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2011 Testimonials
Sue and Don Zmartzy JP and Patricia Vanderschueren Nicole Poulin Julia and Lindy Speer (UK, Belgium and Canada) 20 to 26 October 2010 South to North Kruger safari Our second trip and up to the north of the Kruger…the Park did the business with a great variety of wildlife. What sets Neil’s trips apart – on top of all the other comments – is his ability to change a good sighting into a phenomenal one simply from his years of experience. Most of the time he can predict what an animal will do once it’s been seen, and he knows whether to stay and wait or to move on. It’s been great again and thanks to all the Bearded Heron team for making it so. - Don and Sue I just came back from a week in the Kruger Park with Bearded Heron Safaris. We had the privilege to see the ‘big-5’ (some of them more than once) and about 30 different species of animals. It was a fantastic experience! The service provided by Bearded Heron Safari was excellent! Our guide, Neil, shared his passion and his extensive knowledge of the Kruger and went out of its way to meet our needs. It didn't go unnoticed and was really appreciated by everyone! We were also thoroughly spoilt by Gordon who managed to cook fabulous meals for everybody's taste. Without Tina's patience who looked after all the arrangements/logistics and her personal touch this fabulous trip wouldn't have been possible. I am definitely looking forward to another adventure with them and would certainly recommend Bearded Heron Safaris to others. - Nicole Yes we are here gain – only 6 months after our last visit. Once again the Kruger had some surprises for us. This trip to the north was a real eye opener. We definitely needed more time to explore this part of the Kruger. The sightings of the Roan antelope, the suni and the greysbok were fantastic. WE had a good overview of the Kruger “weather hot, dry, wet, wind, thunderstorm..” Thank you Neil, we will be back…but not in 6 months.. - JP and Patricia Brenda and Allison Travers Julia and Lindy Speer (US) 15 to 20 October 2010 5-day Private Luxury safari This was a fantastic trip. The sights and sounds were more than we could have hoped for. Your love of the Kruger is obvious and more people should be as passionate about it. My daughter and I had an incredible journey with Bearded Heron Safaris. The Kruger was more impressive than we could have imagined and our guide, Neil, was knowledgeable about the birds, the animals, and the plants and trees. His passion for the park was obvious and one can understand why. The food provided was excellent, plentiful and always served with a smile by Gordon. We thought the trip was very reasonably priced and would recommend Bearded Heron to others. - Brenda and Allison Neil, Gordon and Tina - Fantastic trip! Absolutely loved the experience from walks in the bush to debates on politics to cooking (excellent cooking, Gordon!). This was our first safari experience and we loved it – thanks to Neil and his fantastic team. Keep up the passion! Thank you. - Julia and Lindy Julia and Gwenda Sullivan Davina Casey and Sue Wieland Gerry and Chris Stevenson Kevin Stalder and Lew Carter (US, UK, Australia) 28 September to 7 October 2010 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari Bearded Heron team – Thank you for a wonderful safari it couldn’t be more ‘lekker’. Everything was beautifully organised from start to end. Tina could teach others the art of excellent communication. Gordon, what can I say? You are truly an exceptional human being, gentle and kind and thoughtful towards us all. Neil, your knowledge, wit and sense of humour is remarkable. The other members of the group were so much fun and I am very sad to say goodbye to them all. My most memorable moment (of all the brilliant memories) is the sad and sorry injured lion. I just couldn’t hold back the tears for this majestic creature that was not long for this earth. Lots of happy, funny memories will live with me too. Thanks for everything. - Julia and Gwenda (HRH) Neil, Gordy and Tina I can appreciate why you love the Kruger so much, the past 9 days have been incredible. I have loved listening and learning and getting my spirit back to basics! Thank you with all of my heart – I will be back with my hubby next time so he too can fall in love with Africa. We had the best group (such a funny bunch!) and the best time…can’t wait to see you again. - Davina ☺ Neil I feel great satisfaction knowing that everyone you touch receives a little of your magic, you are a very special human being. Be proud of your business – exceptional service and attention to detail. Thank you Gordy for being such a wonderful host, and true gentleman. (Tina sorry we didn’t meet, Davina says that you were fabulous to deal with. I am sure our paths will cross again as I intend to return for another visit. - Sue Bearded Heron – the best in the business. We have had such a great time again. The Kruger is a magical place and will be back again. Thanks to our terrific safari companions and thanks to Gordy and to Tina for her fantastic organization. - Chris and Gerry Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Learned a lot, shard a lot, laughed a LOT MORE! It was incredible all the way around! Can’t wait to get back! - Kevin This was the best thing I’ve ever done. It was a learning experience all the way around. If I ever get back you will be the one I get a hold of. - Lew Hill Group (US, Australia) 11 to 14 September 2010 4-day Private Small Group safari Neil, thank you for a fantastic four days. Excellent, informative and exciting guiding, laced with lots of good humour. The style of safari (personalised and intimate) made it really stand out as an experience. Gordon thank you for stuffing us to the gills with delicious food and plenty of wisecracks. All the best. - Julius, Tiffany, Julianne and Jane Professors John Melack and Sally McIntyre (US) 21 to 25 August 2010 5-day Private Luxury safari This trip exceeded our expectations. Thank you so much for the focus on rivers form the outset so we understood the structure of the park and the outside influences on the park. We will look into types of hydrological and water quality research being done here. Your knowledge of animal behaviour and plants is exceptional and rekindled many old interested of mine. We really appreciate your individual attention to our questions and to