witnessed his unacceptable rants towards our driver in front of us, blaming him for the mechanical breakdowns. He was very unprofessional and not a good representative of Wildlife Safaris !
Reply from Wildlife Safaris
Posted on May 16, 2014Response from Wildlife Safaris
As Management we would like to apologise for the unreliable standard of open safari vehicles we were obliged to use for this tour . Our normal supplier did not have sufficient vehicles so we sub-contracted to another company . We were informed about the breakdowns when they happened on both occasions & we assisted with replacement vehicles . Consequently we have not used this company again & have made enquiries about alternate backup services .
We have requested reports from both guides involved with this tour & we are satisfied that following the delay on Day 2 , the game drive was extended later than usual so that guests received the services we had agreed upon .
Regarding communications , officially S A National Parks does not allow drivers to have satellite phones in Kruger Park because this leads to congestion at Big 5 sightings , so drivers have to rely on their own mobile phones .
As a qualified Tour Guide myself, I am aware of the stress caused by any interruption to an itinerary which may be due to mechanical failure , unexpected conditions such as floods or fire, ill health of passengers or dangerous animals . The guide is usually alone & has to deal with the situation as well as consoling his passengers which can be very difficult . We regret any altercation which took place between guides & they have been reminded to be more considerate to the passengers stranded out in the bush.