35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding trip to South Africa. Well-organized and planned. Couldn’t have gone any better!
This review is a bit overdue since we went on our trip in July, but I really do owe to Andre to recommend his company, since everything went off exactly as promised.
Our family of five, two adults and three kids (8,13,15) traveled to South Africa mainly to go on safari. My wife and I had been on safari in Tanzania in the past, so had an idea of what we wanted to do, but had no familiarity with South Africa. We relied heavily on Andre to make recommendations on our itinerary, game parks, drives, and accommodations. We were very pleased with what he suggested. Thabo, who accompanied us on the entire trip, was a very considerate, friendly and safe driver. We appreciated how attentive he was to our needs and the plan.
After arriving late in the evening in Johannesburg, Thabo picked us up to the airport to stay at Andre’s Safari Manor. Safari Manor is a very simple yet comfortable and clean little villa in the suburbs of Johannesburg. It’s where Andre lives. I think it’s mainly intended to be a place to overnight before you start your trip to the the parks or other destinations. Anyway, it’s nothing fancy but perfect for a short overnight after arriving or before departing Johannesburg.
The next morning we left Safari Manor and stopped at the Apartheid Museum for the morning. It’s worth a visit as it is very well done and interesting. We vastly underestimated the amount of time needed to really explore the museum in detail. There is so much more to learn than we were able to do in a morning.
Anyway, we then left to spend the day heading to Pilanesberg game park. We stayed in a villa at Kingdom Resort. Although it didn’t have the authentic “bush” feel of lodges where we’ve stayed on safari in Tanzania, it was just the perfect place for our family with three kids. The villa was very well-appointed and modern. Trust me, it’s really nice. Much better we expected. Food was excellent in the restaurant.
Andre booked us private game drives in Pilanesberg. We started with our first drive on the evening of our arrival, followed by several more game drives over the next couple of days. Our driver, Elvis, with Mankwe Gametrackers, was excellent. He was knowledge and motivated to find us all the animals we were hoping to see. In Pilanesberg, we were very lucky and ended up seeing cheetahs eating a kill, a leopard, lions, elephants and more. We couldn’t have had a better few days in Pilanesberg.
After Pilanesberg, we travelled to Hazyview. It was a long drive but that’s how it goes in Africa. We stayed at the Pilgrim’s Boutique Hotel. It was really a very cute place. Nice rooms. Great restaurant. And a cute courtyard. It was only for one night, as the next morning we did a private sunrise/morning safari at Kruger followed our trip to Kurula lodge. The morning safari in Kruger was a bit quiet in terms of animals. We certainly saw far more wildlife in Pilanesberg, but I think that’s not the typical experience. Regardless, we saw two lions eating a giraffe kill and another leopard. That’s actually pretty amazing. So, maybe we were already getting spoiled by our luck.
The real gem of our trip was the time spent at Kurula Lodge. This a private game lodge in the private game preserve region of Kruger. It’s amazing. Our family had the lodge to ourselves. The lodge is simply beautiful. It’s basically a luxury home with most rooms open to air during the day. The animals come right up the lodge as it’s basically a home built right in the bush. The staff are clearly focused on making your stay as perfect as possible. We had multiple private game drives with Jaco, probably one of the most intelligent and worldly guys you’d ever meet. He know practically everything about the local environment. I mean everything. His knowledge of every plant, animal, and insect is impressive. He’s super fun and informative. Every game drive was a captivating lesson in the whole ecosystem. The vehicle is a completely open top land cruiser. We were in the thick of elephant herds (who just walked right around us, inches away, without any suggestion of aggression or territorial behavior), saw two leopard with their kill in a tree over several days time and Cape buffalo herds we didn’t see anywhere else. It was awesome. Lions roaring loudly right outside our windows. We had a spotted hyena slowly walk into the deck(!!) while we were eating dinner. He thought he’s sneak up to look for a bite. Not a good idea, but it show how “ in it” is this lodge. Again, Kurula Lodge is awesome. Don’t miss it.
