Visitors are afforded some of the best game viewing and cultural explorations available over three Southern African countries.
This fully accommodated tour offers adventure at an affordable cost.
The ZBa16 Johannesburg to Johannesburg circular route with simple in’tl flights & includes a chance to see rhino.
The ZBa15 Johannesburg to Maun offers the opportunity to fly out of Maun on day 15 and avoid the drive back to Jo’burg.
- Max 12 people
- Professional Safari Guides
- Minibus / safari truck & 4WD
- 15 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches & 11 Dinners
- Entrance Fees
- overview-icon-accomodation 13 nights lodges / tented lodge or chalets and 2 nights tented camp
- Okavango Delta excursion
Highlights
- Kruger NP – game drives
- Zimbabwe Monuments – guided tour
- Matobos NP – game drive
- Hwange NP – game drives in open vehicle
- Victoria Falls– a natural wonder & adventure activities
- Chobe NP – sunset river cruise
- Okavango Delta – Mokoro excursion & bush walks
Information
Overnight
12 nights on safari we stay at small lodges, with en suite facilities, and 1 night in Goo Moremi in self-catering chalets where two bedrooms share a bathroom. And 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Details of accommodation on www.sunway-safaris.com in the downloadable detailed tour itinerary.
Meals
15 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 11 dinners are included. Of which 8 breakfasts & 4 dinners are provided by the lodges. The remaining included meals are prepared by Sunway crew at the vehicle and enjoyed around the campfire.
Transport
For the majority of this safari you travel in a custom-built Sunway Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats; or (on 40% of tours) Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning. For the game drives in Chobe, Hwange, Matobos and the transfer into the Okavango we use local open sided 4WD vehicles with local guides.
Limited participation
An essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Where the tour leaders provide meals, we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up
Responsible Tourism
Zimbabwe has for many years been off the tourist chart. Conservation has been a challenge for many Zimbabweans working in the national parks and on private land. In Matopos and Hwange national parks we use locally owned camps, operators and guides. Bringing tourist revenue back to the people on the ground will help support the protection of these beautiful wildlife regions.
Matopos National Park includes an Intensive Protection Zone where a large population of Black and White Rhinoceros are successfully breeding.
Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe. Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world.
Age Policy
We accept children 12-18 with accompanying adults on scheduled tours (for private groups we can accept younger children).
If the clients are older than 65 years, then we require a medical certificate too (stating client is fit and healthy to embark on a multi-day tour covering long distances etc).
The best time to visit Botswana
Botswana is centrally located in Southern Africa and mostly has a sub-tropical climate. Largely Kalahari desert, there are sizable differences between the day and night temperatures and virtually no rainfall. In the Delta temperatures are more moderate due to the abundance of water. Botswana is a wonderful destination all year round…
Dry season is from May to October: The game viewing is superb and wildlife is very easy to spot.
May:- Autumn temperatures are typically 10°C/50°F to 28°C/80°F.
June, July & August:- Winter morning game drives can be cold at around 6°C/42°F, but it warms to +-25°C/78°F, so dress in layers with a windproof jacket and beanie.
September & October:- Spring begins and temperatures warm up to +- 34°C/100°F. October is the hottest month in Botswana and the migration of the Southern Carmine Bee-eaters is a sight to behold and a must-see for this time of year.
Green season is from November to April: The intermittent rains bring much needed relief to the bushveld, many antelope have their young, and the world around you is brimming with new life. The rains also settle the dust, and the sunlight provides gorgeous photographic opportunities.
November & December:- As the clouds build up this time is typically cooler than October at between 20°C/69°F and 33°C/91°F but there can still be some very hot days. After the first rains the roads can become muddy in places!
January & February:- The Summer or “Green” months, have occasional spectacular thunderstorms in the afternoons. Temperatures are around 32°C/90°F at midday.
March and April:- The waters of the Okavango Delta start to rise and large herds of elephant and buffalo begin to make their way back to the Okavango as winter approaches. Lovely, clear weather and few clouds prevail, but the nights are cooler and the days very comfortable at around 30°C/87°F.
Visitors are afforded some of the best game viewing and cultural explorations available over three Southern African countries. This fully accommodated tour offers adventure at an affordable cost.
Day 1 Kruger National Park
- chalet -LD
[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head into the world famous Kruger National Park. We visit the northern part of the park and stay in the Letaba area of the reserve. We enjoy an afternoon game drive in our safari vehicle and hope to spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in this icon of wildlife conservation.
Day 2 Kruger National Park
- tented lodge BLD
This morning we wake early and game drive north through the park to the Pafuri region. The northern Kruger is dominated by mopane veld and is the domain of large elephant bulls, wilddog and lions. As we reach the Limpopo Valley the vegetation changes to forest and birdlife is prolific. We exit the park, late in the afternoon, and overnight at a lodge just outside the Kruger.
