CH
Amboseli and masai mara perfect trip
Everything was perfect. We made a trip to Masai Mara and Amboseli. Good places to sleep in Amboseli and Mara, nice time spend with high class staff. We really recommend that tour.
Max is a perfect guide and nice companion!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Hallmark were accommodating with our requests. More insight into our tour would of been helpful.
1. Our guide Anothony was an okay guide but not very accommodating at times. To start, he invaded our privacy at Lewa after the night before (our 1st night on tour) he made bad remarks about the company and that he personally wouldn't stay there as they were set in there ways & not accommodating to other safari companies like Hallmark. The next day he informed my husband & I that he was coming with us for the 2 days. I asked him why & how? He told me he told Lewa that we wanted our guide to join us. this wasn't the fact all. Quite the opposite being frank with you. We paid the big bucks so we could get a different perspective from another guide & also have our own privacy for the next 2 days. He came with us on our game drives as well after we requested we get at least one game drive on our own to enjoy the expeiernce one on one with our guide. 2/ After requested from the start our planning with Levis that we wanted to do the Hells Gate. Anthony was not thrilled he had to take us there after our night in Nevashahs. We informed him days out that's what we wanted to do. We ended cycling the Hells Gate which in fact was a highlight for us & declined going on the boat ride to see the hippos. 3/ Our last leg of the trip - Rwanda was in fact organised by Magic Safaris, not Hallmark Planners. this was not mentioned to us at the time of booking. however, our guide was outstanding!! 4/ Overall, we are glad we paid the extra $'s to have most of our game drives in a four wheel drive truck as to a van with various guides. Having the same guide & van for the entire trip would of been terrible. 5/ Apologies on being so direct, however it is best you know as I am in business myself & would like to be informed rather then not so it doenst happen to somebody else. Anthony didn't do himself any favours by bad mouthing another company to us, especially on our first night after shouting him a drink at Opejeta for his B'day on our arrival. His attitude did not sit well with us, especially after just meeting him. He did in fact apologise after our 2 days there that he was wrong with his judgment. Lewa was outstanding & highly recommend it. 6/ We felt secure with our booking having Safari Bookings as the reprensative of the company & made the booking so much more reassuring. 7/ Also a note, we never received a questionnaire at the end of our trip with Anothony, hence me informing you. Magic Safaris on the otherhand did. I highly recommend them & will to others.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Have already recommended to a friend
I completed the 3 day Masai Mara safari -- it was amazing! We stayed at the Simba + Oryx Nature Camp, where the staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. The accommodations were luxurious and the food was delicious. Our driver made sure we saw as many animals and cool happenings (like seeing baby lion cubs with their mothers) as possible. Definitely recommend.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The experience of a lifetime - a honeymoon organised and delivered with sublime service, thank you!
I wanted to show my wife my favourite places on Earth for our honeymoon, so I chose Botswana and Zambia through Golden Africa. As an independent operator with the best contacts in the industry, GA excelled at offering a tailor made trip of a lifetime and took incredible care of the smallest details making this a truly unforgettable journey. We spent nights out under the stars in the wilderness and saw the moon rise, watched in awe as thousands of zebra came down to water, picnicked exclusively as wild dog trotted by, saw a vast range of animals and learnt a great deal about the habitats and people that make up the bush in a such an easy going way, and of course, relaxed and were spoilt rotten where ever we went! A magical safari and one we shall never forget!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shadows of Africa-An Excellent Choiice
We booked 15 days in Kenya and Tanzania with Jake from Shadows of Africa. He was so easy to work with and gave us many choices of accommodations and parks to visit and then we made the decisions as to where and what we wanted. Jake was always available to answer question about visas, immunizations, accommodations and all the other questions we had. We reviewed the guides/drivers and selected Ken in Kenya and Timothy in Tanzania and could not have been happier with their expertise. Both had great personalities and could spot the animals from far away. They always got us in the right spot for the best picture and we seemed to be the first vehicle at many of the "hot" sights. We had a good vehicle-very clean-even with all the dust and the guides found bathrooms, if needed, even in the middle of the Serengeti. We saw the Big 5 in both countries and many other animals and beautiful birds. We visited the Hadzabe, Dakoota and Maasai tribes for an inside look at how the tribes live and work. We stayed in tent camps, lodges and a Maasai lodge made with sticks, cow dung and straw roof and loved every night. The tent camps allow the animal noises to be heard and nothing like lying in bed and hearing hyenas or lions in the distance. I would choose Shadows of Africa for a great adventure in Africa again.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Simply brilliant
Can't say enough good things about this company. From the planning stages through the actual trip, Lamech the owner took a personal interest in creating a perfect pocket friendly trip for us. Our guide was superb, Not only was he an expert on finding animals, He was totally focused on making our safari as wonderful and as comfortable as possible ensuring our game drives in Masai Mara were memorable experience. The accomodations selected as part of the trip were fantastic too. Overall, Amazing experience and a fantastic adventure. I would have no hesitation in recommending Suburbs Adventures and would definitely use them again.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An amazing 14 days in the Pearl of Africa
I was hesitant at first to sign up with this tour because Gatatu was unknown to me. But, this trip to Uganda was one of our most enjoyable trips. It was pure Africa, with bumpy, pot-holed roads, dust, town markets, seeing how Africans really live, and a touch of "whatever happens, happens" attitude. Before the trip Richard stayed in constant communication with us to allay our concerns. Stephan, our driver guide, was prompt, fun, knowledgeable, and networked perfectly throughout the country, speaking four languages as he did so. He provided every service we could have asked for and some that we never would have asked for, like cleaning my dirty shoes, socks, and pants after the gorilla trek! He even called me "Mama."
Accommodations were fun: each was different, from homey to stylish. Gorillas and chimps were breath-taking. The visit to the Batwa people was excellent, and the performance given by the school Richard operates was heart warming.
We absolutely love the company! We'll be back next year!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding Botswana safari with a touch of adventure together with expert guiding and information.
I have been on 4 previous safaris in Africa and this one has been by some
way the best in all areas. In particular, Rob Barber's (the guide) knowledge and experience of
Botswana and specifically the parks we visited, is second to none and
enabled Sally and myself to have a wonderful, memorable holiday. I will be
unhesitatingly recommending Golden Africa and his team to all those who are
interested in a safari of excellence!! Thank you Golden Africa!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari as it should be - great location, excellent food, comfortable bed & knowledgeable guiding!
I had been on safari before, but this was a very different experience! A tailor-made itinerary including two different camps, and a 2 day break in the middle at Machaba Camp. It's been sensational! Everything's been
organised to perfection - tents, meals, game-drives, weather (!) - we couldn't have asked for more. Rob Barber's (the guide) knowledge, both of the area and of the wildlife, is exceptional, and added insight & colour to an already excellent experience. Sadly the lovely Charlotte, Rob's wife, was unable to join us, but the camp team did a brilliant job and made us feel totally at home.
Sincere thanks to them all for looking after us so well.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful week
With two persons, we had a customized programme during our stay. We are full of praise about this week. It was correctly put together, we have seen a lot. Sam kept in contact every day to make sure everything went well. Our driver took us flawlessly to our destinations. Samless is highly recommended, we would do it again!!
Greetings from Erna and Marja from the Netherlands.