IQ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
it was incredible full of exciting adventure
its great safaris i did the persons were up to standards as well as professionalism is maintained in the highest level its was a real wow factor
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experience of a lifetime -- gorilla trekking in Uganda!
E-Trip Africa put together a perfect gorilla trekking experience for six women of "advanced age". Although I'm an experienced hiker, I had been nervous about trekking through jungle foliage and steep terrain. The advice we received from E-Trip Africa was detailed and thorough, so that I travelled fully prepared. The guides and porters made sure the trek was safe and comfortable, even though it was strenuous. The lodge was top class, with excellent food and our every need was accommodated. E-Trip was able to arrange a discounted price for our group, making it more affordable. Our flights to/from and the transfers to the lodge were easy and smooth. E-Trip arranged for us to leave our excess luggage at a lovely hotel near the airport during our gorilla trip, and then we were able to use the rooms at the hotel to relax and refresh before our late night departures for the return to the U.S. Visiting the gorillas was a most incredible experience. We were able to observe them from a close distance for an hour; at one point, a female wanted to move from one side of our group to the other. We were instructed to remain still; she just pushed her way through us, as though we were harmless paparazzi -- which, in fact, we were. We visited the gorillas two days in a row, seeing two different families in two different areas. Each experience was different and remarkable. It's an experience not to be missed! I have been on other safaris, confined to a vehicle, observing elephants, lions, giraffes, etc. But a visit to the gorillas is active, rather than passive -- challenging, interactive, and thereby so much more rewarding!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Best Experience Ever!
We cannot think of anything that Safari Partners (and its' African partners) missed in organizing our adventure in Africa. From the moment we first corresponded with Chris, every question was answered and every promise fulfilled. Service was first class all the way. The lodge operators and guides could not do enough for us. We spent a lot of time pinching ourselves to ensure this was not a dream. Every opportunity to make our trip epic was taken. All our wants and needs were met with over the top professionalism by the service providers.
We have no problem recommending Safari Partners as the ultimate safari planners.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You Can Touch The Stars In Tanzania
With Mega Adventures.. You Can Touch The Stars In Tanzania
Autumn 2015
Nothing was as expected.
News reports and the latest on CNN say that Tanzania is the best Safari destination.. well, we visited tanzania, it is the best indeed.
Alarabiya News Channel team had 22 days trip to Tanzania .. were full of experience and excitement. That is unforgettable.
Living next door to Masai, we were observing them, learning a lot of their vision and beliefs..
We enjoyed the simple yet very comfortable accommodation in clean private tent for each one of us.. pillows were super!
We couldn't leave Manyara without feeling the taste of its nature in a huge sand storm that turned day to night for more than 8 minutes. Mohammad Atik was next to everyone and at the same time.. he is always there.. don't understand how he does it but we are sure he is talented.
Mohammad Atik and his team of Mega Adventures take care of everything.
We had a proper kitchen cooking all day and a dining table for everyone. Chef was so talented preparing healthy and tasty food.
Briefly, 4 days close to Masai people taught us the concept of Happiness.
We had a "fairy" stay by the huge dangerous active volcano Oldonyo Lengai, the accommodation was so relaxing in the middle of nature , having tasty breakfast and a lot of exotic fruits on the birds songs was magical.
In Oldonyo Lengai the earth was too hot, with the contrast of the too cold river there.. we experienced the beautiful harmony of the nature. We didn't leave the location before walking almost "forever" to reach the shore of Lake Natron. The team of Mega Adventures made the walk easy by telling us so much interesting stories about the lake and the Masai there all the way until we have reached the flamingos.
The pink color there is the trend. Flamingos are thousands living in the most tranquil peaceful land on earth.
Next is a big adventure... to the WILD.
We planned to spend another 5 days in Serengeti. With the very strong 4 wheel unbeatable vehicles we have crossed the long way from Oldonyo Lengai to Serengeti in comfort and good services all the way, and most of all safe driving by Frank and Mohammad Atik.
Serengeti, that endless land has no rules for animals but a lot of strict rules for humans. Mega Adventures team offer professional guidance about the land, animals, weather, food and the most luxurious accommodation in the wild.
I couldn't help myself take a photo of only one corner of that tent in early morning. I will go there again. We all do. We miss that healthy well done and 5 stars served breakfast, lunch & dinner.
The place is on a plan to visit on every vacation.. few days there can refresh body and soul.. I don't know if you would beieve this.. stars were too close to us staying by the fire in the middle of wild and listening to cute animals like zebra or giraffe having dinner behind the trees around us.. there we have changed our life perspectives.
In a shiny morning, was time to move to the icon Kilimanjaro.. we call it the love mountain .. you will easily fall in love there.. Kilimanjaro is where love is in the air. Hard to climb it but not impossible specially when there is Bouga Bouga leading you to the Top.
The nature and the people make the green icy mountain and the waterfalls around "a must to do" thing, at least once in a lifetime.
It is Zanzibar time after kilimanjaro , "Zanz" the place of blue crystal water, the place of mixed cultures, the place of open hearted people.
Frank is the one who was always choosing the easiest and shortest way to magical adventures. He is a way much better than Google map!
Mega Adventures super cars made it to the land of coffee, sailing to the turkoise shore, to the spices market and so much more .. Zanzibar does not sleep, the city is simply alive.
We wish we could open our hearts to show our love to Mohammad Atik, Abdul Fattah Atik, Frank, Bouga Bouga, Stanley, the best team of Mega Adventures.
We were there and we will go again and again. See you soon Tanzania .. hakuna matata.
