6 independent reviews for South Africa luxury holiday, Garden Route & safari
Reviews for South Africa luxury holiday, Garden Route & safari
Patty Taylor review 19 Mar 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Each component was incredible and different - it sometimes felt like several holidays in one. From the city breaks (Capetown and Durban) to the wine country to the Safari to the remote warm Indian Ocean beach, each had its own special memory to offer. The logistics were impeccable (really rate Ilios) and each hotel was perfect. Most unique component was Tonga Beach.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Trust Simon and the host company to plan the right thing for you - just tell them what you want to do, what's important, and they will arrange a superb itinerary - we had not one challenge/wrinkle and the holiday truly met every one of our expectations.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, good choices of vendors and we were encouraged to learn local history, visit local vendors and just absorb the circumstances of the country.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful - once in a lifetime.Janet Claridge review 5 Aug 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing elephants, rhinos and lions up close. Enjoyed the red dunes in Sossussvlei.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Had a top notch trip but be prepared for long drives every other day over some gravel roads.Don’t bring as many clothes. Bring down-puff jacket.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, stayed at small places in middle of nowhere and they encouraged conservation and low impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10Grant Aitchison review 31 Jan 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to single out one specific thing since the whole two weeks was superb from start to finish. Cape Town waterfront was great, our day trip to Cape of Good Hope excellent, Franschhoek was a delight, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve was incredible, the list goes on.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
South Africa was amazing and the people there were the friendliest and most welcoming we have come across anywhere in the world. Book top restaurants in advance in high season as the can get busy. The food and wine is incredible and excellent value for the British traveller.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We tried to support local and independent restaurants and retailers (there were fewer big chains anyway); we tipped generously and found that local staff were extremely kind, welcoming and genuinely happy to serve. We supported conservation via our stays at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and Pumba Water Lodge, and visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (Gansbaai).4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was totally awesome and we felt completely blown away by how good it was.Raffaella Parris review 15 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Safari in Zimbabwe and the beautiful lodges in the Cederberg, Grootbos, and the candlelit dinner at Bushman’s Kloof. The amazing landscapes and the people we met.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
To stay for as long as possible!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes- through employment of the locals. The environmental impact is difficult to quantify.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentCaroline Higham review 5 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The stay at Honeyguide was incredible.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do Honeyguide after Africa on Foot as it’s more luxurious food and being unfenced makes it more special. Also tell travellers about the ongoing load shedding in SA. I wish we’d known beforehand.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
On the whole yes it benefited locals but not so much on reducing end impacts. flights are causing me guilt so will do a carbon offset. The transfers seemed inefficient as often came from Cape Town to pick us up and did wonder whether local firms could be used. However the company used throughout were excellent. Hope the camp stays have supported conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Loved it.Dina Aly review 2 Oct 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything! Hard to choose! The vast number of endemic plants, unbelievable diversity of flora, diversity of birds, both the endemic and the widespread, the Southern Right Whales, the seals, the Mountain Cape Zebra, the Meerkat and the Black Wildebeest. That being said about wildlife, the South African people were incredibly warm, co-operative and knowledgeable. They love their beautiful country and are perfect hosts to their visitors. I met 5 different guides in 5 different areas and every single one of them had incredible knowledge, patience and co-operation. All the details were beautifully orchestrated by Sharon, the director of the company we travelled with. She tailored the trip perfectly to our taste. She was also kind enough to bear with me whenever I asked for changes in the details of the itinerary. I was a bit anxious since I am an Egyptian based in Cairo, and her company is based in the UK while our destination is South Africa! Nevertheless, this long distance planning worked out awesomely well, thanks to God. I highly recommend Sharon, her sincere efforts were evident all through the trip.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The whale trip can be bumpy so be ready for that. I would have loved to stay more but 2 hourstrips are the only available ones. Be sure to see the Meerkat in Outsdoorn, it is a beautiful experience. Don't miss the flora, Sharon got us in contact with excellent guides who know the flora very well.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It must have had because like our country, tourism is one of the main industries in South Africa. We only went to places where the environment is appreciated and preserved, like Gondwana, where several key threatened species are protected like the Cape Mountain Zebra, and Grootbos, where the owner is constantly studying and preserving the native flora. Both are breathtaking private reserves.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
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