Wish-list moments in the wild: Discussing our customers’ Garden Route getaway
Get first-hand insight into the world of safari courtesy of our happy customers, Vivienne and David, who have just enjoyed an unforgettable animal-spotting escape.
From the natural beauty of the untamed bushveld to the thrills of wildlife-viewing game drives, there’s nothing quite like a safari getaway. While destinations across sub-Saharan Africa offer distinctive local fauna and excitement abound, South Africa tops the list for first-time safaris thanks to its accessibility and year-round availability of game.
One region which stands out in particular is the country’s south coast, the famed Garden Route, which promises a quintessential safari experience within easy reach of Cape Town and its surrounding Winelands. We’ve recently been fortunate enough to chat with two of our customers, Vivienne and David, who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on one of our safari tours. As newcomers to this magnificent destination, Vivienne and David told us all about their first impressions, what surprised them, and which moments truly stood out in their memories.
1. What first inspired you to choose a safari tour with Newmarket Holidays?
We chose Newmarket Holidays because the tour was just under a fortnight, which was ideal for us. It was also good value for money and had more safari game drives than other holidays of a similar cost and length.
2. Which safari tour did you go on?
Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safari
3. What were your first impressions when you arrived?
The lodges were lovely (just as we’d expected), and we could see elephants from the reception area!
4. Was there a particular moment, perhaps spotting an animal or watching the sunset, that really stayed with you?
We really enjoyed following the giraffes and then coming face-to-face with one as we headed back over the high plains to the lodge at twilight. Another memorable moment was watching (with trepidation) a hippo climb out of the water and a cheetah hunting with her cubs. After a morning’s chase, she managed to catch three springboks!
5. Did anything surprise you about the safari experience or the destination itself?
We didn’t realise that we were staying on a conservation game reserve, but we heard plenty about it on each game drive and were pleased that the region’s beautiful nature is still being protected.
6. How did your tour guide or driver enhance the adventure for you?
Our game reserve guide, Hannes, was amazing. He was the head guide, and his knowledge of and love for the animals was second to none! Our tour guide in the city was very interesting – very young and his views on the country, its past and present, were really interesting.
7. What was your favourite wildlife encounter or scenic view during the tour?
All our safari game drives were exciting, and the scenery and atmosphere under the light of dawn and dusk made them extremely memorable. We also loved the caves with our guide, who sang beautifully as we went, and the walk by the coast at Knsyna. The whale-watching at Hermanus was a particular highlight – the guide on board our boat was incredible and knew so much about the whales.
We enjoyed our stay in Stellenbosch, particularly having an evening to wander around and find our own dinner. Cape Town, too, was wonderful – we had great fun around the waterfront and on Table Mountain, and the drive to Chapman’s Peak was incredible.
8. Did you bond with any fellow travellers along the way?
We got on very well with all the travellers on our trip – many had travelled extensively on escorted tours previously, and we really benefited from their experience.
9. Were there any hidden highlights, places or moments you hadn’t expected?
We absolutely adored the safari and would have stayed there for a fortnight if possible. We also loved whale watching and Hermanus was a real hidden gem – the hotel was wonderful, too. We were treated very well and were given complimentary bottles of bubbly in many of the hotels because they were told it was our golden wedding anniversary!
10. Would you recommend this safari to others, and do you have plans to return or explore a different region of Africa next time?
I would recommend this holiday if you’re looking for great value for money, great safari experiences, and to see the Garden Route. If we went again, I’d like to go on safari in one of the biggest game reserves like Kruger National Park.
Set off on your own safari escape with Newmarket Holidays
Don your best khakis and join us for the journey of a lifetime through Africa’s wild bushveld. Our friendly holiday planners are on hand to help and, whether you’re ready to secure your spot or simply want to talk through your options. You can also find further details on each wish-list animal-spotting itinerary by visiting our dedicated safari page, or check out our full range of worldwide destinations. If you’ve not been on safari before, why not check out our handy first-timers’ guide to safari?
