The Rainbow Route is an overview tour of South Africa including neighbouring Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland). The tour covers many highlights with a strong focus on the national parks. This diverse country is explored over great distances that may involve long days on the road, generally followed by a full day to experience the area. The fully accommodated tour offers a great value for money way to explore South Africa.

 

Day 1 - 2 JOHANNESBURG to GREATER KRUGER [lodge Bx1 Lx2 Dx2]
[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]
Departing from Johannesburg at 06:30am we head towards Mpumalanga where mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls & forests characterise the landscape. We enjoy the views from God’s Window before descending off the escarpment and heading to our game lodge on the border of the Greater Kruger NP.

The following morning, we are up early for a full day of game viewing in Kruger National Park in an open safari vehicle. We will return to our lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset over the Drakensberg mountains, a swim in the pool and a hearty meal before falling asleep to the sounds of Africa.

Day 3 KRUGER NATIONAL PARK [chalet BLD]
We stretch our legs on a short morning walk exploring the surrounding bush before we re-enter Kruger NP and head south. Kruger NP is the largest game reserve in South Africa, boasts the world’s greatest concentration of species, and has an amazing 16 different ecosystems. Exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and many other animals in this true African wilderness.

Day 4 KINGDOM OF eSWATINI (SWAZILAND) [chalet BLD]
Malolotja Nature Reserve in the mountainous Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland) is our next attraction. Renowned for a great variety of habitats from short grassland, to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and moist forest, we explore the reserve on foot to enjoy the fantastic mountain views. Relax around a campfire dinner and stay in mountain cabins for the night.

Day 5 - 6 ZULULAND [tented lodge BLD]
We visit a craft market near Mbabane which has a range of handmade crafts and a local witchdoctor stall! We re-enter South Africa and head to our lodge on a private game reserve situated on the Msinene Nature Reserve, where our local guide will lead us on a walk through the bushveld and riverine vegetation of the Msinene River, bird watching and game tracking. Nyala, hippo and the elusive leopard are all found on the reserve. The next day we take a game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, which is a safe haven for the embattled rhino. Relax in the late afternoon with a cold drink while enjoying the views over the reserve from the lodge.

Day 7 - 8 DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS [chalet BLD]
The Drakensberg Mountains or “uKhahlamba” - the Barrier of Spears, is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and world heritage site. From Zululand we move further south to the base of these mountains where we overnight for two nights in quaint cottages. We will spend time walking along beautiful mountain stream paths, or just enjoying the spectacular views. En-route to the Drakensberg we visit the Nelson Mandela capture site museum and pay our respects to this great man.

Day 9 - 10 WILD COAST [chalet Bx2 Lx1 Dx1]
The Wild Coast remains a relatively untouched paradise with unspoilt stretches of dramatically beautiful coastline, open spaces and pristine forest areas. We stay overnight in Chintsa and the next day is free to explore the area, meet local villagers or go down to the beach.

Day 11 ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK [chalet BLD]
The Addo Elephant National Park was established in 1931 to protect the last 11 wild elephants from extermination. Today more than 600 elephants roam through the area. The park also offers excellent viewing of black rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard, as well as a host of other large and small mammals and over 400 species of birds in the greater park area.

Day 12 - 13 PLETTENBERG BAY / TSITSIKAMMA [lodge Bx2 Lx1 -]
The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80km of spectacular sea and landscapes; a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys, coastal forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. We visit the Storms River mouth where there are walks up the gorge and along the rocky coast.
We will stay 2 nights in Plettenberg Bay in the heart of the Garden Route. In the morning you can either book an ocean safari to see whales and dolphins (own expense) or spend time on the magnificent blue flag beaches. Your guides will also lead a walk on the beautiful Robberg Peninsula in the afternoon. Sample seafood at one of Pletts' great restaurants (own expense).

Day 14 HERMANUS [Hotel BL-]
Hermanus offers some of the best land based whale watching in the world. From June to November Southern Right whales come up from the southern oceans to calve and mate in the shallow waters around the Cape. In whale season we will take a walk along this beautiful coastline. In the summer months we will explore the flowering fynbos in Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Enjoy the evening meal out at a local restaurant (own expense).

Day 15 - 16 CAPE TOWN [hotel B - -]
Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. On our way into Cape Town, we visit Stellenbosch, South Africa’s renowned wine region, for wine tasting (own expense) and a cellar tour. The “mother city” has many attractions; we will visit the harbour at Hout Bay, visit Cape Point, enjoy the famous beaches and the V&A Waterfront. Optional visit to Robben Island (own expense). We sample the local fare at a variety of local restaurants (own expense).

Day 17 TOUR ENDS - TRANSFERS [- B - -]
In the morning we climb Table Mountain, offering panoramic views over Cape Town reaching out into the bay and Robben Island. Having explored the highlights of the Rainbow Nation we take a last look at Cape Town and catch up on last minute curio shopping in the afternoon, before your tour ends at 18:00 at the hotel.

This tour departs at 06h30 from the pre-tour accommodation hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. You will therefore need to fly into OR Tambo International airport (JNB) in Johannesburg the day before the tour starts.

