Wagon Trails - Small group adventure holidays and safaris in Africa

Customers Testimonials

Below are some of the comments sent in by our satisfied customers from around the world, if you have any comments, good or bad, we would love to hear from you.


Erika Taylor - from United States

Package: Okavango Exposure

Travelled: June 2007

Comments: Well, I just got back from Africa and I had a great time. The Okevango Delta was amazing, we woke up one morning hearing hyenas and then lions on the next. I was really impressed with the tour (Okavango Experience - 10 days) and our guide, Alfred. The sights were great. The food was well above my expectations. Alfred was fun and knowledgable. I am looking forward to my next visit and hope to go to either Etosha (Nambibia) or Kruger (S. Africa).

Paul - from Australia

Package: Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: April 2007

Comments:y wife and I did the 14 day southern expole. We had a magic time. The small portion of Africa we saw simply blew us away. The animals, the people we met on our tour, the humble and proud people of Batswana...all of it!

We we also impressed with the meals, the equipent and the safari vechile. There was a lot of time spent travelling but obviously this is inevitable. One point that our group all felt stongly about was that it was simply too much work for one guide.We met people from other tour groups who were smaller in size and had an assistant (sometimes 2) with their guide.

Apart from that, we felt that it was great value for money.

Roderich Hilgert - from Australia

Package: Trans Africa. Europe-Capetown-Nairobi-Istanbul

Travelled: March 2006

Comments: Who said at 63 years of age you can not enjoy an long Overland Safari?

I had a wonderful time during the 7 month. Part of the West cost of Africa was a challenge which I will remember for a long time. The scenery and wildlife from Namibia onwards was breathtaking.

The younger generation on the truck gave me the challenge to do things I always was to scared to do in my live. I did tandem skydiving, quad bike riding in the sand dunes, white water rafting on the Zambezi river, bungy jumping of the Victoria Bridge and the micro light flight over the Victoria Falls.

Our driver Brian was excellent and a good mate.

All in all I can recommend the tour to people who like something more exciting than a standard organised tour. A truly memorable experience of a lifetime.

Emma Burns - from United Kingdom

Package: Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: September 2006

Comments: WOW....what a trip!! I wish it had never ended, although more time at Vic Falls would have been really good as there is so much to do...plus it was the best place to just chill out and get away from the rest of the group (I know that sounds bad, but sometimes you just needed some time to yourself)

However going back to the group, Mary-Anne was truely amazing, it didn't seem like she was the tour leader more like one of the gang!! She was truely great and some of the meals that she came up with...wow...what an imagination or maybe that's the experience of tour leading coming through. (the safari stew as it was affectionately know was one of the best meals of the two weeks!!)

Apologies for being a pain and asking so many questions prior to going...but I'm glad I asked as it saved me money and time shopping. The others on the trip had all taken with them water purification tablets, and thanks to my persistant questioning I knew not to bother.

Jeanette Perdue - from United States

Package: Safari and Sail

Travelled: August 2006

Comments: I completed the Southern Sailaway (22-Aug thru 6-Sept) - what a great tour/safari.

This was my first experience in Africa and our guide was very informative and knowledgeable about the history of the towns, villages, countries and terrain.

The camping provisions are excellent and the bus is perfect for the overland portions. Our dinners provided were cooked to perfection - you never know when someone is camp cooking what you might get - it was great! Our guide arranged for our group to eat with a family in a village in Malawi. We had a traditional meal prepared and served to us - we provided our own utensils & plates they did the rest - WOW!

This tour encompasses the deep hearts of Africa as well as beaches and animal viewing. I would definately recommend this tour for the true adventurer who wants to experience the sum of all parts of what Africa can be. Cheers!!

Gemma Strutt - from United Kingdom

Package: customised itinerary

Travelled: July 2006

Comments: It was a great trip and the itinerary was fantastic, although it had changed slightly from when I booked it.

Having also done overlands in the big trucks, I would say that, for me, the mini bus is too small and I was constantly hitting my head on the roof and had no where to put all of my stuff that I wanted to keep on me (opposed to in the trailer) or any leg room. But they do have the advantage of travelling faster than the trucks.

