South Africa - Kruger (Birds)

Everything on the tour was as we had hoped. Both Gavin and Andrew are excellent tour leaders. Both are knowledgeable, friendly, hard-working and entertaining.Everything on the tour was as we had hoped. The number of species of both animal and birds that we saw was amazing.The tour was simply fantastic!

C.E. Derbyshire, Nov 19

The leaders Gavin and Andrew were very professional and great company. They worked hard to make sure everyone saw the wildlife. Both were a mine of information and no question was left unanswered so we learnt a lot.

M.W. Worcestershire, Nov 19

Everything went well, excellent guides, good group of participants and fantastic number of bird and mammal sightings. My extension to Swaziland went superbly and I thank my guide Nick for his hard work in finding the birds and looking after me. I also wish to thank Ben for organising my superb extension.

B.G. West Midlands, Nov 19

I don't think words could express how fantastic the two guides, Warren and Michael were. Their knowledge of the areas we visited was infinite, and they were both so enthusiastic about the wildlife they were showing us. I found their enthusiasm so contagious I have definitely caught the bug!

T.L. East Sussex

Excellent value. Both the itinerary and the knowledge of the guides was outstanding.

P.M. East Sussex

The trip was fantastic! Even though the region was just emerging from a 5-year drought, and even though on two days of our trip we saw somewhat fewer birds and mammals due to the passing of Tropical Storm Dineo, we managed to rack up about 300 species of birds in those 10 days - most of them lifers for me. Our guide, driver and general tour manager for the trip - Gavin Simms - was impressively knowledgeable, especially about birds. He knew all the local species (some 400 at least) by sight, sound and behaviours even from great distances. He had nothing short of incredible skills at driving-while-birding and birding-while-driving, even while threading us around foot-deep ruts and potholes. And he was cheerful, informative, helpful, patient - you name it. For every quality that might help bring a bus-load of strangers together in good spirits for a week of variable weather, he had that quality. Of course, it probably helped that those strangers were nice folks for their own part, but even so a gang of strangers can easily get on one another's nerves in the course of a week. We didn't, and that further enhanced the trip as a whole. The scenery and wildlife were fantastic, of course. The accommodations were charmingly and comfortably rustic, though I worry for their state if maintenance slips over the next few years. The food ranged from adequate to excellent and was always healthful and hygienically prepared. As a person with chronic stomach issues, I am happy to report that I didn't have a single bad day on the trip or after getting home. So even with a lesser guide, I'm sure the trip would have been a positive experience. But with Gavin as our guide it was superb!

C.H. Lincolnshire

I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday, and Warren and Michael could not have been more helpful and professional in every respect. I even wanted to get up early not to miss anything!

M.C. Ledbury

The trip leaders were fantastic. Apart from their bird expertise they provided lots of general wildlife info. They were also totally committed to giving the group the best possible holiday and were very friendly and sociable.

G. & N.F. Cheshire

The two local guides, Martin and Richard, were excellent, being very knowledgeable of the local wildlife and made certain everyone saw all the species if at all possible.

Mr & Mrs R. Sidcup

Both trip leaders were excellent in finding and identifying target bird and mammal species and in organising everything smoothly.

S.R. Middlesex

The two local guides were both excellent in every way. We couldn’t speak more highly of them. Nothing was too much trouble and they went out of their way to ensure that everyone saw all the birds and mammals wherever humanly possible. We all enjoyed our holiday in South Africa. A really super tour and holiday. Many thanks Naturetrek.

J.H. Somerset

Martin, the leader, was excellent.

N.A. Middlesex

Once again the standards were excellent. You have a great person in Martin Benadie, and his knowledge of the area and sounds of the birds is next to none. He is an asset to the company.

G.T. Liverpool

The holiday was extremely well organised and the service, knowledge and manner of the local guide, Martin, was second to none. I feel the success or failure of any holiday depends on good ground agents and good guides, and of course Naturetrek’s care and attention to detail and planning.

G.T. Liverpool

I have never met such “sensitive” leadership, and the careful driving in the park as well as the spectacular bird and animal spotting ability was remarkable.

D.F. Surrey

Excellent holiday with no hitches (my first ever south of the equator). Strongly recommended.

W.W. Kent