Testimonials From Happy Travelers

“ We loved (loved) our trip and are already starting to save up for our next trip! Pam, our guide in Cape Town was delightful…a wealth of information. It has been my dream for years to experience Africa – to see all the amazing animals. Traveling opens my experiences and how I interact with people. I learned a lot about myself on this trip – that I really like meeting new people! You came highly recommended and I liked Sandy the first time I spoke with her! Now I get the chance to recommend you to others! ”
Marti Gillen and Ed Knutt, New York

“ I have always wanted to go to Africa...it had been a lifelong dream, but the planning and know how all seemed daunting. Every experience of working with Hills of Africa Travel, from top to bottom was effortless, delightful, and exciting. It made us very spoiled with trip planning... So much has changed since we returned from Africa; I re-connected to my business, my dreams, and the big why I do what I do in this world. It was a rich experience that would be cheapened trying to find words. We loved working with Hills of Africa and decided we had to work with them as they were very niched and I knew they were great at their specificity, along with having an Africa owner. ”
Suzanne and Melonie - www.helpmorepeople.com

“ Meredith and Sandy, We would like to thank you for such a wonderful trip to South Africa. It was truly amazing and we appreciate everything you did for us. We know it took a huge amount of planning and effort and it certainly surpassed our expectations. You are both such awesome people and it was really a pleasure meeting you and getting to know you better. Thanks again for everything. We look forward to more adventures!! Much love and best wishes, Ainslie MacLeod and Kelli Nichols ”
Ainslie MacLeod and Kelli Nichols, Seattle, WA

“ We saw the big five, the small five, lion kills, cheetahs, a malachite kingfisher, a honey badger, a huge amount more and stayed in some amazing places. You did an amazing job on the whole thing, and we're both really pleased and had an outstanding time. I'm grateful that you managed to pull off such an awesome experience both for the wedding and the honeymoon without any effort from me! Thanks! ”
Matthew Harrison, England

“ There is not a single thing that I would have wished for differently. I will never forget all the little details that led us to have the most wonderful day. You also brought my mother's dream to life too.....the magic of Africa really helped her recovery. Thank you Sandy - you did an outstanding job. ”
Heidi Harrison, Plymouth, England

“Michelle and I had a wonderful time on our Zimbabwe safari. Actually, that’s an understatement. We were blow away by the beauty and diversity of the landscape, the friendliness of the people, and the diversity of wildlife.

While Michelle had been to Africa before, this was my first time. In fact, I’d never been outside the U.S. Before visiting Africa I thought that the people would be uncivilized and anti-west, and I must admit, I was concerned about disease and my safety.

What I discovered was that it was quite the opposite. At every camp we visited, we were treated like family. We had access to filtered water and amazing fresh food at the camps. The guides were so knowledgeable and went out of their way to track the animals we wanted to see. I trusted Wilderness Safaris’ camps 100% with everything, and never felt unsafe. They are truly the nicest people / staff on the entire planet and catered to any and all of our individual needs.

Sandy and Mark, thank you for creating a dream African vacation for us! You took the time to listen to my concerns before the trip and we knew that if we ever needed anything from you while we were away, that you would be there for us.

We cannot wait to return to Zimbabwe! ”
Gary Harwyn and Michelle Salater, Zimbabwe safari May 2010

“(We were) always fascinated by South Africa and wanted to visit for a long time. Hills of Africa was exceptionally helpful in preparing our itinerary and everything went very smoothly throughout the trip. We feel more fulfilled and recognize that we had a very special and unique experience.” ”
Brett King and Shiva Sadri, New York, NY

“Dear Sandy, Replying to your email will be an absolute pleasure for me! Any chance to re-live some of the life altering experiences that my family and I had on our " Hills of Africa" safari is most welcomed. Nothing can beat watching the African sunrise over the Okavango Delta with loved ones or feeling the exhilaration of a charging elephant testing the abilities of our dedicated guide as we back up quickly down the road! Nothing compares to the playful antics of leopard cubs wrestling in the tall savanna grass! When will we ever get another chance to view the majesty of a pride of lions against a backdrop of acacia and baobab trees or a family of cheetahs lounging on a termite mound before an evening of hunting impala.

