Recent Client Comments

Jennie & Ivor Orchard

Published by on 20 July 2008

In addition to all the great accommodation choices, we were very happy with all the travel arrangements you made for us. Everything went very smoothly, which was no mean feat given the number of moves and the number of people involved.

Thank you for all your care and attention to detail. You did a wonderful job and we will be happy to recommend your company whenever we hear of friends travelling to SA. And we hope to be back again before long.

All the best, Jennie and Ivor

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Mrs C Christon & Mrs T Currie, North Yorkshire

Published by on 09 October 2008

Very satisfied - all very professional + no queries were too much.

All the accommodation was of a very high standard with excellent level of personal service. Each hotel had it's own "uniqueness" and that added to the excitement and enjoyment of the holiday.

Thank you Cedarberg especially Peter for this wonderful holiday that we will never forget!

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Mei Ling & Tzy Peng

Published by on 29 October 2008

All in all, we had a marvelous & memorable South African holiday and
many friends have seen our photos and been impressed.
Thanks Mari & Cedarberg Travel, for helping us plan this fantastic vacation!
Best Regards,

Mei Ling & Tzy Peng

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The Kumaria’s in South Africa

Published by on 12 November 2008

Just returned to cold UK and wanted to thank you and all at Cedarberg Travel for another wonderful South African holiday.
This year we persuaded friends Annie and Philip Watson to join us and they had a great time. All their fears (which I am sorry to say are prevalent in UK) about driving in South Africa and visiting some areas were allayed.

The itinerary you planned for us worked almost 100% (the only glitch being the Nationwide flight out of Nelspruit to connect with our return UK flight, but we made the connection thanks to South African Airways).
Looking back I am sure we did the right thing keeping the Watsons with us for the first few days so they could see how relaxed we were and how good the roads and the driving is there in South Africa.

We visited Kenton on Sea in the Eastern Cape and on the way stopped for coffee by chance driving through Alexandria at the home of Maureen Quinn the Sculptress. We had a tour by her of her stunning work and fresh cold lemonade and cookies in her garden. I have since taken to stopping at small signs that offer coffee and tea, you meet such great people. By the time we came to go our separate ways the Watsons were very confident and have some lovely photos and memories of their stopovers all the way to Cape Town.

Andy and I enjoyed the route we took up to the Drakensberg and Zulu Battlefields. As usual we followed your notes closely and found them very useful. For the record we really loved the Sani Valley Lodge and can see ourselves going back there for lots of reasons.
The solitude, the luxury of having our 'own place', the way it was organised, our 'cook' did us a big breakfast first day, which was lovely, but for the other 2 mornings we did our own thing with what she delivered. It was just great to have the freedom. She cooked all our dinners, which were not haute cuisine, but were tasty and well prepared and very welcome after a day out in the Drakensburg Mountain air. The Sani Lodge manager warrants a special mention, he seemed a little reserved at first but when we told him we were interested in birds he offered to take us out to see what was around the lake. We had a wonderful afternoon with him, learned a lot and he was a real pleasure. Although we offered to pay he wouldn't hear of it! For the rest of the holiday we were alert to everything with wings!
And we saw some lovely birds in Kruger Park, by which time we were acting like experts because we had our own South African Bird Book.

We would love to see more of the Drakensberg area and have more time for the museum at Dundee which you recommended. Unfortunately it was rather too far from Sani Lodge to lsandwanda and we only arrived at Dundee around 3:30. The museum closed at 4:30. You could easily spend a day there at Talana Museum.
Missed out Sani Pass and Lesotho. There may be a Freudian reason for that! We felt the trip up the Pass and the 'visit' to Lesotho was definitely a ‘been there got the T-shirt “job, never again!
Back on the road. We stopped in Eshowe and had a delightful visit. Found a community coffee shop that welcomed us with homemade feta, red pepper and ham muffins and gave us an interesting insight into the local white community. They directed us to the Craft museum at the "Fort" which is really a Police Station. The pottery and basket weaving were beautiful and for sale! When I saw them at Johannesburg Airport for 4 times the price I wished we had had more room.
The Boathouse in Durban was good though it was so hot we just laid by the pool the first day! The restaurant staff were Indian and intrigued with Andy, who was born in Kenya. They asked us if we liked curry and suggested their Indian chef cook us something special! We were the envy of the place when the prawn curry emerged; the chef came to see that all was served properly and to our liking. We felt really spoiled!

The following day we found in Groutville, again by chance, a lovely little modern museum to Albert Luthuli. It is in his house and very well laid out with recorded speeches as you move round the rooms. The Assistant Curator was delightful and made us most welcome. For anyone interested in political history it is a must.
I could go on forever!!
All our accommodation was excellent, Woodall Country House remains a great favourite but the best food we had was in Port Elizabeth at La Provence. The young female chef there was very under confident and came out to check every meal, she needn't have worried her dishes were the best we have had anywhere and we have written to tell her so.

