Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!
Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…
Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.
Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.
Excellent trip. Plenty of time at each destination to enjoy surroundings. Some early mornings but nothing too extreme. Accommodation good and very comfortable beds . Food amazing especially if you are a meat eater!! Highlights of the trip were Table Mountain, Hermanus for the whale watching and anything that included the dramatic coast. Cape Town was a fab city of contrasts and climate. Our guide Justin was incredible, his knowledge and passion for his country were humbling. We came away with a truly great experience/understanding of South Africa. Oh and it is very cheap!!
Most Inspirational Moment
Hermanus whale watching. We did the organised boat trip which was great with a total remover 20 whales surrounding the boat. However the morning after there were 5 whales in the bay at breakfast frollicking in the water which was spectacular. I managed to get many photos of the classic whale tail.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Justin can't be rated highly enough. Nothing was too much trouble (not that we were any trouble!). Big smile all the time to the vast knowledge from history, politics, geology, flora and fauna. He was great.
The itinerary for this trip gives a good variety of activities at a reasonably relaxed pace. We stayed in each accommodation for a minimum of 2 nights which meant there wasn’t too much packing/unpacking.
Most Inspirational Moment
The land-based whale watching was incredible. I honestly could not believe how close to shore the whales would be.
The game drives were also amazing and I loved the cheeky little penguins on Boulders Beach.
The botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch are worth a visit too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide Justin was fab. His knowledge of the country, history, animals, birds etc was excellent and he brought it all to life by sharing details of his family life and growing up in South Africa. Justins passion and enthusiasm for his country was infectious. Watch out for his wicked sense of humour!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Think about doing some of the additional activities. I did the additional game drive that was offered - very reasonable cost, we saw lots of animals and had a delicious meal included. The kayaking at Tsitsikamma was hard work but fun.
The linear nature of the journey, flying into Port Elizabeth and out of Cape Town rather than in and out of Cape Town added outward time but importantly ruled out back-tracking which would have added travelling time unproductively and would have been boring. We were blessed with an exceptional tour leader (more later) and felt we enjoyed all events to the maximum possible with the best sub-contractors available. Long journeys were broken down into manageable chunks by inserting small stops and this allowed the driver recovery time and also added interest for the party. We were taken ‘beneath the surface’ on this trip with this leader and that added so much to our comprehension and enjoyment. The tour was well-paced with never less than two nights in one place so you did not feel you were ‘living out of a suitcase’ which would possibly have led to exhaustion, both physical and mental.
Most Inspirational Moment
For both of us, the Langa township tour. The Democratic Alliance here in Cape Province (unlike the ANC in other parts of SA) is making a real difference to the lives of all the people starting from the bottom up with structured layers of building which provides incentive. We were impressed (nay, humbled) by the way people of all colours seem to be pulling together to advance the lot of all after the dreadful years of apartheid. Using two individual hand-picked locals found by our tour guide rather than just going to a tour sub-contractor again allowed us to get ' beneath the surface'. The passion they all showed was truly heartening and the lack of resentment, often commented on, was (again) humbling.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Read the comments already given. In addition, Justin said he was 24 hours on duty for us. He had a chest infection needing medication but he didn't allow that to get him down or detract from his level of care to us. What more can we say? One in a million.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If Justin is your leader, listen carefully to all his advice e.g. 'Do not go on the Waterfall Trail in Tsitsikamma, it is too dangerous'. Be sensible - we aborted the Suspension Bridge walk in that park as we felt under-fit and too 'frail' to complete it - Take personal responsibility and don't end up embarrassing your Tour Leader.
Go to South Africa with an open mind and this trip and this leader will open your eyes . We have had so much comment (starting with the taxi driver home from Heathrow) that 'You're one of the very few people who have come home with a positive view of South Africa; most people think it dangerous and going smartly downhill'. No preconceptions, please - If you go looking for the negative, you'll certainly find it in the poverty and the history; the future looks bright for SA to us provided the Democratic Alliance wins and the ANC go to the wall. There is enormous potential in this berautiful land and in the people.
A highly enjoyable tour of the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa culminating in the cosmopolitan hub of Cape Town bestraddled by the breathtaking vistas of Table Mountain, Lions Head. A wonderful adventure where game animals such as lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, warthogs, girraffes, zebras etc as well as ostritches, whales and penguins can be seen up close and personal and where beautiful forests, gorges, mountains, waterfalls, deserts, caves can be seen in all their glory. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who may be interested in visiting South Africa as this tour is so diverse and varied and gives the “adventurer” a stunning glimpse of this beautiful Rainbow nation.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the varied wildlife of the game reserves, ostriches, whales and penguins up close in their natural habitats. Also had the opportunity of mingling with local South Africans in non tourist areas as well as meeting inhabitants of the Langa township. The group leader also gave a stirring recount of the history, culture and traditions of South Africa which helped to put to bed my own misconceptions of the country.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was amazing from his organisation skills in organising in advance the activities, meals and accommodation to his vast and deep knowledge of South Africa. The group leader also helped to make the group feel at ease through his easy going , patient and pleasant demeanour and was very obliging when small issues arose with his ability to resolve them quickly being remarkable. I would embark on his other tours that he leads in the future.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go on this adventure, you will not regret it. Listen to the group leader as he knows so much and is available to help when required.
We had a great holiday and would recommend South Africa as a holiday destination.
