Southern African Tours
Southern African Tours
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Eco ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife ToursSelf-Guided Tours & RentalsDay Trips
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About
We are Southern African Tours and Safari specialists. Our tours are experiential, safe and well researched. With our wealth of experience and knowledge we will design you a once in a lifetime African Safari. Our well trained tour guides make the difference between an average and a great tour. Planning a safari requires an expert (that’s us) and happily talk you through your planning ! A well planned tour allows one to experience nature at its best. Animals migrate towards green grass and water. We are able to use our expertise to help you tailor make your tour for the best possible experience
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
39 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Jeff S
Great Falls, VA5 contributions
Dec 2019
On site tour guides drove our family all throughout the country and were very reliable and helpful in negotiating the details of our experiences. Separate from the guide, the company also set up a Whatsapp discussion group with the owner and office staff in case we had any further questions or problems that they could Manage in real time. The only real problem we had was one of the hotels had our family booked in the wrong room type despite the company confirming previously but with a whatsapp message and our local guide intervening, it was fixed immediately. overall I would recommend them as a very reliable domestic based company in SA for a privately guided group trip (which will save an enormous amount of $ over the US & UK based companies).
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explore304712
Montreal, Canada1 contribution
Jan 2020
We have just concluded a 18 day South Africa tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town in a air conditioned van with this company.They planned every detail to this extensive trip throughout the country and made adjustments which were responsive to our
particular needs.
The accommodations arranged were very comfortable and places visited were all interesting throughout the country. Craig, the owner drove the van, had an extensive knowledge of the county's history and was a great raconteur.He also was able to talk extensively on the
wildlife we encountered along the way.
I would highly recommend this small, local tour company for it's personalized service and great value for your money as compared
to larger tour companies located in U.S.A. and Britain.
particular needs.
The accommodations arranged were very comfortable and places visited were all interesting throughout the country. Craig, the owner drove the van, had an extensive knowledge of the county's history and was a great raconteur.He also was able to talk extensively on the
wildlife we encountered along the way.
I would highly recommend this small, local tour company for it's personalized service and great value for your money as compared
to larger tour companies located in U.S.A. and Britain.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassandra
1 contribution
Dec 2019 • Family
My family and I toured with Southern African Tours in December.We found them to be highly accomadating and helped us plan a diverse and exciting tour.Craig has an in depth local knowledge of Southern Africa and as such took us well of the beaten track.His enthusiasm for his country and his business is inspiring. We were privledged to have a knowledgable and motivated 'native' South African to guide us.
Craig and his team effortlessly changed plans for us when we added an extra person to our small group.Our accomadation was carefully selected and Craig ensured that we were booked into lovely rooms with views.
I highly recommend Southern African Tours for a unique tailor made experience.
Cassandra
Craig and his team effortlessly changed plans for us when we added an extra person to our small group.Our accomadation was carefully selected and Craig ensured that we were booked into lovely rooms with views.
I highly recommend Southern African Tours for a unique tailor made experience.
Cassandra
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TOJEP
Eden Prairie, MN42 contributions
Nov 2022
Our experience with Craig and Bianca with Southern African Tours was exceptional. They were incredibly easy to work with, responsive to messages, and provided solutions to our specific travel needs. We were delighted with our Kruger safari and accommodations at Umbhaba Eco Lodge. Our game driver, Fortune, was knowledgeable and highly skilled in spotting animals. I had read "80% chance of spotting the big 5 in a three day safari". We saw them all (repeatedly) in our first day! We were astonished by how close we were to the animals. I never would have believed how many animal species could be viewed so close in Kruger and with the exceptional skill of our guide. My husband and I had booked a semi-private tour and the company of a Danish couple and Spanish solo traveler added to our enjoyment. Also more eyes in helping to spot animals. We also visited the Elephant Whisper. It was neat to learn more about the elephants and get to interact with them directly.
We did the Panorama Tour one day and visited God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck potholes, and Blyde River Canyon-3 Rondavels. It was a private tour with Nicky as our guide. Nicky was very knowledgeable and set the pace to ensure the best viewing times (to avoid the fog). We enjoy hiking and it was a pleasure to get out and walk/hike these unique and beautiful settings.
We completed our trip with a private 2-day Cape Town city tour. Gareth was our guide and organized and timed everything perfectly. We stayed at Radisson Red which is an ideal location to safely enjoy the city night life. We had a wonderful dinner at Den Aker (French/Belgian) and highly recommend. A few of our favorites included Table Mountain, the Boulder Beach penguin colony, and Cape Good Hope. There was high wind and Table Mountain had been closed the day prior. Gareth was on top of all details and was monitoring the situation and our itinerary to ensure we were able to see it and at the optimal visibility. Sightings of wild baboon and ostrich right at the side of the road were an unexpected delight. After wine tasting at De Grendel, Gareth surprised us with a stop at a lovely beach and we were able to tip our toes in the water. We ended our adventure with a drummies and dinner show before heading to the airport for a late night flight back to the USA.
