NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A well organized vacation!
We recommend Tropical Vacations strongly to others while, from the start, they organize everything very well. When we decided to go on vacation to Kenia, we send an email to several organizations and Matthew of Tropical Vacations was one of the few who wrote back to us with a lot of payable suggestions.
Matthew is very professional and friendly!
Everything went as planned and he choose an excellent ranger/driver named Wilson!
They made our vacation one of the best have had (and as airline staff we know what we say :-)
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Namibia by Sidney Crain
Austere landscape, unique sand dunes, large seal colonies, beautiful National Parks
PT
20-35 years of age
Great experience
My husband and I have done a Safari with It Started in África and loved it. We wanted to do a 7 day Safari in serengeti and ngorongoro crater and then go to zanzibar. Everything went perfect since our guide and cook picked us up from our hotel in arusha. We did 1 day at lake manyara, then 4 day at serengeti national park and finished at ngorongoro crater on our way back to arusha again. We stayed in tents all the 7 nights, and being my first time camping, i actually didnt felt bad at all. The tents were good, spacious and our sleeping bags confortable.
Our guide, Samuel, had lots of experience and he knew all the birds and other small animals. We really liked him, and we were very lucky because we had the chance to see the big five, which, as he told us, may not be very easy. And they also provided us with binoculars, which was very useful when you can only see an animal several meters away from you. We also did an extension to ndutu to watch the great migration. There we could actually watch animals more closely, and we had the chance to watch a herd of lionesses hunting a zebra.
The overall experience was great, we loved the safari, loved our guide. The company matched our expectations, which were very high, since it was the trip of our dreams. Joao was very helpfull, always helping us and answering our questions and doubts, and Baraja too. We would definitly come back with It Started In Africa.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service
Excellent service provided by them.. .really love it and will go again.., highly recommended
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical experience
I have just returned from a 8 day safari taking in Tararangire, Lake Manyana, Ngorongoro Crater and the awesome Serengeti. The experience was amazing. Tomodachi arranged a tailor made package for a group of four. They never complained about our numerous changes in requirements. Joseph and our driver/guide Livin were punctual and arrangements went like clock work including individuals joining and leaving the group at different times and getting them to and from flights. The accommodation was far better than expected and Livin was a great companion and guide. Even though it was out of season he managed to get us close to all the Big Five as well as taking us on shopping trips. It was an adventure difficult to put into words. The migration next! Big thanks.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was an amazing experience!
It was an amazing experience! My first interaction with anyone from the company was with Loy and I couldn't have met a more welcoming and nicer man than him. I can't say enough nice things about him.
Our driver Michael not only is one of the most patient people as he waited for us to see everything we wanted to see and never driving off too early, but he is incredibly skilled at being able to spot animals far away. For example, he was able to spot a leopard in a tree that no one else would've known was there but after he pointed out the leopard, we were all able to see it.
Our cook was also fabulous (and I'm a very hard person to feed because there are so many foods I don't like) and he worked really hard at making our culinary experiences good. It Started In Africa truly gave us an amazing experience and a wonderful vacation. Thank you!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding trip with exceptional safari operator: Ecological Wilderness Adventures
Preparations for the trip were easy, with detailed itinerary and of what to take with us. The company is an outstanding touring company and its tent camps are first class. The safari drivers were fun and experienced naturalists. Ready to stop, start, and stay as long as we wished. The entire staff was always friendly, helpful, and professional. And the food was delicious. The trip plan was great as it enabled us to see some cultural areas and many more animals and birds than I expected. All accommodations were tops. And the breaks before and after the trip, at a lovely hotel, were much appreciated. I would do the same trip again in a year or two if I weren't so old (80) and so far away !!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful professional informative experience
They have a quick response time during reservations and the lead up to the safari.
The guide is very punctual, professional and informative. The support staff are friendly, helpful and go beyond the call of duty to ensure the clients have a comfortable trip.
The guide has good skills in tracking and animal behavior assessment.
Overall a very good safari experience.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The three week photo safari was beyond expectations.
Brian Mengoriki has pulled together a staff of the most personable, knowledgeable and accommodating people one could hope for. Every day, from sunrise until we tucked-in at night, we were entertained, educated and shown things beyond our expectations. With humor and great patience the driver/guides introduced us to myriad bird and animal species. They gave context to the setting of the animals and then the time to watch their interactions and behavior. We were educated about not only the ecological setting of the wildlife but also the social context of this setting through our introduction to several tribes. The camp staff warmly welcomed us back to camp after each enjoyable day and then spoiled us with warm showers, personable conversation, and wonderful meals. We could not have asked for more. Our only disappointment was that of leaving.
Susan and Ron Dearborn
Alaska
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guides, amazing animals, delicious meals and comfortable accommodations.
My expectations for this safari were high and Ecological Wilderness Adventures certainly met and easily exceeded those expectations. Brian Mengoriki and his guides (Gerald, Martin and Kappia) were knowledgeable about the birds and wildlife and excellent at finding and showing them to us. Moreover, they were charming and a delight to be with. In none of our wildlife viewing and cultural visits were we ever rushed to leave what we were watching and to go somewhere else. All the accommodations were excellent—the tent camps were amazing and comfortable and the staff who took care of us were very friendly and helpful. The food and service were marvelous. Every day was a wonderful adventure—we never knew what we might get to see! I didn't want to trip to be over and would love to go again!