US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The perfect safari experience, expertly arranged.
Magda planned out our itinerary and it was an amazing experience! Our driver, Abraham, was wonderful and a very careful driver and knowledgeable. The camps and lodges were all very special with all the amenities and terrific staff. The meals were also very good. We saw countless animals in the endless plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro including the "big five" . It was an unforgettable trip. The hotel in Zanzibar , the Blue Oyster, was lovely and the staff very friendly. It was a nice way to wind down the trip and relax on an amazingly beach. Exploring exotic Stone Town was fascinating and our hotel there, the Zanzibar Coffee House, was first rate.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An excellent tour company
We used Safari Bookings when we searched for tour operators with office in Uganda and who had budget tours. We contacted 40-50 of them but we decided that only a handful of them were of interest to us. We wanted a reliable company with membership in AUTO, active on Facebook with many likes, which also had a good webpage and a lot of good reviews on TripAdvisor. Two of the companies gave us good prices, Mamaland Safaris was one of them. We decided to use Mamaland Safaris since they were a little cheaper. We are from Sweden and we found out that Anna, the owner's wife who we had been in contact with, was also from Sweden which was very reassuring. Another reason to why we selected Mamaland Safaris was that we didn't have to send the safari payment from Sweden for the 3-days Murchison Falls safari since it was a budget safari. We could pay when we arrived to Uganda a couple of weeks before the safari started.
We booked a budget safari which didn't include an air-conditioned car, we maybe had to spend the first night in a lodge-tent and the last night we should sleep in a dormitory. Anna told us however that she would try, if possible, to get us a safari car with air-conditioned and a cottage the first night. We ended up with a really luxury safari. We got an air-conditioned car. Our guide and driver, called Richard, was very nice. He had been working as a guide during 11 years and spoke very good English. We spent the first night in a lovely, and in our opinion very luxury lodge, called Heritage Safari lodge. We should sleep in a dorm at Budongo Eco Lodge the last night but we were the only people who spent that night there so we probably got their best cottage instead. Everything was so good.
Our guide, Richard, fetched us at our hotel in Kampala early in the morning the first safari day. The first thing he told us was that his wife had given birth to a girl that night. He couldn't be with her since he had to be with us three days. That is a really reliable guide, don't you agree!
Richard gave us a really lovely and unforgettable safari. The first day he parked the car five meters from seven lions which rested in the shadow of a small tree and that was only the beginning of our perfect safari.
We of course really recommend Mamaland Safaris and we would use them again if we return. I better say when we return since Uganda is a very lovely country.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Youth Adventures and Safaris: Kilimajaro - Safari - Beach
My friend and I did a 2 ½ weeks travel of extremes to Tanzania: extreme bodyworkout, extreme amount of animals, extreme paradise and extremely nice people. What else do you search in live.
We started our adventure with Youth Adventures and Safaris – the best agency in Tanzania- I would warmly recommend to contact them in order to help you organize your trip. They were very responsive and informative when planning the trip and offered a great package with best services and fair prices. Godfrey is a great young guy - being the face and personality behind the company. We enjoyed his high professionality big heart and great personality making us feel welcome and home from the first second on.
We first started with our Kilimanjaro climb; challenging our physical and mental capacities. We decided on the 7 day Lemocho route. Before starting our mountain adventure we had an equipment check and briefing for our climb at Godfrey’s office in Moshi. We were surprised when a car with 12 men picked us up the next day. We had two guides (John and Anderson), a cook (great food), a toilet man (what a nice surprise), a waiter and 7 porters. The climb has been an amazing experience nobody should miss in their lives. The crew has been amazingly professional and great people helping us not only to reach Uhuru Peak!!! but also being the best company during this week – being supportive in every situation and being natural and positive on an interpersonal level too!
After our great success we went on a 4 day camping safari, visiting Tarangire National Part, Sernegeti and Ngorongoro Crater. We have seen a huge amount and variety of wild animals – including the big 5. We enjoyed the car drive, our group of amazing people and the unique landscape.
Just after that experience we decided to spend a couple of days at the beach too. The company Youth Adventures and Safaris has been very flexible and easy going and organized an amazing trip to the beach – to Pangani – the paradise beach – representing the luxury part of our trip.
We would like to thank Youth Adventures and Safaris – Godfrey and his team – for making our trip and experience not only unique and fascinating but also warm and personal!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience
We did 4 days safari to Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Peter, the manager, was a great help and very reliable. My friend and I got our guide and a cook with who we spent the whole journey. The guide was at the same time the driver and he took us to the game drives starting early morning and finishing at the evening. It was so amazing to see the animals in their own habitation! We did the budget safari so we spent the nights in the tents which was very adventurous. There were hyenas sniffing around and buffalos grassing right at our heads. I would recommend it to everyone to overnight in a tent.