(Depending on your flight arrival time, you can book an own expense, optional afternoon excursion to either SOWETO or Maropeng, bookable and payable on arrival in Johannesburg.)

The tour ends at approximately 18h00 at the accommodation in Cape Town, South Africa. You can therefore book your outbound flight from Cape Town International (CPT) for the last day of the tour. The tour ending time is flexible, so if you want to fly out a bit earlier in the afternoon, this can be arranged.

If you would like to book any pre-tour or post-tour accommodation and airport transfers, please indicate your required airport transfers and the number of nights accommodation required when you submit your enquiry below.

 

Start Date		End Date		Tour Code		Language		Departure Status		Price		Trip Status
2024-03-23		2024-04-08		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Fully Booked				FULL
2024-03-30		2024-04-15		SAa17		German		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Fully Booked				FULL
2024-04-06		2024-04-22		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-04-27		2024-05-13		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-05-18		2024-06-03		SAa17		German		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-06-15		2024-07-01		SAa17		German		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-06-22		2024-07-08		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-06-29		2024-07-15		SAa17		German		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-07-06		2024-07-22		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-07-20		2024-08-05		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-07-27		2024-08-12		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-08-10		2024-08-26		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Fully Booked				FULL
2024-08-17		2024-09-02		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-08-24		2024-09-09		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-09-07		2024-09-23		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-09-14		2024-09-30		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-09-21		2024-10-07		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-09-28		2024-10-14		SAa17		German		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Fully Booked				FULL
2024-10-05		2024-10-21		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-10-12		2024-10-28		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-10-26		2024-11-11		SAa17		German		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Fully Booked				FULL
2024-11-02		2024-11-18		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-11-09		2024-11-25		SAa17		German		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Fully Booked				FULL
2024-11-16		2024-12-02		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Limited				BOOK NOW
2024-11-23		2024-12-09		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-11-30		2024-12-16		SAa17		English		2 to Guarantee		€2550.00		Available				BOOK NOW
2024-12-21		2025-01-06		SAa17		English		Guaranteed		€2550.00		Fully Booked				FULL

Please slide side-to-side to see more info

 

REPEAT TRAVELERS SPECIAL DISCOUNT:

If you have travelled with Sunway before and would like to return to Africa and do another safari with us, we can offer you a repeat Sunway travellers discount of 5% on any scheduled tour booked.

This discount is also available if you book through your original travel agent again. When you make your booking please make sure you tell your agent the date of your previous tour.

Limited Participation: An essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to your room and day packs and water bottles on hikes, to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Where the tour leaders provide meals we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up. When everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly and efficiently ensuring it is enjoyable for all involved.

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Bob, USA - Aug23

Excellent trip. Life changing. Some challenges with accommodations and trip members but our guide were masterful in their patience , kindness, quick thinking and problem solving expert spotters and extremely well educated in their country. TK and Alfred are welcomed in my home here in the USA anytime ! If that doesn’t tell you how pleased Holly and I were.

Britt-Marie & Bertil, Sweden - Feb23

First of all we like to thank you for a fantastic journey and experience, even if the days sometimes were very long. The experiences and the feelings of the journey, were totally deepening of, our fantastic guides “Chris” and “Sfiso”. They have a very nice manner and kind behavior to all the guests and manage everything from cooking to driving the truck, in an excellent way. They have also a fantastic knowledge about the nature and animals as well as history, culture and society in South Africa.

Again Thank You!

Ursula, Germany - Nov22

In July I came back from a very unusual trip, it was the rainbow route from Johannesburg to Cape Town. All expectations were exceeded. The safari tour in the red truck, affectionately called "red elephant", the wonderful care provided by the two guides Zee and Lloyd, their good cooking skills and professional support were inspiring every day. The accommodations were well chosen, sometimes simple in the national parks, sometimes elegant in safari lodges - always with good sanitary facilities and very clean beds. What were the highlights - certainly the great wildlife viewing - we even saw wild dogs, baby hyenas and a cheetah. Due to the attentiveness and observational skills of the guides, especially Lloyd, we also saw the small animals, many birds, centipedes, beetles, etc.

 

I am particularly enthusiastic about the wonderful attitude towards life on this trip. We cut vegetables together, ate together, washed up, sat around the campfire and, above all, laughed a lot. It was a great community with our guides who taught us a lot about South Africa and Eswatini. The group got along so well that we are planning to continue our journey through Namibia and Botswana. I would book Sunway Safari again at any time, especially with the guide. His modest but extremely competent manner, his knowledge of the animals and his positivity made the trip an unforgettable experience.

On this trip I learned to love Africa - and Sunway Safaris!

Philippe The Netherlands - Oct22

I am writing to express my complete satisfaction with the organisation of this tour. The services corresponded to the description given and the whole was interesting and well-balanced. I would particularly like to mention the great work of our guides Colly and Tsepo. Colly knows the different environments perfectly and shares his knowledge with the group. He is discreet, open, a good psychologist and communicates clearly with the group. He is also very attentive to the safety of the group. He did me a great favour by personally accompanying me to the airport in Cape Town on 31 October. Tsepo is an excellent driver and he drove us safely in all situations. He also shares his knowledge. His interpersonal skills and humour are to be commended. He is an entertainer capable of doing a TV show.

