South Africa: Walking & Wildlife

Traveler Reviews

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  Adrian

  January 16th, 2012
  Fantastic trip, with great walks, awesome sights and great opportunities to get pretty close to the wildlife. This...
  Fantastic trip, with great walks, awesome sights and great opportunities to get pretty close to the wildlife. This trip highlights what a diverse country South Africa is when you contrast the high lands with the lowlands. It is truly an experience that will be treasured for life. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? It's hard to pick just one. South Africa was always a dream for me so just being there on a private game reserve with all the wildlife in natural habitat was awesome. Being within 20-30ft of a male lion as it roared. Watching him summon the roar from deepin the pit of his stomach. The hair still stands up on my neck when I think about it. The contrast in the country, from pine forests and lushness in the Highveld to the barren sparseness of the Lowveld was something I wasn't expecting. Also on our trip we had a change in the itinery and ended up in St Lucia and I wasn't disappointed. All those crocs and Hippos and the Indian ocean breaking in the background as you tried to sleep.The spectacular Drakensberg, and the glamping. The scenery here is breathtaking. The hike up "the ladders" was amazing. Seeing people conquer their fear by going up and the whole group, who were complete strangers a couple of weeks before, totally encouraging each other as if they were friends for years.  Also on our hike in the Drakensberg we had snow. I didn't expect to see snow in South Africa. What did you think of your group leader? Bongani, was our leader, and was aided by Shawn and Semanga. Bongani, was great. He put the group at ease. He's got a great sense of humour that might take you a day or two to figure out but when you do he's a lot of fun. He also works hard to make sure the group enjoy themselves. He genuinely cares that everyone have fun and enjoy the trip and looks for feedback every night around the fire and prepares the group for the next day.  Do you have any advice for potential travellers? There is a lot of travel on this trip between places so be prepared for some long days in the bus. Don't expect to get out of your armchair and enjoy this trip. You need a small level of fitness as some of the walks are long and over undulating terrain and it can get really hot at times. Good shoes or Boots are essential. Some of the campsites only have cold showers so if you don't fancy them take wet wipes. Also a decent headlight/torch because sometimes the tents are a small distance for the facilities. Take a decent camera too. Is there anything else you would like to add? I did this trip as a single person and was a little nervous. However I ended up with a fantastic group of people and all those concerns were gone in an instant. The nights around the campfires and the stories will stick with me for a long time. This trip gives you a unique insight into the country and its fantastic scenery and wildlife. I was a little wary of the food, but group leaders did a great job, sometimes in harsh weather conditions, to give us all really good food. It's not five star but for campsite food it was great. I guess the biggest thing I can say about this trip is I didn't want it to end. Like I said, South Africa was  dream of mine to visit, and having done this trip I'm yearning for more. I'd recommend this trip to anyone, who likes the outdoors and has even a mild sense of adventure. Show more
  Traveled in December 2011
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  Janet

  December 8th, 2011
  My first trip with Exodus but I have travelled with similar companies although not including camping.I found the trip...
  My first trip with Exodus but I have travelled with similar companies although not including camping.I found the trip to be exactly what I was expecting and as described in the brochure. The camping wasn't arduous at all. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Two things stick in my memory.1. Being able to walk inside a Game Reserve knowing that the previous evening on a Game drive we had come VERY close to elephants, lion and cheetah with a recent kill. Then on the walk getting very close to the cheetah and her cub.2. Walking in  the Drakensberg Mountains. One day we walked along the Tugela Gorge and even though the rains hadn't come and the river was virtually dry we had lunch in the riverbed of the gorge (thankfully there was no flash flood!). The following day we made the ascent onto the plateau via the 'terrifying' chain ladders. Unable to climb a ladder at home this was MY achievement of the trip. Coming down was much easier thank goodness. What did you think of your group leader? Bongani was an excellent leader. Quiet and efficient but able to impart his knowledge when required. He has a wicked sense of humour which took us a while to suss out. After a few days we just didn't believe anything he told us!!There was a lot of driving during the trip so while we relaxed in the minibus he was working hard and then had the camps to set up on arrival. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? As said before there is a lot of travelling. South Africa is a huge country and the locals think nothing of driving 100's of miles on straight, quiet roads. We rotated our seats around the bus each day as some seats had better views/more legroom than others.As we move about regularly there is a fair bit of packing/unpacking and not much room in the tents to spread. I found using bags to store underwear, shirts, trousers etc in my main pack made getting the following day's clothes ready easier. Is there anything else you would like to add? Bongani had Shawn as a camp assistant. As he was too young to be insured to drive the bus it meant Bongani had to do all the driving. I did wonder if Bongani was incapacitated for any reason whether our trip would be stuck.Show more
  Traveled in November 2011
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  Annica

