FI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant trip, lifelong memories
My wife and I had an excellent two-week trip with Benjamin from Siya Phambile Expeditions. Everything worked out perfectly well and we had an unforgettable trip experiencing African wildlife, history, and present culture. Communication before the trip was excellent, the booking process straightforward and all questions were answered. Also small modifications to the itinerary worked out perfectly. He has asked about our special interests and included all extras we requested. He has, too, organized transfers for the week we spent independently in KwaZulu-Natal at a short notice and took care that also there things worked out with no problems.
The trip was perfect from the pickup at the airport in Johannesburg to the dropoff at Tembe elephant park. The game drives were brilliant. Benjamin is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic wildlife guide. Without him we would not have had so many and high quality wildlife sightings. He provided invaluable information about the animals and was able to reconstruct what was going on only by hearing hyena calls from distance, for example. Added with knowledge of how to situate the car by knowing beforehand what was going on + might happen made it possible to have very near encounters with animals, if one was lucky, and we certainly were, on multiple occasions. Also the ability to spot animals from great distance while driving was impressive. Most of that would have passed us by if we would have done self-driving.
The food was very tasty, Benjamin is an excellent cook. We got introduced to South African grilling culture, which was a memorable experience by itself.
It was our first safari and certainly not the last one. We look forward to more adventures with Siya Phambile in the future.
HU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent and very personal service - a perfect trip
Most people think that there are only two ways of visiting South Africa – self-drive or luxury lodges. There is also a third possibility: a private guided tour. It guarantees privacy (unlike game drives at lodges that are mostly shared) and a professional guide, who will spot animals you could easily overlook. We have met travelers who spent a similar amount of time at Kruger like us, but never saw any leopard or cheetah, only a few lions from distance. In contrast, on a guided tour with Siya Phambile Expeditions we saw 3 leopards, spent an hour with a cheetah and her two cubs and saw many lions close up, including a kill that took place just in front of us.
Siya Phambile is the only company I found that offers cultural tours in combination with a safari. We have visited in addition to a week at Kruger also Mapungubwe national park with its beautiful landscapes and rich history and the Venda and Tsonga people in the province of Limpopo. These authentic cultural experiences were very special and we will always treasure them.
From the initial contact with Benjamin I knew that we will be in good hands. He has answered all the questions I had and made sure we got a trip tailored to our interests, with great attention to detail. Due to Covid, I have contacted him only a month before travelling, and he managed to organise a perfect trip at such short notice. The last weekend of our journey was even a national holiday in South Africa, but Benjamin has managed to secure accomodation at Southern Kruger even for this time frame.
Food and accommodation during the trip were great. Benjamin made sure that the food fit our dietary requirements and preferences. In addition, delicious snacks were provided during game drives.
As stated above, Benjamin is a very professional guide, who would spot animals from a distance. His driving skills are excellent - he navigated all kinds of road conditions with ease. During game drives, he knew how to position the vehicle even in crowded situations in Southern Kruger in a way that we got a great view every time. He always kept an eye on the whole picture, for example from the behaviour of herbivores he was able to tell if there might be any predators around. We have learned a lot about different animals from his explanations. Also he is a very friendly and pleasant person to be around, which is not unimportant if you have to spend a couple of weeks with a guide.
We are experienced travellers, but this 16-day safari with Siya Phambile was a very special experience for us. It was perhaps the best trip we took so far. We are already planning to return to South(ern) Africa next year and will certainly book with Siya Phambile again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptional, goes the extra mile, so attentive and most efficient!!
Discover Africa is the only way to go!!!
If you want the perfect trip then use Discover Africa
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Kenya Safari and Uganda Gorilla Trekking Experience!
The gorilla trekking was absolutely AMAZING!! The beauty of the forest and seeing the gorillas in the wild was breathtaking. Robert, our planning guide, was the best at planning an unforgettable trip. He was the most responsive of all the companies that we received quotes from. He was flexible in helping us change dates of our trip last minute. Best of all he offered some of the best pricing out there. Notwithstanding being competitive on price, his service and company did not lack in quality.
