“Just wanted to say thanks for everything, all went great.”

Just wanted to say thanks for everything, all went great. The family loved Jock safari, they would recommend that to anyone. The apartment in Dubai was fantastic. No problems at all. Thanks again. Wish you all the best and hope to do more business with you.

—M.R.

“We were 110% thrilled with the outcome.”

Well all I can say is everything was outstanding. We had a couple of small issues at the hotel in Cairo, but nothing was too much problem for your man there. Right from the start when he met us at the airport, he made our trip go like clockwork, and also total enjoyment at the same time, helping us book in at the hotel and the airport. Nothing was to much trouble. He was a credit to you and his company in Cairo. This part of our journey was probably the most expensive, but we were 110% thrilled with the outcome. We have recommended you and the tours in Egypt to many of our friends, and I am sure you will get some business out of that. Once again, thanks!

—G & D

“This was the best organized trip I have ever taken and there was not 1 thing that wasn't perfect. My group was so impressed with all the arrangements from the minute we landed in Capetown to the moment they boarded the return flight in Joburg.”

We just arrived home from South Africa and I had to write and tell you about the amazing experiences we had. This was the best organized trip I have ever taken and there was not 1 thing that wasn’t perfect. My group was so impressed with all the arrangements from the minute we landed in Capetown to the moment they boarded the return flight in Joburg. We had the FLIGHT OF A LIFETIME on the new A380. We were so excited to be on this amazing plane!!!

Anyways, back to the trip. Our hotel in Capetown, the Cape Grace, was the best hotel (and we have stayed at top hotels around the world) that we have ever stayed at. The service was incredible & friendly, location perfect, and rooms were beautiful. We all agreed we are going back to this hotel in the future. As a matter of fact, Illios Tours brought in a professional photographer to photograph us with our guide for their new brochure at the hotel. This was great fun too.

Our guide in Capetown, Henry Booysen, was AMAZING and took us to places not on our itinerary (a cheetah sanctuary where we got to go in the pens and pet the cheetahs) and anywhere we wanted to go. He took us to one of the oldest townships in Capetown (Langa) where we saw how the real people lived in poverty, went in to their houses, and attended a Good Friday Baptist church service with the most amazing music we had ever heard.

Rovos Rail was an excellent experience too. The food, service and accommodations were excellent. I would recommend the Deluxe rooms over the Pullman for sure. We spent the entire 2 days on the back of the train, sitting outside enjoying the scenery and the stars at night. Other then it was hard to eat and sleep as it is so jerky, we loved every minute of it.

Then Joburg. Our guide for the 2 nights and drive to Kruger was Adam and he was amazing too. He had 2 wives and we learned all about his religion etc. He took us to the most amazing local restaurant in Soweto just behind Bishop Desmond Tutu’s house, and across from the Mandela House. The Grace Hotel in Joburg had an excellent restaurant where we ate both nights as we didn’t venture out of the hotel in evening. If I ever went back I think I would try the Westcliff. No complaints, it was perfect.

Then Adam drove us to Kruger with a stop at Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden, which in my opinion is a must see. We loved the chimps and hearing their stories and we ended up eating lunch there too (they have a creperie) so that we could see the monkeys for as long as possible. It was a lot of fun. I even bought a book that was autographed by Jane Goodall (I used to teach sociology for many years and would teach the kids about her, so this was a thrill for me.)

Lion River Sands in Sabi Sabi - What can I say! Our group fell in love with this place. It was the most wonderful setting, excellent food and service and our game driver (Diederick - who was only 22) and tracker (Kruger) were the best. We saw 4 of the Big Five and did 6 game drives in 3 days. We always had a morning snack in the bush and did a sundowner in the bush at night which were spectacular. The animals were so close it was unbelievable. We saw Elephants, Zebra, Giraffes, Hippos, Rhino’s, male & female lion with 1 cub and we were never more then 5-10 ft away. Tons of monkeys, baboons, birds, spring bok, eland, bush bucks etc. No one wanted to leave when this was over.

