50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari visits, transportation etc were very good, but camp facilities were very below average
We were a group of 8 family members. The Planning Phase of the tour was good with proper communication from the team . The Safari rates were reasonable. The Airport pick up and the transport arrangement from Nairobi to Massaimara was very well coordinated. The game drives were also very well coordinated and we got opportunities to see many animals. Driver took special interest to take us all around.
However, the condition of the accommodation provided in the Camp in Massaimara was very primitive. Though the camp is well laid out, it was very over crowded and the staff found it extremely difficult to serve food properly. The individual tents were very poorly maintained, especially the 4 tents we got. The furniture including the cot was in bad shape, the bathrooms were not clean, flush was getting blocked, there was a bad stench during night in that part of the camp. All these were reported to the notice of Mr. Joseph in the camp who apparently was in charge of accommodation. He managed to change the cot but nothing more could be done though we requested for a change of tent that was not possible due to the large number of guests in the camp.
I personally feel a lot could be improved in the tents like, clean toilets and drainage, a mirror in the bathrooms, functional water taps, some toiletries like soap shampoo etc. There is definitely a need to check the condition of cots in each of the tents.
It will be Wonderful if a small cultural show by the local folks are organized every evening near the camp fire area. That can make the evenings lively and memorable. There is also a need to improve the food quality. All these may be facilitated to the customers even if it is at the cost of 10 or 20 USD more on package cost. These small deficiencies negatively impacted the overall experience which otherwise was a wonderful Safari at a moderate price.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
unforgettable! we recommend the tour to all our friends....Thank you all!!
Our driver guide gave our family unforgettable experiences and moments. He showed us as much as animals and nice places as possible, more than we could ever expect or hope for. He was totally reliable and explained alot to us and our kids. It was a pleasure to spend the week with him...Thank you John
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hallmark gave us a "Trip of a Lifetime" experience.
Right from day one, the pick up at the airport in Nairobi, our Hallmark experience was incredible. Levis had planned an amazing tour for us of Kenya and Tanzania, hitting all the spectacular "must see" national parks of these two countries. This was, without a doubt, our trip of a lifetime, it exceeded our expectations in every way. Our two drivers, Charles in Kenya, and Amani, in Tanzania were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, polite and made our trip the most unbelievable adventure of our lives. They were so attentive, patient, and willing to please our every whim and desire, stopping whenever we asked for that "yet another" spectacular picture of one of so many beautiful animals, always educating us on facts about the animals. Our accommodations were amazing, from high end to more adventurous, (but comfortable) tents, sharing the open spaces with the animals. We always felt safe, protected and very cared for by everyone, lovely people wherever we stayed. I would highly recommend Hallmark Travel Planners, (and I already have), to our friends and family and anyone else wishing to travel to East Africa. I hope that I can return in a few years and have Levis book my next adventure. Kenya and Tanzania have left a mark on my heart, and now I hope to see a little more of Africa in the coming years.
Thank you Levis, Charles, Amani and Hallmark!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip of a lifetime from start to finish!
Our initial correspondence with Levis and the subsequent planning and fine tuning of our vacation went so smoothly; we were able to include many different places and activities and our trip was built just for us. Levis was available for all of our questions and responded promptly each time. Thank you! We had a variety of accommodations in both Kenya and Tanzania and each one had its own charm. The staff at every lodge, inn or tented camp were superb - the rooms were very comfortable and the meals always very good. The main attraction of course were the amazing safaris we experienced in Kenya and Tanzania. We had the best driver/guides around - Charles in Kenya and Amani in Tanzania. Both are so knowledgeable and freely shared so many facts about the wildlife, birdlife, plant life that surrounded us. We could not believe that each day was better than the last. These two men did their best to give us the ultimate trip and we most certainly had it. We always felt safe and looked after in both countries. We saw the Big 5, and twice saw rhinos and leopards! How incredible is that? We even saw zebras and wildebeest migrating over the Mara River. My description of our 13 days is "mindblowing". Thank you so much, Hallmark for a trip of a lifetime!
