South Africa Travel Agents

Anna-marie and her colleagues provided a fabulous trip of South Africa to us on 3 weeks notice. It is a long story, but our world cruise was diverted from traversing the Red Sea, and the excursions offered by the cruise line were in about 8 ports averaging 6-7 hours with 22 sea days around Africa. We decided to take vacation from the cruise!

She helped us plan the trip and made reservations at very good to great hotels, camp and resort. She arranged all driving, land excursions, and provided great advice on restaurants and activities.

Our trip to South Africa was pretty much flawless. Anna-marie kept in close contact with us and quickly addressed all questions and concerns. One of our concerns was how my husband could go on a safari with his major back surgeries and his needing a cane to walk. She found a safari camp bordering Krueger National Park where they did accommodate him by not traversing the more typical rough roads. Our guide/driver, who was phenomenal in tracking wildlife, did go off road but was careful to avoid substantial jolting. We saw a lot more than the Big 5 in 3 days, and our driver took us to places where we could sit and watch elephants, lions and other wildlife interact. It was amazing!

When we were to reboard our cruise, there was a Category 9 storm with high wind gusts in Capetown. After the ship tried to dock twice unsuccessfully, I reached out to Anna-marie, and she said that she would help us get hotels and transportation to the next port in Namibia if needed. Thankfully the ship docked on the 3rd try.

The cost of the trip was very reasonable. We felt safe at all times in a country, which unfortunately has a high crime rate. We are very grateful to Anne-marie and her team for providing us with a trip of a lifetime. I have traveled extensively throughout the world, and I can say without hesitation, she is the best travel agent with whom I have ever dealt.

Planning our trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with Steph at Salty Travel went very smoothly. She accommodated our requests and suggestions and adjusted the proposed itinerary accordingly. All of the flight arrangements and transfers went smoothly without any surprises. The hotels were all extremely comfortable and spacious and activities were very informative, fun, and beautiful.

Our guide in Johannesburg, Tableto, was knowledgeable and friendly. We really enjoyed the day we spent with him touring the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. At Elephant Valley Lodge, our guide, Lebo, was masterful at spotting wildlife in Chobe, and he told numerous stories and shared facts about the animals. We spent 11 days on a garden route roadtrip with Ben as our guide. He was warm and friendly and knew all the insider restaurants and things to do. He's spontaneous, as are we, and the three of us enjoyed starting out each day with minimal plans and taking routes as the mood struck.

This trip was one of the best we've ever taken. The beauty was overwhelming. Thank you, Steph, Tableto, Lebo, and Ben.

We began our planning with Debra months prior to our trip and she was always helpful with information and flexible for our requests about the area and what was the most important places for us to visit.
Our hotel, Queen Victoria, was gorgeous and right next to the waterfront. The transportation from our ship to our hotel and to our different destinations was impeccable. We did have one problem with a lost credit card and they took care of that. Our guide to the cape and to the wine country, Christine was fabulous! We had a rainy day at the cape and honestly it made it more fun. The vineyards chosen for us to visit were first class. No one should miss Table Top Mountain. What a fantastic view. From there we went to Umkumbe Safari Camp and had a fabulous five days full of game drives where we saw all the big five. Again transportation was right on point. The staff at the camp were fun. The luxury tent accommodations were nice. All in all, you expect a great experience when you go that far and that is what we had!! First class.

Hotel Reviews

Queen Victoria Hotel

Cape Town

Amazing hotel in a perfect location next to the waterfront dining and shopping center. Daily breakfast was more than you could ask for and gorgeous. But what made it was the staff. They were so friendly, helpful and professional. Loved this hotel and would recommend it to anyone.

Authenticity & Character

History and decor

Location

Next to the waterfront

Staff

All the reception and dining staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Umkumbe Bush Lodge

Sabie Park

The staff here are what make it. The game drives with Charne and our trackers were great and we saw all the big five! The food staff, reception staff and the food were also terrific. Abagail and Sharon were particularly wonderful. If it weren’t for the staff I would rate the accommodations at a four, as we had a toilet that ran even after they tried to fix it. Lighting in the tent was poor and we never could regulate the shower temperature. However, the beds were very comfortable, linens first rate and we even got hot water bottles in the bed at night!!