We truly had the most wonderful time. Without hesitation, we felt completely safe and well cared for. Our program was customized with the safari, panoramic tour and Cape Town and we would not have changed a thing. We give Southern African Tours a 5+ star rating and highly recommend.
We did the Panorama Tour one day and visited God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck potholes, and Blyde River Canyon-3 Rondavels. It was a private tour with Nicky as our guide. Nicky was very knowledgeable and set the pace to ensure the best viewing times (to avoid the fog). We enjoy hiking and it was a pleasure to get out and walk/hike these unique and beautiful settings.
We completed our trip with a private 2-day Cape Town city tour. Gareth was our guide and organized and timed everything perfectly. We stayed at Radisson Red which is an ideal location to safely enjoy the city night life. We had a wonderful dinner at Den Aker (French/Belgian) and highly recommend. A few of our favorites included Table Mountain, the Boulder Beach penguin colony, and Cape Good Hope. There was high wind and Table Mountain had been closed the day prior. Gareth was on top of all details and was monitoring the situation and our itinerary to ensure we were able to see it and at the optimal visibility. Sightings of wild baboon and ostrich right at the side of the road were an unexpected delight. After wine tasting at De Grendel, Gareth surprised us with a stop at a lovely beach and we were able to tip our toes in the water. We ended our adventure with a drummies and dinner show before heading to the airport for a late night flight back to the USA.
We truly had the most wonderful time. Without hesitation, we felt completely safe and well cared for. Our program was customized with the safari, panoramic tour and Cape Town and we would not have changed a thing. We give Southern African Tours a 5+ star rating and highly recommend.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nicolafh1
Maidstone, UK9 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Can not recommend based on my experience. Accommodation for 3 of the nights that had been pre agreed was changed without consultation. Was expecting to stay in high end small personal guesthouses. 2 nights were changed to an impersonal corporate hotel ( after complaining to Craig we were moved however this was not ideal as we were booked on a lake tour and meal so moving happened at 10pm) Then on last night again accommodation was changed which resulted in us having a pokey dark room with no safe. We had tables and chairs from the restaurant outside our window with people eating and drinking. The tour was was subcontracted out without prior notification to ourselves. Our tour had been booked by myself in Oct so very unprofessional that we weren’t informed in advance there was going to be a change.
Craigs reason for altering our accommodation was poor and he didn’t seem to grasp that telling me that the alternative was more expensive did not amount to giving us the holiday we had booked and expected. Have been promised a small refund of £260 which I have been waiting for, for over 3 weeks. Would not recommend based on my experience especially as I paid over £2.5K for 2 people on a 5 day tour.
Craigs reason for altering our accommodation was poor and he didn’t seem to grasp that telling me that the alternative was more expensive did not amount to giving us the holiday we had booked and expected. Have been promised a small refund of £260 which I have been waiting for, for over 3 weeks. Would not recommend based on my experience especially as I paid over £2.5K for 2 people on a 5 day tour.
Written 3 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Nicolas
I apologise for the late feedback.
The "impersonal" hotel is a 4 star establishment situated on the banks of the Knysna Lagoon amongst 1000 year old indigenous hardwood trees where the call of the Lourie and Kingfisher birds are a sure sign of nature untouched.
I apologised for the inconvenience and promptly booked a guest house overlooking the famous Knysna Heads. I did not receive any complaints from you about this establishment until receiving your review.
I then cancelled your original safari lodge and "from the heart" upgraded you to a luxury game reserve called Botlierskop where you had your own villa. This you appreciated. My generosity obviously meant I had made a nett loss on the tour.
I'm not sure what you mean by outsourced, is that because our highly esteemed colleague guiding your private tour. You generously tipped him GBP 260 which is not obligatory, but then complained about having done so.
2.5K for a 5 day private guided Garden Route safari tour is a fair price. In fact we are often told by our clients/guests that we are way too generously priced.
This "terrible" review is not warranted, not who we are and was not how you felt when we dropped you off at the airport.
Written 28 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tom Cullimore
2 contributions
Oct 2022
Craig and Bianca arranged an amazing 10 day itinerary for our first visit to South Africa which blew all of our expectations.
Our accommodation in each location was absolute luxury; from Whale viewings from our bedroom window in Hermanus, to relaxing in an outdoor pool on the outskirts of Kruger, we benefitted from Craig and Bianca's connections and experience in the industry at each point, which also translated into amazing value for money.
Our guides in both locations were outstanding - Christopher from Kurt Safari in Kruger, and Gareth in Cape Town. Both had such a wealth of knowledge about the local areas, history and culture; there was never a dull moment on the journeys.
