US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Odyssey Safari went way beyond meeting our expectations for an amazing experience.
Everything truly ran like clockwork from first meeting our very knowledgeable and amiable guide, Mytaio (spelling?) upon landing in Kilimanjaro to our return flight to the US. We chose both lodge and tent accommodations and were never disappointed with the rooms, service or meals. Every location offered very pleasant surroundings and several can only be described as breathtaking. After a long day on safari, we especially enjoyed the swimming pools at a few of the lodges. We are very impressed with how Mark and his staff carefully organized our fairly complicated safari itinerary. Their efforts were especially appreciated as our safari was a much anticipated 30th wedding anniversary celebration.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our tour and safari were amazing!
Elize & Johan have created a great company that provides an amazing experience. They create your experience based on the feedback you provide them and we could not have been happier! They are two of the nicest and most prepared people that I have met. We enjoyed spending our vacation with them and absorbing their knowledge of this beautiful country, its people, Kruger National Park and its animals & scenery!
The interesting thing is that we found out that they have lived in other parts of South Africa and they could have provided us assistance beyond our safari. We have even talked about a future visit and seeing more of the country. AND bringing others with us! We will be recommending them to any of our friends who will be traveling there!
The final thing I would like to say is that within moments, we knew we were going to become friends! They are an amazing couple and spending time with them was our pleasure!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An artificially bloated tour designed to impress gullible foreigners.
Change of itenary well communicated but too late to make any alterations. Ground staff very eager to receive cash money for tour upon arrival. (?)Tents pitched in sun - lopsided port-a-potty attached. Long boring time between activities. Food very colonial, old fashioned and overdone (sit down, rushed, 3 course meal with no reference to Africa). Contracted guide (Andrew Smith) excellent, but should refrain from calling his guests "know-it-all's"
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gulu Eclipse trip
I organised a trip for 21 persons to view the total eclipse of the sun in Gulu, N Uganda in Nov 2013 with the help of Advanced Tours & Travel. They organised accommodation in 6 different places including lodges, organised collection from different places at the start before bringing them together in Gulu. 11 travelled on to Nairobi, the others returned home at 6 different times. AT&T organised these transfers seamlessly reducing the number of vehicles left when numbers allowed and also arranging a change to local safari vans once in Kenya. Communication during planning was very good and quick, they were resourceful when I needed their advice over choices and most accommodating. There were no hitches and the prices were extremely good. I had used AT&T before and they fully met expectations. 5* for organising such a complicated group!
PS Eclipse a great success: search "Gulu selfie" in YouTube.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding experience; exceptional service! Simon and Donna exceeded our expectations.
From our initial inquiries we received remarkable attention and detailed replies. Donna's personal accessibility and responsiveness result in a planning and implementation experience that is outstanding. Through many email exchanges we were able to craft a safari plan that reflected our goals and met our dreams.
Then with the best safari guide we could imagine, Simon took us on the experience of a lifetime. He was personable, knowledgeable and persistent in ensuring that all our anticipations were fully realized.
We loved all our accommodations and the corresponding staff. We were impressed and pleased with the variety of sleeping arrangements, food, locales and proximity to the natural world - we were immersed and loved it.
At all times we were treated royally - safe & clean vehicle, plenty of bottled water, great meals, attentive service, skillful driving, knowledgeable information, spontaneous adjustments to seek special opportunities, and we always had FUN.
All the other companies (from Arusha to Zanzibar) that MW arranged were clearly respectful of Donna and MW, hence treated us first rate. They all spoke very highly of Donna and MW; they provided exceptional services.
As a whole, MW, Donna and Simon, are first class - engaging, reliable, professional, thorough, experienced, customer-focused and the best we could have expected. They truly exceeded our expectations.
In addition, we respect MW's commitment to the environment and to local communities. We share these values and appreciated the opportunities to visit and learn from some of the supported villages. We will join Donna's team and donate again to assist the health and education of MW's selected communities.
Thank you !
