Use Janneke for the perfect trip to South Africa!! .
South Africa | May 22 - May 31, 2026

A
Aimee D.
Minnetonka, MN | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2026

Janneke and her sister Anne-Marie could not have been more amazing to work with and plan this incredible trip. It was perfect! And Anne-Marie even took time out of her day to meet us while we were in wine country. So sweet and we so enjoyed getting to know her!! They were super proactive and always available. All of the excisions, meals and guides were awesome. Transportation was perfect - had zero problems!

Hotel Reviews
Sea Star Rocks
Cape Town

The staff were fantastic! Breakfast each morning was so amazing. The location and views were incredible - especially when the skies cleared and we were looking at table mountain and the ocean. Doesn’t get much better than that! The layout of the hotel is a bit off and disjointed but it was nice and the rooms were well appointed and super nice shower.

Authenticity & Character
Clearly a house or something that was converted so was charming in that way.
Location
Looking at Table Mountain
Staff
One of the staff stayed up to let us in past midnight the first night we arrived!
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Cotte Farm
Franschhoek

WHAT A GEM!! It’s hard to even describe how amazing this place was. An old plantation converted into incredible accommodations and a fantastic restaurant. The property as well as the rooms were stunning! Working fireplaces and patios look out onto a pool that looked like it was out of another world. Beautiful flower gardens and chickens. It was so incredible charming. Wish we could’ve stayed longer!

Authenticity & Character
Out of this world authentic and charming!
Location
Easy to walk into town and visit all of the little shops etc.
Staff
Super accommodating - they made sure we had breakfast for the morning we had to leave super early to catch our flight.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Walkers Plains Camp
South Africa

LOVED IT!! It is a newer property and you can tell. Everything about it was perfection - our two bedroom room with a pool was amazing. The entire place was perfectly decorated and it was small and just perfect. Not teaming with lots of people. Only 8 villas. The staff and owners are super engaging and clearly want you to fall in love with it - which you absolutely will! You must stay here! And a huge shout out to Walter and Roen - the best tracker and guide we could’ve had. What we saw the animals doing and how close we got - nothing short of life changing!

Authenticity & Character
One of a kind for sure! Wouldn’t change thing!
Location
Super quick trip from airport but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. And the timbavati private reserve is just magical!
Staff
All gold star worthy! And the owners made sure to spend time with everyone. It was super nice and felt authentic.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loved it!!
Activity Reviews
Bo-Kaap Walking Tour
Bo-Kaap Walking Tour
Cape Town

I am so happy we did this and learned about this history of Cape Town. We got to sample the food, which was awesome, and learned so very much. Our guide was born and raised there and has such passion and love for it - as he should. The architecture and paint are so beautiful. We very much enjoyed it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We had an issue leaving because the Cape Town marathon was happening. So that was quite a challenge. Getting there was fine via uber.
Cape Town to Franschhoek with Wine farm visits
Cape Town to Franschhoek with Wine farm visits
South Africa

Such a beautiful part of the country. We had no idea. It’s akin to Napa and Sonoma, but I think more beautiful with the mountains ringing it. The wine was great and all of the vineyards were quite different and lovely! And Roy, our guide, was awesome! We really enjoyed spending the day with him!

Quality of Experience
It was just awesome! The scenery, the wine and the food were all top notch!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Request Roy! He was so great!
Transport
Roy drove us and was with us the entire day!
Cape Winelands Hiking -  Vistas & Vineyards
Cape Winelands Hiking - Vistas & Vineyards
South Africa

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great but we liked it anyway and were rewarded with stunning views at the top where the weather was incredible! The views were just breathtaking!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Shayne was very passionate about hiking, nature, being active. She has a lot of energy and it was clear she was taking us all the way to the top whether we wanted to go or not. I had been sick so it was a lot for me but glad she pushed me even though it was hard with not having eaten for over 24 hours.
Transport
Only snafu was she couldn’t figure out how to get us to our restaurant for lunch and our wine tasting. Google Maps was not correct. So we called and then my son figured it out.
Explore Table Mountain
Explore Table Mountain
Zambia

A must do while in Cape Town. We got super lucky with the weather and our timing. We didn’t wait in any lines and it was sunny with perfect blue skis and 75 degrees.