Thank you for the upgrade there a lovely room. And also thank you for the meal at Woodall, that too was a very kind touch. On food still, The Edge Mountain retreat tried hard and came third in our list (mainly because of the baskets of freshly picked blackberries and the game meats they cooked). The accommodation was fine though not as nice as Hog Island which has now been sold and seems to be a private house now.
All the best and a thousand thank you’s. I left your large brochure in a prominent place at the Boathouse!

Regards,

The Kumaria’s

P.S: Missed out Kirkmans Kamp, how could I?! It was very good, not a good as Djuma Bush Lodge but then Andy reminded me it wasn't in the same price bracket!! You get awfully picky when the places you can stay are all of such good quality with such welcoming and friendly service!! They had some lovely touches like champagne buckets in the trees and breakfast on safari!! What can I say. Saw leopards mating...apparently very rare!

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Bill & Velia Glessing South African Trip

Published by on 17 June 2008

Velia and I would like to thank you for all of the arrangements etc. that you made for us in our recent beautiful trip to South Africa through Cedarberg Travel. Without exception everything functioned perfectly, well done! It really was a fantastic trip for us, much more than a simple holiday, more of an education!

The parks were splendid, friendly, well run and with a sense of being far away from the (European) everyday world. Already by the end of the first afternoon we had seen more exiting animals than we had thought possible. Perhaps the animals in the Kruger National Park and its surrounding parks do see too many Land-Rovers but they certainly made a big impression on us. If one has not seen African wildlife before I think that it was an ideal introduction to the country. We were also impressed by the passion for their subject shown by the rangers Brett in Lion Sands River Lodge and Brendon and Andrea in Tanda Tula Safari Camp. The two parks were very complimentary in that Lion Sands had many different animals but in small numbers (including a dozen wild dogs and a caracal that we were lucky enough to see) while Tanda Tula had big herds of elephant and especially buffalo (about 1000 in a single herd AND with the lions following along behind, we even saw a charge by three lions! Don’t know if they got anything because it wasn’t possible to keep up and we were leaving the same afternoon so we didn’t go looking for the vultures circling over a kill in the evening).
Cape Town was also marvellous, here nature was also very impressive aided by, especially, the Steenberg Hotel which is really quite exquisite and would be difficult to beat anywhere.
You know all of the above anyway but thanks again for your help,

Bill Glessing

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Mrs Maureen Pierre

Published by on 06 September 2008

I am safely back in NZ on a cold wet day and thinking of the sun of Africa! Just a short note to say thank you for your efforts on my behalf organising the wonderful flower tour for me. I loved every minute - I enjoyed the company with Ann and Noella and all the sights we saw and experiences we had. I will carry the happy memories with me forever. I have already recommended your company to my travel agent so maybe you will have more New Zealanders contacting you.

The itinerary was great although I think maybe we could have gone straight to Springbok the first day and come back slowly from there rather than breaking that long leg into 2 days. But I loved seeing the bushman art and Bird Island and of course the wonderful flowers and scenery, and the great accommodation and meals.

I really appreciated the way everything was included in the tour cost - no extra for this and extra for that!!

The best tour I have been on! If I get the chance to come to Africa again your company will be my first port of call.

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Mr J Stather, Newbury

Published by on 24 November 2008

Overall we have been very considerably impressed with the excellent service we have received from Cedarberg African Travel on the two trips to South Africa organized for us this year and last. Everything has worked extremely well and the accommodation provided has been of a very high standard. In particular, the personal attention and hospitality afforded to us in the various guest houses was exceptional and ensured that we made very good use of our time at each venue. We have enjoyed visiting South Africa immensely and look forward to returning again.

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Mr K Steinbach, Tatenhill

Published by on 23 October 2008

Knew what to expect. No surprises! I regard Kafunta as the "best value for money lodge" in Luangwa Valley.

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Caroline Cook's Cederberg Experience

Published by on 07 January 2009

Hi Michelle

Just wanted to say thank you so much for putting together a great itinerary of places to stay and things to do for our recent trip to the Cedarberg. We had an absolutely fantastic time.

Thank you again and best wishes for 2009!

Caroline Cook

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Mr & Mrs Cook Self drive/ 4x4 holiday review

Published by on 17 June 2008

Mr & Mrs Cook Travelled in the Cedergberg region. There accommodation varied from The Baths in Citrusdal, Karukareb Guest House in Clanwilliam, Mrs Solomon’s Guest House and Mount Cedar in the Cederberg Mountains.

They found the hot but loved the idea of being able to get away from it all. They had a self drive/4x 4 holidays, with some days having to drive quite a bit but yet giving them the opportunity to see so much more.

“An excellent holiday and an excellent itinerary! A really good mix of accommodation. We were quite surprised by Mrs Solomon’s Guest House (Nossies Guest House), however had an amazing time & experience there.

Thank you for a great holiday.

Mr & Mrs Cook

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Mr & Mrs Scheublé coastal and mountain holiday review

Published by on 17 June 2008

Mr & Mrs Scheublé travelled along the West Coast, to Clanwilliam and to the winelands.

