DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best event in my life - a safari with Charles and safari porini
Last June I had my best four days in my Life! How? By doing a camping safari in the National Parks of Tanzania. Not only because a safari is a really overwhelming event but also because I had the best guide: Charles Njau and his Safari Agency ‘safari porini’ (www.safariporini.com). On the first day we were picked up at our hostel in Moshi and took direction to the Tarangire National Park. Here we made our first game drive and even saw lions which are very rare in this park - thanks to Charles, guide and driver. He did everything to show us as much as possible even if he had to speed through the Tarangire Park or had to drive through a muddy hole to give as the possibility to watch a lion mother with her three children from a close view. This was on our second day in the Serengeti where we spent the night in the middle of this National Park without any fence or other protection around the campsite. The third day began at 6am to see the sunrise in the Serengeti with a following game drive. We saw two hunting lions and a leopard eating his prey on a tree. And again it was Charles’ great experience and engagement that we had one of the best points of view every time. We spent our last day in the Ngorongoro Crater after a very exciting night and morning – buffaloes and elephants are the usual visitors there - at the campsite with view down into the Crater.
I have to add that we had really great luck because even though you have the best guide you must keep in mind that doing a safari depends a lot on the animals, their behavior and the environmental conditions. Therefore the best season is June until August when the raining season is over and the ‘winter’ begins. Then the rivers and lakes have more water again and it is colder for the animals to be agile.
Last but not least I have also to mention that not only Charles allowed us this great experience but also his friend and our cook indulged us with great meals and the best lunchboxes I ever had! It was a lot of fun with these two kind and affable guys that I would never chose another safari agency!!! Their motto is: Giving the clients their most unforgettable event in life! Or when the conditions aren’t that good: Doing everything to allow the clients a good event that is worth keeping in good memory!
Amazing 8 day in Serengeti,Ngorongoro,Manyara,Tarangire and Arusha National Park
We had a wonderful stay in Five National Parks. The guide was helpful and very knowledgeable about wildlife (flora and fauna). We got to see all animals include big five, we go closer during hiking escorted by Park Ranger. We really enjoyed a lot with lakengozi Tours.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tanzania by Katie
Accommodating and friendly locals, amazing sights, easy flights and tour booking.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 day safari to South Luangwa staying at Thornicroft
We couldn't have wished for more friendly tour guides and lodge staff. Land and Lake were very helpful and responsive to all our queries when we were planning our holiday. The drive from Lilongwe to South Luangwa was comfortable and our guides were both fun and interesting - there was never a dull moment in the car. Thornicroft is a very attractive lodge with a very friendly owner and staff. The rooms were comfortable and clean. The game drives were wonderful and were all the more special for having such a knowledgable and friendly safari guide who was very keen to show us as much as possible with a great sense of humour.
BE
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by HHM
Excellent natural parks, great landscape, good infrastructure to support tourism, relatively well connected, reasonable prices and wide range of options for hotels and restaurants.
US
A stunning introduction to Africa
This was my first trip to southern Africa after years of journeying around South America, North America, Europe and Asia. I was looking for a unique experience that would encompass affordability, adventure, wildlife, scenic beauty and a uniquely African experience . Zambia seemed to fit the bill and fulfilled my expectations. I chose to go during the green season when crowds were lower. Although animals were not as easy to view in parks such as Kafue, the birding made up for it. My itinerary went from Victoria Falls, with a side trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana, to the Lower Zambezi River for 2 days of canoeing and finally to South Luangwa. I was impressed with the professionalism of the guides, especially on the Lower Zambezi River and in South Luangua National Park. I had many highlights on this trip, but I would choose the Microlight flight over Victoria Falls , the canoeing trip on the Zambezi River and my time in South Luangwa National Park. The canoeing offered me close proximity to hippos, elephants and the peaceful tranquility of camping on the Lower Zambezi River. South Luangwa gave me all the cat sightings I was hoping for. The birding was simply incredible, rivaling the animal sightings. As a modest traveler, the lodging was to my liking, mostly in tents. Marula Lodge, outside of South Luangwa National Park, was very welcoming. I loved camping next to the river and the outdoor showers. The restaurant had tasty food and guiding was exceptionally professional. The country is very scenic, especially along the rivers. Big sky unsets were very memorable. I guess that if I were to alter anything on the itinerary during the green season, it would have be increased time on the Zabesi River and at South Luangwa National park at the expense of Kafue National Park. Although I felt like Kafue National Park to myself, the grass was too high for wildlife viewing during green season. Overall the trip was terrific and made for a satisfying 1st experience in Africa. Finally, I would like to thank Denver of Denssafari for organizing a superb itinerary at an affordable price. I look forward to my return to the region in the next year or two.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect days
Our guide, Anthony came to get us at our hotel. As soon as we met him, the holidays began....He's very nice, he laughs all the time. We were lucky enough to be only 4 with him, and we felt privileged. He's a real bushman, with great knowledge about the bush and South Africa, always available, but most af all, he's a great person. At the end, we considered him as a friend and were very sad to leave him.
About the safari, the landscapes are amazing, we could see very animals, even leopards, lions, elephants...
Two weaknesses:
- The visit of the elephant sanctuary after 3 days in the Kruger is not a good thing. Elephants are locked like in a zoo and we didn't enjoy it at all.
- The drive night was not with our guide Anthony, but with guides from the Kruger Park. We had to take a bus for 10 persons, and felt like tourists. It was too crowded. It was not so interesting as it's too dark and you can't see animals.
Thanks to Wildlife Safaris for their availability, flexibility and enthousiasm!
20-35 years of age
Uganda
All round great experience. Would recommend to anyone as it was a life changing experience!
JP
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari in Namibia is absolute one of the best choices in Africa!
I attended 10-day camping safari conducted by Wild Dog Safari with my husband in the middle of April 2017, which was just before the peak season. Weather was generally good, good sunshine in daytime and a bit cooler in evening. So good for tourist as we just needed light clothes(short sleeves with light jacket).
What I impressed firstly was the special safari truck which is remodelled the 4t truck for camping use. All camping equipment such as tents, cooking equipment, tables & chairs are well packed. Basically the camping life is to look around safari or sightseeing spots by the truck, park camping site, put tents, spend overnight, shut down tents, then move to another location. It was a bit busy, but we could have short rests during driving in the truck, which is one of the advantages to join such a group tour.
As for transportation, Namibia's main roads are mostly asphalt paved (though we passed some rattled roads), it was quite OK even for senior people, over 60 years old. Every two hours, we had a short break for washroom. If there are no proper facilities, we sometimes used bush washroom :)
During these 10 days, we visited the most of major spots. Namibia, not like other African countries, has varieties of beautiful sceneries such as desert, coast, rocky mountain and bush. Especially I was so impressed by the beauty of Namib desert, its colour and scale. We had also some joyful activities. Quad bike and Camel riding in Namib desert, chatting and playing with Himba tribe children and women.
In the middle of 10 days, we lodged at the hotel for 2 nights, that gave us a break to sleep in bed, time for washing clothes and eating in restaurants as all meals during camping are cooked by the camping staff. It was also good for the camping staff to have a rest to survive the rest of camping days.
Our tour main guide and the assistant were wonderful and friendly. All the time, they gave us the sufficient information and lovely chatting. For me or may all tourists, they are almost representative of Namibian as there was less opportunities to talk with local people during the camping tour. It was also benefit to have interactions with the camping tour mates from different countries, then expand network around the world.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the best guides I worked with, ever
Phillip was great from every point of view: organization, site choice, problem solving and group entertaining and communication. A great trip companion with a strong background and a deep passion about nature. I strongly advise you to call them for a trip!