working into schedule. You expanded our understanding of an area we are fond of. - John and Sally Hadlock and Ottsen Families (US) 29 July to 3 August 2010 Private 6-day Family safari Absolutely wonderful…thank you for showing and teaching all my family how wonderful and awesome Kruger is…they and I will never forget. - Elaine The trip to Kruger has been the highlight of the expedition. I didn’t think that 14 people could be enthralled to such a degree… - JB What a fantastic experience! Everything was great…Animals, birds and plants that we saw were incredible! I am ready to come back to do another round with the Bearded Heron. - Rick Thank you for haring your country and the Kruger with us. It was the trip of a lifetime! We will always remember our time with you. You guys are simply the best and our lives have been enriched by your friendship.. thanks for an incredible experience. - Bill and family What an awesome experience! We will never forget it! Our time in the Kruger has been wonderful you truly showed us the heart of Kruger! Thanks for all your hospitality and the warm, warm welcome. We will never forget this. - Susan, Rick, Peter and Kevin Thanks so much it was tons of fun. I will remember it forever. - Peter ..An experience like no other. Your attention to detail, knowledge of the bush have made this a trip of a lifetime. We leave with memories for life and a new enlightenment. Stay safe. - John, Amy, Tom and Mark Boyce Family (US) 23-28 July 2010 Private 6-day Family safari The past few days have opened my eyes to the live world of nature in South Africa. Gone are the pre-conceptions of the movies, theme parks, novels and such. The Heron team has provided an experience exceeding our expectations in service, knowledge and personality. We learnt, we saw, we smelled, we touched, we listened and we understood so much more. The passionate approach Neil and his team has inspired us to further our studies of SA. Our recommendations for this outfit are guaranteed. - Craig and Julie Thank you for being exactly who you are! I will never forget either of you and I hope you will remember me and all the crazy people I traveled with! ? - Denise Neil and Gordon – thank you so much for a wonderful experience this week! Neil, your knowledge, love, passion for the Kruger are infectious – you turned a girl who wasn’t even sure she wanted to visit Africa into and enthusiast. Gordon, your wonderful food and quiet, gentle hospitality have been a great comfort for people so far from home. Thank you for making this trip one I will never forget! - All the best Sarah Tina, Neil and Gordon (in order of appearance) – you all played an important part in making this an unforgettable experience. We got a real picture of the Kruger and of life. We hope to enjoy seeing you again and will certainly recommend you to anyone who wants an authentic South African experience. - Best wishes from Iowa, Don and Sue Sonja Petersen and Ryan Greenland (US) 4-9 July 2010 6-day World Cup Small Group safari Words cannot accurately describe what a special experience these 6 days have been. Ryan and I love to ‘experience’ a place rather than just doing and seeing things. After our time in Kruger with bearded Heron we have experienced the sounds, the smells, the camaraderie and the conversation that exemplify this majestic place. We will leave here with lots of fond memories of things done and seen, but more importantly a feel for the spirit of Kruger. Please continue your work to educate South Africa’s youth about their natural environment. I will continue to think about how your work here might be able to fit in with mine back home in the States. Thank you so much Neil, Gordon and Tina! - Sonja Leopards, lions and rhino – oh my!! What a fabulous stroke of luck to such an amazingly diverse group of animals. These 6 days have been fantastic and have really afforded us the time to stop and listen to the Kruger. Neil thanks for giving us the tools to experience the bush. We really enjoyed our walks and encounters with bull rhinos and we’re happy to be your test subjects for what will hopefully be a successful new venture. We’ll be back!! - Ryan Saad Group Berkhus and Markus Mueller Jon Cowan Javier Cheng and Linda (Mexico, Australia, UK and Germany) 28 June to 2 July 4-and 5-day World Cup Small Group safari Tina, Neil and Gordon thank you very much for your hospitality I really had fun days. I will come back for sure – all of you are amazing. Hope to see you again. - Moises Saad Hey safari team, Tina thank you for the good organisation, Gordon thank you for the very good cooking and Neil thanks for the good game drives. We had lots of fun and a very good time. - Markus I totally agree with Markus. It was a great time! See you soon in a few years! - Greets Burkhard Tip: Germany 3 – Argentina 1 Neil, Tina and Gordon What a perfect way to help me get over a terrible defeat of the three lions in SA. Thanks you to Tina for your amazing organising skills and getting me out of a jam in Joburg. To Gordon for cooking some of the best food I’ve had while in Africa. Last but not least thank you Neil for all your knowledge and experience, a truly amazing 5 days in Kruger – you pulled that giraffe out at the last minute. - Jon Argentina 3 Germany 1 – sorry Markus! Beautiful people (Tina, Neil and Gordon) – A total spiritual experience this trip was. The best part of our travel to SA was committing to Kruger and meeting you guys. Thank you for the once in a lifetime experience. The food was amazing but the guide was even more impressive! Keep in touch and see you soon. - Javier Neil, Tina, Cameron, Jack and of course Gordon – Thank you so much for everything. Words cannot express how meaningful and beautiful of an experience this has been for me. I have learned to see and appreciate animals in a new perspective as well as the life that surrounds them. Thank you for sharing your beautiful wonders with me. We are humbled and look forward to our next time together. Please keep in touch. - Aloha Linda (the honey badger) Caroline and Juan Novoa (Ireland and Colombia) 27-30 June 2010 4-day World Cup Small Group safari Neil & Gordon the days we spent with you have left us with some fantastic memories of you, the bush, the food and so many other things. We are very grateful for your hospitality and incredible knowledge of life at the Kruger. Your really went out of your way to make this a fantastic