NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!
This summer we spend a four week holiday in Tanzania, visiting friends, safari and diving on Zanzibar.Before our holiday we did quite a lot of research on different safari companies and compared all prices and packages.
Quit soon we found out that de prices from Bobby were by far the cheapest. After reading some reviews we decided the book with Bobby Tours and start our adventure.
We started our holiday in Dar El Salaam visiting friends. Afterwards we took a flight to the west part of Tanzania (Mwanza). Since we had such a long holiday we decided to book 6 day/ 5 nights budget camping safari. Our driver from Bobby Tours (Gasper) picked us up at our hotel and took us to the western entrance of the Serengeti National Park. This was a 2 hour drive from Mwanza. The good thing starting from Mwanza is that the western corridor of the Serengeti is really quit, since most of the people start their safari in Arusha. Our package was 6 days/ 5 nights (3 days Serengeti, 1 day NgoroNgoro Crator, Lake Manyara en Tarangire and drop off in Arusha).
I recommend all people to go longer Safari (5 or 6 days), since it increases the possibilities of seeing more animals! We had a wonderful time! Our driver ‘Gasper’ was the best and a really sweet guy. He knew all the good spots and was always having fun with us, but also with the other drivers in the parks. We had a long safari (6 days) and saw a lot of animals! Taking a bit more time allows you to just enjoy a beautiful sight or landscape! So I would recommend everyone not hurrying finding ‘the Big5’ and really experience the Serengeti and it fabulous nature.
Our driver ‘Gasper’ was a really good wildlife spotter! After entering the Western gate and driving for maybe an hour we already saw: lions, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe’s and many herds of wild beasts, impala’s and Zebra’s.
We liked all parts of the Safari, but especially fell in love with Serengeti. It’s expansive plains and impressive nature are the best! You sometimes drive for hours and not see anybody since it’s so big. On the other hand, you sometimes see about 15 cars around a tree, because there’s leopard. It’s funny seeing so many cars in one place, everyone trying to take the perfect picture.
Especially these time you see how many cars from ‘Bobby Tours’ hang around. I think Bobby has about 25 cars, really new and good quality. The cars have 8 places, but only few were occupied. Me and my girlfriend, the driver, and a chef.
Having a lot of space was wonderful since you could move around in the car and pick the best place for spotting wildlife.
I liked all parks since their all special in their own way. Tarangire, by example since it has the most elephants and Lake Manyara for the lakes and birds.
Ngorongoro Crater, feels like a magical world entering the crater and driving around. We saw a lot of action in the crater. Lions and hyenas were hunting. This was also the location where we saw a Rhino! Our driver had the eyes of a ‘hawk’ and spotted it a mile away. Although it was far away it still was a truly magical moment.
We took a basic camp safari since we like to camp in the Netherland and it’s just much cheaper then staying in a lodge. The campsites were fine, showers, were not always hot. On some campsites there was electricity and warm water. Remember to bring some warm clothes for the Ngorongoro crater since it can get quit cold there during the night. The food was also good. Every night the chef sets up a table for diner and serves you some bread, soup, dinner and fruits for dessert. In the morning breakfast is served, with coffee or tea, fruits, pancakes and other food. During the day you will have a lunch break with sandwiches.
Advice, when taking budget safari there’s not always power to charge your devices on the campsites. Be sure to bring enough batteries en SD cards for your camera and other devices, you’ll need them. Also it might ben helpful to take a solar charger to power up some devices! Don’t bother about your cell phone! There’s not much coverage in the Serengeti and the sights are far too beautiful. So don’t waste time watching your cell phone.
Another advice don’t rush around! Hakuna Matata! Not only take a picture and move on, but wait some time to really look! There is more then meets the eye around, also small creatures and many birds par example. We asked our driver to show us the different type of birds. I think at the end of our safari we saw about 50 different bird species! So do not only go for the big animals!
We had a truly magical time and we would love to come back sometime! Wildlife is never boring. Many thanks to our driver and friend ‘Gasper’ for all the fun and spotting all wildlife.
With love!
Philippe and Lotte from The Netherlands
TR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of a lifetime
This was our first safari and we really didn't know what to expect but the experience was beyond our dreams. Flash is a very professional, trustworthy and well managed company. The 12 day safari was well planned with a lot of action as well as nicely planned rests. The hotels were five star and the best of all was our guide Melek, his name means angel in Arabic and he protected us like an angel! He is very experienced and professional and security conscious. I would highly recommend Flash and Melek.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a fantastic trip!
Thank you to Saso Uganda Safari! Our family of four had a great trip to Murchison Falls. Our guide looked after us very well and we had a wonderful time.
HU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice customer service, correct communication, friendly hosting, professional guide
We were more than happy with the services. They were on time, they did what we agreed, no surprises, no hidden charges. The guide was excellent, nice personality, and professional, with a very deep experience of salaries.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly awe-inspiring holiday in beautiful surroundings.
