My friend and I are both retired teachers in our late 60s. We’ve been to Europe a few times so we wanted to try something new and off the usual tourist path. This tour of South Africa and Dubai was a great choice.
We appreciated that the pace wasn’t too fast. There were days with early starts, especially for safaris, but it was worth it. Kruger National Park was incredible. We saw a herd of elephants. Seeing a baby elephant brought tears of joy! The guides knew exactly where to look and explained everything clearly.
Both of us are fans of good wine, so we chose to do an optional tour of the winelands in Stellenbosch. We tried a variety of wines and cheeses. It was surely a wholesome day.
Dubai was something else entirely. So modern and so clean. We saw Burj Khalifa and wow, it's massive and elegant in a way.
We were comfortable the whole way. I’d say this was a great trip, and you can try it, too.
WildlifeCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubai, Cape Town, Johannesburg
Dubai, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Stellenbosch
Great guides and well thought out itineraries
Tourist class hotels. Fine with us. This was travel. Not a vacation lol. Tino was super I. Getting is set up at last minute. And all hands were I. Deck when we had a little medical scare. Would definitely book with them again
I’ll admit I thought this trip would be all malls and skyscrapers but I was pleasantly surprised. There’s so much more to the UAE than just glitz. The contrast between Dubai’s cutting-edge architecture and Abu Dhabi’s quieter, more traditional vibe really stood out. One moment we were staring up at the Burj Khalifa and the next we were soaking in the peaceful beauty of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
One of my favorite experiences was the Dhow dinner cruise in Dubai. Watching the city lights reflect on the water while enjoying dinner and live music made for a really memorable evening. The tour itself was very well organized. From airport pickup to hotel check-ins and day tours everything ran smoothly. Our guide Afran was friendly and informative,sharing local insights that made each stop more meaningful. My only regret is not booking an extra day at the end to slow down and take it all in.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Another wonderful trip with World Expeditions. In addition to the expected highlights of Petra, Wadi Rum, snorkelling in the Red Sea and floating in the Dead Sea, the unexpected delights of visiting a local family at Um Qais (and cooking/dining with them), the expansive Roman ruins at Jerash and our extraordinary driver Firas made this trip wonderful.
The small additional cost of having a representative meet us at the airport and guide us through immigration was well worth it. The process was very quick and smooth.
We would thoroughly recommend this trip.
Marilyn & Peter Surtees
AdventureWalking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I had the best Dubai experience. I would use them again. My friend is planning to visit Dubai in September and l want them to enjoy themselves so l told them about it.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
I recently retired and this was my first big “freedom trip.” I wasn’t looking for luxury. I just wanted something different from the usual cruise trips I took or all-inclusive. India and Dubai? I was totally out of my comfort zone, which made it incredible. Watching the chaos of Delhi traffic from the safety of our coach, standing in front of the Taj Mahal or riding through the desert dunes outside Dubai, it all felt great. The tour gave me structure but didn’t feel hand holding. The guide had patience for all our questions. This trip reminded me that you’re never too old to feel amazed.