experience. We just can’t wait for ‘another shit day in Africa’! - Gracas Caroline and Juan Gary and Pat Lusby (Canada) 21-25 June 2010 5-day World Cup Small Group safari There once was a ranger named Neil Kruger’s secrets to us he’d reveal. He taught us great stuff While stopped ‘for a puff’. And spoke with considerable zeal. - Gary Thanks for educating us and for taking such good care of us. We enjoyed every moment. We appreciated Neil’s expertise, Tina’s attention to booking detail and Gordon’s great meals. We’ll be talking about you for some time to come. - Pat Rodrigo Alreira and Eduardo Pimentel (Brazil) 21-23 June 2010 3-day World Cup Small Group safari Neil and Gordon thank you! It was a wonderful time, you are helping to name this World Cup in South Africa unforgettable. Congratulations for a fantastic country that you have and a very friendly people. I hope Brazil will be able to do a great World Cup like Africa. Hope to see you all in Brazil 2014. - Rodrigo Thank you so much for your hospitality and friendship. Two days was enough to see how good it is to be so far away from the busy city life and so near the natural life. The experience is unforgettable, so unique. Thanks for helping it happen. - Eduardo Peter Clacherty and Ben Mitchell (Australia) 20-23 June 2010 4-day World Cup Small Group safari Neil and Gordon, Thank you for your hospitality. I have had a great time on safari in Kruger. Given our experience of coming face-to-face with white rhinos it was fortunate for you that we had signed indemnity forms! I look forward to coming back to your usual camp deeper in the bush. - Peter Dear Tina, thanks for organising your husband so well! It is obviously your influence which drives him to organise such a great safari – ha, ha. Seriously though thank you Neil for such a fantastic time. Your knowledge and humour made for an unforgettable experience. Gordon, the meals were all fantastic. I look forward to coming back one day with my wife on one of your safaris. - Ben Kyle and Quan McHenry (Canada) 20-23 June 2010 4-day World Cup Small Group safari Neil & Team, we came to South Africa primarily for the World Cup but of course wanted to get an experience that was more than just footy a.k.a. soccer. Since our initial email Tina has been fantastic! During our stay we saw many animals but the highlight was breaking bread with Aussies, Yankees, Brazilians and fellow Canadians. Neil and Gordon your hosting was a pleasure and I hope to return while you are still doing tours. Look forwards to keeping track of Kruger happenings via social networking. - Kyle To Neil and his fantastic team, it has been my pleasure to spend time these four days on safari with you! You’ve truly made this experience once in a lifetime event. From the organization to the logistics to the amount of knowledge that Neil was able to share with us about life in Kruger, was simply brilliant! Well done!! I will be singing your praises! - Quan Don Stolper (US) 19-22 June 2010 4-day World Cup Small Group safari Neil, Gordon and Tina, we couldn’t have been more pleased. Your companionship, your meals, your tours, your guidance – all were outstanding. We want to return to South Africa because of what you did for us. Everything was even more than we expected. We look forward to coming back with our entire family. - Don Stolper Kromhout Family (Honduras) 17-20 June 2010 4-day World Cup Small Group safari Neil, Tina and Gordon, you have shown me the experience of a lifetime and I thank you greatly for feeding me the excellent food, exhibiting awesome hospitalities, educating me about the bush, but most of all, welcoming me into your home. I envy your lifestyle. I wish for nothing but the best for you & your families, once again, Thank you for everything. - Tomas Neil, Tina and Gordon, thank you for opening our eyes to the beauty and mystery of this land and introducing us to the concept of “endangered spaces” We learned a lot about animal behaviour and communication but the human interaction was the best. Mil Gracias – Margaret Kromhout and family Neil, Gordon and Tina, thanks for an unbelievable time in the Kruger Park. My time here is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. You may have even bitten me with the bush bug. I’ll have to come back! Coming face to face with a white rhino was a moment I’ll never forget. It may even be more memorable than a certain US victory over Brazil in the final. Take Care – Matt Jeff and Sharon Spoon (US) 14-18 June 2010 5-day World Cup Small Group safari Neil, Gordon and Tina, thank you so much for a wonderful introduction to Kruger Park. We say introduction because you have inspired us to come back again and learn more about the Kruger, South Africa and our world. Gordon, your hospitality and cooking were out of this world. Thank you for sharing some of your favorite local dishes. You guys taught us much more about our world than you can imagine, to include all its animals – both four-legged & two-legged. Thank you for sharing your world & your lives with us. Keep doing the right thing. - “Honey Badger” Sharon and Jeff Alcala Group (Mexico and UK) 13-16 June 2010 4-day World Cup Small Group safari My good friends of Bearded Heron Safaris (Tina, Neil and Gordon) definitely it was a unique and wonderful experience for me. Thank you for your hospitality. I enjoyed everything, especially the walking into the bush with all these lion sounds! Hope Mexico and South Africa go to the next round!...It was a pleasure to be here. Gracious Amigos – Eduardo Dear friends of Bearded Heron Safaris, the experience I lived was a once in a lifetime moment that I would like to repeat someday in the future! Thanks for your hospitality and to share with us your experience joy of the safari! Thank you. – Memo My friends of Bearded Heron, you’re simply great. Neil your knowledge of the Kruger Park is unbelievable, and the way you deal with your guests is great, even when Eduardo was scary to death you ask him to the walking safari that turn out to be once in a lifetime experience. The customer service is great and to have Gordon in the camp is great. We want to take him out with us to Mexico. Believe me we’re really grateful for this and hopefully we’ll see you back in South Africa. Thanks – JK Dear Bearded Heron Safaris. It has been a wonderful experience, thanks Neil, Tina and Gordon for all the hospitality and for helping me with my luggage. I