East Africa Wild Adventures
- Located In:
-
Canada
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, APTA & Consumer Protection BC
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $480 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email Gerry and Steve Atkinson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and everything I was looking for.
After many years of dreaming about returning to East Africa, on October 2017 I was searching the web for a special trip to East Africa, I had so many choices of companies that all sounded great, finally narrowed it down to 3, then the real work started with such a big investment of not only time but money we wanted to make very sure that we were doing the right thing.
I finally decided on East Africa Wild but certainly being the type A person that I am I wanted to speak with the owner Alym Bhanji personally.
Alym and I connected by phone in October 2017, I immediately felt comfortable and you know what they say “go with your gut” this certainly felt good to me.
My Husband and I made the big decision and proceeded with many phone conversations with Alym as this was not only a trip of a lifetime we were planning but a very special revisit to the land I was raised in 60 + years ago.
I wanted to make sure we covered all the territory of my childhood along with it being the first time experience for my husband we were adding on a trip to Victoria Falls and Trekking with the Gorillas in Uganda.
Alym was always available by phone to plan this with us also along with becoming a new Father during these months.
Our trip was finalized with all the details for July 2018 and there were many of them, we were covering flights to Victoria Falls, tour of the falls, Sunset cruising on the Zambezi river with a 3 day stay before flying on to Entebbe. By the 5th day we were trekking with the Gorilla’s in Bwindi forest.
Moving on to Kenya via transferring through Nairobi we arrived at Amboseli National Park for a 3 day stay with our first of many game drives. Then on to Nanyuki the town I lived in for a memory lane trip along with an emotional goal of spreading my fathers and younger brothers’ ashes in a river coming down from MT Kenya and some on the plains on Ol Pejeta at sunset.
After an already very full schedule of 12 days we were now on to the Masai Mara for a wonderful 6 days of game drives with our wonderful and as far as I am concerned, the best guide ever, Newton Njane.
Newton actually joined us in Nairobi on the 8 day of our trip and was our full time guide for the following 2 weeks. While we flew conveniently from one place to another he actually would drive for hours to carry our excess luggage (I imagine not really in his job description) but between him and Alym they were out to accommodate us as very best they could.
All the accommodations were arranged for us and were very lovely but our most favourites were in Amoseli National Park, Kibo Safari Camp, in Ol Pejeta, Sweetwaters Tented Camp and on the Mara, Mara Sarova Game Camp and Ngenche Safari Camp (Last one was our absolute best) right by the Mara River with the hippos and absolutely first class service. Many thanks to Camp Manager. Paul Maina, his excellent staff and warriors that kept us safe at all times.
We finished up our trip with 2 days in Mombasa, did not enjoy this but it was also on my memory lane list as my family vacationed there with us in 1959. Many changes, very busy and dirty, I would not recommend this.
We arrived home after a wonderful and physically challenging 21 day trip exhausted (10 lbs lighter) but oh so delighted with lots of great memories (and more than 4,000 photos). We made the right choice picking Alym owner of Ease Africa Wild, you can well imagine the coordination and time it took for him to get this itinerary together for us and it all went off without any hiccups.
We would highly recommend Alym and his company along with his chosen guides for us, Jason Japan in Uganda who had a favourite saying as we rattled and rolled through the countryside “Everybody OK?” This we quoted often in remembrance of his wonderful character. Our many shorter term guides in between our transfers were wonderful to us and our very special guide, Newton who immediately knew what as a photographer I was looking for, we traveled many miles together on many full day game drives and saw just about every animal Kenya has to offer us.
We do want to repeat this trip again providing our age or money does not deplete us first and the very first thing I would do is phoning Alym and getting ‘OUR’ Newton for our guide.
Thank you Alym for our lifetime experience and as we have discussed recently, we will keep in touch and possibly enjoy a visit while in Vancouver next July.
Gerry and Steve Atkinson
Canada 2018
US
Email Abraham | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the greatest experiences of my life!
I had read all the positive reviews in advance, which convinced me to choose East Africa Wild Adventures, yet it still managed to exceed my high expectations. From the beginning, they were super helpful in providing tips and information on how I could maximize my time in Tanzania. We spoke briefly over the phone to discuss options and I was very satisfied with the options they laid out for me. Once I arrived to the airport, my guide, Hassan, was wonderful: an expert in the region (I learned so much about the region and its history from him) and in wildlife scouting, actively helpful at all times. He ensured that I had the best time I could have, and I definitely did. Again, I had high expectations given all the positive reviews I'd read, but even those expectations were exceeded from the moment I arrived. Next time I plan a trip to East Africa, I will for sure work with them again.
