BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustable company with good value for money and personal service
We booked our safari (5 days 4 nights - Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) and our Mt Meru trekking with Aardvark. From booking untill now, owner Philemon Joel has taken care of our trip with great care and personal interest, providing excellent service (even in difficult circumstances).
The safari was a budget safari, having arrangements at public campsites. Cooking was excellent (better than most hotel/lodges) and guiding was good. We saw all of the big 5!! Material provided (tents and matras were of good quality ensuring good night rest). Washrooms of the public sites could be better but that s beyond Aardvark control.
Mount Meru climbing started perfectly, with good English speaking guide and excellent cooking at first night but we had to stop our trekking unfortunately due to forest fire blocking the track. Aardvark took the right decision by ensuring our safety and going down again. Philemon immediatly looked for an alternative stay when the lodge we were before was fully booked, which was a great help and much appreciated. He also refunded the costs for the days we didn t have!
Overall we are extremely happy with the service profided and can recommend Aardvark as a trusthworthy and good partner!
IE
The Hemingway Safari
The Safari as a whole was fantastic and lived up to our expectations. The lodging and logistics were just as described in the itinerary.
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly reliable, friendly and helpful
After we planned the journey ourselves, we contacted Ms. Presske (she is also speaking German) to make an offer. As this was our first visit in southern Africa, we had a lot of questions, and they have alyways been answered very quick. We got exactly what we wanted!!! The trip was perfectly organized and all the pick-ups, transfers, reserved rooms, etc. worked without any problems. I was a little bit in trouble, because we wanted to pay the whole journey a year in advance (due to expected change Euro/US Dollar), but everything worked out fine and I am full of confidence to Ms. Presske and Gondwana Tours. We stayed one week in Botswana and one week in Namibia, but only booked Botswana at Gondwana Tours. Namibia we booked ourselves.
We stayed 2 nights in Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls, 2 nights in Chobe Safari Park and 3 nights in PomPom Camp. Ilala Lodge was our favourite hotel, the Chobe national park is simply incredibly fantastic - we have nowhere else seen so many animals and we should have stayed one night longer. What to say about the PomPom Camp: the journey to PomPom and back to Maun is already a highlight, the food is very good and the staff is adorable, we haven´t seen so many animals there but the surrounding is already worth a visit!
Final grade for this journey and organization: 10 of 10 Points!!!!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Global Kilimanjaro Bowl
Frank Mella from Kilele Savane provided extraordinary leadership and service to our group of more than 150 people. We traveled two football teams and all supporting staff from the USA and Mexico to Tanzania. Frank coordinated all the ground transportation, hotel arrangements, a trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro, and a safari journey for what was likely the largest group ever hosted for a similar two week experience. Every need was met to the highest level. Our group was safe and the customer service was extraordinary. I would travel with Kilele Savane anywhere on earth!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari Dreams a Reality!
African Welcome Safaris and Kathi Simon made my safari dreams a reality (bucket list item checked off!). I was referred to African Welcome Safaris and Kathi from a friend who booked her African vacation a few years ago. I attempted to mimic her same itinerary and was so fortunate to work with Kathi. I reached out to her with my available dates and requests, and she responded so quickly with a quote and options. Unfortunately, the lodge I had requested was not available, but Kathi researched and provided two options along with price differentials. My friend and I ended up choosing the Elephant Plains Game Lodge in Sabi Sands, and we couldn't be happier with the experience!
Communication: Excellent from day 1! Every time I reached out to Kathi, she responded within 24 hours. We even encountered a flight delay on our way to South Africa, and she responded to assure us that our guide would be tracking our flights and would be there to assist when we did land. We also encountered a cancelled tour (due to weather) in Cape Town, and Kathi was available to discuss our options and even went out of her way to call the tour operator to discuss rescheduling during the remainder of our stay. She also moved our other tours around just in case to avoid conflicts.
Safari: The Elephant Plains Game Lodge exceeded every expectation I had! I still can't believe that I was fortunate enough to stay there and see all the animals in the area. We saw all the Big 5 multiple times. The accommodations are incredible, and the game drives so thrilling. The food was terrific and plentiful.
