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10-day ZULULAND SAFARI: UMFOLOSI,ITALA, PONGOLA, TEMBE, KOSI & IPHIVA - 8 TO 18 AUGUST 1999 From my Spanish Guests: - "OK - so here we are on our last day with African Bundu Safaris, which is the same as saying "The end of a wonderful trip around Zululand". We arrived from Spain knowing nothing of SA, and were launched straight away into the beautyfullness of this country. We were interested mainly in game-viewing (and we had a lot of it) but we also learnt about traditions, life-style, politics and much more, all thank you to Dean's skills. We met the lions resting by Umfolosi River and found the leopard eating at Itala (both times on foot, man). Thoses were intense experiences and we are proud of having spotted the leopard before Sipho, the Ranger, did. (By the way, we were the only people to spot leopard on foot in 3 years in that beautiful Itala Valley.) Itala Bushcamp is one of the best places I've ever slept in Africa and Umfolosi is not much behind. After that, we trailed elephant at the Pongola Dam, (and eventually found it). We hide to see great bull elephants with all their attributes in TEmbe, a beautiful park with luxury accommodation, and finally we ride the Indian Ocean waves at Kosi Bay, we we had a hippo swimming under our boat!! We found EXCELLENCE AT all places we were taken, and we thank not to have brought our girlfriends, so romantic it would have been (we would have lost the leopard, I'm sure.) We will contribute more by e-mail, as I'm getting sick of writting while our friend Dean drives on this SA roads. But have not doubt we'll be back. Namibia, Botswana, Zambia....GET READY, we are coming. (We apologise to all who will taste Dean's Paella from now on, becasue we taught him!!) Thanks very much Dean - from "Rommel", "Intrepid", "Bushbuck" and "Manduka" (Written by Antonio Rodriguez del Corral, e-mail: arodrigue@cablegalicia.com from Spain.) ________________________________________ 15-day ZIMBABWE SAFARI, with ZIMBABWE RUINS, MATOBOS, HWANGE, VIC FALLS & KARIBA - 21 Aug to 5 Sept 1999 Dear Dean Two hectic weeks since we returned, but the holiday is certainly not forgotten. Thanks for all the arrangements and for taking us to some truly fantastic places. Overall, I am very pleased that we found you on the web. The holiday that you were able to arrange was just right for us, and much better suited for our needs than any package we could have booked. Thanks for your patience and attention to us during our stay. We had high expectations for the holiday, and all of our hopes were met. I'm sure we made far better use of our time than we could have done in any other way. There were so many special moments - The game walks, the horse safaris, the falls, the moonlight drive at Hwange, the lions at their kill, the View of the World. However, white water rafting was the high spot for me - the video is amazing. All the best, Dean. I hope Bundu safaris continue to prosper, and we will be pleased to recommend you to anyone (well nearly anyone!) John, Denise, Sophie, Natasha and Neil. England - (e-mail: Denise.Holroyde@tesco.net ) ________________________________________ 2-week Cape Town, Garden Route Guided and Selfdrive to Game Reserve - 12-27 September 1999 Dear Dean and Alice, Just arrived home and could not wait to write to you, and give thanks for the wonderful planning you arranged for us. Eric, in Cape Town, was a great tour guide, kind, knowledgeable, and a sweetheart. He was most accommodating, and a fine gentleman. This was the most wonderful vacation that we ever experienced. We have been traveling together for about 10 years. It has all been great, BUT --- this was SUPERB. It was everything that I had ever dreamed of, and much much more. Even though we had not been to Kenya (this trip) and my ancient movie visions of "The Snows of Kiliminjaro", or "King Solomon's Mines", both you, Alice, and Eric, have made us African Fans. As I said, we will absolutely be the heads of The African Bundu Safari Fan Club. You're wonderful !! Your professionalism, knowledge, people you work with, coordinating events and attractions -- we could not ask for more. All was extraordinarily well -planned, and even left us time to go off on our own, if we so desired. Eric, who guided us through CapeTown and the Garden Route -- was a gem. He was so thoughtful that when on our holiest of days in the Hebrew calendar, he even found us a temple to say our memorial prayers. We shall never forget this type