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active 14 hours ago

Deborah Smook

I get super excited every time I get to share my country with anyone and I want to make sure that when someone does come, they are blown away by the people, the beauty, and the incredible value for money experiences. I enjoy spending the time to find out what each visitor needs to make their experience unforgettable and then craft a trip accordingly. I want every visitor to Southern Africa to have authentic experiences!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialize in all of Southern Africa (Cape Town, Kruger, Garden Route, Vic Falls, Chobe, Okavango) as well as the Indian Ocean Islands - Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion, and Madagascar.

We DO Africa! We want you to have authentic and meaningful experiences. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the local community or prefer mountain biking, motorbiking or hiking the incredible scenery or become one with the Winelands and the mouthwatering food options, we want you to DO is at well."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I studied Tourism Management, but mostly because it was a means to move to Cape Town - it was one of few places it was offered in at the time. Traveling is in my genes though and as soon as I was done, I started working and traveling for about 5 years. Mostly in the Far East and Europe. When I got back to Cape Town, I started working in the industry and then got extremely lucky - I was offered a position to market South Africa as a backpacking, volunteering and adventure destination for an industry association! I still look back and think it was the best job in the world! I got to really see my own country and also go around the world to tell others how awesome it is. Not to mention the incredible people I met along the way - many of whom are still very good industry friends and partners.

But life goes on and I needed to start doing my own thing. Fast forward a few years and here I am - still sharing my beautiful country by crafting it especially for you!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"There are a few, but for a South African, living on the other side of the world, Alaska was the most mind-blowing for me. It is just SO different from what I know and hiking on a glacier on my birthday close to the small town, McCarthy was something I will never forget.

Back on this side of the world, Victoria Falls will never stop to amaze me. Besides the majesty of the falls, it also has a real African feel and you actually do have elephants walking around in the streets. It is only an hour from Chobe where there are plains full of wildlife. In May I am going on a luxury houseboat on the Chobe River and I think that will then be added to this list!"

Deborah is part of the following groups: South Africa Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Deborah

Southern African Family Adventure
South Africa | Apr 12 - Apr 21, 2023

Julia
Julia M.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Apr 24, 2023

We enlisted the help of Deb and the Kim Kim team to help us organize a whistle stop trip to S. Africa and Zimbabwe. We only had 10 days so needed help getting the most out of our limited time.
We were so impressed with the level of communication throughout the planning process and whilst on the trip itself. Some great dinner spots and additional activities were suggested which made a huge difference to our experience. It was also great to be given a variety of accommodation options which we... read more

We enlisted the help of Deb and the Kim Kim team to help us organize a whistle stop trip to S. Africa and Zimbabwe. We only had 10 days so needed help getting the most out of our limited time.
We were so impressed with the level of communication throughout the planning process and whilst on the trip itself. Some great dinner spots and additional activities were suggested which made a huge difference to our experience. It was also great to be given a variety of accommodation options which we could select to best suit our budget.
All transfers and activities ran like clockwork and took the worry out of traveling in a new country with kids. Every guide we came across was exceptionally knowledgeable and professional.
We would definitely use the Kim Kim service again and wholeheartedly recommend Deb and her team for anyone considering a trip to S. Africa. Thank you for the most amazing holiday - we didn’t want to come home!

Hotel Reviews
Parker Cottage
Cape Town

This was a holiday highlight for us. Tomas and his team and the accommodation was exceptional - a home away from home and a blissful sanctuary after a busy day sightseeing. Outstanding!

Authenticity & Character
A beautiful old heritage villa.
Location
A safe walking distance to restaurants in the area and close proximity to Table Mountain and the Waterfront.
Staff
Great advice and super friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Southern Sun De Wagen
Stellenbosch
Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms/ beds needed to be bigger!
Phezulu Guest Lodge
Victoria Falls
Authenticity & Character
Location
Lovely quiet location but it was easy to organise taxis.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Capital On The Park
Sandton
Authenticity & Character
A big hotel with a great pool area.
Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to the shopping mall.
Location
Close to the shopping mall.
Staff
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
A great 2 bed apartment for our final night.
Cleanliness & Comfort
A great 2 bed apartment for our final night.
Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe, Kasane
Authenticity & Character
The isolation of this place was quite special - we loved the open air dining areas and viewing deck and of course the thatched roof.
Location
It took 3 border crossings to reach this lodge but it actually added to the experience. Loved that it was only accessible by river.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super big beds!
Activity Reviews
Horseback Riding in the Winelands
South Africa

My kids loved this activity! It was an amazing setting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Table Mountain
Cape Town

We loved this trip! We headed straight here after checking in at our accommodation. We took a later cable car up to catch the sunset. It was super quiet and the sunset/ views were beautiful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
South Africa

We had a friendly and experienced guide. We loved the penguins, haggling with the street vendors and the views.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Robben Island
Cape Town

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. We had an amazing guide on the bus around the island and a former inmate for the prison tour. Very interesting and humbling. It was quite a big group and sometimes hard to follow what was being said when we were off the bus.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner at GOLD Restaurant
Cape Town

The additional drumming workshop was well worth it. We all loved it! It was great to taste various dishes from around the continent and to watch the dancing/ entertainment. This was definitely a very touristy activity but something I would recommend.

