5 Jenny Yost - 3 years ago
Having been to South Africa and on safari before, I was excited to take a group of eight university students volunteering for two weeks just outside of Durban on a weekend excursion. After hours of searching the internet trying to find the “right” tour operator for my students, I came across Tim Brown Tours and was initially impressed by the fact that Tim Brown with Tim Brown Tours was voted the best nature Tour guide in South Africa at the Lilizela national Tourism Awards 2018. As I worked with the team at Tim Brown Tours, I continued to be impressed by their responsiveness, helpfulness, and all-around professionalism. As I was coordinating a student group with only two free days, Tim Brown Tours was flexible with planning our excursion schedule and most attentive to particular requests, such as change in accommodation meet the group’s needs. And in only two days, the group was able to take in all that the Cat Rehabilitation Centre and Hluhluwe Game Reserve had to offer, as well as St. Lucia Estuary-Isimangeliso Wetland Park in May, 2019.
We were pleasantly surprised to have Tim Brown himself as our guide! After picking us up at our accommodation just outside of Durban, onto the Cat Rehabilitation Centre we went where the group toured and was able take photos and even selfie’s sitting (and even lying) besides beautiful cheetahs. Then onto Hluhluwe Game Reserve, where within moments of entering the Game Reserve we met a parade of elephants playing in a mud hole. And Tim’s expertise quickly became evident to the group, so much so that the students “squished” in the safari vehicle just so that Tim could join. Over the course of the afternoon, evening, and next morning on our private safari drives, the group saw three more of the Big 5 - a pride of lions (twice!), rhino, and buffalo – as well as many more exquisite animals such as chameleon, owl, warthog, impala, waterbuck, and zebra. And when it came time to leave the Game Reserve, and the group had only seen giraffe from afar through binoculars, in true guide fashion Tim went out of his way to track down a group of giraffe so that everyone in the group could go home happy. And then the perfect ending to our weekend excursion - St. Lucia Estuary where the group had a restful, yet entertaining (thanks to the hippo’s) boat cruise through the beautiful Wetland Park.
The entire time that the group was with Tim Brown Tours, from pick up and arriving safely back to our accommodation and EVERYTHING in between, we were in excellent hands and above all the group had an unforgettable experience! Thank you Tim Brown and Tim Brown Tours!!! I cannot wait to book again with my next group in October, 2019!!!
