PH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We had excellent support from the driver and the whole team from Born Park, our family was thankful
It was beautiful trip, the tour guide (driver) Sospeter was helpfully and very kind to us and to the kids and he even brought is binocular for my kids to use. Overall it was a good trip and we will visit again
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing from start to finish.
We could not have been happier with our trip, the guides, and the three Safaris we were on. Each reserve had its own unique style of
accommodating my daughter and I and two of our friends from Seattle joined us in Johannesburg to begin our journey. We were met the moment we arrived until we left on our plane after 17 of the most amazing days of our lives. The food, the people, the animals and a beautiful country. I would return tomorrow if given the chance.
our first stary for 3 nights was at Hlosi lodge below Port Elizabeth in the eastern cape. Two safaris a day, excellent food and a luxury tent with our tub facing a large window where wart hogs and others enjoyed a water break.
Second part was Elephant Plains in Sabi Sands, part of Krueger National Park. There are no fences and the animals come and go out of the reserve and into the park. Within 20 minutes Darren and Derrick, our guide and tracker found a leopard and her cub, it was my daughters birthday and her dream to see big cats. Ker & Downey delivered in every way with planning our trip.
Last stay was Simbavati River Lodge where large cats, lions walked through our compound and the elephants came within 10 feet of our porch to roll in the mud and teach their babies how to eat and drink.
We ended our trip in Victoria Falls, a must see if you are going to South Africa.
Thank you for reading, there really aren't enough words to describe this trip.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Two of the best guides in the business
Having travelled extensively in East and Southern Africa since 1990, I have experienced good and not so good guides. Without hesitation I can say Federica and Ruan are two of the best guides I have been lucky enough to travel with. Their passion for, and knowledge of, Africa and her wildlife is exceptional and infectious.
While on game drives, either Federica or Ruan gave us information on the animal we were watching. As keen photographers, they were able to spot animals quickly and know if something worth waiting around to photograph was going to happen – this was a huge benefit to clients.
In the evenings we were given a briefing of the following day’s itinerary, which usually included showing us on a map the route we would be taking. I have sometimes experienced guides who don’t mix with their clients at the end of the day, but Ruan and Federica were always sitting and chatting with us, were the last ones to bed and the first ones up each morning getting things ready for breakfast and the day ahead.
Both are great cooks. The meals on my trip were fresh, varied and delicious, including pastas, braais, stews, cooked brunches or lunches and some traditional South African dishes.
Any extra activities which clients wished to undertake were cheerfully booked by them.
As can happen while travelling in Africa we had a problem with our vehicle which required it to be off the road for a few days. Ruan and Federica showed outstanding leadership and organisational skills by helping to arrange for alternate transportation so our trip would not be disrupted, worked out what our food and equipment requirements for those days would be, as well as keeping us informed of progress on the vehicle’s repairs.
I had such a great time travelling with Federica and Ruan, I hope to travel with them again some day.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, experienced guide and pretty well organized trip all in all.
I have some recommendations to help improve future guided tours.
First, avoiding Kampala as much as possible is what all of us agreed on. It is not fun to drive through. The Cassia Lodge there had beautiful views but was my least favorite of the places we stayed. Staying in Entebbe seems better, as it was much more pleasant.
The salt extraction tour should be removed from future tours, I can't see any tourist interested in that, plus it was pretty gross.
Green World had great communications before the trip. They answered all our questions. Communication during trip sometimes needed to be stronger, giving us concrete times to be places with precise instructions. It was really close to being perfect, but there were at times frustration from people thinking they heard different times and what to do at those times. Perhaps writing in on a small tablet with dry erase pens each day, as it's sometimes hard to hear at lodges?
Tips for all guides on ALL excursions (boat trips, ranger led trips, Botwa tribe tour, etc etc) should just be included in the price of the tour. We REALLY REALLY hated having to figure out by surprise that there were more people to tip along the trip and to bring all that cash and figure out tips each day. THIS IS MY NUMBER ONE RECOMMENDATION for Green World, just add a few hundred dollars to your price and your guides cover all tips for hotel staff, guides, rangers, schools visited, etc etc. We did not like that every person we met we just felt like it was a money grab. We actually got really sick of this- we visit a school, they want money. We visit the Botwas, they several times/places ask for money. IT WAS ENDLESS! Please consider this, as it diminished our trip.
