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.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond expectations
Our bush camp (Deteema) was spectacular! Staff, camp, game drives...impeccable.
Aside from most activity pick ups running on “African time” all were amazing! At any time during our trip planning we had questions all were attended to promptly
FI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything went like said and they answered quickly to all the questions.
It was worthwhile to see the countryside in addition to Golden Moneys. Driver was great because he spoke good English and could tell about the society and things which interested me.
LV
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding safari
My family and I visited Nothern parks and conservation areas of Tanzania - Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Eyasi.
I have done several safaris before with different operators to different locations, but it was first wildlife safari for my husband and daughter, so I was choosing the safari company extremely carefully this time, – I needed their first experience to be unmatched!
We are really lucky that we have been recommended by a friend to contact Hassan from Nurtured Wildlife. From the first communication I felt total involvement of Hassan into planning our tour. I appreciated such a personal approach, as if he was preparing an itinerary for his own family member or a close friend.
Lodges chosen were of a quite high standard (great food, comfy beds, hot shower, swimming pools), – although we had certain limitations of a budget.
Driver guide's service was highly professional. 4x4 safari vehicle was in a great condition, we have noticed that the car is regularly serviced and very well taken care of.
I was amazed by a highly professional and warm approach – and I Do have something to compare with, after experiencing several safaris in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
We highly recommend contacting Nurtured Wildlife if you dream of a memorable holiday in a world of the African wilderness!
Cheers,
Anastasia
