This Operator Reviews
41.
| Client: | Tricia Ho and Phil Couvrette - from Canada |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: |  rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | South Africans should visit Kruger national park not only on vacation to see the animals, but regularly, to visit their heritage and learn their history, guide Neil says. He could have added that this applies to all visitors to the park, who can not only visit one of the world's richest ecosystems, but the soul of South Africa. His unique tours of the great park, offering 24-hour guidance and a five star chef, have provided us with a treasured range of emotions, a life-time of memories, and a stern resolve to return and visit the rest of the Kruger. It's one thing to see the animals, it's quite another to understand their attitude and behavior. He makes sure you miss nothing of the bush's continuous and extraordinary adventure. Just try to blink as little as possible on one of their tours. Tricia Ho and Phil Couvrette Montreal, Canada |
42.
| Client: | Suzanne and Aaron Thomas - from Canada |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | After much worrying over booking a trip from Canada to South Africa over the Internet, we booked with this operator and can honestly say, it was this booking that made our trip to Africa the wonderful experience it was. From the beginning, Tina and Neil were prompt, informative, and helpful in their correspondence with us. They not only arranged the perfect 14 day safari for us, but they also booked time in Zambia for us (as we wanted to see Victoria Falls) and set us up with an amazing tour guide in Cape Town as well. I cannot stress enough how lucky you are to have come across the operator and be looking into their reviews! My husband and I were looking for someone to take us into the wild of Africa and show us a few animals. We got so much more than we expected. We got Neil, an experienced, passionate, and knowledgeable tour guide and story-teller, with a wonderful sense of humour and incredible ability to read what we wanted and needed on our trip. With Neil came Doug, the talented “Safari Chef” who cooked up a storm, shared stories, was kind and funny, and cracked us up constantly with his quiet yet effective sense of humour and his hilarious interactions with Neil. Our accomodations were perfect and exactly what we would have chosen for ourselves. We spent our game drives in an open vehicle, in awe of the vast splendour of the Kruger National Park. We learned so much from Neil on these drives – not only fascinating information about animals and their habits, but also about respecting the Kruger and enjoying it for the spectacular place it is. Every day was different – we were never guaranteed any sightings but we got what we came for and we were truly amazed by what we saw. A self-drive would not have come close to the experience we had with Neil and we are so glad that we found them. |
43.
| Client: | Amy Pryce - from Germany |
| Trip: | Private Family Safari to Kruger National Park |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | My family (including 8-year-old child) had a wonderful time on safari. Neil loves the bush and is extremely knowledgeable. He does everything possible to insure his guests' safety and comfort while teaching them about the bush: not only the animals, but plants, insects, weather, conservation, etc. I felt it was an exceptionally good value and would not hesitate to recommend this operator to other families. We will also be back! |
44.
| Client: | Paula Hensley - from United States |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | I want to take this opportunity to express my wonder and complete satisfaction with this safari operator. I recently completed their "Circle of Life" curriculum which included a visit to the Cradle of Humankind and a thorough introduction to Kruger National Park. I was so impressed by the depth of knowledge and ease of communication of my guide, Neil, and his colleague Doug. They were both so personable, knowledgeable and attentive that I feel like I have gained two special friends for life. I was awed by their passion for the park. They have an astounding interest in all aspects of the Kruger. Not only did I get to see numerous animals but learned a lot about the interaction of all the species, including mankind. Neil showed me how to track, how to recognize constellations and how to listen and hear the symphony of sounds that South Africa offers. I can recommend their adventure without reservation - and, speaking of reservations - I wish I could book another trip with them this very moment! Please convey my heartfelt thanks and very best wishes to them. Thank you! |
45.
| Client: | Carol and Susan Lawson - from United States |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | Our trip was incredible! With Neil as our guide and Doug as the chef providing fantastic meals, all of our needs were met down to the last detail including my specific request to see as few bi-peds as possible. Neil's expertise, professionalism and enthusiasm were profound. His ability to understand the animals, where they were going, or wanted to go, and how to position us enabled us to have the most wonderful sightings and to witness fantastic animal interactions. He also shared his depth of knowledge of tracks and the glorious bird life of the Kruger. We loved it all and wished it didn't have to end. Thank-you |
46.
| Client: | Donna Hart - from United Kingdom |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | Our recent tented Safari exceeded all of our parties expectations. We were picked up from the airport by Doug (our fantastic cook) and were taken to 5th Ave Guest House, which was exceptionally comfortable and very friendly. From there we drove to Blyde River Canyon were the operator had arranged a night accommodation as to our request. The following day we drove onto the Kruger National Park, where we meet Neil and started our safari. Neil was an amazing guide, he answered endless questions and his knowledge was exceptional. The whole crew are very friendly and they looked after us very well. Our whole party thoroughly enjoyed the Safari and we only wished that we had booked for longer. They come with our highest recommendation and we hope that some day we may be able to do another safari with them. |
47.
| Client: | Rakhee Solanki - from United Kingdom |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | Thank you for your initial information about this tour operator. As you are aware we have just come back from a 14 day safari in the kruger....in one word it was.....SPECTACULAR. The Safari exceeded our expectaions by far. It was a once in a lifetime experience. My husband and I were overwhelmed at not only seeing the wildlife but understanding the animals. Neil our guide provided us with a proper interpretation of the wildlife, how the animals behave socially and how they live. We learnt how to track animal by using our sensnes. The trip was very well organised from being picked up from J'burg airport to being dropped off before returning to UK. The standard of accommodation was great and varied from chalets to tents to guest houses. And the food Doug prepared was just mouth watering. All in all we could not expect much more. Thanks to Neil and Doug for simply a great holiday regards Rakhee Bristol UK |
48.
