Spectacular South Africa Culture & Nature in Harmony

11/29/2019

The jam packed fast moving South African Tour!

Service

The tour was South Africa splendor. So Collette catered exactly that. We had a group of 33 comprising of 15 Americans and 18 Canadians. Hats off to Ian Pletzer, the tour group manager/guide, who was able to cater to the needs of 33 personalities and to have kept to the script. Kudos to Ian to have kept his cool. Kruger National Park could have been a two day safari, with a hotel closer to the Park. The food was good though. You may reduce the stay at Knysner by a day and increase the day at Kruger. The visit to the Collette Foundation to the under privileged children was an eye opener; but was it necessary. Collette should allocate more funds from their profits to this project. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, which was an extension, had so much to offer, including the lion walk, feeding the elephants and of course the experiencing the falls itself. The Victoria Hotel had its old colonial charm and the history of exploitation by the British!!! The meal with the locals should be scrapped, which is a sad experience, even though the locals were happy to host us. Finally, Collette did an excellent job of organizing the tour, including the pre-tour communication and booklet which detailed the trip very well.
Tour

A well organized tour of So Africa, with a knowledgeable tour Manager/Guide Ian Pletzer. My wife liked the experience of the Table Top mountain; but I liked the Kruger National Park safari, which could have been a two day safari. We both liked Victoria Falls and walking with the lions, an extended tour of Zimbabwe.

11/28/2019

We saw agriculture that I had no idea was there- large fields with combines

Service

Yes there was a lot to see
Tour

Soweto and apartheid museum

11/21/2019

Service

Poor quality of two vans that we were in for 8-10 hours a day. Too many lunches and dinners on our own. Many of us travel solo, and that is an added awkward time. Plus it is cheap on your end. Also cheap on your side that one beer or wine per meal wasn’t included. Guide Rahima was nice, but lacked enthusiasm and background cultural conversational topics that we want from a South African. Want to know what daily topics are. The add on tour of Victoria Falls was superb in every aspect. This is my 3rd trip with Collete. You are in a competitive business and need to up your game. Others on the tour who had used you before felt the same way.
Tour

The full day along and one the Chobe River.

Thank you for traveling with Collette on our Spectacular South Africa tour. We're sorry to hear you were disappointed with your experience on tour. A member of the Guest Relations Team will be reaching out to discuss your feedback.

Collette Support

11/21/2019

I was an educational experience of African culture and history

Service

I was very pleased with the pre and post tour transfers. I was not happy with any of the flight arrangements. I would like choices. I would have enjoyed staying in the Kruger game preserve. It would have reduced travel time and extended the “game drive” experience.
Tour

The game drive in Kruger Preserve. Going to Cape of Good Hope was another fantastic experience.

Thank you for traveling with Collette on our Spectacular South Africa tour. We're sorry to hear you were not happy with the flight arrangements. Your feedback will be reviewed by our Air team so that the overall touring experience for our guests can be improved.

Collette Support

11/17/2019

Service

Everything was handled quickly and accurately the first time.
Tour

The school visit in Knysna, Kruger National Park, the elephant walk, and the time spent in Cape Town were my favorites.

11/17/2019

Service

Everything was done well and I would definitely recommend them.
Tour

Kruger National Park, the Knysna school visit, and the elephant walk were my favorites.

11/07/2019

Put first on Bucket List

Service

The best ever.
Tour

The South African people were to be admired. There manners and desires to learn should be an example for our country. Going to the school rooms should not be missed. Chobe National Park was incredible. Being able to get close to the snimals by a superb driver was essential.

10/23/2019

This trip was one of my best. South Africa was a great learning experience.

Service

I will, and did recommend Collette travel to friends. Overall, this was an amazing trip.
Tour

Everything went as expected.

10/17/2019

Service

Collette provides excellent service , the guides were knowledgeable and very accommodating. The itinerary was well thought out
Tour

The tour provided a great variety. The safaris were memorable. Our stay at the Victoria Falls hotel was a wonderful way to end our vacation

09/29/2019

Service

Our guide, Johnathan Mullen, gets an A+. Itinerary is an A. Bus and drivers an A. Food included was an A. Air flights an A. Hotels an A except the Casa do Sol which has poor internet connections, otherwise ok.
Tour

Great local guide in Kruger Park.

