Reviews of wild planet safari

Private camping safari

The communication with Thale, planning the safari was great. She provided lots of options for us to suit or requests as best as possible. The transfers and itinerary was all sorted well prior to our trip. We opted for the Panorama route and 3 day safari private camping safari. The Panorama route was nice, however could have maybe reduced the number of stops or given more options of stops. God's window was nice, Berlin falls was okay, not something I would personally have on a paid tour. The camp site by the Blyde River canyon was great, super quiet on the night we stayed and a lovely morning sunrise before setting off to Kruger N.P. The safari was excellent, we were lucky to see practically everything we were expecting to see. Lungasani was an absolute star, such a hard worker and great personality for the trip. Chris was a good guide for the trip and assisted where he could. We do feel like the information provided about the wildlife and ecosystems could have been provided more than it was. We don't feel like we learned too much about the animals or ecosystem, (however me and my partner are both ecologists) more tidbits of info would have been appreciated. Additionally, we did a bush walk and night drive, this was done with SANS park, and booked within the trip by Thale. The food was amazing on the trip, and the Skukuza rest camp was clean and comfortable enough. The tents and camping gear was all provided by Wild Planet Safari, the tent was a good size and effective enough for the trip, the mattresses could have been a bit more comfortable, but we slept well anyway as the safari is jammed packed with drives! So we were tired enough to sleep through the hard floor in the rest camp. Overall, the safari by Wild Planet Safari was excellent and I would highly recommend to other travelers.

Amy SW

A fabulus exerience

Our safari in Kruger with Wild Planet Safari was everything we hoped for - and more. We got to see the 'Big 5' - our initial objective - and the 'Ugly 5', but we also got to see so much more. A pride of 21 lions, two lions eating their kill, a group of several hundred buffalo walking single file towards water and a fight where two wildebeest were locked together for almost half an hour plus lots and lots of other animals and birds. Our guides, Chris and Lungi were excellent and amazing at spotting things we couldn't see - even after we started to know what to look for! They also did the cooking and the food was excellent - and there was always too much! Accommodation wise, I loved the 'African feel' of the huts in which we stayed. The huts were spacious, comfortable - and well airconditioned which was needed! We were there in September, but I was still slightly surprised both as to how dry and how hot (temps up to 41 deg) it was. However, whereas the dryness (and time of year being the end of winter) made the scenery somewhat uninspiring, it was fascinating to see how tough the animals were and how they were surviving. My image of an African safari prior to going was doing it in an open Jeep. However, after the initial disappointment of realising we'd be in an enclosed vehicle, both my wife and I very soon realised its benefits! Being able to have the air-conditioning on in that heat was great, and also the visibility was still excellent. Furthermore, if I needed a photo (and I took a LOT!), Chris would stop, position the vehicle as I needed and I could open my window and never missed a photo opportunity! To summarise: A tremendous time giving us wonderful memories.

Roger

An extremely satisfying safari

We found Wild Planet Safari on the internet, but got really interested when we read the reviews here on safaribookings.com. They sounded too good to be true. Should we dare take a chance on this? We did, and we were more than totally satisfied with the entire experience. As we thought about it, we began to realize that a 3-4 day tour of Kruger Park was not going to be nearly enough, especially considering the cost of flying to South Africa; a long-enough tour was needed to make it worth the cost. Ten-day tours sounded interesting, and when we contacted Ryan and Thale about it, we worked together to custom-design a 13-day private tour for the two of us. We can’t say enough about how easy Ryan and Thale were to work with. They helped us figure out what we were wanting in a safari experience, and then they designed the trip around that. Whenever we had questions, they were ready with straightforward answers that were proactive, answering our follow-up questions without us having to ask. They were always a step ahead of us in working everything out. They thoughtfully accommodated all of the special situations that accompanied us, and went out of their way to make everything work out just perfectly. The safari itself was a dream come true. We had been planning to do something like this for many years, so we had plenty of imaginative ideas about how great a safari should be, but our experiences with Ryan and Thale far exceeded them all. Every detail of the safari was perfectly planned. Ryan and Thale work together extremely well and make everything happen just like it should. Our days were organized as efficiently as possible, to maximize the amount of time we could spend on game drives. It’s hard to imagine a bush guide that could be more knowledgeable than Ryan. He’s got an incredible knack for finding animals. He knows how they think and behave, and his explanations are both amazing and easy to understand. He understands how the “bush” works; how all of the plants, trees, insects, and animals are interrelated. We were spell-bound by everything he had to tell us. There was nothing we could ask him that he couldn’t explain to us perfectly well. You’d expect that the Kruger Park guides would be even more amazing, but that’s not the case; Ryan out-shined them all. The accommodations were great. We spent some evenings in tents, one night in a bird hide, and some evenings in bungalows. The food was terrific. Thale’s cooking expertise really showed in the evening meals. Everything was cooked over an open fire, and we enjoyed long conversations over delicious suppers. Even though they were the tour operators and we were the guests, most of the time it just felt like we were camping together as friends. Beyond the safari, Ryan and Thale helped us plan the extra time we had available in Johannesburg. They arranged for some extra tours, accompanied us at meals, and even had us to their own home for meals and to meet their family and friends. If we ever go back to South Africa, it’s a slam dunk that we’ll be signing up for another tour with Ryan and Thale.

