Testimonials

Testimonials

For inquiries please contact us at  [email protected]

Geological Kaleidoscope 2004
19-28 July 2004
Itinerary

Geoscience Africa 2004
12-16 July 2004 webpage

Shizuoka University Geological Excursion 2004
15-24 March 2004
Itinerary

ECM-21 21st European Crystallographic Meeting Post-Conference Tour
Durban 24-29 August 2003 Testimonial
Itinerary

webpage

CTS 2003 CONFERENCE ON CORPUS-BASED TRANSLATION STUDIES
Pretoria 22-25 July 2003
Testimonial

 webpage

Geological Kaleidoscope 2003
12-16 August 2003 Testimonial
Itinerary

ICCTA ’01 3rd International Conference on Control Theory and Application
Pretoria 12-14 December 2001 Testimonial

Enviromin 2001 Environmental Aspects of Mining, Refining and Related Industries
Skukuza 14-18 July 2001 Testimonial webpage

CSI XXXII Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale
Pretoria 8-13 July 2001 Testimonial webpage

Mrs. Ples to Mr. Mandela 2001
21 May – 10 June 2001

Testimonial for Geological Kaleidoscope 2003 

Dear Aki, 

It gives me great pleasure to write a letter in support of the quality of service provided to me and my colleague, Dr. Jeffrey Post, by Geo-Expeditions. Jeff Post is the Curator of the Gem and Mineral Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, and we had arranged a trip to South Africa to tour the manganese and iron mines of the Kalahari Desert with Dr. Johan De Villiers, a professor at the University of Pretoria. On Johan’s advice, we contacted Geo-Expeditions to explore the possibility of extending our stay in South Africa to visit famous geological localities in the eastern section of the country. 

From our first communications with Geo-Expeditions, we were impressed with the friendliness and responsiveness of both you and Thomas to our needs. When we notified you of our timetable (Aug. 12-16, 2003), you responded with an itinerary that was exactly what we wanted. We were particularly interested in seeing the famous mining operations in the greater vicinity around Johannesburg, and you organized a trip to view the amazing chromite and magnetite layers in the Bushveld Complex. Since Thomas had completed his doctoral thesis on the metamorphic aureole surrounding the Complex, he was able to provide a thoroughly informed and enjoyable tour of the locality. The next day we observed two widely divergent mining operations: the colossal copper and phosphorus open pits at Phalaborwa, and the extraction of muscovite by a handful of workers from the underground pegmatite mines of Mica. The samples that we collected from these mines and the photos that we took have been invaluable as teaching aides in my mineralogy and petrology courses. 

Probably your best decision for our trip was the inclusion of two days in Kruger National Park. No amount of watching the Discovery Channel on television can substitute for the experience of rounding a bend in a van and coming upon a bull elephant in the middle of the road. On a trip that was filled with spectacular memories, none of our experiences are more vivid than our safari, and I am so glad that you insisted that we depart from our dusty expeditions to mines to spend some time looking at this unique part of the living world. 

If I were to return to South Africa for a tour, I would immediately contact Geo-Expeditions. Two of the most important services that you provide are safety and convenience. In light of the rising problems with crime in certain sections of South Africa, it was an enormous relief not to have any concerns regarding security during our trip. You and Thomas obviously place safety as the highest priority, and that allowed us to focus on the science and the scenery. In addition, we remain extremely grateful for all of the organizational work that you performed for us. All of the hotel and restaurant arrangements were made beforehand. When one of our hoteliers reneged on a promise of separate rooms, you withdrew our reservations and found another place for us to stay. All of the places that you selected for our overnights were clean, comfortable, and often luxurious. 

You picked us up at our bed-and-breakfast in Pretoria, stayed with us through our entire stay, provided meals for us on the road, and dropped us off at the airport when we were through. You even shipped us compact discs with your digital photographs of our trip. In light of the full commitment that Geo-Expeditions provided for our successful trip, we believe that the price you offered was extremely reasonable. I wish your enterprise great success! 