Both are friendly, complementary and lead the group very well with their own style. They are ambassadors of your beautiful country. They also fed us in a way that totally satisfied me. Their logistical organisation is flawless.

Congratulations and many thanks to Sunway Safaris and our guides Colly and Tsepo for this nice tour which will remain in my memories and in my heart.

Eleonora Germany - Oct22

Dear Sunway-Team,
as a returning customer I would like to give an additional feedback/review on my trip in October. I think the feedback-form does not have enough space for what I would like to say about the trip.  This was my 3rd trip with Sunways and - as I had expected - I was not disappointed! It was a very wonderful trip in your beautiful country I have come to love so much over the years. 
Actually it only took more or less 5 minutes to be bitten by the "Africa bug" when I first came here in 2011 ;-) 
Due to Covid I was not able to visit as I wanted to, so this trip was really something I looked forward to for a long time! 

  So, my feedback: 
  Lodges/Hotels:  Rivonia Road Lodge: I had the impression that they have "vamped" up their rooms and their customer service. This time, check in and check out was fast, everybody was very friendly. The breakfast also seemed to have a bit more to choose from. It is a good hotel to start the trip from. Having the Rivonia Village across the street helps with the first shopping/preparation for the trip. 

  Makuwa: A very wonderful and special place, run by two great hosts! The food was absolutely delicious, as was the presentation of it! I forgot to ask, but it seemed like a 5-Star-Chef was taking care of us!  The rooms were very clean, the beds were very comfy. It was great to hear the wildlife nearby and to end the evening by the fireplace was a great start to this trip! 

Kruger/Lower Sabie: Our chalet was very clean and towels and bed linen were spotless. The furniture is a little old and used, but everything worked. The shop was well equipped, as was the restaurant/terrace. All the staff I met were very friendly and helpful. All in all it is a good accommodation. I really liked it. The night drive we took was great, we had a great driver and great sightings (Lions with cubs). 

  Hawane Lodge: A special lodge with special Chalets. I like this style very much. Everything was clean. I slept very well. Having a heater was great, as the evening in Eswatini was pretty cold and wet. The buffet for dinner and breakfast was very good and absolutely sufficient. We loved the desert!  Suggestion: A bit more light would be nice. A little make over/regular maintenance before new guests arrive for the functioning of doors (Bathroom and entrance) could be useful :-) 

  Zululand Lodge: You have established a real gem here! This is a beautiful lodge! Again, everything was clean and spotless. The tents were very comfortable and to have hot water in the shower in a second because of the geyser was very pleasant! The food was very very good! The deck is beautiful, a place to stay all night and watch the animals by the water hole. I really enjoyed the stay in the Zululand Lodge! Wish we could have stayed longer. 

  Lotheni: I am very much in love with the Drakensberg mountains and in awe of their beauty. The view from the chalets could not be better! Here, again, everything was clean and neat. The beds were very comfortable. The chalet we stayed in was not yet renovated, so it had a bathtub without a shower. As I did not know at first that there are chalets with showers, I did not complain. And honestly: I did not mind. The water was hot, the bath was clean, nothing to complain about. 

  Areena Resort: This is a beautiful Lodge! Well chosen! The rooms and bathrooms were spacious and clean, to have a balcony and kitchenette was an extra "plus". It was also good and necessary to be able to do some washing with a proper washing machine and dryer. The choice of activities at Areena is great. I think that all group members found an activity they liked and enjoyed very much.

  Addo National Park, Wooden Chalets: Nothing to complain about. Beds were comfy, everything was clean and spotless. I would not want to stay in the chalets with 4 people, but for two people there is enough space and the bathroom is big enough. By my personal choice I would like to stay two nights in Addo, in order to have more time for game drives and a night drive.  Suggestions: one more night 

  Lagoona Inn: My feelings and opinion about the Lagoona Inn are a bit mixed. The location is beautiful and the view is great! The owners are very very friendly and the breakfast is absolutely great!  The rooms are spacious and to have a balcony was great! Everything was clean and spotless, the beds were comfy. However, due to coastal winds, rain and air from the ocean, the towels, bed linen, just "everything" felt a bit moist and had a slight odor, in the bathroom cupboard there was a little bit of mould. The curtains and the carpet are from "another century". Nevertheless it is a very nice hotel, run with lots of love and personal touch. 

Chesham House: The owner was very welcoming and friendly, the breakfast was very good! The rooms were spacious and clean, the beds were very comfy. Towels and bed linen were spotless. To have a heater in the room was a plus, as unfortunately the weather was very bad in Hermanus. Chesham house is close to the center of the town, which is very convenient. 

