Review about Okavango Delta by Simon G
The delta in May was quite full of water and the "bush vibe" was incredible. We would go for a 4 hour safari and not see a single other vehicle during that time. A ride in a mocorro is essential and a brilliant way to see the small details in the water such as frogs and (at a safe distance) hippos.
CM
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolute client oriented service!
We live in Africa and we know how logistics can be here. We know the quality of infrastructure. We know the surprises that may arise. We try to anticipate, sometimes in vain, the challenges.
But with Lucia and Simon, you do need to know and do all of that. You enjoy the ride because you know that you can trust them. They master last minute logistics related changes. They anticipate your needs. They taylor their approaches. They know the local challenges and constraints. They make you enjoy your trip.
I highly recommend them. I have travelled extensively and they are among the best TO staff I have met, including the drivers and staff
US
50-65 years of age
Review about Chobe National Park by Scott and Mark
Wow. If you've ever seen the scene in the movie Jurassic Park where the family finally comes upon the vast plain with hundreds of dinosaurs of different species spanning across a vast plain - that's Chobe. The sheer volume and diversity of species is incredible, multiple antelope species, literally thousands of elephants, lions, leopards, dogs, etc. are easy finds. Herds of buffalo, zebra, and antelope; and large quantities of giraffe and baboon; and easy bird spotting all make Chobe a "destination." You will be spoiled after visiting Chobe. You should go here as your last safari destination. We stayed at Chobe Under Canvas, which is a truly tented camp. The entire camp relocates every 5 days. The advantage of "glamping" at CUC, though, is that at 6 am, when the park opens, you are already in the camp and are not being "picked up" at your out-of-the-park hotel/property. You get earliest spotting and best conditions with no other vehicles/tourists around.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experiencing Africa with people who become your good friends!
We took our children ages 16,14,12 and 10 on safari to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. We were recommended to ETA through friends who endorsed them in the most positive way. To have these endorsements actually be eclipsed would have seemed unlikely, but indeed was the case. Cheryl's planning and attention to detail made,what at first can seem to be an overwhelming proposition of planning a safari, into an exciting pleasure! The communication was flawless, timely and amazingly accurate!
The Tour itself completely outdid the perfect pre-safari experience! Sid met us in Zim, and we proceeded to bond from there. The interaction between Sid, the children and the parents was amazing. The care and instruction for the children was engaging and creative. His knowledge was incredible and his enthusiasm infectious. There were so many "special" touches it was difficult to keep track. From mokoro ride to walks, picnics to "sundowners", gorge swings to devils hole, the experiences were spectacular and perfect fits for our family!!
The camps we stayed in so far surpassed our expectations, there is little I could add to convey our satisfaction. Sid and Cheryl's knowledge of the camps and their relationships with the people at the camps assures an incredible stay at each location.
I enthusiastically recommend Exclusive Touch Africa to anyone considering a trip to Africa. I am constantly promoting the firm and the experience to my friends and anyone who asks about our amazing trip to Africa. Thank you Cheryl and Sid and everyone at ETA!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Going on a safari through Bubezi was one of the best experiences of my life; absolutely amazing.
In all honesty, everything was absolutely perfect and I would not have changed a thing about the entire experience. I would highly recommend if anyone has interest in going on a safari to book it with Bubezi Safaris.
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Tanzania by Alice Chen, San Francisco, USA
Amazing wildlife areas, one doesn't see that many other cars (except in Ngorongoro of course, but you can still veer away from the crowds).
SE
20-35 years of age
Meeting the African wildlife
The wildlife was the best ever. We first went by boat and watched hippos and crocodiles and birds of all kinds. Great guides that spotted even the smallest animals in the national park and pointed them out for us eager photographers. The weather was great and we had a great dinner at the Chobe Safari Lodge. After that we entered the national park by truck and had a great guide there too. We met elephants, giraffes and lions and a whole variety of different animals.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mindblowingly proffessional
I did many trips with Ian, when I was working for a South African Safari company, doing my trips through Zimbabwe and Ian was my contact and Guide in Matopas, Ian is so passionate about what he does, it rubs off on all his clients. I have never met sutch a fantastic and gripping story teller as Ian. I remember one time, on top of worlds view, he was relating the epic story of the Shagani patrol, he delivered this tale, with so mutch enthusiasm, that it had my clients and myself in tears, I can honestly say what ever Ian tells you, you will never forget. Ian's knowledge and passion for the fauna and flora where ever he takes you, is unbelievably interesting, just get him to talk about the Bushmen and you will see what I mean . When ever I got back to johannesburg and asked my clients the highlight of their 16 day safari, 90% of my clients admitted that it was meeting Ian and the adventure, that he took them on. I no longer live in Africa, I am back home in my native England, but my memories of my trips with Ian will never be forgotten, I met many, many hundreds of guides in Africa in my time there, but I have to admit, to myself, that, Ian was my Favourite. My fellow guides and myself knew Ian as "Stretch" and look back on our adventures together as mindblowingly proffessional. You cannot do wrong, to let, Ian, the African Wanderer, take you on a trip of a lifetime
Review about South Africa by pieterbotha
South - Africa is a great safari destination because you will find all that you are looking for in the country. From open savana, bushvelt or thick woodlands in Knysna. The people are friendly and the climate is pleasant.
