50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of a Lifetime!
We have always contemplated an overseas adventure, driving our own 4WD and camping along the way. Africa was also one of our preferred destinations. Along came Africa Expedition Support ... offering us the mechanical support (which we don't otherwise have) and removing the need to transport our own vehicle and the hassles that accompany that.
Our 8 week trip went without a hitch, catering for a diverse range of interests and needs.
Would happily do it all again ..... but it probably wouldn't be the same!!!
MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Incredible experience in the Okavango Delta
We "met" Mark thru the website. He quickly understood what were our wishes, expectations and dreams for this trip to Okanvango. He planned a trip in the Delta with 2 different lodges, 2 completely different experiences, both of them unforgettable ! Thank you Mark for your help ! We'll be back to you as soon as we are ready to go back to Southern Africa ! In our minds we are, but the travel from Mexico is…so long !
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An amazing experience in touch with true nature
Clarity in communication, availability, competence, seriousness and a lot of sympathy: in a sentence much more than what we expected!
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our trip to Africa was stunningly perfect in every way!
When planning my trip to Africa it was not easy to chose a tour operator online! I contacted quite a few & was disappointed with their replies (or lack of replies). Then Patrick Shaw of 'Journeys Discovering Africa' actually wrote to me like I was a real person & suggested I might like to share a trip to trek gorillas that he was planning. My reason for going to Africa was to see the majestic mountain gorillas & finally someone actually listened to ME & was thinking about what I wanted, rather than what trips they already had to offer! So I began to correspond with Patrick. The poor man must have shared dozens of emails with me! Patrick never, ever made me feel like I was a bother. He answered all of my questions with grace & patience. Then Patrick sent me a (marvelous) itinerary for my own personal 19 day trip! By then my daughters had come 'on board' & they could only get two weeks so we had to revise & delete. It was difficult but we relied on Patrick's wisdom & he was right all the way. Our 12 day adventure was absolutely perfect - for US! Patrick sent us our itinerary, all the information we needed about gorilla groups, Uganda & Kenya, summaries of each trek, each drive, & each (gorgeous) accommodation. We knew what to expect in terms of time, clothing, tipping, customs, etc., each day of our trip. So we decided (after months of Patrick's hard work) that yes, we'd do it! It was very difficult to send money to someone you'd only 'seen' on email! So I asked Patrick for references & I wrote every single one, including each of the lodges! Glowing reports came back! So I believed that this paragon was a real person & sent off our money. Best thing I ever did! What an amazing trip we had! We were greeted at every airport, every lodge, every trekking point, every restaurant by smiling, helpful, knowledgeable people from 'Journeys Discovering Africa'! We sat down with our guides & went over the trip in detail each step of the way. We were never in doubt about what was happening next! It was all what WE wanted to do, not what some tour was already doing! And the things that were planned for us were marvelous! Yes, we did two gorilla treks which were life changing experiences. We also did a chimp trek which Patrick suggested & which I would not have missed! We went on many tiny planes, from tiny air fields, & were escorted there, on time, with all our bookings checked & rechecked ahead of time. Every transfer, every meeting, everything went as 'smooth as silk'! After the gorillas, we went to Kenya. Patrick again, chose perfectly, for US. We loved Giraffe Manor. Our safari experience at Kicheche Camp on the Masai Mara was unbelievable! And again, our guides, our hosts, everyone was so kind & welcoming to us. One thing on my 'must do' list was to adopt a baby elephant at the Sheldrick Trust in Nairobi. Patrick made it happen, & I know it wasn't easy! We had a private viewing of the orphans! Because of the strict timing, Patrick had a long day in Nairobi to plan for us. He managed to give us a final day of animals, & gorgeous restaurants so we could get to see the elephants. I can't say enough at Patrick Shah & his staff at 'Journeys Discovering Africa'. He listens. He is meticulous in the details. He knows all the best places to go & all the best guides! He understands our fears & communicates well each step of the way. He cares & he delivers. If we ever go again, Patrick's email will be on my fingertips! Our marvelous trip to Africa exceeded all of our expectations! We had the best time of our lives! Thank you Patrick Shah & your great staff at 'Journeys'!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A seamless adventure, exceeding my expectations.
Communications with Ute were excellent. She offered help with our airline reservations (which I had made myself) when things got a little messed up.
We had no knowledge of how to plan our trip, or what to expect. Everything we had hoped to be able to do, we accomplished. The safari itself was stunning, wonderful accommodations and extremely professional and knowledgable guides. The assistance and advice we received made our trip memorable.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Pembury Tours made our vacation trip seamless and fun
We had questioned renting a car in Cape Town to tour the game farms in Port Elizabeth area. After extremely helpful communications with Kerry at Pembury tours we chose to fly from Cpt. To P.E. Where we were cheerfully greeted by Willie who took us to Lalibella Game farm then picked us up there and took us to Ado National Elephant Park. We spent two nights at each location. The stays were wonderful and our travels with Willie included informative and entertaining discussion. The guide at Lalibella was a young fellow named Juan. He was amazing and bubbled with enthusiasm. He could make the vegetation as exciting as the wildlife. In the long run the cost of flying and being escorted was similar to renting a vehicle but gave two extra days to enjoy. We travelled with another couple and they too thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Review about Garden Route by Judith Croft
Very diverse scenery on the road trip from Knysna to Capetown
Review about Drakensberg by Judith Croft
A falconry event was viewed from high in the Drakensburgh Mts, which gave a magnificent viewing.
This tour was a very informative, low cost, but a comfortable & enjoyable experience.
Abundant wildlife in their natural habitat. Some magnificent scenery, especially the Drakensburgh mtns, & Kruger N.Pk. The weather (in Oct) was mild. Accomodation was clean & comfortable, in Cottages, Lodges & one park camp. The food was prepared by the crew, & was tasty, varied & plentiful. The vehicle was a 7 ton truck, fitted with a large body, which made viewing enjoyable & comfortable. The operator/guide Darren Humphries was extremely knowledgeable on all of Africa, & made every effort to ensure the trip was enjoyable, & importantly, safe for all.
Thoroughly Satisfied!
The greatest thing that I can say about Big Time Safaris in Kenya is that they have such an open style of communication. It is their desire to meet ones travel needs and to assure that each is treated well. Another aspect that I absolutely liked is the great variety of tour opportunities as well as the differential in prices depending on how much one enjoys being catered. The Kenya tour focusing on Masai Mara was outstanding both with the venues and guides. I could not ask for more.