  City Lodge VA Waterfront: when I heard that we would not be staying at the Sweetest Guesthouses anymore I was disappointed, as I am not a big fan of "normal" Hotels. But, the City Lodge pleasantly surprised me! The location is perfect! Being able to walk to the Waterfront is a very big plus! The breakfast buffet was great! The rooms were spacious and very clean. I was worried it would be too loud because of the central location of the hotel, but it was all good and I had a good night's sleep. Comfy beds, clean room/bathroom. The staff at check in/check out was very friendly, as was the staff at the bar. 

  Group/fellow travellers: on all my trips with Sunway I have been very lucky to be travelling with easy-going, like-minded people. It was a good mix of ages. We all looked after each other and worked well together. We had a lot of fun and made friendships that will also last in our normal day lifes. I hope my luck continues on further trips! 
  Our guides: 
It was my first time to travel with Meike and I can only say very positive things about her and thank her very much for making this trip such a wonderful experience. Besides being absolutely professional in her job, Meike has the ability to stay calm, positive and flexible in every situation. She is a very friendly and good hearted person, who you can easily connect with. She has a lot of knowledge about her chosen home, South Africa. We got a lot of information about your beautiful country from her. She took good care of us and had an open ear for every question, request and/or problem. She found solutions for the problems that occured due to weather (whale watching tour got cancelled) and had suggestions for alternative activities. Thank you so much Meike! It was a great pleasure to travel with you! Hope to see you again! 

  It was my second time traveling with Sfiso. As in 2016, he was absolutely professional in his job.It is obvious that he loves his job and his country. He´s calm, friendly, fun, a very good driver on sometimes very demanding roads. He was very much appreciated by the group! It is important to feel safe while traveling such long distances and he made all of us feel safe with his driving and his presence. Again I was impressed with how much knowledge he has about his country, flora, fauna, different cultures and is willing to share with the clients. He, of course, also had an open ear to our questions/requests. Knowing Sfiso for 6 years now, I knew we were in good hands, that is why I asked in advance if he could be one of the guides for this trip. Thank you very much Sfiso, I´d travel again with you anytime! Hope to see you again! 

  Both Meike and Sfiso took a lot of effort to provide great and healthy food for us! They were both very attentive to my dietary requirements due to Allergies and always found an alternative for me! Thank you Sfiso for finding non garlic bread! :-) We all loved the restaurant choices Meike and Sfiso made for us. My favorite restaurant was the La Pentola in Hermanus!

  I can only thank everybody involved in this trip! Thank you very much for a wonderful trip, a great time in my beloved South Africa! It was very hard to leave and I cannot wait to come back! I hope to come back in October 2023, exploring Namibia with Sunway!
   Very kind regards from Berlin, 
Eleonora

Susanne Austria - Oct19

That was my 2nd vacation with agent Weltweit Wandern and certainly not the last one! Above all, I appreciate that the entire trip is organized by agent Weltweit Wandern and that I do not have to deal with any additional arrangements or efforts on my part. Everything worked 100%. Price-performance ratio is exactly right! I am already looking forward to the next trip with agent Weltweit Wandern

How did you find the local transports (bus / taxi / jeep)? - very good

How did you like choosing the route of the trip? - very good

We strive for loving details on our trips. How did you like them? - very good

How did you like the accommodations? - very good

How did you find the food on the trip? - very good

How was the communication with the guide during the trip? - very good

How was the support team? - very good

The local team, our guides from Sunway Safari Phumi and Victor, contributed a lot to the success of the trip

What did I particularly like? - Highlights of the tour. Drakensberg and the walk to Table Mountain

Karin & Thomas Austria - Oct19

Dear Sunway Team,

After a few days at home in Austria, we have reviewed our tour on the Rainbow Route. It was again wonderful days that we were able to experience thanks to them. Whether Kruger National Park, the Drakensberg, Swaziland, the Addo Elephant Park, just to name a few, have been very impressive and beautiful. It's also thanks to a lot of their great guides, Wayne and Norman, who do a great job, always listen to their clients, are always friendly and, last but not least, make very good meals.

We have now been traveling with their company for the second time, but we can assure you it was certainly not the last time. We look forward to seeing you again and send Greetings from Vienna

Robert & Gabriela Germany - Feb19

Unbelievable – our two guides Wayne and Moses showed such attention to detail and above all, sensitiveness. They really made our trip. They appreciated every single guest, treated everyone well, and no question remained unanswered. With love and passion they portrayed their country and its nature. These two wonderful gentlemen are a huge gain for Sunway Safaris. Thanks to them, our trip was such an unforgettable experience. We would happily join them again on another trip any time. Many Thanks!

Elsässerand Anti - Sep18

It is very important for us to contact you in regards to the Rainbow route we have just finished. We had a really wonderful great time on your Tour. Everything was excellent from the accommodation to the programme, your vehicle and perfect guides. They both are totally qualified persons and worked very well together. It’s my 3 trip with your agency and I am still surprised and satisfied how good your product is and will recommend to all our friends. Sfiso is a great, Pavarotti´Opera singer which we enjoyed very much. His voice made our holiday very relaxing and Farai was always so interested by us, always helpful and friendly and he always made the most delicious dinner. Every meal was something new from different chicken menus homemade bread and great game meat always with fresh vegetables. When I got nervous or panic they both kept me calm and explain me in a clear manner the situation. We would like every time when we return to travel with you and especially with Sfiso + Farai.

