CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It is one of the worst experiences I have lived so far in my life.
Very soft talk on internet before booking.
Usurps identity, says that his name is Isaac on internet while his name is Peter in the real life.
Late for the apoinments 20 minutes the first day, two Hours and 20 minutes the second time. I therefore missed the shuttle to Tanzania so we started chasing after it finally reaching it after a 120 km race.
Chose a driver that was urinating outside of the car instead of in the latrines. This one forgets that I have booked a different hotel, takes my box lunch without asking me, forgets to tell my hotel manager that I need early breakfast to join the tour.
Asked (Peter) for more money (160US$) the first day we met saying that he needed it for the park fees. I had paid everything at least 2 weeks earlier. I was said that he asks extra money to all his clients.
Entered into a fight with the brother of a former employee right in front of me.
Set a transfer downtown Nairobi knowing the traffic Jams while it could have been done outside of the city.
Did not send enough money to the mountain operator so that I had to wait 36 hours in Moschi Tanzania, before going to the mountain. I finally had to do the climbing in 5 days instead of 6.
Was saying that the money was coming in the minutes to come but it took a whole day.
Did not give enough money to my Kenyian guide so that he has to take his own money and I had to help him with mine.
He was supposed to reemburse that guide 150US$ but I have no confirmation it has been done.
To me he (Peter) suffers of a antisocial personality disorder.
I do not recommend this company and wonder why it is in NATO.
US
Great Experience Overall
My wife and I went on a 4 day, 3 night safari through Taragire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro at the end of June. The experience was amazing from beginning to end. Our guide, Sereco and the director Praise were accommodating and amazing throughout. We camped, which I felt really added to the experience. I would highly recommend camping. We saw every possible animal you can imagine up close and Sereco was extremely insightful throughout. The food was outstanding. Overall fantastic experience for a wonderful safari.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a great experience. Definitely worth experiencing!
Our trip was well organized by Mr. David, from start to finish. He always replied by emails
and lived up to our expectations. Our guide Mr. Gibson was knowledgeable, punctual and cooperative.
Overall, we enjoyed the safari and highly appreciate his service.
Wonderful Kenya Safari Experience
We are an expatriate family living and working in Uganda.We were referred by a friend who had used this company. We booked a private tour just for the two of us to Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. We were given a reasonable deal and our designated driver guide went out of the way to make sure we were happy. The company also planned a surprise birthday gift at our lodge in Samburu. The entire safari was professionallly organised and executed. We recommend this company to any potential Kenya safari seeker.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 days 4 nights private Safari in Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park
We booked with Usambara Expeditions a couple of months before our trip in July. The communication was ok from the start and we booked a private safari with Alex - the owner of the company. We paid 30% deposit upfront and got confirmation on receipt of the money. We got picked up at our hotel on the morning of the safari and were introduced to our guide Afra who spent the whole 5 days with us. He is very knowledgable and explained a lot to us during the tour. We felt really lucky to have such good company and couldn't fault him in any way. We decided for a budget safari and stayed in two different cottages in the parks which were both absolutely fine and the food was good in both. The game drives in Selous Game Reserve were our highlight as you can go off-road to look for the animals whereas you have to stay on the roads in any National Park. We saw all the animals we were hoping to see and Afra wouldn't give up until we had seen it all :) I would definately recommend Usambara Expeditions. The only reason why I haven't given a 5 star rating is that the communication before the trip could have been more pro-active and responses could have been quicker - however, having been in 'the bush' now I understand that having access to mobile reception and internet access can sometimes take a couple of days. Thank you for a very memorable time!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sureway Tours will guarantee a safe and memorable trip!
It can get extremely overwhelming planning the perfect trip with all the different agents and packages available. The reason I chose Sureway Tours over the rest is because of their prompt responses. I only had two weeks to plan a 7-day trip to Kenya, and they immediately understood my urgency and sent an itinerary right away, including all the locations and details I asked for. Though it was peak season, they still managed to book us rooms in over-booked hotels due to their well established relationships with the various hotels. They were very easy to contact and always promptly replied to e-mails.
My family and I had the greatest time in Kenya. John and Joe are such genuine men who are so passionate about their country. They were enthusiastic the entire trip! They were so informational teaching us fun facts about each animal, introducing us to Kenyan music and so much more. In just 7 days, they managed to show us things that would usually require at least 2 weeks. They went out of their way to ensure we saw the big 5 and other hot spots that make Kenya the beautiful country that it is. They catered to our every need and more. For someone looking for a genuine, trust worthy company who will exceed your every expectation of Kenya, I guarantee this company will deliver!