We had 2 guides on our trip. One in Kenya, Dixon, and one in Uganda, Caesar!! Both of these guides were incredibly professional, and had a plethora of knowledge of the wildlife, landscape and people. Both were willing to get us the best shot possible and always seemed to put us in the right place. We had a van in Uganda and then a Land Cruiser in Kenya. Both vehicles were comfortable, which is important as we were in the vehicles sometimes 8 hours a day!! Robert met us at the end of the trip and we were able to speak with him and develop a great friendship. I can not recommend this company more! They are amazing!!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Kenya & wonderful people
Travelled on a Kenyan safari in July 2021 with 4 adults and 2 kids with Donwel travels and had an amazing experience, not just on the safari itself but working with Christine from Donwel in preparation for the trip and during the trip. Christine was always prompt in answering all our queries before arriving in Kenya and even suggested an itinerary which met our travel schedule (no other tour operators suggested this). She even came to airport to see us before the start of our safari which I think is a nice touch and makes you feel like you are cared for. At the airport we were introduced to Victor, our guide for the next 5 days in Kenya. Victor is an experienced safari guide and has a sharp eye to spot animals during the the game drives. He was also very knowledgeable and very kind when dealing with the kids. He made sure that we were comfortable during the entire trip and very flexible in adjusting to our schedules while making sure we had good spotting on our game drives. On our way back from the safari, we decided to spend sometime in Diani beach which was not booked with Donwel but Christine made sure everything was organized for our trip and even came to see us off at the airport. Christine made sure we had a comfortable trip and kept checking on us if we needed something. She even went out of her way to find contact at a local hospital and coordinated the PCR reports for us which was a big help. Overall, Donwel is a professional and very personalized service provider and highly recommended.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very professsional company really taking care about needs their clients
The owner of the company was extremely service oriented. Our plane was very delayed and landed in a different place. Still, Gabriel picked us up always communicating with us. The same happened on the way back and again he took care of our family even the tour officially has finished ! The safari was with a very experienced guide who was extremely causious to avoid any potential troubles and to show us Tanzania offers. We were very lucky with this team! A cook gave us warm plastic bottles so we don't freeze in the night during camp. Besides, he cooked delicious meals perfect for our family.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Safari
Thank you James for this amazing safari !
Great organization and a wonderful adventure.
James is a very careful guide/driver who knows perfectly reserves and animals.
His knowledge for many years allowed us to find the animals in the vastness of the reserve. Always listening to us to please us and make us discover this beautiful country, he is a real professional, in love with his country and nature.
The accommodation under tents is rudimentary but with showers, toilets and especially in the middle of the animals.
A very nice adventure that allowed us to discover the parks and the wild animals for a reasonable budget.
I have already done several Safaris, but without any doubt, this was the most successful one!
To recommend without hesitation !!!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Guide and Driver for a Safari
Obag made everything possible and did everything to make it possible for us to have an unforgettable time!
He told us so much about the bush and the animals und we had so much to lough.
Thank you Obag for that expirience.
Mr Tembo
HU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional team, smooth organization for a very enjoyable trip
We contacted the company last minute with a request of a private safari for 2, and they were very flexible. Their price was also very competitive.
Our driver-guide was professional, friendly and did his best to make the trip perfect. He even has brought very good binoculars which made animal sighting so much more enjoyable. No pushing at all for extra activities that we wanted to skip.
Very delicious lunch was provided.
We highly recommend Moraka Tours.
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Honeymoon ever!!
We booked our 7 day tour in Kenya traveling from Nairobi-Masai Mara-Lake Nakuru-Lake Naivaisha-Amboseli.
Since we arrived, our tour guide George made sure we had the best time in Kenya, looking for the big 5 (we saw them all!) and taking care of us. He and the Bencia Team made sure our experience was perfect!
