I have just returned from the Wonders of South Africa Tour with April (August 2009). This tour is a must-do for anyone wanting to see the true South Africa.

It includes a stay and safari to see the animals in Kruger Park, overnight stays in Swaziland, Zululand and the Transvaal, visits to the Indian Ocean, the Drakensberg Mountains and picturesque Capetown, to name just a few of the highlights. Visiting an elephant sanctuary, Cango Caves and an ostrich farm were personal highlights for me. The food was fantastic with a vast choice of meals. The accommodation met my rather high standards - comfortable, clean and quiet.

Because this tour is relatively small (21 people maximum), it's possible to take the bus to out-of-the way places which are inaccessible to larger tour groups, for example to Coffee Bay and a native school. One optional extension was a flight to Livingstone and a stay at the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zambia. On our sunset cruise, we watched an elephant swim across the Zambezi River. Zebras and giraffes abounded in the Zambezi Sun hotel reserve. (Funny moment in the casual pool-side dining area - an enterprising monkey raced onto a table, scooped out the strawberry from a cocktail and darted off.) Several of us travelled into Zimbabwe to walk with the lions.

April's tour enabled us to see the real people, talk to villagers and marvel at their age old customs of collecting water on their heads, grinding millet on a stone to make porridge and bread and making their handcrafts. At all times we felt and were safe.

I thoroughly recommend this tour, the best I have been on, as value for money. I am looking forward to going on another adventure with April in the not-too-distant future.

Margaret Clark (author)


From superb to ugly, from breath-taking to thought provoking, from compassion to rejection, April and Cassie have shown us more of South Africa than anyone could have expected from one tour.

Cordelia

“Well what can I say? FANTASTIC, AWESOME, AMAZING” One of the most incredible trips I have been on!!

Having worked in the tourism industry, my expectations were high, but I couldn't fault a thing! April is so passionate about South Africa and has put together an incredible itinerary, allowing you to see parts of the country that most tours would not see, including Coffee Bay and a visit to a country school just to name a couple, I don’t want to give too much away!

Cassie our Tour Guide was a walking encyclopaedia, his knowledge on the history and the way he can tell a story and keep you riveted for hours was truly inspirational! But be aware, he is also the biggest practical joker, so just be careful if you play a joke on him, I warn you he will get you back!!!

And then there is Billie our coach driver, always reliable, dependable and adorable with a huge heart!

The highlights of my tour was from the day I arrived in Johannesburg to the day I flew out! But special mentions to – Kruger National Park, Swaziland, the Zulu Village, Coffee Bay, the helicopter flight over Victoria Falls, Walking with the lions and an elephant trek in Zimbabwe! Not to mention the special people on my tour, many of whom will always remain friends.

Will definitely be doing another tour with April!

Deb


What an absolutely wonderful holiday. The itinerary sounds great but doesn't do justice to the actual experience. Each day we thought "it doesn't get better than this", but it did, every day! There were so many highlights it is impossible to pick one. The fantastic sights, scenery, wildlife and people that are Africa were enhanced by the incredible knowledge of our guide Cassie. Thank you April for your superb organisation of the holiday of a lifetime - a truly life-changing experience.

Don (Clifton Springs) & June C. (UK)


I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jetset Waurn Ponds and April Selby, for fulfilling my lifelong dream. No one can imagine how much can be fitted in to 3 weeks in a country of absolute beauty. April, Cassie and bus driver Billy couldn't do anything more for everyone, and for my first group tour I always felt included in everything we did as a group. It was a life changing holiday for me: Kruger Park, Swaziland, Zululand, walking with lions in Zimbabwe, flying over Victoria Falls and many many more wonderful times were had by us all. The accommodation was first class even in places where we didn't expect it to be. I have never met a more knowledgable tour guide as was Cassie. What he didn't know wasn't worth knowing. He also showed he could take a joke as well. I will be highly recommending this tour to all I know. No one should miss it!! Thank you April and I look forward to hearing from you about your next new ventures.

June B.


We always knew we would enjoy the adventure, but it more than exceeded all of our expectations.

South Africa gets into your heart and soul and leaves an indelible mark on you. It has left us with a burning desire to go back and see more.

