16 independent reviews for South Africa vacation
Reviews for South Africa vacation
Ohoud Rajab review 18 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything things2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Garden rout3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yeas4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great.awesomeSegar Chandramohan review 23 Jul 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Climbing on top of Lion head mountain in Cape Town. Second one; Suspension bridge in stormsriver, the stone beach, and the walk up to the "view point" on top of a steep hill.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Change money in uk as you better exchange rate than in SA. Its even better to use debit cards like Monzo where you will get even better exchange rate and no commission. Driving in SA is easy , hardly any traffic jams, you get free parking in most attractions and you have a warden who looks after your car in most places. You tip them a small amount.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It of course benefitted local businesses. We visited places which encourages conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
One of the best places I visited. It had a variety of things to do from cities, drives, hiking, mountain climbing, watch rare animals (whale, penguin, ostrich) , safaries, vineyards and a modern history of freedom struggle.Tim Williamson review 17 Jul 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Every day of our vacation was memorable and amazing but the day spent touring the sites around the Cape of Good Hope really stands out. We had a great set of guides, one of whom led an incredible girl empowerment project in Manenberg, one of the toughest communities in Cape Town. We also spent time with in another community learning how they had built a business and an education center out of selling creations made from waste plastic. Both were truly inspirational2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Use the local knowledge of the tour company to really get under the skin of a place. The expertise we were able to tap into opened up opportunities to see the real South Africa that we would have missed if we had tried to organise this trip ourselves.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely. Not only did we get to see and hear about the great work happening in local communities, we also got the opportunity to support them. All the hotels we stayed in were locally owned and employed local staff and guides. We asked if they were paid the local living wage and were reassured by the answers. We also always ate out locally and asked if tips went to the staff.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This was a vacation of a lifetime and one we will all remember even without all the photos we took.Robert Taylor review 27 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Pumba Water Lodge. My wife just loves the exotic wild life animals and we were lucky enough to see the big 5 plus many, many other animals. Our accomodation was was immaculate and the staff were so nice.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The UK government advise that all your valuables are placed 'out of site' in the boot of your car. We rented a car from Avis, it was made by an Indian company called Haval. It was delivered to our hotel in Cape Town at 9.00am we viewed the car in the carpark at first look it seemed that the boot space was large enough to put our 2 hold, 2 cabin and some loose bags in. However, this was an illusion because later we found that it would only take the hold lugage and loose bags and our cabin bags had to be placed on the floor behind the two front seats. Hence, if we had to stop for refreshment when moving on to another hotel we did not leave the car unattended for very long. My tip would be to measure all your bags etc. and give this information to the tour operator so they can ensure that Avis will supply an appropriate car.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
High quality produce and staff were employed in our accomodation which was from the local areas.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good value for money, the itinerary was put together by very knowledgeable staff.Edward O review 3 Jan 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The time spent in the game reserve2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be aware of 'load shedding' - power cuts3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I do think that local people benefited and conservation was supported when we were in the game reserve4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Top Drawer!!Roy Clouter review 2 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
My wife loved seeing the whales off Hermanus. I loved seeing all the big game in Lalibela.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Stay as long as you can!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Only when buying in local markets. Many of the tourist souvenirs were made in China.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Memorable.Rebecca James review 31 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The whales in Hermanus. Simon M promised me I’d “be able to sit on the balcony with a glass of wine & watch the whales” and I could!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Contact Simon M.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely! All the food was sourced from local markets.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
10/10 or A*.garry cuthbertson review 25 Sep 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The safari.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just enjoy it, it’s fantastic.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant.Nadina Bodean review 28 Mar 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The safari was extraordinary - we loved seeing all the wild animals, especially the white lions!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you have some change with you for tolls and your camera and phone is always charged - you'll be taking so many pictures, the views were incredible !! Be adventurous when it comes to food - we haven't had a single meal that we didn't enjoy! Bring an extra luggage for all the wine you're going to bring back :)3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, i am so pleased we stayed in boutique hotels, the level of service was extraordinary, staff gave us so many tips in regards to what to visit4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Incredible, we loved every minute of it!! Every place we stayed it was really clean and spacious, friendly staff and delicious food. The guide we got from Simon was very helpful - we were so pleased with the choices of restaurant and vineyards we tried.Jo Pester review 26 Feb 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing the Soweto townships and visiting Hector Pieterson Museum2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book guided tours3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentJacqueline Thomson review 29 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The game drives and stay at Kichaka Lodge on the Lalibela Reserve. Also found the people and places in generally so friendly, happy and welcoming!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book ahead if traveling at peak times as we were, buy a road map and talk to people they're great.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Lots of employment of the local people and could see that training for roles was happening but too few in managerial roles as yet. Local produce generally used and provenance generally known. Conservation certainly supported in most places (particularlu Oudsthoorn and Lalibela) but not in more 'resorty' type places. Plastic bottled water still too readily available and too few opportunities to refill our own water bottles with cold fresh water.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent, loved the country, the people, the food and the wine. Brilliantly organised by the operatorAndy May review 13 Nov 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Getting up close tho the Elephants at the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be careful regarding personal security everywhere in South Africa especially at night.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes visiting various animal sanctuaries probably helps fund protection of animals4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A really enjoyable vacation where we saw so many amazing things - From Whale watching, to Elephants & Birds through to a baby Rhino on our 2 day stay at Lalibela Game Reserve. The scenery is breathtaking.Read the operator's response here:
As an operator promoting Responsible Travel, we do not promote or book visitor attractions which allow for animal interaction: this includes the elephant sanctuary near Plettenberg Bay, which promotes a ‘hand in trunk’ experience. With regards to safety in South Africa, we would always advise our clients to keep their wits about them, to leave valuables at home, and to take registered taxis after dark. We will happily discuss this with anyone considering a trip to Southern Africa.
Thanks
Roger Pritchard review 6 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All of it, the hotels and guest houses were great and our itinerary was just what we wanted. The country was so different but interesting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Driving in Cape Town was tricky but outside was good roads and little traffic. There is crime against hire cars so take care.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hopefully yes, and water conservation was particularly an item everywhere.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant.Isabel Baker review 5 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The game drives in Pumba Game reserve was the bit that exceeded our expectations the most. But it was all fabulous.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Plan options for what you might like to do beforehand - there is so much. We couldn't go to Robben island or any other boat trips whilst we were there due to sea swell although the weather was lovely, but we had plenty of alternative ideas so didn't feel as if we missed out at all. Guided tours are a good idea.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We took several local guided walks/tours and tipped everyone who helped us. We ate in local restaurants and bought local crafts, and went to local shows. I hope that our safari has helped to promote wildlife conservation too. I'm not sure about reducing environmental impacts as we did fly there and travel around in a car!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
FabulousGavin Beattie review 10 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Garonga Safari Park. Amazing experience. Beautiful accommodation with fantastic safari drives.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
South Africa is a fantastic country for those looking to get out and experience nature and adventures. If required include some rest days between traveling to different locations.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all the accommodation were eco friendly.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An amazing, fantastic experience. South Africa has something to suit all tastes.Les Milner review 24 Oct 2013
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
This is difficult because the vacation was an incredible journey of different experiences. If I had to choose it would be the Township Tour in Cape Town. This was an emotional and unforgettable experience.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Let Simon prepare your itinerary and take care of flights/accommodation/car hire. You won't be disappointed. Try and extend the vacation as much as you can (and avoid 'one night stops' if possible) because it will go very quickly.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We definitely made a contribution, which is a nice feeling.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Vacation of a lifetime! Truly memorable.Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
