Amazing Safari Adventure with Nhlalala Travel
Nhlalala Travel
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2017)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Mid-range & luxury)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $144 to $1,156 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
IT
Email Edoardo Ottone | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Valuable experience at a fair price
I found Nhlalala Travel researching Kruger Safari Tours on the web.
I sent an email to several operators asking for information.
Norman (founder and owner) sent me a very detailed answer about offers, prices and conditions.
I decided to place my bet on Nhlalala Travel not only because of good reviewes, but mainly because Norman supported our needs and I found his offer a fair compromise in terms of quality and price.
Our experience consisted in a 3 days of Safari in Kruger Park (end of October 2025), including private transfer from / to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport.
At the first day Loyd picked us up in a sedan car directly at the hotel near the Airport around 7.30 a.m. and drove us to Kruger Gate Hotel (we checked-in about 2 p.m.). We had a couple of hours to relax before Safari sunset drive at 4 p.m. . I really recommend Kruger Gate Hotel, it is a bit more expensive, but it is worth your money: it is located just outside Kruger Park, next to the main entrance (Paul Kruger Gate), rooms are nice and clean, the environment is typical, it offers good services (such as zero-edge pool with observation desk and pool bar), it includes dinner (served buffet style, but variety and quality are good, drinks not included) and breakfast.
Second day we started a full day private Safari (on a shared vehicles, we were a dozen of visitors on it), at 5 a.m., until 3 p.m. . Early morning is the best moment of the day to see animals (there is light and the temperature is not so high). Our guide Roger was very experienced, knowledgeable, and available in satisfying our requests: we saw a lot of animals very close (elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, hawks, eagles, wild-dogs, leopard, hippos, hyenas... and of course baboons, a lot of antelope species; unfortunately no lions, no rhinos, but we couldn't pretend to see them all in a single day).
Third day Loyd picked us up at Kruger Gate Hotel after breakfast at 8 a.m. . Again, this was a private transfer in a sedan car. We travelled the panoramic route, that passes through God's Window, the Three Rondavels and blyde River Canyon: the duration is a bit longer, but landscapes are amazing. We arrived in Johannesburg about 6 p.m., directly at the hotel.
We spent about 800€ p.p. , that seemed a relevant amount at the time I reserved, but after the experience I can say it is a fair deal: we had two private transfers in a nice car from / to our hotel in Johannesburg (close to OR Tambo Airport), we spent 2 nights in a beautiful 4-stars Hotel just outside Kruger Park with breakfast and dinner included, we had a sunset Safari (3 hours) on a shared vehicle and a full day private Safari (9 hours) with a dedicated guide, we came back through the panoramic route (entrance tickets to panoramic spots included).
Norman was very clear and professional in all steps of reservation process: I paid 35% in advance when placing the booking, then the balance due (65%) just 72h before the trip (payments done through payfast link).
In the end, I absolutely recommend Nhlalala Travel.
Again, great thanks to Norman, Loyd and Roger who took good care of us: we really enjoyed the experience.
Keep up the great job!
Edoardo & Monica
Email Sandra Craig | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant guide - made our trip so special
We booked with Norman at Nhlalala Travel after receiving a detailed itinerary of the trip and he didn’t disappoint.
Lucky our guide was punctual, picking us up from Jo’burg at 6am, he wad chatty helpful and polite, everything you want so early in the morning. We spent a few days doing Kruger and the Panoramic tour, all of which were amazing. Lucky couldn’t have been any more helpful and Norman beforehand made sure everything was in place for us. So glad we chose Nhlalala as they made our time there a much more special
HK
Email Kwong Winnie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
VERY EFFICIENT
due to cancellation of my flight, I contacted Normand of Nhlalala to start a 3 days' Kruger Safari Trip in a very short notice. Mr Normand managed to arrange this trip for me within 1 day.
We started off the next day after confirmation, everything went smoothly. He even arranged a private 4x4 safari vehicle for us. Roger, is a very experienced guide/driver. He spotted lots of birds for us with his super eagle eyes.