Quality of Experience
Food
Authentic and rustic - some dishes were really tasty, some were more interesting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gourmet Dinner on a Sunset Cruise
Victoria Falls

This was outstanding! It was stunning scenery on the Zambezi and we saw our first hippo! The 4 course meal was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Tour of Vic Falls
Victoria Falls

What’s not to like? The Falls are breathtaking!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dusty Road Township Dinner Experience **highly recommended by our team
Victoria Falls

Loved the little tour that you get upon entry. Great atmosphere and loved the community aspect of this place and the focus on sustainability.

Quality of Experience
Food
The authenticity. Some of the dishes took me back to my own time living in Africa.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We took our own taxi and paid more than we were told to pay.
Arrival at Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe National Park

We crossed 3 borders to get here. This sounds overwhelming but each crossing was slick and efficient and we were directed by the driver on where to go. It added to the whole experience. The river ride to the lodge was beautiful - we spotted lion, hippos and elephants. It was nice to be offered a cold drink on board.

Quality of Experience
Food
N/a
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Last morning at Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe National Park

We actually saw very little wildlife on the morning safari. We ended up watching a troop of baboons for ages. The river ride and sunset was perfect though.

Quality of Experience
Food
N/a
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Apr 28, 2023

Hello Julia

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this detailed review. It was such a pleasure planning this trip for you and your family and I am so glad that you enjoyed it.

Deb

Family Southern Africa Trip
South Africa | Mar 19 - Mar 26, 2023

M
Mackenzie M.
Evanston, IL | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2023

The trip was a 10/10 experience. Deb really took the lead on planning everything for us because we came in with limited knowledge. We got to do everything and had the greatest of times. All the staff was extremely accommodating. Having all of the drivers planned out made the trip carefree and seamless. read more

The trip was a 10/10 experience. Deb really took the lead on planning everything for us because we came in with limited knowledge. We got to do everything and had the greatest of times. All the staff was extremely accommodating. Having all of the drivers planned out made the trip carefree and seamless.

Hotel Reviews
Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe, Kasane

This is a very secluded and peaceful experience. The food was great and authentic. However there was a large fly problem while eating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chobe Game Lodge
Serondela

Extremely nice facility with amazing food, views, and people. Being able to get into Chobe earlier allowed us to see a family of lions without any other trucks blocking our view!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ilala Lodge
Victoria Falls

The lodge was a great location to walk to the falls. The service was extremely accommodating. Food was delicious. Our driver for the majority of the trip, Frank, was amazing! Extremely informative and kind.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Flight of the Angels over Vic Falls
Victoria Falls

The 15 minute duration trip was plenty. The guide explained everything we were seeing and sights were amazing. Really good safety briefing as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Cruise & Riverside Dinner
Victoria Falls

We had a private cruise with a full staff. The guide got us really close and allowed us to take as many pictures of the hippopotamus. The dinner course was unexpected and really amazing. Drinks and pretty views made this excursion very relaxing and wonderful. They provided rain ponchos which were very helpful.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dusty Road Township Dinner Experience **highly recommended by our team
Victoria Falls

This was definitely a highlight of our trip. The food was delicious and the entire experience of learning about all the ingredients was very interesting. The entire ambiance of the place was amazing and could not be replicated elsewhere. We even purchased the owners cookbook. Staff was great!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mukuni Village Tour
Victoria Falls

This was a very unique experience. The guide was great and the villages were extremely kind. We wish we knew prior to bring some clothes to donate. Got to purchase some great souvenirs here straight from the people who make it. Also needing another visa to get back into Zimbabwe and to pay for everything in cash is important info.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Late Afternoon Rhino Walking Safari & 5 Star Dinner at a Luxury Reserve Lodge
Victoria Falls

This luxury lodge was a great treat for the evening. Our safari guide, Michael, was extremely passionate about his job and made the tour very fun for us. He really put the effort in to make sure we saw as many animals as possible especially the black rhinos.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrive at your lodge in Chobe National Park and First Game Drive
Chobe National Park

Although it started pouring rain, it was still amazing since they provided really nice and heavy ponchos. These rides are extremely enjoyable just to see all the views. We also got to see a family of elephants which was really exceptional.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Game Drive in Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park

Getting to be the first ones out into the park allowed us first access to seeing all the morning animals. We got to see a whole family of lions without having to compete with any other cars for the best photos ops. The lunch provided had a lot of food in it and was very filling. We really got to see almost every animal in the park and the guide, Ellie, did a great job spotting out exotic birds and plants.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrival at Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe National Park

You need to take a very small boat with all of your luggage to this location which was a surprise. The guide that took us Felix was very nice and informative!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day at Chobe Savanna Lodge
Botswana

This is a very peaceful resort with limited visitors. The staff is extremely accommodating and the food was great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Last morning at Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe National Park

