IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable trip
unforgettable trip, thanks to the organization and the best guide in the world Elias Muro
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience Gorilla trekking
We had a truly incredible experience trekking with the gorillas in Bwindi with Big Apes. The company very kindly accommodated both a change of date and a last minute change of drop off for us which we really appreciated. The accommodation arranged for us was exceptional and of course the experience trekking with the mountain gorillas was absolutely unforgettable.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect trip
We had wanted to do this trip for a long time and in organizing it we fortunately discovered safari avventure which turned out to be an excellent organizational company. We decided to do 6 days of safari and 6 days of sea in Zanzibar. Impeccable agency from every point of view, from the staff, to the accommodations and the organization. Michela was always available to clarify any doubts and perplexities. But above all we highly recommend the guide Elias Muru who accompanied us on the 6 days of safari in an exemplary way and with great professionalism.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fabulous on-the-ground experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Our 3-day fly-in Gorilla safari was an amazing experience. Adam, their driver/guide in Bwindi, is a fabulous representative for them and for Uganda as a whole. He could not have done more for us, and was completely reliable and there for us with information and support. Our accommodation at Mahogany Springs could not be improved on - it was simply the best - impeccable service, super friendly staff, brilliant rooms, and great food. Salvan, our local guide for the Community walk and the Batwa people visit, was knowledgeable, friendly and extremely pleasant to be around. What can I say about the Gorillas? WOW, what an unbelievable experience and a privilege to be able to experience. The organisation of the walk was first rate, our ranger guides were personable, helpful and supportive. They made the walk into the Gorillas, even the uphill bits, very enjoyable. I had a porter who carried my backpack and was always there with a helping hand and a push on the steep bits, for which I was very grateful. All in all, a fabulous on-the-ground experience.
Up until arrival in Uganda, I was the point of contact via email with Azas Safaris for our group of three, and they were always prompt in responding and answering my question fully which we all appreciated. On arrival in Uganda, they suddenly switched to WhatsApp messaging with another (male) member of the group, and things fell a bit apart in terms of what was promised (and included in the price). Our hotel in Entebbe got us to the airport in time for our flight, after Azas said they would pick us up half an hour before departure. They also brought our stored luggage to the airport for us on return. Both of these had been promised by Azas. We are all seasoned travellers so working with our hotel was no problem for us, but really might have been so for less experienced people.
The only other criticism, and it's minor in the whole scheme of things, is that they could have provided more information about the number of times we were expected to put our hands in our pockets while on the local walks. Australians do not have a tipping culture, and it was a bit embarrassing to not have sufficient small local currency with us.
Would we recommend Azas Safaris to other travellers - we most certainly would!! An unforgettable experience!!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful Safari experience
Beatiful Safari Experience with Denys.
Starting from Masai Mara to lake Nakuru and Amboseli, we saw all the big 5.
Our guide introduced us to the discovery of this wonderful country telling us news, traditions and customs.
The communication with the agency was good but the response time was a bit long.
For the last 2 days we stayed in differents rooms from that ones they told us at the booking.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable and sensitive to the needs of a family of 6 including 3 young children.
Had an excellent 5 day trip with Serengeti Smile and our guide Libe.
We visited Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngoragora and Manyara. All parks exceeded our expectations and we saw everything we hoped to.
The accommodation was also fantastic ranging from tented lodges and small resorts.
Highly recommend this company!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very nice
The mountains and rivers are belong to the animals, only the road is belong to us. We just have a chance to see the world of nature!
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
E x l le n t
Wonderfully trip with Serengeti smile & Champion
I go 7 days with Serengeti smile with my kids actually it was really uncomfortable memories
I recommended Serengeti smile for everyone,good communication, good service and sweet Albeit his very kind
Our Driver Guide is Champion is really Champion and handsome he speaks good knowledge and is very kind for my kids and Champion car is good,clean and better。choose Serengetismile &champion💪
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Poor Quality of Vehicle
I wrote to Jolie about our very poor experience with my group of 8 traveling 5-7 hours every day in a vehicle that was unsafe and has issues every single day and she completely dismissed me, and even blamed me. She asked why I didn’t send her pictures and I told her because our guide was in communication with her everyday it had issues. I asked for a new vehicle three times but he just kept getting it fixed, stating he will let the company know about the poor condition of the vehicle. Every time we shut the door of different bolt or piece of the vehicle would fall off or fall apart. It was very laughable. The vehicle had to be taken in for servicing 4 times. It lost brake fluid, lost 4 wheel drive, was leaking a large amount of oil, broke down 3 times, had no AC, and my seat wasn’t even bolted down. She dismissed me and my complaints and told me there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. One of my guest had to fix the vehicle himself and he said it doesn’t look like the vehicle has been serviced in years and transmission and radiator was caked with mud and dirt and that’s why we kept overheating. It was sooooo uncomfortable being cramped in this vehicle for 8 days breathing in dust and pollution because the company was too cheap to give us air conditioning.
Here is the letter I wrote to Jolie that only came back pointing the finger back to me and completely dismissing and minimizing my concerns:
Jolie,
Thank you for planning my trip for my group to Rwanda and Uganda. Thank you for Joseph - he was wonderful and for picking really great accommodations!
The highlight was of course seeing the primates , which everyone loved. All the trekking excursion were awesome.
The biggest negative feedback is long drive times in a bad vehicle. I feel your company really needs to replace this vehicles. Guests cannot pay what they do and spend 8 days in this vehicle.
I am requesting some sort of refund for our poor experience with the vehicle over our 8 days. The vehicle had no air conditioning so my guests spent 8 days either extremely hot with the windows up or breathing in dust and exhaust with them down. The vehicle is in very bad condition and you really should not be using it for your customers. I am embarrassed and had to apologize multiple times to them. We lost several hours of our tour due to it breaking down. Everyday there was a new issue with the vehicle. I saw several other companies with nice, new, branded vehicles where the guests could have their windows up and enjoy a comfortable ride. I am not sure why your company could not provide the same comfortable experience for us. Being in this vehicle for 4-7 hours every day ( which I was unaware would be the case) made this trip difficult and not the experience I was looking to provide to my guests . I felt like I was going to pass out several different times due to sitting in the front and the heat of the engine on me with no AC. Often times, the vehicle was not safe( no 4 wheel drive, leaking oil, break fluid issue, my seat not bolted down, etc)
I am disappointed you did not let me know in advance that Kigali would be shut down and we would miss the scheduled itinerary for this location on the 1 st day, which many were looking forward to on their once in their lifetime trip to Rwanda. Not planning in advance for this or our luggage was avoidable. Putting 8 people in an old, run down vehicle with space for 3 people’s bag was a questionable choice. Thank you for sending an extra vehicle after the fact though. I have no idea what we would have done if you did not do that.
Please let me know what you feel would be a fair refund back to my credit card for our experience. Thank you