Feedback on our Self-drive and guided tours

What some of our clients have to say:

 ...We really had a terrific time - frankly, when we started our search for some help on pulling together a vacation, we didn't know what to expect. Even after finalizing everything with you, we didn't know what to expect - ultimately we were very pleasantly surprised.

One thing I personally liked was that in the planning stage - you provided suggestions, then listened to what we wanted and incorporated our wishes into the planning - when we look back at the first few emails with you then on the actual trip we took, it was a great balance - we got what we wanted yet used your expertise to guide us. Though we realize our time was limited, we feel we really saw some great parts of the country. Our final itinerary allowing us to drive through the northern part, spend some time in Kruger, then driving along the garden route with time in Capetown really turned out perfect!

We were very very pleased with the detailed itinerary you provided - it was a real treat to be provided such specific information as to where to go, suggestions of things to do, detailed directions, etc.  The book you put together for us is now acting as our scrapbook and holds some great memories. Also, the road map you gave us (now very much used!) was fantastic. That was actually an added benefit - we weren't expecting the book and map but now realize we would have been lost and wasted much time without it.

It was also nice to have paid everything in advance - there were times we woke up and simply checked out with no money changing hands - again, a nice touch not to have to worry about cost of accommodations every night. All of our accommodations were outstanding - R* Hotel (our royal cottage) was fabulous, M* great fun (and our self guided full day excursion through Kruger was perfect - we saw some fantastic animals and it gave us a break from the lodge routine yet offered us the chance to come back to some nicer accommodations (rather than the self catering park sites)), the Pretoria guest house was quite pleasant - K* R* Lodge fantastic, accommodations in Oudsthoorn very nice - we were consistently surprised at really how nice and SPACIOUS each accommodation was.

We DO have great memories - we have some super pictures and yes, we would recommend your services to others...

Joe and Ann Potak, USA.

 We had a fantastic holiday, thanks to you. You'll be surprised at the amount of referrals coming your way. We have revealed our secret - Diane - to a lot of people...

Olaf and Marieke Van Der Donk, The Netherlands.

 It was simply perfect!!!...

Khaled Babbou, Tunisia.

 Els, the children and I really enjoyed our holiday. The file compiled by you was extensive and interesting. Your practical tips were very valuable. The directions were excellent and gave us the confidence to rely on them. The W* Lodge was very nice. What a quaint area. Definitely recommendable! Next came the R* Lodge in Paarl, very nice people and comfortable rooms. The journey from Paarl to Oudtshoorn was a treat. The nature was beautiful. The H* Lodge was a first class choice. Knysna was not so great. The staff was friendly but the atmosphere didn't appeal to us. Tsitsikamma was perfect. D* lodge was romantic and comfortable. The service was excellent, the surroundings beautiful. PE was very neat, efficient and quick to the airport.

Diane, we were very impressed with your planning and how it turned out. South Africa is so big, we of course had too little time. But we really enjoyed it. I will definitely recommend you to our friends. Your orginisation was 100% and professional, thank you for that. We'll see you again on african soil because we will definitely be back in a few years time...

Emile and Els Verbunt, The Netherlands.

 Darin and I were very impressed by the package you put together for us. It was so easy to open up the folder and have all the directions laid out for us in a user-friendly format. Since I was the "navigator" I really appreciated not having to worry about planning the best route or getting lost along the way. The directions were clear and the highways in South Africa are great. We were also impressed by the guesthouses you booked for us. Our favorite one was the A* Guesthouse with the seaview room. The restaurant was fantastic and the host, Phil was very gracious. L* L* N*, F* M* and H* H* all exceeded our expectations. The A* C* C* in Colesberg (Shirley - the manager is excellent) was also nice however the town itself leaves something to be desired! At all of the places all the staff were friendly and helpful. The trip went very smoothly and we didn't encounter any problems with the guesthouses, the car rental, or internal flight or any other part of the trip you planned for us...

Darin and Gillian Roberts, Canada.

 Everything went fine. The standard of the accommodation selected was excellent...

Hein and Annemarieke Godschalx, The Netherlands.

 Thank you for organising the wonderful holiday for us... The folder you provided became invaluable very quickly. Some of the places of interest you told us about, we probably would have missed. All the accommodation was excellent...

John and Sue Smith, UK.

 Our trip went very well. Our stay at A* Cafe was wonderful, we especially liked the Tuscan cuisine. K* at the Thorny Bush Game Reserve is a must for any animal lover... Thank you once again for your advice, it was an unforgetable trip...

The De Potter Family, Belgium.

