US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Safari Ever!
Ok, so it is also our only safari experience. But that doesn't change the fact that Shaun and Moriti Safaris have ruined us for all future trips. We cannot imagine using anyone else when we go back to South Africa. Before the trip, Shaun always responded to any and all questions we had about our arrival. Once there, he was friendly, funny, excited to share his knowledge about the animals, and did everything in his power to make sure we were having a good time. He went above and beyond in his generosity. On top of that, the accommodations we enjoyed and the chef we had on hand at the private game lodge were beyond our expectations.
If you don't choose Moriti Safaris when you travel to South Africa you are missing out.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Experience
My family went on a day tour of Johannesburg, SA, with Anthony. He took us to all the main sites in the city and was extremely knowledgeable about each and every one. Willing to answer any question, friendly, and caring, I would highly recommend using Anthony and Bohlale Tours.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
So many Possabilities.....
This review should be read in conjunction with Clives’s review posted in February 2015—he and his wife were the travelling companions with me and my family (wife, daughter and son). https://www.safaribookings.com/or5815
I have delayed in giving a review of Eastco in order for my mindset to become more objective as Clive has pretty much given an accurate outline of our experience with Eastco plus I was interested to see if Simon would make any contact with us to see what our view was. It is now September and we have not heard one peep from Mr. King although I expect he might have a response to my comments here.
My view of the trip was similar to Clive’s and I back him completely in his version of the events as they unfolded. I will ad that on the face Eastview’s proposed itineraries look pretty good—lots of “game drives” shown, nice mix of mid and very nice accomodations, etc., but what the itinerary doesn’t reveal is that many of the “game drives” are simply long drives over rough and dusty roads to get from place to place with little or no gave evident. The use of Ol Tukai lodge puts you several hours out in a virtual desert and fills in a couple of days there with”cultural” activities involving hot walks to neighboring village and school—I have no problem with learning about local cultures but we specifically stated in our work up that our primary interest was game drives and game viewing.
Boundary Hill lodge, which is a beautiful place to stay, is again a long drive to get to and from with little game in its immediate area so more long drives to see game.
We had specifically planned this trip to coincide with the wildebeest birthing stage of the great migration and clearly set this out when planning the itinerary with Mr. King—no luck, the migration moved faster than expected and had already passed the location of Eastco’s tent camp and lodge accommodation placing the main herd several hours drive from where we were staying—no opportunity was presented or even available to us to change itinerary to accommodate because the Land rovers were broken down.
We had also specifically asked for 2 days in the Ngorongoro Crater—we got one day and one of the accommodation nights was changed to a much cheaper location—ostensibly because the more expensive lodge was full and we didn’t book soon enough—yeh, right!!
The last few days of our itinerary were spent at replacement (read Cheaper) lodges and we were offered no explanation or refund.
We did see a good selection of game but not what we had hoped and planned for—this safari was not good value for the money—which was quite embarrassing for us as we had made the selection of Eastco based on the reviews we had read prior to our trip and our e-mails with Mr. King. We advised our friends that Eastco had good reviews and they went with our suggestion--too their dismay I am sure!
We quite agree with Clive’s assessment that Eastco is a second rate operation and we do not recommend booking with them either. My daughter was quite upset by the "hostage incident" and my wife and I were disappointed with missing the birthing. Mr. King's operation appears to be running so close to financial difficulties that there is little or no room for any flexibility once you are committed to the itinerary--but yet there is no problem in shifting accommodations to cheaper venues with no explanation (or refund).
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongro. A special experience to be recommended!
Myself and my boyfriend did a safari with Kanuth Adventure Safaris to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We were really happy overall. We did a private tour with a guide/driver and a cook. The food was excellent (thanks Eric!) and the guide was an excellent driver and very good at bringing us to the action! We thought it was good value for all of the things that are included. There is a lot of driving and the camping is somewhat basic but it's really fun and we loved every minute. Serengeti morning game drive was a highlight. Kanuth was very accommodating and good to deal with. Thanks Kanuth!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our safari trip was good organized, with well selected lodges and a very very friendly guide.
Our family did a 6 day Safari Trip to the Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater/Manyara Nationalpark, which was more spectacular than we could have imagined. Our safari guide Oli knew a lot about the national parks and wildlife. The lodges served excellent meals and the organization Tropical Trails was always available for any questions or wishes. We had an amazing time!!
A most enjoyable experience, whose memories we will treasure.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Everythink worked very well. It was a good individual planning
It was a very well organised Journey with very friendly care. All Arrangement were Kempten. I can recommend it only to everbody.
Fantastic!
I had an awesome tour.
The service was very attentive.
Very nice people.
Highly recommended.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Try to find other company, there are dozens of them
We've booked the car rental with driver in June and sadly, after paying nearly $5000 it was the worst experience ever. I'm traveling a lot, almost every month, I've been on every continent and dozens of countries and never been treated this way. It mostly the driver´s fault, an older man who was trying to show all the time that he's a boss and achieve to ruin our vacations. I've returned 2 months later, renting the car with other company and had a great time.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely perfect safari trip!
At first we thought, there must be a hook on the 6-day big southern Safari by Grassroots, because to the compared to others cheaper prize AND at the same time the term "private safari". But shortly it turned out, that it was the best idea ever, to do the trip with Grassroots Safaris! The E-Mail contact with Mickey, the organizer, was quick, friendly and trustworthy, and then in Tansania it all went great.
Our driver was really nice and knowledged about the wildlife, our chef did absolutely perfect African cooking and we really enjoyed our private safari tour a lot! We saw so much of the country because of the long distances driving, experienced wonderful wildlife in Ruaha park without many other tourists and loved the walking in Udzungwa mountains.
I can really recommend Grassroots - they did a great job and we had a wonderful time on our holidays!
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Botswana Northern Highlights awesome 10-day safari, Namibia and Victoria Falls
Ubuntu dotted every i and crossed every t. They thought of everything so that we had a thoroughly relaxing and stress-free holiday. The safari exceeded all our expectations: the wildlife was certainly plentiful. We were looked after from go to woe and it was great to finish with a bit of luxury at the grand old Victoria Falls Hotel.