Discover South Africa Seat Sale
Go Touch Down Travel & Tours
- Offices In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours that, when possible, use accommodations owned and operated by them
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $6,938 to $10,841 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Christine | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Best!
The GoTouchdown tour was fabulous! The tour guides were always on time and full of information about everything from the animals to the terrain to the history and people of the region and culture of the area. And they were incredibly friendly, nice and unbelievably helpful getting you whatever you needed.
The Seasons hotel was ok but the Hamala and Dunkeld accommodations were fabulous! Dunkeld Estates was a total surprise - it was like Scotland in the middle of Africa with stone buildings and beautiful horses and trees - and with incredible accommodations, definitely 5-star.
The Safari guides were so knowledgeable both at Hamala and Pilanesburg that they made the experience even better. I had tears of joy seeing the giraffes, zebras, hippos, and elephants so close. The park were the lions, cheetahs, etc were was just ok but I was happy to see the big cats, and they had fabulous gift stores. I must say the Hamala Safari ride is not for people with back or neck problems but I thoroughly enjoyed the bumpy ride. Visiting the local terrain and parks showed me how vast and mountainous and diverse South Africa was.
I loved the Safari week so much that I thought the 2nd week which was in Cape Town would be a letdown but I could not have been more wrong! Our fantastic guide, JP, picked us up every morning at 7:30 or 8:00 from the Stillness Manor and we were on the go all day long seeing everything from the Most Southern tip of Africa, botanical gardens, penguins, beautiful villages like Hermanes, a cable car ride with incredible views, a bird zoo where squirrel monkeys crawled all over you ( I could have stayed there for hours), various shopping venues that had primitive local art to others with upscale African designers, and a tour of the history of diamond mining ending with an opportunity to purchase some beautiful gems.
And the restaurants! Lots of incredible food and beautiful places. My favorite was Gold where everyone got their face painted, played native drums, was entertained with various vignettes of native singing and dancing, all while dining on 14 courses (tapas size) of native foods! This place is not to be missed! There was also the restaurant at the edge of the rocky shore in Hermanes which was gorgeous. And there were lots more all included in the tour price.
The Township Tour explained how apartheid affected the people, showed how some of the poorest people still live, and showed the continuing struggle in neighborhoods today. It ended with lunch in a lovely lady’s home. It was truly an education that enhanced my understanding of South Africa and should not be missed.
I honestly didn’t want to leave. By the way, I was traveling alone and had a wonderful time meeting new people and felt safe and secure the whole trip.
CA
Email Craig and Carolyn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
OUTSTANDING, Trip of a lifetime, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
We are very experienced travellers having travelled all over the world with various tour companies like Trafalgar, Colette, Globus, Scenic cruises etc. Our experience in Africa was second to none and it created special and fantastic memories that will last a life time. In travel the phrase "trip of a lifetime" is often overused but this truly was a trip of a lifetime! The experiences and memories are unforgettable!
Marie Brivik was wonderful and always went the extra mile to ensure our trip was unforgettable and all the many details for us were looked after. She even gave us her What's App contact info in case a problem was to occur. She was professional, thorough and always willing to listen.
We started in Cape Town and had wonderful experiences with the highlights being Buffelsfontein, Langa township tour and lunch with a local lady, Boulders penguins, Robben Island,Table mountain, the wineries, the Gold African dinner and show. These wonderful experiences can simply not be matched and would be impossible to do on our own. Absolutely awesome! Shark Bay and Belle Maroc were amazing properties!
Our second week was the 7 night safari tour at Humala and Tshukudu game lodges. The differences between the two properties gave us the opportunity to see and experience two completely different types of safaris. The swazi dancers at Humala were outstanding! The day spent in Kruger was an amazing experience and can't be missed. The sunset river cruise on the African Princess was superb, relaxing, with wonderful appetizers and drinks!
The staff was most helpful and did whatever they could to ensure our every need was met, simply speaking they spoiled us! More specifically Trevor at Buffelsfontein was awesome, Joseph who drove us to Humala and then on to Tshukudu always greeted us with a smile and went above and beyond to make our trip the best, Lyle at Humala was always eager to help and give us the best experience possible and finally Michael our guide at Tshukudu whose professionalism, knowledge and sense of humour was the best, always ensuring our safari was unforgettable by answering our many questions. Thanks to all.
The food we had was delicious, well prepared and added to our African experience!!!! Special mention must go to Pancake Harry's for their bobotie, San interpretative center restaurant for their Eland burger, Kruger lunch stop for their snails and finally Mariner's wharf. I have had lobster at many places over the world and theirs was simply the best!!
Thank you Go Touch down for a truly amazing experience that cannot be matched.
