South Africa Travel Agents & Reviews

Zicasso matched us with two excellent travel agents who were both professional, responsive, and knowledgeable. We selected this travel company. Our agent, Richelle, worked with us to design an itinerary that transformed our wish list into an incredible African journey. Her prompt responses to our questions or needs were greatly appreciated.

We were attempting to see a lot of South Africa and Namibia in only two weeks. Throughout our trip, the accommodations, transfers, guides, restaurants, flights, and activities that Richelle had arranged or suggested were superb. She helped us create a portal for our trip that served as a source of information, pick-up times, e-tickets, and things like our allergies that restaurants knew ahead of time. Additionally, she was there for us as we were traveling in case we had a problem or question. We can't say enough about her professionalism, patience, and genuine concern that our vacation would be everything we hoped for.

Our itinerary was ambitious, but Richelle's preparation made it possible. First, we spent three days at Marataba. The accommodations, food, and staff were first-rate. Our guide on the safaris was excellent and the variety of game we saw was impressive.

The next part of our trip was in Cape Town. We arrived in a storm that the locals called "the storm of the century". There was extensive damage and some loss of life as well. While the storm certainly curtailed some activities, the following days had brilliant sunshine. We had a great time visiting the V&A Waterfront, a colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach, enjoying the gorgeous coastal scenery along Chapman's Peak Drive, and a too-short visit to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Our accommodations at the hotel in Sea Point were excellent for location and the professional staff.

After three days in Cape Town, our guide drove us for about an hour to the Cape Winelands. We arranged for two wine tastings in Stellenbosch. The winery was outstanding for the beautiful views and excellent wine. We also saw zebra and impala in the field just in front of the outdoor verandah. We had lunch at a boutique hotel and winery with spectacular views and delicious wine and food. Our accommodations at the hotel in Franschhoek were outstanding. The setting, service, food, and beautiful views were a highlight of our trip. Our room was large and beautifully appointed. An example of their generous hospitality was that all items in the minibar, including a bottle of wine produced at their winery, were gratis. We regretted having to leave after only one night's stay.

Our guide then returned us to the airport in Cape Town for our flight to Walvis Bay, Namibia. We were met by our driver at the airport to transfer us to the hotel in Swakopmund. The hotel was on the Atlantic Ocean and a perfect location to explore the town. The staff was top-notch. Warm, friendly, efficient, willing to help you arrange drivers, restaurant reservations, or figuring out how to work the TV remote.

After three days in Swakopmund, our excellent guide drove us to the lodge in the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. Once again, the warm hospitality of the staff here and throughout our travels will stay with us for a long time. The lodge is a gateway to the magnificent dunes of Sossusvlei. Our guide was outstanding. He was an excellent driver over some awful roads and sand, and the depth and breadth of his knowledge were impressive. He cooked us a lovely chicken and salad lunch out in the desert. He drove us to Windhoek for our flight back to Johannesburg and our return home. 

There will be many wonderful things to remember about our journey in southern Africa, but Richelle's excellent guidance and the warmth of the African people are what will stay with us the longest.

This was a well-planned trip that was personally rewarding and fulfilling.

This trip provided a great balance of the diverse locations from both countries (Namibia and South Africa).

I chose Zicasso as, at this stage of life, when taking well-deserved vacations, I just want to pay, pack, show up and have everything (accommodations, transportation, domestic and international flights, tours, attention to safety, and additional recommendations) accounted for. And that is exactly what the Zicasso's travel expert provided via her tour agency.

I was able to share my must-haves/nice-to-haves and she customized a vacation package that tended to every detail. It was a wonderful balance of rustic and luxury. It was also our July “birthdaycation” for my aunt and me, and we were surprised at multiple locations with surprise birthday acknowledgements. Birthdays are very special to me, so this was a major “icing” on the cake for me on this vacation.

Although there was a minor “hiccup” on the day of arrival, the travel specialist's “on-the-ground” (local) staff pivoted and quickly and professionally found another option for us for our airport pickup. This shows the mark of a company interested in ensuring the complete satisfaction of their clients.

For the destinations the travel expert specializes in, they will be my first point of contact when looking to make my next vacation destination.

Well done!

