Spectacular Experience!
South Africa | Jun 22 - Jun 28, 2025

T
Teju P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2025

Tshepo was wonderful in helping us plan and keeping us updated on changes to the itinerary for our trip. The accommodations she chose were great, the Lebo tour of Soweto was also an amazing experience.
The people throughout our trip were very knowledgable and helpful, including:
Nokuthula - she was very kind and helpful in guiding us to the hotel and welcoming us after a long flight
Nadine - Our greeter at Kariega was very helpful and made us feel at home.
Osmond - Our ranger at the Kariega reserve, he was very personable, funny and extremely knowledgeable. We were excited and did 4 game rides with him.
The staff at Kariega was great as well and gave us a evening campfire barbecue meal which was tasty.
In Oceana, Max and Zed were great and helpful in answering all of our questions. They helped us arrange a short visit to Bathurst to see The Pineapple museum and Pig n Whistle bar. Luke was very knowledgeable and friendly.
FInally, our Soweto Tuk-Tuk tour guide Tami was kind-hearted and energetic and gave us a final tour of Soweto and took us to Mandela House.
All in all , it was a great first experience to South Africa - and has inspired us to consider future visits!

Hotel Reviews
Kariega River Lodge

Great Lodge, staff is kind and helpful. Osmond was a great ranger , knowledgeable and funny.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Osmond was personable , friendly and had a great sense of humor. He was also very knowledgeable
Cleanliness & Comfort
Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve

Wonderful resort, beautiful views of Indian Ocean

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
All the staff was kind and helpful. Max and Zed were in constant communication helping us plan out our day and activities.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Tuk-Tuk Tour
Tuk-Tuk Tour
Johannesburg

Tami was a great host and driver, he explained to us the history of Soweto and had a great smile and sense of humor. It was a great pleasure to learn about Soweto from him.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tshepo Lyckhage
Tshepo
Tshepo Lyckhage
Local specialist in Maun, Botswana | Replied on Jul 09, 2025
Dear Teju, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review — it truly means a lot! I'm so glad to hear that you had a wonderful first experience in South Africa. It was such a pleasure assisting you with your trip, and I'm thrilled that everything from the accommodations to the activities lived up to your expectations. It’s heartwarming to know that Nokuthula, Nadine, Osmond, Max, Zed, Luke, and Tami all played such memorable roles in making your... Read more

Dear Teju,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review — it truly means a lot!

I'm so glad to hear that you had a wonderful first experience in South Africa. It was such a pleasure assisting you with your trip, and I'm thrilled that everything from the accommodations to the activities lived up to your expectations.

It’s heartwarming to know that Nokuthula, Nadine, Osmond, Max, Zed, Luke, and Tami all played such memorable roles in making your journey special. South Africa is truly brought to life through its warm, passionate people, and I’m so happy you got to connect with some of the very best.

Osmond sounds like he really brought the Kariega experience to life — four game drives with him must have been incredible! And I’m so glad the team at Oceana helped make your Bathurst visit happen — the Pineapple Museum and Pig & Whistle are such gems.

Your kind words are not only appreciated by me, but will certainly be shared with all the local partners you mentioned. They’ll be delighted to hear the impact they made.

Thank you again for choosing to travel with us — and I absolutely love that this visit has inspired you to consider future trips. South Africa (and maybe beyond!) is ready to welcome you back anytime.

Warmest regards,
Tshepo