Client Testimonials >>

Jim, US (July 2010)

"Thanks ever so much for all of your dedicated service during our trip to South Africa for the World Cup. Satpack Travel is first-class and was everything it promised to be and much, much more. Your personal attention to our itinerary gave us complete peace of mind as we traveled around the country, often adjusting plans as the tournament evolved. The device and pre-programmed routes worked flawlessly as did the many bookings or suggestions for hotels, restaurants, places to visit and so forth. We loved your company almost as much as we loved your country and very much look forward to another visit as there are so many more places to explore in South Africa. We absolutely will use Satpack Travel again!!! All the best!"

Jonathan, Canada (July 2010)

Thanks for the most amazing trip. Your help was invaluable and "Izzi" [their device's name] was fantastic. We will definitely return."

Kenny Beal, US (July 2010)

"We had a super time. Loved the food, environment, and the people. Of course the soccer was excellent!!! The place in Durban was the best place we stayed in. There were no places we did not like. Yes, the accomodation prices where extreme, less the place on the Karoo and the Highland Manor. I would highly recommend all of the guest houses you arranged for us, and also the places you recommended we visit (we did not seen the all, but the ones we did see, we enjoyed). I rate your services excellent and would highly recommend your services. An excellent way to travel in South Africa. Very reliable and versatile. Met all expectations."

Rambaut Fairley, UK (July 2010)

"Rob at Satpack Travel was incredibly helpful when we were trying to book our trip to South Africa. When you’re unsure about where you’re going it’s incredibly useful to have someone on the ground helping you out, particularly somewhere like South Africa where finding things for yourself online isn’t that straightforward. Rob was really helpful and responsive and found us a fantastic house for our month’s stay. Thanks Rob."

Abby Ruskey, USA (May 2010)

“I can’t imagine coming to Johannesburg for the first time and not having a contact like Rob Maclean and his team at Satpack Travel.  From the first email communication through to and following our travel, Rob and staff were full of great ideas and attentive to our needs.  In my case, I had along my 12-year old niece and I wanted to ensure that she had a great time, along with rich learning experiences.  Our time in Johannesburg greatly exceed all expectations and was a highlight of our trip to Southern Africa.  We recommend Satpack Travel to everyone, especially those new to the country and all it has to offer.  We’ll be back!

Marg, USA (May 2010)

"Thank you much for your help, Rob and Belinda. We found your website very useful, you were responsive, provided helpful suggestions and were willing to go the extra mile. The device worked well (email access was particularly useful) and the instructions were clear and simple. We were extremely happy with all our accommodation. We will definitely recommend Satpack Travel to friends and family."

Janerik and Berit Dimming, Sweden (February 2010)

"Using Satpack Travel was a true pleasure - from the first contact to changing our well planned vacation!

The suggestions and follow up actions were very professional and due to my dear wife's illnes and changes of plans the actions taken were very satisfactory in all aspects.

We will for sure recommend our best freinds to use Satpacktravel whenever planning a visit to South Africa. And not only because they are very professional but also for their follow up actions if something happens along the road..."

Diane Court-Spahr, USA (December 2009)

"The GPS/Phone (pet name – Izzy) you set up for me was a great help with my recent trip to South Africa.

Meeting me at the airport and showing me the basic operation of the device was great.  I would have hated to have to sit in a parking lot or petrol station trying to figure out how to operate & enter routes.

The enclosed instruction sheet was a bonus.  It answered most of my questions when I had forgotten some of the options you showed me.  The detailed instructions were easy to understand/follow.

SA drivers in general seem to drive with more of an aggressive attitude rather than with a defensive mind set.  With that in mind, I had to mainly use the verbal instructions function for driving my routes/destinations as I had to constantly be on defense while driving.  I was not able to use the visual mapping feature very often.  However, when using the mapping features it worked well as I could view the route in advance.  The verbal instructions worked really well.

Due to some road works that I encountered I was very pleased with the GPS as it was much clearer with its instructions than the infrequent road works/detour signs.  I am sure I would have gotten lost without it. A really big” thumbs up” for that nifty feature.