We did a bird viewing cruise in the morning and got to see hippos out of the water as well as some elephants drinking water. Also a lot of baboons on the water.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Apr 14, 2023

Hello Mackenzie

It was SUCH a pleasure to plan this trip with you and I am so happy that your parents decided to join in the end to share it with you.
Thank you so much for taking the time, not only to write a review of us but also of all your activities and accommodation. I will be sure to pass this on and it makes my heart sing to hear the smaller details. We try our best to make your trip as memorable as possible by adding the little surprises that makes it a little different. I love... read more

Hello Mackenzie

It was SUCH a pleasure to plan this trip with you and I am so happy that your parents decided to join in the end to share it with you.
Thank you so much for taking the time, not only to write a review of us but also of all your activities and accommodation. I will be sure to pass this on and it makes my heart sing to hear the smaller details. We try our best to make your trip as memorable as possible by adding the little surprises that makes it a little different. I love that you remember so many of the guides names!
I will definitely make a note to advise guests to bring old clothes if they have some space left in their suitcases coming here.
There is actually this lovely initiative "Pack for a Purpose" that informs people of what they can bring and also what not (:
This link is to a friend's hostel in Livingstone and what they request - purely for interest sake. Or for when you come back to Southern Africa - which I'm pretty sure you are planning to to already!
https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/africa/zambia/jollyboys-backpackers-camp/

Again, thank you so much for trusting me with your trip!

Have a wonderful rest of 2023!

Deb

We were very grateful to Deborah and her team...
South Africa | Feb 28 - Mar 3, 2023

M
Maureen G.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 04, 2023

We were very grateful to Deborah and her team to help us plan our trip to South Africa. The personal touch and great recommendations for driving routes, accommodations made the trip amazing. The Mosaic Lagoon Lodge was a perfect place to start the trip, (amazing atmosphere) and ending at Ivory Wilderness Lodge was a lovely bookend the whole experience.
We would highly recommend getting Deborah and her team to assist in your trip due to their local knowledge, insight, great communication and... read more

We were very grateful to Deborah and her team to help us plan our trip to South Africa. The personal touch and great recommendations for driving routes, accommodations made the trip amazing. The Mosaic Lagoon Lodge was a perfect place to start the trip, (amazing atmosphere) and ending at Ivory Wilderness Lodge was a lovely bookend the whole experience.
We would highly recommend getting Deborah and her team to assist in your trip due to their local knowledge, insight, great communication and personal touches. Thanks very much.

Hotel Review
Ivory Wilderness
Hoedspruit

We had an unbelievable experience at Ivory Wilderness. The accommodations were beautiful and authentic yet luxurious. Food was plentiful and delicious. The highlight was Craig, our guide who has us out at the crack of dawn and was relentless is making sure we saw amazing animals but also taught us about the flora, birds and how they are all interconnected with life in the Savanna.

Authenticity & Character
The long history of the proprietors in the region
Staff
Great food and service
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beautiful sheets, lovely showers
Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Mar 08, 2023

Hello Maureen

Thank you so much for the amazing review. I spent a night at Ivory Wilderness this week and I agree, it is such a special place and the guides are really great at connecting their guests with nature. There really is a magical atmosphere to that spot and I will definitely go back.
It was incredible to meet you and welcome you to my home and show you a little bit of Hermanus. I really enjoyed your company and it was such a pleasure to plan this trip with you.

I hope you have... read more

Hello Maureen

Thank you so much for the amazing review. I spent a night at Ivory Wilderness this week and I agree, it is such a special place and the guides are really great at connecting their guests with nature. There really is a magical atmosphere to that spot and I will definitely go back.
It was incredible to meet you and welcome you to my home and show you a little bit of Hermanus. I really enjoyed your company and it was such a pleasure to plan this trip with you.

I hope you have a fantastic time during the rest of your travels and I hope to meet up with you again someday.

Thank you for trusting me to plan this special trip.

Deb

5 Star African Adventure!!
South Africa | Jan 6 - Jan 17, 2023

Ashley
Ashley S.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Reviewed on Mar 02, 2023

If you thinking about having Elgin Africa plan your trip, stop debating and just do it! I can't say enough about how great the entire experience was. Deb, whose company is Elgin Africa, lives in South Africa and has personal relationships with a lot of the tour companies that we used. She cared deeply about me and my family having an amazing trip, and made sure every detail was perfect. I can only say that there would be no way that we would have had such an amazing, flawless trip without a... read more

If you thinking about having Elgin Africa plan your trip, stop debating and just do it! I can't say enough about how great the entire experience was. Deb, whose company is Elgin Africa, lives in South Africa and has personal relationships with a lot of the tour companies that we used. She cared deeply about me and my family having an amazing trip, and made sure every detail was perfect. I can only say that there would be no way that we would have had such an amazing, flawless trip without a passionate destination specialist curating every detail for us.

