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Email Zaahir Moolla | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing up close encounters with all the wildlife in Kruger
The wildlife was spectacular and very exciting to discover during our game drives and bush walk. We had excellent luck and a managed to see the big five, plus many more animals during our two days at Kruger.
The weather was great and the temperatures were hot, hitting close to 40C when we arrived at Kruger.
Our room was clean, simple, and comfortable. The air conditioner worked well and kept us cool during the day.
Food offered at the Kruger restaurant was good, but the meals our guide cooked for us were far better, and much healthier!
Our guide was phenomenal and taught us many things along the way from Joburg to Kruger, along the Panorama route. He was extremely knowledgeable, very kind and a pleasure to talk with.
Our guides van was also very spacious and comfortable.
The most exciting part of the trip was when our guide offered a small detour on our way out of the park. We ended up waiting around at Panic Lake for ahout 20 minutes when suddenly a Jaguar appeared from the treed and began stalking a Waterbuck. She kept up on a fallen tree to strike, but quickly backed down when she realized the buck was far too big.
Overall we had an excellent time and have no complaints. We would certainly use our guide Jaco, and our tour company, Red Africa Safaris again.
SE
Email Isabelle Lindgren | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience that I wil never forget.
Our journey was amazing, we saw a lot of animals and all of the guides was very eager to tell if there was one you didn't know about or if you wanted to know more. Everything from transfer, game vehicles, dining etc was super professional. The atmosphere was a bit disturbed when there was a lot of cars around the animals, although it wasn't very often. A must when in SA!
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Email Rose Marie Trabosh | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
We stayed for 4 days/ 3 nights in a premier suite at Lukimbi Lodge. All of the staff went above and beyond to make our stay special. Our Guide Werner was the best. He is a skilled driver and shared his extensive knowledge of the wildlife and our surroundings. We saw the Big 5 and so much more. Our Tracker KK, Empress, Kernel, Meaghan and all of the staff were friendly and attentive. We enjoyed the meals and happy hour with all of the guides. The suite was beautiful and made up twice daily. We enjoyed our private pool looking out over the African bush. Kruger National Park is an absolute treasure!
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Email Malcom | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best trip of my life
This was an amazing trip. The accommodations were the exact mix we were looking for, something that let us stay in close proximity of the animals but still with reasonable protections. We saw almost every animal we'd ever wanted to, thanks in large part to a great guide, Chris, of Wild Planet Safaris. The food also gave us a taste of some genuine South African dishes with reminders of home, too.
Highly-recommended!!
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Email moelynphotos | Experience level: first safari
Being in the bush in South Africa was a life - changing experience.
There is nothing quite like seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. South Africa was an excellent destination. We spent time in Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Waking up early in the morning to the sounds of birds and the gorgeous scenery was exciting. The guides were professional and enjoyed their profession. The food was amazing; sitting around a BOMA at night with fellow travelers was such fun. May was a great month to visit. Lots of wildlife to see in comfortable weather conditions.
CA
Email Kevin Sharma | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of a live time
The safari's are an incredible experience. We saw every animal we hoped to see and some we never thought we would. White rhino, wild dogs, leopards, lion pride, elephants, etc. etc. Loved it! February the bush is lush but we still saw all the animals.
Good food.
Guides are passionate and dedicated to helping you see the animals.
Thornhill Lodge was fantastic, the people are amazing and the lodge was very clean and nice.
beautiful scenery during the panorama route drive.
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent eve safaris, our guide was very knowledgeable making the tours very enjoyable and special.
After a work conference a group of us stayed a few extra days to see some more of the wildlife.
We stayed at Bakubung Lodge which was perfect being so close to the park, breakfast and dinner were included in the package and was very good.
Part of the package Patrick arranged for us was 2 private evening / afternoon safaris, these excellent.
Our guide made both tours very different and gave us a great experience seeing the wildlife very close up.
Mmilo tours were excellent Patrick was very flexible and made the itinerary fit ours. Even when our transport was late Patrick still made things work out. Also kept me updated on any changes from their side.
A very enjoyable stay would highly recommend.
DE
Email Octav Reutter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
To be honest I expected a bigger wildlife in the Kruger National Park.
sometimes we were driving ten or twenty miles wothout seeing animals.
CA
Email Peter Harrison | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An awesome lifetime experience.
We traveled to South Africa on the Queen Mary 2 (from Southampton) and upon arrival in Cape Town we were treated to an absolutely splendid view from the sea of Table Mountain and the city. We spent several days on Cape Town and were thoroughly impressed with the city and its surroundings (but not the water shortage......). We took a day tour to Stellenbosch (booked online with “WineFlies”) and were impressed with the quality of the guide and - of course - the wine. We drove up the east coast, staying in Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth. From PE we did a self-drive tour of the Addo elephant reserve. It was outstanding. We then headed further north, staying in Umtata, Umhlaga, and Richards Bay/Empangeni (an important family location). All hotels were excellent, and reasonably priced. stayed near Newcastle at a first rate recently-built hotel - Vulintaba - which is surrounded by mountains and next to a brand new golf course. Worth the detour.
Our final destination was Joburg. We had fortunately booked a hotel in Rosebank, because that is where the hop-on hop-off leaves from (well worth it for those, like us, new to Joburg). The highlight in Joburg was the Apartheid Museum. Very well done, and very moving. It should be visited by anyone going to Joburg.
Our final four days were on the safari that we had booked online with Jewel of Africa, having first browsed your very useful website. Because we had driven nearly 4,000kms since our arrival in Cape Town, it was important to book a safari that included flights from Joburg to Hoedsprit, and not more driving. Jewel of Africa delivered in spades. Staff were helpful throughout the booking process (including difficulties paying in Rand through Visa). They were especially helpful when, on the day of our departure on safari, the airline we were booked on (CEMair) ran into “operational difficulties” (they had safety issues.....). We stayed at Phelwana lodge in a brand new “tent”next to a dam with hippos. At 5pm on the first day we were toured around the property and saw many animals. The first full day was spent at Kruger NP. Our guide (from Tally-Ho) was excellent, very well informed, and extremely helpful. The second day we toured Manyuleti, a private reserve with open fences to Kruger. Lots of off-road driving - which brought us within feet of prides of lions, leopards, elephants etc. Really amazing! Our booking was all-inclusive, and the food and wine at Phelwana were extremely good. Jewel of Africa did an outstanding job. I recommend them highly.
Bottom line? South Africa and its people, scenery, accommodations and food are superb!
DE
Email Haley | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Surpassed All Expectations!
This trip surpassed all of my expectations. We booked everything through Ker & Downey Africa (Emma and Razaan were incredible!) I traveled with a group of five to Cape Town and then to Sabi Sands Reserve Park. We stayed at the Elephant Plains Lodge which included a beautiful pool overlooking a plain frequented by elephants (so it lived up to its name!). Our first two game drives and we had already check all boxes for the trip! All the Big 5 to include being in the middle of a herd of about 70 elephants. Lions feeding their cubs. Leopards in a tree and out of a tree. African Buffalo and Rhinos. We also tracked wild dogs as they hunted and caught a warthog. We were all in shock! I truly expected to drive around a while and see some animals...not to be as close as we were! We went on 4 game drives after that which were just a cherry on top! The game drives were out of this world, bush walks were exciting and informative, the food was incredible, accommodations were extremely clean and comfortable. It was a dream. Really I can't recommend Emma and Razaan enough. They made the entire trip personalized and special for me and my group (and arranged several birthday treats for me along the way!). I can't wait to come back!
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