The magic of Africa now runs through me as surely as if I were a child of the Kalahari leaving my footprints next to the spoor of the hyaena. This same magic that rekindled the passions of my daughters and wife for nature and the great outdoors. Everyone needs to share the experiences of a trip like this with their loved ones. It was unforgettable, spiritually uplifting, and truly just fodder for the soul. Throw in a couple of world cup soccer games and I believe one has found the formula for the perfect holiday!

Many thanks to the "Hills of Africa" people who made this trip a reality for my family. Thanks to the staff of the Chitabe, Tubi Tree and Duma Tau camps for the meals, the dancing and entertainment , and the camaraderie. Thanks to the extremely knowledgeable guides for teaching us the species and the environmental impact of everything we do. Lastly, thank you Sandy for helping us get through a very trying time when we thought all the preparation would be for naught after we missed our flight. I can’t wait to schedule our next trip to Cape Town or Kruger or to recommend your company to friends. ”
Trey, Beth, Amie, and Alex Todd, New Orleans

“Our passion is to travel and to visit exotic places. Our biggest obstacle was figuring out the logistics (What? Where? When? How?) and that is where Hills of Africa's expertise really shined! Working with Hills of Africa was very easy, Mark and Sandy were quickly available by email or phone whenever we had an issue or question. While in Africa we had contact numbers to call for help but thankfully we didn't need it. That was a great anxiety reducer to know that if we had trouble we were not completely on our own. Since returning from our travels, we have learned more about African culture and the jewel that this continent represents and the importance of preserving it for others to experience. I want to take my children there when they are a few years older. We decided to book with Hills of Africa Travel because of a high recommendation of a friend. No greater marketing tool than word of mouth! ”
Dean & Tami Traiger, Florida

A sequence of events best described as synchronicity led to Dave and me joining Hills of Africa Travel on their Soul Safari 2009. Having much in common, we struck up an online conversation beforehand (via our respective blogs, twitter and facebook), which quickly developed into a warm friendship. The Soul Safari concept held instant and powerful appeal, due to my spiritual curiosity and dedication to personal development, particularly since it was planned for two favorite (and first class) destinations. Reading Ainslie MacLeod’s book further enhanced my fascination, so we were delighted to accept Sandy and Meredith’s invitation to join them as their official photographers, and to meet them in person! The trip was a true inspiration and absolute joy (as the videos attest to ), leading to many lasting connections, including the one we share with Hills of Africa. This has soundly expanded the reach of our company (Outdoor Video & Photographic) to North America, while blessing us with the opportunity to share our love of Africa, its wildlife and culture, with others around the world. Apart from pampering and privilege, 2010 Soul Safari Transformation offers more fun, exploration and insight, as well as another fabulous benefit: a long-anticipated visit to Zimbabwe and Vic’ Falls. We can hardly wait! By Naomi Estment of Outdoor Video & Photographic (OV&P), based in Johannesburg, South Africa, website: http://www.ovandp.co.za, blog: http://naomiestment.wordpress.com

“What a surprise when my two daughters took me on a safari for my 80th birthday. It was the best trip ever! I saw so many great animals and had a fantastic time with my two granchildren and my two daughters. Thanks to the poeple at Royal Madikwe, they really made us feel special and were wonderful to all of us. Thank you for an unforgettable, once-in- a-lifetime exerience. ”
Bella Helen Rienstra

“Thank you for planning the trip of a lifetime! My husband and I traveled to Tanzania and Kenya with Hills of Africa in January 2007. We were thrilled with the trip, particularly with the excellent and organized itinerary, the beautiful accommodations and most importantly, our fantastic guide Felix. Words cannot describe how comfortable and safe we felt in his hands (and the hands of Hills of Africa). We saw more animals than we thought possible, including giraffe, cheetah, elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos and even a leopard -- all within just a few feet. We ate the most delicious food in the most beautiful settings, such as breakfast right in the middle of the Serengeti with zebra and wildebeest by our side. It is also worth mentioning that our entire trip went off without a glitch and we were able to relax and just enjoy it. To this day, we watch the DVD of our photos when we are feeling blue and it puts a smile on our face instantly. We would wholeheartedly recommend Hills of Africa to anyone interested in visiting the region! THANK YOU SANDY. ”
Rachel Jarrett, New Jersey

