Testimonials:
I have been hunting with Jason Van Aard 10 times in 7 years and during that time I’ve always found Jason to be very reliable, we always shoot what he has promised. We have shot Doves, Guinea fowl & Franklyn to Eland, Wildebeest and Buffalo and many things in between. I must say Jason is always most ethical in what we shoot. Not being the most confident marksman in the world, Jason has always managed to get me within range of my capabilities. I have found Jason so reliable that my grandsons, Matthew 15 & William 12 come with me, and like me can’t wait to go back again!! Jason and Michelle are a good team and always make me and my family very welcome, hence the reason I keep going back.
Jack Wood - UK
We have been on four wingshooting safaris with Jason and Michelle. On every trip the lodging, the food, and the wingshooting were outstanding. Lisa and I are planning our 5th wingshooting safari, and know it will be a superb adventure. Jason and Michelle see that each detail in the way of transport, dogs, beaters, and birds is attended to. They run a first rate operation.
Richard & Lisa Lichtenberg
Hello. I am more than happy to provide a recommendation for Jason. This was my first safari and naturally I felt unsure about travel and lodging. I did however request recommendation for others hunters that had taken the same safari. I was told that it would be a worth while experience and that I would have no regrets. Once on safari, I was able to hunt all species on my list. The price for the safari was fair. Jason and his crew of guides were excellent. The lodge was top of the line and the food was great. All around, it exceed my expect ions.
Sincerely,
Luis M. Garcia
Brownsville, Texas
Michelle and Jason, What a fantastic, exciting, exhilarating, marvelous, phenomenal, stupendous, wondrous, trip we had !!! Three years in a row, and this year especially so. Can't thank you all enough for....every single minute. Snow storms, wonderful new babies, my favorite Guinea hunts, Caroline's exceptional food, gracious hospitality and more than exceptional friends. It meant a great deal to have Dan and Carol with us this year. I know Dan lapped each experience up like a thirsty hound and is grateful for the adventure. I asked him at one point what his favorite thing was so far and he said...."Jason." The hunt portion of our trip was an experience none of us will ever forget. Jason and Sean were so excellent in introducing Dan and Bob (and the rest of us) to game hunting, laying a foundation for future hunts. I can't imagine a better first experience. We are grateful to all of you. When I get my million photos organized I'll make a CD and bring it to Reno. I know it's difficult to download pictures on your computer. Let me know how best I can send just a few perhaps. Our best wishes to you all, and many thanks for all you've given us.
Mary, Bob, Dan and Carol
I have done six of my seven African safaris with The Tomkinson African Safari team (Tony, Jason, Barbara and Michelle) and believe they are amongst the best professionals in the business. Attention to detail, honesty, vast knowledge of Africa from both the hunting and tourist perspective, timely service and wonderful memories are all hallmarks of their business. Tony and Jason are both passionate hunters and naturalists who provide much more than being top notch professional hunters, they truly help you know and understand the wildlife and Africa itself. A camp hosted by Barbara is sure to be a gourmet experience. In addition to my many campfires with Tomkinson African Safaris, I have recommended their services to several friends and all have said they had the best trip of their lives. From dangerous game, plains game and bird hunting to touring the many well known and not so well known tourist places of southern Africa, Tony, Jason , Barbara and Michelle have my highest recommendation. They truly sell wonderful memories and I can assure you that my wife and I will be back to visit lady African again in the care of Tomkinson African Safaris!
Barry J. Jacobsen
Ph.D Bozeman, MT
In booking with, visiting, traveling and hunting with Jason and Michelle van Aarde of Tomkinson African Safaris during September 2009, I have come to know them very well. Michelle is a good business manager, gracious hostess and fine human being. Jason is an honest, talented professional hunter who takes his responsibilities very seriously. During my 14-day hunt in northern Mozambique, he and his gifted tracker took me up to good examples of all species on my licence. Government documents and food and health considerations were seen to so well that all my worries about Africa came to nothing. Jason was a good communicator and camp companion and his staff kept a tidy camp, keeping most of the old-fashioned safari traditions. His fees were competitive, with no hidden charges, and his preferred taxidermy/shipping connections got my vote, too. I have no reservation in recommending Jason and Michelle's operation to the hunter who wishes to maximize chances under fair-chase conditions.
Yours Sincerely
Paul Miles
Victoria, Australia
I have known and done regular business with Jason & Michelle van Aarde for over twenty years and consider them good friends and completely open, honest and ethical in all their personal and business dealings. I consider Jason one of the finest Professional Hunters of his generation and would not hesitate for a moment to hunt with him personally or do business with him anytime.
Steve Robinson
Director & Principal Professional Hunter
Kuduland Safaris (Africa) Ltd
Attention to detail, knowledge and timely service are hallmarks of the trips Michelle has arranged for both myself and friends."
