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Carol
US
Visited:
July 2024
Reviewed: Jul 26, 2024
Email Carol | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was a trip of a lifetime.
What a wonderful experience from start to finish including the pick-up at the Tambo airport bus terminal and the drop off at our hotel door four days later! Quite a ride to Kruger through the mountains and orange groves. We had no real idea about how far or how long (over 7 hours) it would take having booked everything on line. Suggest others might consider flying from Johannesburg. But the scenery was beautiful, the van comfortable, and the driver excellent.
We arrived at the HoyoHoyo lodging and were off on a game drive 30 minutes later! Our guide for the entire experience, Marc Jenkins, was outstanding. Knowledgeable, considerate and personable! We saw the big five and so many more.
We loved the daily schedule: Three hour game drive at dawn with breakfast after, and another drive as the sun set followed by dinner. It got a bit chilly as it was winter, but blankets, ponchos and even hot water bottles were
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provided. There was a break during each drive with cocoa or coffee with snacks in the morning and wine or soft drinks, again with snacks in the evening to watch the sun set often with animals cruising by. Just amazing.HoyoHoyo was incredible. The accommodations in six individual hut-like structures, each a with king-size bed, stone tub, towel service whenever you departed, loads of hot water, even a bedtime story bookmark were fantastic. And then there was the food! Menus were provided for lunch and dinner with plenty of delicious (and often exotic) choices. The wine was excellent. My favorite meal was breakfast. Across from the outdoor dining area was a watering hole. The first night a leopard dropped by. But breakfast visitors were the best—elephant families, herds of impala, baboons galore, and on and on! But probably, the most significant factor of all was the friendliness of the HoyoHoyo staff—everyone had a smile and a word to say. They even knew everyone’s name.
I cannot say enough about this entire adventure. We booked it with crossed fingers from halfway around the world, Honolulu. I would recommend Wayne and The Kruger Safari Company without any hesitation. Wayne was quick to respond to my questions, kept us informed, and certainly planned the trip of a life time for us. Mahalo nui loa and aloha!
Fabrizio Gentili
DE
Visited:
June 2024
Reviewed: Jul 23, 2024
Email Fabrizio Gentili | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome landscape and impressive game drives
It was an amazing trip to Greater Kruger Sabi Sands incl. two nights stay in Umkumbe Lodge. What a woderful experience.
Everthing was perfect. The tour operator MoAfrica tours, the transfer from the airport with safari link, the lodge and the game drives incl. the best Guide we have ever had.
Shannon, thank you for the incredible game drives.
Sabi Sands is such a wonderful place. We strongly recommend this tour. It is likely to spot leopards. We were so lucky to seem them twice, incl. a foto shooting on a rock. We saw the big 5 within 6 hours. Incredible....
We will be back soon. Thank you.....
David
OM
Visited:
July 2024
Reviewed: Jul 22, 2024
Email David | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Difficult to enter
I am unable to write a review of South Africa, its wildlife, or its landscapes due to the frustrating experience with the online eVisa system.
Our first application was rejected after nearly three weeks without any update on the website, despite being notified of a decision. It took several phone calls, emails, and text messages to receive the official verdict.
We are still waiting for a decision on our second application, two weeks after submission.
Our travel plans for July had to be rescheduled for August in the hope that the visa will be approved in time.
Having traveled to numerous countries, we find this process to be the most exasperating. While most countries have their peculiarities in documentation requests, requiring copies of our deceased parents' death certificates appeared unreasonable.
Other eVisas we've applied for were processed within hours or days, but this takes weeks.
Dawn Dalley
NZ
Visited:
June 2024
Reviewed: Jul 21, 2024
Email Dawn Dalley | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A country of great diversity in geography, landscapes, wildlife, culture, people and wealth
Our trip to South Africa had some highs and lows. We self-drove for 10 days from Port Elizabeth, along the Garden Route and into Oudtshorn and Franshoek. It was a very affordable country for us to visit and we had some great experiences but didnt always feel safe. The food was great and we met some lovely people at our accomodation. The highlight of our trip was 4 days in the Kapama Game reserve. Amazing food, wonderful staff and awesome wildlife.
Albert Abela
FR
Visited:
July 2024
Reviewed: Jul 17, 2024
Email Albert Abela | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari with my sons
Excellent lodges and safari in Kruger and in concessions .
Diane Lincoln
US
Visited:
June 2024
Reviewed: Jul 16, 2024
Email Diane Lincoln | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I loved the animal viewing on the safari!
We booked two different safaris in June 2024 with Ranger Buck Safari team. The first safari was the Buffalo Camp in Kampama game reserve. The staff was wonderful and the glamping tents where nice. The game drives started on time and the ranger was knowledgeable and worked hard to find all the animals each day. I would definitely return to Kampama!
The second safari was Shamwari private game reserve. The glamping tents were fantastic but the staff was getting the lodge ready for winter shut down and we felt it was rushed and not time well spent at this lodge. The ranger was driving so fast at times, we could not spot anything in the bush.
Christian Anthony Wiberg
SE
Visited:
July 2024
Reviewed: Jul 15, 2024
Email Christian Anthony Wiberg | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great adventure
North eastern SA had not only exciting safari but also offer guider tours to diamond mines and Mandela’s old neighbourhood as well as apartheid museum.
Colette
US
Visited:
June 2024
Reviewed: Jul 13, 2024
Email Colette | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful!
I’ve wanted to go on a safari since I knew what they were. I went on a 5 day trip with Bongan Safaris and loved it! I saw the Big 5 and many more. I also took a day trip to see Blyde Canyon, among other wonderful sites. Everyone I encountered in South Africa, from airport and hotel personnel to safari and game reserve employees, were so kind and helpful. This was one of my all time favorite vacations. I’d love to go back.
Paola
AE
Visited:
June 2024
Reviewed: Jul 13, 2024
Email Paola | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
it was magical
Our trip to Kruger Park was beyond what we could imagine. we stayed at Kapama private reserve. we did many safaris. we could see all the animals we wanted to see. The service, the hotel and the overall experience were excellent and above our expectations. great trip that i would recommend to everyone.
Erica
FR
Visited:
June 2024
Reviewed: Jul 8, 2024
Email Erica | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Definitely one of the most beautiful countries on earth
It was my first time in South Aftica and definitely not the last!
I've been amazed by the variety and beauty of the landscapes from Joburg to Cape Town! My time at the Kruger Park during a 3 days safari was the highlight of my trip! I was lucky to witness the beauty of the nature and the majesty of animals (lions, girafes, elephants, zebras, etc.).
Joburg is a busy and rich city, visiting Soweto to learn more about the history of the country was very moving but necessary!
Cape Town stole my heart! This city is definitely one of the most beautiful cities I've had to visit in my life, between Table Mountain or Lion's Head, Camps Bay and the other parts of the city, all I could do is to admire the beauty and diversity of this city. I'll definitely come back sooner than I thought!
