IT
Very professional the service , fantastic place to see
All the people frm Bubezi safari were great, expecially Quentin.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari through the tarangire park
I had a perfect and well guided tour through tarangire national park. Everything had been well organized.
I enjoyed those safari and will never forget. I am looking forward to my next adventure wth MJ Safaris and with Jackson in 2014.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Strongly recommended... friendly, open, honest would return next week
The guys were great. Simon has been fantastic on the email and we couldn't say a bad word about our guide Ezi (Ezekiel), who's patience and knowledge paid gave us the opportunity to see more than we would have otherwise. Its a trip we're continually rememissing about. We too went to the Crater, Serengiti and Boundry Hill. With the exception of the warm beers we coudn't off asked for more. The hospitatlity we were given at each of the camps (much different to the camping Aussie style) was endless. We felt and were made to feel like royalty. We have never stayed anywhere as lovely, and expected anywhere as nice as on the trip.
What remains in our mind as one of the highlights (and there were heaps) was on the first afternoon, we went for a walk with a Masai ranger above the crater where we walked a few metres from Giraffes... If that wasn't enough!!!
We had lions and lionesses walking in amongst the trucks, like we weren't even there, saw a lioness take down a couple of zebra, saw millions of zebras, to Ezi's amusement at my initial cry out. We did have a moment of apprehnsion through the drive from the Crater to Serengiti, where the road was rough, the land desoloute. I think we both had a time we wondered if we should or could have stayed at the crater but were pleasantly surprised by the pockets of natural beauty that Serengiti gave us. Its amazing that I even contemplated and feared that we wouldn't see enough or see any lions!!! we saw countless!!
Even as we left and just as we were both seated (for the first time in days) on the way out three Cheetahs just cruised on by sitting on a rock within five metres from where we had parked... At Boundry hill we were woken to Elephants roaring, guided through the park by gorgeous Masai that walked us through the country giving us a wealth of knowledge.
If we could offer one suggestion it would be, offering the guys a fridge or solar panels (more) at Boundry Hill. The lodge was outstanding and Joseph who was gorgeous ran a beautiful place. The poor guy had to put up with us beer drinking Aussie's... Thankyou guys, and sorry this has been ages in the making... I know Julie and Jim are looking forward to returning with you guys next year...
We couldn't have asked for more...
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical safari with EASTCO.
We went on our first safari with EASTCO in February 2013 and had a magical time! We spent 16 days visiting the north of Tanzania (Speke Bay, Serengeti, Ndutu, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Babati, and Mkomazi). During our trip we visited some off-the-beaten-path areas along the Northern circuit which was one of our desires. The trip was 18 months in the planning with Simon and a lifelong dream trip. The trip had a lot of expectations, hopes and dreams built into it.
Simon's communication was top notch. He answered the many questions I posed and more. Communication is very important to us in our travels. Simon checked that box with ease.
Our guide, Ezekiel, was fantastic. He was a wonderful fit for us and just made the trip. A guide is so important in a trip like this.
Our camps and lodgings were perfect for us. We stayed in a mixture of: EASTCO's private camp, Boundary Hill Lodge (which is owned by EASTCO), lodges and guest houses, all helping to make the trip comfortable, fun and interesting.
Our itinerary was so nice and balanced. It gave us a mix of wildlife, scenery and culture, all of which we hoped to see and experience. Another box checked by Simon.
We saw and experienced more than we could have imagined on our safari. We saw the migration in the Nudtu area, spent days in the Serengeti and nights looking at the beautiful blackness and stars of the African night sky, visited the Kolo cave paintings near Babati, went canoeing on Lake Babati, visited a masai boma, went on a couple of walking tours, did a fantastic night drive, saw so many animals, and met interesting people.
EASTCO met each and every desire, hope and expectation we had and more. Many thanks to Simon, our guide Ezekiel and all of EASTCO. It was absolutely the trip-of-a-lifetime!
We had such a great time on this trip that we have another safari planned with EASTCO in July 2014. Can't wait to experience the southern parks of Tanzania!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of a Lifetime
It's hard to put into words just how good the whole experience with Wildlife Safaris was. We had an excellent tour guide in Nik, who was keen to share his knowledge not only about the wildlife, but South Africa in general, and he clearly had a passion for it. The service was great, collected from our hotel in JNB, and driven out to the Kruger. Wildlife and game drives in the Kruger were stunning, and stopping to take constant photos was never an issue. We did the 3 day safari, and the highlight was actually just outside the Kruger, at the Mohlabetsi Private Lodge ..... game drives and an evening BBQ outdoors.
We packed in a lot of viewing, and ticked off all the Big 5, ..... can't say more really, it was just that good. Transport included back to JNB as well.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great staff and spectacular safari
They gave me and my son a memorable safari. I had been on safari before but this time I took my son with me and we shared great memorable experiences. A surprise complimentary birthday cake for my son on our last day at one of the city restaurants was awesome. We shall return again. Learned a few Swahili words too and here goes.....tamu sana, jambo
EE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable adventure
Our group of 7 conquered Kilimanjaro in February 2013. We had no problems with MJ Safaris and the people were nice and hospitable. The office of MJ Safaris is located in the same building with a good hotel so that makes the whole trip very comfortable. MJ Safaris was helpful with our different requirements and also helped us in planning our trip after Kilimanjaro.
US
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Family trip of a lifetime!
