Safari Blog

Hi Liselle,

We had a fantastic holiday in SA and I am a little depressed now back at my office!!

Thanks for the selections you made and here is a brief summary of our opinions!

Kwa Mbili

I think we had the most fun here. It was superb (food and room) and we loved the staff, especially Gavin. We laughed so much here with the staff and the other guests. We saw all but the leopard. We also saw a (rare?) white tailed Mongoose, which Gavin was very excited about but we probably lacked his enthusiasm J I would recommend this to anyone, but especially younger people as Gavin is young and you spend a lot of time with him

The Windemere

We couldn’t fault it and the breakfast was lovely but it was very stiff after the fun we had in Kwa Mbili and I think for a one night stop after a long day’s travelling a less expensive place would have sufficed

Tranquillity Lodge

Oh my God…to die for. I have never been in a more romantic place. Pete was just amazing about everything and we felt so looked after. Could not sing his praises enough!! The surrounding area was stunning!

Franschoek Country House

Again it was lovely and the setting in Franschoek was beautiful but it lacked Tranquillity Lodge’s personal touch. I would, however, recommend it as a typical 5 star place that won’t disappoint, if that’s what you are looking for. I prefer a little more personality myself and Tranquillity Lodge (and Kwa Mbili, but that is not 5 star) had that in abundance

The African Elite apartment in Cape Quarter

This was lovely and a refreshing change as it was so modern compared to all the other places. Self catering was just what we need at the end of the holiday after all the eating we had done so we were really pleased with it! Trevor was absolutely lovely and really looked after any requests we had. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for self catering, particularly as it had a wonderful Spar downstairs for anything we needed to buy! The pool was lovely too, even if we only had time for a couple of hours by it’s side!

I hope this helps and thanks again for everything J

You are so lucky to live in such an amazing country!

Marion Visited: Kwa Mbili Safari Lodge, The Windmere, Tranquility Lodge, Franschoek Country House & African Elite Apartments.

Dear Liselle and Brett,

We would like to thank you for arranging a fantastic holiday.

My self and my family enjoyed staying at "Simbavati River Lodge" in Kruger National Park and also we had a wonderful and peaceful time at the "Blyde River Canyon Lodge".

We loved the game viewing safari at Kruger and the boat trip in the Canyon river. We also visited "Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center".

Regards,

Mohammed Hashim Ali

Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Guests Visited: Simbavati River Lodge & Blyde River Canyon Lodge

Hi there!!

before aything thank you very much for everything!!! I had such a great time!!! Im really thinking on moving to SA and spend a bit more time in the bush!!! I just love it!!! anyway not always everything is good or right so this are my comments:

Simbavati...........what can I say? from the first moment to the last every single thing was absolutly PERFECT I had great time met fantastic people (staff and tourists) the whole place was amazing!!!! Kwa Mbili.................ok, good...but I understand animals are not in a zoo and sometimes you see and sometimes you dont but at the end of the day it counts a lot the way that the ranger, tracker etc do their job (which I assume they ment to be experts) found lack of interest from most of them apart from cooks and cleaners...

I also pay extra to go to kruger coz I just couldnt see any future on staying there, I also thought on just skip one of the drives and go to simbavati just to say hi!!!! and finally africa on foot, very interesting and more what I was expecting from a safari (nothing wrong with simbavati....love that concept too!!!) very young guides and staff that try hard to please you, I think i like it very much too...Anyway this whole experience was absolutly awesome!!! I saw so many animals!!! the big five was done on my second day!!! I saw a kill,8 leopards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! which everyone was jealous about it and many many interesting thngs...cant wait to come back!!!!!!!! so yes that was it...Simbavati 100% ,Kwa Mbili sorry but NO and Africa on foot a YES!!

I hope you are fine and also had a good holyday? or trip....thank you very very much

Guest Visited: Simbavati River Lodge, Kwa Mbili Safari Lodge & Africa On Foot.

HI Liselle!

My plan was to write to you at once I came back, but my time has been short since that... We had great holidays!

Africa on foot was an excellent choise. No luxury, but everything was neat and clean on the camp. The guide,Jan,was just marvelous! He had great knowledge, and answered all our questions - and much more. All the guys on the camp were nice and friendly, proffesionals! The walking tour in the morning gave us a closer view on everything around, and it felt good to move around, not just sit in a vehicle. If you talk to them, you should tell them that we saw at least 7 elephants on our way out of the camp the day we left!

Of course it was nice to meet our daughter in Cape Town. We have only good things to say about the country as tourists. Everyone was friendly and helpful, the food was excellent, and the climate nice (not to hot, and not to cold..)

We'll come back, some day!!

Thank you for your help and interest.

Love from Bente

Guests Visited: Africa On Foot

Hi Liselle,

We had an amazing trip. We not only saw the big 5, we saw cheetahs twice, and one night 10 lions coming to a watering holes slinking through the grass nest to the vehicle amazing!

We loved the lodge and the location of the Victoria & Alfred Hotel was perfect. I never expected such great food in South Africa. We came home and had to hit the gym! We thought it was one of the best trips ever!

Katie Visited:Simbambili & V&A Hotel

Hello Liselle,

we had a wonderful time. Courtney, Richard and Daniel were fantastic guides. We saw four of the big five (no rhino).

The treehouse was great as well. Thanks a lot. I will be working in Africa quite a bit so I will be in touch for the next vacation.