Day 3 Great Zimbabwe
- hotel BLD
Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we travel north to our overnight stop. The following morning we visit the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. These well preserved ruins are some of the oldest and largest stone structures in Southern Africa and were built during the 11th to 14th centuries. We explore these ancient stone structures on an informative walk with a local guide.
Day 4 - 5 Matobos National Park
- chalet BLD
Travelling via the city of Bulawayo we move on to the Matobos National Park and our chalets on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park. The following morning we visit World’s View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave. Unusual rock formations are home to an array of ancient Bushman paintings which we visit while on our game drive and walk. This area is also home to Zimbabwe’s rhino which we hope to see on our excursion in the national park.
Day 6 - 7 Hwange National Park
- chalet BLD
Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometers. Hwange is famed for its large elephant population. Our chalets are in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle.
Day 8 - 9 Victoria Falls
- guest house B- -
We enjoy a spectacular guided walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the “Mosioa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” – Victoria Falls. There are opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungee jump or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).
Day 10 Chobe National Park
- tented lodge BLD
Entering Botswana, we head to the town of Kasane and our accommodation on the banks of the Chobe River. The river flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. A highlight of any trip to the Chobe is the afternoon game viewing cruise where we hope to see large herds of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day.
Day 11 Nata
- tented lodge BL-
This morning we venture into the Chobe National Park in an open 4WD in search of big cats and elephants. Thereafter we head south through the Kasane Forest Reserve to the Nata area for our overnight stop. In the late afternoon we visit Nata Sanctuary for sunset and look out across the expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans. During dry months, the pans appear as endless white expanses, while summer rains create shallow waters that attract flamingos, pelicans, and migratory herds.
Day 12 - 14 Okavango Delta
- 2x tented camping, 1x chalet Bx3 Lx3 Dx2
We transfer into the delta by open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on Mekoro (dugout canoes) to our pre-erected tented camp. The delta forms as rain water from the Angolan highlands flows out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a delicate, green oasis for birds and wildlife. Our camp is on a remote island in this amazingly dynamic environment and we enjoy bush walks, bird watching and swimming in the clear waters. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle and culture. Returning to Maun in the afternoon of day 14 there is time for an optional scenic flight over the Okavango (own expense).
ZBa15: You can end this tour in Maun on day 15 at 08:00am after breakfast to catch flights out of Maun. Thus avoid two long travel days back to Johannesburg. See www.sunway-safaris.com for itinerary. Price €2 970 + US$300 local payment.
Day 15 Goo Moremi Gorge
- chalet BLD
Heading south from Maun, we cross the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert. Along the route we might encounter small herds of zebra interspersed among cattle herds between remote villages. As we approach Goo-Moremi the Tswapong Hills rise above the horizon. Here endangered Cape Vultures nest on the gorge cliffs above the ancestral waterfalls in the protected conservation area of Goo-Moremi Gorge. Time permitting we take an afternoon guided walk to stretch our legs.
Day 16 Johannesburg - Tour Ends
- - B - -
Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg where the tour ends at +/- 18:00.
Please note: we do a free drop off at Johannesburg airport on day 16 at 17:00pm so you can book your flight out for the last day of tour.
Error loading tour departures. Please try again later.
Talitha (Canada)
- Jul 25
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday? Being so close to so many animals that you can’t see outside of Africa was a once in a lifetime experience!
What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday? Strangely, it really is cold in the mornings in Africa in July. Bring your warm clothes and dress in layers!
Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation? Very much so.
Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall? An amazing trip! 5 stars!
Melliger (Switzerland)
- May 25
The participants were international: 3 from Australia, 1 from the Netherlands, 2 from Belgium, 4 from Germany, and myself. 3 men, 8 women, two couples and 7 solo travelers. Average age around 60. 😉 The tour started at a meeting hotel, mainly used as a gathering point – I personally didn’t like it that much. Our small bus, called the “Red Elephant,” was comfortable and very well equipped. From a large fridge to tables, chairs, and a gas cooker – everything was on board. At lunchtime, we would take a break: tables and chairs out, cooker set up, and then the two guides cooked for us, we enjoyed the meal, and afterwards we cleaned up and packed everything away again. Evenings were often similar. The food was simple, very tasty, and a nice group experience. The lodges were clearly simpler than in Namibia, but mostly run and managed by locals. For a large part of the tour, we also ate at those lodges. On this tour, you’re more among the local population and stay in simpler but very charming lodges with extremely friendly people. There’s not so much time for rest and relaxation. The roads are mostly poor to very poor. Absolutely not suitable for people with back problems. The travel distances are also very long. No surprise, since some of the national parks are as large as half of Switzerland or even bigger. Again, the total driving distance was around 4000 km. The guides were great, very knowledgeable, gave their absolute best, and spoiled us thoroughly. The tour was a highlight, especially the trip to the Okavango Delta. For me, the whole tour was excellent and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It’s a bit like a scout camp, but with many beautiful experiences and discoveries you wouldn’t find on your own as a solo traveler.