US
Email David C. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Safari excellence
I wanted a two-week, non-group safari, doing and seeing things typical tourists don't experience and got much more than expected for an unbelievably reasonable price. The details and our concerns were handled expertly and hassle-free (because the owner has lived there and knows the right places and hotel/camp owners, etc., making him an invaluable resource). He made special arrangements to accommodate our schedule and desires. From being picked up at the airport to being delivered to our final destination, our driver made the entire Safari worth every penny. He made us feel safe and secure at all times. He knew the animals and their habits, the plants, tribal culture, politics, economics, roads and geography, and became our friend. We would absolutely use East Africa Wild Adventures again and highly recommend them to you.
US
Email Kingsley from Colorado | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Going on safari in Africa was a childhood dream and and it was everything I dreamed of and more.
At the age of 67, I finally realized my childhood dream of going on safari in Africa. For 4 months, Aleem of East Africa Wild and I had an ongoing email relationship exploring different options for a trip to Tanzania with my 27 year old daughter. He was always responsive, patient and knowledgeable while we finalized a 6 day private tour to Tarangire, Olduvai, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. It was everything I dreamed of, and more, as we saw all the animals I wanted to see and witnessed a spectacular Grumeti River crossing of the migrating wildebeest. Our driver was amazing at finding animals, very informative and accommodated all of our requests. Although I have traveled extensively this was truly an experience of a lifetime. We loved Tanzania and the Tanzanian people and would encourage anyone to explore this part of the world and we thank East Africa Wild Adventures for making it happen.
US
Email Tyler Becks | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Some of the best service I've ever experienced
The safari with East Africa Wild blew my expectations out of the water. I chose them because Paul was so communicative, helpful, and friendly over the phone. In person was even better. Paul helped me with the entire itinerary, picked me up from the airport, and joked with me like a friend. The stay in Masai Mara was beautiful, the tent was great with mosquito nets, the Masai staff were friendly, and the 3-course meals were delicious. And that's not to mention all the crazy animals I saw! I can't recommend this company enough.
US
Email Zoya Afridi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had the most amazing time - they did a great job organizing and making sure we had a good time.
This was an incredibly excellent trip. Everyone we dealt with was incredibly professional and friendly and everything exceeded our expectations. Our guide, John, made sure that the trip was memorable and was incredibly knowledgeable about everything. Cannot recommend him, or this company, highly enough.
US
Email Kathy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip imaginable!
Alym at East Africa Wild arranged a wonderful, custom Africa adventure for our group of 4. He was very patient and conscientious in the planning and booking process. He listened to our needs and desires and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. No detail was overlooked and he anticipated our every need. He was in contact with all of our guides and services on the ground and a very complicated itinerary came off without a hitch. The accommodations, food and most of all the staff and guides were fantastic.
US
Email Debra | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
East Africa Wild made our Tanzania safari dreams come true!
East Africa Wild provided us with an experience turning what we thought would be once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list trip to an unforgettable trip that we hope to re-experience soon - only with more days and more stops next time!
Initially skeptical of the many companies offering similar services, Alym put us in touch with another couple in New York who answered my questions and provided reassurance - and they had even visited the same places we wanted to go. Alym was responsive, informative, patient, and ultimately able to accommodate our needs and itinerary within our narrow and specific time frame. We had specific demands regarding the locations that we wanted to see and the accommodations I chose where we insisted on staying, and we were able to do it all, thanks to Alym. Our trip went just as planned, which is to say, much better than we could have expected.
Our guide and driver, Mr. Letawo, was amazing. He has been a guide for years (decades?) and knew where to go, what to see, and answers to a million questions every step of the way. He made sure we saw what most never get to see - zebra trying to cross the Mara, a "cat" fight, the "big 5," and wildebeest crossing the Seronera River. He was easy to get along, accommodating with all of my picture-taking and finding the best possible sites and photo shots, and was very knowledgable.
I highly recommend East Africa Wild - and Alym - to anyone who is trying to plan a trip to Tanzania (and already have) and Mr. Letawo to everyone who wants to go with a private guide.
