4.7/5 Excellent
Excellent
428
Great
130
Average
9
Disappointing
2
Terrible
2
South Africa Tour & Trip Ratings
Tour Reviews
We had the most wonderful time on our trip! It really was our best trip ever! You all took such good care of us while we were there. It was so nice to not have to wo...
Our trip to Zambia and South Africa was incredible! The team at Ker & Downey was amazing! They took care of every single detail. They were very easy to work with...
My Husband and I usually book our own holidays but not knowing enough about travelling in Africa we thought we could use some help organizing our tour. We asked Ker ...
Ker and Downey Africa organised a stunning trip for my family in South Africa. The lodges and camps we visited were on point with our needs. We were treated like roy...
We had an amazing two weeks in South Africa and we wanted to see as much as possible in the time. Ker & Downey provided an amazing schedule that allowed us to sp...
This agency offers a flawless service from start to finish. No task is too big or too small. We have been on two trips organised by Ker & Downey Africa, one bein...
Ker & Downey organized our whole South African trip, including lodge, safari, cape town visit, flights etc. the tour was extremely well organized and planned - t...
I did the GVI internship on April last year - which is basically the expedition but with a few extras. For that I spent 3 months on a game reserve and another 3 mont...
I enjoyed 1 mouth out in South Africa on Karongwe game reserve. I can say I had the time of my life, getting involved with wildlife research. I really enjoyed Telem ...
In short, if you are looking for safari planning, look no further! Ker and Downey Africa will not only deliver, they will exceed your expectations and take care of e...
Spending a day with Masicorp was one of the more meaningful things I did during my stay in Cape Town. They gave us a safe, exciting experience into the culture and p...
This trip is very nice with people and good accommodation good host dinn...
They really knew what, where, when, who and how to make it all come together magically. A must for garden lovers, and those who did not even know they liked gardens!...
The children were amazing and it was easy to get there and get involved. I would highly recommend checking them out if you have some time during your travels in Cape...
This trip is the best of the best with everything you need to know, see, ...
Editor’s Take
Most trip reviews tend to focus on some or all of these 5 key areas, not all of which may be relevant to you: the tour guide, travel company, service level, country or countries traveled in, and the trip itinerary.
Remember, just because you see a 1 star review doesn’t necessarily mean that person disliked the country.
First, for a majority of travelers, the flight to South Africa is long. From many spots in the United States, you’ll spend near 21 hours each direction in the air. Australia and Asia experience similarly long flights. For travelers who find themselves having a layover, consider an overnight layover, where you can spend a night sleeping in a bed. This helps ease exhaustion, especially for those who can’t sleep on planes. You’ll arrive ready for your South African adventure.
There are some security issues when it comes to South Africa, which can be a shock for some travelers. Especially if you go to Johannesburg, you’ll feel the more “dangerous” sides just by being outside and driving through the city. This should not discourage you from traveling to South Africa!
Being prepared and knowing your surroundings, it can help immensely. Many homes have bars on the windows, and security guards, even in the higher end areas. Violence was a huge concern, and can still be, but don’t let this break your trip. There will be a shock but shortly after, travelers see this is just the way of life in South Africa.
Many travelers have mentioned South Africa as one of the best experiences of their life, which is no surprise. Between the ocean, the mountains, the wineries in the capelands, and the wildlife, it’s pretty hard to not enjoy yourself. There is surely something that everyone will enjoy. South Africa is filled with history, art, and great food. There are endless adventures, and the pace of life is very relaxed.
Many reviewers mentioned the safari. Some may say a day or two is enough for a safari. You can see these animals at the zoo. This is far from the truth. There are very few things that beat seeing a family of elephants strolling during sunrise, or watching the hippo crossings between dusk.
Looking in the brush for the lions trying to hide from the hot sun, and zebras running through the grass. All of it is amazing and every game drive is different. Every animal encounter is magical.
Another South Africa “hot spot” among reviewers is Cape Town with a side trip to the wine area, either Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Stroll through the cute towns filled with restaurants, shops, and markets. Hop on the wine tram, that transports you between wineries in the region.
Consider a stay in a bed and breakfast. Transportation between wine country and Cape Town is about an hour, and there are numerous buses that leave each day between the two. While this is an easy day trip, you may want to consider staying overnight. The region makes for a great weekend trip!
If you want a professional take on traveling in South Africa, see the Travelstride South Africa Guide »
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