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:
- $206 to $230 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Incredible South Africa Honeymoon With the Help of Wildlife Safaris
My wife and I were celebrating our honeymoon in South Africa, and wanted to cap it off with a 4 day safari in Kruger. We selected Wildlife Safaris, and were not disappointed. We spent 4 weeks in Tanzania prior to South Africa, and went on several shorter safaris, so our expectations were rather high. We made our reservations pretty far in advance, and there was occasionally delays in getting responses to our questions, but everything went without a hitch. Our guide was Nik, and he's been going to Kruger for his entire life, and spent most of those years as a guide with Wildlife Safaris. We were picked up promptly at our hotel when communicated, and made the 5+ hour drive to Kruger, though there were a couple breaks built in, so it wasn't a bad drive. It was actually quite interesting to see the terrain changes throughout the drive.
We arrived to the park around 1:30 pm, and an afternoon game drive revealed lions and a leopard; not bad for the first few hours. It should be said that February is possibly the worst time to go to Kruger, as it is very hot, rainy, and the grass is high. A drought made conditions the opposite, so we were able to see lots of wildlife. In fact, we saw all of the Big 5 on our second day, all before lunch! (Warning: Results not necessarily normal and guides can't make animals appear, even if clients wish it, though Nik seemingly had Superman powers and could see through trees to spot game). We did the safari in an air conditioned minivan. At first I was skeptical, and worried it would constrict views, but that was not the case at all and the AC was a nice bonus (Nik said something about larger groups using the traditional open trucks). Just open the window to take a picture, and then close it after. An evening game drive was included in the price for the second day, which is put together and operated by Kruger staff with 20 or so passengers. It was ok, though we didn't really see anything new, and the night viewing was mostly a bust (a few passengers were given a spotlight to find animals, but it's hard).
The schedule was typically a very early morning game drive for 2-3 hours (we started at 5:30 am, though it can start as early as 4:30 am, or as late as 6:30 am, depending on when the front gates open), breakfast at a camp restaurant, a game drive until lunch, a "siesta" for a couple hours, then an evening game drive for a couple hours before the gates closed at 6:30 pm. Dinner together followed at around 7 with the group at the camp restaurant.
We stayed two nights at the Skakuza camp and one at Berg-en-dal. Skakuza was larger with more amenities, including free Wifi at the restaurant. It is also very centrally located and lots of drives can start from there. Berg-en-Dal was at the far Southern end and more remote, but the bungalows were larger and made the drive back to the airport quicker. But, it had no Wifi. Both places had AC and en suite bathrooms. Overall, the food and the accommodation was better than expected, and we were both very pleased. From what I gathered, Skakuza is often utilized, with the second site more variable, though it's all based on park availability. Staying inside the park was key, since we got such an early start and beat everyone coming in from outside the park. Our favorite early morning moment was coming across a pack of wild dogs in the middle of the road and watching them play with each other for 10 minutes, without another car in sight.
On the last day, we left the park around 9:30 after an early game drive and breakfast, and got to airport pretty quickly, no later than 3 pm. They advertise a 4-4:30 arrival, but we had no problem with the early arrival. So, no worries if you have a flight to catch in the evening.
Nik was a fantastic guide; a true animal lover who had great information, not only about the animals and the park, but anything else about South Africa we had questions on. We had a nice small group for the 4 days, and had some fun and enjoyable meals and conversations together. We can't speak highly enough of Nik and the whole team at Wildlife Safaris, and want to thank them all for helping create a wonderful finale to our honeymoon in South Africa. We'll be passing their name along to anyone we know that heads to Kruger, which was by the way, the best and our favorite park we saw in our journeys across Tanzania and South Africa.
IL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience and excellent organization
Communication was efficient but there were a few small bloomers on the way (mixing up Kruger with Madikwe).
Service was excellent, we were picked up at the airport on time, traveled on a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus with a friendly driver who gave us a guided tour. We were excited when we entered the Park as our driver pointed out the impala, giraffes and zebras. The accommodation was wonderful and we received a warm welcome from the owners of Bush Lodge and the rangers. The garden there is beautiful and the water-hole and hide at the bottom of the garden were the icing on the cake. Elephants, lions, impala, zebra, giraffes,waterhogs, rhinos came daily to enjoy the water, as though for our benefit. The ranger-guided tours were exciting and it was great to see cooperation among the rangers in tracking and locating the big 5. Seeing the big 5 at close quarters was nerve-tingling but amazing as the animals either didn't move (lionesses) or just walked by the jeep without paying us any attention (elephant and lions). A bonus was the dramatic starlit nights. Seeing southern hemisphere stars and constellations clearly for the first time, with the expert guidance of our ranger, was particularly exciting for me from the Northern hemisphere. On our last night, we were entertained with traditional local singing and dancing by the Lodge staff. All in all, a fabulous 3 days, highly recommended.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was quite simply the perfect adventure!
We booked with Wildlife Safaris because they were willing to let us customize our trip itinerary to meet our travel needs. Not only were they willing to work with us, they bent over backwards to make sure everything went smoothly. I cannot express enough how wonderful our guide, Paul, was. He saved us once from a bad situation and kept us laughing and learning the whole time.
Christine was also beyond amazing. She called ahead to our guesthouse knowing we might not have working phones just to make sure everything was set for us.
The others on our safari all spoke the same language, which made it even easier to make friends. It was the trip of a lifetime and then some!
I urge you to booked with Wildlife Safaris!
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
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.
US
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.
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.
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....
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.
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.