Marianne Birrell, founder of MB Safaris.
Marianne Birrell Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2001)
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
absolutely wonderful, helpful, clear communication, on budget and way beyond expectation!
We wanted to see South Africa at its best at a reasonable budget. Marianne was all we needed. She found us B&B's that were so much more special than any hotel can be. They were all clean, wonderfully located and with great hosts. Marianne advised us that we could better safe budget on accomodation around Capetown and use it for a bit more expensive safari, that was such a was a great idea, because we had an amazing safari as well as wonderful accomocations! If we ever have time to go to SA again we would immediately contact Marianne again!!
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
marianne birrell delivers safaries beyond expectations
For the best of african wildlife, marianne suprises us and our family, time and again with the most exciting accomodation, and experienced rangers who will give us a real taste of Africa.
All with constant communication and within budget, we will recommend her to all our friends
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Having been to Capetown in 2009 and doing an overnight safari, we were hooked!!!
After some research we contacted Marianne and from the start of our return to Capetown and flights to Port Elizabeth, pick up to our safari destination it was perfect from start to finish and this was all due to Marianne and her recommendations. First class service - just sad when it ended and we had to return to Glasgow. Anyone looking for that bit of extra personal service cannot go wrong with Marianne. We wish her all the best an hope to use her again.
US
Email Sue Spencer, United State | Experience level: over 5 safaris
There's no one better to set up your safari for you.
I've been on safari 17 times, visiting S. Africa the majority of those trips. I was fortunate to meet Marianne and her husband at lunch at one of the reserves I had been to many times. Since then she has set up several safaris for me in whole or in part and answered questions to the point where I sign off as "The Pest. " I'm normally reluctant to recommend anyone for anything , but with Marianne I don't hesitate a nanosecond before giving her name and email. Just referred a wonderful client and Marianne set up a safari for seven which they absolutely loved. Hope to go again in the future and there's only one person that will be handling my trip. I've dealt with the "big" operators and they can't compare as far as knowledge, working with you and response time. She started as my travel agent and I now consider her a friend, as well.
50-65 years of age
Brilliantly organised and great value for money
We contacted Marianne to organise a safari for a group of 4 in Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) and Botswana (the Chobe and Okavango). In the Okavango we wanted to visit a number of camps ranging from budget to fairly luxurious. The itinerary required numerous transfers by road and air and Marianne saved us a considerable amount by sourcing a flight to Livingstone (from Johannesburg) rather than flying direct to Victoria Falls. Our flights within Botswana included small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter which was a wonderful experience. Accomodation ranged from B&B in Vic Falls, luxury tented accomodation in the Chobe and the budget option in the Okavango (very comfortable huts elevated over the edge of the swamp with private bathroom). Marianne even managed to upgrade us to a super luxury camp when our original booking in a bush camp fell through due to flooding. We had wonderful safari outings in vehicles and on the water (in traditional mokoro canoes and motor boats) and saw heaps of wildlife. Marianne went to great trouble to meet our needs and to ensure that our dream holiday was realised. We would definitely use her again!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Experience Start to Finish
Marianne Birrell Safaris was recommended to us by a friend who is a travel agent. I had already contacted several potential tour companies online and been a bit frustrated by the communications and offerings, but Marianne was a breath of fresh air: efficient, responsive, always pleasant. She was respectful of our budget, offered us a variety of great options and was supportive of any independent arrangements we also made. She sent us to wonderful B&Bs, arranged a rental car, recommended road trip routes and sites to visit, gave us very important advice about travelling in South Africa, and, based on the time of year and weather, booked us into the Kariega Game Reserve, which proved to be a fantastic experience. All of the arrangements went perfectly. Marianne also made herself available at any time while we were in South Africa in the event we needed any assistance or advice. She kindly offered to meet us for a coffee and is delightful. All around a terrific travel experience.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience!
My 6 friends and I used Marianne Birrel Safaris to plan our tour. We wanted a customized tour to avoid the huge crowds and giant lodges in the National Parks and Marianne gave us several options from which to choose. We stayed at small yet excellent game lodges in private reserves with extremely knowledgeable and accommodating guides and trackers. The lodge in Victoria falls was gorgeous, as was the B&B in Capetown.
Marianne was with us every step of the way in planning and even gave instructions about whom to wire transfer payment and reservations at the various places. She even checked up on the success of the transfer. As for making flight reservations, she paid attention to flight times and advised us which flights to choose, and even gave detailed instructions on how to work the airline's website!
Marianne was available at all times by phone or email during the entire trip to help with any problems that might crop up, and even arranged a small refund in cash when I inadvertently overpaid one of the lodges.
Our overall experience was awesome and we would all recommend Marianne Birrell Safaris and of course will use her the next time we go!
Surprise, exitement and good value for money
Although Marianne has organised several trips for our family, she time after time manages to find great "personal" camps, where we have spectacular encounters. Swimming elephant in the Zambezi, close encounters with leopard in the Okavango delta or a pride of 22 lion in Pondoro camp near Hoedspruit.
We will for sure ask her to organize our next safari.
NL
Email Richard van Aken | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a great holidays we had !
In 2013 we decided to go on holidays to South Africa and came in contact with Marianne. She helped us sorting out various B&B and hotel accommodations in South Africa and at every address we discovered a different atmosphere but always exceeded our expectations. We travelled from Capetown along the coast to Kruger and the icing of the cake was our last resort. The game resort that Marianne arranged for us was absolutely great and we have gained such great memeories that I am sure that one day we will come back. And if such day comes I will immediately contact her again to be surprised about new undiscovered locations.
Whenever you go to South Africa and you would like to spent time in locations with a unique atmospere and you want to be sure to see the best of the wild life do not hesitate but contact Marianne Birrell.
Wonderful time in Africa!
We had great time in Africa last year, we still talk about it all of the time and constantly pull out the pictures to re-live the experience! Having never been to Africa before, we really appreciated Mariannes help with deciding on the best itinerary, picking lodging, and making all of the sometimes complicated intracontinental trael arrangements. I would definately recommend her services to anyone wanting a great trip to Africa.