35-50 years of age
Amazing, wild but luxurious, safari the way it should be
If you want a safari where you can guarantee what you see and when, then this isn't the safari for you. The Selous is huge, the size of Belgium if I recall correctly, which means it’s harder to find the animals but rewarding when you do, also means you can go a whole day without seeing any other people. Although there is conservation in progress there isn't 'farming' of animals and they roam free without restrictions so each day becomes exciting as you can follow the same path taking the previous day but see a completely different Selous.
Maybe we were lucky, but on the transfer from the runway, little more than a dirt track, to the lodge we came across 4 lionesses who were just resting after a big kill and feed, the vultures were now tidying up the carcass. We stayed at Sand Rivers, which has an excellent position over the river which was teeming with crocs and hippos, although be expected to share your room, which is open towards the river, with monkeys, bush-babys and various bugs, but that’s all part of being on safari. Be warned the monkeys are very inquisitive, they know when your morning coffee is coming and want the sugar and the biscuits, it’s a funny start to each day. Given the lodge is open to the wild, as night falls you must be escorted by an Ascari for protection, one night a herd of elephants decided the trees by our room were their dinner.
Given the position of the lodge, we were able to take a number of river safaris, given a completely different view as you get a bit more up close to the crocs and hippos, remember the latter are the number one killer of humans in Africa, so hope your guide knows how to navigate. If you’re lucky you may get to see a herd of wildebeest or elephants drinking and washing in the river, the birdlife here is amazing as well. But there is nothing like switching the engine off and just drifting listening to the sounds. You can also do walking safari, with an armed guard, where your guide can talk to you about some of the plants and smaller animals you may come across, as well as looking for tracks of the bigger ones
You will see lots of elephant, giraffe, zebra and impala, you will see lions, but there’s no guarantee when, our encounters were more by chance than planning, in fact our day we specifically set out on a lion hunt proved fruitless until we made the journey back to camp and there was a young lion just sleeping by the dirt track. We were lucky on our first full day to see a young leopard, he had been spotted a few days earlier in the same tree, so as we approached our guide was apprehensive he would be there again but luckily he was. After this meeting he wasn’t seen again that week, despite various other parties looking for him. On our trip we were also managed to wild dogs and hyenas, both are rare sightings and we have to thank our eagle eyed guides for being able to find them. As mentioned earlier due to the remoteness, when you return to the lodge in the evenings you regale your stories of the day to others in the camp over drinks and dinner, as you are likely to have been the only one to have seen yours sights that day, it makes for plenty to talk about. Although all the jeeps are in contact with each other if a rare sighting is made and others are in the area to see it.
One highlight, amongst many, at Sand Rivers is the ability to go fly camping. This is going back to basics, sleeping out in the open, with nothing but a mosquito net above you, although they provide a small modesty tent for changing in. The advanced party had set up the camp by a lake which was full of crocs, wait till the sun goes down and shine a torch across the water and see their yellow eyes looking back at you. A bar is there, a 3 course mean by the lake and the wild all around you, plus a couple of armed guards who stay up through the night just in case.
The guides and hosts were all excellent with good food and plenty of it, breakfast is served to order just don’t expect it in a hurry, but there is no need to rush as everything is done to your timings. The evening meal is served together on big table for all guests, which makes for a great atmosphere as you all share your stories of the day, and don’t forget afternoon tea before you head out for your late afternoon drive, with a different freshly made cake each day. The lodge bedrooms are grand, with a bathroom open to the river but with trees providing enough privacy and a wonderful waterfall shower. Overall this was an amazing trip, raw safari but in luxury.