of respect for a client's wishes. There are really no words which will adequately describe our feelings of all of your wonderful service. Suffice it to say, we will be coming back -- hopefully next year at the same time. Dean and Alice and your African Bundu Safaris will be planning our next jaunt to Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, etc. or whatever we can do in three weeks. Hopefully, Eric can help us as well. He was such a wonderful gentleman, so kind, thoughtful and knowledgeable. As for me, I'm a total fan of the African experience and would live there if I were able. I did give Eric and Marion a scare when I got out of Eric's van and proceeded into the direction of a family of Baboons -- trying to get close pictures. Not realizing that I was very close to their young, I did not heed Eric's calls to me that it was dangerous -- me thinking that he meant the oncoming traffic on the road. But I guess they weren't fearful of this silly tourist and I got away unbitten or attacked. I can just read the headlines in the American newspapers of this ridiculous woman being mauled by Baboons. Fortunately all was okay with this adventurous "young senior".......... I always do go right into the middle of whatever interests me. Got to remember that I'm not with lambs this trip. So keep up the wonderful work that you so expertly do, and we're looking forward to traveling with you again, and again. You may provide my e-mail address in your guest book -- with pleasure...........Please stay in touch and send your Dean's Diary. All the best........Rhoda Dreitzer & Marion Gartenlaub, USA rhodre@worldnet.att.net ________________________________________ 2-Week Self-drive Botswana and Zimbabwe - 3 to 18 October 1999 Dear Dean GREAT!!!! We also wanted to thank you for all your support and help. We did not expect Africa to be so exciting. Everything was perfectly organized and did not experience any problems at all. People were very kind and everybody cared about how we felt. You will definitely hear more from us and our friends!!!! SALUDOS!!! JUAN JOSE DE LA MORA jmora@mx1.ibm.com Mexico City Mexico _______________________________________________ 5-Day Hluhluwe-Umfolosi Safari Tented Camp...... 24 to 28 October 1999 On the first day of our stay we had "Rhinos in the mist". After a heavy thunderstorm during the night, all eagles became "wet eagles", all vultures became "wet vultures" and so on. But luckily weather became more dry, so we could go to a 'spotted' nightdrive (amongst others we spotted a spotted dikkop, spotted eagle owls, and spotted hyenas.) Our wonderful stay we finished with a walking trek where we could look at some rhinos again, and in the evening with a nice huge braai. NExt day we left the park, having a nice breakfast at Thula Thula (old Windy Ridge) Private Game Reserve and then on our way to Durban. It was a fantastic time, much too short, but we are going to make a plan to come back for another holiday with Dean, who was an excellent Guide and partner in these 5 days. Hope we see you soon. (When I look at all the food what's left, we will be able to continue our stay for minimum another week!) But sorry, on Saturday we have to fly back to Austria. Many thanks for everything. Karin Alker, Hilde & Werne Gneissl Reznicekg 2117, A-1090 Vienna, Austria Werner.Gneissl@at.origin-it.com (These Guests arrived in Johannesburg on 9 October, then enjoyed a self-drive through Sabie, Kruger, Swaziland, Maputoland and Zululand until I took them into Umfolosi for 5 days, then after one night in Durban, they drove to the Drakensberg mountains then Johannesburg.) _________________________________________________ 9 to 16 October - Cape Town and Garden Route - self drive Dear Alice & Dean Just to let you know that we had a really great time in SA. All your plans and things you organised worked liked clockwork and everything went unbelievably smoothly. We simply couldn't have fitted in as much as we did in the mere one week we had without all your planning and organisation up front - all we had to do was sit back and enjoy it all! A few things really stood out - Cape Aghulus which as you know we were a bit doubtful about making a detour to see but you told us would be worth our while. You were right! It was the most beautiful place and the guesthouse there was easily the best we stayed in , great location, amazing food, very helpful hosts (amazing views from the bedrooms). We also had our best 'tour' there which was a coastal safari. Riaan was