“Hills of Africa provided by far, the best travel experience I have ever had. The amount of planning that went into the trip was just incredible and no detail was left unattended. They knew exactly how to provide the perfect travel adventure. And they are fun and easy to work with which is a bonus! Hills of Africa also supported businesses that helped the communities we were in, which is important to me. And they have the exact knowledge and expertise necessary to plan such trips and I would recommend them to anyone traveling to Africa. ”
Kelli Nichols, Vashon, WA

“Wow! Warren and I were totally bowled over by absolutely everything connected with our recent trip to Africa: the accommodations, the amenities, the people, the food. You name it, and we loved it. Thank you so much for all the work that went into preparing such a mind-boggling vacation. The logistics alone would have put us into the nuthouse. Mr Mpisi, amongst many many others, changed our lives forever. Thank you for arranging for the visit to Monde Village at Victoria Falls – that was one of the highlights of our trip. I can’t thank Hills of Africa Travel enough! ”
Jim Cumiskey, Cumberland, MD

“I just had to write and say "Datende"! What a magnificent itinerary you arranged for me and Jim. We were simply in awe of how EVERYTHING came off without a hitch. I'm tired right now as I just got home about 3 hours ago, but wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU for everything you did to make this a trip of a life time. We've already recommended your services to others we met throughout our journey. Thanks so much!!!!!!”  -
Warren Wagner, Cary, NC

“WOW! You girls put together an AMAZING itinerary for our trip to South Africa! My husband told me that it was the most fantastic trip we had ever taken. Considering that we’ve been travelling together for 21 of our 41 years—that’s HUGE! I cannot thank you enough for the arrangements you made. The itinerary gave us such a wonderful perspective of the different landscapes, cultures, cuisine, wine and people of South Africa. Your choice of lodging was impeccable. Each one outdid the previous one. Thank you for all your help and suggestions. Thanks to you, we truly had a trip of a lifetime! ”
Mary Macchiaroli, Cape Coral, FL

“We had a wonderful trip to South Africa. You did a great job of selecting the hotels.  We very much enjoyed each one we stayed at -- each had its own special charm that set it apart from the others, and all were characterized by personable and pleasant service.  The trip along the Garden Route was truly gorgeous.  At Grootbos, in addition to enjoying our wonderful little cottage, we took a ride in a Land Rover through the "fynbos," toured the interesting milkwood forest, rode horses, and saw whales and dolphins and sharks on a cruise out into the ocean.   In Cape Town, we rode the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, hiked along the top of the mountain, visited the shops and new waterfront, and relaxed in the Hemingway House sipping Rooibos Tea and reading books. Thanks for all your help!”
Mark Dangerfield, Mesa, AZ

“It is the trip of a life time and we want to go back in a few years, as we fell in love with the countries we visited and the people - from our guides (Pam, Liese, safari guides) to the people in the village near the River Club and in Soweto. Seeing the animals in their natural habitats never stopped thrilling us. Every minute was perfect and went off without a hitch, and we cannot thank you enough for that. Thank you so very much for planning this trip for us. If you are ever in my area, please let me know as I’d love to meet you.”
Carol and Michael Pliner, CA

“Every aspect of the trip ,the choice of hotels, the guides, the people who met us and eased our way through the airports and transferred us to our hotels, the special dinner and lunch reservations, and any of an amazing number of details that made our trip go so smoothly was fabulous. We loved South Africa! The safari camp experience was beyond our "wildest" imaginations. We just loved it -- the animals, the sights, the sounds, the amazing sunsets. The camps were great and we met some really fun people. Thank you so much for all you did to make this such a spectacular trip for us.”
Bill & Esther Puterbaugh, San Jose, CA

“Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. We had an incredible time. It was perfect, so well orchestrated, no glitches at all. The kids loved it. My husband and I loved it. We all want to go back again and again. The people were wonderful. You'll have to help us plan the next wonderful trip. ”
Amy Nicholas and Family, Rye, NY