will never forget the experience of the bush walk. I will recommend this experience to all my friends. - Cheers Horacio (The Mexican) Dear Neil, Tina and Gordon, thank you all so very much for a truly wonderful safari. Never in my dreams did I expect to have such close interaction with the wonderful life in the Kruger. Tina – your organizational skills are exemplory. Thanks for arranging a great itinerary. Neil – I learnt so much “stuff” and I will remember your lion call forever. Gordy – Who’s Gordon Ramsay??? Well his food isn’t as tasty as yours mate! I’ll try to replicate your curry when I get home but I can only do my best. All that’s left for me to say is “You’ll never walk alone” C’mom Engerrrrland. Best wishes for the future. – Danny Marsh Walsh Family (Australia) May 2010 Private Family safari Within the first 5 minutes of meeting Neil and Gordon we knew we were going to have a great time. They made us feel comfortable and have a personal experience with the Kruger. Thanks so much for enduring our kids on the game drives. Your behavioural analysis of Elliot is 100% correct. Be prepared to see us and our friends in the future. Here’s cheers to Neil, Gordon and Tina – a perfect team. - Lots of love and thanks the Walsh Family Balmer-Davis Family (UK/US) April 2010 Private Family safari It could not have been more perfect for us. We wanted to ‘experience’ the bush – on all levels – rather than just chase sightings of the high profile animals. Neil’s knowledge and bush craft gave us fascinating insights into how the bush eco-system functions and how interdependent all the flora and fauna are on each other. We have all learned so much and enjoyed every second. Tina and Gordon played an invaluable support role – you were incredible. You fell like part of the family! Thank so very much. - Mike, Caitlyn, Leah and Cerys Thanks for making every day a wonderful adventure! - Lynne Goncalves Family (South Africa) April 2010 Private Family safari We wanted a significant holiday that would be enriching and that’s what we got! Tina – thanks for all the planning. Gordon – thanks for the great food. Neil – thanks for sharing the wealth of information about the fauna and flora at the Kruger with myself and our hyper-active city slickers, in such an interesting and engaging way. I still think the dwarf mongoose on the left wing is a risky choice – all our thanks and best wishes. - Rod, Gail, Jordan and Seth Jessica Wood and Dana Quagliariello Dale Harris and Peter and Jordan Frith JP and Patricia Vanderschueren (UK) March 2010 7-day and 4-day Small Group safari Thank you for a great introduction to southern Africa. We can’t imagine having a better guide – we learned as much staying up having drinks as we did out in the bush. It has been an unforgettable experience filled with terrific memories. We definitely made the right choice and we’ll see you next time. - Dana This trip was much more pleasurable than I expected. I learnt as much about the bush and found the experience stimulating. Also appreciated being looked after. This was a vacation which allowed me to relax completely. - Dale This safari has been one of my greatest vacations. I’ve seen some of the most amazing sights and wonderful animals on earth. Neil and Gordon are the best. - Peter Neil, I’ve had an absolutely amazing time. I’m used to roughing it and traveling independently so I was wary of going on my first tour. I could not have enjoyed it more, the Kruger is beautiful, one of the great places on earth. I hope you keep fighting the good fight and protecting the ‘endangered spaces’. Oh, and thanks for being so easy to find on the Internet. - Jordan Neil, it was so nice seeing you back in SA after such a long time. The safari was quite different this time, other vegetation, other animals, other people. I once again am impressed how you handled our group. You changed surely some lives and thinking. Those boys will never be the same! Let us hope we meet in October. Baaie dankie my vriend! - JP Di and John Tass Saryu and Kiku Bhaguakel (UK) February 2010 6-day and 4-day Small Group safari WE arrived with the idea of what lay ahead of us…but we have had one of the most amazing encounters with animals and a daily basis – in no small part due to Neil’s skill at putting together the jigsaw of behaviour. The interpretation of the dynamic habitats and habits of the herds of animals, birds and flora and their inter-relationships were skillfully communicated. We loved every minute and have some fantastic memories especially of rhino – we are experts in poo to some degree! Gordon laid on some very good grub for us to enjoy and there was always lively and interesting debate at the meal table (apart form early on when we tucked into rusks from Senior Mrs Heron!) Thank you to all and thank goodness for digital cameras – we have months of editing to do. - Di and John We had a wonderful time and enjoyed a lot. There’s a lot to learn from animal behaviour. Thanks Neil - Saryu and Kiku Ken and Carole Pearson Graham and Janet Ogden (UK) January 2010 8-day Small Group safari Well Neil we’ve had another fantastic time with you in the Kruger. We have continued from our last safari back in 2007, like we’ve never been away. There’s been countless highlights: leopard, especially the mother with her youngster, the serval, the flocks of tightly packed quella, hundreds of tine wings displacing the air which resounded across the bush, and the dozens of steppe eagles waiting to feast on them. The water thick knees trying to protect their nest from the monitor lizard. The not dead secretary bird – ha, ha! The warning charge from the black rhino on our bush walk. The roaring male lion in the middle of the night on border patrol within 200m of our room was unbelievable, the whole ground we stood on vibrated. Not to mention Carole’s lion. We could go on and on. Thanks to Gordon for the excellent food and special thanks for the spuds. This safari will continue. Until then our very kindest regards. - Ken and Carole Ps. To those who may read this and wish to experience one of the last truly wild and natural habitats in Africa, which also supports some of the most fantastic wildlife on earth, then you must visit the Kruger. If you do decide to visit Kruger you truly need to consider the Bearded Heron and with his knowledge and love for the Kruger you will be in the best possible hands. How can words express our joy and