Hallmark Travel Planners
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Member Of:
- ASTA & KATO
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Michelle | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy and responsible booking company
Communications were efficient and excellent. We always received very speedy replies and confirmation of any further information we sent. Regarding our service, I think we got a little spoiled by our last international tour company who handled all of our Visa requirements before our arrival. With Hallmark, however, we had to handle them all on our own. My ideal set up would have been for our itinerary to include the Visa requirements, types of Visa needed (single journey vs. multiple journey in Kenya), and prices that would let us know the amount of USD we would require. We had brought cash for tips and more than 60% of that cash was quickly used in Visas. We appreciated that our guides took us to ATMs in each country to help us bridge our spending, but it was a general point of concern and stress. Additionally, we had counted on being able to use credit cards at the hotels. We wish we had been informed ahead of time that credit cards were not accepted in Tanzania- requiring more cash. After spending so much on our trip, we just felt like there were too many pricey unexpected expenditures and we could have been better prepared by Hallmark. Our guides were good- some are just drivers but we had two guys who acted more like guides and were knowledgeable about the animals. Many of the roads (even main highways and thoroughfares) are not paved, especially in Tanzania. We were much more comfortable in the Land Cruisers than in the Toyota vans, but apparently the land cruisers are more expensive. Most of our lodging was as expected, except for the AA Lodge that was not as nice as we had hoped. However, it was near the Amboseli park and the animals were worth it.
As for our safaris, we feel so blessed to see everything we wanted, including the Top 5 and the Wildebeests migration. We could not have asked for a better safari!
My only other small complaint was being treated to a local restaurant that did not cater to tourists- although we appreciated the attempt to seek a local experience, within 24hours, both my husband and I were ill and required using our emergency antibiotics to recover. That was a bit of a damper on our vacation and honeymoon!
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Email Patrick Andres | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
The trip was amazing! This was our first Safari and it lived up to all our expectations and more! From seeing the Big 5 to the Wildebeest migration and so much more. A cheetah even visited us in the Serengeti and jumped up on the hood of our drivers Landcruiser. Getting to add on the Gorilla trekking was a big plus and worth the extra travel. The only downside was being caught unprepared for the Visas to enter each of the three countries we visited. The visas took up much of cash that we had brought with us and we were not clear upon what type of visa to purchase on arrival. It was also a shock that the lodges in Tanzania do not accept credit cards at the Lodges. I wish that this information had been passed onto us in a more direct manner but other than these small matters this trip was unforgettable!
A side note, most drivers were there to get tourists pictures but Freddy our driver in Tanzania was so knowledgeable about the wildlife and helped educate us on all the wildlife.
Also, be aware that game drives in Kenya take place in two types of vehicles on rough roads. A Toyota van and a Toyota Landcruiser. The Landcruiser is much more comfortable for passengers on the roads but it also costs more. Since the roads are so bad, I believe that all tourists should get the Landcruiser.
CA
Email Loretta | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip of a lifetime from start to finish!
Our initial correspondence with Levis and the subsequent planning and fine tuning of our vacation went so smoothly; we were able to include many different places and activities and our trip was built just for us. Levis was available for all of our questions and responded promptly each time. Thank you! We had a variety of accommodations in both Kenya and Tanzania and each one had its own charm. The staff at every lodge, inn or tented camp were superb - the rooms were very comfortable and the meals always very good. The main attraction of course were the amazing safaris we experienced in Kenya and Tanzania. We had the best driver/guides around - Charles in Kenya and Amani in Tanzania. Both are so knowledgeable and freely shared so many facts about the wildlife, birdlife, plant life that surrounded us. We could not believe that each day was better than the last. These two men did their best to give us the ultimate trip and we most certainly had it. We always felt safe and looked after in both countries. We saw the Big 5, and twice saw rhinos and leopards! How incredible is that? We even saw zebras and wildebeest migrating over the Mara River. My description of our 13 days is "mindblowing". Thank you so much, Hallmark for a trip of a lifetime!
CA
Email Patricia Byrnes | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hallmark gave us a "Trip of a Lifetime" experience.
Right from day one, the pick up at the airport in Nairobi, our Hallmark experience was incredible. Levis had planned an amazing tour for us of Kenya and Tanzania, hitting all the spectacular "must see" national parks of these two countries. This was, without a doubt, our trip of a lifetime, it exceeded our expectations in every way. Our two drivers, Charles in Kenya, and Amani, in Tanzania were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, polite and made our trip the most unbelievable adventure of our lives. They were so attentive, patient, and willing to please our every whim and desire, stopping whenever we asked for that "yet another" spectacular picture of one of so many beautiful animals, always educating us on facts about the animals. Our accommodations were amazing, from high end to more adventurous, (but comfortable) tents, sharing the open spaces with the animals. We always felt safe, protected and very cared for by everyone, lovely people wherever we stayed. I would highly recommend Hallmark Travel Planners, (and I already have), to our friends and family and anyone else wishing to travel to East Africa. I hope that I can return in a few years and have Levis book my next adventure. Kenya and Tanzania have left a mark on my heart, and now I hope to see a little more of Africa in the coming years.
Thank you Levis, Charles, Amani and Hallmark!
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Email Julie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Pain and worry free booking experience with exemplary customer service.
We booked our safari with Levis at Hallmark Travel Planners. We ended up with a 16 day safari in Kenya and Rwanda. Over the course of a year, Levis politely and quickly answered all of our questions (I think I emailed him around 60 times!!). He was always courteous and professional. He ensured that our requests for what we wanted out of our safari were met. Our accommodations and experiences were superb as was our private tour guide in Kenya, Anthony. The Gorilla trek in Rwanda was an amazing experience- I highly recommend adding this to your trip if you can spare 2 or 3 days.
