South Africa: A Journey of Discovery 17 days / Nature & Wildlife Tours
About This Experience
Journey to the southern tip of Africa to discover a country that defies comparison. No other destination offers such a spectacular combination of scenery, cities and amazing animal sightings. One day you’re out on the savannah, spying on leopards and lions; the next, you’re sipping a crisp chenin blanc and feeling the breeze off the Indian Ocean. Your adventure culminates in Cape Town, a captivating, cosmopolitan capital nestled between the mountains and the sea.
Look for this symbol throughout the tour itinerary to discover sustainable highlights. Sustainable highlights include activities that benefit indigenous cultures or help protect local wildlife.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
14 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 8 three-course or buffet dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Up-close encounters with the Big Five & beyond
The markets of Mbabane
The white rhino success story
Stunning scenery along the Garden Route
Captivating Cape Town
The surprising variety of South African vintages
Overnight Flight1 night
Johannesburg1 night - hotel info
Day2
Discover South Africa’s “City of Gold”
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to South Africa! A Go Ahead representative greets you after you clear customs and assists you with check-in at your hotel. If you took the pre-tour extension, join the rest of your tour today. Become acquainted with your fellow travelers at this evening’s included dinner.
Kruger Region2 nights - hotel info
Day3
Journey through the grasslands and farmland of Gaugeng Highveld
Breakfast, Dinner
Kruger National Park
This morning, travel across the open savannah of Gauteng Highveld. This afternoon, arrive in the region of Kruger National Park, which, at two million hectares, is the largest game reserve in South Africa. Settle into your hotel and enjoy dinner with your group.
Day4
Aim your camera at the bounty and the beasts in Kruger National Park
Breakfast, Dinner
Kruger National Park
Today, set out for a full day of game drives in the northern part of Kruger National Park, where you’ll have a chance to see the Big Five game animals: buffalo, elephants, leopards, lions and rhinos.
Swaziland1 night - hotel info
Day5
Cross the mountains and lowlands of the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland
Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, one of Africa’s smallest countries. Thanks to its rigorous attitude towards wildlife and environmental conservation, Swaziland is also one of Africa’s most lush and beautiful. En route, drive through Manzini to visit a local market. Arrive in time for an included dinner.
Hluhluwe2 nights - hotel info
Day6
Get a glimpse of white rhinos at Africa’s oldest game reserve
Breakfast, Dinner
Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
Begin your day with a journey to the Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve. Situated in the heart of Zululand, Umfolozi is Africa’s oldest game reserve and was where Zulu kings hunted and enacted the first conservation laws. In the 1950s and 60s, Imfolozi was the home of Operation Rhino and became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Today, it is one of the best reserves thanks to its many watering holes which attract a plethora of game. This afternoon, you’ll enjoy an included game drive on which you might spot the white rhinos for which the game reserve is famous. Arrive at your hotel this evening.
Day7
Count hippos and crocs as you cruise the estuaries of Lake St. Lucia
Breakfast
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park Eco Cruise
Today, depart for the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park for an ECO cruise tour exploring the St. Lucia Estuary for hippos, bush bucks, crocodiles, fish-eagles, mangroves, monkeys, kingfishers and mudskippers. Return to your hotel in Hulhluwe (Tonight may instead be spent in Durban, depending on flight schedules.)
Port Elizabeth2 nights - hotel info
Day8
Bask on the beaches of Algoa Bay
Breakfast, Dinner
Today, travel to Durban and board your flight to the sun-drenched shores of Port Elizabeth, where your guide introduces you to this major seaport and vacation destination set on the shores of the beautiful Algoa Bay. With 40 km of unspoiled coastline, it is the ideal spot for a bit of relaxation. Later, enjoy an included dinner with your group.
Day9
Watch out for warthogs and even the elusive white lion
Breakfast, Lunch
Pumba Private Game Reserve
On today’s excursion, visit the Pumba Private Game Reserve, where you’ll enjoy a game drive and included lunch. This evening, opt for our Township Tour & Dinner excursion.