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible Customer Service
My experience with African Travel Consultants was awesome! An excellent customer service provided by consultant Andy Saidy. I got in touch with African Travel Consultants on Sabi Sands website by searching on the web.Then I started to online chat with Andy who was so patient and polite to explain everything of Kruger and nearby private reserves. Before him, I got several budgets from other travel agencies, but none of them had his following up (we talked each other even on a weekend). After our contact I decided that Andy was the one who gave me all the best info about the safaris. With great effort he found our suite at Savana Lodge wich was really amazing with very competitive price! It was our honeymoon and knowing this fact he gave us the transfer from the airport to our lodge as a wedding gift surprise! The assistance didn't ended with the deal itself. After our three-day staying he contacted me to find out if everythind happened as we wanted, and of course it did! I really recommend this consultants and African Travel Consultants as well. Cheers!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to Claus, Norah and Easy Travel
We had a wonderful 8 day Safari through the Northern Circuit (Tanzania). Based on many reviews here on Tripadvisor we ended up choosing EasyTravel and never regretted our decision. The whole process, starting with first contact, the planning process, the safari itself, was perfectly executed.
Our consultant Norah advised us from our very first e-mail, helped us set-up tour itinerary and planned the whole trip from beginning to end.
We were very lucky to have Claus as our safari guide. Fantastic fun guy, Claus really knows all the national parks, has incredible wealth of experience and you sometimes get the feel he knows the animals by name ;). Oh, and he makes sure, you get the best photo opportunities and positions to see your favorite animals :). He is a very good and safe driver as well.
We had a fantastic time, thank you Norah, thank you Claus for making this an unforgettable experience!
N+M
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised, friendly, great local knowledge, custom tours, value for money.
Our All Around Tanzania safari with our group of 6 was a fantastic experience. We saw a huge amount of animals and bird life, much of which was quite close up. Marco, our driver/guide, looked after us very professionally all during our 10 day safari. Before starting he took us to a reputable currency exchange, organised a local SIM card if required, purchased a heap of bottled water and made sure we had everything we needed.
Our custom safari included Tarangire NP, Lake Mangara NP, Ngorongoro Crater NP and an extensive coverage of the Serengetti NP. Our safari was more than just animals and birds – it included a town tour of Arusha, visits to a Masai village, bushmens camp, orphanage, school and Olduvai Gorge (the birth of mankind). Throughout, Marco’s knowledge of the flora and fauna was excellent and he displayed an incredible enthusiasm and patience taking us around the parks and answering our questions.
All the accommodation was excellent and the safari camps have excellent ensuite tents with hot showers, flush toilets and very comfortable beds. The food was excellent and more than we could eat. And don’t forget the great beers. Everyone we came across was friendly and helpful.
Everyone in our group had a great time, really enjoyed the experience and thought it was great value. I highly recommend All Around Tanzania Safaris. To get an idea of what there is to see you are welcome to check out my blog at https://aroundtanzania2017.blogspot.com.au/
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything was fine except for return transport
Transport to the lodge was fine and my experience at the lodge was excellent in terms of accommodation, service, food, amenities, and game drives. Transport back from Hwange to Livingstone was a nightmare of poor communication and waiting though. Ended up being forced to wait in a small village for hours without being told what was going on, and being very late on arrival in Livingstone, risking losing my accommodation for the night.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Ivory Route - fantastic
We have just returned from the 2-week Botswana & Zimbabwe Ivory Route, which exceeded our already high expectations (we have traveled several times with Sunways). The route was well chosen and the activities as well. The accommodations were all good, Hyena Pan was again fantastic with the many animals at the waterhole. The travel times were long but absolutely in order. Our highlights were:
- Matobos National Park, where we were only a few meters away from the rhinoceros (mummy, dad and baby)
- Moremi Game Reserve, where we have seen a young leopard have torn a little impala
- Shakawe - Okavango Delta, where we spent a night on a houseboat
- Maun - the flight with the open helicopter over the Okavango Delta (at his own expense)
- Chobe National Park, where we have seen a lot of elephants and of course a leopard with its two babies.
We will never forget this trip - our honeymoon.
Many thanks to Sunway Safaris and our two guides Chris Zvidzayi and Chris Zulu who have made this possible.
All in all, we can only recommend Sunways and already plan another safari with Sunways next year.
IT
Fantastic!
We went on a 8 days safari + 4 days in Diani at the end of August . Since the first email Vanessa and Helder have been very patients, helpful and fast on answering my many mails. Everything was well organized and our guide Steve has been fantastic. Thanks a lot for organizing this wonderful holiday for us !