My spouse and I are in the early stages of researching/planning a trip to South Africa in early 2025. The areas that we wish to see are stated above. For the safari portion of the trip, we want to stay in an all inclusive game lodge that provides both a morning and evening drive. We do NOT want to book an organized group tour that has all of our days mapped out and planned for us. I'm looking for a travel/tour company that can develop an individualized itinerary for us that will include accommodations, transfers and day trips. Some companies that I have seen mentioned are Yellow Zebra, Go2Africa and Deeper Africa. Does anyone have personal experience with these three that you can share? And if not, I am looking for recommendations of any other companies that you have used to help plan a trip to South Africa. Thank you in advance!
Posted by
11159 posts
Look at Travel Beyond in Wayzata, MN, an African safari travel specialist for independent travelers. High quality. Excellent service.
travelbeyond.com
800.876.3131
Craig Beal, owner
Posted by
OP
South Carolina
55 posts
Thanks, Suki! I have contacted them, and the consultant was very helpful.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5519 posts
I used Bert Duplessis at Fish Eagle Safaris for a trip to South Africa and Botswana.
https://fisheaglesafaris.com/
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2181 posts
I'll be traveling to South Africa next September with a friend who has been there many times. She strongly recommends Alastair with Mammoth Safaris. She said she always learns so much when she travels with him.
Posted by
Noblesville, Indiana, USA
1371 posts
The only safari experience I have is with Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve - https://thanda.com/thanda-safari/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB. We flew from Cape Town to Durban and then took a bus approximately 2-3 hours north. Once we were at Thanda there were organized meals and both morning and afternoon/evening tours scheduled - you decide what you want to do. It is a curated experience inside a many square miles fenced compound and they provide the guides - so you're pretty much guaranteed to see the animals. It's my understanding open range safaris are a little different in that you see the animals available in the area where you're based.
Visiting Stellenbosch and the wine country is very easy without a guide. Rent a car after you land in Cape Town and drive to Stellenbosch. It's only about 45 minutes on highways similar to the U.S. The wine country is fun to explore - we actually stayed in Franschhoek. While you don't need a car to explore the center of Cape Town and the Victoria & Albert Waterfront area, a drive down to the Cape of Good Hope is beautiful and can be done on your own. Take the route through Camps Bay and by the 12 Apostles.
Sorry I couldn't recommend a tour company but hopefully my feedback is of some help.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3227 posts
Africa Answers/Down Under Answers arranged our 2 weeks in South Africa. Highly recommend a stay at Grootbos, about an hour from Cape Town.
Kirk Demeter/Owner
My photobook;
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hj8H8s7WR4DFJ56f6