09/05/2019

Service

Tout was very organized, tour leader extremely knowledgeable about areas visited and historical facts of region. Motor coach drivers were very helpful and courteous. Pace of tour was just right. Plenty of included meals to get a taste of local cuisine.
Tour

Dinner with local host and visiting penguins on beach were great. Visits to Apartheid museum was an eye opener to the the deplorable treatment the native South Africans had to endure and the uprising for change.

05/23/2019

Service

When we called we got feedback right away.
Tour

One of our best trips. A tripod a lifetime.

05/05/2019

Service

l assure us that everything was taken care of and that we did not have towoery about anything, no confusion and things were done so professional.
Tour

I was so impressed of the country and it was more than i expected. Thank you for the memories..

04/29/2019

Service

Documents came on time and were accurate, trip was well timed, informative and really well organized
Tour

enjoyed every moment and each different experianece

04/28/2019

Would recommend for more "medium" type clients.

Service

The hotel's could have been a solid 4 star. First property the hallways were painted totally black and the room was dark also. Had cold water during the stay also. 2nd hotel was a fair drive from National Park but was nice except for the 2nd night when they had toilet/water issues and then they moved us to a room that was filled with lots of black mould in the bathroom. Also expected the tour guide to give more information while touring.
Tour

Highlight by fair was Kruger National park experience.

Thank you very much for your feedback. We would very much like to have any more details you can provide. We will contact you by email.

Collette Support

03/15/2019

Service

Dissemination of information via booklet and handouts was very helpful to keep track of hotels, tours etc. and used as a souvenir collection The tours in Dubai and South Africa were excellent. Had a great time!!
Tour

The tour was excellent. The most memorable experience was the farewell dinner at the Gold Opulent African Cuisine Restaurant and the children at the Bonga Ni Pre- School. Also, the Safari was great. Jonathan the tour manager was excellent. Jonathan is very passionate about his job and very personable. He gave us excellent information on the geo-political aspect of South Africa. The drivers of the buses were excellent...I felt very safe with them. Please use the new buses with phone chargers...helpful so we can charge our phones and not miss out on beautiful pictures. The optional Theisen Island experience was a rip-off. What was advertised by Collette was not what we experienced. US$65 for burgers that we waited forever for and did not make. We could have gotten a nice dinner at one of the local restaurants for less than US$20. A few people ended up ordering their own food which came faster than the burgers. * I was torn between rating the tour as excellent and good because of the Theisen Island experience. But one bad experience should not dampen the other excellent parts of the tour. Please include Robbens Island in tour package. Thank you!

03/14/2019

Service

Some tours were not that interesting. They felt incomplete. Winery less interesting. Theesen Islands Experience was was waste. $65 to sit and drink 3 tasteless beers and a hamburger.
Tour

I stated already . Some of the tours were not up to standard.

Thank you for traveling with Collette to South Africa. Your feedback will be reviewed by the Product Design Team in order to improve the overall touring experience for our guests.

Collette Support

03/07/2019

Wonderful trip

Service

An amazing trip to South Africa, Victoria Falls Amadeus Chobe ioanl Park in Botswana! A great taste of all the countries in one trip!
Tour

Kruger safari drive we saw the Big 5 in the morning! Chile and ALL THE ELEPHANTS!

02/14/2019

Service

This was our first holiday with Collette. From the outset we were very impressed, everything on this holiday was fantastic, the hotels were brilliant and our tour guides were second to none
Tour

Every part of this holiday was fantastic. My two favourite experiences were the Kruger National Park. Where we were lucky enough to see the leopard . Also the trip to the top of table mountain.

02/14/2019

They contributed much to a wonderful trip.

Service

Jay and Jennifer are a great team, Informative and organized. Booklets with all info related to the trip were priceless.
Tour

Overall tour was good. Animal reserve was awesome, would have liked 2 days. A full day of Mendella history was a bit much. Interesting but not a full day. Table Top Mtn was a good experience as well.

02/14/2019

The best trip ever.

Service

Jay and Jennifer were very organized and informative. Loved the booklet we were given with all the information we would need on this trip. Telephone numbers for family in case of emergency was priceless.
Tour

Reserve was great. Wish it was 2 days instead of one. Table Top Mountain was also interesting. Tour guide Jason was the best. Feel he added so much to having a great experience.

02/01/2019

Service

Once we got to Johannesburg and met with Jason (our tour guide) everything was exceptional. Jason did a wonderful job and we were very pleased with everything he did. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Tour

Kruger National Park was exceptional. Dining with a local family was also wonderful.

01/23/2019

The most amazing trip ever!