Best wishes, 

Peter J. Heaney
Assoc. Professor of Mineral Sciences
Department of Geosciences
Pennsylvania State University

Testimonial for CTS 2003   Conference

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

I herewith certify that Geo-Expeditions cc, Reg. No. CK98/10844/23, was the appointed tour operator for the conference Corpus Translation Studies Conference: Research and Applications jointly hosted by the University of South Africa and Manchester University, U.K. in Pretoria, 23 – 25 July 2003. 

Geo-Expeditions, and in particular Dr Thomas Wallmach and Mr H.J. Wilhelm, were responsible for organizing the conference venue and booking accommodation at Roodevallei Conference Centre. They were also responsible for welcoming international and local delegates at the Johannesburg International airport, transferring delegates between the airport and the conference venue, as well as for planning, executing and guiding the following companions’ outings and pre- and post-conference excursions: 

Cradle of Mankind (Sterkfontein Caves) day tour
Pilanesberg Game Reserve Team Building Tourday tour 
Pretoria City Tourday tour
Premier Diamond Mineday tour
Scenic Cape Town Tour4 days


I am pleased to certify that Geo-Expeditions performed their duties to the fullest satisfaction of both the conference organising committee and the delegates. The overseas keynote speakers remarked that this was one of the best organised conferences that they have ever attended!

Sincerely

Dr Alet Kruger
Senior Lecturer
Department of Linguistics (Translation Studies)
University of South Africa
26 May 2004

University of South Africa
392, UNISA 0003
Pretoria: TSHWANE, South Africa
Tel: +27 12 429 8080
Fax: +27 12 429 3355
Email:[email protected]

Testimonial for Enviromin 2001 Conference

I herewith certify that Geo-Expeditions cc, Reg. No. CK98/10844/23, was the appointed tour operator for the conference Environmental Aspects of Mining, Refining and Related Industries (Enviromin 2001), which was held in Skukuza, Kruger National Park from 14 to 18 July 2001. Geo-Expeditions was responsible for the transfer of delegates between Pretoria and Skukuza, as well as between Pretoria and Johannesburg International Airport, the booking of accommodation in Skukuza for the delegates, as well as for the planning and execution of game drives in the Kruger National Park. The transfers from and to Skukuza were organized as guided scenic tours through the provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. 

The proprietors of Geo-Expeditions, Dr Thomas Wallmach and Mr. H.J. Wilhelm, organized and maintained an excellent web-page and handled all travel related enquiries from delegates. They attended meetings of the organizing committee and also were present throughout the conference registration and acted as tour guides on the buses to the Kruger Park.

Professor CME McCrindle
Chairperson: Enviromin 2001
Section VPH
Faculty of Veterinary Science
University of Pretoria

Testimonial for CSI XXXII Conference

I herewith certify that Geo-Expeditions cc, Reg. No. CK98/10844/23, was the appointed tour operator for the conference Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale (CSI XXXII), which was held at the University of Pretoria from 8 to 13 July 2001. Geo-Expeditions was responsible for welcoming international and local delegates at the airport, the transfer of delegates between Johannesburg International Airport and the conference venue, the booking of accommodation for the delegates, as well as for the planning and execution of companions’ outings and pre- and post-conference excursions. The proprietors, Dr Thomas Wallmach and Mr. H.J. Wilhelm offered and guided the following tours and excursions:

Cradle of Mankind (Sterkfontein Caves) day tour
HartRao/Lesediday tour 
Pilanesberg Game Reserveday tour
Underground Mine Visitday tour 
Pretoria City Tourday tour
Soweto and Egoli Gold Rushday tour
From Herbs to Cheetahsday tour
Premier Diamond Mineday tour
Scenic Cape Town Tour4 days
Panorama Wildlife Tour (Great escarpment and Kruger Park)4 days 
Kruger fly-in Safari3 days
Private Game Reserve Luxury fly-in Safari3 days
Victoria Falls fly-in Safari3 days

I am pleased to certify that Geo-Expeditions performed their duties to the fullest satisfaction of both the conference organising committee and the delegates.

