US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Best Honeymoon Imaginable
My husband and I spent two weeks in the Greater Kruger area while on honeymoon. We spent six days at Gomo Gomo and six days at Arathusa. Overall, our experience was amazing. The vast array of species left us in awe. In fact, on multiple occasions we experienced the Big Five in a single game drive.
Having stayed in the area during winter, we were able to avoid the pestering bugs and the bush that hides the wildlife. I would highly recommend this time of year. At each of the locations we enjoyed our guides and our accommodations. While Arathusa was certainly a more polished destination, you certainly pay for it. That being said, it was a better all around experience--in terms of food, guides, and scenery. Their watering hole was absolutely superb.
If I would make one change to our trip it would be our decision to drive from the OR Tambo to the park. Being from America, driving on the other side of the road was a difficult transition for my husband. Taking this stress out of the vacation would have been wise.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Beenie Photography
For all the same reasons listed above. It is a wonderful location. Being such a large country, two weeks was hardly enough to experience its beauty. I look forward to a return trip.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
kruger
i enjoyed kruger park.
i have visited etosha park in namibia and think it much better for night time activitiies as the lighted waterholes allow so much better game viewing than is available in kruger at night
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful and Once-in-a-Lifetime experience!
I cannot say enough about A&A Gorilla Tours. I had no idea what to expect on our trip, other than hoping we would get a special time viewing the gorillas in Bwindi. Our driver was Vicent, and he was fantastic! He used to work with the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, so he knows a ton about the wildlife in Uganda. I never expected a nine hour drive to be so wonderful and enjoyable. He pointed out all kinds of birds, and taught us about local foods and delicacies. Once we got to Queen Elizabeth National Park, he stopped as much as we could muster to ask for, and then some. It took us an extra 2 hours to get to Bwindi, because we wanted to stop so much, because we saw so much amazing wildlife. He knew everything about every animal. We saw elephants, baboons, birds, and all kinds of four legged animals in the deer and buffalo families. And that was just the drive! Once we got to Bwindi, we stayed in a charming community lodge in a glorified tent...let's call it glamping, but nothing fancy. It was a permanent tent attached to a concrete bathroom. It was peaceful and we faced the forest so all we could hear at night was the river below. It was so lovely. And the gorilla trek! What a wonderful experience! We took the longer and more difficult path and saw the Habinyanja family (a family of 17), and we had 5 others in our group, not including our guards and guides. Everyone was so kind, and so knowledgable. It was during rainy season, and yet once we came upon the family, the clouds parted and the sun shone the entire hour we were there. The entire family laid out in the open by a creek, and they spent the entire time grooming one another, swinging from trees...the big guy (silverback) spent time holding one of his babies, and then moved over to his favorite mate and groomed her. We even got to see him discipline one of his juveniles who was fighting with a baby. The entire experience was amazing! I am so thankful for this experience, as it is one of those things you will probably only do once in a lifetime. I highly recommend it to everyone who can get a chance to go. You will never regret spending the money after it is all said and done.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience!
We went on a 5 days safari in Tanzania in September.
Instead of booking the trip with a travel agency, we did some research ourselves.
We chose out of more than 10 safari company’s and booked ours with Bestday Safaris.
It was the best choice we could have ever made because we had the most amazing experience with Bestday Safaris.
All the information about our trip, timing, prices, loges,… we received in advance from Peter Charles, the Managing Director of Bestday Safaris.
During the 5 days we spend in Tanzania, we visited Tarangire park, Serengeti and the
Ngorongoro crater.
When we arrived at the airport (4 hours later than planned due to several delays) our driver Goddy was still waiting for us. He welcomed us with “Hakuna Matata” and we knew immediately we were in good hands!
The first day also Peter welcomed us at our hotel and ran through the weekly schedule as we agreed upon before.
Tarangire was the first park we visited. Just entering the park, the animals were already there. But Goddy explained to us that this park was just the appetizer. And in fact it was!
The real experience was Serengeti, an immense surface with beautiful panorama’s. It was amazing to spot the more rare animals but also to see how many of some hurdles are actually there.
On our last day we went into the Ngorongoro crater. Unfortunately we didn’t see any rhino’s, but the view itself was amazing, especially from the top into the crater.
I must say we were very lucky to have such a wonderful driver and guide, Goddy. His knowledge about all the animals and his patience is remarkable. He is friendly, funny, wise, patient, professional and humble. Really a good person himself!
We were happy about the accommodations Bestday Safaris recommended as well.
The accommodation in Kati Kati tented camp was the most amazing experience. Being in the middle of the animals habitat. One to remember!
The food and accommodations were in general very good and Goddy joined us during dinner and breakfast, a good way to get to know each other a little bit better.
We really had an amazing vacation!
We liked it so much that we want to come back!
And for sure, we will again book out trip with Bestday Safaris!
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awsome and exciting experience
By far the experience lived to my expectations. The communication was rather timely and precise, the rendezvous at all points were clearly instructed. The many activities and scenery locations they had in store made bonding with new people so much easier and in an exciting and unforgetable way... What amaizing experience. The next time am visiting Kenya, am definitly looking forward to newer greater heights of adventure with you.
