TESTIMONIALS

Sandra

Botswana was fabulous. Wilderness is a really class operation - everyone was very friendly and competent, no matter the job. We saw lots of animals:

sable, hyenas, wild dogs, leopard, elephant, giraffe, impala, kudu, waterbuck, wildebeest, warthogs, zebras, leopard turtle and more. No lion but that didn't matter. The bird life was fabulous. Erik was a little dubious when I told him we should do this and he really didn't want to do it when he saw the price. But it was the highlight of his trip. Having been on several safaris myself, this was certainly the best. V and E – California (2009)

Dear Sandra,

Thank you for providing us with the experience of a lifetime! We were extremely happy with all arrangements and thank you so much for everything. At Singita we were privileged to view and film a pride of lions hunting and capturing an impala - we were able to photograph the event. We meet the CEO of Relais Chateau at Singita and when he asked who our travel consultant was. You received rave reviews. We know that we still want to go to Namibia and Botswana in the future and will ask you for your help at that time. Again, thank you. S and J - California (2009)

Hi Sandra!

Just a quick note to let you know that we all had a WONDERFUL time in Botswana. You did an excellent job in putting our itinerary together. The photo opportunities were unbelievable! The trip far exceeded our expectations! R and J - Idaho Falls (2009

Sandra

Thanks for all of your hard work in organizing the trip for me. The Welgelegen house was wonderful - I actually ended up going back there for one night.

South Africa proved to be an amazing place. It was very interesting to see all the different groups of people and experience extravagant places like Camps Bay and then the despair in the townships. There is a lot of work to be done there!

Thanks for your help in making my trip very memorable and rewarding. L - Seattle (2009)

Hi Sandra

I wanted to send a note thanking you for all of your help on our trip to Africa. We had a wonderful time with the safari definitely being the high point of the trip. We were happy that we got to see Victoria Falls and each of the camps that we visited were very special.

I definitely would (and have) recommend our trip to all of my friends and to anyone else that would listen. I would also eagerly recommend your services as we were so pleased with how everything worked out.

With luck we will call on you again for your assistance to a follow up trip to the region, but alas I don't see that in the immediate future. Thanks again for your help, and if you ever need someone as a recommendation I'd be happy to help. Christian (2009)

Sandra

Each time I find myself on an adventure where you have had a hand my standards get raised a bit and I am beginning to worry this may be a bit unsustainable. The day yesterday was near perfect. We spent about 5 hours getting here through the Tarangire park watching wild life on the way. The jeep is wonderful with a roof that pops up allowing me to stand with my head out the top as we drive. We have seen elephants, lions, zebras, monkeys, buffalos, giraffes, gazelle, wart hogs, birds of every sort just to name a few.

I was pretty sure my guide was lost as we went further from any sign of any other safaris and ever further off the beaten track until we arrived at the Swala lodge. The place is incredible. Twelve rooms/tents with an open air dining area, an open air bar, a lovely fire pit and a small pool. About 200 feet away is a watering hole that upon arrival had zebra, buffalo, gazelle and all sorts of other critters. Later in the afternoon a lion showed up to chase the other critters away from the watering hole and later still the elephants chased the lion away. I decided I had to try a swim given it is probably my only chance to swim a couple hundred feet from a relaxing lion. The advise by the staff to not swim in the evening in retrospect seems to be wise as the lion uses the pool after dark.

Morning, I find myself in what feels like a million miles from anywhere, critters all about with morning coffee delivered and satellite based wireless internet (true heaven for my unfortunate sort). I lack imagination to suggest anything they could do at Swala that could make it a more delightful place.

Thanks Sandra for all of your help during the meeting and in particular for sorting out this adventure. SB (October 2009)

Dear Sandra

We wanted to convey our thanks for all of your help in arranging our trip to Botswana. Mombo was indeed a life changing experience – remarkable. We cannot wait to return. Dazzling. We went on to a tour around South Africa for the following 9 days, which was interesting, but so different. I do not feel the need to return there in spite of how wonderful many parts of it were. We were the guests of friends, and I am sure that what we experienced was the best of the best, but the vibe was strange.