Optional Excursions
Township Tour & Dinner $69* pp
Discover the real South Africa on an unforgettable tour that will introduce you to not only the legacies of historical strife, but also the inspirational stories of the present. See the city through new eyes and meet ordinary people face-to-face. The tour ends with a festive evening and dinner at a local shabeen (tavern).
Knysna2 nights - hotel info
Day10
Follow the scenic Garden Route and traverse the Storms River gorge
Breakfast, Lunch
Tsitsikamma National Park
Continue on to Knysna, heading through the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma National Park, where forests, rivers and fynbos roll down verdant slopes and rocky shores to the sea. Enjoy an included lunch then ready yourself for spectacular scenery on a guided, tractor-drawn wagon tour through the Garden Route forests (weather permitting).
Day11
Explore the forests, fynbos and sea caves at Featherbed Nature Reserve
Breakfast, Lunch
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Embark on a ferry ride to Featherbed Nature Reserve, a pristine piece of paradise only accessible by boat. Enjoy an included lunch beneath the milkwood trees. Drive up to an impressive viewpoint and enjoy a guided nature walk along the coast. Tonight, opt to visit an Elephant Sanctuary, where you’ll interact with these gentle giants and enjoy dinner.
Optional Excursions
Elephant Sanctuary $119* pp
Come face-to-face with these gentle giants on a visit to the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary. With the help of professional elephant handlers, you’ll have the opportunity to pet the largest living land animals on Earth and even feed them from the palm of your hand. After visiting with the elephants, take a moment to sit and enjoy dinner. Look out from the sanctuary's open-air terrace while you indulge in an elegant, three-course meal accompanied by drinks.
Cape Town4 nights - hotel info
Day12
Day13
Cruise around Cape Town, from Table Mountain to Robben Island
Breakfast
Table Mountain, South African Museum, Robben Island
Enjoy a tour of the beautiful city of Cape Town, the “Mother City”, with a cable car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting) and a visit to the South Africa Museum. Catch glimpses of the National Gallery and the Houses of Parliament as you drive through the city and stop in the Malay District. This afternoon, take a tour of Robben Island (weather permitting), the historic symbol of apartheid and South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
Day14
Day15
Splurge on souvenirs at Greenmarket Square or V&A Waterfront
Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a free day to explore Cape Town on our own. Alternatively, opt for a day in the Cape Winelands tasting the region’s best vintages. Share an included Farewell Dinner with your group this evening.
Optional Excursions
Cape Winelands Tasting & Lunch $95* pp
Leave the city behind for a scenic drive from Cape Town through the valleys of the Cape Winelands, finally arriving in the Stellenbosch wine region. Among the mountainous, treelined surroundings of the Stellenbosch Waterford Estate, get a taste for the region’s finest labels complemented by luxurious chocolate pairings. Afterward, travel on to the Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek for lunch and a wine tasting in the converted 18th-century “Blacksmith’s Cottage.” Relax and soak in your last bit of scenery before embarking on your journey back to Cape Town.
Extend Your Stay
Add Victoria Falls & Johannesburg $729*
When the Zambezi River is at its highest, the towering column of spray from Victoria Falls can be seen from over 20 km away. This magnificent waterfall—the world’s largest—marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Although the explorer David Livingstone named the falls after Queen Victoria, the locals call this natural wonder the “smoke that thunders.” Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter Zambia.
Overnight Flight1 night
Johannesburg1 night - hotel info
Livingstone2 nights - hotel info
Day3
Day4
Feel the spray of the world’s largest waterfall
Breakfast
Visit Victoria Falls this morning on a guided tour. Both a World Heritage Site and a Natural Wonder of the World, Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of falling water in the world. Take a guided tour of Livingstone this afternoon, then opt to enjoy a Sundowner Cruise where you’ll cruise along Zambezi River in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Optional Excursions
Sundowner Cruise $69* pp
Travel to the Royal Landing jetty on the Zambezi River, where you’ll board the African Queen. Cruise upstream along the length of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park looking for game along the way. A number of animals and a host of bird species can be viewed from comfortable chairs on your ship's cool wooden decks. Your cruise includes light appetizers, so sit back and enjoy meandering down the Zambezi.