Normand follows up with us every day to see if everything goes smoothly.
Email Andrew | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Accommodating and easy to organise
Norman was a fantastic guide, organising all the activities and was accommodating to our personalised itinerary. Accommodation was great and he helped organise our fantastic game drives. His knowledge of the local history was amazing. Will definitely travel with Nhalala again!
Email Lyndel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Norman was wonderful, organised, flexible and made our experience one to remember!
This whole experience was a once in a lifetime, it was well organised, punctual and lots of fun! The tours at the park were also fun, full of knowledge and perfectly timed. What a beautiful part of the world we got to experience in such a great way!
PL
Email Adrianna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They don't just sell trips; they sell memories and experiences. I wholeheartedly recommend Nhlalala
The trip definitely exceeded our expectations. We took the 4-day Kruger + Panorama tour.
Let's start from the beginning: we handled all the formalities with Norman, who was always very quick to respond to all our questions. We wanted to maximize our time in the park. We were glad that extending our trip by one day wasn't a problem at all. All costs were clearly explained, as were the payment methods.
Khongi, who was an incredible companion for the trip from Johannesburg to Kruger and back, picked us up from the airport hotel. He was also our guide on the Panorama tour. We felt like we'd known him forever; he was incredibly interesting, but he also showed us and explained many things. We felt taken care of the entire time because we had constant contact, and even after a full day of safari, he called to make sure everything was okay and to confirm the next day's plans.
The hotel itself also exceeded our expectations. The rooms looked even better than in the photos, and the breakfast buffet or takeaway box on our departure morning was truly filling and varied. The dinner buffet offered a huge selection of delicious dishes.
The safari trips were also well-organized, and even though we were with other people, it was relaxed and everyone could see what they wanted.
In short, we couldn't have chosen a better place. Khongi, his care, and the overall experience made us not want to go back home. I'm always wary of using travel agents and prefer to handle everything myself, but they exceeded all our expectations at all. They don't just sell trips; they sell memories and experiences. I wholeheartedly recommend Nhlalala Travel.
US
Email Barbara Rain | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari in Kruger
This 3-day safari to Kruger could not have been better. Tour operator Norman Mlambo was in constant contact with me, checking in and making sure everything was alright. All the logistics were meticulously planned and implemented, including pick-ups, meals, and safari game drives. Norman is an exceptional tour organizer. My driver and guide, Loyd Makhubele, was with me every step of the way. He picked me up at my hotel in Johannesburg, drove me to Kruger via the spectacular Panorama Route, picked me up and drove me to all my game drives in Kruger (including one at 4 a.m. for a pre-sunrise drive!) and got me to the Mpumalanga Airport to catch my flight to Victoria Falls. He was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, and I was lucky to have him as my guide. I was in Africa for over 3 weeks, and this tour was only 3 days, but it gave me some of the most memorable moments of my whole trip. Thank you to Norman and Loyd!
US
Email Vijay | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Organised everything and looked after us well
Norman was a great owner/operator of the safari and organised everything as well as looked after us for both our outward and inbound drive from and to Joburg. He booked our stay the Kruger Gate Hotel and organised our Safaris with SANParks and one of his freelance tour guides. Although at times it was a bit confusing who our guide would be for the day as plans did change along the way, we always felt safe and well looked after and Norman himself was warm and friendly.
ES
Email Miguel Hernandez Hidalgo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
Our experience with Khongi was great. Good driver, good music, good talks. We highly recommend him. We will repeat our journey to Kruger and Panorama route with him. Thank you.
Email Liza Ding | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator is very responsible and provides excellent travel experience.
I had a four days Kruger National Park safari tour with Loyd. Norman and Loyd organised an amazing trip for me that will last for a life-time memory. I stayed at the Kruger gate hotel which is excellent. The animal safaris were fantastic! The communication is great. Lyod is very responsible and considerate. He goes beyond and above and make sure everything is taken care of. The team is very reliable. I highly recommend you this company if you want to visit South Africa. They will not disappoint you!!