Service

Our tour guide was awesome,she was very knowledgeable and personable with all of us.I have not stopped talking about my trip since returning from this wonderful vacation
Tour

Kruger park game ride was amazing

01/18/2019

Service

Your package was great. Accommodations, tours and tour guide were all Fantastic. This was my second trip with Collette, I would use them again.
Tour

Table mountain was my favorite. I would have liked to see more of the townships

01/07/2019

You have excellent people working for you, for which I Thank You

Service

Your agents want so out of their way to support me after I took a horrific fall @ our hotel in Johannesburg. Andrea, Gary & Linda took me under their wings throughout the rest of my journey.
Tour

Tour was over the top,the whole of Africa was awesome,enjoyed Kruger National Park Number one on my list,Table mountain, Ostrich farms. Over all great job.

01/04/2019

Be sure you know what you are not getting on your tour

Service

I felt that the information from the tour guide was misleading and didn't paint a truism of the people in South Africa. The information about the country was well presented and interesting but some of the places wasn't spared. I felt that I didn't get to experience some keys tour stops. I also believed that the your guide tried to but fear into us about location and people at the hotels. I felt the time was wasted on certain stops that prevented us for seeing all of the places that Collette put in the brochure and no mentioned of being conversated for the changes.
Tour

There were many and I am glad that I went to the South Africa.

Thank you for traveling with Collette to South Africa. A member of the Guest Relations Team will be reaching out to discuss your feedback

Collette Support

01/04/2019

Sub par

Service

Some hotels sub par. One totally unexceptable. The tour guide was knowledgeable but hard to understand. We made our own flight arrangements but the ones made by Collette were torturous. Basically I don’t know why I would even rare you 3/5
Tour

For the price, very underwhelmed

01/04/2019

Great Country, Great Tour

Service

The tour was action packed and fit as many events and locations as possible into the available time. Our guide was knowledgeable and provided a great deal of interesting information.
Tour

Kruger was the highlight, the beautiful scenery was a close second

10/19/2018

Service

The tour manager in So. Africa was wonderful and very knowledgeable. She made us aware of many of the African ways that are so different from Western cultures. There was a big disconnect between the brochure provided by Collette and what we did and the customs. In the book in several place gratuity was included yet we asked to give again anyway. This is not good for future trips. It should be made clear that extra tipping and side tours are to be expected and to have adequate local currency available before leaving home. Even though we prepaid for transportation from Johannesburg to our Sandton, there was no one to pick us up. We tried to call but there was no answer and even the information desk at airport tried to help us. This was not a good start to an already long flight.
Tour

Kruger National Park and the visit to a preschool were two of my most memorable experiences.

Thank you for traveling with Collette to South Africa. A member of the Guest Relations Team will reach out to discuss your feedback.

Collette Support

10/15/2018

Service

Poor organization and arrangments were not as advertised.
Tour

Very misleading of accomodations. Some were so filthy dirty and not as expected! We complained but obvisouly no one cares.

Thank you for contacting us again in regards to your trip to South Africa. We are processing refunds based on your written concerns.

Collette Support

10/01/2018

An experience of a lifetime!

Service

I would definitely go on another Collette Tour. The Spectacular South Africa Tour was beyond my expectations! The tour included many & varied experiences. I was given a pamphlet of very useful information before our tour started. It was invaluable. Our tour included knowledgeable and interesting guides.
Tour

The tour was fantastic! It provided numerous & varied experiences. The highlight was the animal safari in Kruger National Park. It was incredible to see the wild animals up close in their natural habitat. This was truly a trip of a lifetime!

09/18/2018

Great Trip! On the go everyday with so much to do and see.

Service

The South Africa experience along with the extension to Dubai was fantastic! The tour guide in South Africa was very knowledgeable and the areas visited were amazing.
Tour

Dubai, Cape Town, Knysna, Soweto, Kruger Park. The safari was amazing and going to Table Mountain was great. Robben Island was an self booked tour but should be on the itinerary.

04/08/2018

Service

Excellent service, trip went like clockwork from home pick up to drop off.
Tour

Very full itinerary but saw so much. Starting in Johannesburg with Soweto, Nelson Mandela house and Apartheid museum, moving on to Kruger where wildlife was amazing. Garden route, Stellenbosch, Cape Town..... this really was Spectacular South Africa. Optional add-on trip to Victoria Falls well worth it.