happiness experienced in our week in Kruger. Our experiences and visions of animals and birds have been too many to list. If pushed to name one it has to be the black rhino on our first walk. Neil, you are a wonderful guide and host. Fantastically you have both given us the holiday of a lifetime. Thank you – we will be back. - Graham and Janet Preston Family (New Zealand/Australia) December 2009 7-day Private Family safari From the matriarchal elephant…what can I say? How to sum up in a few words all that we have experienced! The stories, endless knowledge, passion, humour…the amazing animals we saw up close and personal! Don’t forget ‘sour prune’…HECTIC? Thanks to Gordon for the excellent food and amazing ability to keep my wine glass full! Incredible evenings of thought provoking conversation and hilarious story telling. Thanks to Tina for being so organized and ensuring everything was easy for us. We will never forget you all...how can I, I’m an elephant after all. - Jo Neil, what a great time hanging out in the bush. Really enjoyed the peace, open spaces and all the lessons. Seeing some awesome animals was a bonus. WE loved your style! Big thanks to Gordon for keeping us well fed and watered. Our best holiday yet! - Buffalo Bull Dale Neil, thank you so much for the stories and the awesome experience. Also that shooting star was AWESOME experience. - Jared Thanks for the hectic time, really awesome and will never forget ‘hyena’ I’ll use it against you some day ☺ - Thomas Bill Bilobran and Nariko Arana (California, USA) November 2009 4-day Small Group safari Tina: thanks for all you work to make logistics go smoothly. You made it all happen without a hitch. You made this trip possible after earlier Kenyan plans fell through. Neil: An awesome exposure to the mammals, birds, insects and ecosystem of Kruger, finding out more than just the whats (sightings) but also the whys and whens and hows of the ecosystem. It’s been an enriching experience, the way to live life is to experience it directly and you’ve done that for your visitors on their Kruger visit. Kruger, the heart and soul of the Bearded Heron. - Bill I had a wonderful time here in Kruger Park. Unforgettable time, many memories I can take with me to my home. Thank you so much for all your time to make this happen. You are the BEST. I hope to see you again and say hello to your family. - Nariko I-Yu and David Chen MA, US October 2009 5-Day Small Group Kruger safari I had a wonderful time learning about all the animals in the Park but I also learned Neil and Tina's value and passion about their country. Thanks Neil for your sharing of your knowledge. Thanks Tina for the excellent meals that you prepared for us. We'll always treasure your friendship and hospitality while we stayed at Kruger. Hope we'll meet again sometime! Thanks again for all your hard work! BTW: The big 5 sightings was great especially the beautiful leopard! Steve Bisel Arizona, US September/October 2009 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari First - thanks to Tina for handling all the logistics. Without your efforts things would not go so smoothly. Thank you Gordon for your wonderful meals and attention during the safari. Neil - I have always had an appreciation for nature and this trip was one that I had looked forward to for a long time. I am not able to express my words in a way that truly conveys what I would like to say. You have far exceeded my expectations. You have used your knowledge of the bush and your passion for nature to give me a far deeper appreciation for KNP and Africa than I ever would have imagined. I came away with a stronger sense of what a treasure Kruger is to South Africa - but now even more important - what Kruger is to the world - a jewel, a treasure that should never be lost. Pauline Bisel Arizona, US September/October 2009 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari There are no words to accurately describe the past 10 day's experience! Awesome, wonderful, brilliant - great words but not adequate. Thank you Gordon and Neil for taking care of our needs. Pat Davis Australia September/October 2009 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari Had an experience of a lifetime. Thank you Neil for the passion you have for your beloved Kruger. Thank you for your wonderful expert guiding, your patience while we all took photos. Thanks Gordon for al the great food! All first rate. Thanks to Tina for all the arranging. It's been a wonderful experience that I will never forget. Cannot wait to tell my grandchildren at home and share the great photos I have taken and stories I have been told. Do not lose the passion you have - it is priceless. Thanks heaps for all the great times we had. Margaret Roser Australia September/October 2009 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari When we were planning this trip we had no idea what an absolutely awesome experience it was going to be! I thank you for the time and care that you have given and the knowledge and stories you have shared, a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip for me. Do not lose your dream and continue to share your wealth and knowledge with all who have a love for the Kruger. Also a very special thanks to Gordon who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. You have an extremely beautiful country I feel privileged to have you share it with us. And will have treasured memories. I truly hope you get your family closer to you. Lesley Abbot Australia September/October 2009 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari Firstly a HUGE THANK YOU GORDON, for feeding me with wonderful meals each day! Secondly to experience Kruger with you, Neil, has truly been an 'experience'. