Testimonials

“We cannot speak highly enough of the experience we had at the hands of World Journeys and their agents. All guides were of a very high to excellent calibre. All pickups were on time, even though for many of the small flights we were often early arriving. Every driver or guide transfer was fully handed over to the next phase. For example if we were getting on a plane at the rural airstrips, we noticed that the guides/drivers would stay until the plane actually took off. With the one exception, all accommodation was excellent and the experiences absolutely incredible. The all-inclusive package was really great. Wine at all venues was very free-flowing, and it was good not to be paying for items as we went. With the exception of tipping/visas we did not spend any other money whilst on the safari legs. The itinerary was put together by others and we wouldn’t have changed it. All 5 safari park experiences were different, and well exceeded our expectations. Travel went without a hitch, and at all times we felt very safe in Africa. We travelled in the low season and it was a terrific time to go. The rainy season hadn’t started so it was beautiful weather the whole time. But the best thing was the babies… everywhere was baby animals – so cute! As well the camps were only 1/3rd to half full. For 3.5 of the 5 safari experiences we had a guide all to ourselves. The parks were not crowded and we felt hard done by when there might be 5 or 6 vehicles around the same cheetah or lion pride. Many times it was just us or 1 other jeep. Apparently in the high season the vehicles can number up to 30 in one spot – so we were actually very spoilt. So many fantastic memories – an absolutely incredible vacation. Thank you for everything.”

“I am very pleased that I left the Phinda side trip to last. As for Phinda itself, wow, you were correct in what you said. I am really pleased I was at Forest Lodge and if money was no object I would definitely return. I had a great ranger/driver for the duration and although there are no guarantees for animal sightings the region did not disappoint. He even said that I had quite an exceptional time of viewings – maybe they say that to all but I think he was genuine. Easier to say what I didn’t see – sadly no Black Rhino and only a Leopard Cub in the darkness of the night, so although they thought that was special (and it was) I would have loved to have seen an adult Leopard. There are no African Wild Dogs on Phinda specifically, although they can be seen from time to time if they breach the fence but I didn’t see any this trip, not even in Kruger. Apart from the ‘luxury’ of Phinda – as in the wonderful accommodation, food and service – Phinda delivered a more “authentic African wildlife experience” for me and that is what I was really hoping for. It was really quite perfect in that regard, so from my perspective you could book it for clients with confidence.”

“Just wanted to say best holiday ever, couldn’t have wished for more. The safari lodges were amazing and rangers, staff, accommodation and “fine dining” all fantastic. Saw so many animals and absolutely blown away as how close you can get to them – big five all spotted plus zebras, hyenas, kuru, cheetah – all unbelievable. First ranger said our truck had probably seen more than most people. The houseboat was way beyond expectations for comfort and food, plus seeing more wild life and birds, absolutely delightful. Can’t thank World Journeys enough for organising such a well run trip. All pick ups, transfers have been run like clockwork with all staff everywhere so helpful and friendly.”

“We had a wonderful time from the first day to the last day. Our tour leader was amazing and without her we would never have had such an amazing experience!”