The tents were in good condition and the matresses provided were also good. It is a lot more hands on than the overlands I did with the trucks where cooks help only goes as far as cutting veg up, on this tour we got more involved with helping cook everything.

John Winfield - from Canada

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: May 2006

Comments: Just a big thank you to the great Safari that this operator provided this month for me.

It exceeded all my expectations, more so because of the service which was excellant and the overall experience. I would highly reccomend this Safari Company as I believe the planning and delivery was above and beyond what I had expected, not only the price but the hands on approach which I will remember for a long time. I think though credit is due to the excellant guide Andre , who was fun, experienced and also a good cook.

I am in the service industry myself, so I do see the difference between just okay and great. I would be happy to allow you the use this response as I truly believe it was THE African experience.

Samuel Storrer - from United States

Package: Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: January 2006

Comments: My wife and I LOVED our African adventure!

We went at the very end of January through the beginning of February. The weather was great, the company and new friends we made were wonderful, and the tour operator was excellent! We would not have changed anything about the trip.

Khensani was our guide, we loved him! We found him to be highly knowledgable on various topics of African lifestyle, culture, and various regions. Khensani was fun and enrgetic, he provided us with the trip of a lifetime!

We are very interested in returning to Africa in the future to visit other regions. We will use The Africa Guide, as well as this operator again!

Heather Donovan - from United States

Package: Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: January 2006

Comments: We had an amazing time!

It was a long journey with a lot of driving for 14 days however, I wouldn't have changed a thing. We never would have seen all that we did without a detailed itinerary.

The tour guide was very helpful and knowledgeable, and the food was better than I had expected for a camping trip. I would recommend using this operator to a friend, for the price the tour was excellent.

The highlight of our trip would have been the amazing wildlife, the friendly people who guided us in the Delta, and the White Water Rafting on the Zambezi. Overall the camping facilities that we stayed at had great facilities, some with pools, and bars (there were a few that were not as nice). The minibus that we used was a bit cramped for the amount of driving that we did, but that is really my only constructive feedback.

Ben & Susanna - from United Kingdom

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: September 2005

Comments: We had a fantastic trip that exceeded our expectations.

Our guide Pete was wonderful, very enthusiastic, helpful, knowledgeable and keen to please. We will definately would consider travelling again with you.

Thanks for an unforgettable trip and for our new found friends! Susanna / Ben Ps.

Only 1 think to mention, they forgot to give us a hammer and we all had to use stones to pitch our tents!

Mia - from Sweden

Package: Okavango Delta

Travelled: August 2005

Comments: My trip was nice.

We had a bit of a tight schedule but this meant that we got to see a lot of things. The absolute highlight was the Okavango Delta. The guide was nice and cooked lovely food.

It would have been good to know on beforehand that local currency (and not only dollar) should have been brought. Even though you can exchange there, it is better to bring (since otherwise you have to rely on that the guide does an FX-stop when you want it).

Cricket - from United States

Package: Okavango Exposure - 10 days

Travelled: July 2005

Comments: My trip was fantastic. Originally I was planning to rent a Jeep and travel to all these sites by myself, I cant tell you how relieved i was that i didnt try it on my own.

From the minute we met Xavier, our guide, he made us feel welcome and comfortable. We were well informed as to what we needed and what was going to happen. Xavier made our trip enjoyable through his hard work and team work with us as a group.

He knew everything, we even tried to stump him but was unable. The sites we saw were well planned out. We all wished there was a little more time in the schedule to just have an hour or two for ourselves. The ride between destinations got to be a drag, but we all made it through.

It was nice to have a diverse group as we did. The tour was also well thought out. The sights and the options for the price was well worth it. I know this is a bit random, i am just trying to be brief, yet I want you to know I would do it again in a heartbeat. If I can be anymore help or give anymore info dont hesitate to ask.

Lorna Book - from Canada

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: July 2005

Comments: Our guide was very knowledgeable, accommodating and fun to be with. She cared about her clients and obviously focussed on us getting as much as possible from the tour.

The pace of travel for the 4 days was good, we saw countless numbers of animals and birds and because of the weather, mist and fog in the early mornings, she re-arranged the route so that we wouldn't miss anything.

The vehicle was comfortable and the meals were fine. Fortunately for us, we were only 4 on tour and so we were able to use 2 mattresses each.