As a family of four with a deep passion for travel, visiting Japan had been on our bucket list for years, and this year, we indulged ourselves with a Zicasso trip. It was nothing short of magical!

From the very start, the planning process was thoughtful and personalized, and the detailed preparation we received before our departure made us feel confident and excited.

Once we arrived, every part of the trip felt curated with care to our needs and family interests, with our personal highlight the origami experience our son had been dreaming about!

From biking through the vibrant streets of Tokyo to soaking in the beauty of the bamboo forest in Arashiyama to walking through the living history of Kyoto or admiring the Osaka Castle, every day of the trip was unique!

A special thank you to the Zicasso travel company's entire team, who were always just a message away. When we had to adjust cities and accommodations due to our flight schedule mid-trip, our travel specialist stepped in with calm and expert support, turning what could have been a stressful situation into a smooth transition. We truly felt cared for every step of the way.

Whether it was indulging in sushi at nearly every turn, embracing our inner geeks at Nintendo World (not even the rain could stop us!), or simply being present in the magic that is Japan, this Zicasso trip was unforgettable!

Our honeymoon was truly tremendous! Our Zicasso agent and I spoke on the phone numerous times and connected via email consistently. She took everything we asked for and put it into the perfect itinerary. All of our transfers were on time, the accommodations were perfect, and everyone we interacted with was so incredibly kind. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We would 10,000/10 recommend this company!

We’re still not over our trip! Everything was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for organizing such a great experience and making it so effortless for me. I already have family and friends asking who I went through, and I’m guessing some of them will be reaching out to you in the next year.

I do have one small piece of constructive feedback about our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. The staff, lodge, and food were wonderful, but unfortunately, the safari guide fell short. We had just come from the camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve (where we left our hearts—the guide there was truly exceptional, with such a great personality), so the difference stood out even more. At the Olifants West Nature Reserve camp, we saw very few animals and the guide didn’t engage much—he barely spoke, and when he did, it wasn’t very professional or kind, especially toward my son. My son even said the trip might have worked better in reverse, since after Botswana it was hard to adjust to seeing only a few animals a day.

That said, I’m so grateful for how smoothly you planned everything, especially on such short notice. It really was a trip of a lifetime for us.

Thank you again!

There aren't enough superlatives to describe our safari. Every single aspect exceeded expectations. The Zicasso trip designer, who handled the in-country arrangements, was terrific, and literally every arrangement went smoothly. A few last-minute changes on the front and back end were handled effectively. 

Each of the camps was different, but wonderful in its own way. We liked the variation. The accommodations were great and the food was great. But the people – hosts, driver/guides, spotters, service personnel were really great – friendly, fun, helpful, enjoyable to be with, and really great. It's difficult to put into words how much we enjoyed being with them and with each other (me, my five adult children, and their spouses). And the wildlife and landscapes, again, quite different over the three camps, were spectacular. Every game drive was a much-anticipated adventure and the guides were, to a person, superb in helping us understand the animal behaviors we observed. 

There is nothing we would have done differently and we were constantly amazed at how smoothly everything worked out (literally no hitches, even minor ones), how much fun we had with each other and our hosts, and how much the people we were with contributed to our experience. I'm not given to hyperbole, but I'm left without words to describe how great the experiences we had were and how seamless the arrangements seemed to be.

Our recent two-week adventure through South Africa and Botswana, meticulously planned by Zicasso's travel partner, was nothing short of extraordinary. Our agent's deep knowledge of the area allowed us to experience the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes in a way we never could have imagined. Her expertise in selecting the best lodgings to suit our needs ensured every accommodation was comfortable, luxurious, and ideally situated. Our travel agent's strong planning and organizational skills made our journey seamless and stress-free, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience.

Our travel partner truly went above and beyond to cater to the diverse needs of the three couples traveling together. Her ability to manage our varying interests and preferences was impressive, ensuring everyone had a memorable and personalized experience. When a weather-related issue threatened to disrupt our plans, she swiftly and efficiently resolved the problem, showcasing her exceptional problem-solving skills. This level of service and attention to detail made it the best experience we've ever had with a travel agency. We highly recommend them to anyone seeking an unforgettable travel experience.