CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary Experience With Great Staffing and Organization
I went to Murchison Falls in a family group of 11 people (adults and 3 kids). We were there for 4 days of safari, and we all absolutely loved it. (I will note that Diana at Intek was patient and lovely with our various pre-safari questions. Her communications were clear and she was happy to clarify if/when needed.)
We were in 2 vans, and our drivers/tour guides (Ronnie and Abdullah) took us kindly and thoughtfully every step of the way. They were knowledgeable and approachable, and while we felt very safe, they also took an exciting approach to the experience (eg, driving off the path into the tall grasses of the Savannah on occasion). They were patient and it was great to really trust them as they days went on. They literally made every effort to make sure our itinerary went smoothly as as originally-described. They really went above and beyond.
We stayed at Paraa and Chobe Safari lodges, and those were also great experiences (staff was better at Paraa). Our boat tour guide, Ben, was excellent.
The whole experience exceeded expectation. We saw so many incredible animals and beautiful landscapes -- truly a magical holiday that was once in a lifetime.
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful trip to Namibia
We have just returned from an excellent trip to Namibia and South Africa.
Philip from Wild Wind Safaris put together an excellent itinerary for us for the Namibia part of our trip. The booking process was easy and Philip added in an extra night for us at the end of the trip, very late in the day, when I discovered I had booked an incorrect flight date for my travel to South Africa.
Seven was our wonderful guide. He was very polite, courteous and knowledgeable about Namibia and taught us a lot about his country as well as the wildlife.
Our trip included all meals and water in the vehicle. I would definitely recommend this option. We chose the mid range accommodation package which was adequate for our needs.
The vehicle we travelled in was relatively new and was comfortable. Seven kept it very clean and comfortable.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Phinda Game Reserve by Frost family
Manyoni game reserve not listed here. Was better than the more commercial phinda.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Namib-Naukluft National Park by Sergey Saveliev
The Sossusvlei with its dunes was simply beautiful. We had an opportunity to climb one of the dunes (it wasn't easy at all), but the experience we got is valuable.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Etosha National Park by Sergey Saveliev
We were lucky to see all the animals possible: lions, rhinoceroses, elephants, weldebeests, cheetahs, springboks, lot af different antelopes and birds, jackals etc.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Damaraland by Sergey Saveliev
First time in our lives we met and spoke with authentic local tribes (herero people, damara people and the himba). We had an opportunity to buy something very african from them, some items made with their own hands and by doing so support their communities.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Mark
Everything was perfect.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
All round amazing natural beauty with excellent varied itenary arranged by Vayeni.
The weather was lovely throughout.
Victoria Falls is amazing with lots to do around the area.
We had 3 different but all amazing lodges with the food excellent at each place. Everyone was so friendly and our guides were particularly knowledgeable and attentive to the many kids questions!
Mel at Vayeni arranged a beautiful itenary from start to finish - walking with elephants, close encounter with a hippo, all bush drives including night and Victoria Falls being the highlights.
Thanks you!
US
A self-guided historical tour of Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Gondar.
My husband and I arrived in Addis Ababa Airport at 3:30 am. The concierge at the Zeist Lodge had promised that their driver would meet us there. We were very happy to see him waiting for us at that inconvenient hour.
The Zeist Lodge, a garden oasis of beautiful art and delicious food, was a wonderful choice for our first day in Ethiopia.
We had less than a week to spend, so the next day we were off to Gondar. This historical city has been called the "Camelot of Africa". Our guide described past glories of Kings and Queens and showed us the the European influences on the castles and local architecture.
Debre Berhan Selassie Church is Ethiopia's version of the Sistine Chapel, where painted wide-eyed angels hover on the ceiling and the walls are painted with scenes from the life of Christ, Mary, the saints and martyrs. Afterwards we stopped at a nearby cafe for some Ethiopian coffee, deliciously roasted in the open air.
In the evening we walked from our centrally located hotel (Lodge du Chateau) to the Four Sisters Restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious buffet with Rift Valley Merlot (a local wine) and, of course, Ethiopian coffee.
The next morning our driver brought his niece and nephews along to drop them off at school. They were 5, 6 and 7 years old, and they got a chance to practice their English with us. Their English was so much better than my Amarhic.
Next it was off to Lalibela, a center of pilgrimage for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. The town is famous for its rock-cut monolithic churches. We toured Bet Madhane Alemm and the cross-shaped Church of St. George (Bete Giyorgis) where many white-veiled pilgrims generously shared their holy space with us.
At our room at the Top Twelve Hotel, we enjoyed the spectacular view of the valley below. Lalibela is 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level. As a sailplane pilot, I guessed that the area would be great for ridge soaring.
That evening we dined at the Ben Abeba restaurant, a Scottish-Ethiopian place whose unique, open air construction on a cliff's edge offered yet another mind bendingly spectacular view.
On our last night in Ethiopia, (in Addis Ababa) we visited Yod Abyssinia, where we had some traditional Ethiopian food (meat and vegetarian platters) and enjoyed a show that showed local history via dance. Visitors were invited to dance too, which the kids in the audience really loved.
One week was definitely not enough. On our next visit, I'd like to get to Axum to learn more about Ethiopia's history and visit the Bale Mountains National Park. But this was a great introduction.
FR
A country like no other
I have been in Ethiopia as a touriste but also to see my family. This country is rich in wildlife but also in culture. You can go from north to the south and from east to west, the landscape is very diversified. The rift valley, the semen and bale mountains, and the green south of Ethiopia are worth seeing. You can find endemic wildlife in those areas and differents cultural activities "near" them. I remember my trip in 2008 in the bale park where I have done hiking on a horse in the middle of the wild animals. Concerning the weather, it depends on your trip, though you will have a hot summer or a rainy season not a cold winter. the nights can be a bit cold neverthless. For the accomadation part, you don't have to expect a very confortable stay on a budget, but there are a few tourist agency and hotels that are trying to make a better destination regarding transportation and hotelery. If you want to live an experience where you want to feel out of the place, Ethiopia is your destination.