Reviews of Cape Tours. (Travel Agency) in Milton Keynes (Buckinghamshire).

Cape Tours

43 Reviews

42 Comments

Travel Agency

Tour operator

8 Powell Haven, Middleton, Milton Keynes MK10 9JT, United Kingdom

Description

Information of Cape Tours, Travel Agency in Milton Keynes (Buckinghamshire)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.

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Reviews of Cape Tours

G.

We have recently returned from a great family holiday in the Western Cape. This was originally booked in March 2020, just as the UK went into lockdown. It was then rescheduled three times until we were finally able to travel in March this year. We really appreciated the work that Mike at Cape Tours did on our behalf rescheduling our itinerary and flights so many times ! From the outset Mike listened to our preferences and ideas about what we wanted to do and helped us to put together the best itinerary, accommodation and flights for us. Mike's experience and detailed knowledge were invaluable in this context. If you are thinking about a trip to South Africa then Cape Tours is just the sort of company I would recommend combining a detailed local knowledge with a genuine commitment to personal service.

D. B.

We have just returned from a fantastic family holiday in South Africa arranged through Mike at Cape Tours. The itinerary, accommodation, recommendations for activities and restaurants were all first class, as was local information and directions between destinations along the garden route. Even when there was a minor issue during the trip, Mike dealt with it very promptly. The original departure date was Dec 2020, then Dec 2021 so this was 3rd time lucky. Mike patience and understanding through out this process has been excellent and we are glad we used Cape Tours to help create lasting memories.

K. G.

I cannot recommend this company highly enough. Taylor made holidays with the assurance of help just a phone call away. I have just returned from an excellent trip to South Africa all seamlessly arranged by Cape Tours. I think this was my trip number 17 with them, and the number speaks for itself. Book with confidence and enjoy!

J. C.

Cape Tours gives you a quality, personal service with the benefit of excellent South African local knowledge and experience. We have used them for many years and have had wonderful holidays every time. We would not hesitate to recommend them to anybody.

T. W.

Our second holiday to South Africa organised by Mike at CapeTours. Another great one, so many highlights and memories. Thanks Mike.

D. M.

I started travelling with Mike and Cape Tours to Africa in 2015 and since then my family and I have visited on four occasions and I am just planning a fifth for 2018. On reflection and in hindsight, we left visiting Africa 15 years too late! I originally spoke to Mike by chance making an inquiry to visit South Africa because I couldn't make the logistics work for a return trip to Canada that I was already in the process of planning. My family and I were always historically nervous about visiting Africa due to a perception that personal safety was still an issue; we couldn't have been any further from the truth! Our first trip included a safari at Shamwari Game Reserve followed by a tour of the Garden Route down to Cape Town stopping off at Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness, Oudtshoorn and Hermanus. This is a truly beautiful area of South Africa delivering a memorable experience with some fantastic boutique hotels such as Tsala Treetop Lodge. In fact, we found our #1 boutique hotel in Hermanus, Birkenhead House, which is the only hotel we've travelled several hundred miles out of our way to re-visit on our return to Africa when we visited a second time to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Mpumalanga (Hazeyview), Kruger National Park (Lion Plains at Sabi Sands and Motswari at Timbavati Game Reserve) ending back in Hermanus. We should have flow straight from Johannesburg to London but instead went down to Cape Town for three nights because this hotel simply is the best! Our last safari with Cape Tours was a six-night visit to Moremi Games Reserve and Savute Game Reserve (shown on the Nat Geo documentary "Savage Kingdom") in Botswania. Mike gave us the courage and confidence to travel Africa and we've never looked back. We have also been to Rwanda to see the Gorillas and Tanzania and Zanzibar but with another operator; the only reason being that I had a credit balance with them that I needed to use from a previously cancelled holiday. But again, it was Mike's motivation that made this happen - each time we travel to Africa we are getting bolder. Mike is currently working on a nine-day safari to Tanzania where we are considering a re-visit to Tarangire Game Reserve plus Namiri Plains and Selous. From the outset, Mike and Cape Tours have worked closely with me to match budget against requirements. I can be a right pain in getting Mike to consider lots of tailor-made options to amend base itineraries Cape Tours plans and Mike is always helpful, informative and flexible. I have found Cape Tours to be extremely competitive against the larger tour operators and in so far as they can continue to achieve price-competitiveness Cape Tours will always be my first port of call. Their level of service is second to none and, more importantly, the intimacy delivered through a smaller more personable operator builds confidence, trust and loyalty. The quality of all trips we have travelled is second to none, as can be evidenced through the photos attached to this review. In the short term, I have no inclination or motivation to stop visiting Africa and will continue to use Mike and Cape Tours as my preferred tour partner. I am so confident in their ability that at every opportunity I reference Cape Tours, and Mike specifically, as the `go-to' operator for both newbies and experienced travellers of Africa. Accommodation, arrangements, reserves and all associated arrangements are always clearly thought through and planned with excellent literature and guides to ensure you always stay on the right track. This level of hand-holding is well received when you first start to travel a continent that can be otherwise daunting to navigate. We look forward to my next trip with Cape Tours in summer 2018 if not before.