the most enthusiastic and informative man imaginable - we only had 2 and a half hours with him but it was great. Add this guy to your roster. He could charm the birds from the trees. He doesn't have a lot to work with in that he is only talking about a stretch of beach but it is enthralling. Cape Town was lovely too, we didn't really spend much time in the guesthouse as we had all our tours but it was lovely and comfortable - it would have been nicer if we had been nearer the sea front/beach but that was only a minor quibble! The hosts gave us some great recommendations for dinner and we had some delicious meals. Eric, your Cape Town Guide, gave us two amazing days - both were so different and we couldn't believe how much the scenery changes in such a short distance. We really felt we got a good taste of the Cape in a very short time! The 2nd wine tasting was a particular highlight for me. The only slight disappointment for us was Kynsna. It retrospect we probably would have been better off staying at Plettenberg Bay. Our Lodge we stayed at is quite a quiet secluded place and we felt a bit cut-off! Robin was a really great host but we felt the place would suit older travellers better. Knysna is a place where you need to know where to go and even then it lacks the buzz of Plett while it seems to have lost the charm that you and the guidebooks attribute to it. In Plettenberg we went on a whale watch and saw loads of whales. dolphins seals etc. was fantastic. (We saw lots of whales generally along the coast so our main aim for visiting was more than fulfilled). Alice, I can't tell you how much we enjoyed ourselves. SA is a really beautiful country and we couldn't believe how much we got done. All of that was down to your great planning. We simply would have been able to pack it all in without your great itinerary and routes etc. (all very easy to follow and helpful!). Thanks so much for it all - it was the best holiday we've ever had. We'd really like to talk to you about or holiday next year (Feb. or April) Durban/Jo'burg areas. Thanks again for everything! Neil and Tanya Mccarthy United Kingdom e-mail: neil.mccarthy@madge.com ___________________________________________________ MILLENNIUM SAFARI - 22 Dec 99 to 6 Jan 2000 - Cape Town, Durban - St Lucia - Kruger, Vic Falls, Sun City Some months ago we planned a special Millennium trip with all of our teenage children and using the Internet, Rainer found Dean's Website - he couldn't have done any better ! 1000 e-mails went back and forth and at last Dean had tailored us a perfect itinerary - with all our various ideas about our holiday. Accommodation, his patience to drive us around, swim with us, go from one curio shop to the next with the children, his explanations to understand SA better were 1st Class. In the Cape area we were also accompanied by Eric, the winefarm specialist. What a wonderful old-fashioned picnic lunch we had in the park - like in a film!! St Lucia was a dream, however, Julia and Ute were a bit sick and there had been a kind of hurricane before we got there - the Ndiza Lodge with Dean and Monicas cooking made it another highlight. Kruger Park - 3 game drives and one night drive: Yeah, we spotted all 5 of them and birds and crocodiles and all the others, unfortunately though Dean could not serve us a cheetah on a silver plate ! He did however serve us chicken, pasta, sandwiches...... he was in a good mood even after days of long driving. Thank you very much Dean, you did a great (and hard) job on us. Sorry we leave tomorrow for Vic falls (not so sorry - we are looking forward to it, you organised everything so well.) Ute, Hansrainer, Julia, Moritz & Nena Bosbach Ripperter Str 40 D-67305 Ramsen Germany (E-mail: on request) ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 4-day self-drive Kruger safari - December 1999 When we booked our 3-night stay in Kruger with African Bundu Safaris we had no idea what an incredible experience we were letting ourselves in for. Thanks to excellent arrangements and expert advice, we not only had a great time we also saw loads of game - including the Big Five. The evening game drive on our first night was a huge success - elephant, rhino, hyena, leopard, black-backed jackal, spotted eagle owl - wow! Although we were virtually straight off an overnight flight from London, the drive showed us what we needed to look for as we did our own thing and explored the Park in our hire car over the following days. With the help of the excellent ‘Find It’ guide plus a couple of wildlife books bought at the rest camp, we identified over 65 species in just 3 days! For us the highlights were: a pride of lionesses sheltering in the shade of the bush; a side-lined jackal padding up the road to us at dawn; a white rhino facing us down on our evening game drive (our ranger backed off!); a huge colony of banded mongoose scurrying along a sand-pit; a pack of wild dogs snoozing at the roadside; a small group of sable antelope crossing the road in the early morning mist; a never-ending stream of baboons bounding towards us over the brow of a hill; and, best of all, as we drove around a bend, discovering a magnificent leopard right beside us - unforgettable. Thanks Dean for organising a great trip. Booking through you over the Internet from the UK was hassle-free and all the arrangements went like clock-work from the moment we touched down in Jo’burg. We really appreciated your personal service and cheerful willingness to answer all our queries. In short, our Kruger safari was the highlight of our 4 weeks in South Africa - an experience we’ll never forget. All the best Mike and Carin England e-mail: michael@mnutt.freeserve.co.uk _______________________________________________________________________ 4-day Gameviewing Safari - Johannesburg, Sabie, Pezulu and Kruger 5 to 8 January 2000 What can I say? Tip-top tour, Dean mixes local legend & love to create the total African experience. Unforgettable. Greg Nasmyth I enjoyed the safari, and viewing a wide variety of game, the "Big 4" and the total comfort of Mean Dean's Sleeping Machine as transport. Thanks. Ben Blacker Many thanks for a great experience of the wild African outback. Perhaps next time we'll come at the right time of the year. All the best. Bill Contact: Gregory Nasmyth London, UK e-mail: riptorn@riptorn.demon.co.uk ___________________________________________________ 14-day JNB – Kruger – Zululand – DBN 1 to 15 February 2000 Hi Dean, I wanted to tell you how happy we are with the trip you organised for us. I also think it was so nice to find out you were, besides, such a lovely person. I'm not saying this for publication reasons, I say so 'cause I think it is like that. It was fun for Delfi, also, having the young animals to play with in Shukudu, you should have seen her telling all about it to her friends. She knows Shumba's story, she remembers the little elephant they had up there at Zimbabwe, she loved the little zebra. I hope she'll remember these things as she grows. Also, you were so helpful and Delfi's friend as well!! Well, isn't it too much praising??!!! Regarding the different things we did, as I said before, we loved Shukudu, not only for the young animals, but also, because we were able to see so many animals really close at hand. Hwange was also very good, maybe because the vegetation there isn't so thick, and we also were able to see many animals. The Bennies were wonderful, and it was very interesting to talk with them. We often talk with Raul about the small details that happened as expected, the transfer at the airport, the Toyota Venture being available for us at exactly the time it was expected to be. We weren't so lucky with the weather, right? But considering what happened after we left the Kruger, we were much more lucky than a lot of people!! We really missed nothing because we were one day ahead of rain. Well, we are very happy, it was one of our best trips, and you know it's the third one we do with Raul, we've travelled before on our own when we didn't know each other, but this one, you know what, was really different. We also enjoyed the possibility of sharing dinner, lunch or breakfast with people from any part of the world. I must say, though, that it's been exhausting for me to do all that translating, my English got worse and worse each day. Pardon me, you were the nearest person to suffer it. Well Dean, this mail I wrote it as I felt it. Hope you are doing well? Best wishes Irene Buenos Aires, Argentina irene_toyos@yahoo.com __________________________________________________________ CAPE TOWN AND AREA 28 March to 5 April Dean & Alice What can I say! Words fail. 12 years is a long time, things have changed, we have all got older, some have even lost hair! We have always said we will return and we have, but this time we brought the children – as you have read in the Shores Diary’s, they’re having a ball. From staying at Muizenberg at the guesthouse – a fantastic retreat from Cape Town (even if the sun did leave us at 