FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent personalised service resulting in an wonderful trip to Zambia.
I was searching for an add on to a pre planned bush camping trip in Botswana and sent out numerous requests through Safari Bookings with a wide open request to travel onto a neighbouring country with just my finish date in Botswana , the date of my flight out to France from SA and a limited budget. Travelling as a solo female this kind of request proves difficult to fulfil and Sonja from Ntanda was the only person to respond positively. She suggested Zambia and worked along with my personal preferences and interests to plan a wonderful itinerary for me. I found her friendly and obviously dedicated to providing the best service possible not forgetting that she had to deal with the daily power outage disrupting her working schedule! From Victoria Falls where my Botswana trip ended I was picked up by a driver and taken over the border into Livingstone where I spent 4 night at Victoria Falls Waterfront in fixed tent accommodation. This was a great value for money stay with plenty of trip and adventure options. My days were pre booked by Sonja and I thoroughly enjoyed all the experiences. In the evening I sat eating dinner and watching the magnificent sunsets over the great Zambezi River. It is a very pleasant vibrant setting enjoyed both by locals and tourists. From Livingstone I flew to Mfuwe and onto another 4 night stay at Thornicroft Lodge at the edge of South Luangwa Park. Another riverside lodge with hippos, elephants and crocodiles to watch. Again Sonja had planned my days and everything went smoothly and exceeded all expectations. The game drives morning and night with just me and the driver/guide were always an adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed the visits to 3 local community projects. Painting my own cushion cover @ Tribal Arts was a highlight and a wonderful souvenir of the trip. Highly recommend visiting Zambia and asking for Sonja @ Ntanda Adventures to plan it. She did an AMAZING job. Thank you.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari with an unforgettable guide!
We had the most incredible experience with Jungle Roam Safaris and in particular with our guide Jack! Jack is a special guide and we feel so lucky to have spent our safari with him. He is incredibly knowledgeable about all the flora and fauna in the area and was such a professional from beginning to end, going out of his way to make the experience special for us. He knew exactly where to go so that we could catch a glimpse of lions, rhinos and even cheetahs! We couldn’t recommend Jack strongly enough, he even made a very special trip to crescent island possible at the last minute. We felt like family by the end of the trip. We hope to return to Kenya next year with our family and will definitely choose Jungle Roam and be sure to request Jack!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Hospitality
A few weeks ago, I took a break and went on vacation to Zanzibar. My tour with Kensai Tours and Travel, coordinated by Eve, was a dream come true! Highly recommend.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience, Great Tour Operator
A lot of the budget operators are working with the same company and are putting together trips as a conglomeration of services by connecting already existing trip itineraries with drivers to drive people between the different places that the tours stop and start. Most tour itineraries are basically the same, just with different lodging at night. Because of this, a lot of the value proposition that these tours operators add is how well they are able to figure out the logistics for you and their ability to serve any requests you might.
We were working with Anthony from Josana Tours and he was excellent. He was always available via WhatsApp and was able to help with any specific needs we had. We had some questions throughout the trip and had to get more money out, and he seemed to know someone in every town who he messaged and was able to get the answers or the booking for us. He was very accommodating of our situation, and was able to deal easily with our flight coming in late (we got rushed out to the tour), as well as the additional time we wanted to spend in Nairobi. It was truly a personal experience with Anthony, which is not something you are usually able to say about budget tours.
In addition, the standard tour planning was excellent. All drivers and cabs were prepaid, Anthony would update us the day before who was picking us up and at what time, and everything went smoothly. Logistically, it was very impressive to me how all this worked and how it worked so well.
The safari itinerary was fairly standard but also impressive. We really liked the Kenya side, especially Amboseli, and would consider coming back during the summer months (although it was cool during May too - still lots of animals and impressively green). We got to see the big five and all our other fives as well. Personally, we didn't think the Serengeti was worth visiting as the grasslands were kind of boring after all the cooler parks in Kenya. The Ngorongoro crater was cool though and worth visiting and we really enjoyed camping.
Since this was a budget tour we were in glamping accommodations in Kenya plus a hotel or two and then actual camping accommodations in Tanzania. We didn't realize we were actually camping in Tanzania so we didn't bring everything we needed (soap), but as young travellers we enjoyed all of it. The glamping accommodations were actually really nice compared to what we're used to and were cooler during the night than a hotel room which was a solid plus. However, camping isn't everyone's cup of tea and if that's you case you can just ask Anthony for different accommodations for those nights and I'm sure he'd be happy to accommodate.