Email Kevin and Carol | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Want luxury, excitement, pampering and affordable, think South Africa, think Go Touch Down.
WOW! Go Touch Down scored a 10 with us. From the moment we booked our tour your office was wonderful answering questions and taking care of everything so we could enjoy a stress free trip. All the resorts we stayed at were absolutely 5* beautiful. James and Tony were wonderful guides and showed us the many wonders of South Africa and made us feel like family. Michael our safari guide showed us more than the BIG 5, it was more like 12+. The knowledge they shared was incredible and made the trip enjoyable and fun. The staff at Tshukudu were all wonderful, Dolly with her homemade gluten free bread and Rachel at Stillness Manor with her cheerful smile and so many others made this trip special. We thought this trip would check South Africa off the bucket list but Go Touch Down and all the wonderful people there have made us want to come back and see more. Thank you all for an unforgettable trip.
Email Theresa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touchdown Tours is a great tour operator!
I can't say enough about Go Touchdown! Great company! I added a day in Johannesburg before my 8 day Cape Town Tour. They booked all my flights for me and my hotel in Johannesburg and a tour. The Go Touchdown staff was very helpful with questions and concerns I had.
I stayed at City Lodge at O.R. Tambo Airport. Very convenient. Great hotel. Friendly staff! It's right in the airport!
I took the Soweto Tour in Johannesburg and enjoyed it. I learned a lot. Went to Nelson Mandela's house. It is very small.
Cape Town is beautiful! Had great weather! The cruise along Langebaan Lagoon was wonderful. We had a beautiful sunny day for it. Learned about fossils at the West Coast Fossil Park. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre was very educational. We even got to cook a piece of Spring Bok on an open fire! We went to Table Mountain. The views from there are incredible! Loved the ride up to the top. The floor in the car rotates so everyone can get the same view! Saw the penguins and seals! Cape Point Lighthouse was great. Great views from there as well. We also went to Cape of Good Hope. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has some great shopping. The Watershed is a local place where individuals can sell their jewelry, clothing and other items! On our last full day in Cape Town, we did 2 wine tastings. The wine is great! I bought a bottle! The dinner at Gold Restaurant was incredible! Each course was delicious!
The hotels we stayed at were great. Very friendly staff. The manager at Shark Bay could not have been more accommodating! My only issue was that my bed at Stillness Manor creaked when I got up from it. Being a beach girl, I loved the location of Belle Maroc Blouberg! Right on the beach!
Our tour guide Jonathan is one of, if not the best, tour guide I ever had! He was always on time or even early. He is very knowledgeable and is a proud native of Cape Town! He recommended a great restaurant at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for fish! I had the King Clip and it did not disappoint! He was also very helpful when taking me to Cape Town International Airport for my flight home.
Email Catherine | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fulfilled a Dream, and exceeded all expectations!!
I paid on this trip for years, so made it easy to afford, but then there was Covid and passport problems with my granddaughter, but GTD was very accommodating and worked with me.
As for the trip...WOW!!! Accommodations were A±±±. Do you know what it is like to be treated like one of the rich and famous, even if you aren't? No crowds, everyone is so nice and friendly. A chef to prepare delicious meals, even prepare the fish you can catch while fishing. If you have certain food restrictions, they will make whatever you need to take care of you. You have plenty to eat, and when you aren't eating, they are feeding you more. You better not plan on loosing weight, because you won't.
Then, you have all been to the zoo, and seen some of the animals. That was cool when you were little, but, you will never have the same feeling as you will when an elephant comes out of the trees, headed right for your vehicle. Heart rate increases dramatically! Then you see more elephants together than you have ever imagined. Zebras, Impalas, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Hippos, Rinos, Giraffes, and then the big cats, Lions, Cheetahs and Leopard. None of them are caged, all running free. Baboons, and make sure you close your door when you go on the morning or evening game drive, as the monkeys know how to get in your room. Very early morning you may encounter the Bushbabies.
Kruger National Park, what a great place! Would be great to spend more time there. If you like dogs, Jackals are great to watch, and a real beauty is the African painted dog.
I just can't say enough about this trip, and I would go back in a heartbeat. GTD has exceeded all expectations.
Email Leslie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly fulfilled a lifelong dream...wildlife, culture, and breath-taking views!!!
Our Spring 2024 trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe was extremely interesting, quite educational, and absolutely sensational!!! We experienced a safari, visited Capetown, and trekked Victoria Falls. This venture was made possible by Go Touch Down Travel & Tours (GTD). From start to finish, Lucia and Deon and everyone associated with GTD went out of her/his way to make sure that all of our questions/concerns/needs were met.
