3 independent reviews for Family vacation to South Africa & Swaziland
Reviews for Family vacation to South Africa & Swaziland
Luis Vigenberg Andersen review 11 Apr 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing the animals in their natural habitat, and being able to see the diversity of South Africa.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It’s a lot of travel time on a bus, 6-8 hours every second day. You get to see a lot, but at the expense of a very tight schedule.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To some degree, as we were staying in nature reserves, and didn’t go with private lodges, where there is less conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good trip, wasn’t quite like described on the website. If we had know there had been this much traveling, we properly would have found something else.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for taking the time to write a review from your recent trip with us!
It’s so great to hear that experiencing the wildlife in its natural habitat and exploring the diversity of South Africa were the highlights of your trip, learning about the best parts of your adventure is always so lovely for us to read.
We also appreciate your feedback about the amount of travel involved. This itinerary is designed to cover a wide range of locations, which can mean longer journeys and a faster pace. That said, we understand that this may not suit everyone, and we have passed this on to the local team so we can review if changes need to be made in the future when reviewing the itinerary.
It’s encouraging to know that you felt aspects of the trip supported conservation efforts. We strive to work with partners who prioritise environmental responsibility and benefit local communities wherever possible.
Again, thank you for sharing your feedback with us and we do hope we can see you on another of our family adventures in the future.
Noreen Gomez review 20 Apr 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Nature did not disappoint, every day & night we saw the most amazing sights and many days we saw more animals than people. The variety and contrast as well as the history and cultures we travelled through brought alive by our incredibly knowledgeable guide Andrew. Each location was a different delight staying in everything from bee huts to hippo chalets as well as the amazing Tshukudu Game Reserve, a place we were sorry to leave and will most definitely return to. Andrew so much more than a guide, he ensured we experienced everything and took us on an unforgettable adventure, cared for us, cooked amazing bbq’s for us and gave us such an amazing insight into both South Africa and Eswatini and from the youngest to the oldest he could relate to all.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The guidance shared for this trip is spot on, so follow it, trust your guide they absolutely know more than we do and will ensure you have the best and most memorable time.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Throughout our trip we were able to support local people and given great advice where to shop to avoid imports. We stayed in eco lodges and accommodation that were actively adopting environmentally friendly practices and which were supporting conservation, we were welcomed warmly by our hosts/staff and locals.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Totally exceeded our expectations. An amazing safari with a guide who is clearly as passionate about his Country as he is knowledgeable. Amazing experiences every day, we returned home with the most unforgettable memories, new friends and an overwhelming desire to return.Marina Symvoulidou review 5 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Tsukudu Game Reserve. Excellent guide, very knowleadgeable, fun, knew how to make the most of environmental interpretation.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
As a lot of things are optional keep in mind that depending on the optional activities you want to book you may need another 300-500 euros each for food and activities. Also pack warm clothes too. For the early morning late evening game drives you will need them.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I am not really sure since we do not know what percentage goes to local people. We visited a zulu village that seemed quite touristic as an experience, too pre-fabricated but at least I hope the proceeds go to them. The "orphanage" optional experience in Swaziland was a complete no for me. It was just another turistic show of their cultural songs and dances, not really unerstanding their needs. It would be preferable if wwe could actually visit the scool and orphanage and instead of an oprtional experience make it a basic one, with pre-information of the travelers so that they could bring textbooks or pencils or clothes or other items of need instead of asking for a voluntary conmtribution on our way out. As for the environmental aspect we did visit a glass recycling facility however for the most part we saw very little of the actual conservation that is supported, we could have visited a rehab or a conservation dfacility, talk with a couple of rangers etc (which we didn't)4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Overall it was a good experience, I was expecting a bit more on the responsible side to be honest as well as more time spend in Kruger.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your comments, at Responsible Travel we do not promote orphanage visits
See our guidelines below:
https://www.responsibletravel.com/vacations/volunteering-with-children/travel-guide/volunteering-with-children-issues
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