Starting with the planning process, Deb chatted with me on the phone and walked me though a customized itinerary she made for me. I was concerned about my budget, and she modified the trip several times to keep me at my budget, which I very much appreciated. I was in contact the Deb and her assistant before, during, and after the trip. She would even text me late at night and as ask if I enjoyed dinner.

As for the Trip itself Deb planned a 2 week adventure for my family of six. We went on two safaris in Botswana, visited Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and spent time exploring Johannesburg. Every part of the trip was amazing. It's almost impossible to pick a favorite section, but if I had to give advice I was say do not miss out on visiting Chobe National Park!

All the accommodations Deb booked for us were beautiful 5 star boutique hotels. I couldn't believe she was able to fit such fantastic hotels into my budget. Also, the whole trip felt private. We had a private guide for both of our safaris, private transfers, and a private dinner cruise in Victoria Falls. What was most amazing about the trip is that we had so many passionate people making sure we enjoyed ourself. We didn't end up in one tourist trap and we were able to genuinely experience the local culture of every place we went.

I can't recommend Deb enough! Our trip was worth every penny, and every part more than exceeded our expectations. Thank you for planning the trip of a lifetime!

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Mar 02, 2023

Hello Ashley

Thank you for the incredible review! It was so good to meet you and I'm so happy that you enjoyed this trip of a lifetime with your family.

Deb

Deb provided one of the most amazing and well...
South Africa | Jan 27 - Feb 8, 2023

Justin
Justin F.
Livingston, TN | Reviewed on Feb 09, 2023

Deb provided one of the most amazing and well planned itineraries we have ever experienced. She took care of everything down to the minor details. She truly made Southern Africa a trip of a lifetime. We will be back again traveling with Deb!

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Feb 13, 2023

Hello Justin & Melanie

It was great to plan your trip with you and meet you briefly while you were here. I enjoyed your excitement and your big grin so much.

I can't wait for the next trip!

Deb

Belated Honeymoon in South Africa
South Africa | Nov 18 - Nov 28, 2022

A
Adam S.
Sunnyside, NY | Reviewed on Dec 06, 2022

We had an amazing time on our trip to South Africa! With only a brief description from us about what we were looking for Deb was able to plan just the type of accommodations and experiences we were looking for.

Rochelle was fantastic and showed us around Cape Town and the surrounding areas at the start of our trip. Stellenbosch was beautiful and our wine tastings and e-bike ride in Stellenbosch were some of our favorite memories from the trip. The highlight of our trip was definitely our... read more

We had an amazing time on our trip to South Africa! With only a brief description from us about what we were looking for Deb was able to plan just the type of accommodations and experiences we were looking for.

Rochelle was fantastic and showed us around Cape Town and the surrounding areas at the start of our trip. Stellenbosch was beautiful and our wine tastings and e-bike ride in Stellenbosch were some of our favorite memories from the trip. The highlight of our trip was definitely our stay at Ivory Wilderness in Kruger National Park, where Warren and the whole staff were extremely warm, helpful, and knowledgeable. On our last day in South Africa we went on a full day bike tour through Soweto with Linda, who not only explained but showed us the history of the townships and the resilient people who live there.

It was a once in a lifetime trip and one I'm sure we'll remember for the rest of our lives.

Hotel Reviews
Tree House Boutique Hotel
Cape Town

We loved our stay at Tree House Boutique Hotel in Cape Town. The room was large, clean, and modern, the pool area was beautiful, and the staff were so friendly and accommodating. The breakfasts (which were included) were perfect - fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, and meats and cheeses at the ready, plus several made-to-order options from the menu. We've already recommended this hotel to people we know who are planning a trip to South Africa.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The hotel is at the top of a quiet street, but there are several restaurants and bars on the main road at the bottom of the hill that were only a few minutes walk away. It's only a few minutes drive to many of the places around the city we wanted to go so getting around was very easy.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ivory Wilderness
Hoedspruit

We loved our stay at Ivory Wilderness. The grounds were beautiful and overlooked a river where we saw plenty of wildlife, the staff was incredible, and the guides were so knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating we couldn't have asked for more. The pool looked like it needed some service, but fortunately it wasn't too hot while we were there so we spent our downtime lounging on the deck chairs and in the hammock. Our rondavel was clean and comfortable and was perfect for our stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We loved that this location was farther into the park than many others, since it meant that we didn't see too many other jeeps while we were out on our game drives, but the drive out from Hoedspruit Airport was a bit long (1.5 hours) and bumpy.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen
Cape Town

This was definitely one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip. Nicky was incredibly warm and gracious and really made us feel like we were at home in her house. The meal was unforgettable - each dish was unique and full of flavor, and you could tell how much thought and creativity went into each ingredient. Halfway through the meal Nicky took us on a tour of her garden and let us taste the ingredients straight from the source, explaining the culinary and medicinal properties of many of the plants she cultivates, which made her knowledge and passion come to life. This is a must do for anyone who loves unique dining experiences.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Dec 12, 2022

Hello Adam

Thank you for the incredible review and super constructive feedback which we have already used to improve our offering!
I am over the moon that you enjoyed the trip so much as well as all the smaller aspects that tie it all together to make for a perfect experience. The guides we partner with and the people you meet are all part of what we specialize in to showcase our incredible country!
I went on the Soweto tour myself last week as it has been a few years since I've done it. ... read more

Hello Adam

Thank you for the incredible review and super constructive feedback which we have already used to improve our offering!
I am over the moon that you enjoyed the trip so much as well as all the smaller aspects that tie it all together to make for a perfect experience. The guides we partner with and the people you meet are all part of what we specialize in to showcase our incredible country!
I went on the Soweto tour myself last week as it has been a few years since I've done it. I can honestly say that I am proud to work with such a great team and what they have done to enrich the lives around them and also tell the story of the past and present in such an interactive way.