Karl & Martha Kirkman

Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous!!!

We did the 4-day camping Kruger and Panorama Route and it was fabulous. We managed to see so many animals in our short time in the Kruger and the Panorama route was a trip down memory lane for me having grown up in the area. Such a spectacular part of South Africa. Chris and Hopeson were amazing and we miss them both already. Matt and I highly recommend you book your next safari with Wild Planet. Thank you Guys and also to Thale who does so much behind the scenes and was so helpful with our booking. You guys rock!! We hope to see you all again soon!! Matt and Michelle xx

Matt & Michelle

South Africa #SpringBreak

On a whim we decided to take a Spring Break. With less than 4 weeks to plan a group of 4 of us got on a flight to Johannesburg not knowing what exactly to expect when we landed. We couldn't have been more thrilled with our experience with Wild Planet Safari and our guide Ryan. Ryan picked us up right at the airport, drove us to Kruger Park while allowing us multiple stops along the drive to enjoy the country side. We did a 2 night 3 day Safari in Kruger. Over the course of 3 days Ryan enlightened us with so much information that we couldn't believe it. From how to track the animals to information about how they feed or interact with other animals Ryan knew it all. He was also extremely calm in all situations. For example one morning we had an elephant trying to charge the car. Ryan knew exactly what to do to keep us out of harms way. In just 3 days we saw 4 of the big 5! In addition to Ryan's knowledge of Kruger he is also quite the chef. He helped prepare three amazing meals a day even bringing veggies hand picked from his own garden. We got on a plane not knowing what to expect and we walked away with unforgettable memories.

Kate

Seamless safari experience with excellent wildlife viewing

Our group of four had a fantastic three-day trip with Wild Planet Safaris. Thale was incredibly helpful during the planning process and walked me through different options for how to best use our time in Kruger. She and Chris, our guide, also rolled with some last-minute communication and logistical changes regarding our pickup times and locations. Once we were on the road, Chris and Hopeson, our cook, took care of every detail. They checked us in and out of accommodations at rest camps (all very comfortable), cooked delicious meals, walked through plans for the next day each night at dinner, and set up a night drive and bush walk with KNP rangers. Chris took us on multiple game drives each day, and we had amazing sightings, including a leopard, lions, tons of elephants, giraffes, hippos, baby hyena, and many more. Chris is great at spotting even the smallest and hardest to see animals, like a puff adder on the side of the road. Having been on some earlier game drives (through a different company) with a slightly larger group, it was a lot of fun to travel around with just our small group. We really enjoyed Chris and Hopeson's company throughout the trip - thanks for making it an unforgettable one!

Katie W.

An amazing experience!

Thale was great staying in touch and coordinating all aspects of our tour. We thought we knew what to expect but the entire trip exceeded our expectations. The transfers from/to Johannesburg worked great and gave us an opportunity to see a bit more of South Africa. Upon arriving at Hazy View Eric quickly greeted us and we were off to explore. Quickly realizing we were not on a drive through zoo experience of just pointing out different animals. Eric would stop and allow us to observe the animal’s behavior. The buffalo herd moving across the riverbed, giraffes continually coming from the trees, hyena crunching bones while chasing off the young, lions waking as sun was rising, elephant bathing at the end of the day, rhinoceros quietly grazing, leopard relaxing in the tree, warthogs scurrying through the grass, moments forever etched in our memory. Seeing the Big 5 twice in a day was so much more than we could have ever asked for but seeing so many different species was extraordinary! Eric is a remarkable guide, so knowledgeable about the wildlife, Park and culture but also a fantastic chef. The meals were plentiful and delicious, a great way to relax and recall all the magical moments of the day. Staying in the rest camps was a huge bonus! It was extremely comfortable and clean all while staying in the surroundings during the entire safari. After the excitement of the safari, the final day we enjoyed the panoramic route through Blyde River Canyon. The beautiful scenery was a relaxing way to wind down and see more of the beautiful country of South Africa. We were a bit concerned about going in February, reading that it would be more difficult to see the animals as the grass is longer and the animals did not necessarily need to go to the watering holes. This was not an issue at all. The wildlife was plentiful, the weather was gorgeous, and the views were amazing.