Marke and Denise - Sep18

On the 14 July 2018, my wife and I commenced tour SAa17 then CVa21 from Johannesburg. We were treated to a magnificent experience. The first tour had just four participants whilst the second had a full load of twelve. I am writing to express our admiration for our two guides , Pumi and Farai. Your company is blest to have two guides that not only made us enjoy our trip so much, but kept us safe, fully entertained, well fed, and on top of that their shared knowledge about the wildlife and local environment was extraordinary. No request was ever too much for them, and both guides went out of their way to enhance our safaris. During the course of the journey, Denise and I were treated to many in - depth discussions about the daily lives of the people, the difficulties they face, the cultural issues that exist in all the countries we visited. Their intelligence and empathy was a credit to them and we respected their thoughtful ideas that widened our views and made us curious to know more. The effort spent to make game drives successful was awesome. We spent many hours appreciating the habits of the animals and the vast knowledge the two guides imparted about animal behaviour expanded our knowledge and awareness of wildlife and the issues round their continued survival in the future. Sunway is fortunate to have such dedicated guides , they are a real asset to your company. Thank you for making our two expeditions unforgettable.

Verena, Austria - Mar18

I’ve just come back from the ‚South African Rainbow Route‘ tour and it was amazing. We were very lucky with the weather, with the travel group, with the game viewing, with the guides – all this made it a really great trip.

We got a good impression of the country. We saw a lot of animals on the game drives we did, even tough the bush was very dense – including all Big Fives in the Krueger Nationalpark and the African wild dog in Hluhluwe. The guides stopped for us for every animal and gave us plenty of time to observe the animals and take pictures of them. It was so breathtaking to see the animals in their surrounding. The coolest thing were the two lions lying on the street in the Addo Elephant National Park – they made my holiday complete.And our group was like a well-oiled machine – everyone helped, especially with the lunch preparations and the washing-up.

But the best part of the tour was our guides – Annika and Zandre. The two are wonderful - the best you could wish for. Our guides told us all about the country, the landscape and the animals we saw. They got up early in the morning and went to sleep after us – meaning they are there for us almost around the clock. Have taken care of everything, answered all our questions. They were in a good mood the whole time. Annika translated everything in German for us – she even knows every bird’s name in both languages and Zandre drove us well and safely everywhere – he knows every inch of his truck. And he surprised us with his German language skills. They like to cook and so they have cooked many good dishes for us. The two love what they do and that is noticeable and that is why the journey has become so memorable.

Briefly summarized: It was a really really amazing tour, but the two made it unforgettable. Thank you – it was my best holiday so far. I hope we’ll see each other again.

I would also like to say thank you to Sunway Safaris. You‘re a great tour operator, the best I’ve had so far and I plan to come back to Southern Africa. Warm Greetings from Austria, Verena

Guillaume, France - Aug17

Dear Sunway Safaris, So I'm back from my trip with Sunway, the South Africa Rainbow Route. I really had a blast, so I wanted to thank you for this wonderful journey. Our guides, Paolo and Sfiso, were very friendly and very professional. Sfiso was a very good driver, as well as a very good cook, and Paolo impressed everyone with his amazing knowledge about the wildlife and the African flora (and he's a good cook too!). We were lucky with our encounters, but they both made our trip even better. For next year, I'm very interested with the following tours: ZMa16 or ZBa16 or even LM22. For sure, it will be for a departure on late July or early August. And I can't wait for my 3rd trip with Sunway... See you next year !

Sarah, Germany - Jun17

This was not my first tour in Southern Africa, not even my first visit to South Africa. But there had been some unseen places and I wanted to close these gaps. So I decided for the Rainbow Route this time. Knowing there are a lot of kilometres to drive I relaxed and enjoyed the landscapes of Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal and the Garden Route underlined by Jeffs explanations about the country and its provinces. We were very lucky with animal sightings. We saw a group of raw Wild Dogs in Kruger National Park and spotted hyenas feeding their babies right next to the road. In Addo Elephant National Park there was a herd of elephants crossing the street right next and in front of us. Also very rare and impressive was the sighting of two lions with two dead buffalos left and right to the streets. We watched the sleeping cats until sunset. During this time curious jackals appeared but kept a distance to the lions. Watching this natural behaviour of animals was an impressive experience. I also enjoyed the days we were off and not travelling, but doing walks in Drakensberg and Swaziland or at the beaches of Kei Mouth and Hermanus. Beautiful landscapes appeared all the way along. We also got a view in to South African culture and it's different sides. Comparing the simple way of living in the mountains with a little town like Knysna or a global city like Cape Town is not easy and shows the difference inside the so called Rainbow Nation. Thanks to Jeffs knowledge we got an insight view into culture and tribes. Accommodations were of different standard but fitted to the surroundings very well. Our guides have been Jeff and Willard. While Jeff had a lot of experiences, it was Willard's first tour. Both have been very polite and helpful throughout the whole journey. Recognizing that there are some problems in the group they tried to keep us together. They always tried to fulfil our wishes, even these of the Australian lady. Jeff’s enormous guiding experience and knowledge of wildlife and plants helped us to experience some special moments. In Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park we saw a lion: While every other car left, we stayed, waited and were rewarded with the cat’s appearance everybody waited for. After breakfast in Addo Elephant National Park we went back to the place where the lions have been. Lions were gone but jackals took over and even a rare brown hyena appeared in the background. The organization and cooking Jeff did, was also very convincing. Always fresh, enough, rich in variety and delicious. Of course, Willard had not much experience but always supported us with a helping hand and his good mood.