4pm)! Your arrival prompted us to ‘go on safari’, first to Cape Agulhas, then to the spleandour of Kagga Kamma. What a place, tranquil, “out of the way”, superb. (The children will remember their first meal under the stars by the fire & their first game drive, ostrich, wildebeest, zebra, boks etc – not to mention the giraffe! Cederburg was the next destination, 2 days at a chalet, peaceful & serene. The mountains were spectacular & breathtaking. Finally arriving at the V&A for my final night before departing home on the ship to put things into some sort of perspective. Dean, you are a very knowledgable guide (I don’t use the term tour guide) for a few reasons, you are and will always be a great friend, you make the trips personal and tailormade to suit the individuals, we as a family of 4 have (so far). Helen and the children are with you for another 8/9 days – enjoyed and learn’t so much about South Africa in 4 short days, that to have you along was like having 5 in the party, you were not there to please, you were there as my guests to help us in the planning & to impart your vast knowledge of SA & its people/plants etc – We could of done the trip on our own, under our own steam and not seen one third of what we saw with you. Thankyou, I will remember the trip until we come back again. It will not take 12 years this time, I promise. Thank you for all that you have done & look after my wife & children for the next 8/0 days. I trust you implicitly. Kevin Shore Score (out of 10) Cost – 10 Transport – 8/9 (some long journey but unavoidable if you wanted to see the real SA) Planning – 10 Guide – 11 Friendship - (No mark available) An overall unforgettable experience – THANKS. (ED: Kevin is a penfriend of Deans from 1987 - and is an officer in the Royal Navy, whose ship visited Cape Town for 9 days) 3-WEEKS – CAPE TOWN, DURBAN, ZULULAND, MPUMALANGA 25 MARCH – 14 APRIL 2000 Dear Dean Thank you very much for making our trip to South Africa a once in a lifetime experience that I and especially the children (Nadine & Nathan) will never forget. From the beginning our accommodation and travel arrangements were faultlessy made and our itinerary was meticulously planned to our personal specifications which mainly, were ‘children friendly’ places and activities. As a result we got to see parts of South Africa that you would never ‘stumble across’, particularly Kagga Kamma in the Cedarberg Mountains and Moholoholo Forest Camp and Rehabilitation Centre in the Blyde River Canyon Area – A must for visitors to South Africa in our opinion. All through our holiday we benefited from having your interesting commentary about areas, legends, customs etc – which meant that we learned so much more about the places we passed and visited than we could ever have hoped to on our own. Once again, our heartfelt thanks. Helen, Nadine & Nathan Shore 52 Dunraven Drive Derriford Plymouth Devon, England And from the children………. Dear Dean Thank you for taking us around SOUTH AFRICA. My best bits are SUDWALA CAVES, meeting Milly and Didi, the Lion cubs, the Zebra, the Wildebeest and lots of other things. It was great. I really enjoyed my holiday. Thank you for giving me a piggy back as Grandpa Koala Bear. Thank you for driving us around and Thank you for being a good friend. NATHAN. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dear Dean Thank you for our lovely holiday, you made everything possible. The best bit was at Moholoholo where we got to touch the leopards, Serval, vulture, tinkerbell and all the other animals. My scariest bit was when the 3 white rhinos were 5 metres away, if you hadn’t been there, we don’t know what we would have done. Also, THANK YOU for being a good friend. From Nadine _______________________________________________________ 5-day ZULULAND SAFARI Hluhluwe – Umfolosi – Phinda 16 to 20 April 2000 ************************ We found Dean very professional, with a lot of knowledge. Camp was well-organised & good meals. Certainly great value – would recommend it to anybody. Weather in March / April is definitely recommended for people who are wondering best time of year to go. Wish Dean all the best for the future. The game viewing was excellent. Phinda will stay in my memory forever. Love Linda and Arthur Brisbane, Australia ******************** A big thank you also to Alice for her tireless effort and patience whilst working on our holiday plans. Her efficiency made everything perfect for us. *********************** Words simply can’t describe the