Travel Review: Africa Safari, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Winelands, Photography, History

Following discussions about our perceived goals for visiting safari camps to observe and photograph wildlife in their complete natural state, our safari travel company assisted us with recommendations for camps at three different locations and wildlife environment in Botswana.  We also visited Victoria Falls and Cape Town. Our safari travel company prepared a detailed plan for the entire trip that included personalized assistance each step along way.  We were accompanied by expert guides at each step along the way, and given amazing attention and information that added so much to the meaning and value of this experience.  Each air flight was smooth and comfortable, and the bush pilots were professional, personable and very informative.  Each safari camp felt more amazing than the others.  All were extremely comfortable, and the food and all services were beyond expectation.  At each airstrip prior to visiting a new camp, we were met by the guide who stayed and worked with us during the entire visit, including driving us on morning and afternoon and other special safari drives, joining us at all meals, and transporting us back and forth from the nearby airstrip.  Before we embarked on this trip, we were told that the guides "make the trip", and that information was 100% correct.  Each of our three safari guides, and our guides at Victoria Falls and Camp Town were just amazing, and so knowledgeable and generous with their information sharing.  There were many fun surprises along the way at each safari camp, which added to the memories of this trip.  We were thrilled with the vast "feast" of animals and birds that we observed and were able to photograph at varying ranges.  The entire trip played out like clockwork, and we were more than 100% pleased and satisfied with the work of the entire travel company team.  One more point...  While we usually do not take out the insurance covering us for trip and itinerary changes, this time we did.  And after our wonderful safari experiences and before our last stop in Cape Town, we were given some bad news about a family member back home that was having serious medical issues.  As a result, we needed to cut our time in Cape Town and the Winelands short by a few days.  The travel team jumped into action and almost instantly rearranged our travel schedule home, and streamlined the time that we had in the Cape Town area so that we could see almost all of what was originally planned.  They'll be helping us to obtain refunds where appropriate for missed hotels and other services, and an insurance claim if needed.  Overall, we were extremely pleased with the entire experience that was developed and managed by this company.  We are already discussing a plan for another Africa trip next year with this safari travel company, visiting other environments and countries, and observing different animals and birds in their natural environments.