US
Email Michael Reger | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic, very personalized service, that blew our expectations out of the water
Alym was a blessing to find! We looked into 3 other tour providers, and when we first talked with Alym, there was no other choice. We told him our wish list was to go to Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Okavango Delta, then Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and a drive to Nairobi. He asked questions, and learned about the 4 in our group, then set our trip up to fit us. Then we decided we wanted a couple of changes... No problem! He modified our 17 days to exactly to our needs. He and his team nailed it! Our Accommodations were perfect for our budget, and the drivers we had were extremely courteous. Osea had so much information to share in Tanzania. He spotted every kind of animal like magic. In spending 7 days with him, we made a life long friend. In Kenya our driver Steven was so much fun, and worked so hard to make sure out trip ended an a high note. He too had the knowledge of the animals, and so much more. From the moment we walked into the customs at Victoria Falls, to the goodbye at Nairobi airport, there was never a moments concern of safety, direction, or plan. We had a day to ourselves in Arusha, and all other days with our guides were fun filled and comfortable. The vehicles were nice to travel in, and we were confident in our drivers to get to our destinations safely. We believed our trip would be memorable, but we had no idea of the high level of service and personal attention we would receive. I look forward to the chance to return to Africa, and see so much more.
US
Email Gary | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly Planned and Executed
USE THIS OUTFITTER if you are planning to visit East Africa - Everything we planned went perfect and Alym Bhanji (native of Kenya, owner, and trip coordinator for East Africa Wild) did an incredible job of talking to and learning about my wife and I and then putting together an itinerary that fit us perfectly and then took care of every detail so that it was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Three and a half weeks, four countries (Tanzania - Rwanda - Kenya - Seychelles) , twelve flights, six airport pickups, ten lodges, six parks with permits, and thousands of animals - all without a single glitch.
Alym is headquartered in Vancouver BC so it was very easy to coordinate all the planning without worrying about time changes. He has staff in East Africa that catered to our unique trip and were very accommodating to any and all requests. We took over 9,000 photographs and never felt rushed. Every lodge was incredible (Nature One was a life changing experience), the vehicles were in great shape and every driver was safe, considerate, knowledgeable, and a lot of fun (at one of the camps we stayed in, the camp coordinator went out of his way to tell us our driver/guide Selemani was the best he had seen based on reports from his staff). With no one to compare Selemani with, I can only say that we saw every animal (except an Aardvark which became a running joke) and most birds in the Guide Book including over 70 Lions, 9 Cheetah, 8 Leopards, 3 Rhino, 19 Gorilla, 100s of Hippos - Warthogs - Giraffe - Monkeys - Baboon - ++++, and 1000s of Elephants, -Antelope - Zebra - Wildebeest - Gazelle - and Impala. Selemani was able to spot a Rhino from the top of the Ngorongoro crater over a mile a way without binoculars (we could barely confirm using binoculars). He knew every dirt road in all the parks we visited - it actually seemed like he had made appointments with the animals so they were nearly always where he thought they would be. I guess that comes from doing your job for over twenty years and still loving it. They also arranged six dives and a snorkel trip to see Whale Sharks.
Karim was our guide in Rwanda and was the perfect host setting us up with the best guides for the Gorilla trek. John was our guide in Kenya and was masterful at shuttling us to the different sites - the best being Sheldricks elephant orphanage where Alym had arranged for my wife to adopt a baby elephant so that we were able to get a private tour and spend time with the orphaned baby elephants. I can't say enough about how well the trip was executed, we are veteran travelers and there are always a few things that go sideways but not this time. The biggest hiccup was the room we reserved in the Seychelles was supposed to be ocean view and they showed us a garden view - a quick call to Alym and we given a ocean view room, a bottle of champagne, an apology from the management, and a free dinner. Alym had immediately called the hotel (5:30am his time) and straightened everything out in less than 30 minutes from my call.
The trip came with a cellphone app that detailed out every day and activity of our trip that made the trip easy to track and was great to show friends. We spent about a month soliciting and reviewing bids from twelve different tour companies prior to picking East Africa Wild. Alym submitted a letter of interest within 24 hours and gave us an initial bid within 3days and then spent about three weeks putting the trip together, adjusting the itinerary and confirming all the details. During this time the bid didn't change. From the time we requested a bid until we returned home, Alym would return calls, texts, and emails within a couple of hours.
I can't imagine how our trip could have been any better and it was all due to East Africa Wild.