Authenticity & Character

Very authentic. Sundowner game drives and drinks as well as coffe in the bush perfect!

Location

Right next to Kruger National Park

Staff

They were all amazing!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were very comfortable and linens great.

Activity Reviews

Dinner at GOLD Restaurant

Cape Town

This is obviously for tourists but so amazing we were blown away! The entertainment fabulous and the sixteen different food items were simply delicious! The decor beautiful and the staff terrific!

Quality of Experience

Just the whole very unique experience!

Food

Authentic and delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was totally mixed up but Kim Kim kept in touch with us to get us there and back.

Transport

Driver needs to know where he is going.

Cape Peninsula & Penguins

South Africa

It was windy and pouring rain that day but we still had a fabulous time. Christine was great and the scenery perfect. Loved the funicular.

Quality of Experience

The scenery is beautiful.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Christine was knowledgeable and flexible- also picked out a great place for lunch.

Transport

Nice van

Full-Day Wine Tour

South Africa

Napa Valley move over because the vineyards in Africa were fabulous. Our favorite was the Babylonstroen, but we liked the two others for professional knowledge of wine, staff and different wines paired with chocolates as well as the views. A day that should not be missed!

Quality of Experience

Variety of experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helpful and fun

Transport

Nice van

Arrive at Your Lodge in Kruger & First Game Drive

South Africa

Lovely arrival and we were greeted by a drink and warm staff. We jumped right on the safari jeep and took off for gorgeous and peaceful scenery. Luckily we saw lots of animals and then had our sundowner drinks in a perfect setting.

Quality of Experience

Saw lots of animals. So different to see them in their environment.

Food

Loved the evening snacks and drinks.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Good ranger. Charnae.

Transport

Lots these land rover safari jeeps. Blankets and panchos in case you need them and you can see perfectly from each seat.

A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Private Game Drives

South Africa

Fabulous game drives. We ended up seeing all the big five and the elusive Cheetah and Leopard. The animals were often within ten feet of us. Each day was different but you had the same ranger. Chantae was very interesting and a great ranger. She knew exactly where animals would pop out. The scenery was beautiful. It did rain on one drive but we still saw animals. Ponchos were provided.

Quality of Experience

Lots of animals and so close!!

Food

Coffee and pancakes in the bush.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great tracking

Transport

Loved the fact every seat was great.

Another Day in the Kruger with 2 private game drives

South Africa

Another awesome day viewing lots of animals!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Final morning game drive & next stop

South Africa

We had not yet seen lions and hoped to see them on our last drive and voila - we did.

Quality of Experience

Best last drive.

Food

Lovely pancake breakfast on this morning.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Found the Lions. Knew right where they would emerge from the bush.

Transport

We were thrilled with all aspects of the trip, including all planning contact with Ann-Marie and team.

Special shout out to the Bushtracks team, especially Mbusi. He is an absolute gem - kind, informative, made everything easy and fun.

Finally, Shongwe Lookoit was fantastic - clean, comfortable and the nicest staff.

We can’t say enough good things!

Hotel Review

Shongwe Lookout

Victoria Falls

Amazing above and beyond service, beautiful and comfortable hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Quiet!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Victoria Premium River Safari Sunset Cruise

Victoria Falls

This was so far above and beyond expectations! The boat was stunning, the staff treated us like family, the drinks delicious and the food - wow! So much and so delicious. Not to mention the gorgeous scenery, hippos and mist from the falls. Such a fun evening!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chobe Day Trip

Victoria Falls

Everything was taken care of for us, we had a nice drive to the border, then our hands were held for the immigration process to enter Botswana. The guides on the Botswana side were great, as was Mbusi in Zimbabwe. The morning game drive was great - we saw so much! Lunch delicious at a gorgeous locale, then the afternoon on the water surprised us with even closer views of the animals. Great experience!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Vic Falls

Victoria Falls

Mbusi made sure we did this at the best time of the day, and gave us a ton of history and information about the falls. It was a beautiful walk with so many viewpoints- we were all in awe!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a fabulous time the accommodations were vastly diffferent but it made it an even more of an experience. We loved it.. we will use KImkim again..