About This Experience
Journey to the southern tip of Africa to discover a country that defies comparison. No other destination offers such a spectacular combination of scenery, cities and amazing animal sightings. One day you’re out on the savannah, spying on leopards and lions; the next, you’re sipping a crisp chenin blanc and feeling the breeze off the Indian Ocean. Your adventure culminates in Cape Town, a captivating, cosmopolitan capital nestled between the mountains and the sea.
Look for this symbol throughout the tour itinerary to discover sustainable highlights. Sustainable highlights include activities that benefit indigenous cultures or help protect local wildlife.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
14 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 8 three-course or buffet dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Up-close encounters with the Big Five & beyond
The markets of Mbabane
The white rhino success story
Stunning scenery along the Garden Route
Captivating Cape Town
The surprising variety of South African vintages
Overnight Flight1 night
Johannesburg1 night - hotel info
Day2
Discover South Africa’s “City of Gold”
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to South Africa! A Go Ahead representative greets you after you clear customs and assists you with check-in at your hotel. If you took the pre-tour extension, join the rest of your tour today. Become acquainted with your fellow travelers at this evening’s included dinner.
Kruger Region2 nights - hotel info
Day3
Journey through the grasslands and farmland of Gaugeng Highveld
Breakfast, Dinner
Kruger National Park
This morning, travel across the savannah of Gauteng Highveld. This afternoon, arrive in the Kruger National Park region, which, at two million hectares, is the largest game reserve in South Africa. Settle into your hotel and enjoy dinner with your group.
Day4
Aim your camera at the bounty and the beasts in Kruger National Park
Breakfast, Dinner
Kruger National Park
Today, set out for a full day of game drives where you’ll have a chance to see the Big Five game animals: buffalo, elephants, leopards, lions and rhinos. Kruger National Park has more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve.
Swaziland1 night - hotel info
Day5
Cross the mountains and lowlands of the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland
Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’ll enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, one of Africa’s smallest countries. Thanks to its rigorous attitude towards wildlife and environmental conservation, Swaziland is also one of Africa’s most lush and beautiful. En route, drive through Manzini to visit a local market. Arrive in time for an included dinner.
Hluhluwe2 nights - hotel info
Day6
Get a glimpse of white rhinos at Africa’s oldest game reserve
Breakfast, Dinner
Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
Begin your day with a journey to the Hluhluwe/ Imfolozi Game Reserve. Situated in the heart of Zululand, Umfolozi is Africa’s oldest game reserve and was where Zulu kings hunted and enacted the first conservation laws. In the 1950s and 60s, Imfolozi was the home of Operation Rhino and became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Today, it is one of the best reserves thanks to its many watering holes which attract a plethora of game. This afternoon, you’ll enjoy an included game drive on which you might spot the white rhinos for which the game reserve is famous. Arrive at your hotel this evening.
Day7
Count hippos and crocs as you cruise the estuaries of Lake St. Lucia
Breakfast
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park Eco Cruise
Today, depart for the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park for an ECO cruise tour exploring the St. Lucia Estuary for hippos, bush bucks, crocodiles, fish-eagles, mangroves, monkeys, kingfishers and mudskippers. Return to your hotel in Hulhluwe (Tonight may instead be spent in Durban, depending on flight schedules.)
Port Elizabeth2 nights - hotel info
Day8
Bask on the beaches of Algoa Bay
Breakfast, Dinner
Today, travel to Durban and board your flight to the sun-drenched shores of Port Elizabeth, where your guide introduces you to this major seaport and vacation destination set on the shores of the beautiful Algoa Bay. With 40 km of unspoiled coastline, it is the ideal spot for a bit of relaxation. Later, enjoy an included dinner with your group.
Day9
Watch out for warthogs and even the elusive white lion
Breakfast, Lunch
Pumba Private Game Reserve
On today’s excursion, visit the Pumba Private Game Reserve, where you’ll enjoy a game drive and included lunch. This evening, opt for our Township Tour & Dinner excursion.
