US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Piece of Mind on a trip far from home!
When we decided we wanted our honeymoon to be in South Africa, I didn't know where to start. Neither my husband nor I had ever been that far outside of the US and the skeptical and shocked faces of our friends and family when we told them about our plans were starting to make us a bit apprehensive! I stumbled upon Go2Africa after countless hours of scouring the web for reputable travel agencies that were willing to work within our budget. Several agencies had actually told us it was not possible to honeymoon in Africa with the modest budget we had provided. Within only a few hours after my initial inquiry to Go2Africa I received a detailed email with suggestions for the most ideal destinations for our price range, activities that would meet our interests, and luxury-on-a-budget lodging for our honeymoon! They also made sure to ask us exactly what we were interested in doing on our honeymoon so that they could tailor the agenda to our personalities. They entire experience start to finish was incredibly customized and during almost a year of planning they were ready to help every step of the way - even offering to assist with restaurant reservations. We really had to put full trust in their agents to book our flights, our hotels, our transfers, and daily activities. They put together the perfect 12 day honeymoon and every single detail went as planned. The best part of their service was the piece of mind that we had someone looking out for us while we were so far away from home. When we arrived in Africa after 19 hours of travel, we found out that our bags had never left the US. We immediately contacted Tanya at Go2Africa and she not only tracked down our bags but she even arranged for them to be transferred to our next destination in Cape Town. We enjoyed 2 days in Zimbabwe (taking an elephant back safari and visiting the beautiful Victoria Falls) and found our luggage waiting for us in our room when we checked in to Welgelegen guest house in Cape Town! Our Go2Africa agent made sure to check in with us every step of the way and made sure to rearrange and rebook our activities when weather wasn't ideal. To top it all off, she made sure everyone knew we were on our honeymoon and had personalized notes and gift baskets at every hotel we checked in to. Booking our trip through Go2Africa was the best decision we could have made. Our trip to South Africa was life changing and we know we'll be back to this beautiful country - when we do we'll absolutely be contacting Go2Africa to make all of our arrangements!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgetable 9 Day Mobile Camping Safari with Naga - Botswana at its best
A friend and I organised as customised 9 day mobile camping safari from Kasane to Maun via Chobe Waterfront, Savuti, Moremi Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta. We had looked around at other operators (including larger group tours), and Naga offered us the best value.
Mavis and Leslie were responsive during the booking process.
Our guide Moscow was knowledgeable and enthusiastic throughout the trip.
Our cook Rose was amazing - somehow able to cook incredible breakfasts, lunches and dinners on a camp fire whilst we moved from location to location.
Kando (mechanic) and Kay (waitress/general assistant) were hardworking and friendly.
The team even helped organised to get my luggage to me after it was lost in transit through Johannesburg.
The trip was all inclusive (except for tips) and was well organised but there were a few small hitches. Our tour included a transfer from our hotel in Livingstone (Zambia), but there was some miscommunication between Naga and their Zambian transfer agency which left us waiting at our hotel for a few hours. On the fifth day we had a number of issues with our vehicle, including the wheel of our trailer falling off. On both occasions the Naga staff worked hard to make the best of the situation.
Highlights of the trip included:
- incredible wildlife (we saw lions on three occasions, 1 leopard, wild dogs, buffalo, a lot of elephant, giraffe, antelope, hippos, crocs and far too many others to name).
- camping out in the open, Naga have access to some amazing unfenced campsites in the various national parks and game reserves through BOGA (Botswana Guiding Association)
- Mokoro (canoe) rides through the Okavango Delta
I would recommend Naga Safaris to anyone looking for a mobile camping experience in Botswana!
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Always professional, knowledgeable, trustworthy and deliver what they promise.
My husband and I have visited South Africa and several African countries each year for the past 4 years. Destinations Africa have organised some complex trips for us, Flights, accommodation, meet and greets and transfers, every step of each trip has gone like clockwork. The team at Destinations Africa are friendly and extremely easy to deal with when either organising the places you ask to visit or recommending amazing places and tours they have experienced. They keep you informed all along the way whilst developing your personalised itinerary. I feel extremely confident when dealing with Destinations Africa and recommend them MOST highly.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We would never go back to Africa without the help of Destinations Africa!
This was our second trip to Africa and we approached it with some trepidation - worried that it would not live up to expectations. In fact, Destinations Africa put together a trip for us that far exceeded our wildest expectations. Using a travel company in Australia when we are in Canada seemed strange but this company was so responsive all the time and almost every aspect of the trip proceeded without a hitch (but what is an adventure without a hitch or two?). We started in Cape Town at The Cape Grace Hotel that has set a new standard for all of us for city hotels - it is beautiful with service beyond reproach. All of the lodges in Namibia were wonderful with the experience at each one being different and thrilling and of course, Savanna Private Game Lodge in S.A. met our expectations as saving the best for last. Five nights there was perfect and allowed us to really experience everything the game reserve and the lodge had to offer. The team at Destinations Africa did a terrific job putting together and executing our wonderful Africa adventure and we have already recommended them to others. We would never go back to Africa without the help of Destinations Africa!