I hope that our paths will cross again! Perhaps when you need to make your way to this side of the world to explore some of the other wonders of our area.

For now, we will be happy for you to remember this once-in-a-lifetime trip for the rest of your lives (:

Have a wonderful festive season!

Deb

We had an amazing trip! With Deborah's coord...
South Africa | Sep 7 - Sep 23, 2022

J
JANICE T.
Highlands Ranch, CO | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2022

We had an amazing trip! With Deborah's coordination, expertise and knowledge, she blended our request for traditional African cultural experiences and off the beaten path adventures. We visited Johannesburg (Soweto, Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein Caves), Safari in Kruger Bush, Cape Town coastal tours (including lunch with Nicky Gibbs!), Paternoster (Penguins, lunch at Wolfgat), Cederberg, (Rock Art), Franschhoek (Wine Country), National Parks (both Western & Fossil), Victoria Falls, then... read more

We had an amazing trip! With Deborah's coordination, expertise and knowledge, she blended our request for traditional African cultural experiences and off the beaten path adventures. We visited Johannesburg (Soweto, Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein Caves), Safari in Kruger Bush, Cape Town coastal tours (including lunch with Nicky Gibbs!), Paternoster (Penguins, lunch at Wolfgat), Cederberg, (Rock Art), Franschhoek (Wine Country), National Parks (both Western & Fossil), Victoria Falls, then onto the Grand Finale on the Chobe River Boat. Transfers went smoothly, as with every hand-off to a new wonderful Tour Guide. Would highly recommend her to personalize your next adventure. We can’t thank her enough!

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Sep 29, 2022

Hello Dear Janice & Dean

It was so incredible to meet you and spend a bit of time with you as well. I loved planning your dream trip with you and that I could get you off the beaten track!
I look forward to visiting you in the US next year.

Thank you so much for the review - it makes what I do so rewarding.

Deb

Garden Route tour with Steph
South Africa | Aug 28 - Sep 6, 2022

Kenneth
Kenneth D.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2022

The trip was great overall, Our guide, Steph, was fantastic. We changed a few items in the itinerary due to weather/cancellations & added a few unplanned activities. All of the hotels were great. Activities
Bettys bay - Stoney Point Penguins colony; Wilderness - canoeing/hike; Boutkans bridge bungee jump; Tsitsikamma National park hike; Plettenburg Bay skydive; Robberg nature areas hike; Knysna catamaran sunset cruise; whale watch tour; Oudsthoorn cango caves; meerkat viewing
read more

The trip was great overall, Our guide, Steph, was fantastic. We changed a few items in the itinerary due to weather/cancellations & added a few unplanned activities. All of the hotels were great. Activities
Bettys bay - Stoney Point Penguins colony; Wilderness - canoeing/hike; Boutkans bridge bungee jump; Tsitsikamma National park hike; Plettenburg Bay skydive; Robberg nature areas hike; Knysna catamaran sunset cruise; whale watch tour; Oudsthoorn cango caves; meerkat viewing

Hotel Review
One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel
Hermanus

Great location. Great service & amenities. Great breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Room, lobby
Location
walking distance to town
Staff
Welcome & overview
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Sep 05, 2022

Hello Kenneth

I am so happy you enjoyed the Garden Route with Steph. Our Garden Route partners are just the best and Steph really is an excellent guide which I am very happy to have matched with you. Thank you for mentioning all the activities you did as well - the Garden Route is ideal for adventures, which you clearly made the best of!
I did pass your review and your positive feedback on Whatsapp to Steph. It is always great to get good reviews as we do believe we give our all to make... read more

Hello Kenneth

I am so happy you enjoyed the Garden Route with Steph. Our Garden Route partners are just the best and Steph really is an excellent guide which I am very happy to have matched with you. Thank you for mentioning all the activities you did as well - the Garden Route is ideal for adventures, which you clearly made the best of!
I did pass your review and your positive feedback on Whatsapp to Steph. It is always great to get good reviews as we do believe we give our all to make sure you have a great time.
Thank you for trusting us with your trip and hope that you will visit our part of the world again.

