Testimonials – Africa

I have wanted to write and thank you and Barbara for a truly wonderful vacation.

What makes a great vacation? Superb food, outstanding accommodations, well planned itineraries, new friends who share the same values, new challenges every day all with a sense of security knowing that there is great team (Ayres) behind you. The net result is a truly fun time and a remarkable memory and to Lori and I who went on the Southern Cross trip all this came to pass and more. We have been bitten by the "Ayres Bug "so we will certainly be on another trip very soon.

Thanks to all your wonderful team: John constantly keeping the group's fun in mind and taking care of every little detail and with a great sense of humour, ED who was such a gentleman and pleasure to travel with. Lori especially spent a lot of time with him and talks highly about his thoughtfulness and kind spirit.

I can also say that to anyone who is thinking of taking an Ayres trip but whose companion is not a lover of the "Two Wheels" mode of transport, the companion vehicle is a great way for couples to share some truly memorable trips to some very unique and interesting places. These trips allow a multitude of dinner stories recounting the fun.

Thanks again.

Michael and Lori have done our African Southern Cross Adventure

This was my second Ayres Adventures tour, but definitely not my last. It will not be my last trip to Africa, either. The tour guides, John and Rob were as much a part of the group and the experience as everything and everyone else. The accommodations were first class and the food was incredible--they always pick the best of both. I think we were all surprised by South Africa and its peoples. The country is clean and the people are friendly. I can't say enough good things about this experience!

Beverly has done:
Iron Butt Escape to Ushuaia Adventure
African Panorama Adventure

Hi Ron, Shirley, John, Rob, Thank you for everything. I did not have time to send an email before to thank all of you. The trip was great. I can't say enough about it. THANKS!!!

Steven joined us on our African Panorama Adventure

I left for the African Panorama anticipating a great time. I'd say the tour was much more than I expected.

John and Rob did a super job of organization. They were obviously in control at all times, which gave all of us riders a sense of security. They're also a couple of great guys who made everyone feel comfortable in strange surroundings.

The over-night stops were excellent, and the food was outstanding.

I think all of us agreed the trip to Kruger NP was the high-light of the trip.

This ride was truly an "adventure".

Mike participated in our African Panorama Adventure

Thanks for a great trip. We really enjoyed ourselves and we have NO complaints.

There is not much we could suggest that would have improved the experience for us.

Nick and Jool's Adventures Include:
Africa Iron Butt Tour
Prudhoe Bay Excursion (Alaska)

Every moment associated with the tour was enjoyable, from planning and preparation to my return home and sharing photos and stories with friends and family. I was very happy when I received the materials a month before the start of the tour; they really created a great impression.

I expected pretty vistas, but there is no way to prepare you for post card views around every corner. I can’t imagine how the tour route or hotels could have been improved.

I look forward to my next Ayres Adventure."

Bill enjoyed the Portugal, Spain and Morocco Adventure

Overall, it was a wonderful experience.
I expect to tour with Ayres again, and would highly recommend Ayres Adventures to anyone interested in motorcycle touring.




Burt's Adventures Include:
South American Splendors
Africa Call of the Wild
Escape to Machu Picchu

The planning and organization that went into the African Southern Cross made this trip very special for me. I recommend this excursion to anyone who would like a very special holiday on a motorcycle. Now I'm dreaming of an Ayres Adventure in South America!.


Andre's Adventures Include:
Escape to Ushuaia
Southern Cross (Africa)
Norway Viking Run
Escape to Ushuaia

All of the tours that I have taken with Ayres Adventures have been excellent from start to finish. The itineraries, accommodations, and activities during the tours have provided many incredible experiences. Ron and his tour leaders have a way of finding the very best in each geographic area in which they travel.


John's Adventures Include:
Escape to Ushuaia
Southern Cross (Africa)
Call of the Wild (Africa)
Namibian Splendors (Africa)
Escape to Machu Picchu
Into Africa (Cape Town to Nairobi

What a time we had in Africa, and the professionalism of your operation is outstanding. The routes, people, sights, hotels, food and animals all exceeded our expectations.

When you come back from any holiday there are usually a few things that stand out as being special. However regarding our tour it all blended into what can only be described as "Boys Own Stuff". It was truly the adventure we all dream about growing up as children. However to experience it later on in your life, is a dream come true.

We really want to participate in the South American Adventure next October!

