IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Breathtaking experience
I first contacted Enrica of South African Dream Tours in Italy last April, in view of celebrating our Silver wedding anniversary (30 September). Unfortunately the time available was so short (only 8 days!!) so reluctantly we had to drop her first proposal (Rovos Rail journey to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe).
She promptly came up with different arrangements to our fullest satisfaction: everything was up to and beyond our expectations (Victoria Falls, Panorama Route drive and game drives at Shumbalala Lodge in South Africa). Not a single minute was wasted, service, communication and organization simply perfect.
Now back home to work, but still dreaming of it...
If you want any further details, just email me
[email protected]
and I will be most pleased to reply.
Do not cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari !
We went with Kajie Safaris for 12 days... Everything was amazing ! Our guide Onesmus was the best !! Very knowledgeable he was also very flexible and accommodating. We felt safe and knew that we could trust him all the way ! Ronald was great to book the trip and was very quick and available for any questions.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour guides that made this an unforgettable experience!
We had a great experience with the guides and were very lucky during our visit. We saw all of the Big 5 and everything on our list. The scenery was beautiful and the evening drives were always our favorites with the gorgeous sunset. Overall would recommend Viva Safaris but recommend looking at Trip Advisor for details on the lodging.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Utterly breathtaking. The awe and beauty of Kenya is nothing you can prepare for - unforgettable!
Our safari in Kenya was the best trip we have ever been on. Peter, our guide, was phenomenal. His knowledge, candor and friendship made our trip so memorable - we will be forever grateful for the depth of knowledge of Kenya's wildlife, cultures and history he imparted on us. (If you want a truly immersive safari - request Peter from Beacon Safaris!!). Our trip was a mere 6 nights, 7 days. For our first safari it was satiating. And now we want to go back for more! We were pleasantly surprised that mid-February blessed us with amazing weather - and honestly not as packed by tourists as the 'heavy season' suggested. We spent two days in the Maasai Mara and witnessed 4 of the Big 5 in those days and many more wildlife just in our first hour on the evening drive! We also enjoyed a sunrise hot air balloon ride (which was absolutely worth it!!) and it included a lovely brunch in the savannah afterwards. The Maasai was the best place to start as not only did we see so many animals up close, but we were in a tented camp where we woke up to warm coffee and the sounds of the hyena, zebra, lions and elephants. We also met the Masai Warriors and Masai ladies - an unforgettable cultural experience that taught us we have so much to learn from all life in Africa and the resiliency of their cultures. The middle 2 days of our trip was spent passing through Lake Naivasha (for a fun boat ride and break from the driving) and then heading up to Lake Nakuru for an evening drive and night at the Sopa Lodge (which was absolutely stunning with its views and accomodations. we should have stayed longer!). We saw both white and black rhino in Lake Nakuru not to mention so many bird species at both lakes. We ended our trip at Amboseli Park with Mt. Kilimanjaro overlooking the ecosystem. On our way down we passed through an amazing carpentry shop and walked out with quite a few souvenirs. We can't thank Peter enough for showing us some of the BEST craftsmanship Kenya has to offer. Arriving at Amboseli Park was a dream. We didn't think the trip could get any better but we were wrong. The elephants, hundreds of elephants, greeted us after a few kms into the park. The grassland, swamps and lake were thriving with life. We encountered so many incredible wildlife moments from baby elephants playing to thousands of flamingos to wildebeest giving birth! it was truly a sight to see all with the magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. As if this wasn't long enough... there is even more and it just takes going to get the full experience. We highly recommend Beacon Safaris and Peter as your guide! Whether you are travelling with friends, going on your honeymoon or just on an adventurous trip - this is by far the best deal we found. Every accommodation, meal and activity was planned with this team and we could not be more happy with the price for such an incredible experience.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari and Meru-Trek
We wanted to do a 4day Safari and a 4day Mt. Meru Trek. Therefore i compared several offers and found Mike's offer to be the best - because it already included transport (from and to the airport), all meals and accomodation. Furthermore, Mike responds quickly to mails and answered all my questions in advance!