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the poo, the footprints, the stories, the laughs, the education about the bush has all been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I feel lucky that I found Bearded Heron Safaris during my internet surfing at the beginning of this year and feel even luckier that I booked to join you. Thank you, Neil, for sharing your love of the bush and the animals with us Aussies and thank you Tina for all your help, emails and organisation beforehand. You guys make an awesome team. This experience has exceeded my polar experience in Canada and that's saying something! What wonderful memories to take back to Oz…The roaring lion just one! Brandon Bovee California, US September/October 2009 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari Neil, Gordon, Tina (Team Bearded Heron) all I can say is WOW!! This trip has been absolutely amazing. Neil's extensive knowledge of the Kruger coupled with Gordon and Tina's excellent customer service equals five star trip. It has far exceeded my expectations in every facet. These experiences I am having will always have a special place in my heart. My favourite event had to be the elephant charging the lions with their kill. Thanks for all the wonderful memories. Nick Lerario California, US September/October 2009 10-Day Adventure Kruger safari Neil, what a trip! For sure the most exciting trip of my life! If you would have told me six weeks ago I'd be standing 50 meters from a buffalo charge, or waking up to lions roaring outside, I would have laughed. Thank you for all the knowledge you have given me. You will see me again! Cheers for now… Karen MacKay Canada August 2009 5-Day Family Kruger safari What an experience we had in Kruger! Neil, Gordon and Tina are a formidable team! Tina's attention to detail in our planning; Gordon's wonderful meals and hospitality AND Neil's vast knowledge and experience contributed to the memories we will always cherish. Neil was awesome, informative, fun and perfect for two teenage boys. Gordon provided delicious meals and ...the animals....all cooperated and showed up on cue...we had spectacular viewings of the big 5 and so much more. The boys experienced an inquiring charge from a rhino, a full out charge from a mother elephant and were right in the middle of a pride of lions as they unsuccessfully hunted an impala...they witnessed a hyena kill... and as you can tell we have many stories and many wonderful memories we will cherish for a lifetime We are grateful to all of you! As a mother travelling with two teenage boys I didn't have to worry about the details - a great gift! Beth Baisden and family US July 2009 5-Day Private Family safari Neil and Gordon were absolutely fabulous. From the moment we were picked up we guided by consummate professionals. Neil's knowledge of the bush from footprints to large animals to unrelated topics like politics and books was amazing. There was something for all age groups as me, my mother and my children all enjoyed the trip. Neil's passion for his job after 15 years was impressive: your website does not do justice to all that we experienced. My father and my brother will be looking you up in March! Phillip & Trish Davies Indonesia July 2009 7-Day Small Group safari The Bearded Heron team (Neil, Tina and Gordon) have provided us with an outstanding experience… the proximity of the animals, the variety of fauna and flora made this a very special experience. Neil's knowledge of the bush, its love and dynamic interactions really added a dimension rarely experienced on our travels. We had some very special moments - rhino on our walk showed just how skilled Neil and Jerry were in a challenging moment. Neil's tracking skills found lion (until our last drive we had not seen any in 10 days!) All this and more were much appreciated. The hospitality was incredible - Gordon's cooking and humour as well as wide ranging discussions over meals, added a home-like atmosphere which again exceeded expectations. Trish will take back many of Neil's wisdom and will try and integrate many ideas in her work. We know that the team will be there to assist us in the future and we will certainly recommend Bearded Heron to others. Jennifer Severin and John Juliano Long Island, US July 2009 4-Day Small Group safari It has been a time of exceeded expectations and a transformation of our understanding of what makes up the world. Our time spent with Neil was full of special moments that were life changing. Thank you. Suresh, Kiran, Naia and Ela Kashyap and Granny Nathan Singapore June 2009 5-Day Family Kruger day drives We've had the experience of a lifetime. The magnificent seven! The wild dogs hunting impala. Amazing! Thank you, Tina, for all the arrangements. Thank you Neil for your patience and always maneuvering the jeep for the best angles. Your knowledge of the bush and the wildlife is very detailed and very interesting. The kids aged 4 and 7.5 years loved the experience and will definitely be back. Enjoy the ginger! Let this not be a farewell but a see you soon (very soon I hope). Naia: wild dogs chasing impalas, cool a leopard on a tree. So many memories. Nice! Jo and Leo, Warrick and Josh Corbett West Australia April 2009 8-Day Private Family Kruger safari Neil, it has been a privilege to share YOUR Kruger with you. The bonus was your passion, unending knowledge and "know how". This holiday was a family dream and it has certainly fulfilled all our wishes. We have seen and learnt so much in our time with you - thank you does not sound enough. I hope you fulfill your dream and wish you, Tina and the boys all the best. Will keep in touch on email and follow up your side with interest. (You can let the lions out now!) Felicity Thomson, Damian, Olivia and Laura Kelly Australia (residing in Cairo, Egypt) April 2009 8-Day Private Family Kruger safari Neil, we have all had a wonderful time in your beautiful, fascinating 'backyard'. Thank you for expert guiding, your wonderful stories and your extreme patience with the questions from the girls. We have all learnt so much in the past week and we cherish this time spent in the Kruger. We have been thoroughly spoilt by Gordon's fabulous meals and you just can't beat wining and dining under the beautiful starry, African sky. Our thanks to him for our contented tummies. Also to Tina for her organization, keeping in touch, planning, etc, without her this fabulous trip wouldn't have been possible. You really know how to look after people and go the extra mile, that personal touch has made this holiday stress free and completely enjoyable. The accommodation has been great, we even did an 11 hour safari - wow what an adventure we have all had. Keep up your fantastic work, all the best to your family. Your passion for your work is enviable. Thanks for going all out for us - much appreciated!! Max and Margaret Thomson Australia April 2009 8-Day Private Family Kruger safari To see everything from a millipede to an elephant in 8 days? Just travel with Bearded Heron Safaris! The flexible planning form you all covered all of us with endless