Maggi Loubser
Geology Department
University of Pretoria
Hon Secretary SASS Vice-Chair CSI XXXII

Testimonial for ICCTA ’01 Conference

I herewith confirm that Geo-Expeditions cc, Reg. No. CK98/10844/23, was the appointed tour operator for The 3rd International Conference on Control Theory and Applications (ICCTA ’01), which was held at the University of Pretoria from 12-14 December 2001. Geo-Expeditions was responsible for the welcoming of delegates at the airport, the transfer of delegates between Pretoria and Johannesburg International Airport, the booking of accommodation in Pretoria, as well as for the planning and execution of companions’ outings and pre- and post-conference excursions. The following tours and excursions were offered: Pretoria City Tour and Premier Diamond Mine day tour Soweto and Egoli Gold Rush day tour The Big Five in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve day tour Scenic Cape Town Tour (pre-conference) 4 days Scenic Cape Town Tour (post-conference) 4 days Panorama Wildlife Tour (Great escarpment and Kruger Park) 4 days Kruger fly-in Safari 3 days Private Game Reserve Luxury fly-in Safari 3 days Victoria Falls fly-in Safari (pre-conference) 3 days Victoria Falls fly-in Safari (post-conference) 3 days I am pleased to certify that the proprietors of Geo-Expeditions, Dr Thomas Wallmach and Mr. H.J. Wilhelm, performed their duties to the fullest satisfaction of the conference organising committee and delegates. 

Sincerely yours 

Prof. X Xia 
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
University of Pretoria

Testimonial for Mrs. Ples to Mr. Mandela 2001

“Geo-Expeditions’ extraordinary tour, “From Mrs Ples to Mr Mandela: 3.5 million years of South African History and Culture”, was one of a kind for its variety, comprehensiveness and sheer entertainment.

It was superbly organised down to the finest detail, but was relaxed and friendly to allow maximum enjoyment. Combining archaeology, geology, history, culture and music in a highly attractive leisure package, both overseas and South African tourists were treated to a truly outstanding experience of the country’s environmental and human diversity across thousands of kilometres.

The accommodation was in keeping with the changing landscape and each day brought new surprises and encounters with different people and panoramic natural beauty.

Anyone seeking an exceptional tour should contact Geo-Expeditions to plan a tailor-made itinerary for the holiday of a lifetime.”

Professor Greg Cuthertson
Head: Department of History
University of South Africa
 

To Whom It May Concern:

I want to take the time to commend with utmost enthusiasm the work of Dr. Thomas Wallmach and his company, Geo-Expeditions. Thomas recently organized a highly successful 21-day tour of South Africa for me titled “From Mrs. Ples to Mr. Mandela: 3½ Million Years of South African History and Culture.” As a professor of South African history, I led a group of students, alumni, and friends of Maryville College to South Africa in May and June, 2001. 

I had worked with Thomas for well over a year on getting the itinerary just right. And right it was. The trip was a perfect combination of prehistory and modern history, science and culture. And Thomas was always a continual joy; I had a plethora of questions for him—even after we’d arrived in South Africa—and he never ceased to be gracious and accommodating. His kind, professional demeanor always captured my admiration. I could not imagine doing such a trip with anyone else. And here’s why: what I wanted to organize was not the typical here’s-South-Africa-through-the-window-of-a-luxury-coach. I wanted our group to get off the beaten path and actually meet a representative sampling of South Africans. I wanted to engage with the South African past and the South African present. And Thomas made sure that we did just that. He was a hit with the entire group.

I would be more than happy to discuss with anyone contemplating a trip with Geo-Expeditions. Please email me at [email protected] or phone me at 865-981-8265.

With very best regards,
Chad Berry
Associate Professor of History
Maryville College
Maryville, USA