35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Serengeti
We added a short, 3 night safari in the Serengeti to our holiday , after spending 10 days in Zanzibar in September this year.
All ideas for camps and lodges were made by Gondwana Tours & Safaris. We found all their suggestions spot on and had a fablous time.
Olakira Camp in the north Serengeti was, in short, fantastic! Pascal, the camp manager, and his team were wonderful, polite, well informed and amazing.
We saw more wildlife than we expected - thanks to very knowledgeable rangers who drove us around. We saw the Big 5 nearly every day! the river crossing was quite an experience too! The meals were absolutely delicious - them taking into account of different dietary needs.
Sitting around the camp fire, having sundowners along the river beds (with crocodiles and hippos wallowing nearby!), adventurous and exciting game drives, resting in the magnificent tents, sitting in the communal lounge area - each and every experience was priceless!
We could not have asked for a better experience, and would recommend it to anyone.
Thanks to Gondwana Tours and Safaris for making all the arrangements for us. They all worked perfectly without any delays (except for our friends from Fastjet on the day we left Zanzibar).
A trip of a lifetime!
Thank you again to Gondwana Tours & Safaris
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
excellent
We booked a 10 day safari with Wildebeest Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. Noah (the company owner) was always prompt about returning emails, staying in contact and answering all the questions we could have.
He was also very nice and helped us in managing one suitcase missed at the airport although it was not part of the Safari.
Noah was also in daily contact with our guides to ensure everything was ok and we were fine.
We have had a wonderful time visiting Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Amboseli. Because we traveled across the border from Kenya to Tanzania and back, it was necessary to have 3 different guides (Dennis (Kenya), Wilson (Tanzania) and Anthony (Kenya)). They were very polite, pleasant, helpful, patient and knowledgeable and looked carefully for all type of animals we could find in each reservation. We were able to see everything we came for and so much more (wildebeest, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, many kinds of birds, including pelicans, flamingos, many families of baboons, blue monkey, etc. as well as the Big 5: elephants, leopards, lions, buffalos and rhinos).
Our first guide, Dennis, was an excellent driver. He tried his best in searching for things for us to see. In lake Naivasha, at one point he was driving like crazy in order to get us to the spot to see rhinos (in fact, it was the only place we saw them). He also tried really hard in searching for cheetahs, lions and leopards in Masai Mara – and he was successful! He also did not complain for us making him stop to take photos. He worked with the rangers and other guides via cell phone and radio to find out where the animals were that we wanted to see.
Our next guide, Wilson, was a very professional guide and a careful driver and fulfilled all our requests. He provided a lot of interesting information not only about the animals, but about the people, etc. He was a caring and responsible person. He was also very patient and waited with no complaint when we asked to do so in order to take photos. (even if that meant to arrive at the tented camp at dark). He knew when to wait for the action and where to look for the animals. He also communicated with rangers to find out animals.
Our third guide, Anthony, was okay even at the end at the airport. He helped us with collecting the missed suitcase in one terminal and dropped us off in the one our flight departure. On Safari, he was a bit in a hurry (we were in Amboseli only for one day), but looking for a good angle to take pictures. He also took us up to the Observation Hill in Amboseli.
The quality of the tented camps they booked was very, very high. Only, two of them, a little far from Reserves (Ngorongoro and Tarangire)
We booked pop-up roof safari land cruiser which was better vehicle when you compare with other ones. Only when we went to Amboseli, the vehicle was not the one we expected as it was a van, but as it was for the two of us, we had plenty of room (and it had also a pop-up roof)
We had some hesitation to book this trip from an agency far away, but everything resulted very good. "Wildebeest Safaris" is a very good company and I would recommend Wildebeest Safari to anyone
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Tailormade Tour and very customer oriented
My intentions for the Safari were always considered and also critically analysed in my favor. Serene always gave me the a few choices of itinerary or Hotel accomodation. Fixing an average budget was also very important so we could avoid many missunderstanding and unnecessary workload/discussions as the costs for a safari are pretty high in Tanzania... but really worth it.
