Review Time
I had a great trip. A few minor discomforts but I would (and have) recommended Bench to anyone considering and African holiday. The guides and drivers from Ilios travel were great; the bus was a little uncomfortable (seats too narrow).We saw so much wildlife at the various safari parks; so fortunate!I also loved the bird life and the Botanical Garden tour.Accommodation everywhere was very good. In Durban we stayed at The Benjamin Hotel. That room was a little small; difficult to place luggage etc. Otherwise it was okay. All meals provided were excellent. The meals we paid for were very reasonable, as was alcohol (compared to Aussie prices).Victoria Fall and Botswana exceeded our expectations.
We very recently returned from our amazing family holiday to Kenya, Zanzibar and Egypt. Each country was uniquely different and beautiful. It truly was an adventure that we all loved. Our tour guides were all wonderful and full of local knowledge, the hotels were all beautiful, I only wish that we had more time to spend there! Everything went smoothly, we felt completely safe and most of all the kids were never bored!. This was definitely a holiday that we will remember forever.
Bench did an excellent job of organization. Everything was in place on time, except the pickup was not present at our arrival in Johannesburg. We were very late coming through immigration (over 90 minutes), and when we arrived, the pickup had taken other passengers on ahead. Which is ok except we had to ask another driver to ring the company to find out they were coming back for us. It is very uncomfortable to arrive somewhere and find yourself on your own.All the tours were excellent, starting with Kruger NP and we were extremely lucky to see all of the animals in the first day. The accommodation was top class in every case and meals were fine.The downside was lots of hours in the uncomfortable bus, sometimes with no air conditioning. Driving down the Garden Route could have been anywhere, as there was nothing especially African about the countryside. I personally had very little interest in the cities, although Capetown was interesting because of Table Mountain. Again, we were lucky to have a spectacular day for our visit - warm, no clouds, no wind.If we had gone home from there, I would have been very disappointed with the trip, with only three or four days truly African.The extension to Victoria Falls and especially Chobe NP was the redemption for the whole trip. In particular Camp Kazuma. Straight out of a movie with safari over the open savanna, the lodge with elephants right out the front, amazing people and fantastic service. Would go back in a second.
Steph and Maria from Bench Africa were such a delight in assisting us with our first trip to South Africa in August/September. It was nice to receive the A5 spiral bound itinerary detailing our whole trip - something we will have as a keepsake. Everything went smoothly from the transfers - Johannesburg to Cape Town, on to Franschhoek and finally Hoedspruit to Garonga Safari Camp. The accommodation in Cape Town and Franschhoek were wonderful - little touches like the the welcome basket of fruit, hot water bottles at night and a note telling us what the weather would be the next day was nice as well as having the shuttle service. Steph was able to give us recommendations on day tours for our free days and suggested places to try - food wise! - which we took up. Great choices! The staff at Garonga Safari Camp were excellent and we experienced the bush bath and the bush sleep out - maybe next time we will not endure gale force winds! Our guide, Josia and tracker, Richard made this trip such an amazing experience and ensured we saw lots of animals - some up very close!We would highly recommend Steph and the Bench Africa team to organise another trip in the future.
Had a great trip and luckily all 16 people on the truck got on well. It is hard to travel for 3 weeks with a number of people and not have issues but we had no problems. I think the Nomad crew were an essential part of the success of our tour.
Over 4 weeks 'safari' in Africa, all planned and booked with Bench's help, and not a glitch. Apparently, this is pretty unusual for anything in Africa! Their knowledge and expertise in providing an appropriate itinerary to match our needs (animals and scenery, not civilization) ,and in setting the appropriate expectations for our holiday, made for a very smooth and extremely enjoyable experience. There were 4 of us travelling in a group, which turned out to be optimal for virtually all aspects of the journey through Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya (with a small break to finish in Zanzibar). The accommodation was perfect for our needs, well chosen to optimise our time in each location, with daily excursions focused on what we wanted to see. Thoroughly recommend.
Claim your business profile now and gain access to all features and respond to customer reviews.
Family-run since 1969, Bench Africa specialises in small group tours and tailormade journeys across Africa, offering authentic and immersive travel experiences for discerning travellers. With offices based in Australia and dedicated local operations on the ground in Africa, every detail is carefully coordinated to maintain exceptional standards and ensure smooth, seamless journeys from start to finish.
Bench Africa designs customised itineraries that connect guests with Africa’s diverse wildlife, rich cultures, and stunning landscapes. Whether exploring iconic destinations like the Serengeti, Okavango Delta, Kruger National Park, or the Maasai Mara, or discovering lesser-known gems off the beaten path, each safari is crafted to suit individual interests and travel styles.
Specialising in both personalised private safaris and small group tours, Bench Africa provides expert guidance throughout the planning process and on the ground. This hands-on approach, supported by experienced local guides and knowledgeable teams, creates meaningful connections with Africa’s natural environment and local communities.
Beyond wildlife viewing, the safaris often include cultural encounters, opportunities to support conservation efforts, and authentic experiences that reveal the true spirit of Africa. With a commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, Bench Africa ensures that travel has a positive impact on the regions visited.
Whether it’s a luxury safari, a family safari, a solo adventure, or a tailormade honeymoon, Bench Africa’s careful planning and genuine care deliver memorable and meaningful journeys that leave lasting impressions. The combination of extensive local knowledge, personalised service, and a passion for Africa’s wild places makes Bench Africa a trusted choice for travellers seeking in-depth and unforgettable safari experiences.See more
luxtripper.co.uk
iberojet.com
usaviptours.com
jetcost.com
nextdaycatering.co.uk
oneworldtravels.us
flyer-club.com
lovecuba.com
myhotelbreak.com
hautejets.com