US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime!
My two daughters and I recently returned from three weeks in Africa, and thanks to KWSS, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. From the time I first started looking at different tours and companies a year ago, Otieno (or OT - the owner) was right there, answering my emails within hours or talking to me on phone via WhatsApp. It's not easy to put your trust in a company that's halfway around the world (not to mention making a large payment!), but talking to him, and reading reviews made me feel confident that I'd chosen the right company, and indeed, the entire trip exceeded my expectations.
Our trip started in Kenya, where we went to Maasai Mara reserve for games drives and visiting the Maasai tribe, proceeded to Uganda, where we went trekking through the jungle to visit the gorillas, and ended in Tanzania for more game drives in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater, and ended the trip with three glorious days on the beach at Zanzibar.
Words just can't adequately describe the experiences of seeing the "big five" and every other animal imaginable in their own environment. High point of the trip (which is not even really a fair term to use since every single day was a wonderful new adventure!) aside from gorilla trekking - a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti at sunrise, which was just amazing - the great migration was there, and we saw thousands upon thousands of wildebeests and zebras. A full hour in the air, followed by a delicious champagne breakfast - with tablecloths! In the middle of the Serengeti! What an experience.
Because of the extent of our travels, we had many different accommodations, and all of them - from the hotels to the tented camps - were wonderful. The food ranged from very good to excellent, even at the little roadside restaurants along the way in Uganda.
From the time we were picked up at the airport in Nairobi to the very end of the trip, I felt safe and well-taken care of. Three women, traveling alone...I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but we never had to worry. We had three different guides during our trip - Shuma in Kenya, David in Uganda and Filbert in Tanzania. All three were so knowledgeable, professional, friendly and just such excellent guides. I really can't say enough about KWSS. I hope to return to East Africa...the countries are beautiful and the people are welcoming. If I do, I will definitely be using KWSS again.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience. Perfect combo of Adventure and Relax.
Since the very beginning of the trip we didnt have to worry about anything. For 18 days our minds disconected completely of any kind of responsibility. This trip offered the perfect combination of adventure and relax.
Also, all of the staff was really friendly and took perfect care of us during our days in dar es salaam, zanzibar and the safari. We regret not having more holidays to do other activities.... but we will come back! :)
Personal, professional, very flexible and accommodating to ensure exactly the holiday we wanted,
From the very first email contact, through to the holiday itself; I received very personal attention from one advisor; who as a result; really understood what we were looking for from our travel.
The communications were always prompt and I was kept very well advised on the status of my bookings. Numerous enquiries and requests for itinerary adjustments were dealt with professionally and courteously.
I would not hesitate to recommend Land and Lake to others looking for a personalised service combined with expert understanding of Malawi.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best safari company in Kruger!!!!
Shinzelle safari tours is arugable the best safari company in kruger. This company goes above and beyond in not only customer service and the best south african food around but also knowledge of animals while out safari. My wife and I booked a 5 day panoramic tour. We could not have been more pleased with our experience. The breakfast and dinner Danielle makes is so good! She is an amazing chef. Also their food is MUCH better then any other company out there. For example, while out on safari, you will stop for breakfast at a location within kruger, here your tour guide will give you your breakfast. The food with Shinzelle is an always fresh made, top quality breakfast. Every other company just gave them a basic borning, bland sad meal. My wife and I were glad to be eating like a star. So the food is great, now onto the safari tour. Brandon was out guide. He is by far the most passionate , knowledgeable guide out in kruger. He spends all his time, and even free time, undertsndsing more and more about everything in kruger. He will answer and give you a wealth of information on everything you need to know, and even more. Very awesome!! Could not be happier. Book with this company and you will be so happy!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Could have been perfect but too many big mistakes
I planned this trip for almost two years. Through internet search I stumbled upon Kalahari Skies. Eddy, the owner, was very forthcoming and ready to answer my questions. We were open to options and budget was not a factor, we were indecisive between a mobile safari or private camps. He advertised his services and a mobile safari as more likely to see game over any private camp in the delta. While we did see a good amount of game and of course it was beautiful, we actually saw more at the end of our trip in a private concession, with no cars around (versus the many cars in the national parks) and with more dramatic encounters (missed kill, lions, cheetahs....). In hindsight I would say that Eddy's recommendations were very self serving.
Upon arrival in Maun, after a 25 hour journey, no one was at the airport to welcome us. We watched as tourists after tourists were being picked up by their tour operators. We were stranded, tried calling the office with no luck and after one hour managed to get picked up by our hotel. This was quite disappointing and upsetting. Our guide later apologized for his mistake and took full blame for his oversight, but Kalahari Skies should have reminder/checks and not rely only on the guides they independently hire. They should also have someone in the office during the day answering calls.
The team we were assigned to was extremely nice, and our guide Newman was incredible. We all fell in love with him. He is knowledgeable, a very good driver, considerate, flexible, and I would recommend him to anyone. The food in the camp throughout the safari was excellent, the lunches in the road less so, mostly sandwiches and cookies. The tent accommodations were nice and adequate, with enclosed hot showers, the cots could use pads as they are quite hard. The nights were very very cold and much colder than what we had been told, we were not as prepared as we should have been. The temperatures were not in the low 50's but closer to low 40's. I would recommend bringing several long layers and a wool cap for the morning drives. Some blankets for the early morning drives would be nice.