Optional Excursions
Township Tour & Dinner $69* pp
Discover the real South Africa on an unforgettable tour that will introduce you to not only the legacies of historical strife, but also the inspirational stories of the present. See the city through new eyes and meet ordinary people face-to-face. The tour ends with a festive evening and dinner at a local shabeen (tavern).
Knysna2 nights - hotel info
Day10
Follow the scenic Garden Route and traverse the Storms River gorge
Breakfast, Lunch
Tsitsikamma National Park
Continue on to Knysna, heading through the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma National Park, where forests, rivers and fynbos roll down verdant slopes and rocky shores to the sea. Enjoy an included lunch then ready yourself for spectacular scenery on a guided, tractor-drawn wagon tour through the Garden Route forests (weather permitting).
Day11
Explore the forests, fynbos and sea caves at Featherbed Nature Reserve
Breakfast, Lunch
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Embark on a ferry ride to Featherbed Nature Reserve, a pristine piece of paradise only accessible by boat. Enjoy an included lunch beneath the milkwood trees. Drive up to an impressive viewpoint and enjoy a guided nature walk along the coast. Tonight, opt to visit an Elephant Sanctuary, where you’ll interact with these gentle giants and enjoy dinner.
Optional Excursions
Elephant Sanctuary $119* pp
Come face-to-face with these gentle giants on a visit to the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary. With the help of professional elephant handlers, you’ll have the opportunity to pet the largest living land animals on Earth and even feed them from the palm of your hand. After visiting with the elephants, take a moment to sit and enjoy dinner. Look out from the sanctuary's open-air terrace while you indulge in an elegant, three-course meal accompanied by drinks.
Cape Town4 nights - hotel info
Day12
Day13
Cruise around Cape Town, from Table Mountain to Robben Island
Breakfast
Table Mountain, South African Museum, Robben Island
Enjoy a tour of the beautiful city of Cape Town, the “Mother City”, with a cable car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting) and a visit to the South Africa Museum. Catch glimpses of the National Gallery and the Houses of Parliament as you drive through the city and stop in the Malay District. This afternoon, take a tour of Robben Island (weather permitting), the historic symbol of apartheid and South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
Day14
Day15
Splurge on souvenirs at Greenmarket Square or V&A Waterfront
Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a free day to explore Cape Town on your own. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to the Cape wine region to taste the delicious South African vintages. Share an included farewell dinner with your group this evening.
Optional Excursions
Cape Winelands Tasting & Lunch $95* pp
Leave the city behind for a scenic drive from Cape Town through the valleys of the Cape Winelands, finally arriving in the Stellenbosch wine region. Among the mountainous, treelined surroundings of the Stellenbosch Waterford Estate, get a taste for the region’s finest labels complemented by luxurious chocolate pairings. Afterward, travel on to the Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek for lunch and a wine tasting in the converted 18th-century “Blacksmith’s Cottage.” Relax and soak in your last bit of scenery before embarking on your journey back to Cape Town.
Extend Your Stay
Add Victoria Falls & Johannesburg $779*
When the Zambezi River is at its highest, the towering column of spray from Victoria Falls can be seen from over 20 km away. This magnificent waterfall—the world’s largest—marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Although the explorer David Livingstone named the falls after Queen Victoria, the locals call this natural wonder the “smoke that thunders.” Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter Zimbabwe.
Overnight Flight1 night
Johannesburg1 night - hotel info
Victoria Falls1 night - hotel info
Day3
Land in Zimbabwe and get acquainted with the locals
Breakfast, Dinner
Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where you will take a guided tour of Chinotimba Township, a local village of the Nambya and Tonga people. Get a glimpse of local township-life, including the oldest houses, taverns, local markets and churches. Dinner is included in Victoria Falls this evening.
Livingstone1 night - hotel info
Day4
Feel the spray of the world’s largest waterfall
Breakfast
Visit Victoria Falls this morning on a guided tour. Both a World Heritage Site and a Natural Wonder of the World, Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of falling water in the world. This evening, opt to enjoy a Sundowner Cruise where you’ll cruise along Zambezi River in Victoria Falls National Park.
