US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A Must Visit
I spent 3 days at Mashatu and it was wonderful. Luxurious, Wild and relaxing, The rangers were very knowledgeable, the scenery stunning and the food delicious. One of y favorite ever bush experiences. Saw 4 leopards in 3 days, 2 of which had just killed and were eating while we watched them.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing safari experience
We did the 10 day safari offered by Right Choice Tours & Travel covering Kenya and Tanzania. The experience is amazing .. we saw every kind of animal including the big 5 and were lucky enough to see a live kill, lions mating and many lion cubs in the wild. Our itinerary covered Lake Nakaru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorrongoro and Manyara. We also opted to do the additional boat safari in Lake Naivasha and the Hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara. Jacob our guide for the Kenya side of the tour was wonderful and so passionate about his job that it made it a wonderful experience for us. Things to watch out for if you select the budget/economy safari is that it is very budget! The tanzania side of the safari is on public camp sites in the Serengeti and in Ngorrongoro which means the toilets aren't very clean. Overall very happy that we did the safari experience and would do it again.. perhaps a little more "luxury" this time!
Wonderful driver guide led a great experience
Our driver Caleb was a wonderful guide and went out of his way to ensure that we were comfortable and saw as much as we could: countryside, animals and points of interest. We had a great safari!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fantastic holiday in South Africa!
In July 2014 we booked a tour with Tailor Made Safaris. The tour was well organised and went smooth, and we still had the freedom we were looking for.
We didn’t have a good start though; Our first flight was cancelled and our luggage was not there when we arrived in Johannesburg (it was still in Amsterdam). After lots of phone calls with the airline company and airport, Tailor Made Safaris came to the rescue and took over this hassle, even though we booked our flights ourselves. In times of need you get to know your travel agency: Tailor Made Safari’s did everything they could to make sure we had our luggage back as soon as possible!
After a day in Johannesburg we went to Thendele and Didima, both wonderful destinations at the Drakensberg Mountains. What a views and beautiful resorts! We did some great walks (in between the baboons). Make sure you lock your chalet, before the baboons are inside…
After visiting Kloof and Durban, with the Moses Mabhida Stadium which is worth visiting, we went to St Lucia. You can do lots of nice activities there. We did the hippo and crocs boatcruise and went on the Wetland Game Drive (where our guide also teached us some Zulu).
Rocktail Beach is a superb resort. They pamper their guests in a beautiful environment. We booked the Ocean Experience (with whales!), snorkeled and drove around on quad bikes.
If you want to have a close look at elephants, you must stay at Tembe Elephant Park!
After Tembe we went to Kosi Forest Lodge. A nice lodge where you can bath yourself under a sky full with stars. The manager has two African Wild Cats, which were just like our cats at home. We snorkeled and did some walks.
Our next destination was Ithala Game Reserve, where we had some guided game drives. Our car was too small to go for a drive on our own. We were told that the elephants in this park are bit unpredictable, so we kept our distance. Besides the game drives we also made a safari walk with an armed ranger.
After Ithala we went back to St Lucia. We saw lots of whales during our whale watch trip. We also booked the Cultural Village tour. Our tour was on a saturday, so the school was empty during our visit. But the Sangoma predicted our future and we took part at an impressive church service with lots of dancing and singing.
We would recommend The Elephant Interaction at Bayete and the Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre also!
Our last destination was Leopard Mountain, Zululand Rhino Reserve. Geert-Nick recommended this destination and it was definitely worth visiting! This resort has lovely chalets, faboulus views and the staff makes sure you have a great time.
We saw lots of animals at this stunning park: Lots of lions with their cubs, buffalo’s, elephants, white and black rhino’s, giraffes, zebra’s, etc
On our last morning in South Africa we saw an African Wild Dog. The chance of seeing one is rare, according to our guide you have more chance to see a leopard!
There was no better way to end our tour!
So, Geert, Freya and the Tailor Made Safari’s team, thank you for organising this fantastic trip!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous trip organized by Safari Specialists!
We worked with Nadine at Safari Specialists and she was wonderful in helping us with our safaris in Botswana. We emailed many times before my husband and I finally decided what camps we wanted to stay in. Nadine was very patient, helpful, and informative. She answered all my questions promptly and thoroughly. The trip itself was better than we could have imagined. Everything was so well organized! We were met at the airport by staff (everyone was very friendly and helpful) and escorted to all our hotels and camps. All the transfers (both by car and plane) were also prompt. We hope to travel to Botswana again and will definately use Safari Specialists again. We recommend them completely!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The service is one of the best i ever had in my life.
Falcon Safaris have professional staff and their service is excellent, for me they even went an extra mile when i forgot my things in the hotel room that they booked for me.
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari
I have been on safari twice with (Karibu safaris in kenya), the first time with a friend and the second with my parents. Both times were wonderful. Tom our guide was great and the accommodations too. Of course, the Mara lived up to our expectations and then some. All in all a wonderful trip. The next time I go on safari I will definitely go with KARIBU SAFARIS. They are great!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent value for money with guides who managed to show us the true wonders of the parks.
The management of African Heart really put a personal touch to the preparation of our safari and showed great flexibility to tailor a programme to our wishes.
The safari itself was simply wonderful. Excellent guides who showed great knowledge and skills and managed to show us all we wanted to see even in the most remote corners of the parks and off the beaten tracks.
The accommodations selected were gorgeous. What is nicer than waking up from the sound of a grazing buffalo, or the staff of a tented camp saying that you cannot take a hot shower because they cannot bring hot water as the buffalo is grazing behind the tent. This was safari as it should be.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
I would like to thank It Started in Africa for a really great safari. It was awesome experience. I should also mention my guide - Isaac, he is a real professional. Without him I would not be able to notice most interesting but hardest to see animals - like leopard hiding on the tree or cheetah with small cubs in high grass :) He knows a lot about animals and his explanations were very valuable.
It was my old dream to visit Tanzania and see Serengeti, Ngorongoro, etc and It Started in Africa finally helped me to fulfill it.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience with Great People!
I did a six day Kilimanjaro climb up the Rongai route wi the Charles (Chelsee) as my guide. He was, by far, the best I could have asked for. We trimmed the climb to five days after discussing during the early days of the hike. Very fulfilling and amazing experienced. I highly recommend Focus AND Charles. I am not sure that I would have made it without him!