BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical discovery of wild animal environment
Very nice safari experience with the Northern Circuit Adventure. The team was great, it wasn't too expensive and the experience gave me enough wonderful memories to last a lifetime
I warmly recommend this tour operator. I warmly thank the entire team for allowing me to enjoy these wonderful days!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari Title says it all - Simply The Best
We were collected in Johannesburg by our guide for the 4 days, Alban Rolando, and driven over the High Velde and down the escarpment to Hazyview, although this took about 7 hours Alban was a font of knowledge and made the drive very interesting.
A bit more on Alban, he was an extremely interesting and well educated person who really knew his subject of the animals, their habitat and Kruger, he proved to be great company over the 4 days for myself and my wife.
We changed vehicles in Hazyview to an open backed Safari vehicle and headed into Kruger at about 3.30 on our first day, the game drive finishing at 6.30 (Dusk) followed by a lovely dinner in our lodge.
The accommodation in the Rondials is a bit basic but fine, you do not spend a lot of time in it.
The next day was full, off on a game drive at 6.00, breakfast at 9.30, continued drive until 1.30, lunch at lodge and back out at 3.30 to 6.30 on another drive.
Our final morning in Kruger consisted of another early morning drive followed by breakfast and then back to Hazyview to change back into our air conditioned mini bus.
Throughout our stay in Kruger Alban demonstrated his absolute command of his knowledge of Kruger that he had developed from living there for a few years earlier in his life. Our viewing of the animals, including the big 5, was exceptional.
The next phase was a 1/2 day tour of the escarpment, God's Window and the waterfalls. I was scepticable about this phase of our trip, as I really wanted Safari not sight seeing, how wrong could I be, this part of our trip was fascinating with some unbelievable views and well worth the time spent doing it.
We then arrived at another Lodge, Shiduli, in a private game reserve. This was very luxurious but now we were in a safari vehicle taking 8 people and with Shiduli's guides, I found this a little tame after the open wilds of Kruger and the in depth knowledge and experience of Alban. But after saying that we did see a lot of game and enjoyed some lovely meals and pampering.
After our final morning game drive and breakfast we then departed, driven by Alban back to Johannesburg.
I have been very pleased with Themba's organisation throughout the period from booking the trip to finally being delivered back to our hotel in Johannesburg. I get the impression that it is a small family run business that points their guests' quality experience to the forefront, I would imagine that from talking with Alban that all of their guides will deliver a similar level service to their guests, which is very important when you are spending 3 to 5 days with them.
I will have no hesitation using Themba Tours again and recommending them to my friends
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Arrangements were as we requested for our private safari.
The guide was very competent and knowledgeable. The hotels that we used in Tanzania were excellent.
Highly recommend this safari.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great touroperator, best welcome and service
We went on a 4 day safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. A friend gave us the tip to contact Robert and we were very happy we did so. Robert arranged everything very well, the pick up, a welcome with open arms, the stay before and after the safari and all that is necessary things to make the journey the best as possible. The service comes from the heart and he takes all the interest in his customers.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A beautiful experience in Kenya..for my very 1st Safari in Africa!
I got a 10 day safari courtesy of African Touch Safaris, through the travel manager, Susan.
A truly remarkable experience as we toured the masaai mara game reserve & thereafter a 4 day visit to Mt. Kenya. We stayed at the amazing Mt. Kenya safari club. A truly 5 star experience!
African Touch gave us vip service from start to finish. The driver guide Hesbon was funny, knowledgeable & quite interesting, lotsa stories and an overall remarkable experience in Kenya.
African Touch Safaris comes highly recommended for all your holidays in Africa.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Africa Keys...the best
I went to the mara in January with Africa Keys and everything was just clockwork.
Their cars, driver-guides and choice of accomodation was excellent throughout.
And the Manager was always free to receive our calls whenever we needed clarification.
I will definitely tell my friends to book with Africa Keys.