Deb

Deborah (AKA the Debz), was such a joy to wor...
South Africa | May 2 - May 19, 2022

T
Therese M.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on May 26, 2022

Deborah (AKA the Debz), was such a joy to work with. She coordinated travel for my honeymoon which included stops in Johannesburg, Cape Town, the Winelands, Chobe, Victoria Falls, Kruger and Zanzibar. A trip we coined "Beach Wine Safari." She answered all my questions, big and small, leading up to our trip. Deborah really listened to what we wanted to get out of the trip and made all our dreams come true. She is extremely knowledgeable. Additionally, throughout our trip she was... read more

Deborah (AKA the Debz), was such a joy to work with. She coordinated travel for my honeymoon which included stops in Johannesburg, Cape Town, the Winelands, Chobe, Victoria Falls, Kruger and Zanzibar. A trip we coined "Beach Wine Safari." She answered all my questions, big and small, leading up to our trip. Deborah really listened to what we wanted to get out of the trip and made all our dreams come true. She is extremely knowledgeable. Additionally, throughout our trip she was immediately responsive. Setting expectations was very important to us and even though things do not always go as planned, we really had a seamless travel experience. We had the pleasure of meeting Deborah in person as well. She went above and beyond by using her personal contacts to ensure we had the best possible experience. I enthusiastically recommend her for all your Africa travel needs.

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on May 27, 2022

Aaaah Therese & Chancey

It was so awesome meeting you and I really enjoyed our interactions during our planning stages right from the start. Thank you so much for the really thoughtful review and the time you spent writing it.

I can't wait to come and visit you in the US!

Deb

Deb, the world class travel agent!
South Africa | Apr 7 - Apr 14, 2022

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Marc F.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2022

Deb was phenomenal! From the start, she was super communicative and eased us into the process of working with a travel agent, as we had never done so before. Every morning we would wake up to amazing updates that got us incredibly excited for our trip.

As she learned more about ourselves and what we wanted from our trip, she never batted an eye about making changes to our itinerary and even made suggestions about things that we never thought possible. When we were on the trip, we had a few... read more

Deb was phenomenal! From the start, she was super communicative and eased us into the process of working with a travel agent, as we had never done so before. Every morning we would wake up to amazing updates that got us incredibly excited for our trip.

As she learned more about ourselves and what we wanted from our trip, she never batted an eye about making changes to our itinerary and even made suggestions about things that we never thought possible. When we were on the trip, we had a few hiccups (of our own doing) and Deb was right there with us making updates and helping us come up with a new plan of attack.

Deb, you have given us an experience that we will never forget. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an amazing person, a stellar travel agent, and for having a gigantic heart. I can't wait to work with you again.

- Marc

Hotel Review
Ivory Wilderness
Hoedspruit

Ivory Wilderness was the highlight of my trip. The night tours, early morning treks, and being able to walk around the bush on foot was incredible. The food was delicious, the accommodations were perfect, the setting is unbeatable, and the crew that put the experience together treated me as though I was one of their life long friends. I could not have wished for a better time. Thank you so much!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Game Drives
South Africa
Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Apr 26, 2022

Hello Marc

You are awesome - even though you have been one of the very few clients I have NOT met in person. Thank you for the best review ever and the heartfelt message. It means the world to me - even more so after a few years of not having any. It's so nice to be back in the game.

Deb

Amazing itinerary and client-focused service ...
South Africa | Apr 11 - Apr 21, 2022

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Kathy C.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2022

Amazing itinerary and client-focused service by Deb! The itinerary was fairly complex since we were visiting 4 countries, but the activity selection, local guide selection, accommodations, and the *numerous* transfers were all seamless. We are so happy with our trip, and could not have done it without flawless execution by Deb. She was also very mindful of our budget and we felt she maximized the experience and value based on what we had planned on spending. Also amazingly responsive during... read more

Amazing itinerary and client-focused service by Deb! The itinerary was fairly complex since we were visiting 4 countries, but the activity selection, local guide selection, accommodations, and the *numerous* transfers were all seamless. We are so happy with our trip, and could not have done it without flawless execution by Deb. She was also very mindful of our budget and we felt she maximized the experience and value based on what we had planned on spending. Also amazingly responsive during our vacation whenever we had questions.

Hotel Review
Ivory Wilderness
Hoedspruit

Great accommodations, *impeccable* hospitality, and Craig was an amazing safari guide! It was 100% the highlight of our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Private reserve, and can view so many animals right from the lodge deck.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
E-biking or hiking Stellenbosch followed by wine farm visits
South Africa

Beautiful way to experience Stellenbosch.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Apr 25, 2022

Dear Kathy & Family

It was such a pleasure planning your trip! I really enjoyed working with you to make sure that you get the best out of your time spent in Southern Africa.
It was also really nice to meet you, albeit for only a short time. Hopefully we will have more time next time you make your way to this side of the world.

Thank you, again, for trusting my team and I with this big responsibility.

Deb

Deborah could not have been more perfect from...
South Africa | Nov 20 - Nov 25, 2021

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Amanda E.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2022

Deborah could not have been more perfect from start to finish.

