My safari to the Masai Mara was the best ever for wildlife viewing and photography.
I have been to Africa several times, and my trip to the Masai Mara National Reserve in January was the best safari I have ever been on. I loved the fact that there were less tourists than during the months of September and October when I went there before, and the reserve abounded with youngsters of all kinds of animals. The weather was very good with little rain and typical for the season. I stayed at the Mara Intrepids, and the staff and tented rooms were marvelous and the food exceeded my expectations. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and very, very helpful. One of the highlights of the trip was seeing Malaika, a female cheetah climb on to the top of a jeep, which I learned was a normal thing for her to do. All in all, I would visit there again in a heartbeat.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
From J'burg to Victoria Falls, into 2 camps in Botswana thence to Rwanda to see the gorillas
We were 4 mature adults with no previous Africa experience so cannot make comparisons. However if we were to go again to Africa we would immediately contact Ubuntu and Cuan. The assistance in planning before departure, the logistics, the camps chosen (Kwando Lebala and Pom Pom) and the experience were faultless, they reflected Cuans' knowledge of the countries, the camps and the people. Cannot recommend Ubuntu highly enough.
CA
Beautiful country with so much to see and do!
We loved the experience of staying at a lodge in private game reserve which allowed us to see wildlife up close! Kruger was also amazing, but just a different experience. I would highly recommend combining both of those types of safaris.
The lodge was absolutely beautiful and comfortable. Food was amazing and the staff very friendly. Amazing experience for us for sure!
Paradisiacal experience at lake Manyara
In april 2014 I went on a game view at Lake Manyara. The day before we went to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Although Ngorongoro was very beautiful, I even liked Lake Manyara more! Lake Manyara is a smaller but very nice park, where animals suddenly show up from between the trees. That was very awesome. A lot of variety in animals and beautiful birds, wide vast land as a viewpoint (with giraffes, flamingos, impalas, zebras, hippos...), a very quiet safari because of low season (which was very nice to be almost alone), flock of elephants at 1 meter from the jeep,...
The accomodation and food at the Jumbo campsite at Mto Wa Mbu, were unbelievable. It had a pool, very nicely warm tents. There we had our first warm shower in two months!! The organisation and guidance were very very good. They listened to our 'demands' to make sure we had the best safari ever for as less money as possible.
This organisation and safaris are very much recommended! I had the time of my life.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Way beyond our expectations and our Best Safari Holiday Ever!
Cuan and his team are total professionals. They understand and respect the diversity of the continent, its people and culture, and have a passion for excellence. In our 66 days in four different countries, (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia) absolutely nothing went wrong, and not a detail was overlooked. He listened to our 'brief', made suggestions, and exceeded all we had hoped for. Cuan is planning our trip to Tanzania and Kenya in 2016 and we know he will deliver another outstanding package of animals, skilled staff, beautiful accommodation and adventure for us to experience. We are African born (now live in Australia) and have been on many safaris - but this trip was The Trip of a Lifetime. We absolutely recommend Ubuntu Safaris - definitely a leader and specialist in this field. Well done Ubuntu Safaris!
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful place with lovely people
We loved the Serengeti. Just where there for 2 days but saw a lot of animals very close by. A 4 day safari would have been even better.
Don’t expect to see the rhino, though. Chances are below 5%.
And check the wildbeast migration map first, before you book a lodge.
The Melia Lodge was fantastic, though.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding adventure covering Vic Falls, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania
We (being myself, wife 2 daughters, son-in-law and brother) had a simply stunning 3½ week trip through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania covering Vic Falls (including a chopper ride over the Falls), Chobe, Okavango, Amboseli, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Zanzibar. Time was Jan 2014. The younger ones went on to climb Kilimanjaro after.
We booked through Cuan at African Ubuntu Safaris and from the start of planning 2 years before we went, he was just fantastic. We had a rough idea of what we wanted and left it to him to fill in the time and arrange it all. Over that time he tweaked and adjusted the itinerary and the end result was the most memorable trip. Nothing was too much trouble or too trivial.
Cuan recognised that there were some dollar constraints as we were a sizeable party and he took that in his stride. The quoted price included all our excursions, flights and pickups. Apart from additional expenses which Cuan outlined were excluded, his price was fixed and firm. Very comforting to know.
Accommodation was just great-some tented camps and some lodges but all were excellent, tho as requested not 5 star but certainly very comfortable and the staff were happy and sincere in their wish to give us a great experience. (Let me say 5 star is not necessary-they still see the same wildlife!) Not a complaint from anyone on the accommodation score and the meals were all brilliant, notwithstanding they were in some remote places. The organisation was first class-not a hiccup anywhere. The chosen parks all offered different slants on the African game parks and we saw the Big Five in droves plus the migration in the Serengeti was mind bogglingly impressive. Then of course we saw the myriad of other animals and birdlife. If January is the “off season” then go for it. Weather was great (lucky maybe?) and the number of people minimal, even in the Crater.
Cuan’s father Gerald met us in Joburg to store some additional climbing gear for our adult children which was wonderful. But even more wonderful was Cuan’s and his father’s concern and swift action when one of our party developed multiple blood clots in the lung after the Okavango. Gerald organised a doctor’s appointment on the evening of our return and then a specialist appointment the next day. Unfortunately that person was laid up in hospital for 5 days before they could join the rest of us 5 days after that. In that time Cuan's father and his wife visited out sick traveller and made sure all was well and he was comfortable. Cuan meanwhile arranged alternative flights so we could all be together in Zanzibar.
The whole trip went like clockwork and we all had the most wonderful experience with so many memories. Thanks to you Cuan and your parents and the team. Simply the best.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Super friendly people, good wildlife and excellent lodges.
We really enjoyed our recent trip to Kenya. We were a little guarded about safety when we first arrived but were soon put at ease. While waiting at the airport for our hotel transfer a number of different people approached us to see if they could help. One fellow even called the hotel for us. As North Americans, we thought that people wanted something from us or to scam us but this was not the case. People were genuinely wanting to help us out. Such a nice feeling. We visited Masai Mara, Kakamega Forest, Saiwa Swamp, Lake Nakuru and Lake Navisha - all places had something different to showcase and made for an enjoyable, informative trip. Highly recommend a trip to Kenya if you are a wildlife enthusiast
Unforgettable Experience
Everything about our stay at Nottens was superb. We saw so many different animals every time we went on a drive. Both our driver and spotter were really good. The food was amazing and so much of it. The camp itself was lovely, especially our rooms with candles and hurricane lamps, so much nicer than electric lights. We couldn't fault anything about this safari, as it was everything we wanted and more. The staff were all lovely and very helpful.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything you dreamt for in a trip to Africa
Diani Beach and Tsavo East - what an experience
Diani was probably the most beautiful beach I've been to personally thus far. Stayed at Baobab resort and The Sands at Nomad and both were fantastic in their own way.
Baobab - fun activities, all you can eat, several pools, the hotel staff including the Jambo team were AMAZING. Simply put, more life. The Sands - serene, calm, you'll have everything you need in order to reset and use your vacation for its purpose. Great restaurants. Absolute top hotel.
Tsavo East was my first Safari experience and it was magical. We used africamosaictours as our agents and stayed at Salt Lick Lodge. The lodge was built around a waterhole so you could imagine the cozyness and surreality of being around the wild animals constantly. All in all, this was a fantastic stay in this beautiful country.