Federal Air was the way to go. We were on an 18 seater plane and I was so nervous about getting on, but the flight was great and smooth and all went well. We were back in Joburg in 1 hr 10 min. and of course our driver was there to meet us right on time.

Sun City was great to see once! The City of the Lost Palace hotel was spectacular and we had 2 outstanding nights there in beautiful rooms with exceptional meals. The weather on our last day was perfect and we sat by the most gorgeous pool I have ever seen. I asked Illios to make our pick up at 6 pm instead of 4 pm and they did, and the hotel allowed us a late check out on all the rooms til 5 pm at no charge, which was perfect. Adam, our guide from before, was there to pick us up and take us back to Joburg airport.

I can’t tell you how much we all enjoyed this trip and the itinerary you put together for us was absolutely perfect for our first visit to South Africa. We are definitely going back again and next time will do Capetown, the garden route and Durban. Thanks again for arranging a 100% perfect holiday that none of us will ever forget. You are definitely my “go to” man for South Africa and I am so glad that we chose you to make our arrangements for us.

Keep in touch.

—S.

“We all enjoyed ourselves immensely. Our guide was nothing short of fantastic. His van was comfortable; his English was excellent; and his knowledge, deportment and delivery were impeccable. We couldn't have done any better. On behalf of our group, thank you very much for the time and effort you took to make our Israel tour a great success with lasting memories.”

I thought you might like to have a over-all synopsis of our Israel adventure. We got back early on Wednesday morning on our flight home from Tel Aviv. For the most part the trip went pretty much according to the itinerary. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Our guide was nothing short of fantastic. His van was comfortable; his English was excellent; and his knowledge, deportment and delivery were impeccable. We couldn’t have done any better. We all highly recommend his services to any and all.

The accommodations chosen for us were very good in Tel Aviv, Tiberias, and Jerusalem, as well as in Eilat with comment. The location of the hotel was perfect. The lobby/bar/restaurant area and patio were very beautiful. The breakfasts at all locations were excellent.

I am happy to report that the Bethlehem portion of the Jerusalem tour went off without a hitch, and without the customary stop at the trinket shop. What a relief that was! Again, I thank you for your behind-the-scenes efforts so we could avoid that experience.

All in all, we had a marvelous time. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely and everyone was most impressed with Israel. I am sure that if the political situation was ever resolved then that country would be an undiscovered jewel for tourism. On behalf of our group, thank you very much for the time and effort you and your Israeli counterpart took to make our Israel tour a great success with lasting memories. Please hang on to my contact info, and when you are down in the county I’d be more than happy to share a couple of beers on my dock sometime in the summer.

Very Best Regards…..

—R.

“Just wanted to let you know we had a wonderful trip.”

It was more than I excepted, with many exciting adventures and great treatment from all that guided us through. Thanks again.

—F.C.

“We had the most unbelievable time and experience in South Africa!!!”

Victoria Falls was certainly a quick trip but I think we accomplished everything we needed to. The Nature reserve that the Zambezi Sun is located on was great and nice to be so close to the Falls. In fact on our last night we decided to take a midnight swim and the zebras and giraffes came out to watch us. The service and facilities at Kings Camp were outstanding!!! After the quick trip to Vic Falls we decided to add an additional day and we were very glad we did. I believe we saw more things in our short time then is often experienced by others. National Geographic was there filming the white lions. We experienced the Big 5 … were lucky to witness three separate prides … spotted Untombi the leopard twice. - First pride was new to our ranger and tracker but interesting to watch as the elephant herd tried scaring them away. - Witnessed the white lions kill a Cape Buffalo and everything that goes with it (elephants trying to scare the pride off… hyenas… vultures etc.) - The last pride included 2 lions and 4 lioness. We just missed the kill of another Cape buffalo but arrived minutes later. They had also taken down a lioness from another pride …which was sad but the way of nature. It was the best trip of our lives and not sure what will ever surpass it!!! Thanks for putting it altogether for us. I would be happy to recommend your services to others.

—B. & S.

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