Maya Hatahet
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
7-day safari - highly recommended!
Donna was very helpful in booking my safari and other parts of a 3 week holiday in Tanzania. Offering helpful suggestions, she was at all times unfailingly rapid and precise in her responses, in marked contrast to most of the other safari tour companies I had initially contacted. The 7 day Wildlife Wonders safari itself was indeed wonderful.
Our guide Baraka was excellent: always helpful, courteous, punctual, knowledgeable, an excellent game-spotter, and a prudent driver (an important factor when off-road, close to large game and even more so on Tanzanian highways!)
The accommodation was to a very high standard, as was the food. The safari camps in particular were a delight. Diana and her crews kept us well fed and feeling cared for at all times. In fact all the Maasai Wanderings staff that we met were cheerful and enthusiastic so that points to good management.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good Safari but improvable services
We were picked up at the hotel as agreed. However after cash payment we never received a receipt. Further they don´t accept dollar notes issued before 2006. This must be informed before.
The Safari itself went fine and we had luck and could see lots of animals in a short period of time. Actually the full day safari has been finished at 16:00, as there was nothing else to see. So we were left at the lodges until next day for the trip back.
The back journey was a bit stressed, as our schedule was very tight. They picked us 40 minutes too late in the morning. However the guide took time to do some shopping on the route (3 times, for fruits and even an alive chicken, for the chicken we had to wait in the car ca. 20 minutes). Then the car´s clutch was broken and we took lunch, while the other car was coming to pick us up. We were brought to a restaurant with the meals on a box. We were asked by the waiter to pay for a single juice 10.000 Shillings (10 USD) the guides instead of stop the cheating situation, just made fun of us and we had to complain by ourselves, so we got back 6 USD.
We changed the car and kept driving to Dar es Salaam. We were informed that the remained trip to Dar es Salaam was 1,5 hours, but it was 3 and really rushing (we almost crashed with another car in Dar). Finally and running we got the Ferry at the very last minute. I consider too much time has been wasted during the morning so we had this unneeded stress.
The lunch was both days the same, cold fried chips and chicken with a sausage and an boiled egg, all to the eaten with the hands.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best organized trip that my well-traveled family has ever experienced.
I've had the good fortune of traveling many times to most continents over the last 50 years. I use travel consultants about 1/2 of the time and plan trips myself the other half. I had never been on a safari before and chose Ker & Downey based on the recommendation of a friend of my daughter who also came on the trip. Our group had 5 family members. I would be happy to expound on the trip in detail if anyone would like to know more. However, Ker & Downey Africa (Terri-Ann Sholtz in particular) planned and organized perhaps the best trip of our lives. Every means of travel was timely, efficient and above expectations. The drivers/pilots/escorts were uniformly courteous, knowledgeable, on time, and conscious of any special needs we had. The lodges and hotels were also above expectations. With respect to the lodges, the hosts/hostesses were similarly knowledgeable, caring, and meticulous. Every lodge and hotel had rooms, amenities, wifi and other features exactly as described by K & D. In addition, the food and drink provided at the lodges was superb. Our trip was 2 weeks in length with half being at safari lodges and half being in other parts of South Africa. We received substantial information from K & D about both legs of the trip that made our experience fulfilling, predictable and very gratifying. Almost all of our interaction was with Ms. Scholtz. She planned and caused to be executed a flawless plan. I would recommend her and K & D to anyone, no matter what the age, size of group, or area of interests. Both Terri-Ann and K & D are very special service providers.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply fantastic
What a great job in giving us the ultimate safari experience. Our itinerary was set up with everything that we wanted to check and a few optional tours we could have taken. Before and during our trip there was constant communication where they inquired how we were doing and if there was something that we may require. Our guide was first class and he provided us with a immersive experience regarding the culture and wildlife of Kenya and its many preserves. Our hotels and lodges were first class, and we felt welcomed. I would definitely recommend East Africa Wild Adventures to set up your custom, personalized safari tour. He will do everything possible to make sure your experience is u forgettable.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic tour by a knowledgable company
We toured the west of Uganda with Kombi Nation Tours and had an excellent, flawless tour. Rachel and Steve who run the company both live in Kampala and know the locations inside out so they can tailor the trip perfectly to your needs. We were travelling with a toddler and Rachel took our safety really seriously and found the best lodges, car, driver etc to suite our needs.
We had some excellent activities on our trip which were recommended by Rachel. The first was the predator tracking in Queen Elizabeth NP, where you have one of the research team join your safari drive and you track the lions by their collars. You're allowed to go off road with them so we saw 18 lions up close and learnt much more about their behaviour than on a standard drive. The second was the 'surprise' sundowner where we were met on a beautiful lookout in Ishasha with a full bar and canapés!
While planning the tour we had great information from Kombi Nation and tweaked the tour as we wanted. During the tour Rachel checked in with our driver Frank daily and they solved any minor issues (things like route changes due to the weather).
The lodges chosen were all brilliant. We were really impressed with the food and service, our highlights were Ishasha Wilderness Camp and Rwakobo Rock. Rachel visits them all regularly so knows which are run well and where there are management changes.
Overall a wonderful 10day tour!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip
We were a group of 6 people from china, had a tour around Uganda national parks in an 8 seater 4x4 Jeep! It was such a good car, fully air conditioned, comfortable, with a fridge and our driver / guide was very knowledgeable. We visited Kidepo Valley, Murchison falls, Budongo forest, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi forest, Mgahinga and Lake Mburo national parks. The experience was so amazing!