35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari --> Capetown --> Wine Country --> Plett
With substantial thanks to Nikki & the SA360 team, my wife and I had the trip of a lifetime to South Africa, and will be going back in the near future without a doubt.
We started with 4 days and 3 nights in Krueger National Park at Lukimbe Safari Lodge- the suite was huge, beautiful, intimate, and the food and staff were just as satisfying.
Capetown was the second, where we stayed in Camps Bay and had a blast in both Camps Bay and central Capetown where we hoofed it over 20 miles in 3 days, always finding new neighborhoods and sites to check out. I was surprised at house cosmopolitan Capetown is, perhaps not on the level of New York or London, but quite similar .to our home city of Philadelphia. In renting an auto we were also able to make a very simple day trip to the southern most point of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, and also spent quality time with penguins at Boulder Beach!
For the third leg we spent 3 magical days in wine country, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. With Nikki's guidance, we spent a bit of extra money per night to stay at La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek during our wine touring and this vintage French boutique became our single favorite hotel stay of our lives (Stay here, stay here, stay here).
For the final leg of our two week journey we headed Northeast towards Plett where we visited several coastal towns and were able to partake in some absolute world-class hiking loops. As it was December and the beginning of holiday season, we were fortunate to meet and mingle with many South Africans travelling to Plettburg Bay for end of year festivities and holidays.
Amazing amazing trip and - Eat ALL of the Springbock and all of the meats and veggies... goodness, I want to go back just writing this!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing company with amazing people
It was a long and arduous process to choose a safari company for my Kili climb and Migration Safari. I ended up with Gosheni and they turned out to be one of the best companies and experiences I have ever had since I embarked 6 years ago on traveling the world. Peter Robert was amazing to work with and meticulously put together an itinerary and team that far exceeded my expectations. The Kilimanjaro climb team was amazing, from the porters, to the chef to the guides. They helped me get to 17000 ft. before I succumbed to severe altitude sickness, damn you living at sea level!!! The team genuinely cared and it showed in everything they did for me. On the safari portion, the driver, vehicle and service were all 5 stars. Every day of the safari the driver setup a table in the Serengeti that offered, sodas, coffee, tea, wine, etc. None of the other vehicles did this, and the ones that tried did not compare. With so much completion you must do extras to standout and Gosheni did, I felt so spoiled the entire trip and although our driver was nervous about me seeing the crossing he delivered 2x. One crossing lasted almost 45 minutes, the other drivers were going nuts saying how awesome it was, and if they were excited you know it was not an average crossing. I will not soon forget my experience in this amazing country and Gosheni made everything so worry-free and easy. Save yourself the $$$ and give Peter Robert a chance, you will not be disappointed. His companies motto is not advertising nonsense it is so true, expect the unexpected
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable and good value for the money w'have paid.
Me and my partner have been around, if you know what I mean. Earlier we took out our bikes for a trip in Bangladesh. W'have seen lot's of country's in Asia, but Bangladesh was an eyeopener, once again!! What a country. As you problebly know, the dutch like biking. So in 2014 we had a nice conversation with Sander van Zanten, being the owner / manager of grassrootz. The main question was wether we wanted "him" as the organiser of our trip in Oeganda. Having our first coffee, Sander gave us this feeling of "doing business with him, w'll be alright". So, 2 dutchmen took again their bikes out, this time for making a trip in Oeganda. Sander arranged a big four-wheel drive with a rooftent and of we go, soon after our arrival in Oeganda. The first 2 nights we spend in his hotel, as we had to prepare our bikes and other things. On the 3th day we went off, together with our driver Paul. As he also spoke English, there whould be lot's of nice conversations ahead, talking about the history, habits and developments in his country.
We never felt uncertain with him, being our "tourleader" during the trip.
Sometimes we took our bikes from the big Toyota landcruiser and cycled ahead.
We spent about 3 weeks in Oeganda, doing "the grand tour". W'have seen all the places of interest. Even the north part. Don't skip this part of the country, because "the kidepo national park" w'll gave you the feeling that Linvingstone must have had, lot's of time's during his expeditions. :-)
Sometimes we slept in a questhouse / hotel. Good value afcouse, but many time's we slept on the top of our car, just "somewhere". As I came back in Holland, the first thing I wanted to buy, was a rooftent for my own car, what an experience!!!!
Oeganda is facinating. I have seen allot, already and not only in Europe if
you know what I mean!!! It's people, it's country-sides, it's "easy to do things feeling", it's diversities, whauw..
So, being an experienced tarffeler, I know at what time one can speak "of good value".
Being back in Holland, I have recommended "grassrootzuganda" to my frind's. Some of them whent as well, some of them made other choices until now. There is so much to see in the world!!
The one's who dit go, never where disappointed.