Barry J. Jacobsen,
Bozeman, Montana USA
(3 safaris with us)
Having used Michelle and Jason van Aarde on 4 occasions I have found a gem. Jason is a top notch Professional and is passionate about hunting. Any client hunting with Jason soon realizes he goes the extra mile and hunts hard until the last minute. Jason is committed to fair chase and good trophy quality selection. This coupled with Michelle's top class cuisine, motivation and excellent organization is a recipe for a perfect safari. Top marks and full recommendation
Andy Hunter
Zimbabwe
(four safaris with us)
I would like to say I have thoroughly enjoyed my three hunts with you and your staff. I believe I have made 11 hunts in Africa now and feel quite fortunate booking the last three out of 4 with you. Yours was the first bird hunt I did and I never imagined it would be such a pleasant experience. As I believe I told you over the years I have shot everything from Buffalo to Springbok but two of my favorite hunts were the Reedbuck and Mountain Reedbuck hunts I did with Jason. It is not necessarily the trophy but the overall experience that makes a great hunt.
Lou Nehl
Houston Texas USA
(3 safaris with us)
We're bird hunters. We have shot in several different countries. South African hunting with Tony turned out to be a unique adventure that would be difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world. It was exciting to be able to shoot 6-8 different species during a single day and replicate that kind of variety each day of our trip. We were also struck by the variety of terrain and the ever changing landscape that we hunted. This was a "real" hunting experience in a very real and beautiful setting.
Bill and Annie Atchison
USA
Thanks again for a wonderful adventure last July. Who could ask for a better mixed bag than waterfowl, guineas and several species of francolin. My friend Dave, a wildlife biologist and not easily impressed by game, was blown away by the hunting and the hospitality. He is still muttering about the high quality of the accommodations and service relative to what is generally available here.
Tim Crawford
Bozeman Montana - USA
(8th Safari with us)
I hope you and Jason have had an excellent 2004 season. I am looking forward to seeing a third bird hunting trip with you and Jason. It will be hard to top the first two trips, but I am sure I can count on you both, plus the good work of Spike and your other children/pointers, to make my last Africa trip a success.
Dan Gordon
Green Valley, AZ
Grady and I had such a great time! We greatly appreciated all the hard work that made it a very memorable adventure. The food, the staff, the hunting - just wonderful! We especially enjoyed hunting with Jason (and Ruger). Knowledgeable, dedicated and always accommodating. Thank you for sharing your passion for the hunt, the people and the history of South Africa.
Fondly,
Sarah and Grady Dawe.
I went on a hunting safari with Tony Tomkinson in October 2004. The hunting was very successful. I took seven animals including outstanding specimens of impala, bushbuck, and Nyala. Tony exhibited extensive knowledge of both game and habitat and possesses great stalking skills. Tony also made the safari much more interesting by informing me about South African history and local customs.
In the evening after great hunting I was treated to super gourmet cooking by Tony's wife Barbara after which we socialized around a cosy fire sampling many of the excellent wines produced in South Africa. My time with Tony was much more than a hunt - it was a great African cultural experience and I plan to return to Africa for another safari with Tony as soon as possible.
My best regards,
Floyd - Bozeman Montana USA
What pleasure it gives Nona Jane and me to rethink (and even relive for a moment!) our visit to your homeland of South Africa. Our four weeks spent with your family seeing that wonderful country were a highlight of our lives. As you will recall, six of us, all good friends back home in Montana, spent a memorable "road trip" getting to know not only the beauty, mystique and wonder of South Africa but the Tomkinsons and van Aardes. After all that "togetherness" I'm glad to report that we are all even better friends!
Thanks Tony, Barb, Michelle and Jason. Your attention to the details of our travel, lodging, eating and general comfort were without comparison. All six of us have traveled the world and we share the opinion that our visit with you (even Tony's stories) was the absolute best of those travels. Nona Jane's and my week spent in your hunting camp further convinced us that ours was truly a "first class" safari. N J's concerns as to what a "non hunter" would do while the hunters were out and about, and not wishing to see animals taken, were quickly laid to rest by an especially courteous and sensitive staff and camp complement. And remember the great art produced during all of that time she had to roam the hills and enjoy the locals! One of our top priorities for what time we have left on this earth is to return again with you folks to the Africa you know and love so well. Best of everything, God bless and our love, we remain
Russ and Nona Jane Kendall
Great Falls, Montana USA
5 December 2004
Tony and his family gave us so much more than a sight-seeing and wildlife-viewing tour. Their love of South Africa and knowledge of its tumultuous history made this our trip-of-a-lifetime. We lived the Zulu wars, learned first-hand about apartheid, spent three nights on working ranches. And of course all the accommodations were splendid. Every day was different, every day was special.
Stan and Jane Meyer
Great Falls, MT 59405
We had the absolute best trip of our life with Jason. And, I have no doubt that it won't be long before we are back to plan another one.
Best wishes, and happy holidays.
Ray Martyn