My husband and I traveled with Wildlife Safaris in 2006 and had a wonderful experience. When we decided to plan a safari with our family, we immediately contacted Wildlife Safaris and were pleased that Christine was again the person to help us with our booking. Through her expert help, we arranged the perfect vacation including staying at Waybury House the first and last night. Hoppy was our guide for our 4 night safari and I can't say enough about how well he took care of his. He was friendly, accommodating and very knowledgeable. We saw the Big Five within the first two days! An added bonus was running into Clive, our guide in 2006, in Kruger! I highly recommend Wildlife Safaris and hope to return for another safari in the not too distant future.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
30 days Exploring Uganda and Tanzania
We have been back almost 3 months now and as our trip is still very fresh in our memory I thought I would write a few comments regarding what was to us sometimes worrying and then they became the most important part of our trip.
It doesn't need to be a 30 day safari for some of the things that affected us to affect others.
Visas:
Often mentioned on forums, do we do this or that. In the end we bought all our visas on arrival and no hassle what so ever. The officials at the borders couldn't have been nicer.
Health issues:
We are a couple in our early 60's and we think pretty fit.
Malaria tablets:
We did visit our local GP and he provided us with malaria prophylactics and we were vaccinated against yellow fever. A quick mention was made of other vaccinations but we politely declined.
We started taking the malaria tabs 2 days before departure and continued with them 2 weeks after we returned. I did expect to turn yellow, we have heard reports of soldiers during WWII experiencing this, we didn't but the most difficult part was to remember to take them.
We were not asked for our yellow fever booklet anywhere except on our return to Australia where were asked to show it.
We didn't have any other health issues, drank plenty of water, and ate everything that was dished up to us.
Vehicle:
We had read a lot of posts about vehicles. Ours was a Land Rover with four seats in the back, and a cool box for our drinks and lunches, this was great. Most of the other safari vehicles we saw were Toyota land Cruiser. We had a really comfortable ride no breakdowns or other issues. The roads were really rough in many areas and potholes all over the place. Dirt and dust became a common part of our day. The roof had a hatch that we could push up when we wanted to, this provided some welcome shade. I don’t think the type of roof with a canvas roll back would have suited us.
Food and water:
We had plenty of water in the vehicle which was supplied by EASTCO and it was topped as we were travelling along when the opportunity arose. We did stock up a bit in Entebbe after we arrived, which was a good idea in retrospect.
The food was generally well cooked and simple. Plenty of fruit and we also had extra in the 4x4.
Breakfast were pretty much standard wherever we went, juice, toast or bread and a sausage or frankfurter with tomato and egg. Coffee and tea is you wished.
The lunch boxes were also very similar, we did avoid the chicken and kept to fruit, juice, bread, and often nuts or a biscuit. Some lodges in Tanzania provided vegetarian pasties and chapattis which when we could have them provided the better lunch boxes. Chocolate was often offered as was the old favorite the boiled egg.
I would insist before you take your lunch box that you have some input into its contents, we always did and it was never a hassle.
Dinner, we had a variety of meals over the month long trip and the most noticeable feature was the excellent soup and homemade breads and rolls . I think pumpkin soup was the best. If you get a chance to sample the local fare do so it was fun. When we were camping we often asked for a local dish and were given it. Pilau was served up once a concoction of meat and rice, quite tasty. We always ate a lot of fruit and drank plenty of water.
Accommodation:
We stayed in a variety of accommodation from what I would call a very luxury lodge, to simple tents and then basic guest houses. I have done reviews of the accommodation elsewhere so here I will confine my comment to one per lodge.
Momella lodge had the old world atmosphere. Boundary Hill Lodge the loo with a spectacular view. Speke Bay the lake. The Boma the bed after a long flight. White Rose Guest House frankfurters. Ngorongoro Wildlife lodge the view. Naitolia camp the best of them all. Camping in Uganda was fun, Camping in the Serengeti not to be missed.
Showers:
Hot water and a shower is an essential part of my daily routine I must have at least two a day.
All the lodges and camps had hot water for a shower and the way it was delivered varied from a simple bucket shower in the tent to a beautiful outside shower under the stars.
Company:
We used Eastco for our trip. It couldn't have been better. In the planning stages, the most important part, we learnt a lot.
Go with your gut feeling, Simon was by far the most knowledgeable of all the TO we emailed, and he did go out of his way to answer all the questions and plan the trip we wanted. After the Egypt debacle and the Ugandan add on, organized on the spur of them moment we can only say “Thanks” it was the trip of a life time and was beyond our expectations.
We did follow the advice on the forum and emailed many operators suggested here, the list no expert provided was an excellent starting point, and slowly we worked out which company would work for us. Quickly eliminating those who obviously wouldn’t. We were not disappointed.
Guide:
Last but not least: Our guide was Inno and you couldn't have wished for a better fit. He was quiet when we wanted him to be, talked when we wanted to. All in all you knew he was there for you.
His knowledge of wildlife was outstanding as you would expect, as well as being polite and friendly.
Tip: we did tip him and one tip we learned was to learn a bit of Kiswahili.
Wildlife:
Almost forgot the reason for the trip. In one word superb, nothing can describe the number of wildlife nor the variety. Standouts would be the Gorillas, Elephants at Tarangire and the cheetah at Seronera.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Looked after everything
We only had limited time, three days, and we had extensive email correspondence with Simon about six months earlier when he gave us prompt and patient answers to all our many questions. We took his advice about where to go, where to stay and he took care of all the many details, airport transfers etc. Everything went like clockwork. Would recommend Eastco to anyone.
Our driver was friendly, helpful and reliable.