Gerd Kiene - from Germany

Package: Nile Expedition - Capetown to Istanbul

Travelled: May 2005

Comments: It was fantastic trip.It was also a new experience - I plan my next trip with them to West Africa.

Dirk Kramer - from Australia

Package:Kenya, Gorillas, Capetown 70 days

Travelled: November 2004

Comments: 30 Aug 04 - 7 Nov 04

Initially when I booked my trip "Kenya, Gorillas, Capetown 70 days" I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know anyone who had done the trip before but the itinerary itself looked exciting. I had such a great time and my trip was filled with many fond memories that will remain with me forever.

I had so many great highlights along the way, Mountain Gorilla Trek, Etosha National Park and walking with the lions in Zimbabwe was an experience that I will never forget. It was a trip of a life time with lots of Adventure was well.

Our tour operator was brilliant and had such a great knowledge of Africa. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the assistance and the great memories.

Dirk Kramer Melbourne, Australia

Finn Mogensen - from Denmark

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: November 2004

Comments: We had a great Safari tour

In the last week of November 2004, we, a family group of 6 adults, went for a 4 days safari tour, together with a couple from Sweden and a guy from England. We all had a great experience, and afterwards we can't say which part was the best. Was it the evening in the original African village, where we eat a meal, which were cooked over a fire or was it talking and dancing with the local guy, Given? Was it the night tour in Kruger Park where we saw the animals at night, or the walking tour, with two armed guides, where we saw tree white rhinos? Or was it the last day in the park, when we had given up all hope to see lions - and there they lay in the side of the road - two males and a female?

It is hard to say, but our guide on the trip, Dion, made our holiday complete. He arranged everything for us, so that we could spend most time locating the animals. He bought and prepared the food and made all the arrangement for the tour - and if it hasn't been for him, we would have missed a lot of animals, because he spotted them long before us.

Ken Chamberlain - from Australia

Package: Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: August 2004

Comments: I've now completed a 14 day tour In South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, sleeping in a native hut, or tents in the wilderness.

Activities included: Sightseeing at Victoria Falls. White Water Rafting on the Zambesi River. Poling on the Okavanga Delta in a mokoros (dug out canoe) Plane flights low over the Zambesi River, Victoria Falls and Okavanga Delta. Cruises on the Zambesi and Chobe Rivers. Visiting a Cheetah breeding centre (where they are protecting endangered species) Camping on the edge of the Kalahari Dessert.

A superb tour on which I saw and did more than I had anticipated. Thanks to a great guide and companions.

Jan Murphy - from South Africa

Package: Kruger Park to Victoria Falls

Travelled: July 2004

Comments: Our trip with them was a good return for the money we spent. Our traveling companions were all fun, and our guide was first-rate. I'm planning on taking another safari with them, when my other son comes to visit South Africa.

Linda Sellers - from Canada

Package:Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: May 2004

Comments: I would just like to say that my husband and I were extremely pleased with the service and tour we received. We participated in the Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days and felt that it provided and excellent opportunity to see South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls. Our guide was professional, knowledgeable and well organized. There were no surprises and everything that was promised was delivered.

I would not hesitate to recommend this company for anyone wishing to experience Africa on an overland tour.

Genny Gurney - from United Kingdom


Package: Vic Falls to Cape Town 24 Days

Travelled: May 2004

Comments: We started our trip in Vic Falls and went through to Cape Town and we found this overland company to be of excellent value and provided everything we could have expected right from the very start of our trip.

Our driver Paul was really friendly and helpful and did his best to ensure that everyone was happy on the trip. We also had a great bunch of people on the truck who have now become friends!

I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wanted a great experience!

 

Eleanor Francis - from United Kingdom

Package: Kenya to Joburg 35 days


Travelled: April 2004


Comments: I have just returned home from a 5 week safari. I had an absolutely amazing time and would really recommend the company to anyone. The driver was always well informed, highly knowledgable on the areas we visited and open to questions. We also had a chef on board who cooked brilliant meals every night - even in the middle of the bush we were still eating pork chops, stir fried vegetables and mashed potatoes, followed by bananas and custard!