Optional Excursions
Sundowner Cruise $69* pp
Travel to the Royal Landing jetty on the Zambezi River, where you’ll board the African Queen. Cruise upstream along the length of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park looking for game along the way. A number of animals and a host of bird species can be viewed from comfortable chairs on your ship's cool wooden decks. Your cruise includes light appetizers, so sit back and enjoy meandering down the Zambezi.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter South Africa and Swaziland (as well as Zambia on the tour extension in 2013 and Zimbabwe on the tour extension in 2014), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of your return home, and at least two empty pages for each country visited. A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter Zambia or Zimbabwe on the tour extension. Although it is possible to obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival, we recommend that you obtain your visa in advance using our provider VisaCentral (www.visacentral.com/goaheadtours). Additionally, all travelers visiting South Africa and Zambia or Zimbabwe are required to have a yellow fever certificate (unless if in possession of a valid waiver certificate). If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Health
Visitors should be in good health. Please contact your family doctor well in advance of your departure for information regarding immunization and personal travel requirements. While on safari, you are assured the services of emergency medical evacuation to Johannesburg, which has been designed to bring first-rate medical care by superbly qualified personnel to outlying areas. All travelers returning to South Africa from extension in Zambia will now be required to have a yellow fever certificate.
Important Health Tips
You are requested to obtain Yellow Fever innoculations at least 14 days prior to arrival in South Africa. Please be prepared to present your vaccination record or other proof of this innoculation. Visit travel.state.gov for more information. In order for you to stay healthy on your South African tour, we recommend the following: 1. Drink bottled water and refrain from drinking tap water. 2. Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled. 3. Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.
Cuisine
You’ll find that most cuisine in the game lodges reflects the region’s Afrikaner and British colonial influences. Quality is superb with meats, vegetables and fruits from the surrounding area’s farmland. Always avoid drinking tap water in South Africa. Use bottled water for drinking and even for brushing your teeth, and be sure the bottle is sealed when you receive it. Bottled water is provided on tour each day. Remember also to avoid any drinks served with ice cubes.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in Johannesburg and depart from Cape Town (usually stopping in Johannesburg). On safari, you will be traveling in a specially equipped safari van. The vehicle is open at the top, allowing for a panoramic view during game drives. Window seats are also guaranteed. The remaining transportation is by private motor coach. A flight to Port Elizabeth is also included.
Clothing & Packing Tips
Safaris are informal, and casual dress in comfortable lightweight cottons is appropriate. Since the temperature varies significantly from midday to evening, clothing that can be layered (eg, a windbreaker) is a good idea, as are comfortable shoes such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots. Sandals or other shoes that expose your skin are discouraged. We advise that you wear a hat during the day, and make sure you use a strong sunblock. Insect repellent is also recommended. For your game drives, we recommend muted colors, as bright clothing can scare off the animals. Paid laundry facilities are available on tour.
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. It is recommended to bring a lock for your baggage for travel within South Africa. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Special Information: Shopping
Local handicrafts, including wood carvings, textiles and jewelry, are generally inexpensive and make wonderful souvenirs of your trip. You will have the opportunity to shop at outdoor markets, small shops and tribal roadside stalls, as well as elegant boutiques in Cape Town and at some of the lodges. Prices in South Africa are almost always negotiated, providing an excellent way of meeting the South African people up close.
Items to Give or Trade
South Africans are fond of North American goods. Many travelers bring token items to offer as gifts or when bartering for souvenirs. Inexpensive items that the locals value include T-shirts, baseball caps, anything imprinted with professional sports logos, pens, cosmetics and toiletries. Although it has become common for American visitors to offer South African children candy and gum, this practice is somewhat controversial because the availability of dental care for these children may be negligible. Instead of sweets, children’s books in English are enormously appreciated. Small toys, games and crayons are also good gifts.
Currency
The currency you will be using on your tour is the South African rand (and the U.S Dollar, on extension). All African countries have stringent exchange regulations. Their currencies are not interchangeable. We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, and small amounts of the U.S. dollar for small purchases. (Please make sure that you only bring U.S. dollars printed in 2004 or later.) It is important to keep a receipt whenever you convert foreign currency. No local currency can be taken in or out of the country. Major American credit cards are accepted in South Africa. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/ CAD per local guide. Tips may only be paid in cash.