Finally, we returned to Johannesburg to fly home via the Panorama Route. It’s a long drive with numerous scenic vistas and hikes. It’s totally worth it. Check it out online. It’s exactly what you see.
Throughout all of this, Andre kept in touch to make sure everything was going as planned. Thabo was always available with us throughout the trip. He spent the days checking in with us periodically and driving us from park to park or the next spot on our itinerary. He was flexible enough to accommodate our wishes, but was very good about making sure that we were able to stay on schedule and do what we intended to do.
I highly recommend Safaris With Us.
A truly unforgettable experience making fantastic family memories.
Although we had been on safari in other parts of Kenya this was by far the best. We chose Beacon Safaris because Robert always replied quickly to my emails and worked with me to arrange this fabulous family holiday. Our guide and driver Daniel was excellent in making sure our safari experience was unforgettable. Knowledgeable and became part of our family for the week. Kenyas Masai Mara is breath taking and we saw all the Big Five in the first few days. Our two days at Nakuru Lake gave us the chance to see rhino and the flocks of flamingo on the lake. Flamingo Hill camp, Mara Sopa Lodge and Emayian Lodge were all welcoming and lovely places to stay. The food in all lodges was wonderful especially the Emayian who specialise in fine dining, they also had individual jacuzzis for each lodge. A truly unforgettable holiday.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great time on Safari with Classic Journeys in Kenya and Tanzania! then great trip to Victoria Falls
We worked closely with Charles for months in advance and he was so quick to reply and prepare us for this trip to Africa! once there, Chris was also our helpful person while in Nairobi. All their trip plans worked out very well, We had excellent guides, George, and Mirage, exciting Safaris, Great food and lodging and camping, A very educational trip, Enjoyed everything on Safari and all their destinations while there. The Safari guides really got us close to the wildlife, but always kept us safe.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable experience
What an unique experience! The gorilla trekking that me and my friends did with Silverback Expeditions , it's simply an experience of a lifetime!
There are no words that can Express this feeling. I would strongly recommend them. A very special thanks to SB for organised it.
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience
I was able to meet all the animals I wanted to see. The driver and guide, James, was really good. In particular, as a result of running ahead by guessing where the male lion we saw would come out and running ahead, the figure of a male lion drinking water close enough to shoot with a cell phone camera I was very moved when I was able to watch. He also cared about us who are not good at English. I'm glad that he was the best person as a guide and a human being.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime
Emails were always quick and well informed and will answer all the questions. Tour guide, Alan, was always on time and full of enthusiasm and knowledge. All lodges were excellent, the two tours- Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking were un real...this was the stuff of dreams!
This company couldn't be better, its professional and dedicated from start to finish.
PL
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The experience was one of a kind.
The safari was one of a kind experience. I learnt a lot from our guide. Sammy was a profesional with big knowledge about annimals. The safari had one flaw: meals were the same throug the whole trip. Although I do highly recommend 6days SafariLine Defender.
PL
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful trip, great tour guide!
It was an awesome experience. The trip was acompanied by The professional guide - Sammy, who I highly recommend. The views from Masai Maara are irreplaceble.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Now that was a great trip!
Our group of 13 has just returned from a wonderful 4-day safari experience with Wild Wings Safaris. It was an easy process right from the beginning working with Cathari, our reservations manager. She was always prompt with replies and answers to questions. All of the pre-trip arrangements regarding dietary needs, pick-up location, etc., were met without any problems. Our shuttle from Nelspruit to the Kruger Gate was waiting for us on arrival, as were our two guides, Rufus and Edward when we arrived at the park gates. They were terrific - friendly throughout the trip, were good at spotting the wildlife and providing information for each animal, and they went out of their way to provide good viewing opportunities. The accommodations in Skukuza Camp were excellent, as were the meals that were prepared by Jacques. And the wildlife did not disappoint either. Everyone saw the Big 5 (more than once), as well as many other varieties of animals. Thank you Wild Wings Safaris.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Aroni, best (safari) driver ever! I had the best game drive ever (i did alot of gamedrives)
Aroni, best (safari) driver ever! I had the best game drive ever (i did alot of gamedrives)