They are defintely a value for money company and by travelling with them you are able to visit areas of Africa you may well not be able to if travelling alone. Before departure the company do warn you that the itinery is not set, and plans may well change due to the volatility of the countinent. This in turn means that travellers do not have too many pre-departure expectations of what activities they will be doing, or even what countries they will be spending a lot of time in, thus avoiding disappointment.

Michael Dean - from Ireland

Package: Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: April 2004

Comments: The holiday was a great experience and value for money. I saw a great deal of Southern Africa that I wanted to see particularly the Okavango Delta and the Vic Falls. Kruger was incredible with fantastic camping facilities and tard roads. Our Guide Richard and his trainee Jawl were great and always doing there best to give me and the others a good time and making the trip as enjoyable as possible, which could be quite difficult having probably been stuck in the minibus for 5 or 6 hours at a time getting to our next destination.

The only drawback was into our second week when the numbers in the van grew from 5 which was comfortable to 10 when we took some more people on. That made the total number of people in the minibus to 12 including the Guides. It is hard travelling most of the day quite squashed especially as I was in the back seat most of the time seating 4. Richard has great energy and was a great host and did a great job, although in true South African tradition he can be abrupt and loud, but did a fine job. Got us up and ready for the next day and really made the effort to make our holiday interesting and fun and looked after us even though we could all be a bit difficult. Nice guy and thank him for the good time I had.

I would recommend the holiday to others, I know you guys make a real effort to give us an amaizing adventure, without to much hardship, as you laid on the food, knew the route and took us to good camp sites, and made us aware of what was available which saves a huge amount of effort if one did this for himself. You were very helpful with border crossing, access to ATM's, toilets, shopping, eating out, and drinking- all good stuff. Thanks for giving us a great adventure, without busting a gut, and the effort you guys made to give us a good time.

Keily Haggar - from United Kingdom

Package: Nairobi to Victoria Falls

Travelled: January 2004

Comments: They made our African trip and amazing enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

Without our drivers local knowledge the trip would have been far less satisfying. We saw and did things that were a dream come true.

I would recommend the company to anyone wanting to explore Africa.

Melissa Moeller - from Switzerland

Package: Kruger Park to Victoria Falls

Travelled: December 2003

Comments: Fantastic holiday.

The people were amazing. I was a little hesitant to go by myself, but everything went smoothly. John was able to answer all questions I had before my trip, and I had quite a few!

I would recommend this trip to people of all ages, and those interested in having the most wonder vacation ever in Sunny South Africa!

Dennis Kraan - from Netherlands

Package: Trans Africa. Europe-Capetown-Nairobi-Istanbul

Travelled: November 2003

Comments: This is not a summer holiday trip, it is an adventure! and a great one at that. You will see the african continent the way it really is. I really enjoyed this trip and it got my hooked on Africa.

I was happy to be with this company and not one of the other overland company's I met along the way. For our approach towards locals and the easy going attitude. I don't think there is a better company to do this mother of all trips.

This trip let me through Congo and Angola which are not on the itinary but were the only way to lead us to our goal to reach Nairobi by road. Itinarys are guidelines and plans are ideas - in Africa nothing is certain. Everyday turns into a mission as soon as you wake up. Don't expect the luxury's of your western lifestyle but think that your still doing a lot better then a lot of people you will meet.

This is a once in a lifetime experience (not if i can help it, but for most) and so cheap. And that is what you get. So if you had enough of luxury, stress and self righteous white people and want to see the world as it is, (it is nothing like you have seen on tv) see stunning scenery and meet nice people. This is your trip, being part of a group takes a lot of getting use to, but it gives back cheap transport, comfort, security and friends to share your experiences.

Melanie Reinholz - from Germany

Package:Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: November 2003

Comments: Thank you very much for this tour. It was a very unique and special tour which I will never forget.

I really got a wild impression of afrika and enjoyed much. Also a thank you to our tour guide, Marius. he was really funny and gave the tour and the whole team the right atmosphere and a enthusiastic feeling.

Until now it was the gorgeous holiday what I ever had but definitely it will not be my last trip to afrika. thank you for that.

Atsushi Arauchi - from United Kingdom

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: November 2003

Comments: There's lots of different company offers you all sorts of Safari Tour. If you are after basic, hands on but real safari experience rather than staying in Air-con bus and having afternoon tea provided at View point, then this is the tour operator that you should go for.