“It has been exactly a year since our trip to South Africa and the awe and glow still haven't subsided!! Everything you arranged for us-- travel, lodges, safari, hotels--was fantastic and well advised.  Because of your meticulous planning, we were well cared for!  Our experiences in mountains, villages, coast and cities were transforming.  And the spirit of the bushveld animals--zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions-- remain with us still!   Thank you! ”
Tina Quirk and Family, New York, NY

“Thank you for making our trip to South Africa and Botswana fantastic.  The itinerary was carefully planned to include exactly what we wanted to see and do; and everything was carried out according to plan. We are so glad that you are already preparing our next trip to this incredible continent.  Thank you again. ”
Bill and Sara Walker, CA

“My trip to South Africa was a life changing experience. From visiting Kruger National Park and getting close to a baby rhino and his mother, to visiting Robben Island in Cape Town, I will never forget it. I can't wait to go back! It's such an amazing place. ”
Sheara Braun, New York, NY

“I must write to tell you what an absolutely extraordinary trip we had! Everything was absolutely wonderful and your meticulous and thoughtful planning made for a stress-free trip. I think I speak for most of the family when I say that our safari camp stays were the highlight of the trip -- my favorite was Makalolo but Khoka Moya was superb as well. For me, the location of Makalolo and the iconic African landscape we were able to look out at every morning -- plus the superb service and welcome from Amon and his team -- made it truly a trip of a lifetime.”
Kathryn, Claus, Elizabeth & Cicely, Vancouver, CA

“Sandy planned an amazing trip tailored to exactly what we wanted on our honeymoon - relaxation, adventure and romance.
Going to sleep in a tree house in Botswana to the sound of lions roaring and waking up to the image of a giraffe walking past was just one of the memories we will never forget. ”
Debbie and Jordan Klingsberg, FL

“Wow...what an amazing trip I had!  I loved every minute of it!  I can see how people get addicted to Africa!!!  I think you will be hearing from me again really soon!!!  Thanks so much for all of your help!!!”
Kim Baumbach, Hoboken, NJ

“The trip was wonderful, especially the safari!  I miss the animals already!  All went well;  it was just too short (not surprising, I'm sure).  The people of South Africa were absolutely wonderful - welcoming, hospitable and very kind.  Thanks again.”
Renee Hughes, Concord, NC

“The vacation you planned for us was fantastic and there is no way we could have ever done it without your experience! Our trip was perfect for "first timers", it gave us a taste of what South Africa has to offer. Our accommodations were wonderful and the people warm and friendly. We plan on returning, as there is more for us to experience and Hills of Africa will be planning that trip. Their experience, knowledge of the area and contacts are the best! ”
Christine Valocchi and Family, Philadelphia, PA

“South Africa was absolutely amazing! I fell in love with the country. In fact, I want to move there. (I'm actually pretty serious.) I loved Kruger. The accommodations were beautiful. It was such a wonderful experience. Thank you for everything you did to make it so special.”
Sheara Braun, NY, NY

“I can't THANK YOU Enough!!! We loved it. Carolyn and I had a River Rafting ride of a life time. Changed my life and how I look at things as much as any part of the trip. I am sending your name and co. out to all my friends and family. YOU and your entire staff in all areas have really won the day with me.”
Sarah Panyard, CA

“Thanks Sandy - we had a wonderful time!! Mike and I are already thinking about saving up for the next trip ;) Thanks for all of your hard work - it was the trip of a lifetime!!”
Molly Stroud, Raleigh, NC

“Mana Pools is a magical setting.  It is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River.  Hippos are plentiful, as are crocodiles. We also saw lions, buffalo, elephants and many other species of wildlife.  Canoeing on the Zambezi is an adventure in itself, especially when ended with sundowners on the banks of the river.  We stayed in a mobile-style tented camp, courtesy of Natureways.  This "authentic" type of camping is my favorite way to spend time in the bush.  The staff was fabulous, especially the cook, who even managed to make a layer cake over an open fire! ”
Janet Sadoff, CA