Sascha, Switzerland - May17

I was on your Rainbow Tour last Month. It was an amazing experience which I will never forget. As I took a timeout from my work, I just came back the last week from another trip. I put some pictures from South Africa on my homepage. Jeff explained us so much about the animals, the country and the people of South Africa. Jeff made the tour to an outstanding trip! And he worked very hard, 24h a day. Even in this hard work he always kept friendly and made all possible for the guest. If I am deciding to a Safari Tour again, I want to have Jeff as my tour guide again.

Michelle - May17

We had a very great tour with Sunway Safaris from Johannesburg to Cape Town. It was an awesome adventure where we had the possibility to explore the beautiful wildlife of South Africa. We had the best guides ever. Thanks Clinton and Stephen for the great time: you were awesome with us; everytime ready to answer questions and to cook for us a delicious dinner. I hope we see us again on the next tour with Sunways. Thanks a lot guys! His ability to handle different personalites, his organisational skills, his general knowledge, his passion for his environment, his driving is instinctive (it was a pleasure to be in the truck when he drove), the way he planned the menu, its variety and deliciousness, his sense of humour and his quiet confidence as a man made my trip one that I will always remember. He is an asset to your company and I just had to send this note to let you know my thoughts as there really was not the opportunity on the review form. This was my first trip with Sunway Safaris and I would not hesitate to recommend your company in the future.

Hello again from the UK, Pauline Hill and Diana Albery - 04Dec16

I wanted to say that I have just returned from my holiday in South Africa with your company. Our guides were Clinton and Stephen, and the holiday was the best by far that my friend and I have ever been on - and we have travelled extensively. Clinton and Stephen, were just the most excellent and well informed guides you could wish to have. Their knowledge of the animals, birds, flowers and insects was astonishing. They were kind and patient throughout the holiday, and I really don't think we could have had two better guides running the show. As for the holiday itself, it was amazing. Whoever dreamed up the itinerary did a great job. We saw so much of your beautiful country, and did so many varied things. So a big "Well Done" to your company, and to Clinton and Stephen. You have two great members of staff there!

Greetings from cold, cold Austria, Angelika Weber - 16Mar16

I've just arrived back home from my wonderful trip and I want to let you know how much I enjoyed my holiday. I did the South Africa Rainbow Route. It was my first guided tour, I usually travel individually, but the small group of 5 people and the interesting and exciting itinerary made me feel very comfortable travelling in a group. The trip has exceeded my expectations. Not just because of the beautiful and stunning landscapes and the amazing wildlife we saw, but mostly because of our great guides Grace and Sean this tour was truly unique. Both guides were amazing in telling us everything about the beautiful flora and fauna and most of all the people and different cultures of South Africa.Grace was the most perfect cook, the food was always delicious und healthy. I had really much fun with both Grace and Sean, they always had an open ear for every question and they gave me an idea of how living in South Africa can be. This trip was really amazing - thank you so much!!

Eugenija and Jurga, Lithuania - Feb16

My friend and I have participated in Rainbow Tour, arranged by Sunway Safaris on January 9-25, 2016. This was a long dreamed vacation trip and our expectations were more than fulfilled. We were travelling in a small group of 6 persons with two wonderful guides Jeffrey Mokoena and Auther Mundiwa.  The tour was well designed and presented the variety of South African nature, wildlife, culture and country history. The most precious impressions came from Kruger and Addo Elephant national parks, Mkuzi game reserve, Kwazulu Natal, Swaziland, mountain and beach walks, vineyards and, of course, Capetown.

Very special thanks to our guides, as their vast knowledge, experience and skills made our tour comfortable, safe, and extremely interesting. Culinary experiences are worth separate mentioning – the food prepared by our guides was very variable, healthy and added to our pleasant impressions. If planning to visit SA once more we will doubtlessly choose Sunway again.

Christina UK - Dec15

What can I say?....if you're reading this in contemplation of going away with Sunway...all I can say is stop contemplating, and book!! I did the Rainbow Route with 9 others plus our guides Wayne and Mosses The organisation is fantastic- Wayne and Mosses are true masters in co-ordinating our tour, taking us to stunning places, providing outstanding food, knowing so so much about the wildlife/areas/people we saw (quite incredible)....and being such vibrant characters- they were duly held on a pedalstal by the end of the trip :) The accommodation was brilliant- very characterful places, often boutique-style. The vast majority was great for cleanliness and facilities, but please remember the places are c. 3 star, some slightly more basic....if you want 5star, this isn't the tour for you. If you want to embrace adventure, where there are no guarantees (to coin a phrase from the guides!) ...you'll love this trip!

