Travel Review: South Africa Safari, Thornybush Game Reserve, Cape Town, Local Culture & Cuisine

The memorable parts of the trip were the safari's,  lodge's, and tours.  

The safari's we wear able to see the Big Five including a leopard (six) in their natural habitat and you can't get that in a zoo. The only animal we did not get to see was a cheetah (seven).  Grant our Ranger at Thornybush Game Reserve was so considerate.  We had several cold safari mornings and he had blankets and heated rubber water bottles covered in fleece to keep our hands warm. Our Ranger in Simabambili, is so knowledgable about the animals environment.  I am a changed person when I left South Africa because of the knowledge our ranger shared.  

The lodges offered luxurious amenities, excellent customer service, friendly staff, and organized. I did not wan to leave any of the lodges.  Luxury amenities to our rooms included a personal pool on the balcony over looking the watering hole of the animals and a personal out door shower.  The staff are organized.  There is always something to do. Time is not wasted thinking what to do.  The staff listened to our concerns and they made the appropriate changes and our schedule was not compromised.  

The tours in Cape Town were excellent.  We had several drivers /guides and all drivers/guides were prompt, had excellent time management, very knowledgable, courteous, and considerate.  What made the tours even better was that our tour was private and we did not expect a private tour.  The tour became intimate and comfortable.