Allison & Paul (Australia)
- Nov 24
We recently completed the Zimbabwe and Botswana Game Tracker Safari with Sunway Safaris and it was excellent. The guides, Shandele and Dickson were hard working, efficient, had excellent English and were great cooks. Most importantly, they each had a wonderful sense of humour and were kind and generous. We called them “The Two Smiling Faces of Africa”. The food was healthy, delicious and plentiful both on the road and at our accommodation. The accommodation was much better than we expected and each place had something special going for it. The Red Elephant was as comfortable as it could be considering some of the rough roads that we travelled on. There was plenty of leg room and large windows. The tour was well organised in terms of the variety of places we travelled to. We saw many, many animals as well as a variety of beautiful landscapes including many natural features. The tour was very well priced considering the inclusions such as entrance fees. We booked directly with Sunway. The communication was prompt and Grace was very friendly and able to answer all our questions. We wouldn’t hesitate to travel with Sunway again.
Gabriele (Austria)
- Nov 24
My sister, spontaneously asked me if I would come with her on this Africa trip. How glad I am that I said “yes” spontaneously!
This was a really great experience, from the first day (or even from the preparation time) until now, as we are already back for over 2 weeks, but the memories and impressions are strongly rooted in my memory and heart. What can I highlight in particular?
I had mentally adjusted to the “African mentality”: times are quite flexible, changes, spontaneous decisions, etc. None of this has happened! The planning went like Swiss clockwork, our guides Dixon and Shanley were fantastic, reliable, well prepared, trustworthy and had everything organized down to the last detail. What was also amazing for me and inspired me: our guides knew very well where you should or can buy which food. We had so many fresh meals, lots of salads, always fruit. And as far as I know, none of our group got sick – (you almost expect a gastrointestinal thing when you go to such countries!)
We were also very well informed where we can drink tap water (or at least use it to brush our teeth) and where not. It was also noticeable that the information on sustainability and the involvement of local people (selection of lodges owned locally, etc.) is not just an advertising slogan, but is lived.
The program: the choice of route, accommodation and excursions was very well chosen! There was not a day when there was not something special on the program. And even on the long driving days, there was either an excursion in the morning or in the evening, which comforted us over a strenuous drive. It was varied, so we did a whole series of “real” safaris, i.e. game drives, but so well distributed over time that we always looked forward to the next one.
Still to the accommodations: these were well chosen and very varied! To my relief, many also had air conditioning, which made the nights very pleasant. And my sister and I were extremely happy about the pool with so many places!
Special highlights for me: Day 1 and 2 (first and second day with Sunways) – the Kruger National Park and the many animals that we were able to discover on the first day and then visit again in peace during the all-day game drive.
Day 4: the morning excursion to Great Zimbabwe (a pleasure to be able to walk a bit!) and the lodge where we landed in the evening (Hermits Peak Lodge) with its viewpoint from which you can observe animals. Day 5: the whole morning was great! First the encounter with the rhinoceros and his calf, within a good guided tour by impressive guides from “Zim Safaris” and Rangers from the local national park. This was followed by the trip to the “World’s View Park”, which I couldn’t imagine at all, but which presented itself with an absolutely impressive landscape, and we also got some exercise here.
Day 7: The time in Hwange National Park. I have called it “the day of the elephant” for myself. We saw a lot of animals again, absolutely impressive! But especially nice were the many elephant herds and the fact that we had enough time to stop at the waterholes and watch for a long time!
Day 10: the evening cruise on the Chobe River (the “sundowner” ride) – so that was really a highlight of the trip for me! The trip on the small boat, just us as a group, plus the spectacular landscape, the many animals, the wonderful sunset!
Day 11: the wild morning game drive in an open safari vehicle, with a driver who has missed out on his calling as a rally driver! It was a great feeling to whiz along the unpaved roads with this vehicle, often deep in the sand, looking for animals, with the wind of the morning freshness in your face!
Days 12-14: and yes, of course the time in the Okavango Delta! It’s true, it was extremely hot, especially on one day, but it was also a magical experience: the river, the simple life, the dignified people of the Baye-i tribe who accompany visitors to the delta and pass on a lot of knowledge to us. These people impressed me immensely. I just wish I had known beforehand what a large group of Baye-isuns are accompanying them, and that they also sell homemade things right there in the delta – then we would have liked to take more tips for them, because they were really impressive! We especially enjoyed the long walks, and also the swimming in the Okavango, even if not all of our group found it so appetizing! (the evening before, a whole herd of elephants had passed right through our bathing area!)
I can really recommend the trip to anyone who wants to do something like this! I would like to turn back time and start again on day 1!
Jonas & Line (Denmark)
- Oct 24
We had an absolutely amazing trip! We did the Zimbabwe/Botswana Comfort Tour, starting at the end of September, and it was an unforgettable experience. The tour offers a fantastic blend of nature, wildlife, and culture.