Really besides the tipping, everything else was minor and our trip was thoroughly enjoyable. We went to see the animals, and we saw tons! Thanks to Betty, Moses and George- we loved them all!
Greg Ginocchio
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The park is well maintained and protected by authorities, but wildlife was difficult to spot.
Visiting Akagera National Park was my third game drive in Africa, followed by game drives in Kenya and Tanzania.
Akagera National Park is highly monitored and protected by local authorities against poachers. I was also told a percentage of the park fees are administered to neighboring communities so as to provide some economic income and deter poaching.
I know every game drive is different, and a lot depends on what and how many animals you see. However, my game drive in Akagera was really disappointing. I hardly saw any wildlife- zero in the first half of the drive. I think this was largely due to the fact that most of the park had recently been burned to 'control wildfires'. If I had known most of the park was recently burned, I would not have elected to go on the game drive as
I am sure this scared off most of the wildlife.
I recommend not visiting Akagera from June-August as this is when the park is burned. In addition, there is no off-roading allowed in the park. So, if wildlife are not close to the main road, it will be vey difficult to see them.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a wildlife! You must come and look
We visited selous game reserve for a three days of safari. On the first day we had a boat tour on the river. Saw many birds, crocodiles and hipos. Enjoyed a spectacular sunset.
We expected a tent for the night, as was written in the reservation, but we got a very nice small building with toilets and shower between the trees and monkeys.
The second day was a full safari day. Lets the game begin! Lots of zebras, giraffes, gnus, impalas, two elephants in close look, four lioness eating a pumba from a distance of three meters, hyena and lots more. We could not expect more than that (a leopard would be nice...)
The last day started in a morning walk in the bush with the giraffes and pumbas and two rangers explaining about the bush. Very interesting.
And now to the long drive back to Dar es Salaam. With nice scenery and small villages.
In the beginning we arrived Dar es Salaam by ferry from Zanzibar. The ferry was very convenient and on time. On the way back to Zanzibar we took a flight. Except for a dally in the flight it was very good. Only 20 minutes flight.
The bottom line - I deeply recommend Tanzania and Zanzibar (which is part of Tanzania) as a target for a different excitement and vacation .
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely incredible!
The wildlife is absolutely incredible in Tanzania. The scenery is breathtaking and the accommodations were amazing. Not one bad thing to say! Our guide was the best possible guide we could have had. We were sooo happy we got the chance to tour around with him. He made the journey so much fun! All around the experience was everything we imagined and more.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari experience with Soul of Tanzania
The communication with Soul of Tanzania to arrange our safari was fantastic, Sandy provide us all information we need and all possible combinations of parks to visit and every type of accomodation. She asked soon and efficently to all (really many) questions and doubt we had. So no problem at all in book whatever you want to organize with this company.
Since we arrive to Tanzania we realize that people from Soul of Tanzania were always worried to satisfy our needs (food, shopping, what to see, where to stop, etc...)... so finally we enjoyed a lot seeing all animals we dreamed to see in their environment, and with the additional information provided for our fantastic guide Ayoub ( he was always trying to satisfy everythinh or place we want to see or go). We expend 6 incredible days thru Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire parks seein (and feeling) what we have seen many times on tv.
The extension to Zanzibar was also amazing with tropical beaches and also visiting Stone Town in a half- day tour. Relax, rest and enjoy every moment.
I can finish without recognizing that every people we met was incredibly kind and always smiling and helping tryning to make us feel the best possible. I will never forget Karibu, Hakuna matata,... thanks to all of you,
The expirience is unforgotten, something to remember forever. Anything I can say or any photo I can show will be far to show what we lived there.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Rwanda by Genevieve
I only went on one game drive in Rwanda, but it was not such a good experience.
I think Rwanda is most known for Gorilla Trekking, which is probably a better option than going on a game drive.
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with Reny Safari!
Unforgettable experience in Masai Mara with Reny Safari (guide- Obama). All big 5 on 1 day! Total focus on our needs as guests, a lot of useful information during the way. This rather small but very efficient travel agency is highly recommended.