Service: It was so stress-free working with Kathi! I didn't have to worry about arranging transportation to/from airports or domestic flights, times, or airlines. The timing for everything worked out perfectly so that I could maximize the time spent on safari. My friend and I landed from our international flight, proceeded on a domestic flight to the safari area, and transported to the safari lodge all in time to catch the afternoon game drive! All the arrangements were perfect; we didn't encounter any issues during our travels. It's such a relief to get off a plane and have someone waiting for you. I'm so grateful to have met so many friendly people during my vacation. Everyone made our stay so special, and I learned so much about the culture and history from each person we met.
Value: I've been all around the world, and I would say that this vacation to South Africa was the most unique and affordable experience. When I was first doing my research, this vacation was not a possibility because all the safari lodges I came across were very expensive and not within my budget. I'm so happy I reached out to Kathi because she kept my budget in mind, and I'm actually shocked by the value received.
It was a breeze working with Kathi, and I definitely plan on visiting again. I wouldn't hesitate with reaching out to African Welcome Safaris and Kathi for my next African vacation. I only wish there was a similar company available for all my international travels!
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent Safari by Kenya Bush Excursions
Message is- I am extremely happy with my experience on safari with Kenya Bush Excursions. we set out with the hopes of spotting the Big Five on the Mara - we did that and so much more. Our driver/ guide was very knowledgeable (Timothy), and very dedicated to giving us a great experience. We stayed at Kibo Camp in Amboseli, a very nice camp and our room was just perfect.
In fact, after a successful day out in the Mara, Tomothy suggested that we do a safari of Lake Naivasha and his suggestion proved to be spot on the wildlife by the Lake was very different and definitely worth seeing. I can't also forget to mention Santos O. who was replaying our emails and he also help us choose the best destination in Kenya that we can sport the BIG 5.
I heartily recommend Kenya Bush Excursions to anyone looking for cheap and good safari experiences to Africa without hidden cost.
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
Great accomodation,beautiful service, excellent planning of the safaris
Friendly staff who went out of their way to make our stay memorable
TH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
Where do I start? so many good things to report from our recent trip. Daniel the company director provided us with exceptional service. From the start I felt he really understood what we were looking for plus he was able to get what we wanted within our budget! He made some valid suggestions to our itinerary which in the end made a huge difference to our trip. The safari totally exceeded our expectations. The lodges and tented camps he selected had great food and facilities.
The wildlife, landscapes, people were amazing. I have traveled to many places in the world. Kenya now is my favorite place on earth! You can really trust Transtrek Safaris with making your dream safari come true, they are professional and offer financial protection, this was really important to us. I must not forget to mention our guide Peter who knew the parks and reserves like his own pocket. We saw all the animals we wanted and beyond because he knew where to look and communicated with other guides. Overall it has been a holiday of a lifetime! Thank you Transtrek Safaris team , we will use your services in the future. Highly recommended!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
"Perfect Safari Vacation!"
Monika and team came highly recommended by a close friend who had their wedding in Botswana. Our trip started in South Africa then moved on to Botswana. All of our camps, hotels, bush planes and transfers were handling perfectly without a glitch. Amazing! Every guide in every camp was fabulous. We especially appreciated how Monika included a boat and walking camp in the middle of our other "African Massage" camps. (Bouncing in a truck can get a bit tiresome.) The food at all locations was fantastic. The animals were gorgeous and the photo memories are plentiful!
It all made for a wonderfully memorable experience! Thank you Monika and team!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Experience. Fantastic Owner.
This was beyond our expectations. Jaco -- either the owner or one of the owners of Red Africa -- picked us up at the airport at 10:30 at night, drove all night, and made sure we caught the morning light. I'm a photographer and was getting footage for a client on a tight schedule, and Jaco bent over backwards to accommodate my me. I have future work here in South Africa, and plan to bring my son next time. Jaco may well bring his son (same age) so they can reflect on their different cultures and also have that jaw-dropping opportunity to see animals in the wild. (It was that great of an experience.)
The vehicle we traveled in was large and comfortable -- Jaco even provided pillows and blankets to nap as we drove thru the night.
Accommodations were excellent at the eco-lodge he chose overlooking a river with wild boars, hippos, and crocodiles wandering by riverside. Food was even better. Staff there accommodating, friendly and very excited to be able to show people the ecology and the animals there. We even had a morning river cruise to see crocs and native birds.
Stand-out meal was a BBQ riverside where we heard a leopard growling after dinner while having an after dinner drink by lantern light. And then we headed out for a night safari by full moon.
You'll make memories for a lifetime on this tour.