There were a few things that did not work for us: 1. Too much driving between camps. Being on the road from 6:30 am to 4 pm is just too much. Arriving any earlier would mean that the camp is not set up and it is clear that they discourage you from arriving earlier. Animals are mostly quite during the mid day, as it is very hot, and driving around that time is not ideal. If I had to do it again I would only concentrate on two camps with just one long day of driving, and I would fly in and out avoiding the first and last drive. 2. The overall itinerary that we relied on Eddy to create, Moremi-Khwai-Savuti, leaves the least attracting area for last, with the least attracting camp. Again, this is not something that Eddy brought up and he should. We relied on his knowledge and were open to his suggestions. It was a mistake. A little research on my end would have made me realize the downsides of Savuti 3. We chose to do a mobile safari for the authentic feel of camping close to the animals. Savuti, unbeknown to us before we arrived there, is a camp with shower and bathrooms facilities that are mandatory, meaning you have to use the communal bathrooms. We found it took away from the experience. But what was really really upsetting was to arrive in Savuti and find that our camp site was the worst one, in front of the communal bathroom. The camp sites are not first come first serve. They are assigned as soon as one books. Some obviously have a much better location than others. There are other better camp sites in Savuti, so make sure to specify a private one. In Moremi and in Khwai we felt completely alone and away from everyone. We could not hear or see any other camp site. We booked this trip a year in advance. To arrive in Savuti and find that we were in the path of everyone else going to the bathrooms and with the view on the ugly facilities was such a turn off that we decided to drive straight to Kasane and cut our journey short. It was either that or having a less that magical experience, maybe taking away from what we had experienced until then. If I had to find a good analogy I would say imagine booking a flight a year in advance with an agency that is supposed to reserve you a seat, and finding upon boarding that you are at the end of the plane in the middle seat closest to the bathroom. This was a large oversight by Kalahari Skies and the main reason why I am giving 3 stars. If no better camp site was available they shoul dhave notified us as this particular one is absolutely not acceptable. I do not fly half way through the planet, plan a trip for two years, and rely on the tour operator to find myself stranded at the airport and my tent pitched in an open area next to the bathrooms with strangers walking through.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience for the whole family!!
We have been to Tanzania for over 2 weeks with our family with 2 children aged 11 and 14. First a week safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti) with a day in between with a visit to the Masai and a banana plantation. Then 8 days Zanzibar to attend all the experiences.
The trip was from Amsterdam directly to Arusha and then after a week safari flew at the Serengeti and from the Serengeti to Zanzibar (via Arusha). We flew back from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam and then back directly to Amsterdam. This is a really relaxed travel schedule (thanks for this great schedule Ajabu).
Everything was well arranged and the accommodations that Ajabu had chosen were beyond expectations.
From the first moment we arrived at the airport in Arusha and our Issa guide, we were waiting for a familiar and safe feeling.
We want to give our compliments to Issa, a great guide !! We did not think we could do better.
The Land Rover was also a super car and it brought us everywhere very comfortable.
Zanzibar and the flights to it are unforgettable and we will not forget this stay at Bellevue soon.
Myself and my son have had several days of kite lessons, fantastic !!
A real treat for anyone who wants to enjoy the true nature and ending a stay at Zanzibar is highly recommended!
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brazilian trip in serengeti
We had such an awesome time with Abdulah and Cobelo! Abdulah was like a jungle enciclopedia, and cobelo the party guy! We did some amazing adventures, going after lions and rhinos, sleeping in tents and meeting masai tribes. I'd highly recommend this guys to anyone who is willing to get to truly know Tanzania! I miss you my friends! Best regards from Brazil!
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
Masai Mara - 5*
Lake Nakuru - 5*
Amboseli - 2* (in spite of the park being amazing)
As previously arranged with the agency, a driver was in the airport to pick us up and to take us to the safari van in Nairobi to meet our driver Kenn and proceed to Masai Mara. In Masai Mara the overall experience was amazing. In Lake Nakuru the experience was also great and had a night in a nice budget hotel. Regarding Amboseli, we arrived there in the night of the 4th day. They gave us the last tent they had. Unfortunately, the conditions were not acceptable. The tent had a huge rip, the bathroom leaking water and the whole tent full of mosquitoes. We had to ask for another tent and a cleaner tent without bathroom was provided. It was the worse night in the whole safari and the reason why we don't submit 5 stars. The next day we went to the park (very nice), saw the mount Kilimanjaro from the camp in the end of afternoon (great view!) and we were provided with a tent with much better conditions (but still, the bed was quite broken in the middle). Here, we would like to put a nice word to our driver Kenn that made an effort for us to get the best tent! Unfortunately probably someone else had to stay in the tent we rejected the previous day. The agency has the responsibility to pressure the camp management to provide and guarantee the necessary conditions. In spite of being a budget tent, minimums are required. The return to Nairobi went well.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable
Just few words to say to you that we enjoyed a lot our safari with
African Scenic and Elia.
Thanks to Elia and his knowledge, devotion, good mood and sense
of humour, it was stunning and unforgettable.
Asante sana to both of you, Elia and Amanda !
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service
Thank you very much, high standard hospitality, very professional staffs. We have really enjoyed it.
I hope to do it again and again whether a safari or a zanzibar with my family. Much appreciated Tinga Tinga Safari