Feedback and Comments From Our Guests
This Was The Best Trip Ever!
From Donna & Family, USA, travelled with us during April 2018
Hi Madi, My husband and I have done much overseas traveling both by our selves and with our family. According to our kids and their families, this was the best trip ever! And we have had some amazing trips (Galapagos, Machu Pichu, Antarctica).
You, Madi, were quick with responses to any questions I asked and made scheduling everything incredibly easy. Your suggestion of AfricaSky was perfect for us. We had a wonderful stay there and would definitely go back. I can't thank you enough for all you did to make this such a memorable trip.
I don't know how you arranged it, but you must have given us the best guide in your crew. Simon's knowledge of the animals, the terrain, the history was everything we could have hoped for and more! There wasn't a question we asked him that he didn't know the answer. He was patient, kind and fun. He eagerly took care of our needs, be they transport, shopping, food, or anything else we requested. We couldn't stop talking about the trip the whole way home and still are texting each other pics and memories during the day. We miss being there and never knowing what might be around the next bend in the road. A very special thank you goes to Simon for his part in our wonderful adventure.
Our rating of the trip, and we are not easy graders by any means, is an A+ (5 stars for sure!) We would not change a thing! Thanks again, for all of your help.
It Truly Was A Trip Of A Lifetime
From Peter & Cindy, USA, travelled with us during April 2018
Hi Madi, We had a wonderful time on the Safari, and it truly was a trip of a lifetime. We really enjoyed Nikki's expertise, knowledge and friendly demeanor. She made our trip very memorable and we can't thank her enough for the amazing experiences we encountered on each and every game drive. The diverse animal viewings greatly exceeded our expectations, and Nikki went out of her way to find all of our "wish list" animals. You'd think spending 8+ hours a day in a vehicle would be daunting, but to be honest we could have done more - it was just that great! I'm already dreaming of our next Safari adventure!!
The accommodations at Skukuza were as expected. We were, however, surprised with how large the bungalows turned out to be (based on photos that are available online) and found the rest camp to be very cozy. We did have a few issues with the rest camp (i.e. lack of water for a day/ mice droppings on the bed when we came back on evening) however we understand these circumstances are certainly out of Wild Wings' control, and for the price point of the Safari, we couldn't imagine staying in anything more "upscale."
As for the food, we were pleasantly surprised! We sort of expected Nikki to do the meal prep based on reviews and the description of the Safari, but we were happy to hear that we had a caterer preparing the meals instead (not that we wouldn't trust Nikki to cook for us, but after doing 2 game drives/day + cooking, I'd feel very guilty letting her do that all on her own!) Also, having a caterer allowed the meals to be prepped, and table set while we were on the drive and basically ready for us when we got back. This was really nice since most of us were relying on the meals that were provided, and therefore pretty hungry after each drive.
We really enjoyed all of the meals from a taste and quality perspective, and of course learning a bit about the history of each dish was an added perk. Mealtime also allowed the group to talk casually and get to know each other better. Our company on the Safari was great, and very diverse! I'm glad we had the time to chat and swap travel stories.
As for a recommendation - some of us ended up going on a Camp Sponsored Night drive. To be honest it was fairly underwhelming and partially because we were spoiled by Nikki's Guide skills! I would almost not recommend the camp sponsored night drives in the future, unless it was with a guide that Wild Wings knows and/or sanctions. Every other part of the experience was either as expected or better! Knowing what to expect was really helpful and all of our plans were clearly laid out which made it very stress-free for us. We will always look back on this trip with the fondest of memories.
Thanks again to you and Nikki for the amazing trip, and we hope to be back on Safari soon!
Was Truly Magical
From Tom, USA, travelled with us during March 2018
Hi Mariana, I wanted to send you a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our visit to Africa and, in particular, our stay at Kambaku River Sands. As you know, we were part of a 14-day tour that took us to Cape Town, Cape Point, Table Mountain, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Victoria Falls, and Chobe. That tour exceeded our expectations, and we could have returned home happy after that trip. But our stay at Kambaku for those last four days was truly magical. Everything -- from the grounds, the extraordinary luxury of the units, the food, the warmth and hospitality of the staff, the guides, the game viewing experiences (including the elephants that came right up to drink out of our swimming pool!)-- was beyond what we could have imagined. The three of us could have stayed for a month, and we were sad to have to leave to re-enter the real world.
When the planning for this trip began last October, I was not certain my wife would be willing to go. It was not like any vacation we had ever taken. Now she is a passionate advocate for South Africa and especially Kambaku River Sands. I am confident that we will return there in the coming years.
So I wanted to thank you for everything you did to make this trip a reality – from your initial encouragement, to identifying such a spectacular destination, to seeing that our arrangements, especially in linking up with our trip, went so smoothly. We are truly grateful for your help and support.