| Client: | John & Norelle Williamson - from Australia |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | 5 day Private Luxury Safari We were a little apprehensive choosing a Safari via the Internet , having never been to Africa or on a safari ! Any fears were quickly dispelled when Neil collected us from the airport & took us to 5th Avenue Guest House. The hospitality of Doug , Erica & all the staff at 5th Ave. was first class, as was the food. The safari was excellent & we saw a large number of birds & animals ( some very up close and personal ! ) despite difficult viewing conditions (very long grass & ample surface water ). Neil & his assistant Craig showed great knowledge and love of the Kruger and its inhabitants. Our 2 Camps, safari vehicles , the food ( thanks Craig ) and the service were first class. Nothing was a trouble. We can thoroughly necommend this safari and tour operator as a great introduction to Africa. John & Norelle Williamson, Australia. |
49.
| Client: | Mats Lindgren - from Sweden |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | We are more than satisfied with our Safari trip. Everything was well organized, the guide was excellent. He took care of us in the best way and he knew everything about animals, birds and flowers. He also knew where to find all these. We can really recomend this Safari. Best regards Mats Lindgren |
50.
| Client: | Jane & Robert - from United Kingdom |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | The safari was our first visit to South Africa and because of this safari company it will not be the last. South African people are the warmest and most welcoming people. We had enormous amounts of fun during the safari. We spent most of our time getting excited about tracking wildlife on the many game drives, learning about the eco-system, symbiosis, sitting in the hide watching baby baboons playing (when we should have been having a siesta) or monitoring water levels after an amazing overnight storm which afforded us the benefit of seeing the dry N'waswitsontso River bed turn into a raging 6 meter deep river of cascading rapids and providing a very therapeutic water feature. We spotted so much wildlife and saw so many superb sunrises and sunsets it is difficult to choose the best bits. The herd of elephants with a baby was brilliant (along with a few warning trumpets & ear flaps from a protective bull), but we have to choose tracking the pair of mating lions from one road to another road several kilometres away, knowing they were in the vicinity because of the jackals hovering, the monkeys screaming warning calls and those running buffalo tracks. Actually finding them slinking casually across the road with the rest of the pride (1 male, 4 females & 9 cubs) was utterly amazing. Listening to the lions calling to each other and getting a thousand yard stare and warning growl from one lioness made us really feel & appreciate the absolute wild and raw beauty, which typifies the Kruger. Finding the pride was completely down to Neil and his ability to track the game, read the signs and predict their behaviour. We were expecting very basic catering on the safari. We were in for a big surprise! Doug, you are a top class chef. We were most impressed with the rest areas in the Kruger and pleasantly surprised to find very clean eco-friendly toilet facilities, which you would be hard pressed to find anywhere in the world, let alone the middle of the bush. We would highly recommend them as being excellent value for money and very professionally run. |
51.
| Client: | Ian and Rachel Cameron - from Canada |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | Certainly the highlight of our trip to SA was our safari. Choosing a company and guide only through an internet search felt a bit risky at the time, but we can report that we were completely satisfied. All services were delivered as represented and in a most professional manner. While we have no previous experience to compare to - we feel that we must have had the best guide in all of S.A.! Neil is passionate about his country, the Kruger and his job and of course that is demonstrated in the course of his interaction with his clients. We have no doubt that our animal sightings were enabled and enhanced by his skillful knowledge and tracking - and we were able to see both lion and leopard kills - along with some other unique sightings. All in all, a wonderful experience with memories to last a lifetime. Congratulations to the tourism industry of South Africa for promoting and delivering such quality products.. |
52.
| Client: | Mag. Dr. Eva - Maria Gergely - from Austria |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | To put it in a nutshell: we had an excellent five star safari. organisation was done in a very very professional way. As our first contact was quite late - I think round August 20th - we were happy to get a wonderful tour like this. We were given all details concerning medication, weather conditions and extra equipment needed. we were asked about special wishes concerning food and known allergies. Neil´s knowledge on the safari was excellent and we had wonderful conversations at night. Aminals and plants were great. We went 15 hours on foot and the guides were very careful and professional too. As a biologist I liked the walks very much but also the hours in the car were very interesting. Doug´s cooking was delicious and never the same. So it was also an adventure what we got for the meals we never ate before (very good traditional food). the camps (talamati, boulders, shimuweni) were wonderful, quiet and scenic. It was a wonderful experience shared with wonderful people in a great area, the famous Kruger NP. I told it to many friends and also we want to come back again. |
53.
| Client: | (name with-held) - from United Kingdom |
| Trip: | currently unavailable |
| Rating: | rating 5/5 |
| Comment: | My boyfriend and I went on safari with this company after finding them on the net. It's always difficult to buy over the internet and even harder when you are from another hemisphere, but all of my long questioning emails were answered patiently and in detail from Neil - the owner himself! So, we chose his organisation over many others, and settled for a 5 day luxury safari. And boy was it luxury compared with my backpacking / camping days - my boyfriend and I shared a 2 bed 2 bath lodge, while our guide Neil and our chef Doug shared another one! When it comes to food, I am Ms Unadventurous, but I loved the traditional food that Doug made - and believe me, Doug can cook up a storm! The safari itself was superb - Neil and Doug's knowledge and passion of the bush really rubbed off on us. And they spent just as much time with me on the small things (flora, dung beetles...) as they did with my boyfriend on the big 5. And if we saw one cat, we saw 100! But it's not just the spotting of the animals - it's the whole set up that Neil explains so well - we really understood what the animals were doing and why... He really knows his stuff. And most importantly, if you are going to be cooped up in a car with 2 South Africans for 12 hours a day - you couldn't do better than these two! |
