3 nights Victoria Falls | 1 night Hazyview | 2 nights Sabi Sand | 2 nights Timbavati | 5 nights Cape Town
Pembury tours, what a great name in the industry. Well it was kind of a last minute decision to visit South Africa in Aug 2016. One fine morning in the month of June 2016 my son came to me and said, “let us go to Cape Town for our summer vacation Dad”. Not knowing what I was about to face, I went to work on the web instantly. I picked places to visit and sent out requests to few agencies with dates in August. I kept getting rejections from several agencies due to non-availability because of the start of peak season as those game drive lodges get booked year in advance. Needless to say I was getting a little depressed and worried as to not be able to fulfill my son’s request. On a particular morning, sipping my cup of coffee, I opened my computer expecting more rejections. As I was sifting through my emails, I came across this particular email, signed Heidi Bedford, Travel Consultant, Pembury Tours with a PDF attachment. With certain amount of reluctance and anxiety, I double clicked on that PDF file. It immediately blossomed into a colorful itinerary with meticulous construction of our entire trip with exact dates, hotels, guided tours, local transfers with photos etc. I was in a pleasant shock and felt a mountain being lifted off my shoulder instantly. After certain minor adjustments, I confirmed my trip with payment.
When I informed my parents in India about our trip, they too got interested and expressed their wish to join us on the tour! Of course, I called Heidi to delegate this new challenge. Heidi didn’t seem to be bothered, took my parents names, anticipated dates, etc., and told me that she would get back to me in a couple of days. As promised, I got another email with a whole new colorful itinerary for my parents coordinating theirs with ours. Every time I called them, Anya always answered the phone on the first ring. What a treat!
To make things more challenging, my Dad’s luggage did not arrive at Johannesburg from India. We were at Victoria Falls and not knowing what to do, I informed Heidi regarding the situation. Of course she replied with her pleasant South African slang, “no worries and cheers”. Next afternoon, we joined with our parents at Nelspruit as per our itinerary and proceeded to Bohm’s Zeederberg Country Lodge for the night stay. The owner and her son were extremely kind and helpful. The dining experience with a private butler was mind-blowing. That night, Pembury’s team went out of their way to surprise my son of his 18th birthday with a great tasting chocolate birthday cake and a card signed by the entire team.
As promised my Dad’s luggage was delivered on the following day that put a smile on his face. Our entire trip was very well organized. Everyone was very kind and accommodating and every place we stayed provided us great hospitality. Transfers were very smooth and timely. We could see the passion and dedication of our tour guides and drivers. The most experienced safari drivers and the trackers made our game drive safe and unforgettable. Campfire dinner under the starts of southern hemisphere and the Milky Way was a special treat.
As we know, “People make the country and employees make the company”. We experienced both at first hand. Our South Africa trip was made memorable not simply what the great land had offered, but most importantly people at Pembury Tours and their associates made our trip very special. I recommend Pembury Tours to everyone in full confidence with great pleasure.