Bill and Carolina's Adventures Include:
Call of the Wild (Africa)
Namibian Splendors (Africa)

You win the Oscar for the category of "The Company that Works the Hardest to Please a Client!"




George and Sherri's Adventures Include:
Africa Southern Cross
New Zealand Top Down

“We have taken more than 20 motorcycle tours; sixteen of the last seventeen were with Ayres Adventures.

The sixteen tours that we have taken with Ayres Adventures were the best trips we have ever been on.”

Denny and Alice have done:
Africa Call of the Wild
Best of Brazil
Southern Cross (Africa)
Diamonds, Desert and Dunes (Africa)
Call of the Wild (Africa)
Escape to Machu Picchu
South American Four Flags
Mediterranean Odyssey
Escape to Ushuaia
Swiss Alps and Italian Dolomites
Swiss, French and Italian Alps
Adventure Center Holiday (USA)
Escape to Colorado (USA)
Rocky Mountain Holiday (USA)
National Parks Tour (USA)
Prudhoe Bay Excursion (Alaska)
Best of Alaska and Canada
Portugal, Spain and Morocco

"When the memories of a trip stay with me every night while trying to sleep, I know that I have experienced something very memorable. I had such a good time that I signed up for your next 'Rendezvous in Rio' Adventure".

Consider your company whole-heartedly endorsed!


John's Adventures Include:
Taste of Chile (and Dash of Argentina)
South American Splendors
Rendezvous in Rio
New Zealand Grand Tour
Escape to Ushuaia
South American Splendors
Portugal, Spain and Morocco

"Biker's delight. These are the words that come to my mind when I think of my Ayres Adventures tours. Great rides, sensational places, good food and great fun. A big "Thank you!" to the whole Ayres team for creating such an experience, you're doing an awsome job. I am looking foreward to riding with you again."



Michael's Adventures Include:
Escape to Machu Picchu
Africa Southern Cross
African Namibian Splendors
Norwegian Midnight Sun

Thanks to everyone involved at Ayres Adventures. Shirley was great and both Malcolm and John did a great job. I'm looking forward to Portugal and Spain next Spring.

Mike has done:
Africa Call of the Wild
Spain and Morocco
Escape to Machu Picchu

The Namibian Splendors trip was fabulous. Jan and I both had a wonderful time. We can't say enough about our guides, the hotels, the food, the route, the off-bike/excursion days, or the quality of the overall experience. The hotels and food were exceptional, and were a real treat all by themselves. Namibia was unlike anything we have ever experienced - hauntingly beautiful, beyond anything we had imagined.

The best testament we can make is that we were only home 3 days before we signed up for another Ayres trip!

Alan and Jan Have done:
Africa Southern Cross
Africa Namibia Splendors
Escape to Machu Picchu
Portugal, Spain and Morocco

I am now back in the land of reality, but what an experience I have had. I think the preparation and planning of the tour was of such a high standard, the people great company and that resulted in the whole trip being so enjoyable. The other really great thing was the feeling that I could ride forever, unfortunately appointments mean that you have to turn back. John many thanks for your excellent leadership and professionalism throughout.

Pete enjoyed our Namibian Splendors Adventure in Africa)

My son and I rode the Ayres Adventures Machu Picchu trip over a year ago and we had so much fun I decided to go on my own trip to South Africa, at Ron Ayres suggestion.  I'm a fair weather, slower rider, the type that likes to look at scenery, stop often, and avoid highways, so after Machu Picchu which really challenged me, I asked Ron for something more suitable to my style, and the Southern Cross trip fit my needs perfectly.

It had everything: beautiful scenery that included seascapes and inland hills and valleys, cultural offerings by the Zulus in S. Africa and the Bsuto in Swaziland, game reserves and Kruger National Park where the big animals walked in their natural habitat, and most touching to me, visiting an orphanage and school where we met some children and which offered us the opportunity to give back a little by connecting them with possible resources in the USA.

The accommodations and the food were always the best, especially Otter's Den, where we were treated like family by the hosts and where I felt like I might hear Tarzan yelling as he swung from branch to branch.

John Jesson and Chris Carey offered wonderful support as group leaders, and they made my experience work, especially since I ride slower than most and I was traveling alone. It's not easy to satisfy everyone with different needs, but they did. The planned visits included a snake reserve, elephant farm, balloon ride, and could have included the highest bungee jump in the world. This trip had a little of everything and it makes me want to go back to Africa.