The accomodation on safari was better than expected (and even better than booked!) - tented lodges and the great Mountain View Lodge. Our chef cooked great meals in the evening and for breakfast! The lunch boxes were okay, maybe a little bit more variation would be nice. We booked a "joining group" safari and thus shared the car with 1 to 4 other people - but there is enough space in the car.
Our driver Nickson was a real expert in game drives - he stopped at the best spots for taking pictures and had a perfect sense for animals included loads of information concerning fauna and flora. After Tarangire and Ngorongoro (both breathteaking parks and incredible animals!) we had already seen the big 5! In Lake Manyara there were plenty of elephants and birds and Mike offered us to make a walking safari with an armed ranger in Arusha NP - which was also a great experience.
All in all, the safari as PERFECT!
The next day we were picked up by our cook and two porters and went to Mormella Gate in Arusha NP, where me met two other porters. Those guys carried our backpack, sleeping bags (Mike organized very warm sleeping bags for us which are very important because it gets cold), plenty of food and water. We walked with a group accompanied by an armed ranger to Miriakamba Hut on the first day. On the next day, we asceded to Saddle Hut and Little Meru. On day three, we started our summit-ascent at 1 am. The weather was perfect but it was cold! At 6am we reached the summit and watched a breathteaking sunrise next to Kilimanjaro above the clouds - wow! After this incredible moment we descended to Saddle for a snack and continued to Miriakamba. Next day down to Mormella Gate.
We were astonished at the meals - our cook Freddy did a great job. He offered us african and european cuisine with five star quality on 3500m - incredible! The huts were also better than expected.
All in all, the Trek was PERFECT too :)
The next day, Mike gave us a ride to Arusha airport and we went to Zanzibar for another week in paradise.
You can trust Mike and his team to make your safari and trek to a wonderful experience in Tanzania!
The only negative thing is the "tip-culture" we experienced all over the coutry. A tip is regarded as a fixed part of the salary and will be required for safari and trek. Although we would have tipped anyway because all guys did a great job, it's sometimes annoying when you're asked about the tip you will pay.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Short but fantastic trip to Kruger
Sonja and Isabel from Kruger Park Tours set up a wonder three day, two night trip to Kruger.
Transport to and from the park: The transportation from Johannesburg to Kruger and back was in a van. The driver was professional and friendly. We took two rest stops on each trip. The stop at Alzu was the better of the two - it's a large rest stop with food, coffee, and a private park in the back with game animals.
Upon arriving at Kruger I was greeted by my guide, Abrie. He was a phenomenal guide with a real passion for the park and the wildlife within it. On the first night, I took a sunset drive with the park rangers. It was a great opportunity to be on the road after dark and to see the animals. The sunset drive was not too crowded.
The accommodations were "glamping" tents, which means they are larger tents with a bed and air conditioning. It was a very nice setup.
Each morning, Abrie met me at my tent with coffee and rusks. As I was the only guest at this time, I had his undivided attention, and this allowed me to learn quite a bit about the park. We went on two morning and one afternoon game drive. I was able to see quite a few elephant, rhino, and hippo, along with the ever-present impala and baboons. Unfortunately, due to the weather, not many lion or leopard were in the open, but that is no fault of Abrie or Kruger Park Tours. That is, I think, part of the allure of a true safari - there are no guarantees.
Overall I would highly recommend the experience.
PR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No words to describe the most amazing experience
In August 2013, we decided to visit South Africa so I started looking for help because we were going to travel with friend and I did not want to mess up anything. We were going to Africa from San Juan, Puerto Rico (Caribbean) and our friends were travelling from Sydney, Australia. Since the first contact, until the day we arrived back home from our trip (Sept, 2014) the service provided by Shelley was superb.
