20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our honey moon experience was awesome from booking to our return.
Our expectations we highly met with constant communication. We enjoyed our tour especially the Wasini experience in mombasa. We highly recommend Phellisa Tours & Travel to any local and international travel. We rate Phellisa Tours & Travel excellent.
GR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience
The safari experience(3day,2nights in Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater) we had was amazing. The communication with Paul was really good. He answered all my questions and he replied really quickly in all my messages. Our driver and guide(his name is Deo) and our chef(his name is Tuma) made their best for us to have the best safari experience. And we saw all the big 5 and many many other animals!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experice with the best guide on a private tour
I researched tours for weeks before we decided on CATS for our honeymoon. We stayed one night at Lake Nakuru Lion Hill Sarova (in a little cabin) and two nights at Mara Sarova (in a canvas tent). Sarova is a high-end hotel chain and CATS gives you a great price considering all you get for the trip. Huge buffet for every meal, outstanding accommodations. Swimming pools, darts, pool tables, mosquito protection, stunning and immaculate grounds, friendly staff, excellent cocktails. Both lodges have a spa.
I can’t say enough good things about our driver, Duncan (Ndegwa). He has been delivering these tours for 14 years, and is extremely knowledgeable about the parks and wildlife. We were on this trip specifically for animals and my husband is a biologist. We would ask one question about a giraffe and he would be able to share a full range of knowledge from the species throughout Kenya and Africa to how to tell them apart, to gestation and lifespans. Outstanding. He was an excellent driver despite chaotic Kenyan roads. He was respectful of the wildlife, maintaining a respectful distance from animals while getting us close enough to take amazing photos. Other drivers would pull up three feet from a lion’s sleeping face for their tourists to take their pics, and it was horrible. We even saw a bunch of safari vehicles herding a large group of wildebeest purposely at a croc-filled river for the photo opp and we appreciated that our driver didn’t participate. He also stuck to the trails as you’re supposed to. He was excellent at spotting wildlife, from distant rhinos to discreet leopards to snoozing camouflaged lion cubs. We appreciated this even more after we did a three-hour tour with a guide from another company in Nairobi National Park, and that guide couldn’t spot any animals and had little knowledge of species or park management. Duncan ensured we stopped at safe places and even took us on a sensible detour on the drive back to Nairobi to avoid a serious accident (and extensive wait) on a main highway. We have amazing photos! Note: your guide will stop to talk to other guides to discuss sightings.
On our next trip, we would skip Lake Nakuru and head straight to Maasai Mara, as it's a very long drive to both and between the two parks.
Note that the road from Nairobi to Maasai Mara is ~170 kms but takes 5 hours, and the 2 hours or so near the park aren’t paved. And because they are in the process of paving it, you can’t drive on the gravel road, you have to drive on a temporary side road which has large boulders instead of the small crushed gravel we’re used to at home and it’s a very slow, jarring drive, no matter what vehicle you’re in. Motion-sick people beware! Next time, we'll book the land cruiser instead of the van, as they have better suspension.
Overall we had a wonderful honeymoon adventure and are eternally grateful to Joyce for booking us exceptional accommodations and going the extra mile, and Duncan, for being the greatest guide and helping us stamp our Big-5 bingo card.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good and reliable
A good and reliable tour operator where you are offered customized tours. They are quick to reply on requests and good at communicating with you as a customer. They listen to your request and go the extra mile to fullfil your expectations.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
GREAT COMPANY- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
We booked our Kruger National Park safari through Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris after getting rave feedback from our work colleagues. Prompt efficient and professional from start to finish. At no stage were we in doubt as to what to expect, with a precise itinerary being received from Carla, which even included links to the accommodation options.
We chose a stunning private guest house called Dreamfields in Hazyview. It was exactly that. Thank you Philip for the service and breakfasts. How’s the little owl that is in the tree behind the swimming pool. Hope he makes it.
Our safari guide Trevor never stopped smiling. What a character. The Leopard man. Thank you Trevor for making us smile at 05h00 when normal sane people are still fast asleep. As for the safaris, Trevor you are the best. One day you can explain to us how you watch the road and see animals in the bush that we can’t even see with binoculars.
The panorama route is spectacular. Thank you for recommending it. We had no intention of sight-seeing.
Simply put, you guys rock and I want your jobs.
Michael Kohler
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Family Journay
The experience we had at Chobe was amazing. My family came to visit me and they were overwhelmed by the beauty of the park, the organization of the camp and the patience and kindness of Tony and all his staff. Tony was our guide during the all safari, he has a huge passion for his work and a great respect for nature and animals. It was my second time at Chobe with Tony and I had the confirmation that he is always the best choice! Thanks a lot Tony & Staff for this amazing adventure!