F. T.

We had a fantastic experience, Mike at Cape Tours was so helpful and understanding, keeping us up to date with changes to government policies. The safari and lodge were fantastic, a once in a lifetime experience!

A.

“Best Trip Ever” All Down To Mike Thomkins @ Cape Tours I should also say that we loved everything about this 1st trip to SA; from the time we arrived at Port Elizabeth and we we’re given a car upgrade to a Mercedes C 180, nice! Right through until we arrived at the car hire return at Cape Town Airport where a porter took our cases from the car, trolled them, chatting all the way, right to the BA departure desks; truly unbelievable. It was said to us that possibly we would find the best rooms with the best beds, which was certainly true; I think all the beds we slept in were foam type mattresses, which we’ve never had anywhere we’ve been, and suited us really well as sometimes my wife suffers from back problems. The standard of cleanliness of the actually places were absolutely 1st class, and some of the fixtures and fittings; well, were just amazing. This was particularly true of Cinnamon in Wilderness; at Rosenhof they even washed the car in the morning!!! Again we also found all the restaurants visited (and of course the wine!) of a higher standard than in the UK with the added advantage of being by far much cheaper. We came to the conclusion that we were eating and drinking for about half of what we have to pay for here, and served by cheerful, enthusiastic people. We in particular was just overcome with the friendliness of the people, something we miss being from Scotland living in the South East of England. Truly there was not one thing in our whole trip we could complain about, nothing! Not even when we had power sharing, it just amazed us how well everyone coped and just got on with it! Thank you Cape Tours

K. R.

We have just spent just over two weeks in South Africa, flying with Lufthansa, taking a camper van up and down the Kruger National Park and finishing up in Sandton once again all arranged to our requirements by Mike and his team. Once again it was excellent, we got exactly what we asked for and I have absolutely no hesitation in using Cape Tours again or recommending them to others.

M. B. (.

We had booked a holiday with Mike as we had tickets to the Lions tour and were impressed with his knowledge and ability to source good accommodation in safe areas in the the places we were due to visit. Lions tour tickets cancelled and South Africa still a ‘Red country’, Mike refunded our money the day after we were due to travel. Excellent communication both during booking process and throughout refund process too, we are so sad we couldn’t travel but next time we are looking for a trip to South Africa Mike will be our first point of call!

S. H.

Brilliant! We were recommended to use Mike and Brian for our first trip to South Africa and are so glad we did. They guided us about what to see and how to structure the trip, then booked the whole thing. The standard of the accommodation, and the service at each hotel/guest house, was exceptional. They gave us plenty of tips on what to see and how to manage time in each location. Communication was clear and timely and frankly, I can’t fault anything they did. We will most definitely use Cape Tours again and will be delighted to recommend them to friends and family. Thank you for a wonderful trip!