experience we encountered over our four day safari tour. The professionalism of Dean our Tour Guide, the incredible wildlife, the food and accommodation captured the true safari experience. Dean exceeded our expectations in presenting us this package and was extremely ensightful and entertaining. This trip will remain with us for the rest of our lives. Gavin and Louise Taylor Brisbane, Queensland Australia e-mail: ltaylor@vinidex.com.au ----------------------------------------------- June 2000 – Sun City plus Johannesburg to Durban via Game Reserve. . First of all, we appreciate you working with us at the last minute. We had talked early on about possibilities but hadn't yet crystallized any aspect of our trip. It was only a week or so before we left that we made the decisions about what to do. Our decisions were based on the information you provided and your recommendations. Your sending all the vouchers via email was incredibly helpful. _All_ of the vouchers were correct, accepted, and worked beautifully! There was never any problem. The balance throughout our trip with a 2 day stay at Sun City and then the 5 day safari was great for us. The food during the trip was excellent. The variety of accommodations gave us a chance to experience many different aspects of SA. Finally, the order with which we visited the parks was perfect and very important. We were very impressed with the service and individual attention we received at Makalakai. The accommodation at Makalakai and the food was great. I can guarantee that if we plan another trip to South Africa, we will be calling on your expert advice and planning skills to help us layout another action packed itinerary. In addition, I have already passed along your name to some other folks. Thanks again, --Ray & Laurel USA – e-mail: rgreenlaw@msn.com -------------------------------------------------------- June 2000 – Durban, Umfolosi, Hluhluwe, St Lucia We both had a great time in SA and I could write many, many pages telling you how wonderful everything was. The accommodations and the service was excellent, with the nicest surprise being lunch at Wendy's beautiful B&B and the biggest surprise was entering the cheetah pen while they dined on zebra. I'm sure Sam will be telling people about the meal at Wendy's for quite some time. The bush lodge was perfect (better than anything that we imagined) -did not have to sacrifice privacy or beauty for service and modern conveniences like the hot shower. We saw much more game than we had anticipated (lions being so close was a huge bonus) and the game walks and the hyena raid on camp were quite an adrenaline rush. Dave was the prefect guide and a great help , esp. at the SAA ticket office. He was very sensitive to all of my wife's many diet preferences(not an easy task at all) and we truly missed him and Duncan when we did the self drive in Addo. I'd love to say that I'll be back next year, but hopefully we'll make it back sometime in the next 3-5 years. Thanks for everything, Bill & Sam USA – e-mail: samantha@sprintmail.com ----------------------------------------------------- June/July 2000 – Johannesburg, St Lucia, Tembe, Tshukudu, Kruger. Dear Dean, Things have settled down a bit since our return and I wanted to write to you and tell you again what a lovely time we had on our trip with you in South Africa. I feel especially fortunate that I found you---travelling with a 17 year old and a 4 and 2/3 year old is not the easiest thing to do, and you were so especially sensitive and helpful and fun to be with. Although at times we must have been a real handful, I never for a moment felt that you were anxious to be rid of us or just had too much of us. Having spent so much time trying to arrange a Safari with a young one, and having had so much trouble doing so before we hooked up, I did have some trepidation which mounted to acute anxiety as we were gathering our baggage and getting ready to meet you when we arrived at Johannesburg. But with your initial greeting, taking over the luggage cart and artfully guiding me to change money, buy electrical adaptors and otherwise make and orderly exit, I felt immediately reassured and comfortable. You have a great, gentle and caring way with people and you are especially talented with children. I was also grateful for the range of accommodations and experiences which you booked for us. After the very long flight to J'Berg it was really nice to have a relaxing day at Makatana and an afternoon picnic and dunk in the surf. Following