Anna-marie Mocke

The Royal Zebra River Safari Lodge was the perfect place to wind up a 3 week trip in Africa. The staff were all incredibly friendly, and the food was wonderful. Our room was spacious and welcoming, giving us room to relax and rest up before starting our trek home. The complementary massages were also amazing.

Maji Moto was a highlight of my trip in Kenya. The Camp itself was lovely - modern amenities in the bush, including coffee for our early morning and a beautiful bathroom that was open to the stars.

The Lodge is in the national park and the views are absolutely amazing. The food is served buffet style, there is a wide variety and very tasty. My friend celebrated her birthday during our stay and they celebrated her with a beautiful cake and a birthday song. It was great!

We arrived very late and the night manager had a hot meal waiting for us. The room was well stocked and the shower was great.

The illtalala Community visit was incredible and a highlight of our time in Kenya. Our host, Stanley (a Maasai warrior), along with several more warriors welcomed us with a traditional greeting and song and presented us with our very own Shuka (a traditional wrap worn by the Maasai). We had a wonderful lunch in the bush and then visited the local school, learning about the progress the children are making and opportunities to continue strengthening their opportunities. We also visitied a Maasai homestead, learning how they live and support their families, as well as how the Maasai Tribe functions. We ended the day with a Nature Walk and dinner in the bush, meeting many Maasai along the way. It was a wonderful experience and gave me an opportunity to quickly immerse in the elements that are the Maasai people

This balloon ride was magical - the captain was very knowledgeable and communicated everything clearly, starting with the safety brief, sharing insights of the Mara as we were in the air, and also ensuring that our group was taken care of at the breakfast after the flight. The balloon ride itself was really cool - gave us a totally different view of the Mara after being on jeep game drives for a day and a half prior. The breakfast was also lovely - we watched Zebras migrating back to the Serengeti as a backdrop to our meal.

Tongabezi Lodge was a wonderful way to end our 12 day trip in Zambia, partifularly after spending 9 days in the bush. This is really a resort, and the amenities are top notch - we even splurged on airconditioning. The food was fantastic and the houses we stayed in were luxurious - several of us took a bath out on the very private veranda, while others enjoyed the plunge pool. We stayed 2 nights, but honestly I could've stayed on more day and just hung out at the hotel.

Potato Bush has an absolutely beautiful setting to leverage - located on a small channel off the Lower Zambezi River, we had breakfast every morning with Hippos waking up right in front of us and Elephants crossing the river to snack on grasses at a nearby island. Game drives took on a different "tone" here - celebrating the river a bit more with boat cruises. The water lunch (lunch on a sandbar) was out of this world, as was the bush dinner.

Shawa Luangwa Camp delivered the most amazing hospitality on our trip, starting with the staff greeting us with a celebratory song. The manager, Kufa was incredible - friendly, caring and aware of the little details that made our stay wonderful. Our valet, Amos was also wonderful - he always had a smile on his face and very quickly got to know us. The rooms have an amazing view, and we loved the "easy breeze" cooling that provided a comfortable nights sleep on the hotter days of our visit. They also hosted a communal dinner that shared the local food and customs with us one night and it was great.

Ila was my favorite lodge on this trip. The entire staff made us feel welcome and looked after from the moment we stepped off the plane. Located right on the Kafue River, the Lodge is integrated into the landscape and allows you to experience the bush intimately: From waking to Hippos "singing", to sighting an elephant or bushback near our cabin, I was at ease the entire visit. The staff was tremendous - always anticipating any need we may have, and genuienlty curious about getting to know us and sharing themselves as well. The chef was tremendous!

As we only had one full day at Tonabezi, we had a list of things we wanted to do and our guide Koffi helped us accomplish all of them. We started out seeing Victoria Falls from the Zambezi side, then headed to Devlls Pool, which was a highlight of the trip for me and my group. The staff at Livingstone Island was top notch - all four of us swam out to the pool, even though originally only 2 of us wanted to go. It was fabulous. We followed up with a trip to view White Rhino and also the Zambia side of Victoria Falls and then some local shopping for fabrics. Every step of the day was smooth and unhurried. We got back to the lodge with plenty of time to enjoy our houses and relax before dinner.

Highlight of Lower Zambezi was the Water Lunch. The set up was incredible - full tent and tables on a sand bar. We had the good fortune to witness 2 elephants cross the river to a nearby island and then walk right behind us while we were eating. It was very special.

Our guide, Allie was tremendous - over the 2 1/2 days we spent in Kafue, we saw over 20 different types of animals, including two leopards, a civet, a Serval, and a pride of 17 lions. We also got up close and personal with several elephants and saw over 25+ different types of birds. We quickly shifted into watching the animals behaviors as well, with the highlight being watching a pride of lions on a kill for at least 30 minutes.

