Hello Leony
I just wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic trip.
I didn't get a chance to send a photo along the way. I wouldn't know where to start with the photos either, as we've taken so many.
There was also limited internet, but that's nothing new to you either.
Our first day at the B&B was absolutely lovely. Beautiful location and garden, a real recommendation for a relaxing time.
The people were very helpful and took us to Rivona in the morning.
We neglected to check the Sunway Safaris website at home, so the bus and everything around it was a big surprise for us.
In the beginning, we had to get used to helping with the meal.
We needed some free time, especially because the first travel days were very long.
We weren't too proud to help and were keen to do our bit, but there were others in the group who were already busy before we could do anything.
We indicated whether it was not advisable to make a chore list, but that did not happen.
This was also the only downside during the trip, the group composition, and that is always something to be expected, of course.
There were a few people there who made a big impression on the group.
Fortunately, there were also people with whom we had a very good time.
Everything was well arranged.
The tour guides were fantastic. They cooked a delicious meal.
It was also very cold in Africa, so we really needed our fleece jackets.
Every day there was a surprise.
The accommodations were well looked after. In Zimbabwe, we often had to think back to Cuba. The grandeur is still there but the means to maintain it are very limited, but that didn't matter, it had its own charm.
The last private safari was also very fun.
We had larger tents than in the Okavango and better mattresses and duvets, so we were wonderfully warm at night.
The return journey via Maum was also fine, the plane being spot on time.
Perhaps a tip to give people is that there is also an option to fly back, as the last two days of the trip involve very long car journeys.
In short, thank you for your commitment and for the fact that by thinking along with what we had in mind, it became a fantastic trip.
I'm afraid we're now infected with the African virus.
Kind regards
Hello B
Hi Leony,
In December, you helped me very well with booking a trip to South Africa. Today, a colleague of mine asked where I had booked, and I highly recommended you. It occurred to me that I hadn't yet personally let you know how incredibly happy I was with the service and the trip you ultimately arranged for me.
What I found incredible was that you were really involved with my wishes and my questions regarding the trip. The personal contact (even though it's all done online!) and your availability really made me recommend EVERYONE to book with you.
All the other organisations that were an option were far less proactive, and I felt more like a quote number with them 🙂 Also, the execution by Drifters has been excellent and the trip has stolen my heart for Africa! In short, nothing but praise! I wish you and your organisation all the best.
Best regards P. Wiegman
Westerland
Dear Leony,
Germaine and I returned on Saturday from our African Safari.
We had an amazing time and I would like to thank you for arranging such an interesting and varied programme.
We certainly did and saw a marvellous variety of nature, wildlife, Africa and people.
Many thanks to you.
Kindest regards
Rita Jessup
Dear Leony,
Here is some feedback about our trip:
Despite having to wait 2 hours for us (the passport control wasn't very smooth...), the reception by the KIA staff was very warm. The Landcruiser was in very good condition. Everything was on board, albeit in minimal quantities.
Pilanesberg is a nice NP, the Mayane campsite is the best of the two, especially if you have a spot on the right-hand side.
The surprise was Doorndraai Dam: beautiful nature, very peaceful. We could easily have stayed an extra day here.
Blyde River is good for walks, with a number of well-marked hikes departing from the campsite. The (paid) Belvedere Day Hike (departing from the Potholes) was a bit of a disappointment for us.
Kruger is ideal for spotting the Big Five. The larger camps (Satana and Skukuza) are busy and not as pleasant. Balule and Melelane are much quieter and have nicer pitches.
We smoothly crossed the border with Swaziland.
Mlilwane is a very nice place, the horse riding was very wise.
Cross the border back without any problems.
Umkhuze Game Reserve is a good place to spot a lot of wildlife in a short time. As of October, they are even importing 9 lions. A recommendation is the Fig Tree Hike, a 2-hour walk led by an armed ranger. We received an enormous amount of information.