the luxury of Makakatana, Tembe was a more 'real" bush experience which I really am glad the kids had. It was a little 'rustic' without being uncomfortably so and I don't think any of us will ever forget Allegra's "first bush experience!!!" or the "Bambi Parade" as we approached the camp. The highlights for all of us however were White Elephant, for the sheer tranquillity and comfort of the site (and our wonderful giraffes) and Tshukudu for the wild life experience. We saw more there than anywhere else and between the lioness the first night, the baboon kill and the lions climbing the trees, being caught between a wild lion and a charging elephant......and the sheer joy of being able to touch, hold walk with and pet baby lions, a baby zebra and a baby wildebeest....we were ecstatic. We enjoy our little video--Allegra remembers every detail so far and has told all her friends and mine about what a great time she had. Sam likewise had a wonderful time. So we are just wondering how soon we can manage to do this all again. On a personal note, I think you are just a wonderful, gentle and kind human being and I hope these last weeks with your friend have brought you happiness and clarity. We wish you the best of life's treasures and joys. Hugs, Nina, Allegra and Sam San Francisco - USA. E-mail: agabian@itsa.ucsf.edu ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------- 13-day – Johannesburg to Durban Safari – Sabie, Kruger, Hoedspruit, Swaziland, Kosi Bay. 16 to 29 September 2000 What a wonderful introduction to South Africa! From being picked up at Jo’burg airport and then travelling to Pretoria, Sabie, Kruger, Maputaland and beyond …. Michael and I had a terrific time. We enjoyed learning the various cultural things about South Africa’s many cultures: Zulu, Afrikaans, English, San etc. We not only saw lots of Game, but a multitude of birds. Who would have though that one of the most fascinating creatures we would observe would be the lowly dung beetle. They were amazing. Thank you so much Dean for your knowledge, trip planning ability, driving skills and most importantly, your sense of humour. You are the perfect companion and Guide for our South Africa Safari. Cheers Mary Bradley and Michael Dull Boston, MA USA. E-mail : (On request as via satellite phone.) --------------------------------------------------------------- 12-day JHB – SWAZI – ZULU – DBN – D’BERG – JHB 28 Oct – 8 Nov 2000. (received from my guests nephew, who hosted them prior to and after the safari.) Dear Dean, my relatives Bertha and Roel were very excited after return from their 12-day trip. Thanks to your commitment and care, their holidays have been fantastic which they will remember with gratitude during the rest of their lives. Also, on behalf of them, thanks very much. All the best for the future. Best regards Erik Eggers (I will be putting Roel and Bertha’s comments up shortly.) ------------------------------------------------------------ 4-Day UMFOLOSI - HLUHLUWE - ST LUCIA SAFARI 24-27 November 2000 Thank you Dean for an excellent trip which included seeing ‘The Big Five’. Your pleasant demenour, professionalism, humour and organisation (not necessarily in that order) meant that we had a great time, pleasant company and great food! I’m sure that on our own without your eyes we would have seen less and not enjoyed ourselves so much. We will take delight in recommending your services to our family and friends and hope to return to see you for another holiday in the near future. Best wishes to you personally and good luck with your ventures in the future. Keith Castle Thank you very much for a lovely holiday and finding me an elephant. Thank you again. Alice Castle Dean, as you know, I was really concerned about this trip, never having travelled to South Africa before and not being used to ‘package holidays’. Even before we arrived I felt I had got to know you and Alice, so friendly and personal was your e-mail service!! As soon as we met you at Durban and saw your vehicle, I knew we had made the right decision. Every minute of the day was a pleasure – even if bumpy at times!! You’re the only real person I’ve ever met with x-ray eyes. You spot wildlife through the trees!! During our visit we saw all “The Big Five”, something we previously had only dreamed about. If you hadn’t been guiding is we wouldn’t have seen so much or indeed learned so much about it. If we ever return, which I’m sure we will, we will be calling you up to arrange it for us. Many, many thanks