ROAR AFRICA designed a personal safari in South Africa for my children & I during the Christmas holidays. Every detail was to guarantee a exciting and memorable trip. From fresh flowers on our bed at Lion Sands spelling out Merry Christmas, stockings hung on our door after Christmas eve dinner, riding on the backs of elephants at the Elephant Whisper to actually petting a cheetah. Thanks to Geoff our wonderfully knowledgeable guide & host we saw the very best of Cape Town, watched 5 Great White Sharks swim by our boat and enjoyed the local food and wine in Franschhoek.
What an amazing opportunity to bond as a family and experience trip that the kids said "changed their lives". I recommend everyone experience the unique treasures of Africa once in their lifetime with ROAR AFRICA.
Vanessa Williams (Westchester NY, 2009)
Dear Deb,
Thank you for all the organizing you did for the our family trip to South Africa.
It was superb and seamless in its' execution due to ROAR AFRICA's input.
Best,
Our Family (London, 2009)
Deb!
Words cant even begin to describe the time we had, the most amazing trip of our life. We met some wonderful people and just can't say enough about the level of service we received from start to finish.
Andy was such a pleasure and we will never be able to thank him enough. It was a level of service I have never experienced. We have already provided your information to several friends and are trying to relay our experience to others.
I could go on forever! I really can't say enough about everything, you and your staff planned the most wonderful trip, truly a trip of a lifetime. One we will always remember and forever share with those around us.
While over 8,000 miles away having your family and friends on the ground gave us the comfort to enjoy the wonders around knowing we were safe and taken care of.
Thank you so very much Deb.
Sincerely,
Kyle and Laura (Ohio, 2010)
Dear Deb,
Thanks so much for everything. We had a fabulous time. Everyone loved the experience and we have three more converts to South Africa. Every aspect of the trip was perfect and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I will def be recommending you to anyone who is thinking of a trip to Southern Africa.
Brian our guide around the Cape area was really nice and a favorite of all 5 of us. He did a great job and was terribly helpful; plus he took a lot of excellent photos and gave them to us which I appreciated as I hope to put together a big album as soon as I can.
That's it for a quick report. Mainly I wanted to thank you right away and congratulate you on arranging such a superb journey. The cultural/educational/political African experiences were just right, too. I'll be in touch again soon.
Thanks again,
Monica Wambold (New York 2009)
Published in the October 2009 issue of Travel+Leisure Magazine:
READER'S FIND: AFRICA
My friend and I recently took a trip of a lifetime-a custom tour through South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana designed by ROAR AFRICA. We were not assigned to any assistant; the company's CEO-South African native Deborah Calmeyer-helped us craft our ideal itinerary herself. As two very picky New Yorkers we had done our research, but Deborah steered us to amazing safari camps, hotels, restaurants, and sites that we would never have discovered on our own. Plus, her local guides were always there to answer our questions.
Beth (New York 2009)
Dear Deb
Honestly...I don't think I can remotely get all of my thoughts and feelings out in an email there's just so much to say! Would you call me sometime this week whenever you have a chance, I'm dying to tell you all about it!
If you told me to go jump off the Brooklyn Bridge right now, I probably would- because I basically trust your opinion and recommendations more than anyone else's on the planet. Oh- and I miss your dad sooooo much!!!!
Thank you for everything - can't wait to talk to you about it!!
Nicole (New York 2009)
We were initially intimidated by the logistics of organizing a safari for our honeymoon. But once we found ROAR AFRICA, all of the arrangements fell into place. The trip ended up being seamless and we had the experience of a lifetime!
Thomas & Benan (New York 2008)
Hi Deb!
We could not have imagined how great the trip turned out to be no matter how much we anticipated what it would be like. Spending the time with Richard and Geoff was like being with old friends - especially Geoff. Their knowledge of S Africa and wine - even Geoff's knowledge of wine : ) - gave great perspective and their easy-going and friendly manner made us feel like friends were showing us around and never like we were being "guided". We loved hearing the stories of Geoff's experience as an African farmer and all of the great adventures he has had. It was truly time very warmly and fun spent together. With as amazing a time as we had, the experience was really made by the warmth of Geoff and Richard.
Vic Falls was majestic to see and Zambia such a contrast to what we had seen in S Africa. To see black Africans living in villages where subsistence is the objective of everyday life is something that should be seen by everybody fortunate enough to be able to travel to Africa. I would encourage you to encourage people who have never been to Africa to make that a part of their trip.
Lion Sands is an incredible experience. They have to be one of the true greatest destination luxury accommodations in the world.
Deb, we could not have had a better trip and a better experience and it was really made because of all the thought and effort your family put into making this an incredible experience for us. Thank you.
Todd (New York 2008)
Dear Deborah,
Our trip to South Africa and Mozambique was spectacular. At Kruger, the game drives during the days and in the evenings were overwhelming. It was amazing to be part of the animals’ natural environment, and observe them functioning as if we weren’t there. People tell you ahead, but to actually see it does feel a bit like one is participating in a surreal situation.
And, Deborah, the "icing on the cake" was our guide Geoff. His grasp of the history, current and past, his passion, his insight into the political situation and his willingness to talk about all of these things with us, candidly, was simply wonderful. He is so articulate and bright, and the sharing of so much valuable information, while in Cape Town and the surrounding areas, was an added bonus. We feel we have a new and extraordinary friend, and we can’t wait to go back and spend time with him in another part of Africa….or welcome him with open arms when he is next in the states.
Kathryn and I have never taken a trip where we paid so little attention to the details, prior to the trip. ROAR AFRICA’s planning and execution were superb, and we thank you for that luxury.
Kathryn & Alan (North Carolina 2007)