B and I were ready to take the kids back to Mombo (and either Sandibe or Jack’s Camp) for Christmas this year, but we were encouraged to wait a few years by my friend’s husband, a former Wilderness guide and camp manager, until the girls are older – they are potentially squealers. We have been bitten, though, and our car mate in Mombo turned out to be someone I knew in my last career, and who lives 20 minutes from us in LA. He has been all through Africa on Safari, and confirmed that Mombo was the jewel in the crown. I think that B and I would like to return as soon as possible without the kids ... We would like to have Wilderness Safari know how impressed we were, and that we will be repeat guests and advocates. Please convey to whomever is appropriate that our guide at Mombo, Doctor Malinga, was one of the most wonderful people we have ever had the good chance of meeting. Gordon and Tanya were utterly superb hosts at Mombo as well – it well deserves the Conde Nast rating for number 2 in the world.

Looking forward to speaking to you, and to arranging the next trip! Warmest regards M, Los Angeles (January 2010)

Sandra

Thanks for arranging a wonderful trip to Botswana and South Africa. Chobe was an amazing experience for both us and the kids. We will never forget watching the baby elephants in the water on the Chobe River. Cape Town was also a one of a kind experience and Wayne, our guide, provided us with a lot of very interesting information on our Cape Peninsula tour. Breakfast on Table Mountain was unforgettable. You managed to arrange a wonderful trip on a tight budget for us and we will have memories for years to come. We are already saving for our next trip to Africa and will definitely contact you to arrange this for us. J and family, San Diego (February 2010)

Sandra

Just wanted you to know how much we enjoyed the trip you planned for us to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. It was fabulous and makes us want to go back as soon as we can. We appreciated your choices of camps, the hotel in Johannesburg, hotel in Livingstone and the guide in Johannesburg! Among other things. Just a great trip! Thank you! L and S, San Francisco (April 2010)

Great trip. You know how to optimize a trip within the budget allowed. Thank you for sticking with us during the trying times that occurred planning this. AW, Nashville (May 2010)

P and I had an absolutely magical trip. IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!!!! We had the time of our lives ... I thought I'd write you a WAY over due thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! All the very, very best. JF, Washington (Jan 2011)

Sandra

J and I would like to thank you for putting together a trip of a lifetime. All your recommendations were perfect. We loved our first camp in Botswana, Little Vumbura. Our guide, Zawara, was outstanding and we really felt that he went the extra mile. Frank, the manager, and his staff made our stay absolutely wonderful. I think they all remember Yves, the young doctor, we invited along. The next camp Zarafa was very, very luxurious - we could not believe the 100 m square tent! Alex and Ona, the managers, were amazing. Needless to say that the six meals that were served every day in both camps were sumptuous. We loved all the cooking!

We also enjoyed our modes of transportation. The land route from Victoria Falls to Kasane, Botswana, was memorable and we would recommend this route to anyone interested in an adventure. You made perfect arrangements for us! I could not believe how smoothly everything worked. One driver met us at one point, the next driver was present upon arrival at a different point, the small plane was fueled and ready to take off after we arrived and our guide was available to pick us up immediately after we landed - everything was just flawless! Really, great work from your side. Wilderness Safari really looks out for its clients.

Sandra, most of all, we are grateful for your guidance on where to stay. You selected the perfect camps for us. You understood our interests and needs. My personal favorite is Little Vumbura but Zafara was also outstanding. I think that the reason why I favor the first camp Little Vumbura is that it was our first safari experience ever. We saw amazing game and birds everywhere.

I know that we will work with you again when we return to Africa. We really enjoyed everything. Thanks for working so diligently on all the details. Sincerely, J & G, Seattle (April 2011)

Sandra, I just wanted to thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip for Dave and I. We returned on Saturday, reluctantly, but wanted to tell you that we had such a wonderful time! It was the most amazing vacation we have been on ... and went completely smoothly.

I had hoped that a vacation to Southern Africa would let me stop dreaming of visiting there ... but now I am just counting down until we can revisit. I am thinking maybe Namibia and Zambia next. K & D, San Luis Obispo, California (May 2011)

Hi Sandra, Our 2009 trip to Africa was, and remains, an incredible and unforgettable adventure. This trip during 2011 was even better -- and utterly fantastic, in fact! Not only did we see myriad animals this time, but actually were up close on many encounters and dramas of hunting, life, death and survival, featuring lions, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs. The migration and the Serengeti were awesome, too! Everywhere we went, the native African staff were warm, welcoming and helpful. Accommodations were great, food and service wonderful. And all of the logistics were flawless. Many thanks for arranging all of that! SJ, California, 2011