Deborah has done:
Africa Call of the Wild
Escape to Machu Picchu

It’s been less than two weeks since we completed the African trilogy and I’ve wondered how I’d ever find the words to describe our feelings about this extraordinary adventure. When the October 2008 Waypoints Bulletin arrived, it gave me the perfect start. As one who had to “overcome initial apprehension about travel to the ‘Dark Continent’,” I can honestly say that none of my fears materialized. Nick and I fell in love with Africa. From day one and throughout nearly seven weeks of travel, Africa grabbed us with the warmth of the people, the cultural diversity, the mind-blowing wildlife, and the spectacular scenery. Ayres Adventures delivered in its usual superb fashion on each and every day of the three distinctly unique tours.

The “Southern Cross” could be described as “Africa 101”, offering a taste of everything—from the busy, upscale Capetown waterfront to the luxury of L’Agulhas Country Lodge, from the cultural experiences in Eshowe and Shakaland to the overall African immersion at Otter’s Den. Leaving Johannesburg at the start of the second tour, we mistakenly thought ourselves steeped in a sense of place. Then came Shibula Lodge and we realized that a very different African adventure was just beginning. The “Call of the Wild” is truly all about the wildlife—watching the elephants crossing the river in Chobe can only be termed a life-altering event. As for Namibia, we’ll never forget the sands—towering over us on the dunes and shifting under our tires as we crossed the Kalahari! But the challenge was thrilling and the landscapes incomparable.

We’ll always be grateful to the Ayres “family” with whom we shared this amazing experience. So while "doing 'Africa Ayres Adventures Style'" may be addictive, I think it’s more accurate to say that we’ve simply become addicted to Ayres Adventures. We can’t wait for the next one!

Nick and Susan have done:
New Zealand Grand Tour
Africa Southern Cross - TWICE!
Africa Call of the Wild - TWICE!
Africa Namibia Splendors
Escape to Ushuaia
South American Splendors
Best of the Mediterranean

Our first Ayres Adventure was everything we'd hoped and more. John is extraordinary at what he does. We really appreciated his sincere caring, competency and sense of fun. When asked where we were headed that day by a waitress at a coffee stop, a fellow rider said, "I'm not sure. It's like going on vacation with Dad. We just follow him and everything's taken care of, everything's wonderful."

Our trip was beautifully planned. Greg and I enjoyed the variety of accommodations, from a luxury waterfront hotel, to a country lodge, to a 100 yr. old farmstead, to a tented tree house, and especially the opportunity to visit the Zulu school and AIDS orphanage. We felt that we learned a lot about the country, rather than just passing through it. We're looking forward to future Ayres Adventures. South Africa definitely captured our hearts.

Roseann

Southern Cross (Africa)

Recently my wife Chris and I took an Ayres Adventure trip through South Africa (from Cape Town to Johannesburg). We have nothing but good things to say about the Ayres people, having done several "adventures" with them, in various parts of the world. They are first class, and go the extra mile to take good care of their customers. The Africa trip was exceptional in every respect. Ayres has a knack for picking exotic places to visit and stay. Kruger is breathtaking and Swaziland is really cool. We totally recommend anyone that wants to do an overseas adventure to strongly consider this opportunity.

Rob and Chris's Adventures include:
Escape to Machu Picchu (Twice for Chris!)
Best of Alaska and Canada
Africa Southern Cross

While searching on-line for motorcycle travel I came across the Ayres Adventures website. The site was far and away better than any other so I called Ron, took a chance, signed up for the South America 5 Flags Tour and never looked back. The trip was well run and well planned, offered reliable road support, experienced tour leaders and attracted fun, adventurous people.

The next trip I took was an Ayres Adventure to Africa and this past summer I rode with Ayres in Alaska and Yukon Territory. By now I knew I could count on Ayres for exceptional road support and tour leadership and I was not disappointed. The Alaska challenge for me was riding the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay and our leaders, John and Ed, aside from the expected road support, offered moral support and encouragement. I couldn't have done that ride without them.

My challenge now will be deciding which Ayres Adventure to sign up for next.

Marilyn's Adventures Include:
Prudhoe Bay Excursion
Alaska/Yukon Adventure
Africa Southern Cross
Africa Call of the Wild
South America 5 Flags