Guests Visited: Africa On Foot

Liselle,

Thank you for all the help the trip was more than I expected and I look forward to visiting again with my wife. I’ll be sure to contact you when I can find time to bring her along. We saw the big five in the first day and a half. Also, saw a cheetah and her cub which was amazing. Thanks again and I’ve already referred some other to Arathusa from work.

Bob Visited: Arathusa Safari Lodge

Dear Brett and Natasha,

My family and I had a fabulous time on vacation in Africa for 2 weeks and we want to thank Natasha and Sunsafaris for helping us to plan a trip of a lifetime! The Cape Grace was top notch and the city of Cape Town was so wonderful. We enjoyed our stay at the beautiful Franschoek Country House in the winelands, with the breathtaking scenery and delicious wines. The highlight of our trip was definately The Savanna Lodge! We saw the big 5 in less than 24 hours and saw them again and again in different settings. Our 8 year old daughter, Savannah, was so fortunate to get to see 6 week old lion cubs, playing with their mother and four month old cousin in the bush. The service and food at Savanna were impeccable! We ended our trip in Zambia at Toka Leya and enjoyed the spectacular Victoria Falls and visiting a school in Simonga Village. The setting on the river at Toka Leya was so beautiful! Thanks again Natasha for providing excellent service and helping us to plan the best vacation ever!

Sincerely,

Jill Schiebel Visited: The Cape Grace, Franschoek Country House, Savanna Lodge & Toka Leya

Dear Liselle,

We really enjoyed our stay in South Africa.

Simbavati met our expectations completely. Though not top of the bill in the sense of accomodations and luxury, the accomodations were actually good for a safari camp(bed and shower, what more do you need!), privacy and cleannes. The owners and staff were very friendly and the game drives well organised. Food was allright. The whole gives you a good feeling of being on a safari.

You sure can recommend this place to anybody considering to go on a safari and not expecting a ***** Hilton in the bush.

Concerning sunsafaris. You organised everything very well (flight to Hoedspruit and back and the transfer to the lodge)and we will sure recommand your company to anybody .

It was a pleasure doing business with you personelly. -considering going to South Africa.

Regards,

Bart Groutars Visited: Simbavati River Lodge

Liselle

Wendy and I would like you to know that everything ran smoothly with our trip – flights, transfers, etc.

We would heartily recommend both Africa on Foot and Simbavati River Lodge to anyone!!

They were so utterly different, and so wonderful in their own special way.

The passion for all creatures at Africa on Foot is tangible – nothing goes before this (apart from safety, of course). Our morning walks were so exciting – looking at all sorts of interesting things (and I am not a walker!) and we actually saw all of the big five during our three evening drives. I saw leopard and rhino for the first time in my life.

I think we only understood how basic (but still very attractive, welcoming and hugely enjoyable) the camp was when we arrived at the luxury of Simbavati and it was good that we had the two places in that order.

I must mention Jan and Daniel, our two rangers at Africa on Foot. I cannot imagine that there exist better examples of rangers anywhere!!

All in all, we would have to say that Africa on Foot was a tiny pinch in front for us, but we soooooo enjoyed the really great food, luxurious surroundings, marvellous service and the hippos in the river at Simbavati – and I know that many would prefer that.

Thank you again

Pauline and Wendy

PS I have written reviews of both places on Tripadvisor

Guests Visited Africa on Foot & Simbavati River Lodge

Hi Liselle,

Thanks for your email.

We had an absolutely fabulous time in all the places we went to. All of all the people in Arathusa were fabulous. The safari was more than we could ever have dreamed of.

Le Mauricia staff we very nice and friendly while the resort was a piece of heaven. Ocean Paradise is the same but the ocean was the only fault with there. The tide goes a few miles out in the afternoon and the remaining water has a lot of seaweed in it meaning you could not swim there. Only a small thing but if you were to stay longer than the 3 days it could be a problem. Also the hawkers on the beach became a bit annoying also. The peermount was fine although we did not spend as much time in the room as we thought we would as we couldn't keep away from the casinos and restaurants in the Emperors Palace!

All in all Liselle the trip was wonderful and I would like to thank you for organising it for us. I will definitely recommend you and your company to any of my friends who are planning a similar trip and of course if we decide to travel again we will be in touch.

Thanks again,

Noel & Liz visited:Arathusa Safari Lodge, Le Mauricia, Metcourt & Ocean Paradise.

Liselle

Thank you very much, our trip was amazing. The safari was exactly what we expected and more. We did not see leopards, but we are very happy with the whole experience. My night in the tree house was a little bit scary (I lioness was calling his friends just below our beds) but I absolutely recommend it.

The people that work are very warm and kind, and know a lot. We are all very grateful about their hospitality and the effort they make.

Thank you for the recommendation.

Constanza Vergara

Hi Chris,

Sandra and I have just returned from South Africa. Following our departure from Botswana, we had only very limited access to e-mail, and I was unable to contact you about our trip.

We would like to thank you so very much for arranging such a wonderful safari for us. The camps that you chose were perfect - a nice mixture of environments - and everything that you arranged went off like clockwork! This was a most memorable trip - we have recommended to all of our friends that they contact you to do the same!

If every you find yourself heading to New York City, please drop me a line. We would like to have you visit (we live on Long Island, about 50 miles from manhattan).

Thanks again for everything - a wonderful time was had by all! I append a picture of us with our guide, Sefo, at Savuti camp.

All the best,

Fred

Guests visited Duba Plains, Kwetsani and Savuti