Our guides, Dickson and Shandle, were incredible. Despite being on for most of the 16-day journey, they were always in great spirits, with a smile on their faces. Their extensive knowledge of wildlife, local culture, and the destinations we visited was truly impressive. No matter how many questions we had, they always provided detailed and insightful answers, which made the experience all the more enriching.
The wildlife experiences were diverse and breathtaking. Whether spotting animals from the safari bus, a 4WD, by boat, or during walking safaris, each setting felt unique. Moving between different locations throughout the trip kept the experience fresh and exciting, as it was like starting a new adventure every time. And yes we ended up seeing the big five!
Before the tour, we were a bit concerned about the long drives, but it turned out to be no issue at all. The drives gave us a chance to see more of the countries and gain a deeper understanding of local life. Our guides made sure to explain interesting details about the places we passed along the way.
Overall, huge kudos to everyone involved in planning this incredible program, and a special shout-out to Dickson and Shandle for making the tour truly exceptional
Sue & Graeme (Australia)
- Jun 24
Fabulous. We enjoyed every bit of this tour. We saw heaps of wildlife and felt very safe throughout. Our guides Farai and Sifiso were amazing and really knowledgeable with giving us information and answering any questions. There were some long drives but we had enough stops to make it as comfortable as possible and well worth the travel. We especially loved Kruger, Vic Falls and the Okavango Delta as well as the sunset cruise in Chobe. We were really happy with the accommodation and the food prepared for us was really yum. Watching elephants drink from a waterhole in front of our accommodation was really magical. I would definitely recommend this company.
Sarah (United Kingdom)
- Jun 24
The trip was brilliantly designed & great for wildlife lovers. It was well run with good leaders. The truck is very well designed but not overly comfortable but it does the job. The accommodation surpassed our expectations & the food was good. Overall, an excellent trip which we would highly recommend.
Katrin, Christin and Anita (Germany)
- Oct 23
Dear sunway-safaris-team, we took the tour ZIMBABWE & BOTSWANA GAME TRACKER SAFARI with you from October 6th – 22nd, 2023. It was an unforgettable experience for us and we would like to thank you for this great tour!
We were able to collect many impressions of animals, people, culture and the countries. We felt very safe and comfortable at all times, which is of course thanks to our two guides Ishmael and Sine.
With her good translation into German, Sine helped ensure that even travelers with little knowledge of English could take part in the trip. Her always friendly and helpful nature greatly enriched the trip.
Ishmael in particular is a great guide. He drove us safely from one place to the next every 4000km. Each of his meals was always very tasty, excellent and varied. He also knew an answer to every question, no matter the topic. You can tell that he enjoys his job very much and with great conscientiousness and experience. We would be very happy to have him as a guide again on our next trip.
Of course, such a long journey always has ups and downs. But the highlights always prevailed and the guides responded to all suggestions for improvement.
Sometimes we would have liked more time for private things in some places. Of course, we understand that the tight travel schedule doesn’t leave much room for this. So we will probably visit one or two places again.
We would like to say thank you again to everyone involved for this wonderful trip – the trip of our lives! And remain with kind regards and see you again!
Doris (Austria)
- Oct 23
Janice (USA)
- Sep 23
Too many “peak” experiences to choose only one…. walking with rhinos, watching concurrent sunset and moonrise (full moon!) in the Okavango, night safari with lions and spring hares…. but I think my favorite was the night in Miombo when we arrived back from night safari to find the elephants visiting the watering hole, which was directly across from our tent… After watching them for a couple of hours, they decided the trees on our side of the road were better than those at the watering hole, so they strolled across the way and wandered around our tent, munching as they went. One mama walked up to the front porch of the tent while we watched from the doorway, plucked a few vinca flowers from the verge, then raised her trunk and explored the edge of the porch and just looked and sniffed at us there in the doorway for about 10 minutes. It was magical, dreamlike- so real and yet so unbelievable! Afterwards our guide asked if we were frightened, but honestly we were so awestruck we just didn’t think about being afraid. It just seemed so clear that they were curious about us (and our strange smell I expect!), and it was a moment of connection across continents and species that I will treasure forever. And of course it never occurred to me to take a photo– totally caught up in the moment!! I think I didn’t mention how much we enjoyed our guides, Marcus and Shandle. They kept us moving and entertained (despite the “vintage” age of the group) and were so very personable and knowledgeable about the animals, birds, plants, etc and even about current events (they had elections in Zimbabwe as we traveled there). And they are both great cooks!!! The afternoon we were in camp in the Delta Marcus made scones and served “high tea” in the kitchen tent while the elephants surrounded our camp on all sides…we were asking questions about bargaining with cattle and he regaled us with a description of how traditional African marriage contracts are conducted and celebrated…. I’m still just amazed at the whole situation! And although I’m giving you all this feedback, I think if anything my daughter was even more stunned by the experience. She kept a journal for her family to share it, and she’s a much better writer than I am, so I look forward to reading her account.