FR
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful perfect travel organization of Regional tours
Thanks M. Maturaf Maanfou. We have met when we arrived in Zanzibar and we were received at his office in Stone town. For the safari we recommend MBilal Mabera which is a very good guide who speaks perfect French and English and has great kindness. Our stay at the Zanzibar beach Mapenzei went perfectly in a word. Everything was perfect.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Tanzania
I am travailing with Wildness Safari from 2007. Every time the arrangement was perfect. They are the specialist in Tanzania. And particularly The MD Mr Ahmed Khan. He is just superb.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Way beyond expectations
From the moment we arrived at the Kilimanjaro Airport we were well looked after by Hazina Africa. The itinerary was well laid out, and it allowed us to fulfill all the goals we had set for our trip. Being very enthusiastic amateur photographers, we were incredibly satisfied by the photographic opportunities and experiences that our INCREDIBLE guide offered us. Accommodations were superb; everything was organized and well-prepared for us. This trip gave us experiences well beyond what we had expected. When we return to Africa there is no question that we will be using Hazina Africa again.
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very Successful Tour by a great operator
I joined the fixed date birdingpal tour of 6 people from January 24 to February 7 2014. It was a truly memorable trip. Apart from all the birds and wildlife, Uganda is a beautiful country. The group gelled really well, and lots of fun was had along the way. Deo and Robert were not only great guides, they were great hosts. The value of the fixed date tour is extraordinarily good, as everything is supplied. You only need a little cash for guide tips, alcohol and snacks, plus souvenirs.
LOGISTICS
Pre-tour, Deo's communications were prompt, clear, and informative, giving me great confidence that I was booking a trip with a competent organisation. Deo, an accomplished birder, accompanied us on the whole trip, along with specialist bird guide Robert. In addition to this, we were accompanied by armed park rangers and security on our treks in the National Parks, as well as specialist guides in places. Accommodation was from basic (Mburo) to comfortable, with ensuite bathrooms in all but the raised, covered tents at Lake Mburo NP. All were clean. Transport was by pop-top 4WD Minibus, over roads which were rough in places, but there were no dramas, and almost all driving was done in daylight hours. Meals were healthy, though not particularly memorable, though there was great food at Nyanz'Ibiri Eco Camp. Luxuries Forget about free wifi most of the time, expect power outages, and warm beer at times. Deo's mobile internet was available in case of need.
THE TOUR
Entebbe, Mabamba Shoebill boat trip, Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP; (Ruhiija and Buhoma), Queen Elizabeth NP, Nyanz'Ibiri Eco Camp and School Visit, Semilki Forest, Kibale Forest, Royal Mile, Entebbe. if you log into your google account, you can see this annotated map of this tour
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zgxsnE9Gp4Wg.kQZAI_g-vMB0
BIRDING
That is what the tour was all about, and the birds were delivered relentlessly. Both Deo and Robert proved to have excellent knowledge of where to find birds. They also have great tracking and identification skills. Robert's skill in finding birds in the rainforest gloom was exceptional. My tally was 444 different species and a further 12 heard. The total group list would be higher. To see that number in the 15 days requires some dedication, and only fleeting glimpses of some birds were made, especially in the rainforests. Our guides were very keen to make sure that we saw as many of the birds as possible. Deo and Robert were genuinely excited when a rare bird was spotted and gave crippling views, possibly more excited than the group.The Long-tailed Cisticola springs to mind. Highlights for me were the Touracos, Trogons and Sunbirds, and the sheer diversity of birds on our walks in Bwindi, where we managed to see 15 of the endemics and hear another.
COMMUNITY and PEOPLE
The school that Deo supports is very needy, and the donations of school materials were very well received. We walked away thinking that so much more could be done. The Ugandans are very friendly and positive people, and I always felt completely safe. Uganda is a beautiful rich country, but corruption seemingly means that funds do not get where they should.
OVERALL
I thoroughly recommend Uganda Ecotours, and hope to go back one day and see the parts of the country I missed out on, and maybe some of the birds as well.
Mark Taylor, Melbourne