After safari Peter was actively asking for the feedback which we found very good. He also helped us to get to the airport at the end of our journey in Tanzania. All in all a great experience on a professional level.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Splendid safari with gorgeous animals, great guide but mediocre lodging
We just returned from a 7-day safari with Absolute Holiday and Safaris limited to Masai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli. . They are a resource sharing group with Big Time safaris. We were quite happy with their service. They picked us up at the airport, transferred us to Sarova Stanley and we began our safari the next day with 4 others. Our contact person, David, was quite cordial and helpful. The highlight of our safari was Patrick, our safari driver and guide. We had requested for Patrick based on testimonials on the Internet and were truly pleased. He is a warm, nice person with a solid knowledge of the animals and the savannah. I remark on his ability because he was able to spot and land us as virgin spectators into various animal adventures. That was remarkable. Altogether it was an excellent trip. We chose the budget option to experience the savannah closer. However, in hindsight, I will opt for a bit less modest accommodations next time. Our camps and tents were too primitive with loads of plumbing issues and some dreadful-looking insects as natural lodgers. We plan to opt for a less-primitive lodging experience next time.
ES
A great trip thanks to Emanuel / Un viaje genial gracias a Emanuel
Emanuel was our driver and guide in Ndutu, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and thanks to him we had a great trip. A 10/10! Polite, attentive, sympathetic, with perfect Spanish, very knowledgeable about the animals of the area with lots of willingness to inform us all and help us make the most of the trip. In addition, all accommodations were great. A perfect trip! / Emanuel fue nuestro chófer y guía en Ndutu, Serengueti y Ngorongoro, y gracias a él tuvimos un viaje genial. ¡Un 10! Educado, él es atento, simpático, con perfecto español, muy informado sobre los animales de la zona y con mucha predisposición a informarnos de todo y ayudarnos a disfrutar al máximo del viaje. Además, todos los alojamientos fueron estupendos. ¡Un viaje perfecto!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Odyssey Safaris experience
This was an incredible trip from start to finish! Everything was wonderful! The places we stayed were terrific, food was great! In fact, we ate too much! The game drives were so exciting! We saw so many animals and got fabulous pictures. Everyone we came into contact with was extremely nice and welcoming. Our guide, Charles was absolutely fabulous!! He answered numerous questions about the animals and the African culture. He was always in a good mood and was such a joy to be around! This was the vacation of a lifetime! I had dreamed of what I hoped this trip would be like but it was even better!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgetable experience! Amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery and happy, warm people!
Just back from an unforgettable 2 week family adventure in Tanzania! This was my 2nd time using Flash Safaris. Magda once again did an outstanding job of organizing our custom made safari through Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ndutu and Ngorongoro Crater and visit to a masaii boma where we were greeted by smiles, warmth and dance. We had an awesome guide Abraham who was not only a superb driver and wildlife spotter (we saw the big 5)but also awesome story teller and cappuccino maker! He took excellent care of us and quickly became part of our family! The tented lodges were spectacular, delicious food, kind staff and bonfires at night. What better way to end than relaxing and snorkeling at Blue Oyster in Zanzibar and exploring historic Stone Town and all for a very reasonable price! Asante sana Magda and Edward and Flash Safaris for making our trip so very special! You guys are the best!!
BG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip with them!
Everything was perfectly arranged. Jackson is very kind and he was waiting for us. He helped to find a good and cheap hotel to stay in Moshi. The food, and all the services was absolutely perfect! I will deffenetly recommend MJ Safaris
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A delightful holiday in Uganda
We arranged a tailor made trip for the two of us with an emphasis on birds and wildlife in general. We travelled in a Toyota Land Cruiser [very comfortable] with a driver/guide and a separate bird guide on an 18 day trip visiting various national parks and reserves.
With just one exception all the accommodation was excellent; some lodges and some guesthouses/community camps etc. It proved to be a very good itinerary with a variety of habitats. Some of the roads are appalling but our driver was very experienced.
Bird-wise the trip exceeded expectations; superb views of shoebill on the first day, followed by 420+ more species. Our bird guide was very good in forests where we needed most help and we often had the help of a local bird guide as well .
Any problems we encountered were dealt with quickly and efficiently by Lydia who runs the company; she was in regular contact with our driver . We have never experienced such personal service in this respect. The guest house and lodge owned and run by Nkuringo were exceptionally good with friendly helpful staff.
Overall this was a very good trip which will live in our memories; thank you to all concerned!