The Chalo Africa Inc Team
Chalo Africa
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- ATTA & APTA
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $1,600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Sanjeev Nambudiri | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The architects of our truly memorable Africa experience
My family & I had the most incredible trip to Tanzania & Kenya and we have Chalo Africa to thank. We are extremely picky about where we stay, what we do and the overall experience and this has sometimes made our holiday planning hard for the travel agencies we talk to. Right from the start Smita & her team were very helpful - gave us great advice and took onboard our specific requirements. In the end the plan they out together for us was absolutely fantastic - the places they booked us into, the instructions left for our care at those places and the overall tours were impeccably managed. Africa is spectacular anyway - the way our tour was put together with so much personal care made the vacation even more so for us.
Email Chhot Kumar | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They made paradise a reality! It was all perfect!
When you do a trip to East Africa, one has to be very particular as to which agent you go through, as a lot could go wrong. Chalo Africa was the perfect choice, as everything was superb. The accomodation, the food, the personal care, the guides and ofcourse they made certain that it was all worth every penny, as we saw a wealth of wildlife. It was an experience of a lifetime. I would like to say, our guide, Fredy was excellent. My advice to everybody is, if you want a good introduction to East Africa, make sure you go through Chalo Africa, who did it via Asilia. It was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you!
An excellent experience on our first African Safari!
Chalo Africa contacted us every day during our safari to make sure we were satisfied. Sangeeta immediately solved any minor problems that arised and took full responsibility. We were beyond satisfied with the service and Chalo Africa did everything it could to make sure our safari was exceptional. The rooms, restaurants and cars booked by them were nothing less than stellar.
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Email Pranav | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great guidance and support through the trip!
This was a first trip to Africa, and we were looking for someone who would guide us in the right direction in everything from choice of parks to visit, duration of stay and the hotels we stay at. Quite happy to say that ChaloAfrica proved excellent on all accounts.
From the start there was a constant dialogue and we first got advised on which country within africa to visit. Once we set our vision and standards, they were able to guide us well as to which country to visit.
After that, getting into the details of the country with where to go and what to do proved a daunting task for us but they smoothened it out with their knowledge.
Once on the trip, they kept in constant communication through message, and it proved helpful to us as on our first night we had a bit of an issue with the hotel, and we just let them know on message and by the time we woke up the next morning, it was all sorted out.. That was pretty good and exactly why we went with them - we wanted a hassle free trip!
All in all, we had a great trip and are already looking forward to planning our next trip with Chalo.
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Safari Experience
Thanks to Chalo Africa, we had the most amazing safari experience (our first) at Kruger National Park, South Africa. Right from the word go, it was a seamless and a wonderful experience interacting with the personnel at Chalo Africa. They sure know Africa well :) Their suggestions were always in tune with our requirements. Always prompt in their replies and ensured all our doubts were satisfied. Once again thanks a ton for giving us a memorable safari experience.
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35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A professional and well organised Safari!
We travelled to Kenya as a family of four on a safari organised by Chalo Africa. The communication, coordination, choice of accomodation and the service provided were excellent. We had a great time and I would strongly recommend Chalo Africa for anyone who has a safari holiday in mind.
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Email Ed Dugan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
In a word: Outstanding.
If you don't want to read a positive review don't read this. The three ladies of Chalo Africa went out of their way to make sure that I got every consideration on this safari. Having never been to Africa before I really didn't have any idea what to expect. I went to four camps run by the Massie tribe. I saw all of the big five, and the ugly five and several of the little five. I took over 2,500 pictures (probably close to 3,000) in my eleven day safari which I finally got down to just 533 pictures. The camps (tent) were well maintained, clean and the beds were certainly comfortable. Hot water bottles in the bed every night while we dined. Dined is the correct term, as the food was wonderful. My guides were extremely informative and bent over backwards to show and explain flora, animals and whatever I asked about. If you are a 'birder' you won't be disappointed either.
Chalo Africa was in contact with me almost daily before my trip and several times after to see that everything went as I wanted it.
I have already committed myself and my oldest son for next March. All I have to do is convince my wife to come with me. She gave the trip to me as a 50th anniversary gift.
Take a good zoom camera and a "Good" pair of Binoc's. You won't be sorry.