The walking safari was a highlight for South Luangwa. Our Ranger, Nyundo, was amazing - we learned a lot about the local landscape, but also about the role the Park Rangers play in preventing poaching and contributing to the conservation of the parks and their animals. After being on multiple game drives in the jeep, seeing the park from the ground gave a totally different perspective - we got close to giraffes snacking on a nearby tree and saw a large herd of elephants cross the river for the night.

The Game Drives in South Luangwa were incredible. Over the 2 days, we saw sooo many hippos, elephants, giraffes, water buffalo, lions, wild dogs and so much more. Our guide, Sebastian knew the park incredibly well and got us up close and personal with a pride of lions (spectacular), as well as a tower of giraffes.

I really can’t think of a thing they could do to make this better. Very luxurious with wonderfully attentive staff. Guides and trackers made the games drives very interesting and successful.

Absolutely fantastic. Beautiful, small, wonderful staff and food. The game drives were spectacular.

Beautiful setting and rooms. Food and service outstanding.

Small and quiet. Great breakfast and beautiful views.

Visiting Victoria Falls was beautiful and the falls themselves were spectacular. However, I felt that it took a whole day away from the main highlights of our trip like the city, wine country, and safari. After seeing the falls, I think I might skip it next time and spend more time on safari.

Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen was a standout experience. It is a private home on the outskirts of Cape Town where the host prepares meals using organic ingredients from her garden. The small group setting made it a very intimate and special experience.

The wine tram in Franschhoek was a lot of fun and a great way to get around the wineries. We spent a long time at one winery and ended up visiting only two, but it was a very enjoyable experience. The tram allowed us to skip some wineries if we wanted and was a unique way to explore the wine country.

The whale watching in Hermanus was not worth the time it took. It involved a two-hour drive each way and only a couple of hours on the boat, which took up a whole day and cut into our time in Cape Town. While we did see a lot of whales, the travel time made it less enjoyable and I would not recommend it if you want to maximize your time in the city.

Outstanding hotel! Would come back to South Africa just to experience this hotel again. Exceptional service, we upgraded our room to a suite which was just stunning however I believe their standard rooms would be perfect as well. Staff amazing, food and beverage service was next level

Stunning hotel in Constantia. Excellent staff and beautiful decor. Breakfast was wonderful. We would consider a room upgrade next time. The standard room was lovely with an expansive bathroom but a little more room in the actual bedroom would have been nice. Beautiful welcome drinks and chocolates. Centrally located. Will def stay here again

Outstanding lunch and service. The weather was horrendous so we didn’t stay around to look at the farm but it was one of the best lunch experiences we had

Great dinner and wine list. Excellent service. Put this on the list!

Exceptional farm and tasting. Whilst we were there with 10 others it felt very boutique. Their wines are amazing.

A must do when in Constantia. Whilst a little on the touristy side it’s def worth a visit. Lunch was so so but the tasting experience was great

Must do when in Constantia. We went to some boutique wine farms and were treated like royalty because we had Freda out sommelier with us. 4 tastings turned to 10! Freda was knowledgeable and this was a highlight of the trip

The hotel was nice. The staff, especially the front of house, was not very accommodating or willing to offer assistance. Never really got that friendly feeling or that they were glad we were there. The one exception was the sunset cruise staff on the boat. They were very friendly and wanted to make sure everyone had a great night. And we did. We had read reviews that suggested you make sure to check your bar bills and that proved to be good advice. When we checked in, our four rooms were located across the resort from each other even though our reservations were mad months in advance. That was disappointing and could not be changed. One of the rooms had the wrong name on it and the wrong name was still on the emails received after checking out. They want to appear as if they are a higher end resort, but they definitely cut corners that make a difference.

Unique smaller hotel that is tucked away and very private. You feel like you are living in the trees and the views are spectacular. The owner and her staff were outstanding. The food was excellent! The rooms were very unique and fun to be in. Make sure you are there for the sunsets! Quiet and relaxing.

Very nice, small private lodge great to experience a safari. The guides and staff were wonderful. The food was very good and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. We truly enjoyed our stay.

Great, friendly and comfortable hotel. Location was perfect. Rooms were lovely.

Loved the food and very close to the hotel.

Had no idea the landscape of South Africa had such variety. The mountains were absolutely beautiful.

Beautiful night on the river. Relaxing, the food and drink were very good. Staff excellent.

Wine farms were all different and fun to visit. The wines were good and the hosts were knowledgeable. Countryside was beautiful.

We all enjoyed the food and experience. The amount of time devoted to tasting and educating us to the plants and flowers in her organic garden was a little long. The food we were served by Nicki and her staff was delicious. Also, we appreciated what we learned about Capetown and the neighborhood she resided in. Her house was gorgeous.

Adding this additional safari adventure to the trip was great. Both the land and river tours were good and the lunch at the golf resort was very good. The connection between our two guides, Tuffy and Mateo, made the transition from Zimbabwe to Botswana very simple. Mateo was an excellent safari guide. Very knowledgeable and fun to be with. We had quite a show watching the elephants swim across the river!

