Patti Staubs
Trip Review: Everything was perfectly coordinated and every detail was perfect.
Most Memorable Moment: I wanted to absorb each and every second more -- it was the most amazing trip I have ever taken and I am sad that it is over.
Advice For Future Clients: Be prepared that the days start early...trust your guide. They know what they are doing and they are very well equipped to handle whatever arises. Enjoy every precious moment.
Susana King
Trip Review: Everything ran like clockwork. People were super friendly and nice. Food was great.
Most Memorable Moment: Being in the middle of an elephant herd in the Okavango. Elephants are very quiet and can totally sneak up on you even though they are giant.
Advice For Future Clients: Pack less.
Esat Sezer
Trip Review: Thank you to Yvette for organizing this trip for us. It was flawless with no issues as one could expect. Our guide in Cape Town and the Lodge we stayed in Kruger were all great. Clearly you and your team exceeded our expectations.
Most Memorable Moment: The ignorance of wild animals of us and how they see humans as not a threat was very surprising.
Advice For Future Clients: I suggest Kruger highly. Big 5 and more are all there and with right guidance accessible.
Phyllis Taylor
Trip Review: There are not enough words to express how epic, impactful and perfect this trip was.
Most Memorable Moment: So many! Hunting with the Wild painted wolves will always be a stand out. We followed then on the hunt. Watched them devour the kill then “Ran” with them to the den and watched and listen to them feed the mommas and puppies - we were in tears and our faces wore huge smiles the whole time; maybe not while they ate the whole impala.
Advice For Future Clients: Set your budget. Then set what you wish to see. Then GO with an agents help. Don’t wait. Life is short!
Mark Doms
Trip Review: Overall, the trip was great. The logistics went very smoothly, exceptional given the number of camps and cities we transited. The quality of the camps and activities exceeded expectations.
Advice For Future Clients: Getting from the last camp, in the Lower Zambezi National Park, to my front door took 39 hours. That simply reflects a couple of drives and 4 flights -- I got home at the expected time. I could see suggesting to clients that they may prefer their last lodge be close to J-Berg or Capetown (or some other largish city) so that the transit home involves fewer transit points so as to reduce the risk of a problem and also so the trip home wouldn't be as exhausting. In the grand scheme of things, this is a very minor suggestion!
Robert Doms
Most Memorable Moment: Seeing two leopards interact in Sabi Sands, with one of them subsequently capturing and killing a warthog. Pretty amazing! A male lion trying to eat a pangolin was a close second.
David Laliberte
Trip Review: The trip was awesome dogs, dogs, dogs.
Jennifer Butts
Trip Review: It was very well planned.
Most Memorable Moment: The most memorable moment was the day we saw lions for the first time.
Advice For Future Clients: Really think about what you pack. Don't overpack, but realize that laundry service is expensive. (Notten's was included.)
William Gottis
Trip Review: Stellar service, great accommodations, good food and friendly people. Not to mention the primate trekking and tours. We love working with Victoria. That is one of the reasons we decided to work again with African Portfolio. Victoria understands us as clients and ensures we are well-taken care of.
Most Memorable Moment: The gorilla treks were the best!
Advice For Future Clients: Try to do more than one gorilla trek.
Marc Milowsky
Most Memorable Moment: Game viewing in Leopard Hills was the best. Helicopter transit was very special.
Advice For Future Clients: Find a malaria drug with the least side effects.
Sheila Pettee
Trip Review: Everything went as planned. Hotels and guides exceeded expectations. Learned a lot and appreciated all of their knowledge.
Most Memorable Moment: Seeing all of the animals--loved being able to see elephants from our room and hippos and buffalo at breakfast. We were so close to all of the animals during the safari including the lions and leopards and that surprised us.
Advice For Future Clients: Enjoy--so much to see and learn.
Katie Joyce
Trip Review: Thoughtful trip cadence that met our interests. We worked with Victoria in the past and were impressed with the itinerary she designed for us.
Most Memorable Moment: I can’t only name one. The herds at Ndutu early in the morning were amazing with the balloons overhead. The Ngorongoro Crater was one of the most beautiful places we’ve been. Trekking to see gorillas was a surreal experience and one we won’t forget.
Advice For Future Clients: It’s often worth increasing your budget for a more comfortable experience. In taking a flight directly from the Serengeti to Kigali we avoided the air traffic controller strike in Kenya. Other trekkers spent a full day stuck in Nairobi and missed out on part of their itinerary.
Tracy Matley
Most Memorable Moment: Seeing the baby cheetahs with their mom, riding on a hot air balloon and the fun cocktail hour at Farm House Valley Lodge and Lake Masek where we could socialize with other guests.
Advice For Future Clients: Think about the number of game drives and make sure that's enough but not going to feel like it's getting repetitive. Use a travel agent
Neve Kondili
Trip Review: This was a bucket list trip - we gave Vanessa all of our criteria and she delivered!
Most Memorable Moment: On one of our safari drives, we saw a lioness chasing a hyena which was pretty incredible. Also, we saw so many elephants, including a group of 50 of them which was surreal. The Devils Pool in Vic Falls was also pretty memorable - not sure that I can do that again but both Ivan & Eva were so thrilled by the entire experience.
Advice For Future Clients: Pack as light as possible, with neutral colors!
