20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly awe-inspiring holiday in beautiful surroundings.
Our trip to Phinda Game Reserve was as a present for my Dad's 60th, and it did not disappoint. Our accommodation (we stayed at the Mountain Lodge in Phinda) was beautifully laid out and equally good for both seclusion and socialising - whichever you prefer. The rooms were incredibly generous in size with decking out the front and even a plunge pool for those that are feeling brave. The grounds of the lodge were kept in immaculate condition, the swimming pool was literally a 2 minute walk from your room, as was the outdoor and indoor dining area which hosted the majority of breakfasts, lunch and dinners. Prepared by head chef Neo (who made a point of individually welcoming you to your table and explaining what was for dinner every night, a really nice touch) and his team, the food was always of impeccably high standards as was the presentation of it. We couldn't have been more impressed at the level of service from the in-house team of hosts. They could not do enough to make your stay a more memorable one, from how you'd like your eggs done, to birthday gifts they really did provide everything and were a large factor behind why I feel the holiday was such a successful one. Keep an eye out for Mandla particularly, who I didn't see without a smile on his face for four whole days.
The weather was amazing for the duration of our stay, including some breath-taking electric thunderstorms on our first night. As for when you're out on safari, it does get quite cold when you're out after dark, so despite it being really sunny when you set off, take a jumper. Blankets are provided which was unexpected, but very much appreciated! It was my first safari and will take some beating - we managed to see everything we wanted to, leopards and black rhino's included...and as a keen photographer I was afforded plenty of time to take photos at will of the amazing animals on show. Our guides were totally receptive to what we wanted to see and put on a wonderful breakfast in the bush one morning, as well as taking us on some great walks when there was a bit of downtime.
My only minor criticism would be that considering you spend 7 hours a day in them, the Jeeps weren't the most comfortable form of transport. I'm a little over 6 foot 2 and the legroom in the Jeeps wasn't really adequate for me, the seats weren't very well padded either - but really once you'd gotten over it this didn't detract at all from my overall enjoyment.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Phinda Game Reserve to anyone, it was an unforgettable experience and we owe much to those who hosted us and made our stay that little bit more special.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent private camping safari in Tanzania with African Heart
We wanted to use special-camp sites (nicely private but cost more and have to be reserved) for our Tanzania trip, to replicate a fantastic experience we had in Bostswana. All the TOs we contacted except African Heart discouraged us, pushing tented camps. I can now see why - this is a heck of alot easier for them (basically Motel 6s in the Serengeti). Peter Reijmes from African Heart accommodated our request and arranged a great trip - Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Myanyara, and Tarangire, with a hotel stop before and after. Our guide Josephat and cook Barongo were excellent company. The trip was brief due to our time constraints but did not feel rushed, and we saw lots of wildlife in different environments, as we hoped. We skipped the Masaii visit but went to a weekly market when our tire was being fixed, which I highly recommend. Email communication was more like 48-72 hours rather then 24 but reliable. We wanted to be camping alone under the stars in Tanzania and African Heart helped us make it happen.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
the experience in the park was great, we saw chimps on both treks.
As visitors, we had the experience of being bounced around from car to boat to park without anyone really telling us what was going on. The personal touch, that we have had with other tours was not present. We never met with Joshua and never felt like our business really mattered. With the exception of the last meal, which we bought ourselves, the itinerary was followed and we enjoyed our time with the chimps. I hope that future tours are less impersonal, otherwise I would recommend saving some money and doing this trip on your own.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The perfect safari!
We had an amazing safari with Kili Slope! It was one of the best things I've ever done in my life and will definitely be something I do again.
Right from the off, David looked after us, collected us from the airport (in Kilimanjaro) and dropping us to our hotel even though our safari did not start for 2 days. On the safari, we had Nova as our driver. He had had a very pleasant and calm mannerism (which helps when there's wild animals all around you!) was a safe driver and was extremely knowledgable about the Serengeti and Ngorogoro. Ibrahim was our cook and each meal was delicious and healthy!
We managed to see the big 5 (+hippo and cheetah) on our safari along with a lioness dragging a dead wildebeest back to the shade for her cubs to eat!! It was truly incredible and not something I will ever forget! We did a camping safari and we had zebras, an elephant and hyenas in our camp - it was surreal.
I can strongly recommend Kili Slope and if I'm ever to do a safari in Tanzania again (which is very likely!) I will definately be doing it with Kili Slope Tours!
Declan (from Ireland but writing in Brazil!)
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful
Just wanted to thank this amazing team for organizing such a life changing experience for our family. We had an amazing vehicle (see picture), our guide Johnsson was professional but cheerful and friendly at the same time, the itinerary design was great considering our short timeframe and the accommodation options recommended surprised me for the huge value for money. All the pre-bookings were handled perfectly by email and phone.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A class act all the way. Perfection down to the minute details. Could not have been better!
