CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGGGGGG
We live in Edmonton, in western Canada. We had heard about Odessey safaris based in NY and we were very hesitant to book online, but then I spoke to Mark Cahill and he immediately gave me many choices anc totally put me at ease. Just taking to him many times over a few weeks gave me total confidence in this guy. So....In June of 2014, 10 of us went on the most amazing adventure. The camps Mark booked for us, the long haul flights they arranged, the 4WD jeeps, THE DRIVERS/TRACKERS, the game drives, the food, omg it was fabulous! It was the trip of a lifetime.
I will recommend Odessey to the whole world coz of Mark’s honesty.
A Safari has to be on everyone’s bucket list and there’s no better tour organize than Odessey Safaris. Thanks guys. We have pics and videos for a lifetime of memories,
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very memorable experience that I often look back on as one of my best trips!
I had an amazing time in Tanzania with Odyssey Safaris. The accommodations and food were great, and more importantly, the safaris themselves were awesome. They provided photos and memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. We had only 4 people in our tour group, which provided a very personalized experience. We also loved our tour guide, Kasem, who was a fantastic driver and very knowledgeable. We saw an amazing number and variety of animals, including lions, elephants, zebra, wildebeest, monkeys, hippos, leopards, giraffes, and much more. I hope Tanzania stays beautiful and wild, and that it continues to preserve it's amazing natural wonders along with other African nations. I would absolutely love to go on another tour with Odyssey Safaris in the near future.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and accommodating tour operator.
One of my best trips ever! Excellent guide, very nice accommodations, service and communication exceptional.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very informative and invested in the clients needs and allows the experience to be memorable and fun
It was great and it exceeded my expectations overall. I enjoyed everything and in the end it was worth it. I would definitely book with the same tour operator. The service was well crafted and quite pleasing. All in all, my trip was enjoyed.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
You can book your African holiday in full confidence with discover Africa
Matthys van Aswegen from Discover Africa has planned an unforgettable trip to Zimbabwe for us. We had only 9 days holiday but Matthys has it perfectly thought out and we got the maximum one can get. We didn't lose a minute and yet we enjoyed a relaxing journey. We went to the Victoria falls, Hwange natural park and lake Kariba park. Internal flights, cars, guides, everything was very well organised and everyone was waiting for us upon arrival. Just great ! Communication with Matthys was very easy and punctual, complete and clear answer to every question. He also gave us helpful advice. We are definitly going to book our next trip to Africa again at Discover Africa and Matthys van Aswegen. Correct price also !
Many thanks Matthys !
Family Olivier
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I enjoyed my stay in Uganda with this tour company
I enjoyed my stay in Uganda with this tour company. They have good hospitality and the accommodation is as well as I expected it to be.
You guys need to visit Uganda and for a better experience Remnant tours gives you good tour rates.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was impressiv and an incredibly beauty countryside. We saw every day a lot of animals.
The communications was very good. We got many information about the conduct of the animals. The accommodation in the tent was very comfortable and clean. Every day we got fresh prepared meal with vegetable, salad, meat and dessert. Also everytime we can drunk water,
tea, coffee. We enjoyed this time.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience
I've recentely ended a wonderful trip in Botswana with my wife and Mr. Lucky from Gifts of The Kalahari accompanied us for a 11D/10N safari. We spotted all the wildlife one could imagine and we saw breathtaking landscapes from Okawango delta to Victoria Falls to Nxai Pan. Mr. Lucky together with Nicor (the chef) and Jacob (the camp assistant) gave us an unforgettable trip, this was our very first camping safari experience but I would definitely recommend it to all the people looking for a true and authentic african escape.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Got me to Gombe but didn't deliver all of what was promised
Gombe Stream NP is an amazing, magical place. The chimpanzee treks themselves are conducted by TANAPA (Tanzania's national park service) regardless of how you get to Gombe. The TANAPA guide assigned to me was superb.
Gombe Track provided a driver in Kigoma and a cook who accompanied me to Gombe. Both were great and individually deserve 5 stars. The driver stopped by on my night in Kigoma to point out the MV Liemba coming into port, and the cook took time in the evenings in Gombe to help me learn Swahili.
Unfortunately, my overall experience with Gombe Track as a tour operator was marred by two issues.
First, the itinerary I agreed to stated all meals and non-alcoholic refreshments were included. This turned out not to be the case. I was forced to pay for a number of waters and sodas, and on my last day in Kigoma, was told by the "hotel" (see below) that my meals were not included. As a result, I opted to skip two meals (dinner and breakfast) rather than pay for food that should have been covered.
Second, the itinerary I agreed to called for one night in Kigoma at a specific hotel (Coast View). I researched this property beforehand to ensure it was acceptable to me. Instead, without any notice or discussion, I was taken to another accommodation which seemed to be of much lower quality (Aqua Lodge).
Unlike Coast View, Aqua Lodge had no internet/WiFi, no restaurant/bar, etc. While the staff seemed friendly enough and there was a great lake view, my room had only a squeaky ceiling fan that didn't cool the room very well and the poor ventilation allowed outside cigarette smoke in. The bed had a thin bed sheet over over a mattress that wasn't even tucked in. There was a leak in the bathroom that left the base of the toilet in a puddle of water. Finally, I could hear just about everything in the one nearby room that was occupied by a couple who decided to get frisky at 3 am. Needless to say, I didn't sleep much and was counting down the hours until I left.
I should note that my trip to Gombe was initially arranged through another tour operator, who I had a great experience with on another safari. After I had agreed to terms and was in Tanzania, I was handed off to Gombe Track directly. The full payment for my trip was given to Gombe Track. As far as I am concerned, it was Gombe Track's responsibility to be aware of the itinerary/terms and ensure they were followed since it was the company actually conducting the tour.
I paid Gombe Track $900 for 4 days and the last ~22 hours were in Kigoma where I was basically on my own waiting to fly back to Dar es Salaam. This amount did not include the TANAPA fees (park entrance, guide, accommodations at the park, etc.) and airfare, which added more than $600 to the total cost.
$900 should have been way more than enough to profitably cover my (limited) ground transportation in Kigoma, the boat to and from Gombe, 4 days of meals and non-alcoholic beverages, admission to the Livingstone monument in Ujiji, and one night of accommodation in the Kigoma hotel specified in the itinerary I agreed to.
While Gombe Track got me to Gombe and back, and I appreciate that, I now know I paid a lot more than necessary and despite this, I still got less than what was agreed to.
I had been in contact with the owner of Gombe Track via WhatsApp prior to my trip and never heard from him after the trip to see how it went, which was disappointing, especially given the cost. I did two other safaris while on Tanzania, both of which were much less expensive on a per day basis, and both operators were eager to collect feedback afterwards.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic safari operator
We did a 3-day Selous safari and had an amazing time. Our driver-guide, Hamad, was very knowledgeable and engaging. In addition to a day of game drives in a beautiful reserve that isn't overrun by tourists in which we were incredibly lucky to see a pack of endangered African wild dogs up close, there was a boat safari on the Rufiji River and a bush walk just outside Selous. Both were fun and interesting, as was the 5-6 hour drive to Selous, which offers the ability to pass many villages and get a glimpse of "real Tanzania".
The lodge where we stayed was very nice and the staff friendly.
Communication with Majenda of Watu Safaris was fantastic. He is incredibly responsive and professional and delivered a safari that I felt was a great value. Visitors to Tanzania should absolutely not overlook the hidden gem that is the Southern Circuit and when you go, I highly recommend choosing Watu Safaris.