April, Cassie and our bus driver Billy were so professional and passionate in the way they went about conducting the tour – it was impossible not to get swept up in enthusiasm.

The tour was packed with unforgetable adventure, emotion and life changing experiences from start to finish. It had something for everyone.

The meals and accommodation were not bad either!

Would we consider another trip to South Africa with April in the future? Absolutely!

Lyn & Peter

We found April’s tour to be a wonderful insight into the people and places of South Africa. It was a fascinating blend of city and country, mountains, seaside, villages, wildlife and cultures. The highlights were Kruger National Park, the Zulu’s, the school at Coffee Bay, and the optional days at Victoria Falls, including the lion walk. The days were well balanced with sight seeing, activities, and spare time, all well catered for. It was enlightening to be able to walk around the villages and talk to the people, especially the children. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone.

Dennis & Tracey


A short note to express our appreciation of the trip we just experienced. Words don't do justice to how wonderful it was. Each night we would talk about the fantastic day we had just had and say that it couldn't get better - but it did time and time again. It is without doubt the best experience we have had and thank you for arranging such an awesome trip. Regards to Cassie and Billie. The accommodation never ceased to amaze us, from the authentic African style to the more modern here and there.We have to keep looking at the photos of the day we walked with the lions just to make sure we didn't dream it!!. Thank you again.

Jan & Steve


April, we would like to thank you for a most superb trip. When someone asks what the best part was, I find it hard to answer as it would take too long, since so many things were so fantastic. I'm gob smacked, I could do it all over again and again.

You certainly know how to put a trip together and your partner Cassie is the best.

Marie & Terry


Thank you April for a ‘never-to-be-forgotten’ holiday – we enjoyed it immensely. Our accommodation and meals were A1, much better that we thought they would be – so much delicious food to choose from! All the different animals we saw during the tour right from Day 1. Our ‘Walking with the Lions’ was a wonderful experience also patting the Cheetahs. The scenery down the East Coast was lovely also. Your help guidance and experience throughout the tour was much appreciated by two ‘novice overseas travellers’ particularly leading the way through customs, borders etc. A lot of thanks also to Cassie for his very knowledgeable information of South Africa. We would love to be able to return to South Africa again one day.

Merna & Don


What a fantastic trip!! The days were full of wonderful and exciting things to see and people to meet. I took lots and lots of photos. I have no hesitation in recommending the trip to friends. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would do it all again. Thanks April.

Margaret

Thanks for a wonderful tour that was crammed with highlights. The scenery, the culture and the opportunities to meet and interact with the local people gave us both memories which last a lifetime. In addition to all of this to see the wildlife in its own habitat really makes you appreciate what a wonderful continent Africa is. Our first trip to this part of the world but hopefully not our last, -where to next April?

Liz & John


I was a member of April’s Wonders of South Africa May 2008 tour. It proved to be by far the best trip I have ever done. From my first call to April until the day we came home everything was conducted in a most professional way. April was an excellent Tour Leader. Nothing was too much trouble for her. Cassie, our Tour Guide, had the most amazing knowledge of not only Africa but worldwide also. There was hardly ever a question he could not answer. Cassie and Billie, our Driver, also went out of their way, on their days off, to take us to places of interest. There was so much more included than what was on the itinerary. Our accommodation/food was first class everywhere we went. I have plans in the future to travel back to Africa and would certainly be booking with April again.

Alison


We would like to thank April, Cassie & Billy for our wonderful South African holiday experience.
April for the organisation, Cassie for the ‘in-tour lessons’ and Billy for his intrepid driving.
Our knowledgeable guide, Cassie, gave us so much interesting information including background and an understanding of the problems, socially and culturally, that the people have had in the past.
We were a small group of 21 and because of this the size of our coach and the skill of our driver allowed us to get to many places that would be out of the question for bigger coaches.
From the majestic rugged mountains to the fertile valleys, from the wildlife in the National Parks to the strong contrast between city and country – all combined to make unforgettable memories.
Culturally we experienced many things that enriched the tour for us all.
We feel we truly saw “the Wonders of South Africa”.

Nola & John


It would be hard to fit more into a couple of weeks. The accommodation, food & itinerary were clearly the end result of many years of acquired knowledge. What really makes the trip though is the company – our peers were relaxed and our guides were both knowledgeable and fun. At no stage did we feel like we were on an American tour!