If you have to decide, whether you should go to Oeganda as well, don't have any doubts about the quality of the program and the integrity of the management. It's all oke.
If you want any further information, just send an email: [email protected]
Maybe I am not able to answer your questions instantly. If so, I'am probably on my bicycle somewhere.
After all, that's what the Dutch do, cycling around -:).
Jozef / Holland / the Netherlands.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari tours with Hekima Safaris
Absolutely reliable company with very friendly staff, especially managing director Jackson was very helpful. We took a trip to Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP and Arusha NP for 5 days and everything ran well. Guys waited for us at the airport, we were given food and water during the whole trip and got friendly guidance through the parks. We can recommend Hekima Safaris to all visitors who want to visit beautiful Tanzania's national parks and look for a company to manage it. Looking forward to coming back in the future.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely recommendable!
We had a 3 day safari, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in October 2016. It was all super organized, although we booked by mail three days previously.
We were picked up early in the morning at the airport by our safari guide and were able to start directly with the safari. The lodges we agreed with Peter by mail. Depending on the budget, he offers appropriate lodges. Our recommendation: Luxury Tended Camp in the Serengeti and Sopa Lodge in Ngorongoro Crater. A bit more expensive but absolutely recommendable.
Bestday Safari is definitely recommendable, thanks again to Peter.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy booking, professional and courteous staff, wonderful recommendations
I heard about Southern Africa 360 through a friend and used them because I was getting very overwhelmed with planning my vacation to Cape Town. Right from the first email, Nikki was very attentive and helpful. She made sure to understand what exactly I wanted out of my vacation and made some recommendations that turned out very well! I was able to reach Nikki via text message whenever I needed to and she was very accommodating. I made the last minute decision to rent a car to drive to the safari and even though Nikki was out of town, she connected me with one of her co-workers who set me up with a rental car while I was out shopping! My group and I enjoyed our 2 days at the Aquila luxury safari cottages. The staff, food and safari tours were excellent and more than we had even hoped for. We even had the opportunity to visit the wildlife rehab center operated by the safari! Throughout out the trip, Nikki checked in with us to make sure everything was going well. If I am ever in need of their services again, I would not hesitate to use them. I highly recommend Nikki and her peers.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible Uganda Tour
We made a 9 days tour through Uganda with Wild Jungle Trails.
First of all we would thank Teresa for her perfect planning and organizing the tour. All our whishes were 100% conisdered and she made a lot of good recommendations. Beside of that we appreciate the personal contact with her during the tour.
Second we like to thank our Guide Twaha for safe driving an competent guiding. It was a pleasure to spend the time with Twaha and to learn so much from him an his explanations about the animals, birds, living in Uganda and so much more... Especially his seating tip for the boat trip at the Kazinga Channel was valuable ;-)
I am hundred percent sure that we will come back to Uganda one day and we will come back to Wild Jungle Trails. Please do continue your great work!
IE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime, truly amazing! Breathtaking scenery , welcoming natives .. animals galore !
We travelled as a family of three, and are full of praise for Benson Safaris. All our queries were dealt with promptly and courteously in advance of travelling. We were warmly greeted and received such kind attention throughout. The day outings to such wonderful places as Serengeti NP, Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, were very special occasions. Our guide Charles was so patient, stopping to photograph the animals, answering our queries and showing us special places. He shared his vast knowledge with us daily, and looked out for us so much. David our chef, was excellent, most friendly and much fun. Our transfer driver was also so kind and taught us our first words of Swahili ! When my son left his camera (which contained loads of footage !! ) in the car, he had no problem in coming back to the airport to find us and return it safely to us - so kind! All in all a truly memorable experience - hope to go back and climb Kilimanjaro with Benson one day.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Personalized service, great value and a pleasure to work with ..
In an age where most people prefer to do their own travel arrangements directly or on-line, my experience with Kruger Park Travel strongly reinforces the value add an independent travel agent provides. I found Kruger Park Travel while searching on the web. Their web site was well laid out, Mike Swart the owner responded promptly to my on-line request for information. I called and spoke with him, he took the time to understand what my daughter and I were looking for, and I liked his insights and honesty. His suggestions were spot on and he I liked that he was always available to field any questions we had and make any adjustments where needed during our trip. He created a custom itinerary for us covering Kruger National Park, Cape Town and the Garden Route; all a very good value for the price. His associate Kylie, who handles the bookings and ticketing was a pleasure to work with: responsive to our requests and efficient. Mike, Kylie and our tour operator (Outlook Safaris) worked together to give us one of the best vacation experiences we've had. I would highly recommend Mike & Kruger Park Travel.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent and one of the best safari experiences in Tanzania
A memorable safari experience relies on your luck but a good driver/guide will definitely enhance it. Santos is a quiet person but professional. I'm happy I have chosen Migada Adventures.