35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great service, seamless and easy safari
I arranged a 3 day, 2 night safari from Nairobi to the Massai Mara with Joseph simply through email. I only gave him like half a day's notice (honestly we were emailing the night before we had planned to go on safari) and Joseph was able to put us together with a guide and hotel (a specific one we requested, Sarova Mara) in record time. He met us at our hotel at the time we suggested, introduced us to our driver, and was extremely responsive by text messages and emails. I was very impressed that an operation that could be so easily worked with by email could also deliver such great results. The arrangement is that tour operators like Joseph pair you with a driver who goes with you to the lodge and is your main touchpoint for the whole tour. You plan your drive times with the driver, get advice, etc. Ours (whose name I can't remember, sorry!) was funny, helpful, nice, and gave good advice on drive times so that we saw all of the animals we had hoped for. Joseph's office has already booked your hotel rooms etc, so your agreement/arrangements are all through the tour company, not the hotel. This made our lodge stay very comfortable, as we felt totally relaxed and not like we were dealing with money all trip. The lodge (Sarova Mara) was excellent with good buffet food, gorgeous tents, good service, and WIFI. I found our experience to be a great value for money .
Joseph did request that we pay in cash for our stay which made me quite nervous/was a bit of a hassle in Nairobi but we agreed on half up front and the rest after the trip which I appreciated and ended up being just fine. Joseph also went out of his way to get us receipts for our hotel stay which we needed for some accounting issues. I really appreciated his dedication-we had a great time and I would recommend his services to anyone.
BE
I liked the gorilla in Uganda.
I travelled with Africa Uzuri Safaris to see the gorillas in Bwindi. I had a fantastic time. Thank you Edris for responding to my emails promptly and making the arrangements professionally. It was an enjoyable trip.
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
From the first moment on we have felt like family
My daughter organized our trip. And from her I know, that the communication before hand with Erick was excellent. He was there for any questions and guidance.
From the moment we arrived we were in good hands. And this kept during the hole low budget 12-day trip (Kenya and Tanzania). The game view was fantastic. We had so much luck with our guides ("Animal" in Kenya and Essau in Tanzania). We saw soooo many amazing things, not only the animal (Big five of course too) but also a cheetah hunting a Thomson gazelle and a crocodile catching a zebra. Since we were well prepared, we know that it could be really cold not only in the car watching the animals in the morning but also at night (especially at the top of the Ngorongoro crater in 2300 m). The temperature changed during the day from 28° to next to zero° Celsius). We had our own sleeping bag with us, a small towel for the camping sides in Tanzania, winter clothes and always enough toilet paper in our trouser pockets. We also had some spare water with us. For the tour everyone got 1 litre in Kenya and 1.5 litre in Tanzania per day. In the camps and in the hotel you could drink a lovely bear at night to refill your electrolytes. And we really loved the popcorn for dinner in Tanzania! Our accommodation were home stay (self organized in Nairobi), hotels, tents with included bathroom and tents with extern washrooms at the public camping sides in Tanzania. The tents were much larger than we expected and very comfortably. And so were the hotels. The food was also good and always, especially at night, far too much. For the next time we learned to protect ourselves in a better way against the dust. We would using a dusk mask rather than just using a scarf. For us the hole trip was an unforgettable experience and for this we want to thank Erick and his team very much. We hope to see him in the next future again. For all the wildlife friends out there we can highly recommend Erick and Ewamanns Safari.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing ans unforgettable trip !
My wife and me, we did the 10 day Namibian explorer. Without doubt, we really recommend Wild Dogs for safari ! Our tour guides, Marcus and Ruben were funny, polite,organised and always at our service. They did everything they could to make each day, an interesting day. We learned many things from our guide about Namibia and all the sites we're gone, they really know them. Anytime we wanted, they stopped for photos, made regular stops to stretch our legs and for small shopping. The meal was excellent, only few minutes to put the tents up (fully large for two with luggage), it's easy and the guides helped us. The campsites are incredible ! Too nice ! Beautiful rocks. Etosha for elephants, rhino, giraffe and.... and climb on the Dune 45, they're a must to do ! We also really appreciated the desert tour at Swakopmund.
If you want to make an amazing, friendly, and well organise safari ? Go with Wild Dogs !
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by Linda Hatfield
The Serengeti was more than I imagined and everything I hoped for. 2 days in Namiri Plains and 3 days at Nat Hab's private mobile camp allowed us to witness the Great Migration numerous times. Up close access to lions, cheetahs and leopards was a life-changer as they looked into my eyes. The vast endless golden grass gave cover to predators looking for the next meal. As a photographer, I was able to "take only memories" and share them with others.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Linda Hatfield
Lots of wildlife here. Hyenas drinking at the lake, many hippos, zebras, elephants and lions with cubs. 10 miles wide, you can take in the whole view from side to side and marvel at the wildlife spending their lives inside the crater.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Linda Hatfield
Probably because of the time of year, not many birds were evident. It was only a superficial stop between Tarangire and the Crater.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tarangire for Walking Safaris and Night Drives
A wildlife photographer’s paradise, Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park is often overlooked in favor of the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, making it feel like the park is your private reserve. Only 75 miles from Arusha, our first itinerary stop became a favorite during our 3-night stay at Oliver’s Camp with Natural Habitat, true glamping.
It was the only park where we could do a walking safari and night drive, both exciting adventures I recommend. Our guides were knowledgeable, safety-minded and great spotters. It is also the park to see the magnificent Baobab tree. Back in the Jeep, elephant families, lions with cubs, wildebeest, giraffe, warthogs, cape buffalo, mongoose and herds of zebra made every turn in the road a new photo op. Larger birds like ostrich, vultures, hornbills, Secretary bird and the Kori bustard as well as the smaller multi-colored Lilac breasted roller, African hoopoe or iridescent superb starling kept my camera busy. A greener park in late August than most, Tarangire’s river supplies water to numerous animals and birds. Hang out on the parallel road and you will be rewarded.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tanzania by Linda Hatfield
We came for the Great Migration at the Mara River crossings, but found so much more. Lions stalking warthogs, elephants raising their trunks to smell us, magnificent sunrises and sunsets, birds of all colors and sizes, the welcoming Masai people.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great customer service
We've planned a 3 week holiday in South Africa. Usually we do all the vacation planning completely by ourselves, but this time we've asked Darren to provide an offer for our 1st week, which we wanted to go on safari. In the beginning we were sceptical about the benefits of asking a tour operator, but from the first day of establishing contact, Compass Odyssey has turned out to be a great choice. Darren was very proactive in planning the safari, paying close attention to all of our specific needs and designing the itinerary, accommodations, tickets, cars etc. according to our requirements about what to see, what kind of accommodations we would like to stay, answering our many question promptly, even tried to help to plan a birthday surprise for my girlfriend during the safari. He contacted local pharmacies and phone shops in order to provide us information how to get SIM cards, what to do in case of malaria etc.
In conclusion, we can recommend Compass Odyssey unconditionally.