The Tour was perfectly balanced and going creschendo, considering the distances to be covered.
The driver was very careful and competent, knowing all the animals and their particularity and he had an excellent nose for the big five.
I only can recommend Serene Tours.
Max who was my main contact Person was available almost at anytime of the day and i received answers to all my issues within a few days... mainly even within 24 hours.
i lost my bag twice during Airport Transfers and Serene managed to make them follow on the Safari Tour.
I would choose Serene again for my next Safari.... hope Serene will soon be present in Botswana or Namibia.
Thanks to the great Serene Team
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime opportunity!
Self Drive Uganda provided us with a well-loved, but fairly sturdy RAV4 for our 9 day road trip. They dropped it off the day before and picked it up the day after we got back, essentially giving us an additional two nights free. They were easy to contact, professional and offered the best rates. While I was initially hesitant to hire a car and go ourselves, I would now struggle to go with a driver or tour group, the freedom we had was just wonderful! Thank you for the great adventure that truly surpassed my expectations!
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wild life - up close and personal
A truly memorable experience where we saw wild life in it's natural habitat. We opted for the 3 day safari (2 full day and 2 half day game drives) and we were incredibly lucky to see lions, a leopard and a cheetah in such close proximity. It was such a marvelous sight.
Accommodation was fantastic and very comfortable. A big thumbs up.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Trip!
Working with Tammy at Pembury to plan our trip to Africa was so easy and quick! Tammy was able to help us modify the 11 Day Cape Town, Kruger, Victoria Falls trip itinerary to meet our budget and include a day in the Winelands. We loved that when we arrived we did not have to worry about anything - all transfers, flights, hotels and activities were already booked and paid for. When we arrived a day late due to flight delay and our luggage was lost, Tammy stepped in and helped so we didnt have to worry about anything. We absolutely loved Cape Town, the Winelands and private safari lodge! Only thing we would change about this trip would be to spend more time in Botswana and do a day trip to Victoria Falls (we did a day trip to Botswana when staying in Victoria Falls). We would definitely recommend working with Pembury Tours to plan a trip to Africa!
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best family trip ever!
When planning our safari vacation, I initially contacted several companies. I was impressed by the fact that Flash Safaris maintained constant email communication with me, answering questions, changing dates, suggesting alternative itineraries during the many months of planning. In our communications, I explained that I wanted a medium-level expense safari for our family of five. We put our trust in Flash Safaris and were not disappointed. Honestly, we had the time of our lives. We were able to see Tanzania through our eyes but with the knowledge and experience provided by our guide from Flash Safaris. The service we received from airport pickup to accomodations was top notch. For us, our safari in Tanzania was perfect - the animals, the vistas, the trees, the smells, the sounds, the food, the hospitality - all courtesy of nature, a beautiful country and Flash Safaris.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Experience withTai Travellers
My girlfriend and I organized much of our activities in Tanzania through Iddi at Tai Travellers. Iddi was awesome. He was always attentive and outgoing. Iddi makes it his personal goal that travellers in Tanzania get the most out of their visit. I even observed Iddi going out of his way to assist tourists and guides from other travel companies simply because he believes in providing everyone with a good experience when they visit Tanzania. Iddi is very experienced (he has summited Mt. Kili hundreds of times), well trained and wilderness first responder certified, well connected with people around the country and just a genuinely pleasant person to be around. Whether you're looking to go on Safari, climb the mountains or are just open to suggestions (like an easy day trip to some hot springs) Iddi and Tai Travellers are a great option.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A tremendous trip well organised with no pressure
This was our first Safari so before we got there Andy had to answer loads of questions, as we thought of one we sent an email, Andy responded quickly to each email. We were picked up from johannesburg and taken on a scenic tour down towards the Kruger stopping at various points of interest some of the views were stunning. The second day we visiting an animal sanctuary which was very informative, we then proceed into the kruger where we spent three days staying at different lodges, one night he cooked us a wonderful meal. We flew to Durban on the last day and since we had time Andy organised a trip to an Elephant sanctuary where we could interact with the elephants.