Anne Tuolty - Dec15

Diese reise war auzgezeichret und die guides auch

 

Tys Mocking & Elaine - 28ov15

Super Guides! Lovely trip to discover South Africa's highlights

 

Pat & Brian - Nov15

It was a great way to see South Africa and the guides made it a memorable trip.

 

Gillian & Noel - Oct15

Great tour, extra good guides. I would come again and recommend it. The food was amazing! Great variety & great value for money.

Daniela - Aug15

Great tour, bug variety of things to do, great guides, good food, parfect holiday.

Lena - Jul15

A great tour with nice guides and perfect destinations! It was a fantastic trip!

Weber - Mar15

It was a real pleasure to live for 3 weeks with Chris and Farai. Fantastic vehicle, beautiful accommodation and great adventure. I will come back.

Ian - Feb15

Excelled expectations. Itinerary was wonderful. Guides were exceptional.

Katrien Maerevoet - 28Feb15

Very good tour, a lot of variety and professional equipment. Lodges were good value for our money and excellent guides.

Cathy McCall - 24Jan15

What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday? Seeing the animals in Kruger National Park, so close and so relaxed. Walking in the Tsitiskama National Park along a beach and through woods to reach a lovely waterfall that filled a large pool at the back of the beach and swimming there with no-one else around. The lovely group we travelled with and our fantastic guides. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday? Be prepared to make some really early starts to see the animals in the Game Parks as the sun rises and also in some cases for a long journey as the next leg of the tour unfolds. Also to assist with the preparation and clearing up of meals. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation? Certainly in a small way it benefitted local people as we bought souvenirs along the way and tipped where ever possible, and bought local firewood for the camp fire. Also in a larger way by bringing money indirectly into the country by booking with a local company. By being a Tourist in the Game Parks, and the Aquarium we should like to think that perhaps indirectly our fees and interest supported Conservation efforts. ,b>Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?,/b> A totally amazing and uplifting experience. A lot of fun, a lot of new things learnt, a new appreciation of another country and it's culture, and new friends made. ***** I am reborn! Simply the best holiday I have ever been on.

Cathy Mcall, United Kingdom

Bernadine Ryan - 13Dec14

Fantastic trip - so varied and covered a lot of the country and we did see THE BIG FIVE!!!.

Christian and Michaela Jambor - 11Nov13

Dear Shaun, Dear Bruce

My wife and I have been on the SAa17 "South Africa Rainbow Route" tour with your company (24th Aug. 2013 onwards).

We would like to express our gratitude to Sunway Safari to this great trip, route, locations, accomandations, perfect safari truck, etc. In addition we like to thank our guides Sfiso Thabethe and Bongani Sithole. Both have been super committed, professional and service-orientated throughout the whole trip which we enjoyed a lot in all aspects.

We and our travel mates from Australia enjoyed a lot having them as our guides. A special recognition should receive Sfiso for his great social-interaction skills and good sense of humor of as well as the excellent organizational skills and reliabliness of Bongani.
We can fully recommand both on a personal and professional level.

With kind regards,

Christian and Michaela Jambor, Germany

Ps. The Safari truck was a perfect vehicle for such kind of trip 

Sam Treurnich - 19Jul12

Feedback from a Sunway agent, Sam Treurnich about her clients that travelled with Sunway:

They loved Sunway, they said they had the 2 best guides that they had ever had on a tour and had an exceptional amount of knowledge to share. Although the route of the tour was not a typical “safari route”, they still felt as though they were on one and the guides made the most out of the destinations they went to. Accommodation was good and everything went very smoothly.

Carol Moffat - 07Jul12

We were extremely impressed with Craig as a leader/guide. His ability to notice/spot animals and his knowledge about them (including birds) was phenomenal. As well as this, his interesting stories, his clear instructions, his patience and humour were instrumental in making this trip a roaring success. AND, his confidence and expertise behind the wheel made traveling with him worry free and relaxing. I'd like to say that we feel that we had a wonderful time with Sunway Safaris, and would recommend your company without reservation to our friends. We would also use you again for our own travel needs.

Carol Moffat, United Kingdom 

Andrew Patchett - 14Jan12

A really good fun journey with a great crowd of people.

One of our best trips along with two top guides.

Andrew Patchett, UK

Margaret Pullin - 11Feb12

The tour itinerary was excellent in terms of experiences, destinations and attractions.

We had a fantastic group and a fantastic tour. Thank you.