Can't say enough good things
From Kurt & Charlotte, USA, travelled with us during March 2018
Hi Madi! We are home today and wanted to thank you for all of your arrangements. All went so smoothly. Most important is we want to thank you for your choices of the Kambaku Safari Lodge and Masuwe Lodge. Both were perfect for the four of us and the length of stay at each was just right (don't recommend shorter stays at either place).
Can't say enough good things about both lodge accommodations and lodge-related touring experiences. We were told at the Masuwe Lodge that we were the first paying American guests they've had since reopening last year. Wow were we treated well! Do not, for a moment, hesitate to recommend the Masuwe Lodge to any and all of your American clients - they will love it! I do suggest you inform anyone you send there that, while they have applied for a credit card scanner, they don't accept credit cards at this time. That will change, and they don't charge for much anyway (we reimbursed the lodge for a national park entrance fee and I bought a "Masuwe safari shirt").
So,kudos to you and Wild Wings Safari for perfect arrangements. If given the opportunity we will recommend WWS with superlatives.
The best time of my life!
From Winnie & Friends, Brazil, travelled with us during March 2018
Hi Clare, It was AMAZING!!
I had the best time of my life!
Thank you so much for all your help during the months.. I still can't believe how much we enjoyed!!
Nicki was soooo great! She is really passionate about doing Safaris and she totally passed her energy and enthusiasm for us!
I'll totally recommend you guys and do it again some time soon!!
Simon truly made Kruger a fantastic and educational experience
From Tarja & Jack, Finland, travelled with us during March 2018
Hi Madi, Almost needless to say that we have been truly very satisfied and happy with your services. Your kind, patient and professional attitude were amazing and you get 5 stars from us!
All arrangements worked out as planned and organized by you, no hick-ups along the road. Simon was waiting for us at Nelspruit airport as agreed and you surely understand that when we learned that we are the only participants in his safari, we immediately understood that this is going to be an amazing experience. And it truly was!!! Although I know that I don’t need to tell you anything about Simon’s inspiring and enthusiastic way of guiding visitors through the Kruger Park, we still feel the need to mention him separately, because he truly made the visit to Kruger into a fantastic and educational experience. Great game drives and he can cook as well. You may mention to him that his ostrich braai was the best we tasted in South Africa. If we would have known up front that we would have this private safari with him, we would have opted for 5 days with him instead of going for the combo package.
This doesn’t mean that weren’t satisfied with the arrangement and experience at Gomo Gomo. Also there especially the game drives were really awarding (a little bit bumpy due to the off-road parts) and the tracker and driver (ranger) were really good as well. Gomo Gomo’s location is good, especially with the pond next to the accommodation. Here one can see a lot of animals coming to quench their thirst in a pretty relaxed way and that’s a nice experience. The accommodation was good, the food quite good (not as good as Simon’s) and the staff was fine.
With regard to the other arrangements you made, we can mention that the Bidvest care rental service was good (everything was 100% in accordance with the agreement). We also truly liked our stay at the Blyde Mountain Country House very much. Amazing location and wonderful owner and personnel. The stay at Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique hotel was good. The room, breakfast and location (in terms of being able to travel to various directions) were good, but it lacked character when comparing to Blyde Mountain Country House. This is no complaint, just a personal feeling.
All in all, we can only repeat what I already stated, we have been really satisfied with your services and the arrangements and we will not have to think twice whom to turn to in case we plan the next trip to South Africa. Thanks once again for all your kind and wonderful services and correspondence.
Absolutely the Best.
From Lakshmi & Joyce, USA, travelled with us during February 2018
From the initial booking to the actual safari trip, Wild Wings Safaris were extremely professional and friendly. Clare was very prompt in responding to all our enquiries and provided us with very useful suggestions for the safari trip. We embarked on a 5-day 4-night safari trip to Kruger National Park at the end of February and simply had an amazing experience. The trip was delightful - the drives were excellent, and we saw so many animals and birds which we miss seeing now. The entire trip was superbly planned that we didn’t have to think about anything other than to show up and enjoy the sights. The accommodations inside the park were excellent as well.
Our guide Nicky was exceptionally knowledgeable about the park, game animals, birds and was an efficient and tireless host. She did all the driving and cooking and yet answered our endless questions with the greatest patience.
Onne, the co-director, also accompanied us on this trip and it was great to have his company and insight as well.
We miss the bush and we hope to return soon. Wild Wings Safaris is absolutely the best!
Thanks for an amazing safari experience
From Paul, Dana, Savanna & Sierra, USA, travelled with us during February 2018
Hi Corlie, Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks for an amazing safari experience! Your patience and understanding going over options and details were greatly appreciated, and all the logistics were flawless. The hotel in Johannesburg was nice and convenient, and our driver to Kruger Park (Brian) was prompt, courteous, and extremely informative discussing numerous aspects of South African history, geography, and culture along the way.
