Carol and David Morris
Trip Review: This was our third trip. I would not look anywhere else for travel in Africa. Planning (Victoria) and execution of travel, guides, facility staff and all accommodations were exceptional.
Most Memorable Moment: There were so many but the lengths to which each facility and staff member went to celebrate us on our 55th wedding anniversary was heart warming and really exceptional…lots of rose petals and sparkling wine!
Advice For Future Clients: Engage African Portfolio for your adventure and do not let distances or travel logistics deter you.
Mary Brau
Trip Review: Victoria did a great job! We used all the information she gave us. It was invaluable.
Most Memorable Moment: Visiting my adopted elephant, Kimani, at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Also, being able to get so close to the animals on our game drives.
Advice For Future Clients: Follow the advice of your planner prior to the trip, and you will be so happy you did so. You will be better prepared and enjoy your trip more.
Victoria Rothman
Trip Review: This was such an unforgettable adventure. I feel that my requests were 100% fulfilled and the itinerary was spot on for our interests as a family.
Most Memorable Moment: Sunrises and sunsets, amazing fresh meals in the bush, experiencing seeing animals in their natural habitats.
Advice For Future Clients: Be open minded and flexible. Sometimes weather or other factors out of our control work against us but it is all part of the adventure!
Carina Borgia Drake
Trip Review: Everything was excellent and we appreciate Susan making sure our anniversary trip was better than we could have hoped!
Most Memorable Moment: The first sunset we saw of the red and pinks in the sky was special as well as seeing leopards climb into trees.
Advice For Future Clients: Be open to what nature has in store for you, listen to your guide and embrace the surprises that evolve on your safari: Our best sightings happened when we let the guides work with their knowledge with nature.
Ginger McCloy
Trip Review: Thoughtful planning, and excellent travel tips and restaurant recommendations from our planner Susan. Phenomenal safari camp staffs! EVERYONE was a joy to spend time with. The BEST safari guides! Saw more animals than we thought we could; learned SO much about each and also learned about the ecosystem in general. My mind and heart is full! Fantastic end of trip experiences in the Winelands and Cape Town! Perfect closure to the perfect vacation.
Most Memorable Moment: I couldn’t say … Too many to choose from …
Advice For Future Clients: Go!!
Melanie Stuart
Trip Review: The entire family thought the trip was excellent.
Most Memorable Moment: No way I can pick just one. Both the parents & young adults really did have the best time for the entire trip. I've told many people that this was a trip enjoyed as much by our boys as by us. That's hard to do!! Also, Martin & Godson did a great job in finding us animals EVERYWHERE!
Advice For Future Clients: Be prepared for a rough (but necessary) ride. It was worth every bump in the road. 🙂
Amy Stoldt
Trip Review: Everything was wonderful from planning to accomodations to transfers. It was easy and made our trip so memorable because we didn't have to worry about a thing!
Most Memorable Moment: Traveling to Cape of Good Hope was a highlight. Vic Falls is unbelievable. We loved the evening river tour at Khwai Leadwood where we saw some amazing elephant encounters - we loved the Delta in Botswana. We loved the River Boat tour in Vic Falls was definitely a highlight.
Advice For Future Clients: Savor every moment and definitely bring your family along - we had many people say "you are so lucky that your boys are on this trip with you". I do think they were the right age as well. This trip is very active and I think doing this trip with young children might be a bit of a challenge. Take a million pictures and really enjoy meeting all the people in the safari camps - we met so many wonderful people - you get to have meals with them all and I liked that group dining experience.
Kathleen Kirby
Trip Review: Dream of a lifetime - definitely created my « rocking chair » memories to treasure.
Most Memorable Moment: Sunset ride in the Mokoro - it was so peaceful and serene among the reeds. We also saw the most beautiful birds I have ever seen. Thank you for an amazing adventure, one I will always cherish.
Advice For Future Clients: Open your mind and heart.
Catherine Milian
Trip Review: We had the most perfect, magical vacation. Anouk made everything simple, professional and user friendly.
Most Memorable Moment: We were fortunate to see an epic crossing of the wildebeest.
Advice For Future Clients: Pack light.
Laura Moore
Most Memorable Moment: This may sound rather mundane, because there were so many special moments, but I think my favorite, because it was my first real “Africa animal experience”, was at Bomani Tented Lodge, coming across a pool of many hippos, with all their wonderful noises and snorting, right at sunset. We went on to have many more hippo experiences, including some tromping around our tent our last our night at Khwai Lediba. But I think, because it was my first time seeing hippos in the wild, is imprinted on my memory-it made me so happy to be in Africa!
Advice For Future Clients: Take the warm clothes recommendations seriously! It was only 40 degrees, so doesn't sound so bad, but when you are barreling down dirt roads at sunrise, it is COLD! Blankets and bush babies were heaven… Also, as others have said, enjoy every minute. It (country, people, special skies, smells, and of course animals) is a special experience that is difficult to put into words. Take some time to put down your camera to take it all in.
Suzanne Clayton
Trip Review: Lodges, service, safari rangers, tents/rooms, location, transportation, food all top notch! Loved our trip! Was magical and amazing!
Most Memorable Moment: Seeing the migrations multiple times, 2 leopards with multiple sightings of each, and brother lion sightings, took a Dhow in Zanzibar for a 1/2 day to snorkel, hang on a sandbar and see large starfish.
Advice For Future Clients: Pack light. Light khaki seemed to be the favorite color would bring more of this next time. Denim or light non safari jacket for cool evenings. 2 pairs of Convertible pants only for safari. We zipped off our pant legs every day - was cold in morning and warm in afternoon in the car. Puff jacket was a good call for cold locations like near Ngorongoro crater area which is higher elevation. Bathing suit to swim. We swam most days. Small pocket flashlight. Go Zanzibar after to chill.
Erin Regan
Trip Review: Our trip was magical from start to finish thanks to the itinerary accommodations Victoria planned for us.
Most Memorable Moment: Too hard to choose -- but every day in Savanna and Virunga were spectacular.
Advice For Future Clients: GO!!
Patti Staubs
Trip Review: Everything was perfectly coordinated and every detail was perfect.
Most Memorable Moment: I wanted to absorb each and every second more -- it was the most amazing trip I have ever taken and I am sad that it is over.
Advice For Future Clients: Be prepared that the days start early...trust your guide. They know what they are doing and they are very well equipped to handle whatever arises. Enjoy every precious moment.
Susana King
Trip Review: Everything ran like clockwork. People were super friendly and nice. Food was great.
Most Memorable Moment: Being in the middle of an elephant herd in the Okavango. Elephants are very quiet and can totally sneak up on you even though they are giant.
Advice For Future Clients: Pack less.
Esat Sezer
Trip Review: Thank you to Yvette for organizing this trip for us. It was flawless with no issues as one could expect. Our guide in Cape Town and the Lodge we stayed in Kruger were all great. Clearly you and your team exceeded our expectations.
Most Memorable Moment: The ignorance of wild animals of us and how they see humans as not a threat was very surprising.
Advice For Future Clients: I suggest Kruger highly. Big 5 and more are all there and with right guidance accessible.
