US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing time...highly recommended!
We had an absolutely amazing time on our 5-day / 4-night private safari. Kioko was a phenomenal guide--very knowledgeable about the wildlife, the country, the culture, etc., and also very flexible in the schedule and amenable to our interests. The booking process was seamless, and the parameters of the safari we were quoted were exactly as they played out.
In our safari we saw Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakaru, and Masai Mara, and each offered something special...from the massive herds of grazing animals against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, to the birds, baboons, and lions (3 large males within 10 feet of us!) in Nakaru, and of course, to the massive variety of animals (hippos, crocodiles, cheetahs, more of all of the above) in the Mara. The lodging was very comfortable and the food was excellent (and plentiful) at each of the locations that we stayed at. We really have no complaints and are already thinking about another trip to Kenya.
Thank you Kioko, Noah, and Wildebeest Safaris for an amazing time!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service all over
I had fortune of booking my safari with Hello Tanzania for 2 night/3 day safari in Serengeti in November 2015. From the moment I sent the inquiry Mwajabu Sultan, owner of Hello Tanzania, responded immediately and was in constant communication all the times. She was able to to offer a very great deal on last minute safari booking. Also, from the time of booking the safari, she always kept me updated with all the details. I originally planned to book a hotel close to Dar airport for my short 6 hour layover. However, for some reason my hotel booking did not made it to hotel. Even before I landed in Dar airport, Mwajabu called the hotel and as soon as she found I had no reservation, she proactively booked another hotel and called me as soon as I landed in Dar airport @ 1:30 am to check on me. I never have seen this level of customer service even from top of the line hotels/companies like four seasons etc. Simply outstanding. The driver, Dulla was with me from the time he picked me from airport and stayed at hotel grounds to drop me again in Dar airport for my 7 am domestic flight to safari. Also, on my return, Mwajabu offered to pick me up and transfer to my 1 night hotel stay in Dar at no extra charge. Again, this was not part of the original deal I had with Hello Tanzania, but Mwajabu went above and beyond to make my first ever Safari trip a memorable one.
I highly recommend Hello Tanzania for anyone who is looking for an unforgettable Safari experience. Even if you are a seasoned traveler, you should give Hello Tanzania a try to experience their outstanding customer service experience.
All in all, Hello Tanzania is simply outstanding. I highly highly recommend Hello Tanzania to everyone.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable
Words cannot describe just how amazing my trip was! John did an absolute stella job! The entire trip was well organised and the accommodation was first class. John's local knowledge was invaluable and resulted in our tour group having the best possible experience. I can't wait to go back!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nairobi National Park is a wonderful introduction to East Africa - beautiful animals & environment.
I was pleased to find an area with abundant visible African mammals, birds and reptiles so close to Nairobi. It was easy to arrange transportation and a guide who drove me through the area pointing out large mammals and typical east Africa birds. My rhinoceros sighting in Nairobi National Park was the best of the trip. I also saw zebra, lions, bateleur, and many more often in a nicely photographable setting. I have recommended this area to friends traveling to East Africa and will continue to do so. I hope to return.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Okavango Delta by Ross
The Okavango is a beautiful place, and there's nothing like a boat ride through all the twisting waterways where crocodiles lurk and elephants munch the fibrous stalks on shore. I think the high season (July-August) is probably not the best time for birders to visit here -- I imagine there's more bird life during the migratory seasons.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Moremi Game Reserve by Ross
Moremi is a great place to see wildlife in its natural setting -- we camped right next to a lagoon with hippos grazing and snorting within 10 feet of our tent at night.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Makgadikgadi Pans National Park by Ross
Let me qualify this review -- I went to the pans in the winter (July) which is not the height of its wildlife season. If you can get there in the African summer when the rains are falling and animals are bearing their young and the birds are migrating, I think it would be a very different experience.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Chobe National Park by Ross
Chobe is the jewel in Botswana's wildlife crown -- just take a trip down the Chobe RIver and you'll see why. There are animals everywhere here, from swimming elephants to lounging leopards. Don't expect to be the only one watching that pride of lions, but if you can eschew the luxury lodges and do some camping out in the wilderness, that's the way to experience Africa. Try to stay two days or more, since every day you'll see something different. And one more thing -- be ready to feel very depressed when it's time to leave.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nxai Pan National Park Is Well Off the Beaten Path...Which Is Why You Want to Go There
There are two great reasons to visit Botswana’s Nxai Pan National Park east of the city of Maun.
First of all, you’ll see wildlife here on this baobab-dotted salt pan that you may not see elsewhere in Botswana. First on my list is the Oryx or Gemsbok. These shy, stocky antelope, incredibly well adapted to life with limited water, roam this sandy wilderness where their long, sharp horns and striking black-and-white faces signal their presence in the tall grass. Two other “boks” of note are the small and light-footed springbok, with facial markings reminiscent of kabuki dancers, that graze the dry pan in significant numbers, and the even smaller Steenbok, a Bambi-like creature with markedly oversized ears that lives a more solitary life. I also saw hartebeest here, as well as bat-eared fox, honey badger and brown hyena – these in addition to the more familiar attractions: giraffe, elephant, kudu, lion, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, jackal, et al. And for those more keyed into the feathered set, you’ll be wearing out your binoculars for sure. You won’t need them to see the many ostriches, but you will want a closer look at all the eagles (including brown snake, booted, tawny, martial and bateleur) and the pale chanting goshawk, lanner falcon and Dickinson’s kestrel. I can drop plenty more names – kori bustard, red-billed quelea, ant-eating chat, northern black korhaan, double-banded courser, swallow-tailed bee eater, African hoopoe – but need I go on? And one side note – park management keeps the Nxai Pan waterhole supplied with water all year round, so you can always find wildlife there taking advantage of this government handout.
And second of all, though in the high season (Botswana’s winter) you may not see as many animals here as in a park like Chobe, for instance, there is one species you’ll be happy to see less of, and that’s people. In Nxai Pan, you’ll often feel like you’re the only one who thought of taking a safari in Africa. Part of the reason for this is Nxai Pan’s relative inaccessibility – once you drive through the gate, expect at least a two-hour drive along a treacherously sandy “road” to get to the campgrounds (I say at least two hours since you may spend a third hour or so helping some unfortunate fellow visitor get their mired vehicle moving again). But don’t let this scare you off – after all, this is why you came to Africa instead of some safari park in Florida.
All told, if you’re in northern Botswana and feel like getting off the well-beaten path to Chobe and the Okavango, visit Nxai Pan – it’s well worth it.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Kenya by Melody Lytle
Scenic beauty and bush vibe suffered a bit from the Nairobi skyline visible throughout much of the Park.