Quality of Experience
Spectacular views and experience. Highly recommend!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide didn’t go with us. We did it on our own.
Transport
Easy to get Ubers to and from
Full-Day Wine Tour
Full-Day Wine Tour
South Africa

See my review as well for the drive to Franschoek since it involved the winery stops which we loved all of them. They were all so different but wonderful. Roy planned an incredible itinerary - highly recommend him!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visiting Babylonstoren
Visiting Babylonstoren
South Africa

AN ABSOLUTE MUST!! It is the coolest place ever! Greenhouses, working farm, all kinds of different shops - bakery, coffee, market, ice cream. The list goes on. The property is sooo lovely. You could easily spend an w tire day there. And the tasting was incredible and their tasting boards are crazy delicious and interesting!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrive at Walkers Plains Camp in Kruger & First Game Drive
Arrive at Walkers Plains Camp in Kruger & First Game Drive
South Africa

The flight was super easy and our driver was waiting for us at the airport. Our lodging was 15 mins from the airport so that was great. We got there and had time to chill before our late afternoon game drive. We told our guide that we wanted to see rhinos and what did we see on our first drive - 10+ of them!! We also got to see a lion sound asleep after eating too much of a warthog. It was like he was in a coma. We were less than 6 feet away from him.

Quality of Experience
Food
The food is sooo amazing at Walkers Plains. There is a private chef so it is incredible high end and they feed you a LOT. No one will ever be hungry there. And lots of options so everything will find something they like including those with good allergies and sensitivities.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Loved the fact that the vehicles they use have a tracker seat on front and that it isn’t covered and it’s stadium type seating. No obstructed views and super comfortable.
A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Game Drives
A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Game Drives
South Africa

Roen and Walter were the BEST. What we experienced during all of our game drives was nothing short of perfection! They are such a great team and know how to find the animals and create unforgettable experiences. We saw everything and the quality of the experiences was something I will never ever forget!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Roen and Walter are who you want!!
Transport
Final morning game drive & next stop
Final morning game drive & next stop
South Africa

I’ve already shared several other comments on quality and perfection of the game drives. They all were unforgettable for different reasons! The airport is so close and easy that you have plants of time to do a morning drive, shower and eat breakfast before you need to head out. Location is perfect!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
South Africa

Just wow! The entire day was filled with beauty and fun! The penguins were so fun (and loud!). Our guide, Andrew, was a pro at planning our itinerary and getting us to the sights before the crowds. When we left the penguins it was literally a zoo. When we got there we walked right in and had time to get lots of videos and photos. Same for getting to the Cape of Good Hope. The entire drive along the coast was stunning. I think it’s a must do day trip!

Quality of Experience
Food
See post on Crofters Kitchen!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andrew was great! Highly recommend him. Super knowledgeable and was easy to talk to and spend the day with!
Transport
He had a super nice vehicle and it were very comfortable.
Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen
Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen
South Africa

What an unforgettable experience. Truly a treat and one of a kind experience. Nicki is super gifted and loves to show off her beautiful home, gardens and food with you. The tasting menu was sooo good and it was also very generous portions. She has amazing stories to regale you with. She had a super interesting life so it was so fun to listen to her. She also has a lot of knowledge regarding plants and she has sooo many varieties in her garden. She will have you taste them and experience them. It’s quite a journey she takes you on! A MUST!!

Quality of Experience
The food was out of this world good!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All awesome!!
Transport
Andrew was great!
Local specialist: Janneke Van Schalkwyk
Janneke
Janneke Van Schalkwyk
Local specialist in Garden Route | Replied on Jun 24, 2026

Hello Aimee
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful and detailed review. We’re so happy to hear that you had such an amazing holiday! It was an absolute pleasure from the very start to plan this trip for you and your family.💛