The start: we were taking a last minute vacation to South Africa as part of our honeymoon (I worked for an airline so that was feasible). When I say last minute, we were coming in a week!!! That was absolutely no problem for Deborah, who took it in stride, perfectly planning every detail from our time in Cape Town to our safari in Krueger. If you are considering working with Deborah, do it! Thanks again for making our trip one we’ll never forget.

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Feb 09, 2022

Hello Amanda

After a long drought of international travelers, it was incredible to have you as our first returning client. It was a pleasure meeting you with your energetic and exciting personality.

Thank you so much for the great review!

Deb

Our local specialist Deborah was fantastic
South Africa | Feb 28 - Mar 8, 2020

James
James G.
the Philippines | Reviewed on Mar 10, 2020

Our local specialist Deborah was fantastic in helping us organise the trip from start to finish. We encountered a few teething problems along the way to do with booking of flights but all issues were resolved to our total satisfaction without any fuss. Deborah also arranged excellent choice of on the ground personal guides and car transfers which all went very smoothly, they were all very professional and knowledgeable. All in all we would highly recommend Deborah and her team and would like to thank her for making our honeymoon so memorable in South Africa.

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Mar 11, 2020

Dear James & Darnie

It was such a pleasure to help you plan this trip and to meet you. I am also happy that we could overcome the teething problems and that you ended up having a great honeymoon.

Thank you for the kind words and we hope to see you in SA again soon!

All the best,
Deborah
Elgin Africa

Eon was excellent!
South Africa | Nov 8 - Nov 14, 2019

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Geoff G.
Australia | Reviewed on Nov 24, 2019

Eon was excellent! He was very knowledgeable and gave us time to spend together as a family.
Thanks to Debra for all the helpful tips for the road trip as well!

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Dec 02, 2019

Dear Geoff

Thank you so much for the great review!

Eon is indeed a great guy and we are so happy that we could have them on your trip. I hope you enjoyed your whole experience in South Africa as well.

Hope to have you in SA again someday soon.

Kind regards

Deborah

Incredible experience to Southern Africa!
Zambia | Oct 28 - Nov 7, 2019

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andrew y.
Midlothian, VA | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2019

The trip planned for us by Deborah and Tara at Elgin Africa was amazing. We came up with a base plan and they took it from there. From the boutique hotel in Cape Town to the Victoria Falls Hotel with its incredible history to the tented safari camp in Zimbabwe, everything was well organized and came through without any glitches whatsoever. All in country land transfers were pre-arranged and were always on time (or early). We did 3 private day tours in Cape Town; Stellenbosch, the Cape... read more

The trip planned for us by Deborah and Tara at Elgin Africa was amazing. We came up with a base plan and they took it from there. From the boutique hotel in Cape Town to the Victoria Falls Hotel with its incredible history to the tented safari camp in Zimbabwe, everything was well organized and came through without any glitches whatsoever. All in country land transfers were pre-arranged and were always on time (or early). We did 3 private day tours in Cape Town; Stellenbosch, the Cape Peninsula, and shark cage diving (highly recommended). The safaris in Zimbabwe and Botswana were nothing short of incredible. The safari guides and drivers were all top-notch professionals and we enjoyed spending time with them and learning about their countries. They all had stories to tell. The food was also amazing; we were always surprised at the quality of the meals that were prepared for us.

We would highly recommend Elgin Africa and Deborah for anyone looking to spend time in Southern Africa.

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Dec 02, 2019

Dear Andrew and Chisty

Thank you so much for choosing us and I am super happy that you had such a great experience. It was really nice meeting you as well!

I hope to see you again soon in SA!

All the best,
Deb

South Africa
South Africa | Aug 13 - Aug 25, 2019

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Hilary C.
Odessa, TX | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2019

We had a great trip to southern Africa! Deb booked everything we asked for and more. Our favorite experiences included shark cage diving in South Africa, the Chobe photographic safari with Pangolin lodge in Botswana, a great Kruger safari, and the eye opening Soweto tour in Johannesburg. Beautiful parts of the world with comfortable lodging and memorable moments. Deb took away all of the logistical issues I was stressed about when I initially started planning, and incorporated experiences I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. Loved it!

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Aug 27, 2019

Hello Hilary!

Thank you for the awesome review! You are the best. So happy you enjoyed all the experiences. We really try to match everyone with the experiences best suited to their interests and I am very happy we managed to succeed in doing it.
I hope you will carry Southern Africa in your heart for a while and find time to come back here again soon!