B. H.

Cape Tours were recommended to me by my parents. They had enjoyed a wonderful trip to South Africa - but that's another story. I approached Cape Tours when planning a safari holiday to Tanzania. I explained to Mike the kind of holiday I had in mind, and he did the rest... My wife and I had an amazing holiday. We explored the best National Parks in Tanzania, saw amazing wildlife (including all of the 'Big 5'), and stayed in excellent lodge accommodation with great food and friendly staff. Mike arranged the flights, the accommodation, the safari and all the travel in between. All we had to do was get the airport! I would thorough recommend a safari holiday in Africa. And if you are considering one, be sure to enquire with Cape Tours!

N. M.

Booked with Cape Tours for a trip to South Africa and Mauritius. They couldn't have been more helpful. They were helpful in recommending suitable hotels for our needs and budget and we had a great experience, both on Safari at Kruger National Park and in Cape Town, which I absolutely loved. All the transfers and hotel bookings were managed very smoothly and I would definitely use them again if we're lucky enough to travel back to South Africa.

M. B.

Our first trip to South Africa with Cape Tours was the first time we've ever returned home from a holiday and immediately booked to go back. Now 6 weeks away from our second trip, we are beside ourselves with excitement. Mike and Brian are simply quite excellent at what they do. I would recommend them to anyone.

K. G.

As I frequent traveller to Southern Africa I would not take a trip without the backing of Cape Tours. This is a completely reliable and trustworthy travel company who have never let me down. They only book quality accommodation, reliable hire cars and reputable airlines. They are completely flexible, allowing you to arrange a trip to your exact requirements. Then, whilst on holiday, local help is only a phone call away. I cannot recommend Cape Tours highly enough.

B. W.

Cape Tours arranged our honeymoon to South Africa and Mauritius. Right from the start they came up with a great itinerary with flexibility on timings and put together a great package for us. The accommodation was all excellent and we had a fantastic time every day for the two weeks we were away. Would highly recommend and we will be coming back for future holidays to Africa!

K. C.

I cannot recommend Cape Tours enough. Brian and Mike have been so helpful in planning our honeymoon in South Africa. We did several tweaks to tailor it to our budget and time constraints and the end result could not have been more perfect. We had multi cities including a car rental and internal flights. The logistics were thoughtful and considered so that we never felt stressed. The chosen accommodation was gorgeous in every location. They even provided us with directions, tips and recommendations. Every detail was thought out and as we were so busy planning a wedding, this was hugely helpful. This is the first time I've used a tour operator and I'm so happy we did!! Thank you!!

W. f.

July 2017. We have just returned from our first trip to South Africa and it was fabulous. We don't usually book our holidays through a tour operator but since this was our first trip to South Africa we decided we needed some 'professional' advice. After many hours trawling through various travel websites we chose Cape tours as they seemed experienced and offered a very 'bespoke' service. We were not disappointed. Mike and Brian were very knowledgeable and it was all about what we wanted to experience at our budget. We are a family of 6 so our budget was quite tight but they were very patient and flexible with our needs and were happy to offer more choices when we couldn't make up our minds. There was none of that 'pushy' selling at all and it was all about the best they could achieve for us within our budget without compromising too much on the quality. We finally settled on Cape town and the garden route with a 2 night safari. What a trip! We have stayed in the best accommodation we have ever had at truly remarkable prices. The only regret is we couldn't stay longer. The Gondwana safari was absolutely perfect -stay near the main lodge/restaurant if your budget allows as this saves a lot of time for meals when you get there as some of the lodges are a 20 minute drive away. And if you want to have a spa treatment , book before you go. The Views hotel in Wilderness is the best boutique hotel I have ever stayed in and a real treat . The views of the sea, sunrise and sunset from the sea-facing room were definitely worth the extra cost. There is such a lot to do there, we barely had time to relax but have come home enriched with memories and planning to go back again in the future. Thank you Cape tours!