The knowledge of tour guide was amazing, obviously not one of those "Temp Guides" at all. So passionate what he does.

You need a spirits of "Join-in and enjoy" to make most of it and at the same time that is what the rest of group would appreciate from you too.

All in all, great experience.

Donal Mahony - from Ireland

Package: Kruger Park to Victoria Falls

Travelled: October 2003

Comments: I had a fantastic time. everything about the trip was superb and it was i reckon the best value for money possible. the guide dion was superb I couldnt say enough about him professional, fun, knowledgable etc. etc. kruger park was great as was the booze cruise white water rafting on the zambezi victoria falls.

Belinda Daniels - from Australia

Package: Gorillas to Victoria Falls

Travelled: September 2003

Comments: Had a brilliant time and would be happy to recommend this operator to my friends. The drivers were great and really knew their stuff. A memorable holiday I wont forget.

Alison Mary Brown - from United Kingdom

Package: Okavango Exposure - 10 days

Travelled: August 2003

Comments: I've got to say this... WOW!!!! The Okavango Experience is definately my best holiday ever!!! From a best ever birthday white water rafting and bungi jumping at Vic Falls to an absolutely AWESOME experience camping out under the stars in the Okavango Delta... I just have to close my eyes and allow the memories to come flooding back.

What a special continent! I'm already dreaming of when I can return to where the sun always shines!!

Don Ramage - from United Kingdom

Package:Kruger, Vic Falls, Okavango 14 days

Travelled: August 2003

Comments: The safari was good value and well organised with a good variety of experiences from the calm Mokoro travels in the Okavango Delta to the less calm white water rafting on the Zambezi below Mosi-O-Tunya.

Helen Preston and Edwin Allen - from Australia

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: June 2003

Comments: They provided an excellent service throughout the entire safari. Our guide was informative, friendly and well organised ensuring that the trip went smoothly. Meals provided were great and fresh and the campsites on a whole were of a good standard.

Would definitely recommend them to anyone considering an overland safari in Africa.

Kerstin Healy - from Spain

Package: Islands, Adventures and Game Parks 24 days

Travelled: May 2003

Comments: I had a GREAT time on the trip. What I liked most was the small group size, offering more flexibility and shared experiences than some of the bigger trucks that weave their way rather obtrusively around Africa.

Our guide was great - a mixture of responsible and laid back, so we felt that we were in safe hands yet not regimented. He also provided insight into wildlife, local customs etc, and was knowledgeable about all things African. All the gear (tents, cooking stuff etc.) we used was clean and in good condition, vehicles were comfy (even though they needed some attention along the way - they thanked us for our patience with an extra day and other treats).

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone - fun budget travel.

Helen Minter - from United Kingdom

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: April 2003

Comments: I had a fantastic time and was very impressed with the tour and will be using them again.

Chris Down - from United Kingdom

Package: Trans Africa. Europe-Capetown-Nairobi-Istanbul

Travelled: March 2003

Comments: The trip was fantastic although there were problems, but not due to the tour company. We were due to cross from west to east Africa by going through Chad and Sudan into Ethiopia. Unfortunateley Sudan would not give us a visa so we had to turn around and make a whole new itinerary.

Bo, the driver, really work hard to give everyone a good itinerary in West Africa, even though it is not a well trodden route and was all new to him. He also made every effort to arrange flights from Ghana to Kenya to continue the trip South Africa. I flew home from Ghana due to personal reasons, but the tour operator have been good enough to offer me a free place for a trip from Kenya to Cape Town. I will hopefully be going on this trip in Feb 2004. The tour operator is a budget company, but the service from them, from the time I booked, to all through the trip itself, was excellent.

It was very relaxed and made every effort for everyone to have a good trip. Excellent value for money!! Chris Down.

David Walker - from United Arab Emirates

Package: Kruger Park to Victoria Falls

Travelled: February 2003

Comments: I would highly recommend them to anyone! We would certainly use them again!

So, until our next one.....

Maria Yerolemou - from United Kingdom

Package: 4 day Kruger Park

Travelled: October 2002

Comments: I really enjoyed the safari and was very pleased with the knowledge off the tour.

Africa tours, safaris and overlands