RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unique experience!
We were in safari 2 years ago with African Mosaic Tours. It was an amazing trip that I will remember all my life because it is something unique.
Everything was very well organized, our guide Max Abeid was like an old friend , not only a guide but also someone who can trust in. We saw a lot of animals and the jeep driver, Ali, was very flexible with the route and did a lot to satisfy us.
I strongly recommend this safari with African Mosaic Tours and guide Max Abeid.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic adventure in Uganda with Matoke.
The 19 days in Uganda were fantastic.
Our guides (Mike and Frank) are top. They did everything to help us and gave us a good inside of this beautiful country and very friendly people.
Our fellow travellers became our friends. We had so much fun with them (and Frank and Mike).
We saw so many beautiful parks, views and so may animals:
- Kidepo is a must to see
- Murchisons Falls and Lake Albert (we saw a lot of girafs and for example the shoebill)
- Kibale Forest (the chimp habituation is a great experience)
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Kazinga Channel boat trip (the best boat trip we had in Uganda, we saw also the rare white kingfisher)
- Lake Mutanda
- Bwindi (the gorilla's!)
- Lake Mburo
- the swamp near Entebbe (with again the shoebill)
Every day was different, interesting and exciting.
The visits to the vilages, markets, the problems with the roads (and flat tires), the ferries.
This is Africa.
Thanks Matoke.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect week along Garden Route
we travelled for one week with Craig to Klein Caroo and Garden Route. It was a impressive program including a visit to the history of South Africa ( Stellenbosch, Diaz Museum) and a one day safari experience. Craig was an excellent tour guide, explaining a lot of things, and being always flexible to our interest, what we really appreciated. We have in mind to do another trip with him one of the following years.
US
one stop for safari in Kruger area
It was great to be able to have one agency handle all the reservations for our Kruger area trip, including shuttles between Johannesburg and the park and between lodges. The lodges were aware of our shuttle as well so that made it very easy. And I could pay by credit card online, so that was a plus.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent tour operator
My family and I travelled to Tanzania in September 2015, and we were looked after by Peter Mapinda as our tour operator for our whole stay of 10 days. We had the most wonderful experience. Peter is an extremely knowledgeable, friendly and professional tour operator. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with him, and felt very comfortable with everything that he had planned, and suggested. We saw the most wonderful natural wildlife experiences, and these are memories that I will keep with me forever. Thank-you Peter for the most amazing holiday.
US
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Educational, Memorable and Fun
Memorable Hour with Gorillas
A friend and I went to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in May 2016 to see the Mountain Gorillas via Kampala where we work. Our trip was planned with great detail and our local guide Martin Ngabirano met with us a few days before our trip to see if we had any additional questions about the trekking. Martin, is very personable, extremely knowledgable about the culture, environment and an excellent birder. Our three day trip started early in the morning from Kampala with a mid day stop at the Equator for a bite to eat and a few pictures. The drive is approximately 10 hours through hilly and mountainous geographical areas of Western Uganda. That evening we stayed at the Rushaga Gorilla Camp which I would highly recommend for trekkers. The staff was helpful and the scenery from the lodge is beautiful.
On the second morning we left for the Rushaga Gate for gorilla orientation and to meet the ranger, trekkers, guide and porters. Do hire a porter to carry your backpack, camera bag, and help you through some physically demanding areas and you are helping the local people. The time it takes to trek the gorillas can vary from a half an hour to 6+ hours. Our guide told us that we would be following the Bweza Gorilla Group. We hiked for approximately an hour and a half before we saw our first subadult. We were instructed to keep our distance to 7 meters but on occasions it can be closer due to the where the animals are feeding next to the trail. Visitors to the forest are allowed 1 hour to observe the gorillas and may take photos, and videos at this time. No flash is allowed. We saw 8 of the family members, feeding, and climbing trees. To spend this hour with these astonishing beautiful animals and the very skilled rangers, and guides was a life time experience. After the gorilla trekking we left the Rushaga gate and drove two hours to visit the Ruhija community Orphanage just outside the Ruhija gate in Bwindi. This orphanage is run by remarkable lady, Happy and the children are taught by a dedicated staff. Ruhija Little Angels Orphanage and Primary School is found on Facebook. We spent the night in the Ruhija community at the Trekkers Tervan which is comfortable.