The thatched roofed huts at both Reserves were spacious and comfortable. The chefs went all out to make sure there was plenty of food that all appetites would enjoy. Vegetarians and vegans should not worry; plenty of choices for you too. Our rangers were fantastic. Their vast knowledge of wildlife and foliage throughout the Reserves truly enhanced the experience. We saw the Big Five, plus many other animals and birds. Our wonderful driver also shared his knowledge and understanding of the Reserves and the countryside while driving to different locations. The Endangered Species Reserve is a must see. The afternoon was interesting and offered much information about the wildlife being protected and nurtured at the facility.
During our stay in Capetown, we learned about the city’s culture. A walking tour had us seeing first-hand the lives in a shanty community, a school, and sharing a meal with a local resident. For those liking jewelry, Shimansky’s will have you smiling. (Save your receipts and VAT paperwork!) Dinner and the show at Gold’s Restaurant was so much fun. The food was delicious, and vegetarians/vegans can request a separate menu. Neethlingshof winery was wonderful. We tasted many varietals and took an informative tour. Our visit with the Sans grouping taught us about how we are all connected to each other. And, I cannot forget the penguins; they are simply adorable. Lastly, Victoria Falls is breathtaking. The views looking at the Falls were beautiful, as well as from behind the Falls during our sundowner cruise. This three-week experience was truly a treat!!!
CA
Email Candide | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touch Down was so easy to deal with and responded to any concerns immediately.
We signed up for the 10 day Signature tour and the 4 day Victoria Falls tour. We also added 2 extra days in Johannesburg upon arrival and 2 extra days in Cape Town so we could explore the V & A Waterfront more as well as participate in a tour of Robben Island. We would not change a thing!
Our timing was great. Having the 2 extra days in Johannesburg allowed us time to recuperate from the long flight, as well as to participate in a half day cultural village tour at Lesedi - got us right into the right frame of mind.
Every guide was outstanding! They were caring, considerate of the group's needs, and super knowledgeable.
The fact that the group was a manageable 6, allowed us to ask all the questions we wanted and to get a more personal experience.
The food was fantastic and more than plentiful.
We totally recommend the raised tent at Tshukudu.
Email Patricia Grech | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touch Down is a first class act!
Go Touch Down communicated regularly & always replied promptly to our questions. My friends and I, immediately recognized the professionalism and were impressed with Marie and the group in Sarasota, Florida. The tour guides, Jonathan, Bakkis, and Bastion were the ultimate professionals, each fun in their own way; and very knowledgeable. Without a doubt, on my/our return to South Africa, I/we will go through Go Touch Down.
Cape Town was more than I/we had ever imagined. It is truly an impressive city with the most majestic sceneries one can ever experience. The dining experiences were beyond our expectations. Jonathan, our tour guide and was kind and patient, but more importantly, we learned so much from him about the South African people, history, and its cultures. He is a class act for sure!
Bakkis, our tour guide for the second leg of our trip, was a very "happy chappie" and always made sure we were all taken care of and safe. Bakkis was fun and we enjoyed his great expressions. He is unforgettable!
Bastion, our tour guide for the safari/game drives, appears serious, but has a great sense of humor. We shall never forget his keen eye for detail and loved that he knew exactly where to stop to capture the ultimate sunrise or sunset experience. These are treasured moments for the rest of our lives!
Thank you a million times! My long life dream came true and it would not have been so perfect withour your entire team at Go Touch Down. Look forward to seeing you all again!
Affectionately,
Pat Grech
CA
Email Sherry | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bucketlist - Retirement Gift to Self!
Since forever, I have wanted to go on an African Safari. Through serendipitous connections, I was introduced to a lady who had travelled with GoTouchDown in the Spring of 2017 and absolutely raved about it. From start to finish I was not disappointed and everything that she had shared with me of her experiences were met and more... accept, perhaps, for some confusion around the mobile phone offered at the time.
My friend and I signed on for the Signature Tour with GoTouchDown. They took care of getting us an amazing deal on flights; accommodations were great including 3 meals a day (unheard of - and not a set menu ever!); staff were extremely personable and accommodating; and friends who are from SA said that the tour had captured all the highlights, and from my perspective in fine style!
We were told up front that other than tips (and they even suggested the amounts) there would be no additional costs. That was never my experience until this trip!
We were there in the SA spring and seeing new births in their natural habitat left me awestruck. South Africa, is beautiful, which is not of GoTouchDown's doing, but they certainly provided an experience that will last my lifetime. Since our return, both my traveling companion and I have had friends/family sign-up.
Thank you GoTouchDown.
Email Tonda | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Small group and well done choices on the itinerary!
The Humala River Lodge was beyond expectations. Service was excellent everywhere.