care - finding lost gear, fixing lights, loos and doors, meeting, greeting, feeding and watering, showing and teaching. We have yet another 'lifetime experience' to add to our collection - plus several fascinating dinner party stories. We will have such fun telling all our friends about how we got up every morning at 5am, went out on safari, came back hungry and thirsty and actually loved it! We wish you and yours all the very best, may your passion prosper. Peace and love. John and Libby Crossingham USA March 2009 7-Day Small Group Kruger safari One amazing week of insight into Africa. Thanks for all the hospitality and education. We will be sure to tell our friends about the wonderful time we enjoyed with you. I hope we will have the chance to repeat our visit and experience new adventures. They may equal the wild dogs failed to attack the waterbuck (croc 1 - dogs 0), the bull elephants or the nursing mothers. Did the hammerhead swallow the fish? Stay tuned! Paul and Mary Lindquist UK March 2009 7-Day Small Group Kruger safari I'm short of time and words this early morning to express the great time we had this week. Not knowing what to expect, it was more than we expected! The hospitality, the food and wine, the consideration were all great - the Kruger did the rest. A very special place. Phil, Bernadette, and Nicola Burgess Sydney, Australia (residing in United Arab Emirates) February 2009 5-Day Small Group Kruger safari This 'journey' was a wonderful experience and lesson on nature @ its greatest. I feel very privileged - extremely, to have met Neil and Gordon - expertise and passionate team that work so well together to give their guests the greatest experience in Africa. Both fun and informative plus! Thank you doesn't seem enough - all your efforts and strategies so appreciated by us all! Your hospitality 100%. Personally I feel very blessed that I've been given this experience, - Bernadette. This was one of the best holidays I have ever had! Neil and Gordon, you guys are very dedicated! I have had lots of fun. Thanks so much, Nicki. Pat McKeon and Janet Wilson Australia (residing in United Arab Emirates) February 2009 5-Day Small Group Kruger safari Fantastic experience conducted by an exceptionally skilled guide. The bonus being that both Neil and Gordon are really nice guys! Unexpected sightings of the Big 5 in one day! A whole series of breathtaking moments interspersed with a wealth of knowledge about the land around us. Dung beetles and footprints were as fascinating (almost!) as leopards and elephants. Will think of Gordon's cooking for quite a while Tom Jakubowski Canada February 2009 8-Day Small Group Kruger safari Neil and Gordon - thanks for the fantastic adventure. Your commitment and passion for the Kruger and conservation are inspiring. We had a great time and learned a great deal. Negotiating with the elephants is a memory I will cherish for a long time. The sightings were all we hoped for and your insights and explanations of the 'context' were a huge bonus. Thank you for a wonderful experience. I will be sure to continue to follow your exploits on your website. Iz Jakubowski Canada February 2009 8-Day Small Group Kruger safari Dear Neil, to be shown the multi-faceted beauty of the Kruger by someone who has such a passion for its magnificent inhabitants is the ultimate safari experience (a first for me but hopefully not my last). Thank you so much for sharing your wealth f knowledge and experience and for welcoming us into your world. Thanks too for your delightful playfulness and humour, your 'happy dance' (I hope life keeps you dancing), your thought-provoking philosophies on life (including "you are who you are.. who you want to be and who others perceive you to be..") A special thanks to Tina for her support/ arranging on our behalf and to Gordon who fed us well (with food, his keen insights and sense of humour and fun). It's been the greatest of pleasures spending time with you both. Ania Jakubowski Switzerland February 2009 8-Day Small Group Kruger safari Tina, Neil and Gordon Heartfelt thanks for all the arranging, and re-arranging…, for introducing and engaging Iz and Tom into the bush - great to have watched and experienced this with them. Of course, for "my dogs"!! every trip I take away the best of experiences and photos…our frog…in the snake in the ground hornbill's mouth will be on the list…as will our lion's yawn which is now etched into memory…seeing as I take with me the message of 'endangered spaces' and will encourage us all to play our role. Neil..a special thanks for the care and passion…just the right touch for the Jakubowski sibling journey! Until our paths cross again… Gordon…here's to you for all your care too! Laurie Malone USA January 2009 10-Day Adventure safari Neil, Thanks so much for the amazing adventure, including hippo laughs and lion roars, and for sharing your love and knowledge of the Kruger. I truly enjoyed the experiences and deep conversations we had together. Thanks for making us think. From the blades of grass to everything in between (eg. the hyena taking a bath, lions cubs, queela clouds, and all my herbivore friends), I loved it! Gordon thanks for being the wonderful you and all the delicious food. Please keep in touch. All the best to both of you and to Tina. Happy trails Laurie : Manfred and Sylvia Kern Edmonton, Canada January 2009 10-Day Adventure safari Our safari was the best experience ever. We saw every animal we could think of, the pride of lions was great. We loved to learn all about the different animals. Animal behaviour - Neil was very knowledgeable. If he didn’t know something we had inquired about he would find out and let us know. Everything from the Impala to the elephants was a wonder. Right from our trip from the gate upon entering we started with the impala and even saw a lion on our first day. We learned what a rhino charge was all about. We always felt Neil knew what he was doing and kept us safe. Both he and Gordon have a unique sense of humour which we both enjoyed. The weather was perfect as we came from 30 below to 30 above. We saw wild dogs, rhinos, hippos, hyenas, giraffes, kudos, buffalo, impala, lions, leopard, jackals, zebra, sable antelope, wart hog, elephant, and so many birds I can’t mention. The bush was beautiful as well. Gord fed us like kings and queens. The food was great and was served wine at supper. It was great coming back from