I cannot say enough about how incredible our safari was and I am sure it had a lot to do with Levis experience and commitment to his customers.
Thank you Levis!!
Email Lisa Williams | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Hallmark were accommodating with our requests. More insight into our tour would of been helpful.
1. Our guide Anothony was an okay guide but not very accommodating at times. To start, he invaded our privacy at Lewa after the night before (our 1st night on tour) he made bad remarks about the company and that he personally wouldn't stay there as they were set in there ways & not accommodating to other safari companies like Hallmark. The next day he informed my husband & I that he was coming with us for the 2 days. I asked him why & how? He told me he told Lewa that we wanted our guide to join us. this wasn't the fact all. Quite the opposite being frank with you. We paid the big bucks so we could get a different perspective from another guide & also have our own privacy for the next 2 days. He came with us on our game drives as well after we requested we get at least one game drive on our own to enjoy the expeiernce one on one with our guide. 2/ After requested from the start our planning with Levis that we wanted to do the Hells Gate. Anthony was not thrilled he had to take us there after our night in Nevashahs. We informed him days out that's what we wanted to do. We ended cycling the Hells Gate which in fact was a highlight for us & declined going on the boat ride to see the hippos. 3/ Our last leg of the trip - Rwanda was in fact organised by Magic Safaris, not Hallmark Planners. this was not mentioned to us at the time of booking. however, our guide was outstanding!! 4/ Overall, we are glad we paid the extra $'s to have most of our game drives in a four wheel drive truck as to a van with various guides. Having the same guide & van for the entire trip would of been terrible. 5/ Apologies on being so direct, however it is best you know as I am in business myself & would like to be informed rather then not so it doenst happen to somebody else. Anthony didn't do himself any favours by bad mouthing another company to us, especially on our first night after shouting him a drink at Opejeta for his B'day on our arrival. His attitude did not sit well with us, especially after just meeting him. He did in fact apologise after our 2 days there that he was wrong with his judgment. Lewa was outstanding & highly recommend it. 6/ We felt secure with our booking having Safari Bookings as the reprensative of the company & made the booking so much more reassuring. 7/ Also a note, we never received a questionnaire at the end of our trip with Anothony, hence me informing you. Magic Safaris on the otherhand did. I highly recommend them & will to others.
NL
Email Iris | under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nice view but poor guides.
We booked the Ndere Island Tour, of one day. Although the views were amazing, we had issues with the tour guides. We were on a boat for quite a long time and were very curious about Lake Victoria, but the guides seemed not interested in us and mostly kept to themselves, which was okay since it was early in the morning and not really part of the tour. However, we had to stop to pay parkfees to the Kenyan Wildlife Center, where our Hallmark guides started to argue with the employees about prices. We got a great but annoyed guide from the KWC and he showed all of us around on Ndere Island. Once again, nice views, but our own guides were having a vacation too: they made plenty of pictures of both the view and us, and seemed to be there for the first time. There seemed to be a rush and in high tempo we walked across the island at noon in full sun. Requests to rest or even look for more animals than the ones we bumped into were not taken seriously. Afterwards we asked to see hippos as they said they would do, but they laughed us off. Long story short, we paid a lot of money for our guides to basically have a tour too, next time we will just book at the Kenyan Wildlife Center and do without the Hallmark guides!
DE
Email Ingrid Koester | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Informative and pleasant day-trip around Nairobi
After a conference, I had 1 free day to spend in Nairobi. Hallmark Travel Planners made several suggestions of which I chose the National Park, Giraffe Center and the house of Karen Blixen. The driver/guide Josphat was punctual and friendly and very knowledgable about the animals to see in the Park, their habits and behaviour. We had ample time in the Park and still enough for the other attractions, so the tour was well planned. It was an excellent experience.
Email Scott & Amanda | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Well Organised amazing experience of a lifetime!!
First of all I would like to thank Levis for his time and efforts in organising and amazing trip. Everything was done via email but Levis made it all very simple, with quick responses. He customised a tour to suit our needs, dates and what we wanted to see.
We visited 3 countries, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda over 16 days. We managed to see the big 5 several times over. In total we saw over 100 Lions, 8 Cheetahs, 2 Leopards, 4 Rhinos, a Family of 30 Mountain Gorilla's, and countless other magnificent animals and wildlife.
Our guides in All 3 countries were amazing, friendly and very knowledgeable, especially our guide Fred (who was a standout) we had during our time in Tanzania. The accommodation we had, from the tented camps to the lodges were all very good and of a high standard.
We highly recommend Hallmark Travel Planners and would definitely use again.
CA
Email Marah Stubbert | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Levis is professional, accommodating, and wonderful to work with!
Our trip with Hallmark was absolutely incredible! A friend and I met in Africa for a 10 day tour - Amboseli, Masai Mara and Gorilla trek in Uganda. It was my first tip to Africa, and I was a little concerned because I could only find reviews for Hallmark Travel Planners on the Safaribooking site, nothing on tripadvisor or google reviews, but our trip was incredible and Levis was wonderful to work with. He was very patient and considerate as I explored many options for my itinerary and everything ran smoothly when we arrived. We had one night of heavy rain at Masai Mara that made a road impassible for a few hours. This caused us to miss our flight to Rwanda, but Levis rearranged our flight and hotel immediately and was able to do that without any extra cost, we really appreciated his quick problem solving and communication with our driver. Our guide, Anthony was awesome! He was very knowledgeable about the animals and he worked hard to make sure we had some wonderful experiences in the parks. His English is excellent and so is his sense of humour! We really enjoyed spending the days with him and he gave us lots of space to enjoy our evenings and meals on our own. I would highly recommend Hallmark.