The staff at Sea Star Rocks were so friendly and welcoming, and the rooms have an astounding view! A beautiful, restorative place to stay.

We learned so much about the history, pride and complexities of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood from our guide and community activist, Zaki. Highly recommend, and going with a local member of the community is absolutely essential.

Our guide storm took us on a wonderful day of exploration of the food and wine in the Stellenbosch region! We enjoyed all the winetastings, and absolutely fell in love with Oldenburg Vineywards and our amazing level 2 sommolier, "P." Storm sensed our love of storytelling and connection of wine-to-place, and made an excellent "match" in choosing Oldenburg as our starting point for the day.

Everyone who visits Cape Town should be taking the time to visit the townships and the various community partnerships and projects showcased by Uthando - https://www.uthandosa.org/. We learned so much, and were so inspired by how people in these communities are creating their own visions for the future and taking action to bring these dreams to life. In the socio-economic complexities of the Soth African cultural landscape, Uthando provided us with a genuine and empowering way to learning from and support these community champions. We left inspired by what community champions are working towards!

Nicky is so passionate about the land and plants of the Cape Peninsula, it infuses every bit of the delicious dishes we experienced! I will always treasure the walk around her garden with her, trying seeds, flowers and leaves and discussed their flavours and attributes. A very special meal with an incredible chef!

The Fynboss ecosystem and the Boulders Beach penguins are an absolutely unique and special part of South Africa! Our guide Storm was incredible knowledgeable and committed to the ongoing sustainability and vitality of the floral and fauna...he was really inspiring! A wonderful day trip from Cape Town...well worth the wander!

We LOVED Moremi Crossing and the Okavango Delta! The trip to the camp from the air strip wasn't bad, about 15 minutes via Land Cruiser and boat. Loved having our tent cabin right on the water and watching the elephants wander by. The central meeting area was lovely though large and had great small sitting areas for looking out over the water but the size also meant it wasn't as conducive to meeting folks. It was family style eating but you sat with your land cruiser team and your guide. Really enjoyed the bonfire and drinks before dinner.

We loved this lodge! The central meeting/gathering space was warm and cozy and helped facilitate interactions among the guests. Eating was family style, but you sat where ever you wanted at the available tables so you weren't limited to the folks you may be traveling with in your land cruiser. You could also opt for a meal outdoors on your own if you wanted to - overlooking the river. Room was very comfortable and spacious. The drive into the park was about 15 minutes but you often passed wildlife along the way.

This hotel exceeded our expectations! Centrally located and a wonderful chill vibe with great indoor and outdoor space. Wish we had had a few more hours to enjoy it more. Easy walk to Victoria Falls and a great craft market next door to the hotel.

While we really liked this lodge itself and the staff, we didn't like that you had to pay extra for several things that the other lodges we stayed in included as part of the overall cost. More specifically, you had to pay $80 per person for a 90 minute bush walk which I think was extremely over priced for what you got (we did it) and I would not recommend doing it (especially if you were going elsewhere where it is provided for free), for individual drinks (sodas and alcohol), and for laundry (which was very pricey). Having been to two other lodges that covered these items, I would definitely pick a lodge in the future that covered these costs.

Very conveniently located at the V&A waterfront. Very spacious and comfortable rooms and helpful staff. Good breakfast options as part of the stay. While we really enjoyed the V&A waterfront, it has a touristy feel, even with plenty of locals walking around. You have easy access to the Robben Island ferry, the Watershed market full of local crafts and the fabulous Oranjezicht City Farmers Market filled with great food and local shops. Perfect place for breakfast and lunch overlooking the Atlantic.

We finished our last hours in the Delta by going on a Mokoro ride followed by a bush walk. We loved it! The mokoro ride was a unique experience. So peaceful and interesting to see the delta from low on the water. I liked that it was combined with a bush walk too.

We loved the sunrise safari! We were the only two passengers aboard and rather than going downriver toward the falls we opted to go upriver to see more wildlife and birds. Tons of hippos. Beautiful kingfishers and other African birds. Plus a bunch of elephants too.

While we were really glad to go to Robben Island and learn about it's history, we were disappointed that our time there was very structured by the official guide and didn't leave much time to wander or contemplate in our own way all that happened there. Hearing from a former prisoner was fascinating though while listening to him talk for at least 45 minutes, you are sitting on hard benches in one room and there wasn't, I don't think, the opportunity to ask questions. After listening to him, we were rushed through the area where Mandela was housed with barely a moment to look in. Now, what I don't know is whether we were being rushed because of the worsening seas outside and they wanted us off the island or if this is the regular schedule.

Loved traveling down the Cape Peninsula and seeing the Boulder penguins and the other cute seaside towns along the way. Views of the Cape of Good Hope were fabulous. Enjoyed seeing the wildlife in the park along the way, including our first baboons and ostriches.