NL
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream safari
African Heart made my dreams come true! Going on a safari was my dream. When I was young, Animal Plant was my favorite TV-show and I was always watching it. The nature I saw on Tv was magical and I couldn't believe that somewhere on this planet it would look like the world I saw on Tv.
A few months ago I went to Tanzania. My trip to Tanzania changed my life. The people, the nature, the culture and the animals were even better than I expected. African Heart organized a safari, perfectly fitted to my wishes. I want to thank African Heart for making my dreams come true. Everything was so good arranged. From the begging till the end. I was nervous about this trip because it was my first trip alone. The people from African Heart helped me and made me feel safe. I will definitely visit Tanzania again.
Thank you African Heart Expeditions!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Truly Memorable Safari Experience in Tanzania
We decided to contact Africa Safari Classics because their website (www.africasafariclassics.com) was easily available, the client comments were most positive, and the company was based in eastern Africa where we wanted to go. Maurice Nzwii, the very professional sales director of the company, recommended a custom-made safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara National Parks just for the two of us. Maurice was efficient during the entire planning stage of our trip. His tact and expediency in responding to our emails are truly commendable. Because our excellent guide Abdul knew all the back trails and places to find hard-to-see wildlife such as leopards, cheetahs, and rhinos, we felt privy to the entire parks.
We highly recommend Africa Safari Classics.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience - Selous 3 day safari
We had a great time on the 3 day Selous safari. We stayed at Jimbiza Lodge for two nights which was lovely - The food there was really nice and the staff were very friendly. There were quite a few creepy crawlies in the room so be aware of this if you are frightened - I am not a fan of insects myself but it wasn't really a big issue. On the first night we did the boat safari which was great, followed by an early morning walking safari which was really interesting. The last part of the safari was a full day game drive which was really exciting! The whole trip was such a great experience and we loved every moment of it!
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They have wonderful trips. Congrats for wonderful trip you made for us
We went for Wildebeest Migration Last year organized by Flotish Tours & Travel. It was wonderful. Their staff are very organized and fully trained how to handle clients. Thanks Flotish Tours. I recommend everyone to use Flotish Tours
AE
Awesome Safari
My friend and I traveled to Africa in july. We spent about two
weeks exploring Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar with tours we booked through Karibu Safaris. Amazing experience, amazing trip, and the customer service was top notch --- always responsive, always informative, and just plain nice people who made the process extremely easy! We had no problems at all. No complaints at all about the trip or the booking experience through Karibu Safaris . We would DEFINITELY use them again!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
11 Day Tour with Private Guide Around Southern Uganda's National Parks (four people)
Exotic and very adventurous with more creature-comforts than I had expected, this holiday is easily the best I have experienced so far - anywhere. Our A&A guide Paul (he was also our driver) was EXCELLENT, knowing which restaurants, stops, excursions, shops, driving routes, etc. would be best for us. Each day's plan was well organised in advance but still reasonably flexible. We always felt safe, the passing towns were clean and those we stopped in were welcoming. With the exception of one hotel, all accomodation was 3+/ 4+-star and staff were friendly, compentent, eager to please. Food: continental European, American, and delicious Indian were generally on offer alongside local Ugandan dishes. The breakfast and dinner buffets never disappointed! Game drives and on-foot trecking were organised so that we had a park ranger with us as well. All guides/ rangers were very knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. In addition to the game drives, the mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Rhino Sanctuary are not to be missed - but you'll need to be there first thing in the morning for the best experience. On average we drove about three hours per day; the van was very comfortable, kept clean, and well-suited for game drives (open top). Thank you for a brilliant holiday, A&A. We feel that Paul, our guide, was responsible for having made the best use of our time in Uganda and we are looking forward to going back. Preliminary planning and questions were all answered in a timely manner by A&A. Our 11-day route was also customised to our requests by A&A. Note- most routes are driven on dirt roads (bumpy, but still possible to have a kip (nap)).
US
Experience level: first safari
Awesome Kenya Safari
An awesome safari, the only way to describe my 7 night Kenya Safari hosted by Odyssey Safaris. My internet searches led me to Safari Bookings a one place site that I could use to research and compare what was on offer. One safari stood out. It ran every week (which meant definite departure) , the price for each weekly departure was published (I hate those from $... prices call us for details) and it was an US and African co-owned business (this meant Odyssey had skin in the game both in taking my money and providing the service). In addition I liked the itinerary and the quality of the accommodation and the inclusions.
This led to the initial tentative call that ended with me feeling a high level of comfort with Odyssey Safaris. Mark who is a director of Odyssey Safaris answered all my questions and within an hour emailed me an 80 page information package with everything I needed to know such as itinerary, accommodation, inclusions, exclusions, what to expect, how to get a visa, insurance options etc. What stood out during the booking process was the promptness of the responses. And also a no pressure approach. A couple of weeks before departure we received details of our guide which included a photo. I really appreciated this.