Your company’s service was very good.  The cell phone, text messaging & web access aspects worked great.  It certainly made it easier to stay in touch with my family in the USA via text messaging & email.

Knowing the large number of tourists that will be inundating South Africa this year, for the World Cup I think you have a hit service for them.  Having the known destinations pre-loaded with the safest route being used, as well as suggested accommodations, restaurants and local attractions & activities is certainly a plus and well worth your fee for travelers that are not familiar with the areas."

Juergen Skerhut, Germany (December 2009)

"Hetty was our connection to the known world, a reminder of the possibility to reach out, if necessary, and summon modern technology to ease difficult situation[s], should they arise. Thanks to the very supportive preparation phase before this was not really necessary but gave us peace of mind. In our case the pre-planning process was most helpful. Worked out beautifully for us."

Adefemi Adeniyi, Nigeria (December 2009)

"My friends and I eventually made our trip to Cape town for the holidays, we had a great time, thanks to the input and effort made by Rob, he was extremely helpful, he has a great knowledge of what’s up over there.

Once again, thank you Rob for your help."

Bryan Deakin, CEO, Photo Tours, UK (November 2009)

"I recently used the services of Satpack on a recent fact finding trip to South Africa.My trip covered "The Garden Route" and "Little Karoo". I found your knowledge of the region very helpful and "Izzy" [the name we gave to that device] was a must.I will have no hesitation in recommending Satpack to any client that I either bring or send to South Africa.My personal feeling is that nobody should undertake a touring holiday to South Africa with having an IZZY with them.She was so much more than just a SatNav. It was like having my own tour guide with me all day and everyday."

Jean Bett, UK (October 2009)

"Thank you very much that would  be great you have been such a great support you can be assured that we will indeed tell everyone about your company including our family in SA. Your knowledge and understaning of our requirements has been second to none and has enabled us to be stress free in the planning of our trip."

Lindsay de Laune, US (October 2009)

"For a slightly nervous traveller in South Africa we would definately recommend Rob and his team. He was always just a phone call away. It was especially lovely, and somehow reassuring, to get friendly emails throughout the journey. We sang your praises where ever we went!"

Alex Sim, Singapore (September 2009)

"Since this is my first trip to Johannesburg,South Africa, I have taken the full package as recommended by Satpack Travel. South Africa is all about adventure, and roaming around town with a GPS and a car is the real deal. Rob, from Satpack Travel, planned the itinerary for me according to what and where I want to go. I have already did some researched on where and what I want to do in Johannesburg during my 5 days trip and Rob just put everything into the GPS device (Her name is Hetty), planned them according to locations so I would be able to visit a few places within the same region. He also give tips and advice on where I should visit and where not to. Fantastic device, as the maps are up-to-date. Not only does Hetty brings me to where I want to go, she also helps me to connect with my family as this device enables me to make calls, sms and email (there's a keyboard on the device!!!) my love ones back in Malaysia. Rob preloaded the airtime into Hetty. Though the screen wasn't as big compared to devices like Garmin or Tom Tom, it is readable and I have no problem with it. The only problem that I encountered is the lifespan of Hetty. Though Hetty can be charged in the car, it is advisable to charge it your hotel even when you are not using it.

Rob, thanks for the service you gave us. It is very uncommon to get such service in Asia. Thanks! Hope to visit the country again!"

“You’re awesome! How very helpful, so appreciated! How cool are you!!!!!!? I so very much appreciate your kindness!”

T. Reddy, US (August 2009)

“Thank you so much for all your help”

S. Germiston, UK (July 2009)

[On the road after receiving first email]: “Wow, that's clever. Just popped up, as you said it would!
Just to let you know it's all going well and we're having fun bonding with Hetty” [the name we gave that device].

“We found it reassuring to have Hetty as it took the pressure off my navigational skills, making the driving part less of a chore and more part of the adventure. I also found it more useful than I'd anticipated to have the phone there for the couple of occasions that we had to call ahead to the lodges about our arrival times - or try to get in touch with the airport. We found SA to be a really great place to drive around (bar the potholes!), the fact that they drive on the left was helpful and the people were exceptionally friendly. I certainly found your printed directions to be in-depth, human and helpful! 