  December 3rd, 2011
  A wonderful holiday which really explores the east side of South Africa. Wonderful walks, great game viewing! Could...
  A wonderful holiday which really explores the east side of South Africa. Wonderful walks, great game viewing! Could not ask for more. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Being 3000m high in the Drakensberg with wonderful views and a sense of achievement getting up the ladder! What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader - Bongani - was great. Very organised and a good cook! Quite quiet though so did not learn that much specifically about S Africa as a country. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure your plug adaptor covers S Africa as a lot in our group didn't and note that there are two guides on the trip with you all the time so when it coming to tipping them - that is twice as much. Is there anything else you would like to add? Camping is the best way of feeling right in there with the animals! Great great fun. travelled on my own and felt perfectly safe and well looked after.  Show more
  Traveled in November 2011
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  Vikki

  November 3rd, 2010
  One of the most amazing experiences of my life, some fantastic scenary, wonderful walks and brilliant animal...
  One of the most amazing experiences of my life, some fantastic scenary, wonderful walks and brilliant animal sightings. The three guys Bongani, Shawn & Samanga worked so hard to provide a most enjoyable holiday, despite very trying weather conditions at times. Bongani's vegetarian cooking was fantastic, Shawn's knowledge of the wildlife was far better than the rangers at the Private Game reserve and even with a leopard in camp one night I felt totally safe. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sitting a few feet away from a male lion as he roared. Though I have to say the ladders in the Draconsburg mountains was probably one of the most terrifying experiences of my life but I felt such an achievement, and I couldn't have done it without Shawn's help and encouragement. What did you think of your group leader? Bongani, was very amusing, very organised and led the group really well. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Pack some spare clothing in your hand luggage as my bag in the hold went missing for five days and during the first couple of days of the trip there wasn't anywhere much to get clothes. Though the guys did ensure I got some shopping time to get some items as soon as was possible. Thankfully, I was with a lovely group who all chipped in items for me to wear!  Also pack some baby wipes, a couple of nights only cold water showers were available and if the weathers a bit damp its not always the most appealing thought, I found these really useful! Is there anything else you would like to add? If you get the chance do this holiday, you won't regret it! I travelled on my own for the first time and was very nervous, but everyone made me feel really welcome and I will never forget the memories I have of this trip. I'm already thinking of going again next year!Show more
  Traveled in October 2010
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  Andy

  March 2nd, 2010
  A truely amazing experience. This is a trip which does exactly what it says - combining some great walking...
  A truely amazing experience. This is a trip which does exactly what it says - combining some great walking opportunities with the excitement of Safari. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking is great but how can it compare with Safari.  This was my first Safari experience and one I have been looking forward to for many years, it didn't dissappoint.  The reserves were all fantastic and offered different means by which to see the animals.  I was in no way expecting to be as close, literally touching distance, to a whole bunch of Lions and 'spitting' distance from White Rhinos and Elephants. It was truely an amazing experience. What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader, Bongani, was fantastic; helpful, knowledgeable, funny and organised.  He helped make the trip the success it was, working extremely hard to set up camp, cook EXCELLENT meals, get supplies etc.  The amount of work he and our driver did was exceptional and extremely appreciated. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a good camera with a telephoto lens?  There are so many good photo opportunities on this trip, do your memories justice by capturing them as best you can.  Lenses for SLRs can be HIRED complete with insurance, shipping etc.  I did this for the first time and I was very glad I did. Is there anything else you would like to add? Great trip, great bunch of people, great place and great weather.  I felt like I had an adventure and it was well worth the money.  If value is measured by the size of the smile on my face when I think back or look at my photos then this was a bargain!Show more
  Traveled in February 2010
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  Simon