Christoph (Switzerland)
- Jul 23
Dear Sunway Safari I would like to thank Shandle and Marcus for the safari and you for the wonderful safari (ZBa16). It was beautiful and interesting. We had a great time on safari. Everything was wonderfully organised, we were well looked after and all our questions were always answered with a lot of knowledge. The accommodation was great, the food prepared by the guides tasted hearty. – The food in the lodges too, of course. Marcus and Shandle are very competent guides and taught us a lot of information about the animals, the landscape and the traditions and cultures. They were always welcoming and helpful. It felt a bit like we were travelling with a family. Marcus was always cheerful, informative and had everything under control. He was very patient with us. He taught us a lot about the traditions and culture of each country. Not to mention his vast knowledge of the wildlife. When I go on safari again, I want him to be my guide again. Shandle cooked wonderfully and drove very safely. He was always in a good mood and fun. His knowledge of the wildlife never ceased to amaze me. He always conveyed the information about the countries and vegetation in an interesting way. I would like to have him as a guide again when I come back. The two of them are an absolute added value for their company. Kind regards.
Victoria (UK)
- Jul 23
We had a fabulous time on this trip. Our guides were super knowledgeable and enthusiastic, giving us information and history on the journeys. Our group was made up of 8 nationalities (including our South African & Zimbabwean guides) and ranged from mid 30s to 70s, all with a passion for wildlife and adventure. Lodges and tents were comfy and food filling and plentiful – snacks were necessary as sometimes there was a long gap between a pre-dawn breakfast and lunch. Layers including warm clothing were essential with temperatures ranging from -3 to 33 degrees in June! The highlights of the trip included (there were so many!) seeing wild dog on a walking safari in the Okavango Delta, being on foot within 20 meters of 3 white rhino in Matopos, watching a cheetah with her 2 cubs with a kill in Kruger and lions and hundreds of elephants in Hwange. All of the experiences made the long journeys and early starts worth it!
Marco (Australia)
- Dec 22
Amazing Tour! Bryan and Moses our tour leaders were exceptional, impressive knowledge and very nice people. i’m in love with Africa, i can’t wait to go back. Thanks.
Imke
- Oct 22
I started the tour, july this year.
It was the game tracking tour, from South-Africa, to Zimbabwe and Botswana. At the beginning we were told that it was not going to be a holiday, but it was going to be an adventure.
It sure was an adventure! Wow, what an amazing journey!
I was kind of nerveous when I started the tour, but very soon the group and especially my two guides made me feel comfortable. Everything was well organised and the information was clear.
Thanks to our two guides, S’fiso and Alois, who guided us during this trip. Both are very nice people and they were a great team! I would definitly recommend them both!
From early in the morning until late in the evening they would be there for us. They looked after us all the time and gave us all the right information. Telling us a lot about African culture, history and wildlife.
They would help us out with questions, drive us safe to our next destination, show us new/special things, make us feel safe, entertain us and make us laugh, make nice campfires and tell us all of their great stories..
Even when we had to get up early in the morning, I was excited because they were always so enthousiastic, greeting us goodmorning with a smile on their face and they were ready to show us some great new things! You could see they are passionate about what they do!
Also the cooking they did was very delicious! S’fiso was more of the cooking but also Alois served us very good food at the Delta! I wasn’t sure if I would like it all, because I’m a picky eater.. But each and everytime I was surprised about something new to eat, and enjoyed it very much!
I enjoyed every second of the tour, with special thanks to S’fiso and Alois. They made my tour complete! If I ever have the chance to go on a new tour, I hope the both of them will be my guide again!
Thanks again S’fiso, Alois and Sunway Safaris for this great experience!
Kerry & Lee
- Sep 19
Hi Bruce & the Sunway Safaris Team,
Greetings from Sydney, Australia. We recently received some excellent feedback (below) that we thought you and your team would like to see. Job well done to everyone at Sunway Safaris and the guides!
Overall Rating: 5, Good Value: Yes, Travel with us again: Yes, Pre-Departure service: 5
Tour Leaders: Jojo and Bryan – extremely knowledgeable and helpful Even the local guides who we had for 1/2 or full day trips were of a high standard.
Everything ran so smoothly.
Responsible Travel Comments:Your Responsible Travel policies and practices are to be applauded.
Testimonial: The variety of each and every tour is a major factor in my decision making and this tour did not disappoint. Each day was something different and we were so lucky to have such wonderful guides as Jojo and Bryan. Their knowledge and those of the local guides were tremendous. Each yummy meal was prepared and delivered by our guides – something we looked forward to each day.
We managed to see a wide variety of animals and birds and they were described to us in a very professional way. I loved visiting the historical sites and learning about the lives of the local people. I can’t wait to visit again!
