The all too familiar refrain of “I don’t write reviews,” although its true, I wanted to leave a review since I felt like I was going blind on this one without any previous traveler guidance.
The whole experience was excellent, from the scheduled pick up from the hotel in Cape Town, drive down, arrival, stay - just everything. The staff was incredibly welcoming, the food was good, the prices for the extras (like wine) were reasonable.
I don’t know if the agenda changes, but ours was: Pick up at 7 am, arrive around 1130 am to coffee/tea/cookies, check in about 1200, lunch at 100 (buffet style), and first safari at 500 pm. Dinner was ready when we came back. Dinner was a sit down dinner with three course (we got to pick between beef and fish for main courses).
The next day, coffee/tea/cookies started at 630 am, and the second safari started at 700, and breakfast was ready when we came back (about 930, also buffet). Check out was 1030, but it was colder than expected and our room wasn’t needed immediately so they let us hold on to it, kindly. There was more lounging and we had lunch (buffet) at 100 pm and headed back to Cape Town 200 pm. We didn’t make it back to Cape Town till after 5 because of accidents along the route.
The lodging was down right decadent in the luxury chalet. The chalets had a beautiful view of the open space outside, comfortable beds, and private bathroom. We were told not to drink the water and bottle water in the rooms were provided for free. We went in spring in South Africa, and it was colder than I packed for (mostly because of the wind), but it was still a great experience.
I can’t say enough time how nice, welcoming, and helpful the staff was. From the woman that brought us to our room to the ranger during the safaris. Everything was wonderful.
As for the “Big 5” I didn’t go in with trying see these in mind so afterward only later learned that leopard was one, and no we didn’t see that. But we did see cheetahs (including seeing their rehab program), elephants, rhinos, lions, hippos, giraffes, water buffalo... and more honestly. The ranger did a great job of giving information and answering questions - plus trying to get the vehicle in the best spot for photographs.
Personally, we had tried to find safaris outside Cape Town and only found incredibly pricey options and I’m so glad we found this. It was everything we could have asked for and more.
We traveled as a couple, and there were plenty of those (young and older), but also families with children who looked to be having a good time from my vantage point.
Would recommend this experience to anyone.