Safari Reviews & Testimonials

I cannot say enough good things about Diane Du Plessis and Discover Africa. Diane worked with us to design the perfect safari vacation, that included stops in Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Africa Bush Camps – Somalisa Camp in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe and Mala Mala private reserve in Sabi Sands, South Africa. While we had done some research, we were learning as we went along.

Diane provided us with excellent information and choices. Her choices for the safari camps/lodging were key – Somlalisa Camp was a private concession and Mala Mala was private land. This made all the difference as we were not competing with a ton of vehicles since access was restricted. This made the game drives and sightings incredibly intimate – and you get very close to the animals! You can also drive off-road, since it is private or leased land. I don’t think I truly appreciated this distinction until we were there experiencing it and being told about how many vehicles descend on sightings in the public areas of the national parks.

Diane was always patient with us and incredibly responsive to our emails with questions and changes. She listened and responded to us. Every aspect of our trip was taken care of, we didn’t have a care to worry about, from airport transfers, to flights, to excursions. And, every aspect of the logistics went seamlessly. Her lodging recommendations were perfect, each location got better and better. We culminated our trip at Mala Mala, which was truly stunning from the lodging to the safari game drives.

Diane – thank you so much! You made it seem so easy, but we know you had to do a lot of work behind the scenes. This trip was a perfect ten – wish we could say 12 – because of Diane at Discover Africa. I highly recommend using Diane if you are planning a safari in Africa. She will not disappoint!! If and when we go back, we will be using Diane!

Discover Africa was the top of my google search for African safaris. I looked at other operations, but the Discover Africa was clearly superior in terms of communication, choice and flexibility. It was my first trip to Africa, so I was unsure how to proceed, but the quality of Discover Africa, through my contact there Diane du Plessis, was clearly superior.

On the ground, every part of the tour was expertly handled, and the accommodation choices superlative. I cannot recommend Discover Africa too highly. Any issue I had during the tour was immediately responded to.

We recently completed our African Safari arranged with the help of Susan Veldman with Discover Africa. About one year ago, I began researching African safari trips. I began with Abercrombie and Kent as they are world renowned for their expertise with African safaris. I contacted them on their website and for some reason they did not return my two inquiries for almost two weeks. Meanwhile, I contacted five other companies, some in the states and some in Africa and had multiple conversations with many knowledgeable tour experts and tried to educate myself on where to go, what to see, when to go, etc.

After speaking with Susan and feeling comfortable with her, we began to game plan. I used the Abercrombie tour as a basis for the trip. The end result was building on this with Susan. In fact, adding four days at another camp for less money. I was very concerned with hand-holding as the logistics of the trip was very complex. I also wanted all gratuities taken care ahead of time as that can be uncomfortable. Who to tip, how much? We booked our own flights with Qatar business class and the Q Suites. The airline lives up to its reputation. We flew with a stopover in Doha, Qatar and experienced the number one air lounge in the world (Al Mourjan) which again more than lived up to its reputation.

Nick Safari Experience

We flew into Johannesburg and from there we were under the care of Susan. From there on, everything went on without a hitch. Meet and greets, automobile transfers, baggage handling, inter country flights, including bush flights and helicopter tours were smooth as could be. All gratuities were taken care of and I did not have to worry about that. The camps, food, activities and service at all the camps was spectacular. In Johannesburg, we stayed at the Saxon Hotel…..as did Nelson Mandela, Oprah and the Clintons. From there we flew to Sabi Sands Bush Lodge on the recommendation of Susan. Next was Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp and Chief’s Camp which I borrowed from Abercrombie.

Each camp had its own flavor in terms of location, geography, design and game drives. Each camp was luxurious in its own way. The wildlife, the food, the accommodations, the guides and trackers, the game drives…..all superb! We arrived home last night tired but thrilled with the experience. I cannot recommend Susan and Discover Africa highly enough. Susan delivered everything we asked for without ANY glitches and maintained daily contact with us throughout the trip. The only way this trip could have been better was if it were free :-). And having said that, I was happy to pay for it. Worth every penny…or Rand!