Kate (Australia)
- Nov 18
I wish to congratulate Sunway Safaris on the wonderful experience they provided on my recent safari. In particular, a special thank-you to our head guide, Lloyd, whose professionalism, knowledge and expertise was truly amazing! As a solo traveller from Australia, I found Lloyd’s kind and gentle demeanor extremely comforting.
Our small group was an “interesting mixture of cultures”, sometimes providing challenges for Lloyd and Bonnie. We were cared for in a thoroughly professional manner, never feeling unsafe, threatened or abandoned. Accommodation, meals and game drives were excellent. I would certainly recommend Sunway Safaris to my family and friends.
Thank you again, Kate – Australia
Eva (Czech Republic)
- Oct 18
Dear Sunway Safaris team,
I would like to thank for an excellent holiday I had with Sunway Safaris. I joined accomodated tour ZIMBABWE & BOTSWANA GAME TRACKER in October 2018 with an international group of people.
Everything was well organized and prepared. Amazing program with good balance between activities and free time to relax.
A big thanks belongs to our excellent guides Lloyd and Chris. They were very professional, experienced and knowledgeable keeping whole group in good moode and making safari experience unique for each of us. They always kept us informed what is going to be in next day, what we can expect and what is needed to prepare. They provided us with all information about the nature, animals, country, culture… and always ready to answer any question. All the provided meals were just amazing. Thank you again, Eva – Czech Republic
Deborah & Peter
- Oct 18
Hi Dirk I wanted to give you some feedback on our Zimbabwe Botswana ZBa16 Safari adventure. The trip was awesome and exceeded our expectations. We found the itinerary covered most, if not all the places we wanted to visit. It was extremely full on with early starts a and long days driving and I doubt that this could be avoided unless you add extra days to the itinerary. The purpose built vehicle was perfect for the journey with large windows, reasonably comfortable seats and plenty of room. The accommodation was much better than expected and I loved the mix of tented lodge and hotel rooms-it gave the Safari an authentic feel. Finally, it goes without saying, that the two guides who accompanied us- Alois and Kalunga were amazing. They were extremely knowledgeable, very professional and were responsible for making the Safari the success it was. Kalunga’s capable driving on those long stretches of poor road through Zimbabwe and Botswana need special mention and Alois talents as a tour guide and chef meant that we didn’t miss a thing and we were very well fed as well. I’m particularly indebted to these two men as I fell ill on the tour and needed hospitalisation and their timely and efficient response was life saving for me. In addition, the pre departure information that was supplied was invaluable. To conclude, we give our Safari experience 10 out of 10 and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others. Many thanks for organising it for us
Cheers
Deborah and Peter
Christina (Germany)
- Oct 18
Dear Dirk ,
I have returned from my ZBa16 tour (15 – 30 Sept) and wanted to give you a detailed feedback on this great tour. Overall it has been an amazing trip with beautiful accommodations, activities and great experiences within nature and of course, by getting close to wildlife I also learned a lot about South Africa, Simbabwe and Botswana, which was important to me and very helpful in a work-related sense as well as for my professional manner. Accommodations: The whole group really liked Awelani Lodge and Hermits Peak not only because of the great surrounding areas but also because of the accommodation’s support within local community, wildlife and nature. The crew of Awelani Lodge prepared a tasteful (surprise) dinner that we enjoyed under an overhanging rock – a beautiful scenery at the end of the day! The owner of Hermits Peak has been a wonderful host and guide to us. Together with him we did a super exciting bush walk in Matobo NP in order to spot rhinos. And we did see 7, including a mother with her calf. Personally, I also liked the Great Zimbabwe Hotel – a beautiful place with a colorful garden and well-provided facilities. I also loved Nata Lodge because of its location within a gorgeous palm forest, which offered a stunning sunset and sunrise. We also quite enjoyed the accommodation at Miombo Safari Lodge, Vic Falls Rainbow Hotel and Thebe River Safaris in Chobe (we had too little time there to evaluate but it made a good appearance) that all have comfortable rooms and provide nice clean facilities. The Okavango Delta camping trip was a magic experience. The team of about 10 locals did a great job and we have learned a lot from them about nature and wildlife! They poled us safely through the channels on their Mokoros which the entire group enjoyed very much. Also swimming in the Okavango Delta during the heat of the day was marvelous and I will never forget it. Thank you again
Cheers from Germany
Christina
Elizabeth
- Oct 18
Dear Dirk & the Sunway team,
I thought I would send you a few more comments re our recent trip with Sunway First our guides Shadreck Hcube and Joe Pirimukai A tour is made or broken based on your host and I want to congratulate you on selecting two first class people as guides. They were excellent and good with everyone. They knew their stuff. Kept everyone on time in a nice way.excellent knowledge of the animals. Food prep was better than I expected and they were always ready to help in any way. They both are valuable assets to your business. Overall trip We are not normally group tour people (might be my husband’s first time) but I found your trip excellent and was very glad we joined it. I will recommend it to friends that I think would enjoy this type of adventure including our son. The group size is great. Not too big but large enough to accommodate various personalities. I think on a whole it is a good way to explore unknown areas effectively. We definitely got to see and experience a lot more than if we had done something on our own.we went places I had not heard of like The Great Zimbabwe Monument which I was very impressed with. We both also thought the various ways of experiencing the Africa animals was great. My husband loved the walking experience and the mokoro experience in the Okavango Delta. The mixed use of 4×4 and the red elephant was also good. Red elephant Fun vehicle and well equipped I thought. Excellent windows for viewing. Accommodation Probably better than I expected. I liked the variety,type and places you chose and we always had a group space. All beds were comfortable and linens good. Rooms clean etc. staff at all places were very friendly and helpful. I thought the tents in the Okavango delta were much better than I expected and appreciated the ensuite toilets. Bucket shower was fine. Food I felt the guides did our group meals much better than expected. Food was always healthy: no junk food. Lots of fruit and veg. I felt all our meals were very good and I am normally a foodie. Your guides did you proud. Parks and animals Last but not least I felt you selected your parks extremely well.we especially loved Matopo National Park and loved the experience of tracking rhinos on foot.and also the Okavango delta as it included walks. But would not have wanted to forgo any of the other parks. But must say all were great experiences for me. Well done Thanks for a great 16 days!
