South Africa Cruise—onboard report—Warning

[mauicruiser]

We are currently onboard Azamara Quest in South Africa.  Great cruise up to Azamara high standards.  The tour of Addo Elephant Reserve checked off three of the big five.  Saw over 200 animals!  Herds of elephants,zebras, kudu, warthogs, 4 lions, Heartabeest, dung beetles, flamingos, Cape buffalo, blue monkeys to name a few.  A wonderful guide who pointed out interesting flora and was full of information about the animals we saw.

Here’s the head’s up:  In Richards Bay, we booked the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve Tour.  It was 1 1/2 hours drive to reach the reserve with an excellent and informative guide, Jordan, on the ride.  We then transferred to open (covered) trucks.  We had a dreadful guide who drove too fast over rutted road, advised us that he would not be giving information, just pointing out animals of which there were very few.

Arrogant and rude.

It was if the reserve had seeded animals—1 ostrich, 1 giraffe, 2 zebra, 2 rhinos, a couple of elephants and as we left the park, a herd of Cape buffalo.  Two hours in the park, three hours on the bus.  At $319 pp this was a gigantic flop.  Cancel if you can.  This was a very disappointing day.

[Werangels]

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is the oldest public nature reserve in South Africa and is huge.  It sounds like you were very unlucky.  

[aussie travel bird]

You've been unlucky. I hope you refereed it to Shore Excursions on your return and encouraged others to do so.  Yet Hluluwe-Imfolozi was the best of the three game drives that we recently did on the maiden voyage, Mumbai to Cape Town in relation to the animals we saw.  Though we did do it privately.  That the nature of the wildlife sightings of course, but to have a guide that wouldn't engage or explain the animals isn't acceptable.  Sorry you didn't get the full experience but I hope you did let them know onboard your dissatisfaction with the guide.

[Riocca]

Back in 2017 we did a Cape Town to Mauritius cruise with Crystal, we also did the Hluluwe-Imfolozi tour but with Crystal and had exactly the same experience. Unfortunately though our guide on the long drive was not very good either, we did complain on the ship and received a partial refund. To us it was as though the driver in the game park just wanted to get the trip over as quickly as possible.

[uktog]

10 hours ago, aussie travel bird said:

You've been unlucky. I hope you refereed it to Shore Excursions on your return and encouraged others to do so.  Yet Hluluwe-Imfolozi was the best of the three game drives that we recently did on the maiden voyage, Mumbai to Cape Town in relation to the animals we saw.  Though we did do it privately.  That the nature of the wildlife sightings of course, but to have a guide that wouldn't engage or explain the animals isn't acceptable.  Sorry you didn't get the full experience but I hope you did let them know onboard your dissatisfaction with the guide.

Can you share how you set the private trip up as that might be of interest if we don’t cancel our South Africa cruises 

[Chilcotin]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

Can you share how you set the private trip up as that might be of interest if we don’t cancel our South Africa cruises 

Going to be on the Quest cruise departing February 20th.  Check out these two companies.

 

https://www.heritagetoursandsafaris.com

 

 

https://www.ecsafaris.co.za/

 

This is the tour I wanted to do but it sold out quickly:

 

https://www.heritagetoursandsafaris.com/hluhluwe-umfolozi-day-safari/bush-boat-full-day-safari/

 

 

 

Edited February 7, 2020 by Chilcotin

[uktog]

Thanks!

[Werangels]

4 hours ago, uktog said:

Can you share how you set the private trip up as that might be of interest if we don’t cancel our South Africa cruises 

I have had quotes from Heritage and Bush and Beach Tours who are both highly thought of and came recommended on TA forums.  This is for a private trip to this park and also a St Lucia boat trip on the same day.