IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He was very flexible with us and on conclusion of our scheduled activities
He had a superb knowledge of both flora and fauna, analyzing animal tracks and scat to help locate animals. On top of this, he was very good at reading the body language of animals - this helped in locating a lion pride. Once back in Nairobi, we did the full day Nairobi tour, again with our driver. He was very flexible with us and on conclusion of our scheduled activities, made suggestions of other things that we could do seen as we still had time remaining. Highly recommend!
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience with skilled/experienced driver/guide
We wen't on a 5N/6D safari across the parks/areas of Tarangiri, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Manyara in early June and were quite happy with Wildebeest Safaris.
While Noah Kuti, the owner, was as communicative and clear as we'd expect, the biggest factor in our satisfaction was no doubt our skilled and experienced driver/guide Hamza, who managed to give us great viewing experiences of not only the Big Five (Black Rhino at a great distance, though), but also a Great Migration event consisting of a frenzied herd of thousands of Wildebeest + Zebras crossing a river in central Serengeti. The latter felt like I imagine it would feel like to see a crossing of Grumeti River with crocs and all, just that there were no crocs in the particular river location we observed 'our' crossing.
The lodges and tent camps chosen by Wildebeest Safaris for our safari were also quite alright, with just one negative thing (not major) to note about one of them (in separate review).
All in all we were quite happy and satisfied with our safari trip.
I'd say, however, that it depends very much on which driver/guide you get, so our advise is to try to ensure that you do get a truly experienced guide. Our driver/guide Hamza's 15 years experience of doing safaris in the area, as well as his good understanding and positive attitude, certainly played a role.
NZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Time
We had the most amazing time on our safaris. We had the privilege of having Leonard as our guide and driver. He was informative, polite, friendly, knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor! On top of all of that he was an excellent driver. The roads are crazy bumpy and rough, but he always did his best to choose the best route.
Maggie was very accommodating with our few requests. She asked if we wanted to upgrade our car to a jeep for a minimal amount - well worth the money as this car was far more open and easy to see out of.
We got to see the 5 ugliest and the Big 5 - just incredible!
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Sharon Inamoto
Great first experience in seeing the animals.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by Sharon Inamoto
My favorite! I could have spent more time there. I felt like I was really in the bush.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Sharon Inamoto
Beautiful! Very cool to be in a crater and so many different animals. It was so open that pictures were easier to take.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Sharon Inamoto
The last day in Lake Manyara was sort of anticlimactic as we didn’t see too much up close. There were more animals and variety at the other game parks.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
2 days safari Moreni game reserve
We booked the tour with Mervelous. They have been very helpful and answered very quickly to our emails. We decided to do an overnight stay in the Moremi Game Reserve. We were supposed to be picked up at the hotel at 6 am at the first day but we were picked up at 8 am. They promised us to trop us off at the hotel the next day by 5 pm so we would have a long day at the game reserve. Unfortunately we had to leave the park at 11am according to the park rules. So actually we had to half day safaris and would not call it a two days game drive. But except of that the tour was amazing. We were by ourselves with a team of 3. They were all very nice, helpful and it was interesting to talk to them at the evening on the fire of our campsite. Everything was affectionately arranged from the dinner table to the tent. The food was delicious we even had some lunch on our way back to Maun. Our guide Gibson did a great job. He was so focused to show us lions, what he did in the end. From him we learned a lot about the animals and the nature of Botswana. We enjoyed our tour very much.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an amazing trip!
This was my first safari and we could have not picked a better company to go with. I was skeptical of dealing in a country so far away but that was no problem as Pendo or Benson would answer all our questions the following day. Once we arrived we were greeted at the airport and taken to our hotel. The following morning we were picked up by Richard (our driver/guide) for the next 5 days. Richard was so knowledgeable, kind, patient and had a sense of humor. We saw 28 lions and all the other usual suspects. I felt so lucky to witness the interaction between a lion chasing a cheetah and the moment before that. So cool! We went with the luxury accommodations as my friend didn’t want to wash her hair in a bucket ever day which other companies offered. The weather was cooler than what we expected. Glad I brought a fleece. This was truly a trip of a lifetime and everyone should experience at least once.
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
excellent
The 5 days safari experience was superb! Inge was very patience and answer our (many many many) questions. She even communicate with us through whatsapp. We opt for the mobile budget camping option and we didnt regret it at all. The food was fantastic, thanks to our cook roman. Also not forgetting our diligent and humble guide, SImba, who was excellent! He is very knowledgeable and tries his very best to understand and answer our questions. We managed to spot the big 5 and many other animals which we didnt expect. (of course luck plays a part)The whole journey truly exceed our expectation. We were incredibly lucky to get so close with so many of the animals and had an excellent guide. We will definitely book with Shadows of Africa again。