Cheers
Elizabeth
Tina (Australia)
- Jun 18
Dear Sunway team,
I would like to take a moment to send through some feedback (in addition to our form we left with the guides) for our recent Game Tracker Tour which finished on Sunday!
We had the best trip EVER. For both of us, group touring was a new experience and we were a bit doubtful to begin with about something like this.
Bryan and Wouter were simply amazing! They made everyone feel comfortable from the moment we left Johannesburg. Their knowledge is simply unreal!!!!
I cannot speak highly enough of these two guides. Honestly, it made the tour for all of us.
Africa as a destination delivers already on its own but I don’t think the tour would have been half as good without these two personalities. Such fun guys to be around and the cooking skills…haha what a delight! Nothing was ever a problem, nothing too much for them.
As Bryan always said “this is not a holiday but an adventure” and boy was he right….we will keep these wonderful memories forever.
I am more than happy to write feedback for the guides online if you could let me know how I could that. I am sure all of the group would like to do the same.
As you know, we were so worried about our flight out from JNB on the same day as the tour finished and even with our truck having broken down at the Botswana-South African border, the guys managed to get us there on time. 5 Star Service throughout – honestly am so happy with everything.
Once again, big thank you to Sunway Safaris and your entire team. We will be back one day and hopefully tour again with Bryan and Wouter!
Cheers from Sydney
Tina
Ian & Jackie
- Oct 16
Having just arrived home from the Zimbabwe Botswana ZBa16 I wanted to drop you a few lines concerning our guides Wayne and Adolf.
We have completed the basic feedback form but this does not allow for adequate comment concerning the guides.
Firstly it is due solely to their joint actions that I am able to write this from home now as we had two separate tyre blow outs on the last day during the drive to the airport. The way they jointly responded to this with teamwork, dedication to the task, minimum fuss, and ensuring that the customers interests were paramount at all times reflects the way they conducted themselves throughout the entire trip.
My wife and I are seasoned travellers but rarely have we been so impressed with the professionalism, hard work and genuine desire to do everything possible to make our trip as enjoyable as it was.
These guys are not only a credit to themselves but fine ambassadors for your company, in my view worth more than any traditional marketing strategy could achieve ! Their tireless efforts throughout the entire trip made for a tremendous holiday. Thank you Sunway!!
Melanie
- Oct 16
My friend and I have recently returned from doing the Zimbabwe and Botswana game tracker tour with Sunway. The tour was fantastic!! The accommodation was very comfortable, all the local guides were excellent. A special mention to our Sunway guides Sfiso Thabethe and Simba Mubvindi they were expectional and made the holiday the trip of a lifetime. The care and kindness they showed everyone on the tour was amazing. We loved the meals they prepared and the knowledge they shared. Will definitely recommend Sunway Safaris and one day return to Africa.
Nettie & Rob
- 15 Sep 16
Hi Dirk I just wanted to say – we had a FANTASTIC time – Thank you! You’ll be pleased to know – I stayed excited throughout the whole trip!! (and eventually realized it was probably a lot faster and more comfortable in the mini van 🙂 than the funky safari truck! ) There were so many big things and lots of little things that went to make it a superb holiday:- Patrick and Chris were great company and their organisational skills were amazing – they do your company credit. They were punctual, unflappable and took very good care of us. We thought that most of the accommodation was better than described (big thanks to Patrick for getting us into the tree houses at Miombo – we were being fobbed off on some feeble excuse by the manager there). Loved John’s Hermit Peaks lodge at Matopos – small, quirky and friendly and of course the camping in the Okavango. We even enjoyed our little thatched houses at the Pelican – although I think some others were disturbed by road noise. The itinerary was varied, well planned and always interesting. Food was more than plentiful – how Patrick and Chris managed to provide such a varied diet from the back of a truck I’ll never know! So a big thanks from us – we will definitely be back!