Thanks! What an amazing holiday.”

M. Doherty, UK (April 2009)

“Thank you so much. Back home safely after a fantastic holiday. Hetty was very helpful. Many thanks for all your generous help - and stay in touch.”

Des and Olga Harper, UK (Jan 2009)

"We’d been to South Africa twice before, each time following the conventional Garden and Wine Routes between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, This time however, we discovered a new SA following the suggestions of Rob and Helen at Satpack Travel and with the aid of the satellite navigation device they provided.

We flew into Johannesburg, picking up the itinerary, hire car and the satnav device at the airport. Then we were off on the great adventure - the discovery of a new and more exciting South Africa, starting with Jo’burg itself. I’d always though of that city as crime-ridden, dusty, ex-mining territory with a grim financial hub akin to the City of London - certainly not the place for a holiday. How wrong I was!

We stayed in Parkhurst where the centre of the village with its café society was every bit as smart and trendy as the seafront at Camps Bay, Cape Town, but the prices were much more moderate. It was wonderful to sip coffee on terraces, to watch the beautiful people go by, to explore the antique, craft and furniture shops and to browse in the art galleries and bookshops. We felt immediately on holiday.
We stayed, at the suggestion of Rob and Helen from Satpack, in a guest house rather than a hotel. The beauty of that was the personal touches that we experienced – no tired hotel rooms but an environment that mirrored the taste of our hosts, comfortable beds, finest cotton sheets, advice on what to see and where to go, and breakfasts to die for. Guest houses in South Africa are experiences not to be missed!

On the advice of Rob, we did visit one hotel for sundowners. It was the very grand five-star Westcliff where guests are greeted on arrival and transported by buggy up and up to the cliff which gives the hotel its name.  It was surprising to discover, from the terrace where we took our drinks, that the view all around was of green hills in the bowl below us. As the sky reddened, we watched the sun go down over the rim of the infinity pool to disappear behind the trees on the horizon. Then suddenly it was dark with only a dull red glow remaining in the sky to remind us of the magnificence of the sunset that we had experienced in such a dramatic setting.

We dined that night at Moyo (Rob had booked a table in advance), a restaurant serving traditional African food. There were musicians in tribal costumes who serenaded us as we ate al fresco, under flaming torches, lanterns and the starry sky. Our hosts had warned that the event would be slightly ‘touristy’ but it was tremendous fun, a real party spirit, and the food and wine were excellent.

I’m not very good technically and was slightly apprehensive about using the pre-programmed satnav which Satpack Travel had supplied. However it quite transformed our holiday: liberating me completely from the essential and all-absorbing map book that had blighted my previous experiences. No more wrong turns! No more arguments as to where we turned off or went straight on! No more complaints from an irate husband about my navigating! The friendly voice of Gertrude, for that’s what we affectionately called our satnav, guided us safely on our way.

The amazing thing about Gertie was that she was always right, even when I misunderstood her directions and got it wrong.  She’d simply recalculate, modify her instructions and put us right always in the calmest of voices. And she never lost her temper with me; the patience of the girl was amazing!

Gertie took us safely east, well off-the-beaten-track into the Highveld where the air was thin but clear and the hills had an emptiness that was reminiscent of the Highlands of Scotland. Our travel guides at satpack had recommended a self-catering cottage at a place called Willow Creek. We approached it by dirt-track, and discovered a little log cabin by a willow-fringed lake - just the perfect place to relax and unwind after our long flight. In the three days that we were there, we saw only the maids who came daily, and once a man herding cows. We read our books, played board games, swam in the lake, and cooked on the braai outside, or on the modern cooker inside. We ate ravenously and slept like babies. One day we went to God’s Window on the edge of escarpment looking out over the Lowveld stretched far below. Heady stuff!  Not to be recommended if you suffer from vertigo! We’d both like to go back to Willow Creek and to stay for at least a week.