Thank you Adventure Three Sixty.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Garden of Eden
I have booked my 6-day Tanzania budget joining group safari with Northern Circuit Adventure in advance before departing from Europe. The manager - Michael - was able to reply promptly to my e-mails and tailored our trip according to our needs.
We visited: Lake Manyara NP, Tarangire NP (home of tse-tse flies, be ready), Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro Crater (the temperature dropping below zero during the night on the crater rim).
The number of fellow-travellers in a car varied from two to four persons.
We stayed at Clouds View Hotel the night before and after the safari. The place was OK. While still in Arusha, we took an interesting Coffee Plantation Tour also organized by Michael.
Ratings:
Booking process/communication: 10/10.
Safari organization/logistics: 10/10.
Driver/guide: 10/10. Elias, very communicative and funny.
Vehicle: 10/10. Pop-up roof Toyota Landcruiser 4WD.
Sleeping: 9/10. Permanent tents with beddings outside the parks, tents with matresses inside the parks. You should bring your own mosquito net.
Food: 10/10. We had our own cook named Bruno travelling with us -- the food was extra-class. Don't forget to buy enough water before your safari starts.
Number and variety of animals seen: 10/10. We were able to see all the Big 5 game.
Overall African experience: 10/10
FYI: Be aware in Tanzania they don't accept US dollar bills issued 10 or more years ago! If you try to use them to pay for anything (your safari, bus ticket, in currency exchange) they're gonna tell you it's a fake money. Experienced this behavior multiple-times.
This was my first time in Africa and I consider it my best vaccation ever. I can recommend Northern Circuit Adventure to all of you.
If you're interested please see my pictures from the trip: https://goo.gl/photos/4zfekxXzufmwQWT3A
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya -- Dream Coming True
I have booked my 5-day Kenya budget joining group safari with Absolute Holiday Safaris in advance before departing from Europe. The manager - David - was able to reply promptly to my e-mails and tailored our trip according to our needs.
First we visited Masai Mara NP. It was absolutely amazing (recommendation: have at least 3 days for Masai Mara in your schedule and make sure there's an early morning game drive included).
Later we moved to Amboseli NP as we continued to Tanzania via Namanga border crossing.
The number of fellow-travellers in a van varied -- first day it was 7 of us, the next two days 5 and the last two days we could've called it a "private" safari.
Ratings:
Booking process/communication: 10/10.
Safari organization/logistics: 9/10.
Driver/guide: 10/10. Nicknamed "Animal", he was on the radio with his colleagues all the time, not missing any important event in the savannah.
Vehicle: 6/10. Pop-up roof minivan, not even 4WD. Rough times on unpaved roads.
Sleeping: 9/10. Permanent tents with beddings, shower and toilet. You should bring your own mosquito net.
Food: 5/10. Lunch boxes OK. Avoid eating any "meat" in the camps. As a bonus we got diarrhea on the very last day. Don't forget to buy enough water before your safari starts.
Number and variety of animals seen: 10/10. We managed to see the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Overall African experience: 9/10
FYI: Be aware in Kenya they don't accept US dollar bills issued 10 or more years ago! If you try to use them to pay for anything (your safari, bus ticket, in currency exchange) they're gonna tell you it's a fake money. Experienced this behavior multiple-times.
This was my first time in Africa and I consider it my best vaccation ever. I can recommend Absolute Holiday Safaris to all of you.
If you're interested please see my pictures from the trip: https://goo.gl/photos/4zfekxXzufmwQWT3A
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masai Mara, Nakuru, and Amboseli
Before booking I many great reviews, so i was fairly certain that this was going to be great safari. Even worth these expectations, I was 100% blown away by so many aspects: firstly Esther was so quick with her responses and amazingly helpful with all of my million emails!; the accommodation was a much higher standard than expected - especially love the Masai Mara camp; food was delicious; tour van - everyone got a window seat; and omg... Patrick! I absolutely love him, he is funny, personable, extremely helpful, eagle-eyed spotting animals, one hell of a good driver, and so incredibly knowledgeable about everything safari! I honestly could not have gotten a better guide!; most of all... as a female traveling by herself, I felt incredibly safe.
This is my first stop of many affixed countries to visit this holiday... future guides have a lot to live up to!
Thank you!
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Where wild animals play the leading role
The six days in and around the Kruger Park were unique. The transfers were well organized and I felt very comfortable in both lodges (Tremisana and Marc's Tree House). In Tremisana I could observe warthogs and baboons just from my veranda, Marc’s Tree houses are very nicely located along a river and on the way from the main house to the tree house you surely meet some nyalas. Both lodges are well managed and very personable. The game drives were, of course, the highlights of each tour. I was often lucky enough to observe (and photograph) many wild animals in their natural environment such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, black and white rhinos, impalas, kudus and one leopard. For the cheetahs I have to return. The bushwalks were interesting and informative. All guides I met were enthusiastic about their job and educated us a lot of interesting things during both the game drives and bushwalks.