The third morning after breakfast we headed back to Kampala and and on our way we saw Blue Monkeys, numerous birds and gorgeous scenery.
The gorilla permit is now $600 except during the rainy season months which are April, May and November when the permit is $450.00 When you go gorilla tracking, you are not just supporting the protection of the gorillas as well as the surrounding communities, but also helping to preserve the entire Uganda National Park System.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Wildside Safari Co fullfilled all my expectations excellent service and an outstanding safari.
My dream was to see the Gorillas and I was fortunate to join a Wildside Safari Co Tour to Rwanda 3 years ago. We stayed in the Volcanoes national part which is a small village in Rhungeri. Our mountain lodge was simple but comfortable, with a warm cosy room and wood fire and delicious food. Our trek up the mountain to the Gorillas the next morning was nothing but spectacular, our guides were superb and in the short hour that we were with these magnificent creatures, we saw the great Silver Back and his family happily munching away at the Eucalyptus leaves. A magnificent trip and definitely lived up to my expectations and one I will remember for ever.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
WOW!! Makasa is amazing.
Makasa is a top-notch company that offered a spectacular Safari with a personal touch. We have 2 kids ages 8 and 10 and they matched a guide that also had kids and Kalebi could not have been better! He answered their endless questions, taught them Tanzanian songs and was just a joy to be around. He also knew everything about everything from people, animals and culture. Highly recommend this company. Selma (owner) is quick to cater a tour to your specific needs and managed a lost bag for us so we could just enjoy the safari. She came to our hotel to meet us and got the paperwork and had the bag sent to our first camp. The places we stayed were incredible and the food was amazing and safe to eat. A lifetime memory complete.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Truly Amazing Safari with It Started In Africa
My friend and I just finished sorting through the multitude of photos we took, but we both had an amazing time! On the first day, our driver, Joel, picked us up in Arusha at our hostel and drove us to Lake Manyara for a day and night game drive. Both game drives were great, and we even got lucky by seeing lions in the trees! On the second day, Joel took us past Ngorongoro Crater and into the Serengeti. The view from above the Crater was breathtaking, and Serengeti plains were awe-inspiring. We saw so many animals, including lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes. On the third day, Joel took us through the Serengeti early in the morning, and he was eagerly listening to the game radio to ensure we had the best safari experience possible. And we sure did! On this very special day (and my friend's birthday), we saw a leopard in a tree, a male lion bedded down in the tall grass, a whole lion family with 3 cubs, 2 cheetahs, and a live cheetah hunt! Oh, and then we walked around Ngorongoro crater and came within yards of a zebra herd. Needless to say, Joel's ability to spot wildlife and eagerly listen to the game radio made the third day of our safari very, very special. And the cook we had with us even made my friend a birthday cake! On the last day of our safari, Joel drove us into Ngorongoro Crater, and we completed our goal of seeing the Big Five with both a buffalo and rhino in the Crater. At the end of the day, he dropped us back off at our hostel in Arusha. As you can see, It Started in Africa did a fantastic job with providing us the best possible safari experience. Our driver, Joel, and the cook were great! We even used them to drive us to JRO airport the next day, and Joel picked us up on time and we made our flight. Based on things we heard from other tourists who booked safaris last minute, I'm sure glad we did our research ahead of time and chose It Started in Africa to be our safari company. We would highly recommend a safari with It Started in Africa to any of our friends. Thanks It Started in Africa for making our safari a very memorable experience!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya southern game parks tour
I recently returned from an 8 day tour of Kenya's southern game parks with my family. The tour exceeded my expectations. We had an excellent driver/tour guide who was always on time, friendly and knowledgeable about the parks and the animals in it. He worked hard to get us to see as many different animals as possible. We chose 3 star accommodations and each one we stayed at was excellent. The rooms were clean and modern, the service was outstanding and the food was good too.
I would recommend Kikwetu Cultural Adventures to anyone who is interested in doing a similar tour