Splendid trip to Sabi Sands
Our family group of six stayed at Jaci Sabi house in Sabi Sands and had a wonderful experience. Ralph, our ranger, and Nkosi, our tracker did a splendid job of finding animals for us. We spent more hours pursuing animals with Ralph and Nkosi than we did on our prior visit to Sabi Sands five years ago. We did more searching for animals in the dark on this trip than on our previous trip. Highlights of this trip included nearly an hour spent with a leopard including seeing the female leopard kill and eat a crested francolin; an hour spent with a pride of ten lions that included five females and five cubs, all in a lazy post prandial state. We saw bush babies, civet cat, genet using spotlight after dark. The birding was terrific with sightings of fish eagle, tawny eagle, Bataleur eagle, Verreaux's eagle owl, pearl spotted owlet, ground hornbill, goshawk, crested barbet, lilac breasted roller, ostrich male and female, oriole, go away bird, others that I would need to check my notes for. I saw many, many owls on this trip, which was not the case on my previous trip. We visited Sabi Sands five years ago and had a wonderful experience then as well, staying at Chitwa Chitwa. Jaci Sabi house is smaller, with a group size of six the usual maximum. The Jaci Sabi House household staff were wonderful and went out of the way to accommodate a wedding anniversary of our daughter and son in law that occurred during the trip. I am an amateur astronomer and visiting during new moon afforded terrific views of the southern Milky Way, southern cross, omega centauri, coal sack, eta carina, and before dawn the large and small Magellanic clouds were visible. I had no telescope but enjoyed binocular views of objects. Quite honestly, there were exquisite things to be seen around the clock, making it difficult to know when to sleep.
CA
Email Sabrina Mercuri | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable
Fell in love with South Africa! The people, the food, the weather, the wildlife ! Can’t wait to go back ! We had the best honeymoon ever ! Even though it’s far to get there ( we live in Canada) it was worth it and we have no regrets !
CA
Email Jacqueline Landry | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Ker & Downey planned the trip of a lifetime for us. From our Safari in Phinda and another to Sabi Sabi along with our time in cape town and the wine lands. Everything and everyone was outstanding. The people, the accommodations, the food, the wildlife and even our transportation were first class all the way. It was a trip I would take again and not change a thing. Thank you Ker & Downey!
US
Email Amber Richardson | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
Our time in South Africa greatly exceeded our expectations! Touring such a beautiful country with an expert guide like Werner was a dream vacation! The weather was perfect, the food was fantastic, and we really could not ask for anything else! Highly recommend to everyone!
US
Email William Hui | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful, serene, and a wonderful country
South Africa Safari was amazing. Kruger National Park was everything I had expected and so much more. The wildlife was, by far, the most surreal ting I have ever seen and witnessed in my life. It was such a privilege to be next to elephants and rhinos. The scenery was something out of a fairy tale. Lush fields with impala galloping across, watering holes with wild birds and hippos -words cannot describe it.
The accommodations were also very nice. We stayed at the Satara camp and it had all the amenities you would need - fresh towels, rooms cleaned daily, pool, restaurant, and store. The food was delicious, our guide, Ryan, was a great cook and very knowledgeable of the area and history of Kruger. Transportation was also very good and on time.
As mentioned above, our guide, Ryan from Wildlife Safari was amazing. He was courteous, kind, and patient. He brought us around Kruger for two full days and showed us all the hotspots in the area. We were able to see four out of the five Big Five. I would highly recommend Ryan and his tours!! Ryan and family - thank you very much for such an amazing and life changing experience!!!
US
Email John Conway | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Trip - would do it again!
Visited in early May for 4-5 days on Safari. Tresmania Lodge was fine, a bit rustic but enjoyable overall. Food was very good. Enjoyed the Monkeys and all the wildlife in the area. Guides were very good. Very little down time as we were kept busy. Would do it again if I could find the time!
US
Email Michele | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Safari in South Africa
As a family we took a 2 week trip to SA including 7 days of Safari. The entire trip was organized by Kerry of Pembury Tours. I cannot recommend her highly enough! Kerry created a memorable and magical trip for us. Her attention to detail and knowledge of the area made her the perfect person to plan our trip. Every driver, tour operator, guide and hotel/accomodation were first class. We went to two private areas of Kruger (Timbavalti and Sabi Sands), then Hazyview for adrenaline activites including zip line, fishing and riding elephants, and finally to Cape Town and wine country. Even though it is so far away we plan on going again next year as nothing compares to the beauty of going on safari.
US
Email Linda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
We are just back from three weeks in South Africa (and a 3 day side trip to Zimbabwe). It was an absolutely amazing trip! We loved South Africa - it is absolutely gorgeous and the people couldn't have been nicer. They have the best customer service we've experienced. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. We had great weather - warm days and cool nights. We did four nights of safari in Krueger and were blown away by everything we saw - herds of elephants, a pride of lions, a pond full of hippos, a mama leopard and her cub....not to mention the zebras, rhinos, alpaca, waterbucks, kudu....and on and on! We also drove the Garden Route and spent time in the winelands. It couldn't have been better - we loved it so much we're planning on bringing our adult children back with us in a couple of years!
US
Email Cynthia | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wouldn't change a thing about my experience - wonderful!
I am very much into animals so the wildlife experience in Madikwe was beyond amazing. My transport driver was such a great tour guide on just the ride there and back - he was soooo knowledgeable about all the various local people. Such an educational and interesting man. I stayed at Bush House in Madikwe which was amazing. The people are so nice and helpful and the food!!! I am vegan and they totally accomodated my diet with the most delicious food! (This after I had spent 8 days at a rhino rescue then another 3 in Kruger where it was total miss with the volunteer portion and hit / miss in Kruger.) The bed was so comfortable and the grounds just beautiful. Truly one of the most wonderful experiences (and I've had many) of my life.
US
Email Amanda Detmer | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing time!
We had an incredible time! Madikwe is the perfect place to go to see a lot of animals in a peaceful manner. It’s not overcrowded; you only see a few other game cars while on the drives which is nice because it may only be you and the animals at times. We saw at least 10 different animals and even group of female lions eating on a zebra! Everyone at Madikwe is incredibly friendly with lots of knowledge on the reserve, it’s history, and the animals. We stayed at the Bush Lodge, and it was an incredible experience. I strongly recommend staying with the Bush family. They are very warm welcoming and professional. The weather in the month of May was great; chilly in the mornings and evenings, but it was bearable with a jacket and pants. Middays were perfect! We had a great time at Madikwe through SafariWithUs bookings.
