50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A very professional outfit
From start to finish, the holiday was very well organised. Before the trip we received lots of information over and above what was needed for the trip and which served to whet our appetite. The tour itself was excellent. Our leader was friendly and ever attentive to our needs making sure we got the most out of the holiday. Our photographer was excellent, put things across in a clear way and was always on hand to help. Accommodation was just right and the food was good and plentiful. My expectations for the holiday were perhaps too great but it easily lived up to them! On our return, the support and friendship has continued. Thank you for an excellent holiday. I will certainly recommend Wild Angles to others.
US
Experience level: first safari
Simply an amazing experience.
There are a lot of different places to choose from for these types of trip in South Africa, But from what my wife and I researched, and later talked with other guests, Phinda was by far, a great choice to make! Everyone will have their own experiences of course. Cost wise, we found Phinda to be surprisingly affordable considering the level of the service, dinning and accommodations on top of the game viewing experience.
The trip from NY was long and transferring from JBerg to Durban went smoothly enough, and we booked to fly in on the single prop Cessna from Durban to Phinda to be the start of the adventure.
We went 1st week of September weather was dry the entire time; chilly in the morning but hot by lunch time. We stayed 3 days at Rock Lodge in the southern end, with a more mountainous terrain, and 4 nights in the northern sand forest and savannah of Vlei lodge. Rock lodge was excellent, intimate with only a small amount of guests at any time and the food and service were outstanding. The room with its outdoor shower and private plunge pool was excellent, even a bit too much considering you are out on game drives from 6 am to 11 am (With coffee breaks in the bush) and then again from 3pm till night ( stopping to watch the sunset with drinks) With lunches, dinners etc. you don't spend a lot of time in your room, but it's really nice to come back to. Matt & John were our guides at Rock and it was amazing to see their knowledge and tracking efforts get rewarded with great game views like lions at night, herds of Elephants, cheetahs with cubs. Guides and staff were very friendly, professional, courteous and went above and beyond to accommodate. Vlei lodge was no exception either. At Vlei, Douglas was the general manager there and he was phenomenal! (Honestly our booking agent Christine was top notch too, taking care off us even before our trip). Regular visitations to the rooms' plunge pools by thirsty animals made for great game viewing right outside the front door. Happiness, the chef made every meal delicious. My wife requires a Gluten-free diet and staff at both lodges took exceptional care of her dietary needs. Phinda is a closed-in preserve, but with a lot of room and a lot of animals it was never an issue and seven days seeing the north and south and all of the animals was just enough. In one evening drive we saw all of the big 5. This was our first safari type vacation and Phinda makes it a excellent first time experience. They are also close to the ocean, with arrangements through them we took a morning to mix it up and get in the water at Sodwana Bay to swim with Whale sharks. We've nothing but love for Phinda and &beyond parent company and I also applaud their conservation efforts and community involvement.
EG
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very pleasant experience with a professional guide who knew all about wild life
Endless summer Tours organized for me and my sister a one week tour in the Kruger park and the wetland .We had an excellent guide who took the effort of showing all the animals and made it a point to see the big five . He is passionate lover of wild life and very knowledgeable . We were accommodated in simple but comfortable lodges . The companies worked out a trip to fit our budget and our request .
I would strongly recommended for a small group who wants a tailor made trip .
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful
We couldn't ask for a more knowledgeable guide to show us the best sights for birding in and around Entebbe, Uganda as Crammy. He is experienced, courteous and a delight to spend our first two days with in Uganda as well as finishing our last day in Uganda touring Entebbe. We were thrilled with the 102 bird species in our first day! The only room for improvement was in the vehicle that smelled of gasoline and whose air cooling was inadequate. Thank you Crammy for memories we shall never forget as well as our ongoing friendship.
US
Beyond our wildest expectations. Well organized, with a tour operator who understood our needs.
