Swain Destinations Reviews 

I have worked with Swain for travel in Australia and Africa. On both continents they have always exceeded expectations. I have never written a review until now, but I am truly impressed by their precision in handling the required covid tests for multiple country itineraries in Africa. Numerous travelers have been able to experience Africa with ease because of how easy to follow and clearly pre-arranged travelers testing and requirements. Experts in knowledge and service!

My family of four traveled with Swain Destinations to Finland in December 2021. It was just when Omicron was spiking in Europe and we were nervous at first but the Swain team walked us through all the protocols and because we felt like we were going to be in a very remote area (Finnish Lapland, in the Arctic Circle) we went on the trip anyway. When I say it was the best trip our family has ever gone on, I am not exaggerating. Everything from the moment we landed in Rovaniemi to the day we returned home was so special. Our guide, Miikka, was so caring and flexible, always making suggestions based on the days' weather and working so hard to ensure we would see the Northern Lights, despite December being a difficult month to get to see them. The food from our private chef at our chalet was AMAZING. We gave Swain Destinations our preferences and dietary requirements prior to traveling and everything was prepared exactly to our needs, and was still authentic, locally sourced and delicious. Every activity that was arranged was so wonderful - from the activities themselves being unique and in the beautiful Arctic setting, to the individuals who led the activities being legitimate Sami reindeer herders, champion husky mushers, and so on. I cannot speak highly enough of just how moved we were as a family to have these experiences together. We wrapped up our trip in Helsinki and got to experience the Christmas Markets and even Finland Day, which was beautiful and touching. I have to say that I thought a trip to the Arctic would be one and done, but now I want to go again in a few years when our children are old enough to do some of the more active experiences like ice-track racing, and helicoptering over the North Pole! We are already planning our next Swain Destinations trip, and cannot wait to see what they offer elsewhere, but I highly highly recommend their Finland experiences.

What exceptional service my clients, Mr. and Mrs. Kevitt Adler along with their adult daughter and son-in-law received from Grant St. Clair. They had a very detailed New Zealand with some Australia program and Grant was so knowledgeable, helpful and attentive to their every requests. We at Regency Travel could not have made this travel adventure for this family possible without him. We appreciate him and his knowledge and ability to take such excellent care of this family.

We all at Regency Travel have contacted Grant thru the years for our NZ and Australia customized travel arrangements and he has always succeeded in providing a wonderful, memorable sightseeing program with idea hotels for each individual request that we have made. We value and depend on him and how grateful we are that you have at Swain for us to contact!

Many thanks, Glenda Owen

Swain Destinations has the most knowledgeable and interactive staff. Everyone including the CEO is always available provide assistance or reassurance. They are always available to assist in closing a sale, appease a unhappy client or just provide moral support to us agents when needed.....
Best Suppler Australia, New Zealand and Africa!!

Would highly recommend the Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls, and the Kapama South Lodge in Krueger area. Both were very nice! As was mentioned to us, unless you do a Botswana day trip or something similar, three days in Victoria Falls is plenty of time. In Victoria Falls our Boma Dinner was just an average experience. The Elephant encounter was very enjoyable. The evening Ra-Ikane river cruise done through the Ilala Lodge was very good!
The Peech Hotel in Johannesburg is very nice, but not close to anything else. The Soweto tour and Apartheid Museum are both very worthwhile experiences and informative in the struggles that South Africa faced and problems they have yet to overcome. We would say that all the arrangements made through Swain went off with out any problems. All of the tour guides were professional, and especially the private tours in Cape Town which were just fantastic!! In that regard, we would recommend that whenever possible make the tours private if your able to do so. The group tour to Cape Point and Simons Town should be private because so much time was spent picking up and dropping off at various hotels, especially when pickup times are not exact and people are not ready on schedule! In summary, we think Swain did an great job with planning, scheduling and with arrangements. Everyone was very courteous and helpful. Thanks again

Grant is very easy to work with! Professional, responsive, and knowledgeable. It has been a pleasure through the process.

Swain response time to emails is top notch. I know when Richard and Kathryn say they are working on it, they are.

We asked for a unique experience with boutique hotels, unusual tours and unheard of destinations and Swain delivered. Car rentals, airport pick ups were flawless.

Swain did an excellent job planning our trip to Vietnam. EVERYTHING went smoothly from beginning to end. We had no worries in an unfamiliar foreign country. The local guides and drivers were terrific.
I would definitely use Swain in the future and I recommend using them.

Always a pleasure dealing with Kevin at Swain for Africa bookings. He is knowledgeable, courteous, always caters to every crazy request, and is always very quick to get back to me. I have recommended Swain to everyone I know for travel to Africa (and Australia), and this is my fourth time booking with them. Thank you Kevin!!

My clients traveled to India and everything went perfectly. Next - clients (and including myself and husband) Singapore and Perth. In October two couples going to Bangkok - and in the planning stage with Smuti.

My clients appreciated the flexibility of changing their arrangements in Sydney when Mrs. Jessee arrived ill. They enjoyed their guide.
On my end, Grant was great to work with, and I look forward to another Swain booking. Connie

Clients had a great time. Thankyou.

Dawn was awesome. I appreciate all of her work in assuring that my trip was incredible!

Fantastic experience from beginning to end.
They were so helpful when arrangements needed to be changed due to fires and helped create a wonderful vacation in the midst of difficult circumstances. Were invaluable with getting items returned to us which were left in a hotel. Highly recommend on all fronts!

From start to finish, everything was arranged with ease. Great knowledge and very helpful in assisting the planning process. The guests were very pleased with the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and sights.

great planning, communication, results....very knowledgeable

Traveler loved the trip and all of the services.
Thank you.

Very knowledgeable and responsive team planning the trip. The actual trip was excellent - guides were fantastic and all arrangements were perfect!