Our trip to Phinda Game Reserve was as a present for my Dad's 60th, and it did not disappoint. Our accommodation (we stayed at the Mountain Lodge in Phinda) was beautifully laid out and equally good for both seclusion and socialising - whichever you prefer. The rooms were incredibly generous in size with decking out the front and even a plunge pool for those that are feeling brave. The grounds of the lodge were kept in immaculate condition, the swimming pool was literally a 2 minute walk from your room, as was the outdoor and indoor dining area which hosted the majority of breakfasts, lunch and dinners. Prepared by head chef Neo (who made a point of individually welcoming you to your table and explaining what was for dinner every night, a really nice touch) and his team, the food was always of impeccably high standards as was the presentation of it. We couldn't have been more impressed at the level of service from the in-house team of hosts. They could not do enough to make your stay a more memorable one, from how you'd like your eggs done, to birthday gifts they really did provide everything and were a large factor behind why I feel the holiday was such a successful one. Keep an eye out for Mandla particularly, who I didn't see without a smile on his face for four whole days.
The weather was amazing for the duration of our stay, including some breath-taking electric thunderstorms on our first night. As for when you're out on safari, it does get quite cold when you're out after dark, so despite it being really sunny when you set off, take a jumper. Blankets are provided which was unexpected, but very much appreciated! It was my first safari and will take some beating - we managed to see everything we wanted to, leopards and black rhino's included...and as a keen photographer I was afforded plenty of time to take photos at will of the amazing animals on show. Our guides were totally receptive to what we wanted to see and put on a wonderful breakfast in the bush one morning, as well as taking us on some great walks when there was a bit of downtime.
My only minor criticism would be that considering you spend 7 hours a day in them, the Jeeps weren't the most comfortable form of transport. I'm a little over 6 foot 2 and the legroom in the Jeeps wasn't really adequate for me, the seats weren't very well padded either - but really once you'd gotten over it this didn't detract at all from my overall enjoyment.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Phinda Game Reserve to anyone, it was an unforgettable experience and we owe much to those who hosted us and made our stay that little bit more special.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great, personalized services!!!
My adult daughter, my wife and I highly recommend Budget Africa Safari re: touring Kenya (Maria Mara, Amsoleli) . They are a smaller, younger, aspiring company that worked hard to meet our very need. Edward Thionga took the time to tailor his packages to our needs including some of the places we wanted to see and places we wanted to stay in. His drivers Edward and Maury were extremely nice, accommodating and very attentive.My wife, daughter and I highly recommend Budget Africa Safari to Kenyan tours (Maria Mara, Amboseli). We highly recommend Budget Africa Safaris.
We were much less impressed with Sandland Tours who handled our Tanzania portion (Serengeti, Ngoro Goro, Lake Manyara). Sandland is much bigger and more established but was not as open and communicative as Budget Africa Safaris.
(If you have to coordinate between companies -make sure the companies and then the drivers talk and coordinate the handover very closely and well including bags, money exchanges, lodging places etc.)
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Honeymoon
We spent our Honeymoon in Tanazania , and we spend a truly beautiful safari with safarihub , our driver Omblau was really helpful and knowledgeable , we spend one full week in tanzania and we went on several camps , we met some really nice people along our travels and i want to say that this trip was for us once in a lifetime ! thank you !
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wild life adventures East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya)
In nov/ dec '16 we travelled with Grassrootz to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. Before booking we had intensive contact with Sander to ensure that this trip would be exactly what we wanted. And it really was!
George our driver was the best! We truly worked as a team, as he did his best to ensure that we had the best time possible. He provided us with so much information on both the wild life as on Ugandan history.
We stayed in basic banda's as well as in more luxurious lodges. The basic banda's have all the essentials, provided that the electricity and water works. But off course as this is Africa, some times either or both of them are simply not working. All the accommodations had friendly and helpful staff.
We deviated a bit from our original travel agenda due to the fact there was a small issue in the Rwenzori region. This was done in mutual agreement, and gave us a chance to include a visit to the Rhino sanctuary and Kampala.
All and all we were really happy with our trip, with our driver and Grassrootz overall. We would recommend them to anyone who wants to travel through East Africa.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent experience - highly recommend them
I booked an 8 day safari with Crystal Safaris November 25 – December 2, 2016 as a solo traveler. I am a retiree with 33 years as a travel industry professional and I could not have been more impressed. From my first contact with Barbara she was very responsive answering all of my questions and creating an adventure that met all of my requests. She showed a great deal of patience and professionalism as I had to make numerous changes over the course of our correspondence. From the moment Jonah, my guide/driver picked me up at the airport everything was taken care of and the trip not just met, but exceeded, my expectations.
During the 8 days I was also lucky enough to stay at 2 of the lodges owned by them, the Gorilla Safari Lodge near Bwindi and the Crater Safari Lodge near Kibale. The locations and accommodations were first class and the staff of both lodges made me feel pampered.
I would not hesitate to book with them again or to recommend them with full confidence.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thrilling experience
It was an amazing experience. We visited Maasi Mara, Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Hells gate. I joined different groups with different drivers. Dennis,James and Mike and should a great deal of commitment and care.
I believe what it actually differentiates Axis Africa from other companies is the level of professionalism and commitment they showed. Putting customers convenience first. I would definitely like to do business with them in the future.