for a great trip. Well planned, driven and cooked!! Regards Jane Castle jane.castle@ukgateway.net tel: 07977 078084 01924 830469 Wakefield, England -------------------------------------------------- 10-day self-drive - Cape Town, Durban through Swaziland to Kruger and Johannesburg - December 2000 My wife & I have been home now for several weeks from our most incredible journey through South Africa. I know now that the services provided through African Bundu Safaris made our trip the most exciting trip we have ever taken. Whether a client desires a self-drive trip such as ours, or a full-blown guided expedition, I would gladly recommend ABS to any and all. Your knowledge of the country and the relationships you have fostered over many years makes you eminently qualified to make educated recommendations to meet the travel needs and budgets of any travelers. I would be pleased to have you list my email address on your site as a reference for any prospective travellers looking for confirmation that ABS delivers as expected. I would further like to add for them how you provided additional unsolicited services beyond what we asked for. The self-drive route driving instructions and words of caution and care were very well received and appreciated by us. Because you cared so much - our trip was a huge success!! You delivered everything you said you would - on time, without a worry, and above-and-beyond our expectations!!! Thank you again - Christopher & Huichae Marks Aliso Viejo, CA USA ccmarks@concentric.net -------------------------------------------------- 2-WEEK DURBAN – SHAKALAND – UMFOLOSI – VIDAL – KOSI BAY – TEMBE ELEPHANT – KRUGER PARK – CHITWA CHTWA – JOHANNESBURG. 11 TO 23 FEBRUARY 2001-02-25 Dean - We gratefully appreciate the service, attendance and patience. When we began to organise this glorious adventure there were several things we wanted to accomplish. You made that happen. The memories will last a lifetime and are far too many to name. South Africa was and will always remain glorious. Thank you for helping us find the only full-size Zulu warriors shield in South Africa. I’ll fondly remember the baby turtle hatchlings, the lion cubs, hyena pups, tented camps and Savannah the cheetah. I wished we lost weight but your fine cooking prohibited that! We look forward to future adventures with you and Africa. You’ve been a great Guide, organiser and friend. So many thanks and until we meet again… Wayne Marshall. **************************** To the final day, our personalities clearly set the tone. For future clients wishing to locate a South Africa Guide who is consistently honest, knowledgeable, logical, fun, prompt, adventurous, flexible and funny…. Please contact Jolene Marshall by e-mail: gorillas2@home.com for a personal, tested reference – DEAN is truly the Renaissance Guide for this Millennium! Jolene Marshall. gorillas2@home.com San Diego California United States of America. -------------------------------------------------------- Durban – Mozambique –Kosi Bay - Umfolosi Wilderness Reserve – Leopard Mountain Reserve. 29 March to 10 April. (Chas and Carl Lotter – father and 13 year old son, from Pretoria. Chas is a poet with numerous books to his name, and his son is dedicated to a future with wildlife and conservation.) WILD CHILD Feet in the air and coke in hand, He's glued to the box - drinking in some TV show. Or, while Sprawled in a chair and clamped on a keyboard Hammers the score for Some thunderous, murderous computer game. Then, when Released from the city - flies to explore This vast African land of ours. Snorkeling Through startled, garish fish In the warm waters of Ponta Do Ouro. Floating, out in The open Indian Ocean Waiting, willing the dolphins Closer to him. Walking Pack on back, down the wilderness trail, Across the Umfolosi, There, where No road runs nor one building stands. Following Spoor, down by the river As a dull, red African sun rises. Baking Bush bread. At our Leopard Mountain camp In a hole, which he had dug, by the fire. Making Strong grass rope. Using it To build a shelter, then sleeping In it, high on the mountain Where the blesbok roam. All this - and more Is my son, Carl. As he grows towards The strong, straight young man Which he will be, I pray The wilderness life which he yearns for Will find him, fill him, enfold His wild, open soul In it's Wild, open African spaces. Chas and Carl Lotter Irene, Pretoria, South Africa. e-mail: chaslotter@pixie.co.za
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