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
12 day - private trip around the Serengeti and neighbouring parks
We booked a 12 day special trip with Anthony directly. As seasoned Africa travellers we knew what we would like to do and see. With Anthony we had a great sparing partner who understood our aims and wishes and tried to cater to all of them producing a comprehensive tour itinerary for us. From there we tweaked bits and pieces, which went well as Anthony was very responsive and constructive all along.
Once we arrived in Tanzania Anthony picked us up and took us to the Hotel in Arusha where we could organise everything and prepare for the trip ahead. As requested we spent the afternoon with our chef at the market and told him what we like and our food preferences. This was a great experience as the local market has this buzzing vibe to it (not suited for squeamish people). Our chef showed us around and gave us insights into the local food, we gave him hints what we like most.
The next day we set off on our trip into the wild, with our guide Ahadi, chef and Anthony. Our route took us through Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Lake Easy, Ngorogoro Crater, central Serengeti, northern Serengeti and lake Natron NP.
The route was well thought out and we managed to visited almost all planned sites, parks and tribes (we missed the occasional one due to exceptional sightings which we stayed with and watched on). The time and distance approximations given, where sometimes rather guesses than approximations, changing schedules a little during the day, but nothing serious. We took some "easier" routes or D-tours which in some cases felt like excuses to kill some time. Rather driving to the camp slowly instead of reaching the next camp early and doing an extra game dive around the area after we settled in. But nevertheless we saw everything we could dream of and more.
Ahadi did a great job driving us around and showing us the wonderful wildlife and nature, as well as being a great source of knowledge; telling stories all the way and sharing facts&figures. He did a great Job a spotting wildlife and sharing it with us. His driving was second to none, making it an agreeable journey wherever he took us.
Our chef had a hard time remembering what we told him at the market, but as we went along and guided him when he restocked supplies, he did a phantastic job feeding us well the entire trip. The African diet is usually very filling and heavy on carbs, which is normal - looking at the reasons for eating around here.
Although, if you spend most of the day in the car not moving too much, three full meals and loads of carbs are a heavy load to take in. With time and some guidance we managed to reduce on meal to a salad snack. In general he made awesome meals and varied them from day to day, we never got board of eating. The fresh popcorn after long drives and game drives where a treat :-)
What we haven't understood - it seems to be an African-thing (not only Tanzania) - why don't they appreciate the local produces. We drove by avocado trees, papaya trees, Banana and Mango trees, Corn and beans fields. But in our lunch pack there was an apple (imported from somewhere) and for breakfast or as a side it was canned (Heinz) backed beans (why not the local ones?).
For the immersive experiences Anthony organised some great local guides with whom we visited the Datoga tribe's blacksmith, the Hadzabe bushmen and the Maasai.
With the Hadzabe, what started as a leisure walk with tourists to show them how hunting works turned into a full blown hunt and kill of a wild boar. An experience that is not for the feint hearted but better than any BBC or NatGeo documentary.
All in all it was a great 12 days of full-on Tanzania wildlife and culture. Anthony prepared and executed a great trip for us with many highlights and some downs. When there was anything to talk about, he was open for it and took the feedback immediately acting on it if that was possible. Ahadi did a wonderful job and our chef never left us hungry during the trip. Ahadi was fully dedicated to show us the best his country has to offer, which occasionally was cut short by Anthony wanting to return to camp, for him to look after his business, instead of us pursuing a distant sighting or track we spotted. But we guessed this was due to Ahadi and Anthony joining the trip and jointly looking after us.
Summarising it; we had a great trip with cross to African and can fully recommend them for any safari first timer and repeat safari booker. Just let them know what you are looking for and they will cater to your needs.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experiences at Bwindi and Kidepo NP
Planning our trip to Uganda I have choosen Kajie Safaris for visiting the NP' s, after a disappointing contact to another company.
Ronald was always fast and straight forward in answering all my questions and open to all of our ideas. Really excellent customers service. Suggestions that were made on a really short notice were answered promptly to our full satisfaction.
I booked an one day trip to Bwindi NP for Gorilla trekking with an individual pick up in Kabale and drop off at Kisiizi falls. I have had a great time with Elias. He is a good and safe driver and prepared everythng perfect for me. I enjoyed the time so much. I will never forget that day.