A. J.

We used Cape Tours for our Honeymoon in 2012. The whole experience was fantastic, the hotels and Safari accommodation were amazing and made our Honeymoon the memorable experience we wanted it to be. The bespoke package was completely tailored to us and I love the fact that they let us pick the airline for the long haul so we could qualify for air miles! I would definitely recommend them as they took all of the stress out of organising the trip and it was excellent value for money. One of our internal flights got pulled late on but they quickly arranged an alternative and sent a credit for the added cost to our Hotel in Cape Town. South Africa is a wonderful country, one I look forward to visiting again and I wouldn't even consider using any other firm to book my trip. So what are waiting for, go ahead and book it! Thanks

S. W.

We booked a tour in November 2010 and Cape Tours set us up with a wonderful two weeks in South Africa. We loved Kruger and all the other stops we requested, and finally ending at the Waterfront in Capetown where we had an absolute ball! Cape Tours listened to our brief and delivered the holiday of a lifetime. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Thanks Mike!

G. R.

Mike and his team have organised holidays to South Africa for my wife and I for the last 8 years and that says it all.Cape tours have the South Africa expertise to guide you to most wonderful places in this amazing country with prices to suit you budget.The accommodation portfolio and knowledge of South Africa guides you with detailed itineraries and maps that are simply mouthwatering .At every point of your holiday the journey has been efficiently organised and on arrival each hotel ,lodge or b n b are expecting you and prepared to make your stay memorable .We have always been able to relax and enjoy our holidays because the organisation has efficiently completed by Cape Tours. This year we completed a 2 centre holiday to S.A.and Namibia and had the most amazing trip and adventures .Namibia was new for us but again trusting Cape Tours we had accommodation,service ,quality beyond our expectations and memories of "Real Africa". Thanks again to the team for a great holiday Gary and Sharon Rogerson

D. G.

This is the tenth year we have booked trips to Southern Africa with Cape Tours. They offer a comprehensive service allowing their clients to select flights, arrange car hire (with prepared routes if wanted) and arrange accommodation to suit your individual tastes. Their website is clear and informative, but if you have specific requests, Mike and his team will endeavour to fulfil these for you in a friendly and timely manner. On the one occasion we had a minor difficulty with our hire car, their SA office was only a phone call away and everything was sorted quickly and efficiently.

D. B.

I have previously been on South African trips organised by Cape Tours and wanted to go again with my two 17 year old nieces. As always Mike and the team tailored the trip perfectly to our needs. Our 4 day stay at Cape Town was at the Waterfront apartments which was perfect for all we wanted to do and felt very safe for the girls to have a bit of independence too. We stayed for 3 days at Ashbourne Country Escape near the Kruger Park. Mike had advised we could book a game drive while there and indeed we could with a great guide and a very acceptable price - arranged by the staff at Ashbourne. We loved the individual cottages and suites and the girls said it was the nicest place they had ever stayed! The car hire was very smooth and we got great advice on the best flights for us and it all fitted extremely well with our budget. I would not hesitate to recommend Cape Tours for anyone planning a South African holiday -whatever your desired itinerary they will advise you really well to the last detail Thank you so much all at Cape Tours

G. M.

Cape Tours organised an excellent trip to South Africa for us. We were going out to attend a friend's wedding so wanted a bespoke tour which would incorporate it. They spoke to us and adjusted the tour until it met all of our requirements. The taxi driver who met us at Cape Town airport waited for us, even though we were unable to collect our luggage for over an hour because the hold was frozen shut! He even realised I had left our passports on the back seat and returned them to us at the hotel. The hotels were excellent and the safari at the end was an amazing experience. Everything went smoothly so we would be more than happy to use Cape Tours again

S. F.

We wanted to go to Madikwe to find wild dogs and asked Mike to recommend an alternative destination as well. We had been to South Africa on three previous occasions and fancied something different. Mike said he had been to Namibia earlier in the year and really enjoyed it. He devised an itinerary around the southern loop taking in the Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, the Namib Dessert, Luderitz, Sossusvlei and Windhoek. We did not appreciate the vastness of the country and driving distances beforehand and were blown away by the beauty and isolation. Everywhere we visited, the people, the food and accomodation were excellent. We will definitely be back to visit the northern circuit. Thank you Cape Tours for a fantastic holiday.