Their accommodation included Oystercathcer Lodge, Avondrust Guest House and Oyster Catcher Haven. Klein Boschkloof Chalets and onto Oak Village.

The variation of Coastal and mountain characteristics appealed to them, planning to stay in different places was the idea so they enjoyed the variation of what was offered but agreed that more time would definitely be used and appreciated!!!

“A great variation offered. Generally the operators were friendly and helpful. I am grateful for your help Michelle and the faultless arrangements”.

Regards
David & Kathy.

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Donkey Car Rides and Heunigvlei hike

Published by on 12 March 2009

Hallo Michelle

We had a wonderful day walking to Heuningvlei even though it was hot. The ladies had our lunch all ready and this was delicious, we wandered around looking at the village and had a long conversation with a couple of men who spoke good english.

Our ride back to the pakhuis Pass on the Donkey Cart was good but this is where we had a problem as our driver did not speak any english, so communication was zero whilst we were on the cart. We are aware that the drivers take turns but perhaps teaching them would be a good suggestion.

Yet we did enjoy the Donkey cart trip very much and it was something we have wanted to do for a while in the Cederberg area.

We did have a laugh at the satellite dishes on some of the houses but pleased that the locals in the Cederberg have a link to the outside world.

Thank you for arranging the hiking trip in the Cederberg.

Best wishes

Sussie Kay

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Gerald & Janell Rideaux South African Holiday

Published by on 08 April 2009

Mari,

Janell and I returned to Doha on the morning of 6 April after 2 weeks and 2 days of enjoying your beautiful / wonderful country of South Africa. Every stop presented something new and equally wonderful. The vistas were / are fantastic and the people are even more fantastic.

We say thank you for working with us, for your recommendations, your coordination and your follow-up, which ensured that our South African experience is one that we will always remember. Janell's greatest memory will be of the champagne breakfast in the bush at Ngala Tented Camp on her birthday. Right now at this moment I still have too many favorites. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gerald Rideaux

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Mr P & Mrs M Cotton, Dorset

Published by on 11 December 2008

Thank you very much for our best ever holiday. Miranda Cotton.

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Tony Tsai review of his Namibian Vacation

Published by on 15 May 2009

Hi Mari,

This trip is the BEST I have yet in my entire life and I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it. Well done with all the arrangements!

I have not had a single doubt at any point in the trip to Namibia where I should go and when. Everything seem to just play itself out flawlessly and I got my wake up calls when I should have it, car transfer when there should be one, flight to different location as planned, and fed superb meals at regular intervals. Just fantastic.

Let me summarize:

Ate in Joe’s Beerhouse .. had the largest “Game Knuckle” the size of my forearm.

Very pretty pilot Christine, with a smooth air transfer to Kulala Desert Lodge. Luc and Lisa did just as good of job then I realize it is common to see a woman pilot there… I didn’t believe at first Christine is a pilot (with her pink seat cushion)!

Jonathan at Kulala was wonderful, as well as the guide Nanguel. Jonathan picked us up at the airstrip and I didn’t even realize our driver is the manager of the camp ;-) Nanguel took us up Dune 45 and Big Mama, carried our water bottles to lighten our load for the climb, watched the sunrise from top, and took pictures of us “swim” down the side of the sand dune. What a guy!!!

Stayed mostly awake the whole night at Ongava Tented Camp because a pride of lions was right outside of our tent making ridiculous noise the whole night. Amazing experience. I had my camera strapped to my arm while I was asleep.

Having 1:1 dinner with Winnie is great but having dinner with all the guests AND the STAFF at the same table is just such a special experience I had never experienced before and I’ll never forget. To hear the staffs telling stories about things happened in camp, and introduce dinner menu with local language … best experience there isl!!
By the way, every sundowner drive was great with smashing sunsets and drinks!

In Little Ongava, we had walking safaris and hang out in the hide twice. Again, our very first ever!
Anthony the manager at Little Ongava is just such a good guy and told us about his experiences at the camps. We connected and made good friends with the guests there (in fact, one of the couple almost mirrored our itinerary and we were practically seeing each other from Windhoek, Sossouvlei to Etosha!) and had a delicious group BBQ dinner together.

Last but not the least, Winnie LOVED Little Ongava. Of course I am proud to have planned that highlight in the end and take all the credits *blush*. She used the pool, in door tub, out door shower, and the day bed whenever she had the opportunity. It’s very exclusive and hundred times more impressive then the few pictures of Little Ongava I can find on the internet!!! My jaw dropped when first walked in the suite …

I am sure I missed many many details of our Namibian vacation but hopefully I have captured the rest in my photos and I’ll share them with you once they are ready. I can’t thank you enough Mari for making this trip possible for me. Everything happened so smoothly and naturally and I am totally impressed with how little effort from my side is required so that I can focus my entire energy on having fun!

THANK YOU!

Tony.