Britt-Maria Spiike
- 7 Feb 16
I have just returned home (to Sweden) after a fantastic trip in southern Africa! (16th Jan – 31st Jan)
Writing to let you know that everything was terrific; the truck, the accommodations, the game drives, the food and especially our guides – Matthew O’Brien and Ruan May. The two young guys did everything to make the journey interesting and comfortable! They were both serious and at the same time funny, when telling us about the animals, the countries and folklore-stories. You can be really proud of these to guys!
I gave high scores in the questionnaire, but in addition to that I want to write it in my own words.
Vanessa Price
- 28 Jan 16
The trip was fantastic! There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to cover how incredible it was! The guides were extremely knowledgeable and didn’t seem to mind all of my questions. I really appreciated how they went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed. At one point I wanted to get a local sim card – they made a special stop in a place they knew I could get one.
I really enjoyed the pace of the trip. It was certainly not slow, but I feel I saw a lot for the time I spent in each location – and the truck was comfortable enough to catch up on a bit of sleep if I ever needed (I think most of the group also found this!). The accommodation was very nice as well. They were comfortable and very clean each night – it was lovely to arrive after some long days.
I enjoyed having the free day in Vic Falls. Again the guides went out of their way to accommodate my 3 extra activities!
The definite highlight was the Okavango Delta! It was a wonderful experience to get amongst nature and get to know the guides a bit better – I’m sure it’s not every day a guide ‘falls’ out of a Mokoro to entertain her clients! I would have loved to stay longer!
After returning to New Zealand, and going through all the photos and remembering all the great times I know I will definitely return to Africa and I will want to travel with Sunway again!
Katrin Schtuttke
- 17 Oct 15
Becker Guerreiro de Matos Manuela
- 3 Oct 15
Fantastic organisation, fantastic guides. I will book again.
Cornelia Schell
- 3 Oct 15
I would like to book a tour with you again next year. My best tour ever. I have never been on a tour that well organized. Thank you
Yvonne Rosack
- 15 Aug 15
John & Sheila Jordan
- 5 Sep 15
It was a fantastic experience, we loved it!
Ian Love
- 8 Aug 15
Excellent trip of a lifetime made possible by two excellent guides who are both good cooks.
Jessy Contrinovis
- 11 Jul 15
The trip was out of this world. I had a great time!
Lyn Adam
- 11 Jul 15
Overall it was an excellent trip, well organised and lots of fun!
Margaret Weratzl
- 11 Jul 15
This was a trip of a lifetime and I cannot thank you enough for providing it it for me, I wish your company every success because you truly deserve it. I already plan to to come back next summer on another tour of yours, so I will be back in touch. Both of my guides really made it so memorable and I wish them both much success with your company because they deserve that. They were both very professional, helpful, kind, happy and fun!
Sarah Hailwood
- 23 May 15
Gillian Hailwood
- 23 May 15
This tour has exceeded my expectations in every way. I cannot speak highly enough of our guides or the tour. Everything exceeded my expectations. When I come back I will only use Sunway and want our guides again.
Bill Raften
- 8 Feb 14
I just finished that ZBa16 – Zimbabwe Botswana Game Tracker that was lead by Chris and Phumzi. I wanted to pass on that they did an OUTSTANDING job.
They were knowledgeable, professional and all around great people to tour with. You would be wise to use them on ALL your tours (if that were possible!). They both know all we could ask for regarding the wildlife/ecosystem and represented you company very well.
They really both deserve much Kudos!!!!
Christiane Bohr (Germany)
- 26 May 12
I am now back home from my third trip with Sunway Safaris for more than 3 weeks now. I would like to let you know how much I enjoyed it once again.
A big thank you to the guides Chris and Gerrit for a great time, always helpful, reliable and friendly. Their knowledge of the African bush, the animals, the culture and history of the countries was brilliant. I could feel their love to that beautiful nature at any time.
Visiting Zimbabwe was a wonderful experience with the interesting history of Great Zimbabwe, the beautiful landscape of Matopos Hills with an amazing sunset and Hwange National Park with an abundance of elephants I have never seen like this before all coming and going at one water hole, more than 300. We couldn’t stop watching. And Vic Falls especially at this time of the year a lasting impression.
Thanks again to Chris and Gerrit and as well to Albert and Wayne. It was always a great pleasure and a lot of fun to meet them on the way.
If you would like to have your comments on your trip with Sunway posted on the website, please email your review to marketing@sunway-safaris.com and we will load it.