 I want to thank you for everything. My husband and daughter came home all enthusiastic. Anna loved the trip, the lodge was a real highlight with everything just perfect. We want to go to SA next year in February and would be glad if you could help us again...

Gunilla Tenucci, Switzerland.

 It was fantastic, we both enjoyed it! It was an incredible experience. We can compliment you on the organisation of our trip...

Thierry Broes en V. Rijckaert,Belgium.

 We enjoyed our holiday in South Africa very much. All was perfectly organized and indeed we have a lot of memories that will last for years. Our stay at K* lodge was as well interesting as relaxing… Because the number of guests is limited at K* lodge we felt like living in a big family. The accommodation in our luxury safari tent was very romantic and we would recommend each of our friends to do it.
Our days in Cape Town were very interesting too and we made a lot of trips with our car … Just one thing surprised me a lot: it was not as hot at SA (especially at Cape Town) as I thought. At Cape Town it was very windy and there were high waves. I felt like being at the North Sea, where we often spend our summer-holidays. But there was an important difference: we could watch whales on our way to the Cape of Good Hope. It was great! At the end I can say, that we should have had more time to stay but maybe we will come back one day ...

Bruno & Hewig Altmann, Germany.

 Just wanted to let you know that we are back in Tunis after a very nice and memorable vacation. Thanks for putting everything together for us. It went smoothly. We really enjoyed SA. We hope to visit again...

Mike & Marja Duggan, Tunisia.

 We had a wonderful holiday. The apartment (in Cape Town) was just what we wanted, fantastic. We can definitely recommend it… Then on to Oudtshoorn, quite a drive, but worth it. We followed the route you recommended. The children loved riding the ostriches. We also went on the Swartberg Pass, which gave us breathtaking views.
The Lodges(at Tsitsikamma) were nice, we only missed a mini-bar for our wines. We really enjoyed being able to barbecue at our chalet, which we did on both nights. We were sorry we could not take part in any of the Storms River Adventures as they were fully booked. The last part of our trip was Z*. A very friendly hotel. The road there was an experience, though. Which could have been better explained. It of course contributed to the lovely setting of the hotel. The children saw elephant and lion on our wildlife trips, which was a bonus…
In conclusion, the country is a destination, where all sorts can be experienced. We enjoyed it tremendously and will definitely come back. Perhaps will meet again the next time...

Joppe & Agathe Bouwman and Family, The Netherlands.

 We must thank you for organising such a great trip and making it so easy meeting us at the airport. We did have a wonderful time and fell in love with the country, we will certainly return. A* Cafe was a great first night and a very warm welcome to the country with some interesting conversation with 'local' tourists. Having been to look at the bridal veil falls near Sabie, we thought it was a long way to Kwa Mbili to get there in time for the afternoon/evening drive. However having made the trip we had a brilliant 3 days including a self drive day into the Kruger…At K* we achieved our aim of the holiday, for Sarah to see the elephants at close range. The walk in the bush the following morning was amazing especially walking with the giraffes. K* was just out of this world. So relaxing, friendly, knowledgeable and so informative. I have never relaxed so quickly on a holiday.

In hindsight I think we would have preferred only one night at Pilgrims as the drive from there to Jo'burg for the flight took longer than expected although we didn't have any hold-ups...
Arriving in PE we picked up a brand new Mazda 6, much better than the Megane. T* Lodge was brilliant. The lodges next to each other. We had our first braai having bought their excellent value braai packs, an excellent idea. Here we had our first rain so went down to the coast and the national park. The sea was rough and the waves breaking magnificently on the rocks. Wonderful….Onward to Knysna, where we had a lake side double lodge. Another braai on a beautiful starlit night. What a position!

It's a shame we only had one night here although I know we had the discussion. Next time perhaps. The drive to Oudsthoorn was interesting, the scenery reminding us of home but on a greater scale…
And then to Stellenbosch via Sir Lowry's pass, covered in heavy mist and rain, but still magnificent. The township in the valley was a real eye opener although we only drove through. W* - Wow, two splendid rooms and so friendly. Stellenbosch is a superb town and the wine tasting even better. It was a shame we could only bring a few bottles home.
And finally Cape Town.

We will definitely be back. What a wonderful city, beaches etc. The Kirstenbosch gardens, Constantia, the Cape National Park etc etc. We met some friends of friends whilst we were there and a great evening in a Jazz club. The J* guesthouse was good, if unusual and Barry and Mina were very helpful in where to go and where to eat. All in all, thank you again for organising a very memorable holiday enjoyed by all the family ...

The Brown Family, UK.