IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3days safari
Perfect organization, hi level and confortable lodges. Great jeep with frigo bar, water and coke and bier. Thanks to our guide Abdul, always on time, skilled, kind. He made us feel part of a place so different from ours.
He was a good company of a good journey.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fun, friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, flexible!
From the time we met Stacey and Jake at the Washington, DC travel and adventure show, to the final good-bye at the airport, the Shadows of Africa staff was warm, welcoming, friendly, and willing to answer any question we had! We traveled with six children ranging in age from 22-7, and everyone had an unforgettable time! We chose Shadows of Africa because they could customize our tour, and because we would be by ourselves in the safari jeeps. The personal service, itinerary customization, knowledge of the drivers/guides, and food exceeded our expectations!! Loved seeing how the primitive tribes are still living today, all of the treasured wildlife, and the spectacular scenery.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The most customer-friendly tour company
We took It Started In Africa for a 5-day safari in mid-August to explore Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Serengeti up to Lobo campsite the North. They provided an impeccable service genuinely catering to our needs and trying to make the best out of our trip. We think safari experience largely depends on your driver/guide. Our guide Chicho made sure that we saw a number of times all the big game highlights, including numerous lion families eating their prey, a female lion going for hunt with her little cubs, leopards lying on trees, as well as cheetah. We heard that other companies try to limit the amount of kilometers or hours spent on game drives. There were no limits on the time or distance we could travel and we got a good sense of freedom. Instead of following a pre-planned route, Chicho was flexible and really cared about seeing as much as possible, even if that required extra time or effort driving around or talking to other guides for the most up-to-date information about the location of animals. Chicho was a prudent driver, who may have literally saved our lives given the poor condition of Serengeti gravel roads and the high speed of other Land Cruisers passing by. And we will never forget the treats with which our cook Paschal constantly delighted us, especially the fresh avocado salad. What we missed for ultimate perfection was a larger cooler box to keep our drinks cold, plastic bags to protect our bags from the dust, and maybe a book, one or two, that we could read about Serengeti and their animals during the journey.
Also, we have dealt with many tour companies in prime tourist destinations around the world, including Vietnam, Bolivia, Southern Africa, U.S. West Coast. We have never had a better experience than with It Started In Africa, especially when it comes to their immediate responsiveness and professional and courteous attitude towards clients. They went at great lengths to customize our trip not only for Serengeti, but also took care of our stay in Nairobi, transfer to Arusha, and the ensuing flight to Zanzibar, all at competitive prices that we would not have been able to procure ourselves on the market. As any traveler knows, at times things do not go as well as planned, for various reasons. I was amazed how their staff in Europe, as well as in the office in Arusha, personally invested their energy to ensure our trip was smooth and we leave Tanzania with the best memories. Five stars out of five for each of Chicho, Paschal, and the other staff of It Started In Africa.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable adventure
From the 17th of July we did a 8 day safari tour with Safari Multiways. The contact with the owner of the company, Romeo, was very good. A quick response and very helpful in making a good programme. As we wanted to hike and a canoo tour this was added in our safari.
My boyfriend and I were picked up from Kilimanjaro Airport and brought to a hotel in Arusha. The next day we were picked up by Amos (the guide), Moses (the cook) and Piuc (an intern). Our 8 days consisted of Arusha National park, Tarangire National park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Empakaai (and hiking in the highlands), Serengeti (central and north), Lake Natron and climbing mount Ol Doinyo Lengai (the cook made us extra pancakes as we needed power for a 11 hour hike) . During our whole week the atmosphere was very good. The guide was very enthousiastic and has a lot of knowledge. It was very nice to spot all the different animals with him. The cook was a very funny guy and the food was good every time; three times a day. We slept in tents which was what we expected, the sounds of hyena's made us fell asleep in the Serengeti. The 4 by 4 car was big enough to be comfortable for the two of us, during the safari we were standing with an open roof. In the different parks the guide gave us all the time we needed to make pictures.
In conclusion, we are happy that we booked with Safari Multiways. It is a smaller company, run by extremely kind Tanzanian people with a very good price-quality ratio.
FR
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
The safari was good : we saw many animals and the driver took us very close to them. The food was very good.
But, the car was old and worn. The tent and the material to camp was also old and worn.
Richard told us that we had to go to 3 places and we went to 2 places. So don't believe him, he is good in marketing.