a game drive or walk and have a nice cold beer. Gord always made sure we were taken care of. Hats off to you both. There were so many animals I am sure I didn’t list some but that didn’t make them any less important in our eyes. It’s a beautiful country and I would like to return some day. Our memory of Neil telling a joke and the hippo laughing was priceless. Our accommodations were also very nice as I was expecting to rough it. Thanks again we will think of this trip often, Manfred and Sylvia Don and Sue Zmarzty UK September 2008 10-Day Adventure safari Our trip with Bearded Heron was thoroughly enjoyable. We'd just enjoyed an amazing 5 days in Sabi Sands in a private lodge and had some fabulous experiences so were somewhat doubtful whether the Kruger Safari could come up to expectations. We needn't have worried! Neil is an excellent guide and great company on safari as well as having everything organised extremely well. We managed to see all that we had hoped for wildlife wise and all enhanced by Neil's experience and anecdotes following his many years in the bush. He and Gordon, his excellent assistant, even managed to cater for our vegetarian diet with a good variety of different meals. We would definitely like to travel with Neil again. Thanks and best wishes. Don and Sue
Well, what can we say...
Hello Tina and Neil, Liz and Michael Reid Our Kruger Safari was a truly memorable experience and exceeded our expectation with the number of animal sightings and knowledge gained. We encountered a couple unusual happenings, one with a small group of Impala and another with some Baboons, which added to our experience. We found in Neil Heron, a person with a vast knowledge of the Kruger, not only in the animal and bird life, but the environment as well. Thank you Heron Team. Kind regards to you both, Cruz Family Neil and Tina I wanted to reiterate how much we enjoyed ourselves with Neil and Gordon. It was truly an amazing experience and one that we continue to share with friends and family here. Who knows maybe it will result in some more US visitors for you. Thank you again Tina for being so flexible with us on our scheduling. It was greatly appreciated and really allowed us to have a stress free vacation. Hope you are both well! Please tell Gordon hello! Mark & Millie Ascerno Neil, we did not know what a safari was until we met you. The "journey" you guided us through was amazing and life changing. Thank you for your knowledge, wisdom and hypotheses. Though they did not always match our hypotheses, yours were stimulating and forced us to expand on horizons, eg "The smell of money". We hope we can join you again on another ethic-based safari. We also wish that you fulfil your dreams. Mark and Millie (Bull Hippo) Robin & Katie Neil, thank you so much for this experience! I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Thanks to you (and Gordon!!) for the special consideration that you showed my diet (and thanks Tina for the chickpea soup!) We saw so many amazing animals. I’m so happy that we came. Your care and concern and expertise were top notch. The lionesses were a highlight for me (as a devout cat lover). Also enjoyed elephants and warthogs and hyenas. The hippo crossing the road was an unexpected treat. Neil…First of all – I’m so thankful you were our guide because I know deep down that your heart is in the right place! This place has made me completely rethink what I may want to do for a living. Perhaps I’ll move here and help you with your school and play a part in the conservation here @this amazing park. I will definitely remember Tina, Gordon and your hospitality, care and knowledge! As I embark upon my environmental/conservation/ecological journey, its people like you who give me inspiration to do more and be able to help people and animals. Much love, peace and RESPECT! – Robin Kurianski The Mackay and Bashford Families A journey such as this one is only possible with a guide that knows his wildlife. Neil, we had a fabulous time. Thank you for showing us your Kruger National Park. We loved the tracks, scats, sounds, plants, wildlife and history. Neil, we all thoroughly enjoyed this safari with you and hope it is the first of many. Seeing the animals in their natural environment and hearing all your informative info was amazing. Count us in as your next YouTube watcher and look forward to contributing to the educating of South Africa’s youth in the near future (we’ll also tell our other friends to watch too!). Best of luck in the future and thanks for putting up with our Aussie sense of humour. Mary Howes and Family Thanks for the great time, Neil!! I really liked the Kruger and the way you talked about it. Neil Neil Your knowledge, respect and love of this park and its inhabitants are obvious and infectious. Rich Merritt and family Neil, thanks so much for all of the knowledge that you imparted upon us during the safari we took with you. Your knowledge of animal behaviour and biology was unbelievable and enlightening, and your willingness to accommodate us in trying to see as many animals as possible in the short time of the trip was greatly appreciated. You went way beyond what was agreed upon. I could not have chosen a better guide for a safari and if I choose to do it again in a different part of the Kruger or elsewhere in South Africa, you would be the one I would choose to lead us. Thanks for a life time experience and you owe something to Tina for all the work she does behind the lines, and to Gordon, who was a great addition to have along!! James and Val Borbone At last we get to have a honeymoon and take a dream holiday… but never imagined it would be this good. We have seen more than we ever imagined and felt we learnt so much about Africa, the Kruger and perspectives on life. The intimacy of the tour was fantastic, the accommodation first rate, we couldn’t have wished for anything better. We must stay in touch and see developments come around that Neil speaks so passionately about. We hope to be back, the sooner the better. Roger Hitchner and Family Thank you so much for this incredible experience! The trip was so much more than a tour of the Kruger. Thanks for the great food, the conversations and the lessons. This was the trip of a lifetime although I know I will dream of coming back. Thank you so very much for one of the most memorable times of my life. 
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