US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Adventure!
We had a four day safari that took us to Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. We saw tons of animals including lots of babies. Our safari guide, Dickson, picked us up from the airport in Kilamanjaro and took us the airport in Arusha when we departed. He was a great guide, very knowledgeable, polite, funny and made us feel really comfortable. He was also incredible at spotting animals. Our accommodations were beautiful and the food was excellent. Jeff, the tour operator for Avocet, was very friendly and prompt in responding to emails and questions. He even met us at the airport when we were leaving Arusha to say goodbye and make sure that we had a good time. Our safari experience was perfect! We would not have changed a thing. We would absolutely recommend Avocet. If we are lucky enough to go on a safari again, we will choose Avocet and request Dickson to be our guide!
US
65+ years of age
My association with Hello Tanzania involved transportation arrangements, including driver, tickets.
The service provided by Mwajabu Sultan, the contact person who made all the arrangements, and the driver Godlisen is excellent. Mwajabu is organized, personable, and flexible. She has the right temperament for this position because she is calm and can deal easily with crises. I experienced only a minor one but appreciated her response. She responded quickly to all my e-mail messages. Godlisen is an excellent driver who wants to help the clients as much as possible. The phrases I associate with him are "No problem" and "Why not?" My opinion and experience are based on two trips to Tanzania, four years apart. I did not go on an animal safari but rather used the service for local transportation in Dar es Salaam and travel arrangements by plane to Zanzibar and by bus from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and back. I would not hesitate to get in touch with Mwajabu again for this service.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing trip we have ever been on!
First off, thanks to our travel agent Kerry for creating the most adventure filled vacations of our lives. Pembury tours and Kerry did a amazing job setting this trip up for us. Every day was better then the last. The way Kerry catered to every request was completely unbelievable. We have traveled to 28 different countries in the last 8 years and not one of those trips can compare to my families experience on this 14 day trip. If you have one trip to make in your lifetime with your family South Africa is it! Just make sure you call Pembury tours and Kerry first.
There are no words to explain our experience. You have to live it to understand.
Thank you Pembury Tours and Kerry for putting together memories that will last a lifetime!
The Garcia family.
USA, Arizona
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Silverback - what an amazing experience
Gorillas are one of the biggest animals on earth and it has always been a dream to visit them and see them in reality. This year my dream came true. I traveled with Gorilla trail Safaris to Bwindi National Park and to the Queen Elisabeth National Park in Uganda. During the five days they took us from Kampala in a car close to the Bwindi National Park. The next day we took a tour to the secrect places, where a group of Gorillas lives. What I like about this tour was, that our guide only takes groups to a Gorilla herd that is used to human beings. Besides, he gave clear instructions on how to behave in front of the animals. After a few hours of walk throw the forest, we could see a big herd with one big male Gorilla and his "family". It was amazing. These animals are bigger than expected and were very quite and relaxed among us. It seemed as that do not mind having us around. We stayed for a while, enjoyed there company. It was one of the most facinating moments of my life so far. Seeing these animals in nature, was wonderful.
After that we drove to the Elisabeth National Park and looked at all the other beautiful animals Uganda has. But seeing the Gorillas was a moment incomparable.
I want to thank Gorilla Trail Safari and their staff for this beautiful tour. They were nice people, fun to hang out with for 5 days with always a joke at hand and very knowledgeable about the country, the people and the beautiful nature. Best wishes
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks Alot!!!
Alex and I want to thank you for the well designed and well organized trip you put together for us. We made it to all 5 National Parks in 8 Days and accomplished what we went for. Saw lots of animals including the big five. We gave your name and company out to some folks we met along the way as we were so pleased. Someday, we would like to do the coastal part of Kenya and will contact you when and if we decide to do so.
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
well organized, nevertheless expedition-like adventure on horseback for those who can "rough it"
Did the Damaraland Ride. Was well informed beforehand via email about all necessary details. Picked up in time at airport. Knew already what to expect, having done a similar ride with them six years ago. Reliable horses in excellent condition, hard riding, long days (up to 75km), spectacular scenery, good food, warm and comfortable sleeping bags, showers a quick affair (note these are desert fly camps, where every drop of water in precious); conciderate and helpful staff, guide Andrew with great sense of humor. Lovely extra treats on my birthday. Some great racing gallops for those who dared. All in all this exceptional experience comes at some cost: it is really exhausting and not for the faint-hearted, more expedition than holidays. Saddles a bit rough to one's knees (well, maybe my legs are just far too long). Don't expect to see lots of wildlife. You will see some, but remember this is desert - some parts haven't seen a drop of rain for three years now.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really enjoyed my safari with this operator, with great guides and really well organised.
I was really impressed with the entire safari from the pick up at the airport from our lovely guide FJ, to the many game drives we had plus the great food. We also enjoyed an amazing outdoor braai on the first night that was incredible. I couldn't fault the trip.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Love the Luxury Safari Company
Never has organizing a honeymoon been easier, all it took was a few short emails and we had the most seamless and perfect time anyone could ask for. Rose provided absolutely first class customer service, out-of-the-box and thoughtful itinerary suggestions and detailed knowledge of the best places to go on safari in Botswana and the best beaches to go to in the Indian Ocean. I wish I could do it all again and I highly recommend The Luxury Safari Company to everyone.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Interesting for solo travelers
I especially appreciated the swift response they gave to my queries, and the fact that they can cater for solo travellers without extra charges.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect first Safari the one that makes you come back for more
I wanted to personally thank Gavin at Wild Wings Safari for all the help in organizing our holiday in South Africa. I don’t believe this trip would have turned out as spectacularly as it did without your precise attention to detail and personal assistance to our needs.
From the start, when Simon picked us up in Johannesburg he proved to be a wealth of knowledge in Kruger Park and South Africa in general. He was not only a fantastic guide but he was as interested in the animals as we were!
It can’t be normal for any safari guide to take myself and my wife as his only guests out for the first afternoon for 5 hours (after driving 6 hours from Johannesburg), and then 12 hours for the second day, and 6 hours for the third and final day before driving us an additional 4 hours to our next destination.
Simon’s knowledge of the Kruger Park animal life could be summed up in just one of the many encounters we experienced:
As we were driving over a bridge, in which many other trucks and vehicles had crossed over that same day, Simon stopped and was listening to see what the excited monkeys were chattering about. Simon explained that he was looking to see where the monkeys were literally pointing out as if it was danger. As we gazed in the monkeys’ direction, Simon (and my wife) spotted in the horizon a leopard sleeping on the banks of the river. We appeared to be the only ones to have spotted this sleeping leopard. It was our second sighting of a leopard in just 30 minutes. Remarkable!
Nthambo Tree camp was another recommendation that you gave us, and it was a truly amazing experience that was just as professional and remarkable since it was conducted on a very personal level. Matt, Alex and Nadia of the base camp were attentive to our every needs while we were in the bush and in the camp. The comradery at the camp between the small group of guests and staff was much like it is in a family. (We guests even ‘friended’ each other on Facebook.)
The guides in Zimbabwe were everything we had grown accustomed to having during our trip: both warm and engaging. We will never forget the magnificence of the Victoria Falls, and the unique experience of riding those royal elephants for our Elephant Safari.
For the duration of this entire 2 week vacation, with the exception of the 1- 2 hours of clearing customs in Zimbabwe, everything went according to plan.