AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great safari experience!
I just came back from my 11 days safari in Western Uganda organised by Ronald from Kajie Safari. During preparations, he was reachable 24/7 and open to customize our stay, find a balance between low-cost and mid-range lodges given a strict budget and guide us through a reliable pre-payment procedure. During our stay, I found out that Kajie Safari is not your regular Tour Operator: Ronald who was our guide/driver all the way through, could provide insights on wildlife and nature (enabling me to grasp the basics being a true city gal) of each national park, Ugandan geography and traditions, but was also open to discuss everyday life and hobbies of a young modern Ugandan man (#GamesofThrones). He is a good driver (for me a combination between safe and fast), eager to settle you first at the lodge (before other tourists), providing you with snacks. In short, he is making sure that you are fine, which is quite important considering the roads in part of the country. After 11 days, the four-wheel drive Toyota Van will definitely convince you of its advantages compared to a "range rover" type of vehicle. My highlights clearly were the tracking on foot of rhinos, chimps and gorillas, which provided me with adrenaline spikes for the rest of my life. But also the red colobus monkeys playing while having morning tea with the soothing murmurs of the Kibale jungle, the sweet lady-finger-bananas eaten in the car, the flamboyant sunset in Queen Elisabeth Park, discovering the taste of confort food such as Matoke, the calm and friendly ways of Ugandan going about their business... I'll stop here, you know what you should do.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The perfect Safari Trip!
VIC's was the perfect company for myself and my friends to experience a Safari trip especially tailored for us. Not only was Vic able to accommodate our last-minute travel Serengeti travel plans, he was quick with his replies and respectful in all of his interactions with us. Our tour guide and cook for our 2-day, 1-night stay in the Serengti were incredible! The meals were great and our guide was passionate about his job and about the animals in the Serengeti. The trip was everything I imagined it would be, and I have VIC Consult Tours to thank for that. Would recommend!
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
Masai Mara - 5*
Lake Nakuru - 5*
Amboseli - 2* (in spite of the park being amazing)
As previously arranged with the agency, a driver was in the airport to pick us up and to take us to the safari van in Nairobi to meet our driver Kenn and proceed to Masai Mara. In Masai Mara the overall experience was amazing. In Lake Nakuru the experience was also great and had a night in a nice budget hotel. Regarding Amboseli, we arrived there in the night of the 4th day. They gave us the last tent they had. Unfortunately, the conditions were not acceptable. The tent had a huge rip, the bathroom leaking water and the whole tent full of mosquitoes. We had to ask for another tent and a cleaner tent without bathroom was provided. It was the worse night in the whole safari and the reason why we don't submit 5 stars. The next day we went to the park (very nice), saw the mount Kilimanjaro from the camp in the end of afternoon (great view!) and we were provided with a tent with much better conditions (but still, the bed was quite broken in the middle). Here, we would like to put a nice word to our driver Kenn that made an effort for us to get the best tent! Unfortunately probably someone else had to stay in the tent we rejected the previous day. The agency has the responsibility to pressure the camp management to provide and guarantee the necessary conditions. In spite of being a budget tent, minimums are required. The return to Nairobi went well.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Happy safari with Bigfoot
My husband and I celebrated our honeymoon in Kenya and Tanzania. We did a short 3-day Trip in Nairobi and amboseli with Bigfoot. Daniel and James answered mails very quickly and with many details. They emphasized clients'demands very much and considered what u want when making itinerary for u. Their good service leaves very good impression on me.
Our guide Julia is a very experienced one who took care of us since we landed in Nairobi. Our car is brand new and very comfortable. We didn't have lunch at Talisman restaurant due to my mistake. So sad.... Julia recommended us another famous restaurant which is good. My husband and I enjoyed meal very much.
Amboseli national park is a beautiful park. We saw plenty of elephants there. No wonder it is called land of elephants. We also saw many other animals such as lions,cheetahs(2 at one time),gnus,blabla..... We felt really sorry that we could not see Mt.kilimanjaro due to the thick cloud. My husband felt very disappointed. In my opinion, having pity in one trip is common. That may be the reason for me to come back. I will choose Bigfoot again when I have opportunities to be back.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional and knowledgeable
We found Tour Escorts professional with lots of local knowledge - and also had a good sense of humour enjoying some Ozzie fun
35-50 years of age
just passing through town
Top of my bucket list was to see the gorillas in the Congo. It was a dream come true and to make travelling easier we were introduced to Barak who helped us with our visas and get us across the borders with no trouble. He also took myself and my girlfriends to a local market to go shopping which i give him a lot of credit for too. He not only stayed sane, he managed to get us some bargains. We spent a few days with Barak and I found him to be kind, happy, funny and helpful, all with a constant smile which is so nice to be around. I recommend him to anyone travelling to this area!!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing days with Viva Safaris
We had an amazing experience with Viva Safari. We have been quite unlucky in Tremisana (could happens) but our guides did theyr best to spot something. In Marcs Threehouse (especially during the Kruger day) we had right the experience we could only hope to have: amazing.
NC
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorilla Safari in Uganda and Genocide museum in Kigali
I really enjoyed the Tour organized by Gorilla Bookings. The rate is quite high, but the services have lived up to expectations, both for the gorillas safari, as well as the visit of the country where there is still passage to Rwanda to visit the Genocide Museum in Kigali.
I especially keep an incredible memory of Meddy, driver, guide ... became a friend. A real encounter that is warm in the heart! To recommend !
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience and good organisation
We had a very good Safari with great experiences in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.
The organisation was also good and due to our driver we felt also safe as he told us many things about the landscape we drove through.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good value, fun 3 day 2 night safari at Masai Mara
Safari itself was a good time. Our driver (Peter) was awesome. He was polite and listened to us when we wanted to stop or move on to other things. The campsite was alright, but the food situation was weird. It seemed like other groups at the same campsite had a specific cook that would reserve tables (of which there weren't enough for the number of people staying there) and set them up and make specific buffets just for them. For some reason our group didn't get this treatment from our cook. Our food was basically the exact same meals both days... but for 2 nights it's not a big deal. The food wasn't bad, just kinda bland. Shower was hot, toilet worked, towels were provided when I asked for one, and the bed sheets seemed clean to me. Beds weren't terribly comfy, but for 2 nights, they did the job and it was a heck of a lot better than sleeping on the ground would've been.
Josh was very reasonable and helpful. He answered all my questions, and picked me up from my place near the Nairobi centre to meet other safari group members. He was very organized. Only thing was when I was brought back to Nairobi, it was with a different driver than we'd had the rest of the trip with (we transferred at a town on the way back because some others were continuing on to Lake Navisha) and he wanted to just dump me in the city centre (not back at my place as Josh and I had agreed). When I called Josh, he arranged for a taxi driver to bring me back home and it all worked out.
All in all, the best deal I could find. Was $290 USD all in, and I have no regrets. Great experience, met some really nice people from all over the world in my group.