After a seamless transition to our safari vehicle and guide (Frank), we entered Kruger Park for four days of spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing. Frank's phenomenal experience, dedication, and thoughtfulness were immediately evident, and his extraordinary effort provided an adventure of a lifetime we will surely never forget.
Each game drive brought new excitement, as we literally never knew what we would see around the next bend. Frank ensured we not only saw every bit of aesthetic beauty the park had to offer but also that we grew to appreciate fascinating details of animal behavior and complex interrelationships within the local ecosystem. He was so engaging, even our teenage daughters were captivated to the point they didn't even miss their electronics, other than to take pictures of course.
As if that weren't enough, bonding while sharing stories at mealtime with Frank (and Chef Jacques, who prepared an exquisite array of delicious local cuisine!), made each day even more memorable. Their genuine hospitality truly made us feel as if we were guests in their own home, and we went to bed every night with full bellies and smiling faces, reliving the wonders of the day while anticipating what the dawn may bring.
The only difficulty we experienced was facing the inevitable reality that our safari, and time with our new South African "family", must sadly come to an end as we made (slept) our way back to the airport to return home. However, the elation of the entire experience lives on in each of us, and we hope to return someday.
This safari will live long in my memory.
From Jonathan, UK, travelled with us during January 2018
Hi Madi, Once again, your service was first class and I could not fault it. You were clear and very helpful from the outset. I can't think how that could be improved.
All of the arrangements were smooth and easy. As this was my third visit with Wild Wings, I knew more what to expect, so was more than happy with sorting flights and hotel, and with your subsequent arrangements for pick-up, transfer and safari in the Kruger itself.
I was very pleased that the three of us were able to share accommodation (I hope my boys were equally happy), and the accommodation itself was as expected.
A new treat this year was the use of John, the cook, for the first couple of days. This certainly took some of the pressure off Simon, so that food could be eaten sooner after returning from an afternoon drive. It was also interesting to hear from John the extra information he provided both about what went into the food as well as the history/culture behind some of the dishes. I was very impressed with his attention to detail, particularly in relation to Aaron, who was intolerant to gluten. Thank you!
Game drives are always interesting - you can never know for certain what you will see. After all, animals and birds are wild and free and can do as they please - that's part of the enjoyment in tracking them down. A full vehicle for the first couple of days was a new experience for me, and did mean that Simon had to take into account the wishes of a greater number of people, which he did very well. I did suggest that as a company, perhaps you should all try to not do such a good job so that you weren't so popular!!
I think that some of our group were a little tired of safariing or had higher than necessary expectations of the Kruger, as they did not appear altogether enthused at what they were seeing. Certainly, in the second half of our week, it was much more relaxed and there was a more jovial atmosphere - more like what I have experienced before. I don't know what could be done to address this - it's not difficult to find out what the park is like beforehand, and you give us a fairly in-depth explanation of what to expect. Simon always tries to be a friendly and relaxed guide/host, and I can't fault him in this regard. I hope that everyone enjoyed their safari with you, but if they didn't, it won't have been through any lack of effort on Simon or John's parts.
And ultimately, you can't guarantee anything on a game drive. On our first morning, all the guides were remarking how quiet it was, yet on the second morning, there were lots of sightings from exactly where we had been the day before. But we still saw some amazing sights - even in the first couple of days we saw Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodile, as well as plenty of the more common animals and plenty of birds. In the second half, we had more amazing sightings, adding more lions, and cheetahs to our sightings and some good animals on the night drive. The boys enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere (and the extra space) in the second half too.
This safari was all-round excellent and it has left me looking forward to the possibility of returning. I enjoyed breakfast with Simon on the last morning - I always enjoy South African muesli, and I also enjoy Simon's cooked meals, whether in the evening, or in the morning - his egg concoctions are truly amazing.
Madi, you were right. The Kruger in Jan/Feb is quite different to October, much more lush and green, and while some of the sightings prove trickier because of the extra growth of leaves etc, the abundance of wildlife is truly rewarding. This safari will live long in my memory and I thank you, Simon and all the team for making it what it was. Many, many thanks.
Nicky Was The Greatest
From Ray & Donna, USA, travelled with us during January 2018
Madi, we had a great time at Kruger. Your company has someone very special working for them. Nicky was the greatest. We did not know she would be guide and cook and dishwasher and bellhop. Your guidelines for tips didn’t have that position listed. I hope our tip was sufficient for someone that does everything.
Molobitsie [Mohlabetsi} was a great lodge with awesome food and service. The safari wasn’t as fun because it’s so dry but we still managed to see all the big 5 plus a Pangolin. Thanks and we will suggest Wild Wings to friends visiting SA. Have a great year.