CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good operator with a few improvement areas
Most of the service from this new operator was good. Response was very fast especially before I paid deposit. Price was nearly the lowest among similar rated operators. Staffs were all helpful and nice. We did the safari as we planned to.
Only a few minor improvements:
1, The operator guaranteed in-car wifi for both Kenya and Tanzania trips. In reality we never had in-car wifi in either of the trips.
2, Operator wrote 1L bottled water offered to each of us. In Kenya there was no water offered. We took bottled water from lodge or bought with price of 3 USD/bottle on the drive way. Tanzania driver offered plenty of water.
3, On our last day, we moved from Lake Manyara to Kilimanjaro Airport hotel. Our driver's home is in Arusha. Apparently he just wanted to finished the job and go home. So what happened was he told us the drive will take 5-6 hours, and asked us to leave Lake Manyara early to arrive Kilimanjaro airport hotel before getting dark. We trusted him and did so. It turned out that the drive was 2 hours, and we spent entire afternoon + evening in a basic airport hotel for nothing. We could have stayed in Lake Manyara for that half day, which is much nicer.
4, Our operator refused to send me all the hotel booking vouchers, even after I paid deposit 4 months ahead of time. Luckily nothing went wrong with hotel booking. But honestly I don't understand it.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience for our first time
It was a very special part of our journey to south africa. My girlfriend and I did a 4 day safari in the Kruger NP and the Panorama Route. We had not that luck with the weather but we saw the big five and a lot of other animals. Our guide Jaco was excellent, he has a huge knowledge about the animals and the nature and he had a answer of each our questions. The back office and the communication was brilliant, they satisfied all our whishes before and during our trip.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best vacation ever. We saw everything.
We had a great time on our safari. Our guide, Anthony Sillo, was the best. He was very helpful to get us into the best position for great pictures, and we got plenty of them. One night when lions came into our camp, he and the men working at the camp guarded our tent the remainder of the night. We were so thankful. We will recommend It Started In Africa to everyone who asks about a safari. Again, we had the best vacation ever!!!
Carl and Pam Rider
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Steve
The abundance of animals and the scenic beauty were beyond compare. The highlight was a night drive watching a pack of hyenas chasing a herd of wildebeests and zebras. The hyenas screaming and hundreds of reflective eyes darting in every direction created an energy and image that i can't describe.
We didn't tire of seeing so many beautiful lions ever day from the several prides. We spent hours taking pics of lions and cheetahs. The big cats were so beautiful and so photogenic.
I would go back to Masai Mara in a heart beat.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great animal viewing from the hotel, but disappointing game drives
Sitting at the restaurant/bar at our lodge, we could spend all day watching animals come and go from the watering hole. This was the highlight of our visit in this park. Our drives were very disappointing with brush so dense, that animal sightings were rare. We booked Tsavo west in hopes of seeing Mount Kilimanjaro and seeing Rhinos. We didn't see either. I would plan extra time in the Masai Mara instead of Tsavo West.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Kenya by Steve
I've been to 5 camps in 4 ecosystems throughout Africa. Masai Mara was spectacular and a must go to place. Our camp Ngare Serian was stunning and the game drives were exciting every day with an abundance of wildlife, and scenic beauty
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized, a lot of fun and an unforgettable experience
Twaha was the perfect tour guide for us - we went on safari in Queen Elizabeth NP for four days and we'd like to repeat the trip exactly like it was. Twaha is a nice and funny guy, he is very well organized and he knows a lot about the animals and plants in the park and especially where and when to find them. The accomodation alone was great and unforgettable. We felt safe and comfortable all of the time and enjoyed the safari trip a lot! :-)
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing safari
unbelievable experience worth any price. all beautifully organized. I saw all the animals that live in the park mikumi
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Honeymoon Feedback
The Safari was simply amazing on all levels !!
We would not have changed anything ... although at a push knowing what I know now I may have opted for an alternate hotel for the last night.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not use Bramwel Safaris, they owe me $1100!!!!!
Do not use Bramwel Safaris!!!!!! They owe me $1100!!!!!!
I Booked a 7 day Private tour safari through them in September, I paid $5000 for this. One, our driver was terrible, he did not give us any information or facts, like a tour guide should do. When we would ask to stop to see wildlife he would ignore us and keep driving, but he would stop and talk to every other tour guide we passed. It was like we were on HIS time. When we got to the serengeti park entrance the drivers card to pay the park fees & lodging declined. Now I have already paid for this in advance so where is that money?.....they asked me to use my card and William Amon promised he would pay me in cash when we returned from the park. We had paid $530 to stay at the Ngorogoro Crater hotel which we did not get to stay in. Again, something I had already paid for. I had one request throughout the entire safari (booking a private tour they advertise you can change the itinerary to your needs, apparently not true), William had promised he would make it happen, then it was excuse after excuse as to why he could not do what I asked & it was a simple request. Our driver got fined while in the park, and that somehow was my fault. I should not have to get into an argument with the driver and William while on vacation. That is not what you expect or pay for.
They advertise ice cold water to drink throughout the safari. The so called cooler in the vehicle does not work. Since Sept 16th I have been trying to get refunded the $1100 William Amon & Bramwell Safaris owe me and I have gotten nothing but excuses. Originally he said he wired the money & it would hit in 7 business days. 7 days later of course no money, I emailed him and he said something went wrong......Yeah, bank wires do not go through if you do not have any money!!!!! Then it was going to be wired Oct 15th, It has been nothing but a series of BS excuses since!!! I am extremely dissastisfied with the service of this company & the people working for it, & the amount of lies that have been told to me. They are very dishonest and do not provide what they advertise on their website I paid a lot of money for a safari that was terrible due to the company we used, the driver, and William who ripped me off!!!!