The driver has also to improve himself but sometimes he was excellent (we saw many different animals).
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of our best holidays ever !!!
Michelle Lutener from Clickety Clicks Safaris had made a superb itinerary for our stay in South Africa (KwaZulu Natal). It was a perfect mixture and balance of culture, history and game viewing. We did have a wonderful time and we are very impressed by the knowledge Michelle has about the flora and fauna of South Africa. Michelle was the perfect guide for us. Also the accomodations were very good.
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Marvellous Tanzania
After arrival at Arusha AirPort our guide Elias welcomed us and brought us to the Kiboko Lodge. This is a result of the Watoto foundation and the next day we were very glad to visit this children supporting organisation. Also we started our 9 days safari in the northern parks. Elias was a safe, nice and very experienced guide and cared very well for his customers. The accomodations were very well selected by Matoke, the friendliness and the welcoming everywhere were outstanding. After this period we had a flight to Selous and stayed there for 4 days. So close to the Rufijiriver with stunning sunsets we had a wonderful stay in the camp. Here too only careful and friendly people, making our stay unforgettable. The safari is a little different: walking, boating and driving. After this stay we moved by an other small airplane to Zanzibar, were we stayed at the Next Paradise Resort, a really excellent and beautiful choice with fantastic swimming pool and outstanding service. Matoketours did a marvellous job in organising our trip and we surely can recommand them.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stressful Safari
We went throught Absolute Holiday & Safari To book a 6 days safari going arounf Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli.
At first organisation seemed good, David our contact was very nice and answer all our questions (and we had lots of them). When arriving in Nairobi, we went to the office (discovering Absolute holiday & Safari and Big Time Safari are located in the extact same office) and David explained to us the schedule of the Safari in details.
For our first day, instead of leaving Nairobi befor 9am we were delayed until 10 am, going with the driver pick up food and oil....
We were 6 people in the van at that time: 2 coming from Absolute Safari, 2 coming from Big Time Safari and the other 2 coming from Savannah Jamboree Travel. The bus was managed by Big Time Safari but what I understood is that many budget companies work together in order to incease occupancy rates of the vans.
Then going to Masai Mara, we saw lots of animals as it was migration season, the schedule was nearly respected, we were all very happy.
After we were inroute for the Lake Nakuru park, stoping at Lake Naivasha our driver tell us he has to pick 2 people more, with no more explaination I call our contact David (we had local sim), he is not aware of such things and is not at the office, promising to contact me again, it is around 3pm at that time. 3 people come back with our driver, the mini van is now full and we are supposed to end our safari with them, 3 and half more days to go at that point.
Calling back David, he is very nice but does not give me any answer he has to deal with personal matters first and then will go back to me.....
We all go the Lake Nakuru for diner, throught our driver we call the transport manager of Big Time Safari (Alfred) and the president (John) to tell that was not the agreement, indeed in one of our email we ask David how muck people max will be in the safari, and his answer is very clear, 7 max. Big time safari does not want to hear anything, saying to us that if we are not happy a car will come pick us up and we will leave the safari without any refund, nice people!
Finally around 9pm David goes by the office, 6 hours after the first phone call... He says every thing fine and tomorrow we will have another mini van to do the game drive and respect previous engagement.
The day after, nothing is there, we do game drive with the 9 of us....
Going back to Nairobi (you have to go throught Nairobi in the itinerary), another minivan is expecting us, so we are all happy again.
If you want this company to respect their engagement it's very hard because once you began the safari you already paid the all amont so you don't have a lot to bargain with and somtimes the drivers completely refuse to call their office so if you don't have a local sim, your stuck. Also, the drivers are always trying to reduce the game drive schedule so you have to argue with them again and again for them to respect previous engagement.
I would defenitely not recommand this company if you are looking for zen holidays.
Be carreful when choosing your Safari, I'm now very sceptical of having good budget safari.
Excellent, exciting, safe, comfortable, supportive, fun, engaging
Brilliant, well organised and structured. Good use of the time. Good balance in activities. Guide was amazing and very supportive.
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
nice guy , easy to deal , comming and waiting for you on time .
one of the best partner for a safari trip or any other trip in Zanzibar.
if you want a guy that you can relay on him please Cholo.
if you want to speak with me cal me or mail to
[email protected]