  January 19th, 2010
  Great introduction to this part of the world. You see lots of wildlife, and the walks are beautiful and varied. You...
  Great introduction to this part of the world. You see lots of wildlife, and the walks are beautiful and varied. You do spend quite a lot of time travelling in the minibus, but perhaps this is to be expected to get to so many different places What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sitting in the hide at the waterhole in the Mkuze game reserve and seeing white rhino, blue wildebeest, warthogs (whose young had a head-butting play fight while we were there), zebra, nyala, impala, woolly-necked stork, vervet monkeys, swallows and plovers, all in the space of less than an hour.Seeing wild dogs in the Kruger.Approaching two cheetah on foot. What did you think of your group leader? Very far above expectations. Bongani and Patrick were very friendly, outstanding at spotting wildlife in places where we would have overlooked it, told us lots about the animals and birds and also about the culture, life and politics of the region ... oh, and they cook great food too. They worked very hard to make sure we had a great time. Exceptional. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? You do a lot of unpacking and re-packing while moving from place to place, so it's a good idea to work out a system for packing things to find them easily, for example using stuff bags or even plastic bags.I get mild vertigo but found that the ladders didn't bring it on. Unless you get it very badly, I wouldn't worry about it on this trip. If push comes to shove, you can miss out the ladders and still not miss too much.Get "tick twisters" from your local vet. They are easier to use and safer than tweezers for removing ticks. Is there anything else you would like to add? The booking process was easy and Exodus were willing to hunt down some pre-travel advice that we asked for. I'll gladly use Exodus again.Show more
  Traveled in December 2009
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  Kate

  December 31st, 2009
  A wounderfull country with outstanding landscapes and people. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?...
  A wounderfull country with outstanding landscapes and people. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The safari where great in the private game reserves the guides really know there stuff we got so close to the animals FANTASIC. What did you think of your group leader? Bongarni and Patrick are excellent they made the holiday, outstanding cooks and drivers could not have asked for more. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?  We had rain so be prepared and pack waterproofs and jumpers it was COLD in some places.Show more
  Traveled in November 2009
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  Elizabeth

  October 27th, 2009
  Amazing views and scenery. Camping in the game reserves. Dinners round the camp fire. Fantastic braais. Driving...
  Amazing views and scenery. Camping in the game reserves. Dinners round the camp fire. Fantastic braais. Driving through the Kruger Park and seeing all the animals. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to the top of the Amphitheatre in the Drakenseberg!  Despite the angst and terror of the ladders it was so worth it. What did you think of your group leader? Excellent!  Bongani was fantastic!  He knew his stuff, was really friendly and, along with Andrew, was a great cook.  Our driver, Mzwake, was also very friendly. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you are not good with heights beware of the 'ladders' in the Drakensberg.There is a lot of travelling between locations but the scenery is fantastic with plenty of stops.  If it is a walking holiday you want this may not be the one for you but what we did was stunning! Is there anything else you would like to add? Just go for it, it is spectacular!Show more
  Traveled in September 2009
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  Mark

  November 28th, 2007
  Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a very good and big book, lots of hours sitting in the van,...
  Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a very good and big book, lots of hours sitting in the van, take an mp3 as the music that Andy had was not up to much. Is there anything else you would like to add? The guide that was provided needed to indicate that 8 days walking meant that you could walk at some stage during the day not the whole day, some days the walking was in the minutes not hours. !!! What did you think of your group leader? Andy was ok, I felt that on some occasions he was more interested in getting back to camp that the enjoyment of the team.  His knowledge was good.  He was fun to be with.  He could have planned to carry things out on wet days rarther than leave us in the camp. Also setting out at 11am for a 3hr drive back to Jo-berg for an 11pm flight was very bad planning, which left us at the airport with 7 hours to kill (some of the team would have liked to kill Andy at this stage). What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I think the the best bit of the holiday was meeting the cheeta and white rino on foot. Seeing the leopard from the van was also a big plus for me. Show more
  Traveled in October 2007
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  Jane

  October 4th, 2007
  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Hard to select just one, as it was my first safari, so I...
  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Hard to select just one, as it was my first safari, so I won't!But seeing two young cheetahs on our first game drive and then walking into the bush to get closer to them would be hard to beat. Then my 'good morning' encounter with a Nyala on the way to the wash block - not sure who was more surprised - him or me, but he looked less asleep than me!And of course the blackness of the African night and the amazing stars remain very special.  What did you think of your group leader? Fairly new  in his role and pretty laid back, but with lots of bush experience and a great cook. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go with the flow - be prepared for early mornings - and keep your eyes peeled. There is so much to see and experience everywhere. Is there anything else you would like to add? You'll probably spend less than you think whilst there.Show more
  Traveled in September 2007