Bernie Van Der Linde
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Bernie Van Der Linde
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Traveling can be stressful when you have to plan all the details over a short period, particularly in a diverse country like South Africa with so much to offer. But questions such as “Will I find group tours enlightening, fun, or frustrating?” often get raised. In this article, we highlight the benefits of using a tour guide and interview an expert tour operator from South Africa to give you insights into group tours.
This travel blog tells you everything you need to know to find a good tour guide and to book a meaningful guided tour.
After reading this article, you may want to learn more about our Ladies’ Small Group Tours.
"If you love travelling but do not have a travel buddy, Our small group tours are the closest you will get to sharing a trip with your bestie".
What is a guided tour?
A guided tour is usually a knowledgeable and local person who guides visitors around places of interest.
A travel company employs a tour guide to provide support and guidance to travellers. Tour guides help you make the most of your holiday by giving you peace of mind and eliminating some of the unpleasantness of travelling, such as making reservations at restaurants and picking good experiences.
Moreover, travel guides ensure clients get special treatment at the locations (such as having suitable rooms, avoiding long queues, not having to worry about luggage storage, suitable transport from one location to the next, etc.).
What are the benefits of group tours?
Planning a trip can be daunting, from visas and flights to accommodation, sightseeing, and experiences. However, several options are available for traveling, such as solo, with a friend, or in a group.
Even group travel has many options, such as guided, private group tours or custom-designed private group tours. The options are endless depending on your personality and the experiences you are after. For example, if you’re excited to meet new friends and want to experience new adventures and see as much as possible of the local culture, a group tour might be just the thing for you.
If you’re still undecided on how to get the best out of your trip to South Africa, this travel blog is for you. We tell you everything you need to know about guided tours and the benefits of joining an organised tour.
Guided Tours through South Africa with Travel Buddies Lifestyle
Since 2024, we have been offering unforgettable guided tours through South Africa. In small, intimate groups, we take our guests on exclusive journeys through this diverse and captivating country. Our next trip will take us to the stunning Kruger National Park, where unique safari experiences await, and to the vibrant metropolis of Cape Town – a city that enchants with its charm and energy.
7 reasons to use a tour guide
#1 Gain understanding of the local culture through a local expert
Local guides are passionate about the country and region and eager to give you insights into the culture, traditions, and celebrations you will not find anywhere else. They will show you the hidden gems and give you fun facts about nature, the area you are visiting, the local culture, and folklore. Having a local guide is very helpful, particularly if you don’t speak the local language. Moreover, tour guides know local customs and environmental regulations to ensure you follow the correct protocols.
#2 Build new friendships
Tour guides know how to make people laugh and get them engaged. They know how to make good trips great! If you join an age-appropriate tour, you will likely make friends fast and enjoy the experience with people who share your interest.
#3 Allows you to focus on having the best experience without worrying about the details.
It is the tour guide’s responsibility to get you to your next destination in time while you only have to focus on enjoying every experience.
#4 Optimum experiences
Tour guides are experts in their field and therefore know when to visit a particular place. They also have experience in all weather conditions to ensure you enjoy the maximum benefit of your trip. Because the tours are time-limited, they know how to pick the most enjoyable and valuable excursions.
#5 Added support and guidance
Tour guides work hard behind the scenes to ensure your trip runs smoothly and lives up to your expectations. Custom-designed itineraries further ensure you can tick off all the expectations from your bucket list. They will always put your safety first, but should something go wrong; they are experienced in finding the best solution. Bonus, you also have a handy photographer on hand.
#6 The ultimate convenience and access to more destinations
No more worrying if your transport will arrive on time or if you will get lost on route. The best part about a group tour is that you can leave all the planning in the capable hands of your tour guide, whose responsibility is to ensure that you have comfortable accommodation (as per your stipulations), delicious meals, and exciting activities. Because the tour guide controls logistics, you often have the benefit of experiencing more destinations.
#7 More inclusions and VIP treatment
Tour guides hand-pick accommodations that provide good value for money and guests with friendly, welcoming services and amenities, and activities to last a lifetime. The inclusiveness of tour groups allows you to enjoy some flexibility (with custom-created tours) and the added benefit of saving costs.
Conclusion
Tour groups are a great way to explore an unknown destination with a tour guide who knows and understands the local culture.
It is often much safer, and you are less likely to be scammed by locals or fall into tourist traps. Good tour guides, like us, will ensure everything is well-organised and all precautionary measures are in place should you need assistance.
No more sleepless nights about researching accommodation, transfer connections, safety concerns, or figuring out how to manage your budget. Having tour guides like us also takes the stress away from travelling. It sounds like the perfect recipe for the most enjoyable trip to South Africa.
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Your travel buddies, Bernie and Petra