From Jo’burg we flew to Cape Town Airport, and with Gertie installed in our new hire car, we  headed north along the West Coast to the little fishing village of Paternoster. Our guides had recommended it strongly for its peace and tranquillity, its beautiful beach and its excellent seafood. We were NOT disappointed!
We had decided to overnight near the airport before making our journey, and chose, on Helen's recommendation to stay at Hawksmoor House near Stellenboasch. It was a straight, quick run from the airport, but became tricky in the last mile or so when we moved on to side-roads. As always, Gertie's star quality was displayed and we arrived safely at a stunning Cape manor-house atop a hill in open countryside.

What a wonderful find! The house itself is a veritable treasure trove of antique furniture and Persian carpets, with fine paintings covering the wood-panelled walls.  The formal dining room invites guests to savour the gastronomic delights offered at lavish dinner parties, held weekly, and the substantial kitchen table holds the promise of substantial breakfast treats. Their breakfasts really are to die for!!

Outside there is a grand terrace leading to the swimming pool, quite a formally designed paved area, and smart sun loungers inviting the  guest to luxuriate a while. Unfortunately it was cold and wet when we visited and we were glad, having looked at this splendour , to escape inside to the comfort of our room.
The main house was fully booked,always a good sign, and we found ourselves consigned to what had been the slaves quarters in the bad old days. The transformation of this area to elegant apartments had been tastefully done. Here too were the antiques alongside a designerish wet room with expensive toiletries and a king-size bed where we slept like king and queen in the finest of linen. As well as the central heating, our hosts had thoughtfully provided wood for a log fire. We felt really at home as we sat by the fire, sipping the estate wine, and feasting on the finely-selected cheese platter and freshly-baked bread which was our simple repast that evening.

We decided on a little retail therapy before travelling to Paternoster, and stocked up for our journey at the Paarl Mall, fine to get to but hell to get out of!! Which was OUR exit?  Help!  It was then that the sat-nav came to our rescue once again, guiding us on to the right road for our journey.

When we left the shopping mall in Paarl we set out to travel north-west through Malmesbury and Vredenburg to Paternoster. If I had not had my Gertude as my guide, I do not know how I would have managed to extricate myself from the clutches of Paarl, so numerous were the junctions and turnings we had to negotiate before leaving the town behind and reaching open countryside.

We stayed at the four-star Baywatch Villa, where our hosts had used the shells of the beach to create effective artworks, and had themed the bedrooms using the colours of the shells. We were lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, and woke refreshed, to the smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen below. I salivate as I write!

Our days were spent wandering on the shore, jumping the waves as they crashed on the beach, or swimming in the clear sea. We snacked in our room at lunchtime from a well-stocked fridge and in the evening we ate at the fabled Voorstrandt Restaurant (which Rob had recommended and reserved a table for us that day), where the seafood on offer really was ‘the catch of the day.

We’d definitely like to revisit Paternoster and to stay at Baywatch. We might try self-catering next time, and stay for several weeks. We’d also like to explore the coast south of the village. Church Hill, for example, looks a delightfully secluded place to visit and with Gertrude to assist, getting off the beaten track would hold no threats for us.

We set off from Hermanus to visit Greyton in the Riviersonderendberg Mountains, and Rob recomended taking the scenic R320 route to Caledon. It was certainly scenic, with stunning panoramic views of rolling hills and farmland to the east and north. The route was of the ‘dirt road’ type, however, and, when we got near to its highest point at Shaw’s Pass it was quite a relief! Greyton was definitely worth the trip, a picturesque little village, sleeping dreamily in the sunshine, festooned with the purple flowers of Jacaranda trees.

The West Coast Fossil Park, just off the R45 near Vredenburg, was one of the wonders of our holiday. We saw the site of an ongoing fossil dig, strewn with the interlaces fossils of bears, tigers, deer, antelope and elephants, and were given a tour of their laboratory, where we were able to handle fossils and appreciate the difference between a modern-day bone and a fossil – the fossil is much heavier!

Unfortunately, this brought our trip to South Africa to an end. Compared to our previous visits, we felt we had really seen another, better side of South Africa thanks to Satpack Travel’s personalised advice and Gertrude’s guiding hand. We got away from the tourists traps and saved money because of that. All the stress of getting lost and worrying about not finding where we wanted to go immediately disappeared. We look forward to re-uniting with Gertrude next year!"

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