“Sandy and her team at Hills of Africa Travel planned a perfect honeymoon for us. From our safari in Kruger National Park to the beautiful and pristine beaches of Mauritius, our honeymoon was the ideal combination of an exciting adventure and relaxing lazy days on the beach. The accommodations were top notch and our itinerary was well thought out. In addition, their knowledge of the region helped us prepare in advance and built up the excitement for what was a first class trip. When one of our flights was delayed their team on the ground in South Africa graciously picked us up at the airport for an impromptu and informative tour of the city instead of us having to wait hours at the busy airport for our flight.”
Jamie Forusz, New York

“When I first decided that South Africa would be my time away from everyday life, the Hills of Africa team (Meredith and Sandy) became my surrogate family to help me realize my “adventure of a lifetime”.   My adventure was everything I anticipated and more.  Andre, my SA guide, was instrumental in the “more” part of the journey.  His wealth of knowledge and planning every day made each day a mini-adventure.  For the first time, I truly enjoyed a holiday without any stress and complete enjoyment.  The bonus was the personal growth gained during my journey.”
Donna Bernier, Charlotte, NC

“Hi Sandy, There is so much we could say about our trip, all good, but we thought this might sum it up (below). I've attached some pictures too. I couldn't decide on the pictures so I included a bunch. At Blaauwbosch there is a sunset and our Sundowners (cocktails on safari), our Cape Malay lunch (my sister and Gamidah and then the tree of us with Gamidah), our lunch at Kalp Bay (with Pam), shopping at Plett Bay and my daughter Emily with Dave. Thanks to Hills of Africa we had a very unique and personalized experience on our visit to South Africa. We would never have been able to find all the wonderful places we visited without their invaluable advice. We even learned to cook a traditional Cape Malay meal in a home in the Bo Kaap District of Cape Town! Tour books don't come close to what they did. We had a fairly rigid time line and lots of things we wanted to do. They put together a fabulous itinerary that not only allowed us to fit in all the things we wanted (touring, shopping, wineries, safari, etc...) but also gave us some flexibility to add things along the way. They booked us with hotels, game reserves and tour guides that they KNEW would be top notch. Hills of Africa met all our expectations and more. We can't wait to go back. ”
Karen Sirois, Boston, MA

“Sandy, The trip was fabulous, better than expected even though we expected a lot! You did an outstanding job setting everything up. It was so nice to have someone waiting for us basically everywhere we went. We certainly will recommend your services to anyone traveling, especially if going to Africa!”
Paul & Beth Jaszewski, Huntersville, NC

"I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many truly amazing places thus far in my lifetime, but it’s taken me until now to set foot on the African continent. Finally, everything fell into place to make it happen this past month. I had the time (always the hardest part about getting away!) and an enthusiastic travel companion, and the trip fit in perfectly with my personal agenda of doing some reading up on International Wildlife Law during summer break. What better way to follow up reading about wildlife than by hanging out with the elephants and leopards themselves?

After landing in South Africa and spending our sixth wedding anniversary at African Rock Hotel in Johannesburg, my husband Seth and I headed to Zimbabwe. The chance to be with the animals in their own environment is an experience that I wish each person could have at some point during his or her lifetime. We encountered all kinds of animals — animals I didn’t even know existed before this trip. And we did so quietly and respectfully, mindful not to intrude upon them or disrupt nature in progress. We were there simply to bear witness. I remain in awe of the power and peace one finds co-existing in the wilderness."
Sharon Discorfano
www.sharondiscorfano.com

To read more of Sharon’s experience in Africa, click here.

"This is just a quick note to say thank you to you and the Hills of Africa team for all the preparation and planning that went into Stuart's surprise trip to Zambia on the Hills of Africa trip. You pulled off an amazing feat for his 50th birthday present by reuniting him with 2 of his best friends whom he hasn't seen in over 10 years in the most amazing location. It was so difficult to keep it as a surprise for so many months but so worth it - he had a truly fantastic time at the crocodile farm, on the river, and, finally, at the Lafupa safari camp.

I really can't thank you enough, Sandy, and would wholeheartedly recommend you and the Hills of Africa team to anyone wishing to travel to Africa, especially for a special occasion."
Catherine Thomson, Malta, Europe

"You guys set the standard. Your attention to detail and personal touch were amazing."
Brian and Arlene Amery

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