Amanda


Our whole family went on April's Wonders of South Africa Tour in May 2008. We had high expectations and wanted to experience South Africa , its people its culture and of course, the animals in their natural habitat. We certainly weren't disappointed. Lots of time in the wild life parks allowed us to get close and personal with the animals; visits to a regional villages and schools were very special unique experience.

The accommodation was excellent and the food was even better. April took care of all our arrangements and nothing was a bother to her. We didn't have to do anything except enjoy ourselves. Truly the trip of a lifetime for our family.

Garry

Just wanted to say thanks for a fantastic trip to South Africa. Everything exceeded my expectations. The hotels were not only great but varied and interesting. You can't often say that a hotel is 'interesting'. The tour itself was crammed with everything from excitement to history and never failed to surprise and please. Food — fantastic! Staff — the best. What can I say but thanks for putting such a great tour together.

Joe & Gus


A wonderful, exciting and at times humbling adventure. A great mix of scenery, wildlife and cultural diversity shared with a good sized group of people all wishing to share a different travel experience with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced tour leader, guide and driver. Excellent accommodation choices added to the experience

Judy & Glenise

We went to South Africa not really knowing what to expect. On the open vehicle safari at Kruger NP we saw so many of the wonderful animals of Africa with our own eyes, we listened to the sounds of Africa with our own ears and were enthralled.

Then Coffee Bay and our visit to the schools, our warm welcome at the Junior School, the voices of the children’s choir, the dancing, it was here that we felt Africa with our hearts.

Thank you April, so much for all the help and advice that made it such a wonderful trip.

Jan & Reg


Just a note to thank you for a fantasic tour that I will remember forever. Friends have asked if I would consider going back to Africa and I reply “In a heartbeat”. This is mostly due to your planning and the way in which you conduct this tour, I particularly enjoyed meeting the people of South Africa and gaining a true perspective of life in Africa. I would recomend your tour to all who want to really experience South Africa and all it has to offer. Thank you for making my first overseas trip such a memorable experience that I will always treasure.

Yours,
Sharon R.


Dear April,

Firstly I would like to thank you for such a wonderful time. Your organisational skills are exceptional, and Cassie, well what can you say about Cassie – his complete knowledge of everything local is astounding, his information regarding the animals, the villages, the local people, the tribes, is just outstanding.

I am asked “What was your favourite place?”, and my answer is Kruger and the animals, Swaziland, Hluhluwe, Drakensberg, Coffee Bay, Capetown and and and and – there is no end. I have the most wonderful memories of places and people.

This was not just a holiday but a life experience and one that I will cherish forever.

Cheers,
Sandra


A Trip of a Lifetime!
The best part was the interacting with the children at the schools in Coffee Bay.
If you are going to have on trip in your life, go on this one.
Words cannot express properly the whole experience.

Robert & Isabel


The diversity of this land makes for a wonderful adventure (with all mod cons of course) and great memories. A very informative guide ensured we understood so much more about the history and current events. From seeing the animals in the wild to meeting the people in their homes, forget the fairy floss stuff you see on TV, this is the real South Africa.

Brian & Heather


I have been on a quite few trips overseas before but April's Wonders of South Tour was definitely a “trip of a lifetime”. The highlight for me was being about a metre away from a four metre high elephant in Hluhluwe and seeing the Big Five in Kruger National Park.

People have asked me but I can honestly say that at all times I never felt unsafe or had any fear whilst travelling around the country, have never before taken so many photos and videos and travelled with such a lovely group of people. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to everyone.

Lindsay Schroeter

We began your tour with no expectations and we can now say that it is one of the best thing we have done travel wise.

When told to “leave our brains at home”, naturally we had some reservations! Your professionalism and organisational skills proved that this was great advice. We did not have to worry or think at all, and could just sit back and take it all in.

The extra time and effort to make sure we were able to experience all available adventures along the way was much appreciated. The elephant safari in Zimbabwe, and the helicopter ride over Victoria Falls were amazing, and memories that will stay with us forever.