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexible and individual planing
With our family (2 adults, 2 kids, 11Y) we had an individual adapted planing of our safari, longer stay at the lodge and a flight. The diver was perfectly looking after us and it was a plaisant understanding with leonard. We would recommend this travel to everyone.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very, very good but wanted a bit more educational
The registration staff was helpful and considerate of our needs and always responded promptly to our email inquiries. They were accommodating and customized a tour to our specific needs. Extremely reasonable in price. Accommodations were very comfortable and above expectations for camping and price. All staff friendly and helpful and we were very pleased that it was Eco tourism and local people were employed. Also pleased our guide respected environment and rules...saw several other tours that damaged the grasslands all the time and crowded the wildlife, not ours. Food was made fresh and with attention to our preferences and was tasty and excellent. Accommodations were clean even though rustic. Locations of campgrounds less than 5 minutes from entrance to parks so no time wasted each day. Tour guide kept us safe, and was excellent at predicting where animals would be, go or do and we saw 23 lions including two cubs and a mating adult pair, 7cheetahs including two kittens, lots of herd animals, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, jackals, birds, tons of elephants (:-) and more and generally VERY close! A wonderful, beautiful week. The rainy afternoon weather was the only obstacle to seeing more. Especially impressed with night guards at campground in Masi Mara who watched over us all night. Van was clean and very comfortable for all day travel. Loved pop up roof for 360 degree viewing. Only wished for more educational information from guide about the animals, plants, country and people. It was not lacking but we would have been happy to learn more about this exquisite country. Small problem with radio not working on last day and 4wheel drive needing maintenance so only two for part of tour. Driver was skilled so not a problem, he navigated all terrain expertly but should be 100%. Food at restaurants was only average, food in campgrounds wonderful. Our guide protected us from hawkers when we did not want to shop and brought us to excellent places to do so when we did want souvenirs. Tour of Masai village very interesting and really glad for that part but watch out for selling at the end....set up to get you to buy a lot, which we were happy to do because tour was free and extensive, but be prepared to haggle down inflated prices at end there and in all locations...haggling is expected. Tour office kindly stored our unneeded luggage for the week. Driver willingly modified the days to maximize out tour time versus eating time, which was our preference. Wish there was a "very good" before excellent for rating. Website needs a LOT of improvement. Our driver's son will graduate with that skill and we feel strongly that he should be hired right away so the website can be improved. It was not easy to navigate and was not engaging or appealing. If we had not had a recommendation from a friend, we would've gone with another company with similar pricing but much better and informative website. Very grateful that driver shared his binoculars and recommend taking a pair or having camera with strong zoom...rhinos we saw were pretty far away. Happy the crocodiles were also far away! Other side of the river suited us fine as well as the soldier with the rifle escorting us! After watching video postings of "lion opens car door" would NOT recommend the other companies with open sides/no doors as well as locking your door (although ours only opened on one side and was a slider which they didn't seem to open) as the lions came right next to us! Our driver was so good at placing us in their path! Was an amazing experience we didn't think we could afford but thanks to this company we had an awesome, unforgettable, memories for a lifetime safari. Thank you!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nice, friendly, well organized and experienced team. Customer friendly & excellent service
My husband and me did two tours in Namibia. One in 2010 and one in 2015. Both tours were booked and organizied by Blue Crane Safari. The whole team is well organized and experienced. From our guide we learned a lot about the nature, history and the differnent cultures. They know the right places, the most beautiful lodges and included customer spezific extra tours if possible. We highly recommend Blue Crane Safari for your next trip to Namibia.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just amazing customer care, they are wonderful travel advisors.
Advanced tour and travels has excellent staff, my friend Patience has helped me so much to meet my expectation. I have never regretted since I begun using their services.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Sayari is super
Dear Judith,
Thank you helping us to organize our self-drive safari from Mwanza into Northern Serengeti. Our stay in Sayari Camp was outstanding. Good game viewing, 2 big herd river crossings, great hospitality, good food.
A special thank you to by Annabel, Roger and guide Shanti. Next time a leopard please.