Justin our guide was excellent and showed us the best bits of the Garden Route. He arranged a great safari and we saw 4 out of the big 5. As the sea was too rough we could not go out on the boat but we still saw loads of whales breaching from the shore.
We all really enjoyed South Africa.
Most Inspirational Moment
The safari, whale watching and table mountain we our highlights.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Justin was great, he was very organised and ensured we saw the best bits of South Africa.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you go in August take some warm cloths as it does get cold at night. This would not put me off going at this time of year but take trousers, jumper and a light weight warm jacket.
We had a great time on this very varied tour. It began badly as the plane from London was late & we missed the connection. So, B.A. put us up in a hotel in the centre of the city & paid for all the meals.
After this everything went smoothly.
The whole tour was a success from our point of view.
Most Inspirational Moment
The visit up Table mountain was excellent & in the afternoon we went along to the Cape of Good Hope. The scenery is amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Justin was very friendly & helpful. He had a wide & varied knowledge which he imparted in a clear & interesting way. He was very good a picking excellent restaurants & wines. His attention to detail helped make the trip. Nothing was too much trouble.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Watch the transfer time in Cape Town as you have to go through 2 sets of immigration & passport control . Also, collect your case. This takes at least 90 mins & the B.A. FLIGHT could let you down as it did us.
The meals are usually taken as a group & in places there is little choice of places to eat.
We had an amazing time travelling the Garden Route with Justin as our Guide and Driver. He was very knowledgeable about the local wild life and countryside. The location of the accommodation was great we particularly liked House Martin at De Rust. We enjoyed the wide variety of things that we saw and did. An interesting insight into South Africa, its culture and way of life.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being charged by a Rhino whilst on a safari and zip lining across the gorge at Tsitsikamma, the penguins at Boulder Beach, Robben Island and Table Mountain.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was very knowledgeable, helpful and made the journey a very interesting one. His advice on local food and restaurants was particularly well informed.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are thinking of doing the Garden Route, you could not do it a better way.
Good trip with long mileage so it would be better if there was a driver with the guide, it would release the guide to be able to talk more about interesting things a long the way. There were also a number of options which would be better to be included in the tour.
Most Inspirational Moment
Addo elephant game reserve.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good, but lacked a little confidence also found it sometimes difficult to explain and express herself . A good knowledge of wildlife.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Review extra tour options before departure. eg Game drives, sea life boat trip, township tour.
This is an absolutely brilliant trip that I would definitely recommend. The only downside of it was not being able to do it all over again!
The itinerary for the trip is exceptionally well planned and balanced. It is classed as leisurely and can easily be just that. However, there are plenty of opportunities for the more active and adventurous as well.
I did game viewing, walks, kayaking/lilo, zip wiring, shark diving, got an ostrich ‘masssage’, visited caves, went around a township, visited Robben Island and went up Table Mountain, saw lots of cute penguins, plus lots of other things – what an amazing way to spend 12 days.
There are not many long drives on this trip but even the drives you have feel part of the holiday as the scenery is just exceptional and there are lots of interesting stops en-route.
The accommodation throughout is of an excellent standard. In particular I think we all loved The House Martin Guest Lodge in De Rust. The food throughout was also brilliant.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were wonderful moments every day. I was delighted to see so many animals on the game viewing day at the start of the trip and Table Mountain was stunning.
I really enjoyed walking along the cliff path in Hermanus to Grotto Beach and back which I did on my own on the free day. I also loved the walk in Tsitsikamma along the boardwalk which is a fairly easy walk unless you have any mobility issues or are exceptionally unfit so most people should be able to do it without a problem. I also went up to the look out point which is on uneven ground and uphill so you need to a reasonable level of fitness to do that as well but is worth the effort.
The scenery throughout the trip was really varied but always stunning and was a definite highlight.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Justin is an exceptional tour leader. I have done many trips with Exodus and other similar companies and he is probably the best tour leader I have ever had. He is very friendly but also very professional and organised. His love for his country is infectious but he is honest about the problems and challenges the country still faces.
I came away from this trip feeling I understood more about South Africa than I ever have about any country I have previously travelled to and that was thanks to Justin. He strikes the perfect balance of giving you a lot of information without ever making you feel overloaded with it.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Unless your have done a lot of safari's before and are a bit bored of animals I would definitely recommend doing the optional Tooth and Claw Safari at Schotia which was excellent as there is a very high probability of seeing lions, hippos and giraffes which you are less likely to see at Addo in the morning, although Addo itself is also excellent.
I would also recommend staying a few extra days in Cape Town at the end. I didn't and really regretted it as there is so much to do.
A great holiday, and I was lucky to be part of a very friendly group – a big positive on any holiday. Our guide Justin made the real difference though, with his careful planning of all our activities. Our programme was very wide ranging, with options to be more or less active, suiting all of the group. Justin was helpful and courteous at all times, extremely knowledgeable and had thought of pretty much everything.
For me, the really special days were the game drive (we saw everything except for leopards), and the cable car up to Table Mountain (we were fortunate to have perfect weather). Highly recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
A lot to choose from, but Table Mountain akes some beating.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Justin was simply excellent. The trip was very well planned and organised, and I gained an insight into the real South Africa from the knowledge and experience that he was happy to share. Outstanding.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be comfortable to go on this trip. The only problem I has was the mosquitoes in Cape Town, with whom I was far too popular. Some of the group were completely immune!
