Looking for advice for Safaris in South and West Africa

[artbcpa]

We will be cruising to South & West Africa and are looking for recommendations for Safari companies to take us on a photographic (not hunting) Safari. Our cruise will be stopping at numerous ports, including Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Namibia, Angola, Sao Tom e-Principe, Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco. While the ship does offer excursions, our experience has been that often we can find better (and less expensive) excursions on our own.

 

If anyone has experience with a specific tour company and can recommend them, we would be interested in speaking with them (or you). We are also open to other kinds of excursions (other than Safaris) from any of these ports.

 

NOTE: Remember that cruise critic does not permit recommendations if you have not actually used the tour company yourself.

[gillsjottings]

Tala Game Reserve is a lovely small game reserve fairly close to Durban. Have a look at their website here, perhaps you could contact them directly and organise a safari.

[artbcpa]

Tala Game Reserve is a lovely small game reserve fairly close to Durban. Have a look at their website here, perhaps you could contact them directly and organise a safari.

 

Thank you.

 

Art & Ellie

[Laylam]

We will be cruising to South & West Africa and are looking for recommendations for Safari companies to take us on a photographic (not hunting) Safari. Our cruise will be stopping at numerous ports, including Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Namibia, Angola, Sao Tom e-Principe, Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco. While the ship does offer excursions, our experience has been that often we can find better (and less expensive) excursions on our own.

 

If anyone has experience with a specific tour company and can recommend them, we would be interested in speaking with them (or you). We are also open to other kinds of excursions (other than Safaris) from any of these ports.

 

NOTE: Remember that cruise critic does not permit recommendations if you have not actually used the tour company yourself.

We have used 'Street Scene Tours' in Durban, & 'Cape Convoy Tours' in Cape Town, both were excellent. Each has their own website. We chose them because of their high ratings on Trip Advisor and we were not disappointed.

[houtbay]

We will be cruising to South & West Africa and are looking for recommendations for Safari companies to take us on a photographic (not hunting) Safari. Our cruise will be stopping at numerous ports, including Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Namibia, Angola, Sao Tom e-Principe, Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco. While the ship does offer excursions, our experience has been that often we can find better (and less expensive) excursions on our own.

 

If anyone has experience with a specific tour company and can recommend them, we would be interested in speaking with them (or you). We are also open to other kinds of excursions (other than Safaris) from any of these ports.

 

NOTE: Remember that cruise critic does not permit recommendations if you have not actually used the tour company yourself.

 

Durban take a tour to Valley of 1000 hills. Great scenery.

Port Elizabeth go to Addo Elephant Park.

If you stop in Walvis Bay Namibia take a tour to Sandwich Harbour. Wonderful drive over huge dunes and amazing. We used Ati holidays through infotour-africa.com. I do not remember our guides name but he was wonderful.

Hilton Ross do many tours in Cape Town.

[Aussie Gal]

We had the best guide in Walvis Bay when we took a tour to Sandwich Harbour in 2010. We used Herman Neethling and he gave us all a wonderful adventure over the sand dunes. We ended up with 30 of us from our Roll Call. He can be found at http://www.photoventures-namibia.com/ I have recommended him to loads of Cruise Critic members and they have all enjoyed their time with him.

 

Jennie

[cccole]

We used crossco air safaris, http://www.airsafaris.co.za. Our pilot/guide was Izzy and was absolutely fabulous. I spent many hours/months with them planning the specific lodges we would visit and never felt like I was being a bother. Because they have their own pilots and planes it is possible to arrange the itinerary to your schedule and preferences. It is not cheap but was an absolutely fabulous experience. Cherie

[travellovers]

What cruise line are you going on. This itinerary sounds great

[artbcpa]

What cruise line are you going on. This itinerary sounds great

 

We are traveling on Crystal Cruises (Serenity).

 

Thank you all for your input. FYI, we made reservations at Kruger National Park (Rattray's Camp) through Premier Tours.

[cccole]

You made a good choice for a comfortable experience. We stayed in Sable Camp in a two bedroom suite and it was very nice. It will be a very enjoyable experience. Cherie

[keefh]

My wife and I are on the same cruise - Crystal 4305 and 4306. We have also been looking for advice about safaris etc., so this is helpful.

[Keith1010]

After a lot of careful thought we booked the safari with Crystal Cruises.

 

Keith

[keefh]

After a lot of careful thought we booked the safari with Crystal Cruises.

 

Keith

 

Keith: Which Crystal excursions did you book?