Teresa Schmit

excellent experience

absolute top communication from Thale and Ryan. Things were clear at all stages. we did a 4 night 5-day tour. Our tour guide was Reinhardt + Lungisani and it was a great experience overall. Reinhardt was very considerate and made every effort to show us as many wild animals, birds, flora and fauna as possible. It was clear he is very passionate about his job and enjoys it thoroughly. Lungisani was hilarious and cooked delicious cuisine for us. Overall, we had a fab time and enjoyed the trip. In hindsight, it would have been better to spend 1 extra night at Satara instead of 2 nights at Letaba.

A Roy

Really enjoyable six days in North Krugar with super knowledgable and friendly guides.

From pick-up on Sunday morning in Jo'bourg to drop back on Friday evening we were looked after so well in every respect. We were given a constant stream of information on the countryside we were passing through. In the park the animal spotting ability of the driver and guide was amazing. Their knowledge re the names of the animals - including the birds - was to be admired and reliable as on occassion the driver referred to some of his information books for specific names. We got plenty of time to take photographs. Binoculars were provided which were a bonus for the birds in particular. The food was superb and lots of it, we were treated royally. Only complaint is re the information provided prior to heading to SA. We followed the guidlines and brought too many clothes and sleeping bags which were not necessary as sleeping bags were provided. Overall the four of us had a wonderful time and can highly recommend Wild Planet Safari and its staff.

Mary Friel

Wild Planet Safari delivered a once in a lifetime experience

I opted for a private safari for the 3 of us. After some fumbling on my part with dates and pick up points, Wild Planet Safari arranged a great itinerary for us. They even deducted some money from the bill because we started at one of the Kruger's airports rather than from Johannesburg. Any email was replied to promptly. They provided information about the weather, what is advisable to wear and what to expect when on safari. They also arranged for a bush walk and a night drive for us in the 2 resorts we stayed on. Raphael - the safari guide (or is it spelt Raphaele?) - was a great guide, patient, attentive and really good at spotting all kinds of animals as well as being personable and fun to be with. He also knew an awful lot about the animals and birds in Kruger. We loved him and are really grateful to him for enhancing our experience!

Joelle

Exceeded expectations

I would highly recommend Wild Planet Safari for anyone looking at going to the Kruger. We did a 4 day all inclusive and once again can not recommend them enough. The food was fantastic, the company brilliant and the knowledge of the two guides that we had was out of this world. We really wanted to see the big five and they made our dream come true. Thank you Wild planet Safari for an absolutely unforgettable experience. A special thank you to our two tour guides Chris and “Mr Fix It”. Thank you for looking after us, for sharing in your knowledge and being so much fun. We will treasure the memories forever :)

Sue & Jez

Great 11-days Kruger safari tour!

Very well organized Kruger safari tour! We've had loads of game drives in different areas of the park, seeing a lot of different animals including the big 5. The very nice guide showed and explained to us all the things to be seen in Kruger national park, and at night we sat by the fire enjoying barbecue while listening to stories about the land and the park. The camping equipment is very nice and generous, and bungalow accomodation can be arranged individually.

Niklas & Anna

Wonderful Trip , very knowledgeable guide

We had a wonderful 6 gay Safari in Kruger. Ryan the owner, guide us through the park and kept us amazed with his story telling and his in depth knowledge of the wild life. We saw everything, including black rhinos, leopards, and lions. Many many elephants, up to 60 passing by one early morning. Camping was fun and food was good...best was the company. We recommend , you will have a very nice time.

Paola

We Had a Incredible time!

