50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great company, nothing too much troible
So accommodating, helpful and flexible. They altered things to meet out requirements, nothing was too much trouble. Excellent guide with a degree in Wildlife and Conservation so full of interesting facts on the animals and he also knew his Kenyan birds. He was very helpful and put himself out to ensure we had a good safari. Vehicle great and comfortable. Would definitely pick this company if we did an organised safari again.
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
one of the best experiences in my life
I had a safari tour with my friends for three days. I visited three places for three days, all of which were very distinctive. The safari trip was a great experience, and it was like I was in the National Geographic scene.
The guide tried to show us a lot of new things, and he seemed to be passionate about the beautiful nature of Tanzania.
And he kindly answered our questions about animal life, mating and so on.
The campsite was outside the safari and the same for 3 days, so I think it was more comfortable and good.
Every time he prepared a lunch box, we went on a safari tour and ate lunch with monkeys in a rest area.
Tanzania was the most beautiful country I've ever been to, and I hope many people will visit this place.
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Joyland Safaris arranged a wonderful, memorable, stress free Safari for 22 of us.
Thanks to Joyland Safaris & Mr Gideon.
This was a major trip for us - 22 friends, from 5 years to 63 years, from 6 countries doing a safari across Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar. Mr Gideon was wonderful, constant, clear communication - regular advice, perpetual patience with us, changes & queries. The trip was everything that was promised and MORE - it by far, exceeded our expectations !! Pickups, hotels, lodges, vehicles, guides, food, excursions were all pretty much seamless & friendly.
We were still doing changes just days before we left - and he was always accommodating - meeting us personally at several instances along the tour - to make sure everything was on track - getting feedback, answering questions and offering advice. His team, drives & guides are all very experienced, well versed, friendly & fun - they felt like part of the family and we were with them, in vehicles, on Safari, for days on end ! These guys KNOW where to go, how to find the wildlife, where to stay and much more - oh - and great with the kids too !
Special Note - we had a Hot Air Balloon ride arranged in the Masai Mara,but at the last minute the pilot became ill and it was cancelled - we were informed at 6pm the night before (and it was a 4 am start the next day) - so I called Mr Gideon to inquire if we could book something very similar in the Serengeti just 3 days later. By morning, he had secured refunds for the cancelled ride, booked the same for Serengetti, confirmed tickets, arranged for an agent to meet us and negotiated to absorb the difference in fees - all before 9 am.
We had a FANTASTIC trip - saw everything we wanted to see and MUCH more and will have fond memories for EVER !
DE
Great experience, wonderful 2 days in Tsavo East with Tammy Tours
We had a great experience with Tammy Tours in August 2018. The communication was smooth, Tunu met us in the hotel lobby , where we discussed all the details left. She was really helpful all the time we stayed in our hotel!
We were picked up early in the morning and drove directly to Tsavo East to our safari lodge, which was great as well. Room with a view of a watering hole , where you can see many animals coming to drink the water (elephants, giraffe, buffalos ) right from your window.
Can highly recommend!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Another great trip with Patrick, Owner and Operator of PD Tours & Safaris
Finally got around to writing a review of my 2 night, 3 day safari at Tsavo East with Patrick. If you want a calm, safe, friendly, happy driver, then Patrick is your man. I first met him in 2016 through another tour company and enjoyed it so much I booked direct with him this time round.
Nothing was too much trouble, the price was what he said it would be (plus a card handling charge) and gave me copies of all his licences and insurance certificates when I asked. I stayed at Ashnil Aruba Lodge both nights having stayed there last year (and Voi Safari Lodge on my first trip, Ashnil by far is the best)
I had a great time and saw an amazing 26 lionesses & lions and 549 elephants (didn't beat my total of 926 from last year) and a couple of cheetah, plus all the normal game.
One thing I will say of Patrick is he follows the rules. In Tsavo you are not allowed to drive off road and if caught the drivers loose their licence and livelihood, this didn't stop many drivers and I was amazed at how many went 'off road' looking for lions and also didn't respect the rules and went too close off road for a photo, scaring the animals off and thus the enjoyment of others. I experienced this last year and understand that some unscrupulous drivers will do this for money (I'm not encouraging you to do this in any way, shape or form - quite the opposite)
If you are someone who understands that we are in their home, respect them and be in awe of the nature around you, to take time to watch and observe and most of all savour every moment, then Patrick is the guide for you.
Don't get me wrong if you want him to rush around just looking for lions, then he will accommodate you but he and you will get the greatest pleasure in enjoying the african wildlife around you.
I have no hesitation in recommending him and would use him again in an instant. Oh, and his van is in much better condition than a number of others I saw in use.
*** Stand up whilst going around the park, you will see and spot so much more this way ***
MC
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This is Africa
Thank you very much to Bernard !! He organized for me an amazing private tour ! Everything was perfect ! The program, the activities, the lodges. He loves what he does and transmit all his knowledge with passion.
Thank you also to Edrick the driver !
For sure I will contact you for my next trip !!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family Safari & Adventure
Cannot say enough fantastic things about entire 17 day (total including flights to/from USA) experience! Compass Odyssey did an outstanding job for us! Began working with Darren (Crusty) Humphries at Compass Odyssey about 20 months before trip, but it was worth it. 8 of us travelled together. Guides, food & Lodgings in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa were outstanding. (Even weather was cooperative!) All guides were fantastic and showed real interest in our family.