12/01/2017

Service

Better pre-trip communication, final documents not sent until last minutes.
Tour

The trip was incredible but I feel there are a few areas that could benefit from changes: 1. Our tour manager for the South Africa portion needs to work on his communication style. There was lots of confusion on times to be places, causing us to be late and rushed sometimes. 2. We spent too much time on the bus that probably could have been avoided. For example, the driving component of the tour of Soweto could have been significantly reduced. Felt like we were driving in circles just to kill time. While I imagine it would have increased our cost, instead of driving from Kruger to Johannesburg to catch flight to Cape Town, we should have flown from Kruger area airport. Not sure why we stayed in Knysna, it's a pretty town, but if we had stayed in George instead, we could have done a day trip to Knysna and then not have had as much driving on other days. 3. Lunches on the road were an issue - on long bus days, lunch was at rest stops, where real food was not usually available, only junk food was. This needs improvement. 4. Hotel in Kynsna needs to be changed to something nicer. Highlights of the trip - there are so many but my favorites were the penguins on the Cape of Good Hope, Stellenbosch, and safari at Kruger

11/03/2017

Service

I would have rated higher except for the location and quality of the accommodations at the Winkler Inn. Definitely lower standard of room and an hour away from Kruger. An hour after a long drive to get there, an hour to and from the park, and an hour added to the day of departure. At Speir Hotel, brochure advised we would get a wine pairing with dinner. We got one glass of wine. The wine tasting was supposed to include savories. Nothing was provided, in spite of Ian Pletzner's attempts. Ian's role on the whole trip kept the rating at 4 stars.
Tour

The itinerary was comprehensive and included outstanding locations in South Africa. Cape Town was spectacular, including the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain. Tour Director was excellent with commentary and local knowledge. Was able to manage the group and weather very efficiently.

09/10/2017

they just need to revamp from Kruger Park....for the flt to George.....

Service

This is my 4th trip with Collette.....they always do well.....the guides are always good. They show us as much as they can, and the hotels are usually very nice, and good locations.
Tour

it was a very good trip ....just long enough...

09/08/2017

Amazing tour, great hotels, meals and sightseeing and tour manager!

Service

Great tour ! Great tour manager , accommodations and meals! Loads of included elements and all top notch !
Tour

Kruger National Park was stunning ! We saw the Big Five before lunchtime !!

08/20/2017

Service

Details in program did not match the actual experience. Exaggerations of travel itinerary.
Tour

Enjoyed the beauty of the countries but not satisfied with tour execution.

Hello, thank you for sharing this feedback with us about the tour. We have passed this along to members of our team for review. Your insight as it helps us to improve our tours for future guests. We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

03/07/2017

Overall my experience in SA has been nice rather than what I expected. My r

Service

Overall my experience in SA has been nice rather than what I expected. My regret I have not the chance to see Christian Barnard museum. We went to the hospital but the museum is closed already. Since most of us are Seniors and or in the medical field I suggest this should be one offered as part of the itinerary or optional tour. This is history where the 1st human heart transplant was done
Tour

Going up the Table Mountain Also the Penguins

Hello, Myrna!
Thanks for sharing your feedback about being able to visit the Christian Barnard museum. We have sent it along to members of our product team to review as they work to constantly improve the tours for future guests.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We appreciate your business and look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

03/07/2017

Quality with a good variety to appreciate the many aspects of S.A.

Service

An excellent tour with a very knowledge tour manager. Hotels also fine, especially Southern Sun in Johannesburg. Perhaps should have been one night in George to avoid going all the way back to Knysna.
Tour

Has to be Kruger. So many more animals that hoped or expected. Cape Town, the Cape, Camps Bay; just wonderful.

03/07/2017

Enjoyed holiday very much

Service

Enjoy the whole trip especially the animals, we saw so much. Guides were first class too. lol
Tour

Animals in National Park. Lions were great to see and giraffes.

02/19/2017

We have taken many collette tours. I'm sorry to say this was the most disa...

Service

We have taken many collette tours. I'm sorry to say this was the most disappointing one. The guide was not up to the standards that we have had in the past and there was entirely too much time spent on the bus traveling from one spot to another. I saw the same things from the bus day after day. The tour needs to be redesigned so that the lodging is closer to where the sites are. The safari was also poor.
Tour

When we left and went to Victoria Falls. The tour was great and the tour manager was excellent.

02/17/2017

Brilliant holiday

Service

We had a great holiday. All arrangements went smoothly, Collette tour manager did a good job-all guides and drivers were very helpful and good.
Tour

Game drive in Kruger-having a rhino walk right by the jeep.