Margaret Pullin

Tineke and Nat Steinhart - 11Feb12

Hi

We had the best time!! Loved South Africa!! Wonderful people, beautiful nature, and lots of animals!! A great first time experience! Thank you!!!
The Sunway Safari 17-day tour was amazing. We were very lucky with the group and guides. 12 people on the trip, and had a mix of all nationalities. Also the ages were mixed, 6 over 50 and 6 under 50. Couldn't be better.
We all had a great connection, and are now all on facebook sharing our pictures!
Really liked the trip, did see a lot of things, and some great activities. A few long days driving, but it's a big country, so couldn't avoid that. Had 2 wonderful guides; Kevin and Gerrit.
We hope to do this again in the near future. Maybe Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania??

Hopefully we'll be back soon.
We will give your name to our friends if they are interested in future travel to Africa.
Thanks again for all your great help!

Kindest regards,
Tineke and Nat Steinhart

Alison Lozano - 20Aug11

We finished the Rainbow Route on September 5th of this year. We had never taken a guided tour, we had never visited South Africa and we had never been on safari. We had to contact you to tell you that we had a wonderful trip and experience. Our guides were Jefias and Kestrel. Although we had some transportation challenges, they were so professional and made sure that we were inconvenienced a little as possible.

I was somewhat fearful of the trip because we are probably a little older than most travelers, and I have arthritis. However, Jef and Kes were very accommodating and made sure I was comfortable at all times. A couple of times I did not participate in some of the more strenuous activities and they were very kind and understanding when this occurred.

In addition, Jef and Kes were very knowledgeable about sites we visited, animals we saw and the cultures we were exposed to. They took care of all of our needs, we just showed up on time and helped out sometimes with the chores.

This trip whetted our appetite to visit southern Africa again. Perhaps we will take the tour through Namibia next time.

Again, please convey our thanks to Jef and Kes for a wonderful trip and we will look forward to taking another trip with your company in the future.

Alison and Ron Lozano
New Jersey, USA

Anne & Douglas Meier - 21Dec10

Hello! We have just returned from the 17-day Rainbow Route accommodated safari adventure, and can't find enough people to tell about it! This was easily one of the best vacations of our lives (and we're old enough to have had a lot of vacations!). It was a fabulous tour with the right balance of activities. Our guides, Andre and Bongizwe, were very knowledgeable, hard working, well organized and fun to be with.

They took very good care of us. Meal planning must have presented a particular challenge, since there were so many diverse special dietary needs within our group of 12. Yet we always were well fed and felt our needs were attended to without a lot of fuss.

Andre and Bongi were very professional, never letting us know if we were being "inconvenient" to the plan! We always felt completely safe with Bongi behind the wheel, and Andre kept us well informed of the day's planned activities and any options available to us. They shared the supervision of us during our hikes, but never made us feel that we were needing "babysitting." We joked about the
inconvenience of their having to report a missing tourist, but due to their vigilance, that wasn't necessary!

The accommodations were always clean and comfortable, and their scenic locations added to the "fantasy-come-to-life" feeling about the trip. The food prepared for the breakfast each day was sumptuous! The staff, when we saw them,
were friendly and helpful. The location (of the Sweet Lemon, at least, where we stayed) was convenient to transportation and restaurants.

Overall, the Sunway Safari experience is one we would happily repeat (even in light of the lost reservation at the Road Lodge in Jo-burg
at the beginning). We will certainly encourage others to book with Sunway.

Thank you!!

Anne & Douglas Meier
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Kendra Swaine - 16Dec10

Dear Mr. Taylor,

I recently completed the Scenic Route tour with Pieter Van Wyk and Shandle. When I recount my adventures I appreciate just how much work Pieter and Shandle did to support my trip. As the feedback form was so short I did not have adequate space to recognise their stellar qualities. I am writing to express my gratitude to Sunway Safaris for the wonderful experience of my tour.

Pieter and Shandle obviously have an extremely good relationship and I felt this contributed to a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere at camp. They worked seamlessly together setting up the camp, preparing meals, assisting clients, and conducting background organisation. As a result of their tireless dedication the tour ran smoothly. Both guides were approachable and helpful, and they always put clients’ needs first.

My experience of Pieter was that he paid attention to detail in meeting my needs and was flexible in responding to the various needs of those around me. I also discovered that in an emergency Pieter is stalwart and capable. The breadth and depth of Pieter’s knowledge of the African bush and animals is remarkable and I appreciated the care he took in sharing his knowledge with us. I was also extremely impressed with the alertness and skill he demonstrated in identifying animals that were thoroughly camouflaged or far away in the distance.

Shandle displayed outstanding tenacity in bringing us safely to our destinations in a timely manner. He navigated difficult roads and lengthy drives with aplomb. Shandle’s cooking prowess is legendary and dinner was always something to look forward to especially as my nominated dietary requirements were well catered for. Shandle’s local knowledge was nothing short of impressive; he even knew which ATMs would defraud customers.

Pieter and Shandle are a true asset to Sunway Safaris. Their competence and attention to detail helped me to feel supported and safe for the duration of the trip. Please pass on my thanks to them. If I tour Southern Africa again I will choose Sunway Safaris and I also have no hesitation in recommending your company and staff to any of my friends who consider travelling in Southern Africa.

Sincerely,

Kendra Swaine

 

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