South Africa is a beautiful country of many contrasts, and your tour manages to capture that perfectly. With Cassie with his amazing knowledge and Michael with his great sense of humour, what a great team you made.

Thanks again for a wonderful tour.
Trish & Leonie


Exhausting but well worth it - great animals, wonderful scenery; good food and excellent accommodation made it the experience of a lifetime.

Margaret & Sarah

Dear April,

Evelyn and I would like to thank you most sincerely for a wonderful holiday to South Africa.

We had a throughly enjoyable time and feel that we have had a unique insight to life in South Africa. This was, in no small part, due to the very professional way in which the tour was organised. Travel and hotel arrangements were clearly very well researched for quality and value, the tour guide extremely knowledgeable and the coach driver very skilled and safe.

We would not hesitate to recommend this holiday to family and friends and would like to thank you once again for all your efforts both before and during this memorable experience.

Yours very sincerely,
Roger


Many thanks for a wonderful trip to South Africa. Your guidance and expertise was the best.

Many lasting memories,
Gaye & Noel


Dear April,

Africa is a land of natural wonders, which your itinerary brought to life for both Brian and I amid the complexity of a nation experiencing great change. There were so many wonderful sights and experiences that I will mention just a few which stood out for us:

  • Seeing the rainbow over Victoria Falls as we looked down from the helicopter.
  • The native flora bursting into bloom from the summit of Table Mountain at Cape Town.
  • And most of all... the 3 Cheetahs in Kruger National Park, stealthfully going after their prey, whilst still camouflaged amongst the grasses - than in an instance fleeting across the road straight in front of our coach. Amazing!!! Never to be forgotten.

Thanks April,
Sincerely,
Joscelyn


April's Wonders of South Africa Tour – so aptly named is this experience of a lifetime that I have just enjoyed, from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park and down the east coast to Cape Town then up to Victoria Falls. April's planning expertise, Cassie's in depth knowledge of Africa and its peoples, animals, politics and general knowledge, and Billie's superb driving, left nothing to be desired.
A journey of knowledge into the extremes of a country and its peoples... a gathering of memories for me to enjoy forever.

Joan


Our accommodation was amazing. Each day another delightful surprise emerged. Friendly hosts and knowledgeable guide feasted, entertained and educated us. Magnificent mountains and scenery varied constantly with time to relax and enjoy interaction with local villagers.

Ivy

Very enjoyable holiday. Good food, good wine, great shopping, good company and very informative guide. I totally recommend this holiday for someone who wants to see the sights of Africa - animals and people - with people who know what they are doing and how to look after you.

Josie


On our recent trip with April's Wonders of South Africa Tour, we were treated to some of the most spectacular and breathtaking scenery and views ever imagined. South Africa is a land of contrasts from the wide open spaces and wild animals of Kruger National Park, to the V & A Waterfront precinct of Cape Townand the winery area of Stellenbosch. It was an experience of a lifetime and we hope to go again. The tour was well organised and we can thoroughly recommend it.

John & Bev


We would like to thank you, April, for our unforgettable trip. From the children in the villages to the animals on our night safari, the memories will live forever, thank you.

Kim & Rob

We would like to recommend April's Wonders of South Africa Tour. We thought the itinerary was well chosen, allowing us to get an insight into South African life without feeling unsafe at any time.

Of course the highlight has to be Kruger National Park, where a lone bull elephant expressed his displeasure at us being in his territory, before continuing his foraging. Watching a lioness stalking zebra and warthogs only to be chased from her hiding place in the bushes by an elephant was also a great experience. Sitting on an ostrich amused everyone, and so did those game enough to ride one!

If you go that far, it would be a shame to miss the spectacular Victoria Falls and the Zambian experience, with monkeys and baboons playing in the hotel grounds. The tour was well conducted, and Cassie was a most informative guide. This certainly was a memorable experience for us.

Pam & Graham (May 2005 Tour)

After the start of the tour at Kruger, we thought it couldn't get any better. This must be the highlight of the tour, but SURPRISE! it just got better and better.

Jan & Alan (May 2003 Tour)


I found our tour guide in South Africa to be a wealth of knowledge. I enjoyed my trip to South Africa so much that I have been back on another holiday since, and I am heading back to Africa again next year.

Enid (May 2003 Tour)