NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari - Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Off we went on safari! For me the first time. And it was so cool!
At 06.00 we were ready! There was Elly, our driver. We then picked up the other girls and we were on our way to Tarangire. During our first safari day we have seen many animals, such as impalas, baboons, zebras, wildebeest, elephants, giraffes, ostriches and from afar even a leopard. Every time we saw an animal, we jumped up from our jeep. We only had to say 'stop' and we stopped. The roof was open, so we could see everything. And thus could make beautiful pictures. At the end of the day we saw two female lions. They kept unfortunately well hidden. With a satisfied feeling we went to the campsite. Here we could freshen up and we got dinner from our cook Patrick.
The second day we were in good spirits on the way to the Serengeti. We still wanted see a few animals: lions, leopards, hippos, rhinos, buffaloes, hyenas and cheetahs. Before we arrived at the Serengeti, we first had the Ngorongoro. What is a different landscape. Very nice to see. That bodes well for the last day. Finally arrived at the Serengeti. In the distance we saw a herd of elephants, which eventually crossed our path. Wow.
We had seen many new animals, namely gazelles, purple lizards, buffaloes, hyenas, hippos, a crocodile and finally a lion and a leopard closer.
Late in the afternoon we went to the campsite, which lay in the middle of the Serengeti. Here our tents were ready. This was very different from the camp. Snug in the tent. Our cook had again prepared a delicious meal, and then we went to sleep quickly. Our alarm clock the next day was already at 5 am. At night we had a visit from a Buffalo, who stood next to our tent. You don't see that often.
It was very special to see the sunrise the next morning in the Serengeti. Even today we have seen many new animals: cranes, secretary birds, pumba's (boars) and Dik-dik (small deer). As icing on the cake of that last morning in the Serengeti, we even found two cheetahs! These animals are very rare to see, and now there were two. What an extraordinary animals!
At the end of the morning we had a little lunch and breakfast at the camp and we drove back to Ngorongoro. This was quite a bit, so when we arrived at the campsite, we stayed there. Also this campsite again was very nice. It was a piece of green grass with large trees on a mountain overlooking the crater below. When we arrived we had visitors right away; zebras on the campsite! That was very nice. We all had to get used to the temperature in Ngorongoro. Here it was many times colder than in Tarangire and Serengeti. We showered (freezing!) and the rest of the day ate with four layers of clothes and a blanket around us. What a cold! Luckily we had a thick sleeping bag during the night.
Our last day of the safari. We only had a male lion and a rhinoceros standing on our list. And yes, have also seen these animals. From the distance, a rhino (one of the 15 remaining black rhinos in Ngorongoro). Yes the big five is spotted! A little further there lay 3 male and three female lions. In the middle of this group lay in a ditch a dead buffalo! They had clearly only just found it and only ate half of it. Now they lay dozing all six, tired of hunting. From a distance hyenas were leering to the carcass and also a group of jackals were just walking around that group of lions. What a special sight, this is real nature.