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Great adventure in South Africa
Great trip. Experienced and well informed guide. Well appointed hotels. Great value for your travel dollars.
One of Best!
Without a doubt, this was one of our best overall trips with Go Ahead! Our guide, Dwayne, was excellent in all aspects of organization and knowledge of the areas visited. The highlight (one of many) was the trip to the Pumba game reserve. Exceptional experience of game viewing including one of the best meals of many great ones on the trip. Great accommodations were a positive bonus. A wonderful trip and highly recommended.
South AfricaIt's
It was a very interesting trip where the Tour Director showed us what South Africs is today which was a great experence
Amazing S. Africa
WOW! Surprizes around every turn with this all encompassing tour. Diversity is the key word here as we traveled through four topographical regions, experienced a myriad of foods and met engaging S. Africans. Then there is the wildlife, up close and personal.SPECTACULAR! Accomodations surpassed our expectations, such a good value. Our tour guide, Chris Wilke, added a personal bend which we appreciated. His genuine interest in everyone's welfare was a huge plus.Along with all this we were fortunate to have engaging tour partners who meshed well together. It does not get much better.
Fabulous!!
Our tour Director was wonderful....passionate about South Africa and driven to share his experiences with us!
Amazing! The perfect mix between wildlife and city
This tour was great. I loved the combination between nature reserves and Cape Town! Cape Town has to be one of the most beautiful cities, and what a variety it offers: wineries, history, landscapes, city life. Hluhluwe and the Umfolozi reserve was my highlight as well: we saw around 10 rhino! The food in South Africa is delicious. The people are so welcoming and friendly. The St. Lucia Wetland park was incredible as well. I had never imagined to see that many hippos together. Regarding Go Ahead I couldn't say better things: the hotels were of a really good standard. All of them offered great breakfast buffets, and the included meals were very good as well. One time there was a traditional bbq in the open looking at the stars. Memorable! The service offered was very good, and Duane, our Tour Director was very informative and made sure everything ran seamless. Fantastic tour! Highly recommendable.
MY TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA
My trip to South Africa was a trip I will never forget. The tour group I traveled with was friendly and our tour director was the best. This trip was very educational and the tour experiences was so exciting. The food was great and the hotel accommandations was wonderful, everyday was a new adventure for me and I enjoyed it all. Looking forward to visiting South Africa again in the near future and will be using Goaheadtours for this trip and many other trips.
Country guide excellent: US travel logistics poor
We had an excellent guide to experience so many and varied aspects of South Africa. A big negative however is how the trip started and ended having nothing to do with the in country experience. Poorly conceived plan by GAT in flight planning that was in their control which resulted in consequences with airlines that was not in GAT's control, ie. flight delays and 2 flight cancellations. Travelers would be better served if advised ahead of time that they did not have flight plan choices or give them the opportunity to participate in planning responsibility. Currently, on this trip coming from the west coast, esp. San Francisco, the plan offered required passive acceptance of a flight schedule that lead to lengthy in distance and long in time indirect route and unnecessary results of starting a trip sleep deprived even if there was no trouble with the airlines. Not the way to look forward to an exciting travel. On the return trip again this indirect routing rather then a direct non stop flight to SFO from IAD by GAT put us in an airport with limited options when the flight was cancelled. The flight from South Africa was already very long. That was a choice of GAT. Going via Cleveland was GAT choice. The flight cancellation was not GAT's fault. I/we would have preferred to have a hand in the choices made rather then imposed on us.
South Africa and Victoria Falls
This was one of the best trip I have had. The hotels were wonderful, food was outstanding, and the scenry was exceptional. I took my granddaughter with me and we saw the big 5 as well as the beautiful ocean views. The tour director Chris did a excellent job.
Outstanding!
An ideal introduction to sub-Sahara Africa. It has whetted our appetite for more travel there, especially for wildlife viewing in Tanzania, Kenya and perhaps Botswana.