This was the only company who we communicated with where we really felt like our trip was completely tailored to exactly what we wanted, with helpful tips and suggestions added in if we wanted. We were catered for from start to finish, each stage of the trip was carefully planned and communicated throughout. Furthermore, upon learning of an unplanned flight delay on our final day, Bianca went above and beyond to find us alternative accommodation, transfers and dinner; all in beautiful and safe locations. She made what could have been a stressful end to our holiday (thanks to the airline) an absolute breeze, we are incredibly grateful for her help in our hour of need. This just epitomised the personal level of service we recieved from start to finish.
Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime. We have already recommended Southern Africa Tours to friends and family and can't wait to come back!
Our accommodation in each location was absolute luxury; from Whale viewings from our bedroom window in Hermanus, to relaxing in an outdoor pool on the outskirts of Kruger, we benefitted from Craig and Bianca's connections and experience in the industry at each point, which also translated into amazing value for money.
Our guides in both locations were outstanding - Christopher from Kurt Safari in Kruger, and Gareth in Cape Town. Both had such a wealth of knowledge about the local areas, history and culture; there was never a dull moment on the journeys.
This was the only company who we communicated with where we really felt like our trip was completely tailored to exactly what we wanted, with helpful tips and suggestions added in if we wanted. We were catered for from start to finish, each stage of the trip was carefully planned and communicated throughout. Furthermore, upon learning of an unplanned flight delay on our final day, Bianca went above and beyond to find us alternative accommodation, transfers and dinner; all in beautiful and safe locations. She made what could have been a stressful end to our holiday (thanks to the airline) an absolute breeze, we are incredibly grateful for her help in our hour of need. This just epitomised the personal level of service we recieved from start to finish.
Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime. We have already recommended Southern Africa Tours to friends and family and can't wait to come back!
Written 29 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vaughan
United States1 contribution
Nov 2020
After some feedback from us, Bianca suggested we do "safari, beach, bush, Cape Town safari tour. What a smoker, with the best places, some touristic, some offbeat! Gerry was our guide, then good friend. He was so knowledgably, enthusiastic and wonderful. On a couple occasions Gerry made us true South African barbeques, they call it braai. Visited 3 countries, SA, Lesotho and Swaziland. Focusing primarily on South Africa. We coming back to do Botswana and Namibia. We got 3 quotes, South African Tours is best value, we chatted to our guide before confirming, don't think other tour operators offer that, think its important, especially when you together for 2 weeks. So soon as we can travel. We have travelled wide, SAT is up there with our best by any test! We still chat with Gerry and Bianca, urging our friends to safari Southern Africa. Any Frenchie's out there, Craig the owner is fluent. Over and out Vaughn and family. Oh lastly, Bianca offered us discounted rates on a helicopter flip over the Good Hope peninsula and Meerkat experience!
Written 12 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gerry
1 contribution
Dec 2019
All aspects of the experience exceeded our expectations. Communication was quick and through, even providing info about other parts of our trip not booked through this company, when requested. The safari guides where knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The time at the lodge was fabulous. Thank you
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene J
East Machias, ME1 contribution
Mar 2022
I would like to thank Craig and Bianca for hosting us on their Cape Town to Addo National Park safari. The tour covered eastern and western cape regions. The geographical, coastal, cultural, flora and fauna diversity is like no where else in this region.
If I remember correctly, we explored the southern tip of Africa, Garden Route, Karoo semi desert, Canyon region and Addo Park.
We were lucky to have 2 guides (Bianca and Craig). We have been on many tours but when it can to their enthusiasm, knowledge, and patience this was the best. I think this boils down to the fact that its their business.
We shopped around and for what they offer the price was very good. Personally, we would much rather opt for a private tour for many obvious reasons, even if it means paying a little more.
So besides helping out with a review I’m going to recommend Southern African Tours to friends and family.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
3 contributions
Jan 2020
Reliable and helpful tour guides created a relaxed but exciting trip. Had an awesome time in Cape Town! Bianca was extremely hands on and quick to respond to any requests even at the last minute.
The guides were professional and had a great source of knowledge about the surrounding wildlife which was particularly interesting to learn about in the Kruger Park.
I would recommend Southern African Tours to any individuals interested in experiencing this beautiful country.
The guides were professional and had a great source of knowledge about the surrounding wildlife which was particularly interesting to learn about in the Kruger Park.
I would recommend Southern African Tours to any individuals interested in experiencing this beautiful country.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you work out suitable tour for 2 pax (couple of 50+ age) in Sept 2020 for fly in CPT Sunday and out Durban 2weeks later on Sunday.
Need to cover Cape Town, Johnnesburg, Durban and 1 Game Reserve.
Written 3 December 2019
Hi Johor. Thank you very much for contacting me, i have sent you a inbox.
Craig
Written 3 December 2019
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