Thanks again for your service, one thing is for sure, when I return to SA I know where to find you.
Albrecht
Thank you for the Christmas greeting,
After the trip, you did ask us what we thought of it.
Due to being busy, I haven't managed it. Unfortunately. Our impression of you is completely fine.
Thanks to you all, the trip was absolutely fantastic. Thanks again, and perhaps we'll see you again sometime.
You'll have to save up for that and find the time first.
Greece.
Nico
Leonie,
Here is the travel report.
In December 2010, we took a fantastic trip to South Africa! A country that, after three weeks, can be summarised for us as follows: “South Africa is a world in one country”.
There are plenty of ways to make the journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. We asked several people for advice and incorporated their suggestions here and there into what ultimately became our final itinerary; by car from Johannesburg to Kruger Park via Pretoria. Then, we'll visit the Panorama Route, travel through Swaziland to the St Lucia area, the beach near Durban, and then fly from Durban to Cape Town, from where we also saw and did a great many wonderful things.
Our focus during these three weeks was therefore really on Kruger Park and its surroundings, and Cape Town and its surroundings. In our opinion, a good choice; around Cape Town (think of: Cape of Good Hope, Kirstenbosch, Hermanus, Robben Island, Table Mountain etc.) there is enough to see and do, but also around Kruger Park (think of: the Panorama Route, the journey to St Lucia via Swaziland, a visit to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Greater St Lucia Wetlands, and the beach near Durban).
The highlights of our trip:
Kruger National Park
Blyde River Canyon, surroundings of Kruger Park
– Carols by Candlelight – Kirstenbosch, Cape Town (takes place a week before Christmas)
– Visit to Khayelitsha township, Cape Town
The flights (including domestic flights: 1. Durban – Cape Town 2. Cape Town – Johannesburg) and car hire were arranged by ourselves. At the last minute (read: November 2010) we decided to have AFRIKA ONLINE book the accommodation. This was not a bad decision; Leony helped us in a pleasant, efficient, and correct manner with the adjustments to the accommodation to suit our travel itinerary, as well as with providing all sorts of practical and useful advice: Thank you for this!
The highlights mentioned above are just a few. There is much more to tell, and we have plenty of photos to share, but to really get a good impression, you simply have to experience it for yourself! For us, one thing is certain; South Africa is a wonderfully beautiful holiday destination!
Hans & Franny
For 4 years, a number of us football friends put some money aside so that in 2010 we could see the Netherlands play live in South Africa, but even more so, to visit the “real” South Africa in addition to the stadiums which, in hindsight, were unbelievably beautiful.
As we are members of the Orange Supporters Club, arranging tickets for the matches was no problem.
But beyond that, we, so to speak, wanted a bit more; everyone had something to report from their own circles and experiences, but there wasn't a clear picture of “what next!”
By chance, we were fortunately put in touch with the digital travel agency REIZEN@ AFRIKAONLINE.nl, where “a certain” Leonie is in charge.
From the very first contact, the programme finally gained some structure, with all sorts of ideas being exchanged back and forth (or rather, from us to Leonie), in which she particularly asked about our interests, “qualities”, preferences, possibilities, and any limitations. .
Leonie managed to offer us a polished programme for 3 weeks, during which, parallel to the matches of the Dutch team, we were able to enjoy a fantastic stay in South Africa.
Everything is arranged down to the last detail.
The guesthouses were all of very good quality, with the hospitality received being personal and warm everywhere.
The programme left room for regular, very tasty food, always reasonably priced and in places you wouldn't easily discover yourself!
All transport arrangements (apart from the flights) were perfectly synchronised down to the second... the van was always on time...
The safari in Kruger National Park, the shark cage diving in the Indian Ocean, a lunch at Cleopatra somewhere in the Drakensberg Mountains, Robben Island... the list goes on, it was all “simply” well organised.
And with any uncertainty, Leonie proved to be very approachable, even at weekends, and at less conventional hours...
One thing has become terribly clear: without this Leonie, whom we only got to meet on one of our last days, this trip would have looked very different.
We owe her a huge debt of gratitude for a fantastic holiday, which we look back on with great pleasure and which we are still thoroughly enjoying.
Because everything was so well organised, there was never any room for discussion or irritation, something which could easily have arisen with eight blokes, all with their own opinions and wills!!!
On behalf of us all, I want to sincerely thank you again, Leonie. I am convinced that this will not be the last time we are in contact!
Marcel de Ree.
Dear Leony,
Just back from our Namibia adventure, took some time to acclimatise (if that's ever fully possible again...). We saw magnificent things (what a beautiful, empty country), experienced absolutely nothing negative (not even a flat tyre, what a driver!), met incredibly friendly people, ate and drank well and so on.
We would also like to thank you very, very much for your help, work and tips. With one exception (Acacia Park in Otjiwarongo in particular), all the campsites were more than satisfactory: we had actually expected it to be a bit more ‘primitive’, but most of the time it felt like we were on safari with Hemingway or Hepburn... Next time we'll try a jeep with tents (lots of noisy rattling from the camper on the gravel roads) so we can go a bit ‘deeper’ into the country (either Botswana or Zambia ==> we're really looking forward to it).
The children were absolutely thrilled despite the arduous travel, so next time there can be a bit more...
So Leony: thank you very much!!!
Greetings,
Geert & Annick
Kaat Lien Floor
Dear Leony,
Thank you for your interest. We also thank you for the prompt and excellent organisation of our trip. Everything went flawlessly. The guesthouse was fine and the hotel was wonderful. We were picked up on time for the car, and it was entirely to our liking. We had a lovely and perfectly executed holiday.
As you indicated in your example trip, we also drove to Gorongosa National Park. If you've seen Kruger Park beforehand, this is an absolute let-down. The park is a long drive and there is virtually no wildlife. Furthermore, the park and the campsite are extremely expensive. Therefore, not highly recommended for future customers. This is most certainly not a complaint about your advice, but a practical tip.
Good luck with your venture!
Greetings.,
Hans E.
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