SI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gecko delivers and brings the safari wildlife in front of your eyes.
We enjoyed 4 day safari tour with Gecko very much. As agreed, the 4 days of wild adventure were more than we expected. We thank to our guide Said, who is a living enceclopedy of Africa and especially of wild life in safari. He was very professional and did go along with all our wishes. Accomodation in Selius River Camp was excellent, as well was the food and service. Gecko Adventure is definitely reliable and trustful agency which I would recommend to others.
Safari Bagamoyo, Selous national park, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam
Because we had planned a working vacation in The Baobab Home in Bagamoyo we asked NRSC to organize for us a tour. During our preparation we asked Francisca, very many changes in our itinerary. She was always very quick in answering our e-mails and gave good suggestions. Francisca showed to be flexible travel agent, always willing to help and finally able to put our ideas into reality. We met her in Bagamoyo a few days before we started our trip. She clearly showed interest in her travelers before, during, and after the trip.
The 6 days trip, from Bagamoyo to Selous Game Reserve and via Morogoro back to Dar es Salaam, with the excellent driver/guide Omari had excellent lodges, the time schedule was good and we had enough time to enjoy the country side and the game drives. The trip was therefore fully according to our wishes, although the Land Cruiser could have been a bit better.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime trip
We did a safari with It Started In Africa and everything was wonderful. We saw an unbelievable amount of animals and were taken care of extremely well. We had constant support and advice whilst we were booking our trip (thanks to Joao) and they did everything they could to accommodate our wishes, even taking us to visit the boy I sponsor for no additional cost at the end of the safari. The car was reliable, the food was good, our guide Isaac knew everything there is to know about wildlife and we saw so much of the land and culture. The highlight was the tribal visit, the company does a lot of good locally as well. Thanks so much It Started in Africa!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fantastic safari that will long last in the memory
A very different holiday for us, usually we hire a car and travel on a DIY basis, with my husband's brother and wife, but this year we had slightly differing plans, so we wanted a specific itinerary starting and ending in Windhoek, with my brother in law leaving us in Caprivi to go onto Botswana and Victoria falls.
We booked Namibian Nature Travels because Nick Buys responded to our enquiries promptly and efficiently, coming up with a plan and price that suited us all. We were happy that we were dealing with a Namibian based company, paying for the trip in local currency, and not USD etc.
We were not disappointed. Our guide Nick, is a passionate Namibian, proud of his country and an expert in animal and bird life. He expertly drove us around this vast country, we visited places we would never have found on our own, and stopped as and when he noticed something of interest. We stayed in luxury lodges, where the hospitality and food were second to none, and saw many fine vistas of this remarkable country.
This is a holiday that will long last in the memory, and we will not hesitate to recommend Nature Travel Namibia and Nick Buys.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trustworthy, efficient and obliging. Don't go past this great outfit
Once again I can’t thank you enough for what was a truly memorable and unforgettable African holiday. This is the second time I have had the pleasure of dealing with you to organise our trip and as I have come to expect - it was as great as the first. My dealings with you have always been relaxed and informal but that belies the incredible professionalism you have so adequately demonstrated in getting us around Africa twice.As a single Father travelling with two sons (11 and 13 years), you have always ensured that all of our hotel/lodges were child friendly, varied and of a high standard. It was also very comforting to know that you always put our safety and wellbeing ahead of any other consideration.I still marvel at the military type precision of transfers, pick up’s, excursions, timetables, hotel bookings flights etc and we sure had a number in each category. All relevant requirements or tips and tricks were detailed for us to refer to during our travels. Just outstanding organisation and a credit to you and those sub agents you employ.The attention to detail in selecting our accommodation was absolutely wonderful. The hotel in Cape Town was beautifully positioned for us to get easy access to the Waterfront and City. Each of the safari lodges in Vic Falls, Sabi Sands and Kapama were so different from each other that it was impossible to compare them, yet each had a uniqueness that will remain with us for many years to come. A common theme with each place we stayed at (this trip and our previous trip too) was the standard of the Staff at the hotels/Lodges. They treated us as ‘family’ and my two sons were constantly ‘Mothered’ by caring Staff. Very feel good I must say.I could go on for ages but the bottom line is that I am so very grateful to you personally, and also John and Hillary and all at Destination Africa, for masterminding some incredible family memories. Thank you!!!!!!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable and flexible
Celeste from Sun Safaris was very knowledgeable about South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. She designed an excellent safari with a variety of accommodation styles and experiences to suit our budget and worked tirelessly through availability issues to confirm our dream itinerary. I have no hesitations recommending her or Sun Safaris.