A Kruger and Cape Town safari
Liselle booked returning guests Gina and her family on a luxury Kruger and Cape Town safari! They had an amazing time at two different lodges in the greater Kruger Park after spending time in Cape Town. The family ended their safari in Victoria Falls!
This Kruger and Cape Town safari started at the luxurious Queen Victoria Hotel in Cape Town. This is a perfect base to explore Cape Town as it is in the V & A Waterfront. After spending a few days visiting the Cape Peninsula and the Cape Winelands, they flew off to the Kruger National Park. First stop was at the Sabi Sand at Simbambili Game Lodge. This intimate luxury camp is set in the perfect spot to view the bountiful game and big cats of Kruger. From the Sabi Sand to the Timbavati and Kings Camp where the wildlife sightings were at their best. Ending off in the Victoria Falls at the opulent Royal Livingstone Hotel, right at the Falls!
Here is their feedback:
Hi Liselle,
Capetown: We loved the Queen Victoria Hotel – small, intimate, friendly staff, good breakfasts, nice rooms, great location. We’d definitely stay there again!!! (I stopped by the One and Only, and was so happy we weren’t there.) We set up a driver to the wine region through the hotel that was fantastic, including a stop at a place recommended by a friend (Babylonstoren), which was amazing. I’d definitely recommend your clients do a wine region tour/drive. We ate at the Roundhouse (lovely setting) and at a little bistro (Bizerca – fun/good food). If I were to do it again, I’d spend another night in Capetown and one less on safari. (In all honesty, I could have spent several more nights in/around Capetown. Do you live in Cape Town?)
Simbambili: Awesome – highly recommended. Small, “homey” feeling. Because of the smaller size and more limited staff, we felt like we knew everyone there in just a couple of days. The place also felt like it fit in with the surroundings, which we liked. The setting, right along the river bed (and with each room having a deck overlooking the river bed), was beautiful!!! Really good food (surprisingly good). We liked the balance they struck with integrating the guide into our group and giving us personal space. Gareth, our guide, was with us some nights for dinner but not every night, which was nice. We liked him a lot; he and his tracker (Mums) were really dedicated and passionate about conservation. Great lion and leopard sightings.
King’s Camp: Probably better animal sitings (more rhino, elephants, zebra and the whole host of animals other than lions) here than at Simbambili. Even though it was only a bit bigger than Simbambili, it felt a lot bigger and less personal. The setting, while nice in the sense that it had a pool and a nice common area, wasn’t as naturally beautiful. The rooms were great and the people were all very nice. It was lovely, but we all felt like we’d go back to Simbambili before going back to King’s Camp. It could be that we were all a little worn out by the time we arrived there, so my comments might not be totally fair.
Zambia/Victoria Falls: We could have used another night there. Definitely glad we stayed where we did. The total colonial feel was a nice contrast/end to our I wanted to get to Tongabezi, where a friend of ours stayed (and raves about), but didn’t have the time to do so. Also, I would have liked to have gotten out into town. I don’t think anywhere in Livingston is “real Zambia”, but it would have been nice to have some time to explore a little. Our driver who took us too/from the airport (Geoffrey, I believe) was awesome and had we had another day or so I would have tried to hire him to really take us around. He gave us a little mini tour on the way back to the airport as we had some additional time.
Thanks so much. You put together a great trip for us, and I greatly appreciate that!!!
We found Sun Safaris kind of randomly a few years ago when we made completely last minute plans to go to Africa, and you guys put together a great program for us then as well. I appreciate how easy it is to work with you, your excellent suggestions, and the fact that everything went like clockwork. We will definitely be back!!!
My daughter has about a million pictures — some of them quite amazing. I will have her pick out a few to send to you.
All the best,
Gina