Everything was executed PERFECTLY!
Prior to trip, Darren personally responded very quickly (via email) to all my silly questions, requests and itinerary changes. Could not have requested better service, responsiveness or help planning! We would highly recommend utilizing them any time!
Tim & Kathy Richards
JP
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome experience in Kenya and Tanzania
I went to a 7 nights and 8 days tour to Kenya and Tanzania.
Until making a final booking, their staff Geophrey had been so kind and gentle and quick to respond to any question, request from my side.
And also, he had been very patient and never urged me to make a booking soon, which I had experienced often from different company in the past.
Throughout the journey, our experience went beyond expectation. All the drivers we met had been so kind and well experienced.
We watched so many animals including all BIG 5s.
Regarding accommodation, it was a good mixture of uncivilized nature and modern lodge, hotel.
I mean, we stayed some nights in a tented camp where we didn't have enough hot water electricity and wifi, (which is sometimes good) and some nights in civilized lodge and hotel.
Unfortunately, we lost our smart phone in one camp but the driver and all the camp staffs were so kind to try to find that.
It didn't come out eventually however, we didn't feel sad because of their graciousness.
Hope to come back someday in the future.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, knowledgeable, flexible, confident
A trip to Africa was dream of mine since I learned of Mt. Kilamanjaro in a National Geographic magazine as a child. After much research (and talking with MANY safari companies), we chose Shadows of Africa and couldn't be happier that we did. From the beginning, we appreciated Jake and Stacey's quick and thorough communication. They listened to our desires and made recommendations based on what we wanted and their experience. They were always very open to the changes we wanted to make and gave us options to make the trip just we wanted. I am normally a "budget" traveler but wanted to really enjoy the "extras" in my dream trip. We chose to do a private tour for 2 weeks (this was the right amount of time for us) and really enjoyed how customized it was.
We started in Uganda to see the gorillas. I would never have known to visit Uganda otherwise and we were so happy that we started our trip there. I can't say enough good things about our guide Patrick. He made us feel like his friends from the very beginning. He was knowledgeable, funny, attentive, and seemed genuinely excited to show us his country and the animals in it. We felt completely safe and welcomed by everyone we met. Though seeing the gorillas (within a few feet!) was the most incredible part of our trip, Patrick truly was the gem of our Uganda trip. We were up and out early every day to see as much as we could. Patrick gave us options to take it slower if we wanted but we loved his willingness to spend our days exploring. We headed to Tanzania next and this was my feeling as we left...
"Looking out the small window as the warm plane takes speed and height over the bumpy Entebbe runway, I am struck with an acute mix of sorrow and gratitude. I am overwhelmed to say goodbye to a place I never knew I wanted to visit and came to deeply love in a span of six days. This spectacularly beautiful, rough, chaotic, welcoming, exquisitely unique, corner of Eastern Africa will forever be embedded in my memories. As we rise through the clouds and the patch of Lake Victoria disappears, a brightness grows steadily as my mind wanders back to the hours my eyes were opened to see Uganda."
Go to Uganda. :)
Tanzania was everything you think of when you see pictures of Africa. SOOOO many animals. The herds were huge! The landscape was breathtaking and I spent so much time feeling like I was in a movie and this couldn't be real. My pictures could not do it justice. The Serengeti is stunningly beautiful. We stayed in the park and were able to see the stars of the southern hemisphere. It was an unexpected joy. We spent the last two days in Kenya in Maisa Mara and enjoyed a hot air balloon ride. It was a great experience to see the animals and landscape from that view.
The lodges and camps that Jake and Stacey chose for us (we did a mix of mid-range and luxury and asked for a mix of"tents" and lodges) throughout the trip were wonderful. We did not spend a lot of time at our lodging as we wanted to be out on game drives as much as possible but each one was unique and comfortable. Some of the nicest accommodations I have ever had were on this trip.
Overall, our trip was more than we could have possibly imagined. We were very pleased with Jake and Stacey's planning and the comfort and ease they gave us as we planned such an unforgettable trip. With any trip, things can happen you don't expect and we were always pleased with their handling of our questions and concerns. You won't be sorry that you took a trip to Africa. I said it was the trip of a lifetime but now its hard for me to grasp that going back wouldn't be in my future.
Thank you to everyone at Shadows of Africa for taking such great care to show us the trip we could never have imagined.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful experience for both photographers & those that just want to enjoy the wildlife!
We recently spent 6 days with Ernest Porter from Eagle Eye safaris at Nkohro Bush Lodge & it was AMAZING! Ernest runs a well organized safari and really gives his guests personal attention & great value. We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary & Ernest organised for us to have the 'honeymoon suite' which was a very special touch & when he heard we would be spending a few days driving around Kruger beforehand he even met us at Orpen gate so that we could follow him to the lodge. His photographic workshops and in the field guidance were very informative and helpful and he was always available to answer any questions.The vehicles allowed us to get up close to the animals & Ernest ensured that we were always at the best angle & in the right light for the photographers. Eagle eye safaris is a great value if you just want to enjoy the wildlife & if you want to photograph wildlife it is priceless! This was our first trip with Eagle eye safaris but it will definitely not be our last.