Our small group had the good fortune to go on two safaris with Nature Travel Namibia in August, 2013. Prior to our arrival, the email communication was very informative and professional. We basically just showed up, and every last detail was attended to.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, personable, and fun. He went above and beyond to make sure we had an unforgettable experience. We traveled comfortably in a small van, our accommodations were clean and pleasant, and the meals were delicious. But most of all, we had the benefit of being in a small group, guided by a true expert, and therefore had the most magnificent wildlife viewings. What a gift.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Succesful solar eclipse adventure
(Sorry about my english - it is not best...) When I was planing my trip to Uganda, I didn't even think about possibilities, which are here. All my doubts were dispeled just after I (and my friends) met our guide - Crammy Wanyama. He prepaired for us the best - in all sences. The best view to life in Uganda (not only commercial), best opportunities to be amazed by local sightseeings, especially natural parks, best places to stay overnight. As astronomer and astrophotographer I had really hight ambitions and nonstandard requests (like finding place to make photos of starry sky). All the time he was 100 percent helpful and absolutely kind and polite. Thanks to him I could recognize the most beautiful face of Uganda, pearl of the central Africa. But most of all - despite all problems (unpredictible weather, technician demands, local regulation) he did all possible, even impossible, to take us on right placi in right time to see and record scientificely very important total solar eclipse (on Nov. 3rd, 2013). Thanks to it we really succeded and had needed results for following procession: http://www.zam.fme.vutbr.cz/~druck/Eclipse/Ecl2013u/0-info.htm. More about observing the eclipse you can also find in this short review: http://www.astronom.cz/horalek/?p=137. I'll be greatful in rest of my life for all those possibilities Crammy Wanyama created for our Uganda Eclipse Safari Trip...
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai Route
I summited Mount Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route in seven days in November 2013 as part of a charity climb. The trip was amazing. Our group contacted e-Trip Africa on the advice of another group that summited June 2013. From our first contact with e-Trip Africa to our farewells from our climbing team at Marangu Gate, the entire experience was wonderful. Everyone we dealt with was professional and knowledgeable. We were uncertain at the start of the process on which route we would take and for what duration. e-Trip answered all our questions and gave us unbiased advice on the pros and cons of each route. They took the time to answer our million and one questions with patience and never once did I feel I was given a rushed answer. The climb team was superb and their professionalism helped give me the confidence that I needed to make it to the top. Climbing Kili is not for the weak of mind or body and finding the right partners are critical in my opinion. From our first meeting in Moshi with the head guide Caspar and his team I felt we were in good hands for the coming week. The food was great – there were two picky eaters in our group and neither one went away hungry from any meal. The camps were clean and orderly and the climb team made sure our experience was fun and safe. Ben Jennings worked with us before and after the climb and was a large part of us being successful. We are already talking about taking another group back in 2015 for charity, we will use e-Trip Africa again.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a great experience with Ati.
Ati met us at the airport, drove us to our hotel and provided a cell phone to make sure if we had any issues we would be able to contact them 24/7. The rooms and accommodations were awesome and were above our expectations.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Love from Australia
We were lucky enough to join both Roberto and Greyson on Safari this July. The two raffikis were amazing. They were very happy to tailor a trip to suit us and were very professional, but above all wonderful people to travel with.
In our 6 days with them we did not have a single problem. The camps we stayed in were luxurious and didn't leave us wanting more.
Safari with these two was a once in a lifetime opportunity- they were very knowledgeable and having seen other car accidents in Africa we were glad that Greyson was such a great driver. We were lucky to see ever animal under the sun including a wonderful rhino that Greyson spotted from an unbelievable distance (he said it was easy to see!).
Greyson and Roberto run Savannah Explorers and they were always checking on their other clients who were in the parks at the same time. So you can be assured that you will be well looked after.
We feel so lucky to have shared the experience these wonderful people.
Lots of love
Matt and Sofie
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
awesome safari in Tanzania
My girlfriend and I went on safari in Tanzania in September, organized by Amazing Tanzania. Clear and thorough communication from the start, quick response and very friendly. Molded the trip together exactly to our liking and budget, they were very flexible and we were easily able to make changes later on. High level of service, mostly email but also by phone as you please. Clear itinerary was provided, with day-to-day schedule, realistic travel times, accommodation and what to expect.
The safari itself was exactly as promised; great! Good personal car with driver guide, good combination of travelling between lodges and staying in the parks, and overall a diverse safari, with a finish in Serengeti. Advise on what lodges to pick vs others turned out to be spot on, they were all nice places with their own character and pro's vs other camps.
Finished the trip on Zanzibar, in a lovely place, a bit secluded, exactly what we were looking for.
In short, Amazing makes custom made trips exactly to your liking that live up to your expectation. It's very easy communication with Laura and Collin, friendly and passionate about the country and their work! Thanks again for an amazing holiday we'll never forget!