It was a fantastic experience! Thanks Elly, Patrick and Shemeji Safaris & Tours. It was great!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
strong endorsement for Born Free
I can only echo what others have said about professionalism of Alana and staff, both in the US, in Tanzania and Kenya. The trip was without a hitch. Guide were knowledgeable about animals, plants and camera angles. Food was wonderful wherever we stayed. This recent travel was the second that Born Free has planned for me and I would not hesitate to recommend them.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best
The safari was well organized,got to see all the animals ,had lunch by the mara river,the game drives were amazing with the driver able to find the elusive rhino
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A warm welcome to Arusha
I spent a weekend with Elieza and Jackson in July, and had a terrific stay in Arusha, a modest priced safari with a great guide and an awesome look into the wonderful Tanzanian lifestyle
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing custom safari
My mum, husband and I took a custom safari through Etosha, the Caprivi Strip, Chobe and Victoria Falls with Nature Travel Namibia. In short, we absolutely loved our safari. The three of us had such a memorable and enjoyable trip and can't thank Nick and his team enough for their efforts in making sure every bit of it was what we were after. The accommodation was fantastic - Nick worked with us to hand-pick every place we stayed and to make sure it was both within budget and the style we wanted. The parks we visited were great - we really liked seeing the variety in landscape, vegetation and wildlife between Etosha, the Caprivi Strip and Chobe and we saw a fantastic variety of wildlife. But what really made our trip special was our guide, Kit. What a gem of a guy. He was knowledgeable and we learnt so much about Namibia - its wildlife, geography, history, culture. And importantly, he was just such a pleasure to hang out with, with a great sense of humour. A safari is the kind of trip you can't and don't do every day, so it's hard to decide between tour companies. If you're considering Nature Travel Namibia - do it! You won't regret it.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The wonderfull experience in the wildlife of Kenia
We are very satisfied about the company of Regina and her staff. We had a very warm welcome at the airport. They organized a very beautiful trip of 17 days through the national parks of Kenia. The trip was amazing and we saw a lot of game. We had a good driver (Patrick) he gave us a lot of information and he did everything so we could see the migration of the gnoes. Thanks to Reny safaris we had the time of our life, a great safari experience, nice memories and wonderful pictures...
KR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not recommendable
It occurs to me quite clear that this travel agency has very little inflence to the guide, who normally works as a freelancer. Don't fully believe agency's word, once payment is being made and hit the road, only person you could argue or meet is a guide whose working relationship with agency is quite limited.
We've got confirmations of many things from this agency before we made a reservation, only few were true. Every day, guide were showed-up late, travelers were being instructed to take different vans every day or every trip, usually up to 7~9 people on one van which made people quite cramped.
Drinking water were provided, as promised, but at first day for 3~4 days, therefore every trip and acommodation we heaved heavy weight luggages along with given bottle of waters.
At Masaimara, accommodation were overbooked and moved to another camp which provide no water and no electricity inside the tented camp. Notwithstanding, no one felt sorry about it although some of the traveller contended heavily.
Guide was less likely acting as a guide but more like a boss or merely driver. Almost zero explanation was given regarding the schedule.
Unnecessary detour or idle time happened due to the fact that groups all had different itenery.
Kenya itself was amazingly nice place but my trip was degraded by all abovementioned facts.
It might be impoved if you select private tour.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible
I've been lucky enough to travel with John twice now and loved both trips. First trip was from Victoria Falls down through Hwange National Park, Bulawayo and into Kruger National Park. Second trip was through Namibia across to Victoria Falls. John has this infectious love of Africa and its history. Every location we visited was because it had spectacular views or the ability to get up close for animal viewing. Absolutely incredible trip - I can't wait to go back. John is a great host full of stories and experiences and wouldnt travel to Africa without him there. John travels in small groups in air conditioned vehicles and knows his way around. Highlights for me were Africat in Namibia and Nehimba Lodge in Hwange National Park. Two spectacular locations for animal viewing.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mount Kenia - Lenana (Alt.4985m)
The 4 day hike through the national park of Mt. Kenia where challenging, breathtaking and awesome. It united those who climbed the mountain. I sufferd from the altitude sickness, without the good guidance I would never been able to reach Lenana that day.
The hike is still my most favorite trip of Africa.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptional
My husband and I spent six days on safari in Tanzania covering Tarangire & Serengeti national parks plus Ngorongoro Crater, each lodge we stayed at was superb and very different from each other. Our safari guide Harry was a lovely man and certainly knew his job. We then moved on to Fundu Lagoon which is a very remote hideaway off Pemba Island near Zanzibar. This was the fourth trip that both Sharon & Simon have arranged for us over the past few years,their knowledge and service is over and above other safari companies we have used before. Their communications and attention to detail with suggested itinerary's are absolutely brilliant they never fail to amaze me. Using Native Escapes is a no brainier for me they delivery time and time again. Well done to you both.