Overall, it was a great experience and booking with Josana Tours made it that.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
My husband and I and another couple had the opportunity to visit Tanzania and go in the safari last February. I love to travel and see other cultures and places. I have to say this was the most phenomenal trip I've ever been on. Our trip was booked through Mawe African Ventures. This was my first safari and I was a bit apprehensive getting this all set up. Our travel guide Raffy made this a seamless experience everything from the booking to being picked up at the airport was perfect. As far as a safari, you could not imagine how many animals we saw. I saw more animals than I thought could be possible. The accommodations were spectacular. Everything from high-end hotels to beautiful tent lodges out in the Serengeti. The first tent lodge we stayed at I had two giraffes walk right in front of me as I sat in the porch. unbelievable! We also could hear the lions roaring at night in the distance. The food at the establishments were like 5 star restaurants. Even when we got to have picnics out on the plains with the zebras, walking around us. The staff.
At the accommodations are unbelievably gracious. I love to talk to about their experiences living out in the Serengeti. Raffy's expertise with the animals and his country was unbelievable. He knew so much about the animals and their environment. His vehicle "Simba" was very comfortable and his Is driving skills were exceptional.
We were there for 12 days. We would get up early in the morning before the other drivers got out. We would bring our breakfast and see the animals in the early light. It was surreal! We saw a Mama lion with her cubs eating a fresh killed zebra. We saw a mama cheetah teaching her children how to track down dinner. In the Ngorongoro Crater we even saw a newly born wildebeest. Raffy was very conscientious of the animal's safety and and well-being. He approached them at a safe distance. Close enough, so we could see them but not interfere with their behavior.
I brought some school supplies and toys for children. I asked Raffy if we could drop them off at a appropriate place. He found this wonderful Montessori school where we got to visit the children and the teachers. It was probably one of my favorite experiences. The children were so excited about their learning. And it was very interesting talking to the teachers about their education and their experiences teaching.
Our trip went by so quickly. It was unbelievable all the things we saw. Just remember to bring your camera. But remember to sit back and enjoy the experience.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guide. So enjoyable to be around. He even speaks Lion!
Raffy’s attention to your every want and need is outstanding. He loves his job, the birds, animals and his country; and it shows.H His knowledge of the birds and animals was phenomenal. He can mimic many of the birds. He will stop “Simba” his trusty four wheel drive. Pull up an app with the birds call and description. He can pick out animals at a distance while driving and stop to show you. It took us a minute from the stopped vehicle to find what he had seen while navigating the muddy road and shemos.
In the evenings he would have dinner with us, answering all of our questions. Few other guides eat with their clients. We really felt like he was part of the family. We call and write to him frequently.
A person in our party needed some prescription drugs. Raffy called back to Arusha and had them delivered the next day by aircraft. When out driving, he knows all the other guides. Even though they speak Swahili, you can tell they respect him and ask him for information on where the animals are. He helped two other jeeps out of the mud, yet never came close to getting stuck himself.
Food was outstanding in the evenings. Most days we took a breakfast or lunch and left the camp at sunrise. Then Raffy would find an open spot, do a security check. Then set up a table and chairs so we could eat a huge breakfast. Just a real treat to experience. But the experience would not be the same without Raffy smiling and laughing.
PK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari Experience
Had a great 5 day safari with them. They accommodated and customised every detail for us. Even they added a tour to Lake Naivasha on our request which was not even included in our package initially. Naomi and Jake were always there to make our experience even better.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional and friendly
The safari was so amaizing, the team is so friendly and ready to give a helping hand at any time.The guide was so professional and so friendly to everyone in our group.
All in all the hospitality we received was awesome.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
They were very professional
I booked a trip with Go Touch Down Travel for a Kruger safari and Victoria Falls tour. Angie and her staff were very professional. The accommodations provided were top notch. Meals were well prepared and tasty. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. I gave them a four-star rating as part of the safari required me to take a flight to one of the safari locations, however only a last-minute observation prevented me from being left at the location after the safari. The flight did not include a return. This return flight became an additional expense. Notwithstanding the return flight mix up, I would recommend Go Touch Down Travel to others.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had the best time in Kenya!
I did the 5 days Masai Mara budget tour with Jimmy as our driver and guide.
Everyone in our jeep felt safe with Jimmy as our driver expertly navigating the rough rocky/muddy roads with mad skills. He was always checking up on me, and being a female solo traveller I find that to be really thoughtful.
The highlights were that we saw some Nat Geo worthy scenes in real life and some animals came real close to the jeep which was just incredible to watch. Definitely pay a little more to visit the Maasai village and learn about the Maasai tribe.
Whilst the food and accommodation was really simple and basic, it’s really good value for money in terms of the experience gained and friendships forged.
The trip was nothing short of incredible and would definitely recommend it to my friends and family that are interested in going on a safari.