11/22/2016

A must see tour.

Service

beautiful country. Good group. Good guide.
Tour

Krueger National Park was the best.

10/25/2016

Overall, the trip was enjoyable once we arrived from our 27 hour flight .

Service

My travel package took forever to reach me, I got it at the last moment even though I had made a special request to receive it as soon as possible. We made our final payment in July but did not receive our package until about a week before we left. Our package gave some recommendations as what to see if we were early. I felt that this had been checked out by your company as a safe thing to do. There was no organized schedule for things, we were basically on our own with a cab driver. As South Africa is deemed unsafe and corrupt, we book with a travel company to eliminate this. As it turned out, I was robbed not on the streets but by the hotel staff. I thought on occasion our tour guide could have been more flexible to the local activities such as a festival.

10/21/2016

A holiday of a lifetime

Service

The itinerary was good, the hotels were good and the guide was good. South Africa is an amazing country, due to its scenery, the wild life, the culture and much more. A fantastic holiday!
Tour

The same reasons apply. A helicopter ride over Victoria Falls

10/14/2016

All in all I enjoyed the trip. The safari was the highlight.

Service

The bus travel was rather long. On our return to USA we fly from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, Then to Dubai,then to Chicago, and then to Dayton.Wondered why we could've flew from Victoria Falls to Dubai and then to Chicago. Seems like an extra 8 hrs flying time.
Tour

The safari in Africa. The sand dunes in Dubai, and the meal at a home in Zimbabwe

10/14/2016

When I got back to MN I went to the wrong ramp to be picked up for shuttle ...

Service

When I got back to MN I went to the wrong ramp to be picked up for shuttle service per Collette instructions. When I called the service they said they had previously told Collette the correct ramp. I wasted forty five minutes waiting. All after a long flight home from South Africa. Waiting was definitely something I did not want to do.
Tour

Loved the Victoria Falls excursion. Featherbed Nature Reserve was also fantastic.

08/09/2016

You appear to overcharge airfare.

Service

We booked air travel through Collette. My brother booked on his own. We both flew business class. My brother paid $2000.00, yes TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS, less than I did.

08/05/2016

Collette is a excellent tour company and I would do business with them again.

Service

The service was excellent and I would recommend Collette to friends and family. I would go on another Collette Tour also. I had a question about the laundry services at the various hotels; called Collette and they gave me detailed info about this. I was impressed about the staff person's knowledge.
Tour

Overall it was a excellent tour. The hotels were first rate and the staff at the hotels were extremely friendly. Food was good. Our tour manager was excellent and had extremely knowledgable about the country. We had other tour guides too and they were equally as knowledgable. However, two things I did not like was the breakfast and lunch the hotel provided for us at Kruger National Park. It consisted of bologna and cheese sandwiches on white bread. Sandwiches were dry little or on mayo or mustard. And, I think we left for the safari way too early in the morning. It was around 5 AM pitch black outside. No daylight so you could not see or take photos of the animals.

08/05/2016

Service

The tour guide was good and the route was great. Pity a couple of the people were so rude to him and made unnecessary comments which made the majority of us uncomfortable. I will recommend Collette to friends.

07/27/2016

Good service overall

Service

The service that Collette provides is thorough with good information about tickets and tours but I am aware that some tour details have not been updated. A particular bug-bear is tipping recommendations that do not take into account exchange rates or cost of living - I am pleased to see that this is now mostly included in the tour price.
Tour

The tour was enjoyable and interesting with some spectacular elements but not overall a spectacular experience. Apart from Table Mountain (for which we had too little time), CapeTown is interesting but not exciting and it therefore does not give a high on which to end the tour. Whereas Johannesburg (although the city is the pits itself) as a location to explore Black African history and Kruger Park for wildlife really was a high. I would suggest that the tour would be better run in reverse. On a detail, a few of the town to town coach trips are long with short stops that could be better managed. We also booked the Victoria Falls extension which really is spectacular and should be a must to visit while in southern Africa. But to do this involved a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg and then another to Victoria Falls. If the tour was in reverse the Cape Town to Johannesburg flight would be unnecesary and hence the extension would be cheaper. The South Africa Tour Manager did the job but was not inspiring whereas the Victoria Falls one was an exemplar of good customer service. So, in summary, the extension to the tour was the spectacular highlight with the main tour being interesting. We have given detailed feedback to Collette and suggest a review or refresh of the tour.