K. B.

Thank you Cape Tours 😊 Our 4th trip with you guys and you never fail to deliver. Namibia was fantastic, it exceeded all our expectations. The accommodation you picked for us was great (Little Ongava.... my goodness, what a treat), the scenery spectacular, and the locals incredibly friendly. It’s the best wildlife viewing I’ve ever had and the guides were all brilliant and we will never forget the Dunes, magical and so very different to anywhere we’ve travelled before. We will definitely go back, loved every minute. Thank you and let’s get booking for 2019/20 🤗 Kate and Paul

D. A.

I asked Cape Tours to provide me with a quite complicated itinerary for a three-week tour of Durban / Victoria Falls / Cape Town / Garden Route. They did an excellent job. Unfortunately, I had to change this to a two-week Durban / Victoria Falls / Durban trip. When I explained the drastic changes, Cape Tours were very helpful and accommodating, and re-arranged the itinerary with no fuss, even changing the hotel in Victoria Falls, because I was a bit unsure about their original choice. I doubt if I will go to South Africa again, but if I do, Cape Tours will be my first choice to arrange the trip.

J. M.

I cannot recommend Cape Tours highly enough. We have now had two holidays in South Africa and Mike has made all the arrangements for us. Both times he has given us advice to iterate to an itinerary which suits us and then he has made all of the arrangements. All of the hotels have been fantastic - and somehow Mike has managed to get us some of the best rooms within the hotels. I also appreciate the advice we get on what to do and where to visit during our holidays. And all at a very competitive price. This year we started with a safari in Kichaka Game Reserve before travelling across Route 62 to Paternoster on the West Coast. The spring flowers around the West Cost National Park were something really special! We then travelled on to Franschhoek (just the most fabulous village in the Winelands) before finishing off in Hermanus. We will return - no doubt will the help and advice of Cape Tours...

J. T.

Our first trip to South Africa was really a compromise because we were "iffy" about a trip to New Zealand in 2011! Four trips later, all to different regions, and one further one, just finalised, to Namibia next year (2018), all with Cape Tours and we have absolutely no regrets. Our last trip in Autumn 2015 included the wonderful West Coast, the dramatic Cederberg and the unforgettable Gansbaai. In fact we are totally sold on Southern Africa and the variety of experiences and landscape it has to offer. In no small part we are certain this is due to the wonderful planning and sensitive support we have received from Mike and his team at Cape Tours. Each trip has created a wonderful memory, largely because Mike has teased out exactly what we were looking for from each holiday. He has then trawled his vast pool of knowledge both in terms of activities and accommodation in order to create something very special at a keenly competitive price for the budget and quality agreed. At all times we have really felt the team has had our best interests at heart. We can't speak too highly of them. Sue & John T.

C. L.

We have enjoyed 5 tremendously exciting and enjoyable holidays to South Africa and look forward eagerly to our next visit in the near future. The astonishing variety of experiences on offer in such a diverse and vibrant country is an obvious draw but why go for a sixth visit? Quite simply it is the exceptional service we have received from Mike and his team at Cape Tours. We deliberately chose a smaller company with an intimate knowledge of South Africa and were immediately delighted by the professional, courteous and reliable responses we have received in all our communications. We will probably be perceived as ‘demanding clients’ in that we have consistently subjected Mike to a barrage of questions and requests for advice, all of which have been handled calmly, sensitively and successfully. The result has been a range of astonishingly stimulating experiences, absolutely first class accommodation options, stays in less familiar but utterly fascinating locations and an astute balance between rest and activity. Mike’s personal knowledge and recommendations have extended to restaurant recommendations, lists of ‘must do’s’, detailed and meticulous knowledge of the various accommodation options in specific areas and even overcoming our perennial holiday headache of reliable car hire. All this at remarkably competitive prices for such a high quality overall product. We would not hesitate to recommend Mike and Cape Tours to prospective visitors to South Africa and quite honestly to provide some highlights would simply undermine the totality of our experience. We have enjoyed everywhere, everything and to a remarkable extent, everybody we have met. Many thanks to Mike and the team. Malcolm and Cath Lister

D. N.

Once again we had a brilliant trip to South Africa, the 3rd thanks to the organisation of Mike of Cape Tours. Previously we have had 2 enjoyable and different trips along the Garden route, but this time opted for the KwaZulu-Natal region. BA now have flights direct to Durban so it made the journey easier. Doing a self-drive trip we first went up the Indian Ocean coast staying in St Lucia Estuary and the Mkuze Elephant coast (Ghost Mountain Hotel). From there we travelled inland towards the Drakensberg mountains but not before calling in en-route for the obligatory safari. This was at the Nabiti Conservancy (Lions Valley Lodge) near Ladysmith. It was the best safari yet, wonderful lodge, staff and rangers, and of course plenty of wild animal sightings both large and small. After that we travelled to Clarens a town north of Lesotho. Lovely countryside, unfortunately we visited a bar in town to watch the Rugby World Cup final, needless to say were surrounded by South Africans!!! A bit of friendly banter came our way?? Heading south within the mountain range we headed for the Mooi River region where we enjoyed a gastronomic's delight stay at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, not good for the figure. Finally we visited Moorcroft Manor in Himeville, our base for an exhilarating 4x4 trip up the Sani Pass to Lesotho. Sadly it was then back to Durban. Many thanks Mike for another enjoyably, happy holiday. Again you constructed and organised a wonderful 3 week trip that met our budget, expectations and accommodation. Looking forward to our next South African trip.

J. H.

We went to South Africa in 2011 and everything was set up by Mike at Cape Tours. Everything was wonderful except one hotel we weren't too keen on but it was an amazing holiday and everything just went clickity click as it was organised so well. We saw Victoria Falls - then Chobe Safari Park in Botswana. After that it was Cape Town and then a ride along the Garden Route to another Safari Park which was very special. Kitchaka. Probably 6 star. We really appreciated all the work done by Cape Tours and we definitely couldnt have done it without them. I am very happy to write this review for them as they are brilliant.

F. T.

My wife and I had a fantastic South African vacation arranged by Cape Tours. The hotels were outstanding and the transportation between destinations ideal We will be very happy to arrange another trip in the near future. Everything was pre arranged by Mikes team so we had nothing left to arrange ourselves Dr Frederic Tommey

P. H.

We booked our 3 week holiday in South Africa, in December 14, with Cape Tours. They listened to our preferences and arranged one of the best holidays we have ever had! We would have no hesitation in recommending them for a bespoke holiday in South Africa.

T. M.

A wonderful trip - Having Cape Tours book and plan the trip to our specification made it so enjoyable and stress free. I will definitely recommend them to friends and family as they were recommended to us.

P. B.

My wife and I have just completed our 4th, self drive, tour of South Africa in the last 6 years organised by Mike Tomkins. This says a lot about Cape Tours and Mike in particular.

L. B.

I wanted to thank you for all your help with arranging our holiday. It turned out to be perfect. We had a brilliant time, but unfortunately the big fish eluded us :( Everything went to plan & all the drivers were brilliant, the hotels were superb and we can highly recommend them if you were thinking of sending anyone there. We were so thrilled with all of the holiday and would most definitely recommend your services to anyone who was thinking of going on a holiday like ours. Thank you for a brilliant time :)

s. y.

First time in South Africa and loved it! Cape Tours planned everything perfectly. If I could change one thing we would have liked one more night at the safari lodge and one less in The Protea, Knysna.

G. R.

This was our 10th visit to South Africa organised by Mike and his team and each time we have had the most amazing holiday with faultless organisation and planning of our trip.Thanks again to Mike,we will be booking again very soon Gary and Sharon Rogerson

S. R.

Fantastic company. Arranged everything from accommodation to printed maps and ideas of trips, totally hassle free. Recommendations on accommodation were excellent and unique. Highly recommend them for their service and organising.

j. h.

Once again Cape Tours came up trumps with booking our holiday to South Africa, excellent service from Mike again.

M. C.

Fabulous holiday arranged in Botswana

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