NO
Experience level: first safari
Well organised, good vehicle, superb guide (Serafino)
The guide had the knowledge and expertise to make this a great Safari at Rauha. Good food and everything taken care off.
Straight, serious and simple to organise with these people, together made for a great safari experience in Ruaha.
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you would like to have extraordinary trip or vacation Cul Tours and Safaris is the best choise.
We choose this company based on the reviews and we made excelent choise. The company is small, but with very experiance staff. Owner Mr. Stephan perfectly comunicated with us during the preparation and adjusted our trip to our demands. He is very friendly, open person, who helped us not only to organizet our trip, but also to organized rafting trip, accommodation in Kapala and transport from Entebbe. He did more that he was supposed to. The driver Mr. Solomon was very good as well. We do appreciate his driving skills (which is not sometime in Uganda usual). Also his attitute to help us and his cordial approche is highy appreciated.
All in all whoever is planing to visit Uganda this company is excelent choise, reliable and trustworthy. You will definitely appreciated profesionalism of all staff of this commpany. Your expectation will be ovecome.
By the way, I like and proudness of all staff about their beautiful country, and rediness to answer all questions. I and my friend enjoyed stay in Uganda soo much and we reccommend to anyone to visit this country with cortial people.
Stephan thank you very much for this extraordinary experiance. I wish to come to Uganda again as well as to take advantage of your hospitality.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing 6-day safari to Ruaha NP, Mikumi NP and Udzungwa Mountains
Our safari to Ruaha NP, Mikumi NP and Udzungwa Mountains exceeded our expectations by far, it was an amazing experience. We're really greatful to the team for having made our safari so unforgettable and can only highly recommend Grassroots Safaris to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania.
Here are more details:
Wildlife
July seems to be a great time for visiting the above mentioned national parks: We got to see way more animals than we had ever possibly hoped for! There's lots of elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, water bucks, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, wart hogs, wilderbeests etc. We got lucky and even spotted lions with a cup, a hyena, a cheetah, a leopard, ostriches, a pelican, a buffalo, a pelican, jackals and many more.
Food & accomodation
We had our own chef with us, Asha, who prepared excellent meals for us. She even made sure to prepare vegetarian food for us when she realized we didn't like meat so much. Even though Asha cooked really well, there was always more then enough food. We also got the chance twice to help her with the shopping at the local markets in Morogoro and Iringa.
Our accomodation was always very nice. We particularly enjoyed staying at Ruaha Bandas for two nights where elephants and hippos sometimes walk through the camp (the guides always make sure that you're safe). As the camp is situated next to a river, you could just sit in little pavillions and watch animals such as hippos, zebras, elephants and giraffes when you're not on a game drive.
The first night we camped at a campsite, which we enjoyed a lot as there were local people making music and dancing. The atmosphere was amazing and many people joined in. Our tent was huge and we didn't sleep in a sleeping bag. Instead, they provided us with mattresses, pillows and blankets, so it was very comfortable.
One night we spent at a hotel in Iringa where we even had wifi in the main area.
Our last night we spent at our own little bungalow with a nice veranda in Camp Bastian in Mikumi". The camp looks like a big, beautiful garden and you have your meals at tables outside under the sky. So relaxing!
Driving and safety
Fikiri (our driver and guide) is a great guy who you can have a lot of fun with. He picked us up from the airport in Dar es Salaam and we started the safari right away. He explained lots of things en route - I think there was no single question he couldn't answer. He knows a lot about all the animals and plants, but he never bored us. ;) He's also an excellent driver and we felt very safe at all times.
Our jeep (a 4x4) was perfect for the safari. You could fold up the roof, so it was possible to take great pictures in the national parks while being in the shade.
Team and Communication
Grassroot safaris has an amazing team - Fikiri is an amazing driver and guide, Asha is a great cook and Micky made sure we had the perfect itinerary for our time frame and budget.
Micky planned our itinerary for us and answered all our questions promptly. He provided us with lots of information and we felt very well-prepared. He even talked to us on the phone during the safari to make sure we were having a great time.
Value
We payed about 1.100$ per person in a group of two, which is a great price for a six-day safari. It includes all entrance fees, accomodation and food, so only tips are extra. We are more than satisfied with what we got to see and do for that price, the value is great!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was amazing!
Thanks to Venture Africa Budget Safaris! We had a wonderful time. We spent 5 days on a Safari including Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Hells Gate and it was great. Our tourguide was very friendly and funny. Thanks for this amazing time. My dreams came true.