Cape Vidal, with its lovely beaches and dunes, was beautiful. The campsite at Cape Vidal is currently strongly not recommended! Not because of its location or layout, but due to the presence of Samango monkeys (not to be confused with common monkeys). These are bold animals that are not afraid of people. You cannot leave the camper open during the day. Management is aware of the problems but is not taking any initiative.
As a result, we stayed there one day less and checked into the Dolphin Holiday Resort one day earlier.
Ballito is a tranquil coastal town near Durban Airport, ideal for ending your journey.
A must-visit here is the restaurant Mo-Zam-Bik, just 10 metres from the campsite!
Everything went very smoothly then.
The GPS coordinates were very useful, the directions were clear.
Thank you for the work carried out.
Kind regards,
Philippe and Kathleen
Belgium
Hello Leony,
We're back and had a fantastic trip!
A very brief summary: the journey on the new Airbus 380 was in itself (still) quite special, despite the attractive multimedia, it wasn't our aircraft – compare it to a double-decker intercity compared to a normal intercity. Furthermore, everything went fine despite an enormously hard landing (the overhead locker doors even flew open).
At Europcar, there were 2 H1s ready for us, but we quickly convinced them that we only needed one. I also asked about maps, but they didn't provide them (so perhaps adjust your description/quote?). We did check and adjust the tyre pressure during the first refuel, as it was unfortunately much too low. Furthermore, a lovely car too (definitely) with 6 people: good advice.
The guesthouse was good. Hannelie regretted that she could no longer cancel the room, but in return, we received a number of bottles of wine for free (also to take home for those who stayed behind). The Hilltop Lodge was lovely, we received the 3 standard rooms, so they did not provide the luxury ones. We didn't ask about it again, but it was a bit of a shame as all the other accommodations where we had standard and luxury rooms did provide the luxury ones. The service and breakfast were otherwise great though! A beautiful place.
Kruger was beautiful, a complete Big 5 experience, and a lovely luxury bungalow in Skukuza. The spots in Olifants were also good; in principle, we even had a bit of a “river view”.
The leopard with its prey in the evening, just on the other side of the fence in Skukuza, was very special; we stood and watched with a whole group, out of breath.
Mbt the Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge; we actually had a semi-detached house where we could link the cottages by opening the connecting doors, which was very nice. It was good that there were only 6 of us instead of 8, as there were beds for 6 people and, in addition, two sofa beds. We did ask, but this space was what we would have received otherwise anyway.
Port Elizabeth was a surprise, we would have liked to have stayed longer. Oude Werf was also very hospitable and Hermanus wonderfully luxurious! We sailed beautifully among the whales from Plettenberg Bay!
Waterkant wasn't our favourite spot; it was nice being in the centre, but still not our sort of thing. We prefer to be more outdoors. For the parents-in-law, the hills there would have been an issue too, I think. Luckily we also had one studio because it included a car park.
The return journey with KLM and a Boeing 777 was also brilliant.
All in all, it was another fantastic trip! Thank you!
Greetings.,
Annamarie and Han A.
Bovensmilde
Dear Leony: We had a wonderful trip and are very satisfied with “Africa Online”. All arrangements were correct and we encountered no problems at all.
A few remarks for learning: When returning the rental car, the additional payment was a bit haphazardly arranged; there was no specification, and I still don't know if or how much the amount from Europcar is. My credit card was copied and I had to initial it, that was all. However, my credit card was subsequently blocked by ABN/AMRO ICS due to suspicious transfers in Africa, possibly premature action!! Quite annoying.
A second note.
Oysterbay Lodge was lovely, but it's 25 km of gravel road there and 15 km back, about 4 hours of bumpy driving, which is a bit much hassle for one night. Lastly, on the way back from Joburg to Paris, two airplane seats in a row were reserved; fortunately, we were able to change this.
Kind regards Roel and Anneke W. – Ettenleur
Dutch 
English