We booked our 14 day Africa itinerary with Africa Untamed through Pam Blair in California on a friends recommendation. We live in Florida so this was a long distance internet relationship. All of our many questions plus tweaking of the itinerary worked out by Pam and AU were answered and attended to quickly and painlessly. We chose to arrive in Africa via Johannesburg to access Victoria Falls and Botswana wildlife. The arrangements for this portion of the trip was coordinated by AU and their contacts with Victoria Falls Anytime. We were met at the airport by Jean our quide, who treated us like royalty! The choice of accommodations and activities was excellent. Jean our guide was wonderful, knowledgeable, entertaining and outgoing. WE learned a lot about Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana from her.We are experienced travelers but could not begin to have done this on our own. On arrival at Nairobi we were spotted in baggage claim by an agent for AU and whisked thru customs to meet Elphas Ongong'o owner of AU who delivered us to our lovely hotel the Fairmont Norfolk. Again more royalty treatment as Elphas took us to a fine restaurant for dinner and came in the morning with Simon Muriuki who was to be our guide and host for the next 4 days. Elphas told us Simon Muriuki is probably the best guide in Kenya and we could not agree more! His vast knowledge of his country and it's animals was amazing! As a result of his commentary, we knew more about the animals, than some of our other quides!. We set off for the 5 hour ride to the Samburu Simba lodge seeing a great cross section of Kenyan countryside. Two days there followed by a day at Sweetwaters Tented camp with Simon as our personal guide and spotter provided us with amazing photographs of a variety of animals, including the big 5, close up. Thanks to him, we have some very amazing photographs! Flying an hour plus and two intermediate stops from Nanyuki to Masai Mara Game preserve gave us a birds eye view of the various levels of agriculture and wilderness. Our "home for 4 days was the luxury tented camp Il Moran. We got to finish the tour seeing and photographing the big 5 plus all the other animals, again capped by a balloon ride and gourmet breakfast where the balloon landed in the plains within the park. Our flight back to Nairobi again encompassed two intermediate stops' Once again we were met by Elphas who delivered us back to the Fairmont for a rest and repack and our final ride back to the airport to start our 48 hour journey home. AU, Elphas, Simon, Africa as well as all the accommodations and activities met and often exceeded our expectations. We were sad to see the end but very glad we did it!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amboseli vacation.
Excellent!!! Good service Thanks for your service Steps, we really had fan with my family.
GL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Riverine safaris to remember and have no regret or doubt for your booking cost
We are still in Uganda on our late days to get back home but I and my family have indeed tested the thrill and credibility of what potential tour operator looks like and how I wish it should be across the globe when we choose to plan our family vacation in Uganda with Riverine safaris. Something impressing and important about these guys is their kind of professionalism and some kind of honest they have showed to us and being so helpful whenever you need help about anything in Uganda. On arrival everything was set and just waiting for us to arrive ready with a fleet of confortable van, very interesting. With this company your impressively welcomed at the airport with a gift of either yellow banana or anything unique accompanied with sweet briefing from the director of the company himself very free young but knowledgeable in tours across Uganda and Rwanda.
From the guides, tour van, Accommodation and meal were so appetizing. When we left Kampala to Murchison falls national park, we began enjoying our trip by stopping at Ziwa Rhino’s sanctuary very few in number. Murchison fall it being the largest protected area in Uganda, has mostly majority of wildlife viewing different kinds of animals in the park and lots of birds. Most specular about the park is the top of the fall which we couldn’t imagine such big, large river actually fitting in a narrow gorge making a reflection of a very beautiful rainbow. Nice accommodation in Paraa lodge
Leaving Murchison National to kibale National park was our largest drive but with our very reliable guide, we couldn’t mind much that even though one could get a sleep, could still weak up live on the local roads of Uganda. We managed to interact with Chimpanzee in Kibale park our very first time seeing them feeding and playing their extraordinary games you may think they are happy seeing you or welcoming you jet they are just enjoying their natural Environment because what they have that man does have is the too much hairy body but all other characteristics and nature are for man, very exciting Chimpanzees in Kibale National park and Kyambura riverine gorge in Queen Elizabeth National park all in the west of the country.
More of it is the tree climbing Lions in Ishasha Queen Elizabeth National park. It is un believable scenario that Lions can climb straight trees with their prey till one wishes to see them him/herself and they are always in large numbers in a tree some feeding, others resting from hunting and others using trees and un under cover techniques in trees waiting for a prey to approach by and drop unto to it very enjoyable viewing them close but in trees. Uganda is indeed worth it and the pearl of Africa
The following morning we drove south wards to Bwindi Impenetrable National park another destination of amazing, lovely creatures and loved by many tourists across the world. We had a great night at Buhoma camp having great warmth since the place is cold enough preparing for an attempt Gorilla tracking the following morning. This section of Uganda is too cold in the evening, morning and especially when it rains that one need warm wearing’s as any time is tea time. Tracking these creatures in the Impenetrable is a rewarding experience searching any of the Gorilla families in the Impenetrable jungle like is the case tracking Chimpanzee in Kibale.
One of our guides makes a joke that it’s like when God make his creation balance, the beam balance bent much more to Uganda in terms of natural creations as the country is the most ranged with nature because whatever you will look at or pass by is a resource of nature that one would love to grab, free fresh air in the forests and across rivers since some of Uganda’s water stream are flowing from mountainous areas some having snow on top like mount Rwenzori also in western Uganda.
Lake Mburo National park also located in the west of Kampala gave us a wonderful nature walk tour and a game drive with in the park having lots of wildlife to enjoy.
Recommendation
Riverine safaris is one of the best and actually the best tour Operators to book with offering classic trip in Uganda and Rwanda where you finish up your trip with only happiness, joy and smiling, good and professional guides, good food and accommodation booking, great and reliable family tour vans, the honest showed, and much more about this Operator, real suitable for Uganda’s tourism because their work is perfectly done without doubt.
Our next plan is to try climbing mount Rwenzori Mountains and Mountains of the moon 5109m which the director told us about, being where his career in tourism began as a mountaineering guide as we felt like we are even trekking at the very time of the story about the Mountains. Hopeful come January or February 2016
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Mokala National Park by rudyerasmus
Three Bi-oms meet in the park , no big carnivores , lots of antelope , Buffalo , plenty Birds , Good accommodation and Road network.
Outstanding trip.
Wonderful staff, excellent tours into the wild, great food, altogether outstanding experience.