South Africa Highlights & Safari Reviews

5 Rating 173 Reviews

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smarTours is a leading provider of direct-to-consumer, affordable travel experiences to exotic global destinations. The Company offers travelers curated, pre-packaged itineraries to over 50 destinations across the globe. By offering tours directly to consumers, the Company provides premium-quality experiences at value prices, and as a result, has cultivated a highly passionate and loyal community of repeat travelers. More than 200,000 travelers have taken a smarTours trip since the founding of the Company in 1996. smarTours is… the smarter way to see the world.

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“Loved every minute...the people on tour, the locals we met, our tour director Jeremy Poole was really great !!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago

“This was an amazing trip which far exceeded our expections. Our tour director Ron McGregor was the best we have ever had looking after every detail I will never take on the stress of planning another vacation by booking my own hotels, etc. The hotels were great and the ones in Emdoneni Lodge and Kruger Gate were so unique, the safari were a thrill to see all the animals right beside you. Smart Tours are commended for organizing such a great itinerary. My trival request would be that each hotel carry the universal wall plug as some of the hotels were out and that was frustrating.”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago

“Quite a country, quite a tour, this trip more than matched our expectations. We enjoyed every day of this fascinating excursion with tour guide Ron McGregor, whose knowledge of the history and topography of South Africa was amazing. From Capetown through Swaziland, Kruger National Park, to Johanesburg, there wasn't one day of disappointment. My biggest problem is going the thousand pictures and video of animals and cultures, to pick out the best moments of the trip. We have been on other tours and seen almost one hundred countries, but no trip comes close to this one. Don't miss it!!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago

“We recently returned from the South Africa tour with Victoria Falls extension. Ron McGregor did an amazing job in a country that requires a little more "guiding" than other locations we have visited. He is witty, articulate and knowledgeable on every subject it seems. Our Zimbabwe guides were excellent as well. Accommodations were very good overall, especially the three nature settings, and the included meals offered great choice and nutrition. We signed up for many of the optional programs and they were all "must see" in our opinion. Chobe, the lion walk, Pretoria, the townships. Best of all were the game drives and river cruises. I couldn't believe how close we were able to get to some amazing creatures. Great chemistry on our coach throughout the adventure and the tour was well paced with a very good mix of structured and free time as well. Great job!”

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Posted 9 years ago

“A wonderful trip of a lifetime. Our guide Ron McGregor made the trip so stressfree with his super organizing skills and telling us the history of the country while we were on the buses.The safaris through Kruger Park and Zululand were wonderful seeing the Big 5 each time.This was our first trip with Smart Tours and we will try them again as we truly thought for the money they offer great service.”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago

“Every trip I take is good, but South Africa was extraordinary. Its hard to describe the thrill of being up close and personal to the wild animals. The numerous safaris were amazing. Our guide Ron, was knowledgeable, interesting and helpful; accommodations and food were good; and we saw everything that I had hoped to see plus many I didn't expect to. The trip of a lifetime.”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago

“Wonderful trip! Jeremy Poole was a great guide, very informative and organized. Saw the Big 5 and much more. Loved the penguin colony, petting the cheetahs, walking with lions, helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. Especially enjoyed my upgraded loft at Victoria Falls with a view of the waterhole!”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago

“Having traveled quite a lot, but never with a group of 40, the size of the group was my biggest concern. It turned out not to be an issue. All of the people on our tour were friendly, and polite and our guide Shaun made sure they were always on time. The guide was well informed, flexible and helpful. The accommodations were consistently good particularly the location in Kruger and Victoria Falls. The only exception would be the hotel in Swaziland, which was far below my expectations. Although I do not like buffets generally, they were quite consistently good, with many options, including fresh fruits and vegetables. The meal that was below expectations was the "going away dinner." Although described as a special African meal in the Smartours literature it was actually a very basic mediocre buffet. The extension to Victoria Falls was very good. It could have been better if our guide was able to continue with us for the extension. The fact that the flight from Cape Town to Durban was not direct was disappointing. Overall the itinerary was excellent and provided a great overview of culture as well as plenty of safari time.”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago