Feedback From the Taylor Family’s Private Guided Safari at Madikwe Safari Lodge

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Hi Jon,

I have been meaning to write to you ever since we returned from Singapore but when I received your message and you had already left for Madagascar, I thought I could afford to wait a few days. And now here we are and you are back already! Things have been extremely busy since we returned home. Of course we were straight back into school and work and then we went away for our camping weekend and I have been struggling to catch up ever since. We are having our house painted at the moment and my sister is getting married this weekend, so it is all happening around here!

Rest assured, you have not been forgotten. Lucy has been saying that she wants to go to Madagascar often to see you. We have also had bouts of (fake) tears on occasion over missing you so much! I was a little surprised when we went through security at the Jo’burg airport and turned around to see Toby red in the face and sobbing. I thought he had run into trouble with a security guard but it turns out he was just so upset to be leaving you behind and was missing you. So you made an impact on Toby too, even if he may not have been quite so demonstrative with his affections as his sisters!

We had a fantastic trip to Singapore and would really recommend it as a stopover destination. We had the most amazing day at the zoo. The breakfast with the Orangutans was fun. We had a table quite close to them and had some photos taken (but the food was a bit disappointing compared to the Cabanas at Sun City). We went on an elephant ride and saw lots of animals – even a leopard – so Matilda was ticking off her book afterwards. There was a small water park within the zoo and the kids played for hours and hours. We ended up arriving at the zoo by 9am and leaving at 6pm. Needless to say we were all a little worn out! I will send you through some photos soon. I have downloaded them onto our other computer, and I have not sorted through them very well yet (other than preparing our African Smilebox for school).

Thank you so much for all your help with our African safari experience. We really had an amazing time and were very grateful for all the effort you put in for us. Toby was so thrilled with the games of soccer and cricket which you arranged for him. Matilda, particularly, has learned so from you much about African animals and Lucy had loads of fun. It was so great to have you there to meet us at the airport and take care of all the driving. It made it so much easier for us at the lodge having you to liaise with the staff and make things happen. We also appreciated having our evening meals on our own, knowing that the kids were in your capable hands. And of course, I just loved the special birthday celebrations which the staff put on for me. If you need us to prepare a more formal referral for you, please let me know. But we have been telling all our friends about our experience and recommending both you and &Beyond.

Have a great time on your next trip.

All the best,

Carol and the Taylor’s