Our Stay with wild planet safari was amazing, from day one of the booking the communication through email with Thala was amazing, we were totally informed and given any information that we needed and even helped us book a hotel the night before our safari pick up - which offered a airport shuttle making it super easy to get too after our flight. The drive to Kruger was long but went so quickly!!, Our room in Kruger was lovely and big! with a great area outside where we had most of our meals. We managed to see the Big 5 and loads more during our 2night 3day tour and learnt so many new things from our amazing guide Ryan who was able to answer any of our questions!. We were treated to some amazing food throughout our stay, eating breakfast by the river during a massive rain downpour, and eating lunch with bush pigs and monkeys nearby. Sunny and Brendan were also super lovely and great both great to talk to with lots of stories! Each drive was just as good as the one before, always seeing something new, and loved how everyone got excited for any of the animals that we saw, - especially the wild dogs!!. Our only regret is that we couldn't stay for longer! and if we ever get the chance to come again then it will be with the Wild Planet Safari and for longer!! , Thank you Guys for making our trip wonderful!

Ellie

Excellent guides and trip itinerary

The safari was better than we'd hoped for! We could not have asked for better guides- Ruan and Federica were AMAZING! The trip itinerary was well-planned and we really feel like we got to experience the best that the Kruger had to offer! Would totally recommend to anyone looking for an affordable, once in a lifetime adventure!!

Anna

Great service, food and sightings!

Our trip with Wild Planet Safari surpassed our expectations. Thale was helpful and quick to respond prior to our trip and Chris and Ben looked after us brilliantly from the moment they picked us up to when they dropped us off 5 days later. We saw some wonderful scenery on the Panorama Route and all of the big 5 (and many other animals too) in Kruger. Chris worked very hard to try and find leopard and rhino which we were most keen to see and was so excited for us when we did! Unforgettable memories

Sally Burrell

Amazing Safari Experience All-Around

We traveled to South Africa in October '22, and immensely joined our time with the Wild Planet Safari crew. This trip was years in the making (we were meant to go in 2020), and Thale was beyond helpful in making it happen for us in 2022! Our guide, Chris, was attentive, friendly, had a great sense of humor, and was incredibly knowledgeable! Chris could spot any animal, no matter the size, or time of day! We were so thankful to see so many beautiful animals - whether it was countless lions, giraffes, (baby) elephants, leopards, birds, or more. Every sighting is truly a privilege! The vibe with the entire Wild Planet Safari crew felt very familial. We enjoyed a few family-style meals together with other safari goers, and the cooking felt even more special, being in the great outdoors. Every day, we loved the full safari experience starting before sunrise until sunset (with delicious meals in between). Expect an unforgettable experience with lasting friendships thanks to the entire crew. I have a feeling we'll talk about this trip forever! I'd highly recommend Wild Planet Safari, and would return to do another safari in a heartbeat!

Nicolette

Efficient, helpful and flexible.

An amazing time on a 7 day private Safari, staying both inside Kruger in 3 camps in ensuited Bungalows with airconditioning (which we needed), and outside Kruger in a private gamepark, so we had the best of both worlds. Because of our timeline and where we wanted to go we had to use a tour operator that could organise this. I had concerns about that but with a few emails back and forth Thale had everything planned for us. The experience of a private tour was good. We flew from and back to Johannesburg rather than do the road trip to Kruger. Rafael, our guide/driver inside Kruger was so knowledgeable about everything, plants, insects, birds and the animals. The big animals are what most people come to see and we did have great success with that but birding (which was of interest) was great too with our guide. Through Kruger the days were long. We had gamedrives at 4.30am and then often moving between camps so drives through the day and then evening also but there is always the excitement of seeing wildlife. It was also very hot when we were there. We saw the big 5 but also much more. The gamepark allowed for a different perspective with their group drives and experiences. Don't hesitate about booking a trip with Wild Planet Safari.

Bronny

Ryan is a super nice guy who felt like family by the end of our safari!

From the moment I spoke with Thale I knew I had made the right choice! She was so sweet and so helpful in planning our safari. She helped me figure out how many days I would need for what I wanted to see and do, all while making it incredibly affordable! She also suggested the walking safari which Is a must do! We did a 6 day safari and I will never forget it, Ever! Ryan was incredible and so knowledgeable about every animal, and man could that guy spot them! He just seemed to know the park like the back of his hand, where the animals would be and when they would be there. We got up before sunrise and hit the park for a few hours, came back to breakfast ready to be served to us, then hit the park again, came back to lunch served to us, then hit the park till sunset! Eat,Sleep,Safari 3 times a day!!! Ryan spotted every animal you could think of! We saw lions eating their kill and even saw a leopard hunt a Dyka and carry it up a tree! I will cherish the memories for the rest of my life! Africa will always have a piece of my heart because of the experience Ryan provided for us! Don’t wait… Just book it, you won’t regret it

Robin Johnson