All the best
Deb & Tara

Dale's Birthday Trip to Southern Africa
South Africa | Jul 6 - Jul 21, 2019

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Brett J.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 23, 2019

First, I need to thank Deborah and Tara from Eglin Africa Travel in Cape Town for their recommendations and for planning & arranging an amazing two week holiday in Africa. This was important as my family celebrated my wife's 60th while away.
I cannot recommend their services highly enough - real five star support right throughout the process and they even created a WhatsApp group so we could communicate while away.
Deborah recommended amazing hotels in Cape Town and Stellenbosch and three... read more

First, I need to thank Deborah and Tara from Eglin Africa Travel in Cape Town for their recommendations and for planning & arranging an amazing two week holiday in Africa. This was important as my family celebrated my wife's 60th while away.
I cannot recommend their services highly enough - real five star support right throughout the process and they even created a WhatsApp group so we could communicate while away.
Deborah recommended amazing hotels in Cape Town and Stellenbosch and three fantastic game lodges in Khwai, Chobe and Victoria Falls.
Two of the lodges were Pangolin Photo Safaris. Each guest is given a Canon 80D DSLR camera with a 150-600 telephoto lens and taught how to use it to take fantastic photos of the amazing wild animals in Africa. My entire family, none of who have photographic experience beyond an iPhone, really enjoyed the experience and we have hundreds of photos of lion, leopard, elephant, hippo and the amazing African antelope and birds.
If you travel to Africa, please contact Deborah and Tara.

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Jul 23, 2019

Hello Brett, Dale, Ellie & Pete

Thank you again for the kind words and the really good review. It means the world to us, but it means even more to us that you had the trip of a lifetime. We knew it was important to you and a big trip for the family.

Hope to see you back here again soon.

Deborah & Tara

South Africa in 15 days
South Africa | May 15 - May 29, 2019

lilia
lilia s.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2019

This is the third time I’ve used kimkim to help with my travel planning. Clearly they work with the best travel specialists in the world. For my South African adventure kimkim connected me with Elgin Africa, I couldn’t have asked for a better match!

Deborah contacted me first, she got back to me right away with answers for my questions about budget and best time to visit South Africa. After couple of emails I knew I was in good hands.

Tara contacted me second, she was wonderful from the... read more

This is the third time I’ve used kimkim to help with my travel planning. Clearly they work with the best travel specialists in the world. For my South African adventure kimkim connected me with Elgin Africa, I couldn’t have asked for a better match!

Deborah contacted me first, she got back to me right away with answers for my questions about budget and best time to visit South Africa. After couple of emails I knew I was in good hands.

Tara contacted me second, she was wonderful from the start, always available to quickly and patiently answer any questions, worked around my budget and tailored the itinerary based on the list of places and experiences I wanted.

This trip was amazing largely to Tara’s impeccable planning, I never had to worry about a transfer, guide (the guides that Elgin Africa works with are wonderful), or accommodation, everything was perfect!

While traveling, Deborah and Tara checked up on me often making sure everything was running smoothly and that I was enjoying my trip.

Anybody planning to visit South Africa should contact Elgin Africa, they are the best!

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Jun 19, 2019

I've asked Deborah to post my response to your beautiful review here as I was not able to.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share a bit about your experience booking with us, and for the amazing feedback. It is truly appreciated, and heart-warming to know that you enjoyed your trip so much. We could not have asked for a better result. :) Seriously, it brings us so much joy that you enjoyed your vacation in South Africa this much!

We wish we could review our clients too. You were... read more

I've asked Deborah to post my response to your beautiful review here as I was not able to.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share a bit about your experience booking with us, and for the amazing feedback. It is truly appreciated, and heart-warming to know that you enjoyed your trip so much. We could not have asked for a better result. :) Seriously, it brings us so much joy that you enjoyed your vacation in South Africa this much!

We wish we could review our clients too. You were and have been nothing but a pleasure to work with. It was also wonderful to meet you in person in Cape Town. We do hope you visit again!

Wishing you all the best,
Tara

*Hi Lilia
From my side as well, thank you for the great review. Tara is still talking about you!
And I have to compliment you on the photos you posted - they are really good!
Deb

Wine tour
South Africa | Apr 30 - May 1, 2019

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Mary P.
Schenectady, NY | Reviewed on May 03, 2019

We had two tours- one with Eon and one with Lisa- and both were wonderful! Eon took us to the wine country- 3 wineries and lunch- and Lisa took us on a scenic tour of the peninsula- Cape Point, Boulders Beach- and lunch at Two Oceans. We cannot say enough about them- both guides were so knowledgeable, fun, interesting, attentive, sweet- we were so very impressed! Would definitely recommend both to our family and friends.

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on May 14, 2019

Hello Mary

Thank you for the positive feedback. I have been wondering how it went! Eon said you had a great time, but always good to hear it from you as well. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in our beautiful country as well.

Till next time.

Deborah & Marita

South Africa Jaunt
South Africa | Apr 10 - Apr 22, 2019

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Seth J.
Ossining, NY | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2019

We had a truly great trip. We spoke with Deborah and Tara beforehand and they planned everything out perfectly. All great choices for accommodations, tours and guides. Also, they stayed in touch with us the whole time to make sure we had no problems or to make additional suggestions on the go. So glad we found them and KimKim!! Seth Jacobson

Local specialist: Deborah Smook
Deborah
Deborah Smook
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on May 02, 2019

Dear Seth and Susan

Thank you for the great review (and the peanut butter cups 😉). It was a pleasure working with you and if we could rate the travelers, then we would give you a 5 too. All the best and hope to have you back one day.

Deborah and Tara