Our guide was Odyssey's head guide Erastus. He was outstanding, great sense of humor and amazing eyesight. Our safari began with a long drive from Nairobi to Samburu national reserve. On route we met Eliud the African director of the company. We appreciated the short meeting and it reflected the value that Odyssey placed on ensuring a great experience for its clients.
Day to day:
Samburu national reserve (2 nights): I had no idea what to expect of Samburu. But I was pleasantly surprised by the large elephant herds we came across. My best memories of Samburu are of elephants drinking and playing and cooling off in the river. Our camp Ashnil, Samburu, was inside the park next to a river. Great location as on day two we had three elephants feeding behind the tented camp and one more big guy come & push a Duma palm tree to knock the fruit off & pick & eat the fallen fruit. All this right behind our camp about 20 feet from us. The key to accommodation is location (best inside the reserve) while comfort and food are secondary. However, Ashnil Samburu is very comfortable with good food and pleasant service.
Also on day 2 in Samburu, our guide spotted tracks of a large male lion along the dirt road. Soon joined by a another large male. We followed the tracks but lost them as they left the road to cross the river. That same evening our guide searched for them but to no avail. But when we returned to camp, we were told two big males had walked past the camp on the other side of the river. Man, lions can be sneaky. But we did see a lioness on day one and two cubs hiding in the tall grass on our exit from the park. We could hear lion calls during the night.
Sweetwater Game Reserve (1 night)
Sweetwater tented camps had the bets location. Right by a waterhole, teeming with Impala, waterbuck, warthog, some rhino and buffalo. A constant change of animals coming to drink & feeding on the plain. All visible from the camp. It also (along with Saravo Lion Hill Lodge in Lake Nakuru NP) had the best food.
Our game drives led us to vast plains full of various antelopes, rhino and buffalo plus a pride of 5 lionesses. A word of caution. Our guide did say that when he was here a month earlier the plains were mostly empty.
Lake Nakuru national park (1 night)
The accommodation and food was on par with Sweetwaters. Also great views of the lake. But since the lake level has risen and its alkalinity changed, the flamingos, it was famed for have all left. But it has rhino, zebra, buffalo & giraffe. We missed out on seeing a large pride of lions which others had seen. But that is the way game drives go.
Masai Mara game reserve (2 nights)
Two nights at Ashnil tented camp right by a river full of hippos. We could see them all day & hear them all night. Highlights of the game drive was a 2 day old hippo kill attended by hyenas and vultures and a failed hunt by a cheetah. It was surreal to see how the cubs followed mum at a distance & lay down during the hunt. We also came across lions on several occasions but they were mostly sleeping, I guess full of hippo.
I highly recommend Odyssey Safaris.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This company is a big U.S. company operates as Neo Destinations which is terrible.
We have booked 11 day safari with this company. Our contact person was Steve Boko. When we reached Nirobi there is no Steve anymore it was Naftale from Neo Destinations. Our biggest mistake was we paid the money before. This company do not have their own vehicles and they sub contract with others who has no relation with us. The driver/guide was Robinson who is a jackass. In the entire 11 days he used to scold kids and always says he will throw out of his van. The trouble started when we reached Tanzania, we were taken to a tented camp at night instead of a lodge which was booked for us before and next day we are told that they will drop us at
Tanzania border and need to talk to our operator(Naftale) who was absconding. We were forced to go to police station for help to keep the driver in check at Lake Navisha. Over all a terrible experience with this guy. Kenya is a beautiful country but cheats like Naftale/Robinson(Neo Destinations/ African safaris) spoiling the country name.
Note:- if you book with this company do not pay all the money till Safari is completed.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
fantastic tour
They did an excellent job of catering our tour to exactly what we wanted. My wife and I were on a time crunch and only had a week for the tour. Christopher did an amazing job of tailoring a tour to fit exactly what we wanted to see. He knew the migratory patterns of the animals and the exact spots to take us in the offseason to ensure we saw the "Big Five." He booked incredible lodgings for us each night and had a full schedule for us each day.
He was great about last minute changes and delays in our schedule. He would alter the daily schedule to accomodate our wishes and would go out of his way to make sure we were happy and well taken care of. His knowledge of the area was incredible, and would answer all of our questions with enthusiasm.
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking at booking an African safari, and would 100% use him again in the future. He can accomodate any budget.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Adventure
Our trip with African Adventures Safari Company was just amazing. We stayed in wonderful accommodation, met interesting people and saw so many different animals, some I knew, some I had never heard of and if we missed any I don't know what they were. We were a very lucky group. John is fantastic, very organised, very knowledgeable about all thing African especially their laws which did help at times. We all felt very safe in his hands. We were with him through Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia, however, my husband and I went to Cape Town at the end of our tour and John also recommended a wonderful place to stay there also. I have no hesitation is recommending John as your guide is Africa and should we be lucky enough to go again he will be the first person we will call.