TAASA Lodge

We really enjoyed our trip from South Africa to Botswana and Zimbabwe! Sometimes a lot of whether a trip is successful comes down to the logistics. In this case, Susan Veldman and the company took care of all details related to our accommodations, transitions between countries and transportation from day to day so that our trip was seamless. The vendors and their staffs (hotels, restaurants, drivers, etc.) were so helpful and friendly. The experience was amazing!

We have just returned from the most incredible 2 week trip in Africa, travelling to Kruger National Park, Cape Town and Victoria Falls – it was made all the more special by the incredible guidance, planning and organisation of Discover Africa, specifically Cayleigh. During the planning stage, nothing was ever too much trouble – they went to great lengths to listen to what we wanted in terms of destinations and type of accommodation and it all ended up being EXACTLY what we were looking for! The trip itself was seamless, with every single pre-arranged transfer and activity being on schedule. Cayleigh also provided contact details and checked in on us during the trip, to ensure everything was going smoothly. There is also a post trip check-in. Discover Africa provide an extraordinary service and we cannot recommend them highly enough!

In terms of the trip itself, there are just too many highlights to list but some of them were – extraordinary animals on safari and absolutely gorgeous Thornybush Lodge in Kruger, penguins and Table Mountain in Cape Town and basically everything in Zimbabwe – Shongwe Lookout was an intimate boutique hotel, sunset cruise (so many hippos!), elephant encounter, Victoria Falls and Lookout cafe, visit to a local village and the Simunye: Spirit of Africa show. We just want to go back and do it all again!

Our safari trip to South Africa was nothing short of spectacular and I would like to thank Chrizaan for putting together a wonderful itinerary for us. Our first contact with Discover Africa was with a consultant who was amazing and very personable. Our planning was over a year out and, unfortunately, she moved on but I appreciated Alice Lombard (Head of Sales and Operations) stepping in and referring us to Chrizaan. I couldn’t have asked for a better consultant.

Because of our location the time discrepancy made communication a bit challenging, but through emails, WhatsApp and Zoom calls the interactions with Chrizaan were all timely and efficient (1/2 hr blocks of time were set aside on Chrizaan’s schedule where one could book Zoom chats). I liked the web design they use to view options for personalized itineraries – descriptions on potential lodges, information on daily activities etc.

Our trip included a 4 day visit to Cape Town before our safari and Chrizaan arranged all the necessary flights, transfers and tours associated and everything went smoothly. Little things like sending us an email with our flight reservation so we could check in 24 hrs before our flight were much appreciated. If we had questions during our trip she was always available. We thought that this safari was going to be a once in a lifetime trip but our experience made us feel like it’s something we would love to do again and I wouldn’t hesitate to use Chrizaan and Discover Africa once again.

We had a wonderful experience with Discover Africa and, specifically, Dev Panaino. Dev helped us plan a dream vacation to South Africa and Zimbabwe and made the planning from our end effortless. We met with Dev via Zoom calls for the initial trip planning, and he regularly followed up with us via email. Dev was personable, easy to work with, and really listened when we outlined the experiences we desired on this trip. He designed an itinerary that met and even exceeded all our goals. With his knowledge of the area, he had great ideas for enhancing our adventure. Discover Africa provided us with comprehensive information on how to prepare for the trip down to the smallest detail. We left home with our travel documents safely in tow and the knowledge that we could reach out to Dev at any time should difficulties arise. And they sure did.

It’s worth noting that Dev arranged all our ground transportation at each leg of the trip as well as a private guide for several excursions. We traveled in unexpected luxury on the excursions with a knowledgeable, friendly guide who really added depth to the experiences. Dev also strongly recommended a safari lodge other than the more popular (and expensive) choices we had researched ourselves on-line. It turned out to be a true hidden gem, upscale yet cozier and more intimate than the others.

One of us had an unfortunate, vacation-ending injury on the fourth day of the trip (bad fall resulting in a broken kneecap requiring immediate surgery). We contacted Dev almost immediately in near-panic about what to do and how to get home. He really rose to the occasion, reassuring us that he would help and we’d be safe. Dev made many on-the-fly arrangements for us, from finding last-minute hotel accommodations and dealing with the local airline to arranging ground transportation and making all the necessary cancellations/re-bookings. Following our return home, he provided gathered helpful information to support our travel insurance claim.

Although our trip did not work out as planned, needless to say we highly recommend Dev Panaino at Discover Africa and would absolutely work with him again.

I first chose Discover Africa from 4 other agencies because they responded quickly to my many many changes in itinerary, but also guided me with reasonable suggestions. This trip meant so much to me and I wanted to fit in as much as possible. I was most worried about the travel and connections between destinations. It worked perfectly.

During the trip when I contacted Vihann at Discover Africa, he answered immediately and continued to guide us until we were home. The places we stayed were amazing and we saw everything on my bucket list and more. This was my bucket list trip and they really made it as close to perfect as it gets!!!

We are an Australian family of 6 and have just returned from a 2-week safari holiday in South Africa. Discover Africa was excellent. Devryn Panaino was our consultant and he was full of good information and always speedy with a return email.

There was not a single glitch during our holiday. The lodges and camps recommended were exactly what we asked for, with very comfortable accommodation and a couple of dietary requirements catered for every single meal. The guides and trackers were first-rate. They were very friendly and seemed to know everything about the African bush and its wildlife. They would get us into the best possible viewing spot every time and always so close to the animals.

Even the transfers were good – on time with friendly drivers and air-conditioned vans. Each transfer turned into a mini safari.
We hope to return to Africa in the next few years and will absolutely use Dev and the team at Discover Africa.

Steve's South Africa Safari Experience