“I think the overall trip was just about as good as it gets – well organised, very stress-free, the best of accommodation, wonderful people, fantastic food, a very comprehensive view of Africa, and lots of animals. Got some amazing photos and videos of animals – elephants, buffalo, lion, rhino, leopard, plus the migration in Serengeti, wild dogs in Savute, lots at Okavango Delta, lots at Ngorongoro Crater. We did not see cheetahs and only saw 15 flamingos about 300 metres way on the lake at Ngorongoro Crater. On the plus side, we saw the big five, five times. Camps and Lodges – They were all top-flight places – outstanding places to stay and beautifully presented. And, all different. All places had great people. At all we were met by a welcoming committee comprising most, if not all, the management and staff. Then we were allocated a personal driver, a personal butler, a personal housekeeper and others to assist. We felt mildly embarrassed, but enjoyed the attention and the high level of service. Food – What can I say? It was fantastic wherever we went. Excellent quality and lots of it. Do you have a good diet for returned travellers? Zara’s Birthday was a highlight. Bateleur had heard of the birthday coming up and sang and gave her a cake even though it wasn’t yet her birthday. Then, on her birthday, Ngorongoro were fantastic. They sang at 6.00 am as we departed for an early game drive, they gave her beautiful beads when we returned at 3.00 pm and they sang and had a cake at dinner. They both deserve credit. In addition to the animals we saw more of Africa than expected and that was a highlight. From travelling by road from Joburg to Kruger (a partly scary urban area, smog and ugly countryside for 2 hours, then attractive rural areas for 2 hours, then bush and scenic attractions for 2 hours), to driving between lodges and airports (densely populated rural areas with poor living conditions, people walking from nowhere to nowhere, and small towns with roadside traders), to flying in small planes low over intervening spaces (our road trips seen from the air, but with greater depth), to visiting a Masai Village (traditional values and norms that are hard to comprehend and some hard to accept) to a tour of Soweto (how the other half lives) to a visit to the Apartheid Museum (such injustices), we learnt a lot. This tour was was practically seamless, as we were always met by someone, transferred to our destination, picked up and delivered back. Much of this was undertaken by & Beyond. This company performed faultlessly. I don’t think we have ever been able to say that before. They need to be commended. To illustrate the point. At Nairobi we were met on the tarmac, ushered to a private minivan, taken to a side entrance, helped to fill in our visa applications and to proceed through customs, then taken to the street where another van picked us up to take us to the second airport to catch an onward flight. This exceeded our wildest expectations. An outstanding tour. Once again, thank you for organising this trip!”

“We had the most amazing trip it was perfect. Cape Town was fantastic – I loved the hotel and the full day tour we did was excellent. It was the first time I had eaten at the Two Oceans restaurant and that was very good. It was the first time I have done the cruise to the seal island out of Hout Bay and that was interesting. Thank you for the chocolates and the lovely card. Le Quartier was just so good – gosh I love that place it is clearly my favourite and the restaurant there is something out of this world. Lunch was another highlight. Exeter was brilliant and we had amazing game viewing. They have just opened the new dining/lounge area and the rooms have been newly painted. Three nights there was just right. Victoria Falls again brilliant and the sightseeing tour of the falls and sunset cruise very good. Sauvte Under Canvas – loved it although I believe 2 nights is perfect. Some Americans were staying there 5 nights and I thought they would be struggling with the lack of running water, power for that length of time. Game viewing was not fantastic but we had got all of that out of our system with our stay at Exeter so we were just happy to see what we could see. Sandibe – I was blown away. What an amazing new camp. Fantastic, everything was perfect and the building has to be seen to be believed. The service, food was outstanding. I know it has been newly rebuilt and hope they keep up the good work. I would put it on the same level as Mombo although it doesn’t have the same amount of game but I am told that & Beyond have relocated rhino into the area with the view of more to arrive. The itinerary was perfect Ange. Thank you it was more than what I could have wished for and my birthday at Exeter was very special.”

“This is our second time using World Journeys for our exciting travel adventures! I couldn’t rate these guys high enough! We had our honeymoon in South Africa and it blew our minds!! We experienced Cape Town, Franschhoek, Grootbos (In National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World book!), Ngala Lodge in Kruger National park and Victoria Falls. World Journeys made our honeymoon unforgettable, thanks to Angela Pirie. Ange listened to what we wanted, used her vast years of South African travel experience to show us the best time and chose hotels that were magnificent and in locations with views to die for! Ngala Lodge in Kruger national park would have to be our biggest highlight, doing a safari to see the African animals in their own home is something everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime! Thanks so much!!!”

“Pam and I got home from our sensational ‘Best of Southern Africa’ journey on Saturday morning. We can only applaud World Journeys on the itinerary and presentation of the Tour, and we feel rather ‘hollow’ on returning home, both commenting on how we wish we were still in Africa! Having been fortunate to have toured many and diverse countries in recent years, we rate our southern African experience up there with the very best – if not the best! I see that World Journeys has changed the ‘Best of Southern Africa’ Tour next year, and may I say the itinerary looks very good! Although it appears an expensive tour to begin with, in hindsight it includes almost everything and costs very little in the way of other essential spending once commenced – unlike many other tours where endless expenses keep mounting as the tour progresses. In fact, we’re so impressed with our experience we may be looking at a ‘Cherry Blossom Japan’ Tour – if we can find the funds required!!”