South African Safari Company Recommendations

Old Feb 5th, 2017, 08:09 AM
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South African Safari Company Recommendations

I want to plan to trip to South Africa for my honeymoon. We would like to do a safari, visit a winery or two, Victoria Falls, and see the penguins at Boulders Beach. I also would love to cage dive with great whites.

The plan is to go in July, because as a teacher, I can only travel for extended periods of time during our summer months. Ideally, we would like to go for two weeks. We are not looking to do some over the top luxury safari, but are willing to spend a little extra to make sure we get to see/do everything we want.

Does anyone have a safari company they recommend? Do you suggest that we organize the other activities through the same company due to safety concerns? We are two active people in our early 30's that enjoy hiking and exploring. We have traveled through Europe, Asia and South America, but have never traveled to Africa. I am interested to hear from others who have experience traveling in South Africa. We would love to hear your suggestions, and if anyone has a link to a trip report, please share!

Thanks!
etepper300 is offline  
Old Feb 5th, 2017, 03:29 PM
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I plan to return in May of this year. My trips were planned by SouthernDestinations in CapeTown. I am from the US.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...lsbotswana.cfm



http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...in-october.cfm
ekscrunchy is online now  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 10:51 AM
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Using Liesl from southern destinations as well for our May trip.
She is so thorough and a pleasure to work with!
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Old Feb 20th, 2017, 01:27 PM
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Congratulations!!

No need for an agent. S Africa is very easy to plan on your own. Safety concerns are overblown. We drive and travel all over S Africa with no issues.

In just 2 weeks you are trying to do a lot. I'm not a big fan of Vic Falls - it's far, expensive for just a look at the false for a couple of hours. But if you go, add a couple of nights in Chobe so you aren't just going for a peek at the falls and back. A houseboat for a couple of nights in Chobe during that season is wonderful.

Try Senalala for availability this July. Great lodge, great rangers. July is holiday time in S Africa so maybe end of July or August will have better availability. Here's a map of many of the lodges in greater Kruger. Google them and check the amenities and rates. Many you can book online, others just email. I don't recommend Kapama or Thornybush reserves, plus the ones across the main roads, as they are fenced off. The others, the animals roam freely through the 2.2 million hectare ecosystem. You can also do a self drive in Kruger Park. We love it. Just rent a car and drive yourself around. It's like Yellowstone, only with lions and elephants instead of wolves and bison. It's very fun! See www.SanParks.org for info and booking.

http://assets.sunsafaris.com/Map-of-Kruger-Camps.pdf

I would do VF/Chobe first. Fly to VFA and get a transfer to your houseboat for 2 nights, then Vic Falls for a night. Then fly to Cape Town - 5 nights for the city and winelands. Then fly to Kruger and enjoy it for as many nights as possible.

Or Cape Town first. Then fly to Durban. Enjoy the coast, game reserves (excellent, affordable private and public reserves) and beauty of KwaZulu Natal, including St Lucia and the iSimanfaliso Wetland Park for a few days. Drive north through Swaziland to Kruger for a self drive or private lodge. Check out Rhino River Lodge and Tembe Elephant Park for very nice affordable safari options.

For a really wonderful adventure, check out these. Very highly regarded and loved by all who do them. Not for everyone, though!

http://www.kznwildlife.com/travel-in...ess-trail.html

Cage dive closer to home. Baiting sharks and teaching them to associate food with people? They do cage diving just east of me. Great whites. Playing with fire.
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