The lodges were excellent, with good food and great scheduling with lots of daily activities and amazing animal viewing. All transfers went smoothly. Okavanga lodge had amazing walking safaris. Moreno lodge had great safari drives. LarooLaTau had animals right off your deck and great drives as well.

Thanks to Discover Africa, I am addict to Africa. Every tour is excellent, the lodges, the guides, the hostess, make the tour as you are in Heaven. Nature, animals in complete freedom, and people is really something that touch your soul . Thank you Megan !!!!!!

Discover Africa safaris helped us create the best trip we have ever experienced. Adelle was very knowledgeable and provided suggestions that really made this trip exceptional. Every minute of each day was organized and taken care of and seamless. Highly recommend.

Diane du Plessis looked after us during each step of the process. She carefully listened to all our wishes, budget, timing and vacation style… and she delivered the perfect safari.

Victoria falls, Chobe national park, Okavango delta and Ntwetwe pan are amazing sites that we enjoyed fully thanks to the luxurious and tailor made experience for each hotel and safari service.

Diane ensured we had all the necessary info prior to departures. Her proactivity gave us a good peace of mind.

Thomas Safari Experience

I used to live in South Africa and knew where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. Planning this trip from afar was made SO MUCH EASIER with Matthys’s expertise! He brought the trip I was envisioning to life and was always quick to respond to my emails. Thank you Matthys and Discover Africa Safaris! We had a wonderful trip, everything went smoothly!

This was an excellent tour visiting South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, The staff everywhere were fantastic, the hotels were very good, all excursions hit the mark with a little bit of everything, from the magnificent Victoria Falls, land and river safaris in Botswana and the vibrant city of Cape Town. My tour operator Adelle Bell made sure everything ran smoothly from airport pick up to day trips. The only reason I did not give this tour 5 stars was the first hotel. This hotel is right in the city center and extremely noisy, however the food, staff and rooms made it bearable.

I found the agency “Discover Africa” through an Internet search and contacted it without really knowing where I was landing. We were late and had special requests. Susan, our agent, understood our requirements very well and worked to meet them. All her proposals were very well targeted. Very pleasant to have someone listening. Easy interaction, even at a distance, great availability. And this didn’t stop once the reservations were made. I’m thinking in particular of the follow-up for health and consular requirements.

On site, everything worked very well. Smooth, on-time transfers, attentive, very professional staff. We stayed at two lodges, in Kenya and Tanzania, for a total of 6 days. Two different experiences, two top experiences. Beautiful facilities, friendly, smiling staff, competent and attentive driver/guide. Two game drives per day, a lot of animals, small ones, big ones, thousands of pictures, lots of magical moments.
My siblings and I went on this safari to honour our recently deceased older brother. The response from the people was simply incredible in its warmth and humanity.

Yes, a safari isn’t cheap, but it’s an experience, a gift to yourself.

A memorable experience.

We had the pleasure to have Adelle on our side who helped us organizing what turned out to be an unforgetable trip. She really listened with passion and patience what we were looking at, and then she advised and mastered a ten days trip which was just perfect in all aspects: timing, transportation, sequence of spots, mindful selection of lodges etc. A truly great customer experience. Thank you so much Adelle, we will for sure come back to you.

We love Africa and safaris, and this year we decided to go on one in Kruger Park, not really knowing where to go. We turned to Discover Africa who recommended several game reserve, including Mala Mala, which we chose. We have never made a better choice. It was a beautiful experience that thrilled the whole family.

Susan Swanepoel organized the trip perfectly, from the reception at the airport to the departure, including the intermediate stop at Blyde Canyon and there Panorama Route. Helpful, quick, efficient Susan also accompanied us step by step during our stay and always answered any questions promptly. Payments for the trip were made without any problems. We recommend Discover Africa as a travel agency and Mala Mala as a destination for one of the most beautiful safaris you could wish for.