点评:Mike helped us plan an amazing 12N safari experience across Botswana (Chobe), Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) and the greater Kruger National Park. This was my second safari and second time working with Mike (first was 2023) and he was incredibly helpful over the 9 months from initial inquiry through follow-up after the trip. Mike asked good questions upfront and gave very thoughtful advice. He suggested we do a call to really work through details after sending me some initial thoughts and that call helped us make a lot of progress in scoping out the trip. I was upfront on my total budget, and he kept us within that amount with no upsells and yet plenty of luxuries along the way. Once we identified the cadence of the trip Mike send a couple of lodging options for each leg and I would make the final decision. He then arranged private transfers between each location - they all went seamlessly. I would highly recommend this type of planned trip with expert guidance to reduce the planning and stress of an adventure to places far from home.
For the South Africa portion of the safari, we spent 4N in Kruger with Wild Wings. I requested a specific and amazing guide, Rufus, and was guaranteed he would lead our trip (note I made this request far in advance). We had a lovely family of 4 from the UK join the tour for the first 2N and stayed at Skukuza. Rufus shared his incredible knowledge of the land, animals and birds and cooked us great brunches and dinners which we all ate together family style. We had plenty of impressive sightings, including a mom and baby rhino right on the road! After two nights we said goodbye to the other family and Rufus drove us north for a 2N stay at Satara. We really enjoyed the 1:1 time with Rufus and we roamed far, all the way to Olifants camp one day, catching great sightings of cheetah, lions, and jackals along the way. We continued to have great meals and had the opportunity to help cook one evening (at our request). Rufus is known throughout the park and beyond for his kindness and friendliness to all. He is a stellar reflection on the company!
After 4N in KNP, we transferred to Thabamati, a small 4 luxury tented camp in the Thabamati region of greater KNP. Again, Mike arranged all the details including transfers to/from and it all worked perfectly. Everything on the trip was pre-paid except tips along the way and this made it so easy to relax and experience the environments, hospitality, and culture of the amazing people and places we had the opportunity to interact with.
Next up I will be returning solo to South Africa in a few months, and I relied on Mike to help me plan that trip as well. He has my full trust and endorsement, and I hope others are as fortunate as to experience the adventures he can plan for you.
翻译:迈克协助我们规划了一次精彩的12天 Safari之旅,路线涵盖了博茨瓦纳(乔贝国家公园)、津巴布韦(维多利亚瀑布)以及克鲁格国家公园周边地区。这是我第二次参加Safari,也是我第二次与迈克合作(第一次是在2023年)。从最初咨询到行程结束后的跟进,在整整9个月的时间里,他都给予了我们极大的帮助。迈克事先会提出许多切实 relevant 的问题,并给出极为周到的建议。他先给我发来一些初步设想,随后建议我们通电话来详细讨论各项细节。那次通话帮助我们明确了此次旅行的具体规划。我一开始就坦诚地告知了我的总预算,而他则严格将各项开支控制在该范围内,既没有推销任何额外服务,又确保了旅途中的诸多奢华体验。一旦我们确定了行程节奏,迈克就会为每段行程提供几个住宿选项,由我来做最终决定。随后,他安排了各个地点之间的私人接送服务——一切都进行得十分顺利。我强烈推荐这种在专业人士指导下精心规划的旅行方式,这样能大幅减轻前往遥远目的地旅行的筹备工作与心理压力。
在南非段的游猎行程中,我们跟随Wild Wings公司在克鲁格国家公园度过了4个夜晚。我事先特意指定了那位出色的向导鲁弗斯来带领我们的行程,也得到保证他定会负责我们的向导工作(需要说明的是,这一请求是我提前很久提出的)。我们接待了一家来自英国的四口之家,他们参与了前两晚的行程,并下榻在斯库库扎旅馆。鲁弗斯慷慨地分享了他对这片土地、各种动物及鸟类的丰富知识,还为我们烹制了美味的早午餐和晚餐,我们全家人围坐在一起享用。此行中我们目睹了许多令人惊叹的景象,甚至还在路边看到了母犀牛和它的幼崽!两晚过后,我们与那家人道别,鲁弗斯便驾车带我们北上,在萨塔拉度过了另外两个夜晚。我们十分享受与鲁弗斯一对一相处的时光,还四处尽情探索了一番。有一天,我们一路抵达奥利凡茨营地,途中还幸运地看到了猎豹、狮子和豺狼。我们享用了美味的餐食,还有一次应我们的请求,得以参与烹饪。鲁弗斯以对所有人友善和亲切的品质而在公园内外享有盛誉。他真是公司的一面光辉旗帜!
在克鲁格国家公园停留了4晚后,我们转至塔巴马蒂——这是位于克鲁格国家公园塔巴马蒂区域的一家仅有4顶豪华帐篷的小营地。迈克安排好了所有细节,包括往返的交通事宜,一切都进行得极为顺利。此行中除了沿途的小费外,其他费用均已预先支付,这让我们能够安心放松,充分体验当地的环境、热情好客的民风以及那些令人难忘的人与地方所承载的文化。
接下来,几个月后我将独自重返南非,这次旅行计划我也同样委托给迈克来帮忙安排。我完全信任他,也全力推荐他。我希望其他人也能有同样的幸运,体验到他能为你安排的种种冒险。