We have travel a lot and I can say that this was the best holiday ever! Our trip exceeded our expectations. We really appreciate Shelley’s assistance, knowledge, patience, and dedication to make this holiday a complete succeed. Every travel detail was perfectly arranged and the logistics were perfectly coordinated. All the drivers were courteous and punctual and the tours and activities were perfect. There may be people who think that South Africa is one of the easiest countries in the world to book everything yourself and tailor exactly your needs but that is not enough. I have been talking to people who visited Africa before and none of them have been able to see all that we saw.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Could have been better if Not for the condition of the roads and the Cramped Safari Vehicle
We took a 5 day safari visiting a night each in Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru and 2 nights in Masai Mara. We booked through Karibu
Safaris and I must say we were very happy corresponding with Robert, and he was so prompt in Replying. We were over all happy with
the safari but for the following:
- Our plan was changed with the excuse that someone missed their flights. Am sure this was not true. It was Ok for us but then I had an ailing mom back in India and left the day to day hotel contacts and programmes back home incase of emmergency. Thank god nothing happpened.
-The Vehicle with just the two of us was pretty comfortable on the 1st day, but then the next day we were 6, and the 3rd day there were two more and the small vehicle was cramped to capacity. If you are above 6 foot tall you would find it very difficult to sit in the vehicle with more than 6 people.
- At Masai Mara, without prior notice, we were changed from the Mara Springs Camp to Lenchada Resort. It was very basic, but comfortable, thank heavens, food was also good. Here again we were told the hotel is full, but am sure it wasnt.
-We were not very happy with the Hotel in Naivasha - The Taphe Guest House, we changed two rooms, TV didnt work, no sockets to charge, the bathroom was shabby and nothing worked properly, no free water, food was average.
-Would have preferred a better hotel in Lake Nakura - The City Max hotel was OK, but the room was stuffy with no fan. We opened the windows but was invaded by mosquitos. We went early Feb but I honestly feel this hotel should have a fan in the room.
- Worst of all, for almost 100 kms into Masai Mara, the roads were non existent, the dust, the bumpy ride is something I would never forget. Looks like the chinese are poking their nose in Kenya and instead of doing the road up in bits and pieces, scraped up all the Tar once and for all. It was a hectic and terrible ride in and out of Masai Mara.
-The Masai Village is a rip off, and the people there are greedy. Dont go there unless you want to waste your dollars.
And finally an advice to Single women, beware of your over friendly driver. In our case, the driver dropped us at our Nairobi Hotel and went all the way back to Lake Naivasha to tempt a Single Dutch lady traveller into going with him to a bar for a drink and then soliciting some fun. He was disappointed his offer was turned down and kept asking her if she hasnt cheated with her husband. This was shocking to us as the fellow seemed such a quiet chap and never opened his mouth ! He told the dutch lady, all single ladys like fun, but then,he shouldnt presume !
On the whole I found the Karibu safari reliable, safe.... and would recommend. They offered me complimentary airport-Hotel in Nairobi- airport transfers and I paid a nominal deposit by paypal and the balance on arrival which worked out fine. I did a 5 hour walking tour of Nairobi City for USD 10 per person and enjoyed it. I stayed at the Best Wester Meridian in Nairobi for USD 70 a DBL incl of breakfast and taxes and would strongly recommend. Lovely rooms, superb and safe location, lovely breakfast and walking distance to Malls and supermarkets. Nice very cheap places to eat next to the hotel.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in Tanzania is something you should experience once in a lifetime.Ma
My safari operated by Kili Slope and Kili Holidays was an amazing experience and adventure. They arranged a wonderful tour with wildlife and culturell encounters, through Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Eyasi Communitiy. Our skillfull guide/driver Thomas offered us an unexpected knowledge about the behaviour of the wildlife population and he was very familiar with the best places to spot animals. Whereas Jackson introduced me together with local guides to the customs of tribes like Maasai, Hadzabe and Dakota.
The accomodations were wonderful and I enjoyed most the stay in a tented camp within the Serengeti, close to natur and animal tracks.
CA
Wonderful experience.
It was the trip of a lifetime. The people could not have been more gracious and friendly!