Andy's professionalism and enthusiasm was amazing he answered questions all day without any sign of annoyance especially since some of the questions were repeats from the day before (as he said no question is a stupid question) From the outset he put us at ease,he put us under no pressure as to what time the day was to start or how long we were out each day, as he said it was our trip and he was there to make sure we enjoyed it, which we certainly did
I would have no hesitate in recommending Bubezi Safaris and if we do another Safari i will be back to Bubezi
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience with Kenya Safari Bookings Stephen and Sammy, would do the same again
The experience was great. At the beginning, when booking online directly in a foreign country, I am always a bit sceptical. However, it turned out to be great. Upon the arrival to Nairobi, I fixed the trip via e-mail with Stephen from the office. We determined the route, the lodges/hotels we would stay in and the price. Everything was excactly as agreed with Stephen. We received the lodges/hotels booked, paid the price agreed (10% deposit, 90 % cash) and the trip was according to plan. We travelled both Kenya and Tanzania, the transfer between Kenya and Tanzania (change of drivers) worked smoothly. (Visa for Tanzania you can get easily at the border, USD 50 p/person, no problem). During the whole trip, we felt comfortable at any time, since the drivers Sammy (Kenyan side) and Fasili (Tanzanian side) have a lot of experience and are great tour guides. Ask for the driver Sammy for Kenyan Side, he is very committed and tries to show you as many animals as possible, it is really fun. There was just one negative thing about the trip, do not change money at the Tanzanian border, they might rip you off, as you may not know the exchange rate. Change at a lodge or get cash in a city. However, the whole trip was fantastic since we saw so many animals (incl. big 5) from very close. Thank you so much guys, we will come back!
Es war eine eindrucksvolle und wunderschöne Erfahrung. Wenn ich etwas online buche und die Gegenpartei nicht wirklich kenne, bin ich immer etwas skeptisch. Es hat jedoch alles wunderbar geklappt und die Reise war unvergesslich. Vor der Anreise nach Nairobi hatte ich die Reise mit Stephen vom Büro genau geplant. Wir vereinbarten die genaue Route, die Lodges/Hotels und auch den fixen Preis für das ganze. Es lief alles genau so ab, wie vorgängig besprochen. Wir erhielten genau die Lodges/Hotels, welche wir per E-mail verinbart hatten, bezahlten genau den Preis gemäss Vereinbarung (10 % vorgängig per Banküberweisung und 90 % bar bei Ankunft) und die Route stimmte genau. Wir fuhren von Nairobi - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro über die Tanzanianische Grenze und alles hat super geklappt. Der Tanzanianische Fahrer erwartete uns bereits an der Grenze und das Visum kann man gleich da an der Grenze lösen (USD 50 p/person). Wir haben uns dank den erfahrenen Fahrern/Tour-guides Sammy (Kenyanische Seite) und Fasili (Tanzanianische Seite) während der ganzen Reise immer sehr gut aufgehoben und sicher gefühlt. Für Kenya unbedingt nach dem Fahrer Sammy fragen, er ist äusserst engagiert und will seinen Kunden immer so viele Tiere wie möglich zeigen, ein toller Typ. Eine negative Sache solllte noch erwähnt werden. Nie Geld an der Grenze (Kenya/Tanzania) wechseln. Sie werden Euch abzocken, wenn Ihr den Kurs nicht kennt. Wechselt bei der nächsten Lodge oder bezieht in einer grösseren Stadt Geld am Automaten. Nichtsdestotrotz, die Reise war eindrücklich und wir haben sehr viele interessante Tiere gesehen (inkl. big 5). Besten Dank an die Leute von Kenya Safari Bookings, Stephen and Sammy! Es war grossartig und unvergesslich! Wir kommen wieder und bestimm mit Euch!