Have fun, I did.
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Email D. Cantwell | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Chalo Africa was very knowledgeable and provided most excellent service and planning! Go with Chalo!
I contacted over 20 companies in preparation for a safari and Chalo Africa gave us the best deal for what we wanted to see. I read the reviews and decided to book with them. Then I decided while in Tanzania it would be great to get to Nairobi, Kenya to visit the Giraffe Center and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Sangeeta came up with another itinerary, but it was a bit over our spending limit. Sangeeta worked with me to change a few lodging choices to meet our maximum budget. Then again, she reworked the itinerary and was as professional and friendly as possible. Then, with two weeks until the safari start, Kenya Airways changed their flight schedule, which we had booked independently. Sangeeta promptly offered her assistance to help us work through the necessary changes. Smita was also very thorough and friendly in answering questions and getting all the finance data in order. Sangeeta also contacted us just before, during, and after our safari
to inquire how things were going for our family. Customer service seems more of a catchphrase these days, but Chalo Africa actually provides it honorably, in addition to thoughtful planning and execution. If ever we get the opportunity for another safari anywhere in Africa, be assured we will go with Chalo Africa! Many thanks to the Chalo Africa family for not only an incredible safari experience, but the confidence of knowing we were in good hands throughout our trip.
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Email Shridhar Jaju | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I doubt it could have been much better than how Chalo Africa planned it for us
I happened to come across Chalo Africa's website when I was on Google researching for a South African honeymoon. I contacted them just out of curiosity, but it turned out to be the best decision I took.
Sangeeta got in touch with me immediately, and helped me plan a perfect itinerary. She had immense knowledge about every place that she suggested and with that kind of insight, it becomes quite easy to choose what you want and what you don't want in your itinerary.
I had done a bit of research myself previously, and therefore bombarded her with a lot of doubts and questions. And she answered them all very satisfactorily. The planning went so smoothly that my trip for January 2015 was booked by June 30, 2014. The other tour operators that I had contacted didn't have packages for tours in December 2014 / January 2015 till the last week of August 2014.
The implementation bit was just as smooth as planning had been. I had been recommended Phinda Private Game Reserve for the safari part of my tour by the Chalo Africa team, and it was worth every penny I spent of the whole trip. Sangeeta and Smita had intimated the staff at Phinda Vlei Lodge that my wife and I are both vegetarians, and we didn't face any problems on that front. They also knew that we were honeymooners, and thus we were treated to a lovely candlelight dinner on the patio by the private pool of our cottage on our first evening. It was pure luxury in the jungle.
The game viewing was also excellent. We saw four of the Big Five, with only the leopard eluding us. In fact, when we arrived, our safari vehicle was due to leave for its afternoon game drive at the same time. However, since we had been traveling for the last 18 hours or so, we opted out of that drive. As luck would have it, that vehicle saw a leopard on that drive but none on the next seven drives of which we were a part. Had we not been so tired (read: lazy) that evening, we would have seen all of the Big Five.
The non-safari part of our honeymoon had also been perfectly planned by Chalo Africa, and it went off seamlessly. All our transfer vehicles were ready on the time as stated. The accommodations were all as we had expected them to be. And Sangeeta and Smita were in touch with us throughout the tour to see how we were doing.
The best part about Chalo Africa is that with Smita in India and Sangeeta in the USA, at least one of them is reachable 24x7. And they not only have the knowledge of the places to visit, but also of most of the accommodations they suggest. A first person's opinion can be a big aid in planning a trip.
On the day I returned to India, I spoke with Smita and told her that my wife and I also have Kenya & Tanzania on our bucket list. Someday, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, when I do sit down to plan that trip, that is the first phone call I'll make.
A hassle-free experience
I went to Nairobi on some business and then used Chalo Africa to plan a 3 day trip to Masaai Mara after my work in Nairobi was done. I have to say that my experience was pretty smooth and quite enjoyable. The taxi drivers hired by them were helpful and courteous. The Kichwa Tembo camp was luxurious and the game drives were elaborate and adventurous with experienced guides. I even got a free upgrade on the room I had booked there. I definitely recommend Chalo Africa for planning a tension-free trip to Africa.