Some days later we did a 3 day trip with Ronald himself to Kidepo NP. Ronald organized a perfect accomodation with a beautiful view over the park and great meals. We have had a magnificent time together. He is as well an excellent driver (on and offroad) as a realy plaesent and well informed guide. It feels like we have found a new friend.
If I need a tour operator for Uganda again I will choose definitely Kajie Safaris.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Flexible, Reliable Service with Budget Price for Safari in Northern Tanzania with Great Sightings
Type of Safari: We are a couple from Germany aged about 50 years and booked a private safari with Njofu Expeditions in budget lodges for one week to Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Arusha National parks in early November 2019. Contrary to other businesses, the quote also included a bush walk in one of the National Parks with a local ranger, a visit of the historical Olduvai gorge and museum, as well as a cultural visit at a local farm area and market while a visit in a Masai village could be arranged for additional costs. Although we did make safaris in six different African countries before, this was our first safari in Tanzania.
Booking Process: We got a quote with a reasonable price compared with other businesses. Before booking all questions were thoroughly answered in short time and some suggested amendments were made for our personal taste without any problems. We did need to pay 30 % of the price in US-$ at the time of booking, while the balance was paid upon arrival. Though some e-mails were lost and never reached them or us after booking, finally everything worked out very reliable as agreed upon. After the safari, we did stay one week in Zanzibar, which we did book with a local German company, since that was cheaper to separate.
Lodges: We did stay in a night in Bougainvillea Lodge and Country Lodge respectively and two nights in Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp (a fully furnished tent with en suite shower and toilet), all of which were of good quality and friendly service. The night of arrival, we did stay in Arusha Outpost Lodge, a historical building with average quality. The best lodge however proved to be Olea Africana Lodge, where we were greeted by some dancing Masai and given a personal attendant. After returning from dinner, we found the fireplace in our bungalow already lit. Breakfast was served directly next to the pool in the open over viewing the landscape. Dinner was good and providing a variety of choices in all lodges and a bit more simple in the tent camp in Serengeti (where everything has to be imported a real long way), but lunch bags provided by the lodges were about the same simple food every day. All lodges did have a swimming pool which we could still enjoy in November.
Guide: The guide and driver, Moses Anderson, did have a lot of experience, spoke perfect English and average German. He waited for us in time at the airport and was flexible enough to incorporate some personal wishes into the agenda, while sometimes a little distracted by his many communications with his office, since he is the head of Njofu Expeditions. He has a lot of knowledge in how to find animals and also could show us the different types of trees and birds, which we saw in his guide book. Additionally, he knew where to find very clean toilets on the route and adapted the number of visits in souvenir shops to our wishes. Enough drinking water was provided for free.
Sightings: Since the great migration had just reached southern Serengeti, we did literally see tens of thousands of wildebeests and thousands of zebras. We saw more than a hundred hippos in just one place, altogether more than 40 lions, 22 hyenas and alone in Serengeti 14 cheetahs, a couple of which while hunting. Some elephants and lions came less than a meter to the car. Also, we did see lions, ostriches and baboons while mating. The only rhino seen in Ngorongoro was very far, as was the leopard also. And upon returning to the airport, for a short time Mt. Kilimanjaro became visible, since the clouds lifted.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Selous park!
We took a two-day tour to the Park Village (not far from Dar-es-Salaam). It was a delightful journey!
Now in order. The tour we booked on WhatsApp. Manager Jacob answered all questions, advised how best to conduct the tour. You can write to him all your wishes and be sure that you will choose the right price and duration of the tour. After booking the tour, we agreed to meet with the guide before the Safari. Our guide Matata came to us. Very charming and sociable person. With him we discussed once again the route, asked our questions and got answers to everything. You can pay him immediately or agree to pay directly on the Safari, if you are afraid that you will be deceived. The next day we were provided with a large land rover. There were four of us, and each had a seat by the window. There were no problems with viewing the Safari. The price of the Safari includes everything. Food, water, accommodation for the duration of the trip. Nothing to worry about. on arrival to the Park we were settled in simple houses, without frills. There was hot water, Wi-Fi, a big bed. The food was delicious and plenty. All the staff in the camp are friendly.
Now about the Safari itself. Spent 1,200 dollars on 4ykh and nor breath not regret! This is what you need to visit Africa for. Matata drove us all 2 days from morning to evening. We looked at almost all animals (lions, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, crocodiles, hippos). The mass of impressions. The guide will tell you absolutely about any animal here. He knows the parks, he knows where to find the animals, how to behave towards them. With this guide we felt completely safe. Many thanks to him!
Be ready to drive around the Savannah all day. Physically, it's not easy.