IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing charm from Nature
we traveled with Beyond your plains and eberything was wonderfull, even it was a not luxury safary we found everything confortable and well organized.
Kenya wild life is incredible, people are kind and gentile.
An experience that will last for all life long
US
Experience level: first safari
Great safari, exactly as described, knowledgeable guide -- Mwanje very responsive and professional!
Our Tanzania safari experience was everything we had hoped it would be -- with many thanks to Mwanje and Image Travel. We booked well in advance after reviewing proposals from several safari companies. Image Travel offered competitive or better rates and Mwanje was extremely responsive, getting back to us quickly with information, written proposals/contracts, and receipts for deposits/payments. Though Nairobi airport security prevented it, Mwanje even tried to meet us in person during our connection from Kenya to Tanzania -- but he was there to refund us about $500 in cash for an overpayment due us after we changed our itinerary (cash was transferred from Mwanje to an airport employee to us). We appreciated the professionalism and the integrity.
As for our safari itself, we had an amazing 4-day adventure split between the Serengeti and the Ngorogoro Crater. The Serengeti was by far the more exciting park. The view from the rim of the Ngorogoro Crater is spectacular, but the animal experience in the Serengeti was superior, at least for us. Our driver for the entire safari -- Joseph -- was helpful, friendly, interested in our needs, spoke English well enough, and was very knowledgeable about the animals and the Masai culture (he is Masai and enjoyed telling us all about traditional culture and life in that part of Tanzania). Our Serengeti tent camp was clean, situated in a beautiful spot, and very well staffed by incredibly hospitable people -- stewards to pour you hot water for showers in the morning, carry your bags or hold an umbrella, cooks to prepare delicious and huge breakfasts, box lunches and dinners, etc. Our lodge at the Ngorogoro Crater was exceptional -- great accommodations, welcoming staff, wonderful entertainment, delicious food. And finally, all the animals "cooperated" -- we saw everything except leopards.
Transfers from and back to the Kilimanjaro airport were covered in our safari price and were done by Joseph himself (who had to come out twice for our "arrival" due to Kenya Airways delays).
Mwanje, we are totally thankful for your expert and reliable help with our trip. We are happy to highly recommend Image Travel to anyone planning an African safari! Cheers!
Cons:
1. Our Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicle was decent, comfortable enough. But it was older and not all features were functioning (eg, seat belts, one of two battery chargers).
2. In the Ngorogoro Crater, the eagles can swoop down uninvited and attempt to grab your chicken lunch right out of your hand -- exciting yes, but dangerous too, and it would have been nice to have been properly forewarned.
3. Nothing to do with Image Travel, but we give low marks to Kenya Airways -- the planes and in-flight service were fine. But we had several flights cancelled or severely delayed during our trip planning process and/or mid-trip, costing us valuable safari time -- without apology or compensation.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
4 days in the Serengeti/ngorongoro
Booked a last minute safari through Jessica. She did a great job meeting our budget and desired itinerary. Very timely responses via email helped us immensely. They even took our credit card info and passport scan in lieu of a bank transfer.
Truck was in good shape and we didn't have any breakdowns (saw many near ngorongoro). Wish that they had told us that it didn't have A/C. Afternoon drives were brutal because it was so hot and the dust from other vehicles gave us coughs.
Jessica also lent us her binoculars and called to check in on our progress and satisfaction during the safari. A very nice touch.
The driver, BJ, was knowledgeable and spoke good english. He was gruff and made it tough to get comfortable in his presence (we spent 6-8hours a day with him in the car). The cook, Vincent, was rude and did not ask us when and what we'd like to eat. We were at his mercy when it came to schedule. We also discovered that the meals he prepared for the staff were better than the meals prepared for us.
At the end of the day we were there for the animals and we tried to keep that in mind. The tour operator was great. In our case, the staff was lackluster. Hopefully you get nicer, more respectful guides/cooks. If so, your experience will be 5 stars!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A day jaunt to the Pilanesberg
We have an American friend in Johannesburg and we wondering what to do with the weekend after New Year. We decided to take him to see Sun City and the Pilanesberg. It's close by, has the big five and some great lodges. It was late at night and very spur of the moment when we decided - could we get accommodation? A search on the Internet revealed some options - most places were full but we found a lodge with two rooms - and it turned out just perfect. We spent the next day in the sun re-living childhood as we hurtled down the water slides at SunCity's Valley of the Waves. That night we stayed at the Bakubung Reserve. We ate supper on the terrace with the bush sounds and starlit sky as companions. The next day we drove through he reserve - we left a bit late in the morning but still saw plenty of game. All in all a great way to spend two days!
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It is a fantastic country!!
South Africa is a fantastic country for vacation. It has everything from wildlife, excitement to beach life.
This time I spent 2,5 weeks in Cape West next time I will go to the east.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hwange provided wide open spaces with no other people in sight and only animals as far as we could see.
The accommodations, service and food at Davidson's Camp were superlative. It was more like staying in a fine hotel than in a camp. I have never been so comfortable while being so close to nature. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. When we asked to spend a little longer time at certain places, rather than constantly moving, it was not a problem. The enthusiasm of the staff seemed to reflect a genuine appreciation of the wildlife around them and their dedication to preserving it. At the end of the rainy season the grass was tall and it may have made it a bit more difficult to spot some of the animals, but everything was green and lush providing a beautiful background for what we saw. We saw plenty. We kept returning to one watering hole for sundowners that was surrounded by open savannah with grazing animals all around us as far as we could see. The elephants parading by us in large groups never got boring.
Review about Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park by Jean Rogers
Beautiful with Victoria falls
QA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A superb safari at an affordable price
Kenya was beautiful! The weather was pleasant throughout and there was not even one mosquito! The people were friendly and the food was good, definitely recomnend the sadari at Lenchada Safaris!
A really wild and wonderful experience.
We arrived in an overland truck and made it through the muddy road into Wildlife camp on the banks of the luangwa River. Wildlife camp truly lived up to it's name. There were hippos and crocodiles in the river in front of our comfortable hut and elephants, mongoose, monkeys, squirrel, and Impala roamed the grounds. I was pleased to view the abundant bird life around camp and on safari, even seeing a Giant Eagle Owl during spotlighting one night.
There had been some rain so the park was partly flooded, which made it harder for the safari guide to get us around, and the vegetation was thick so it was more difficult to spot animals, but we saw lions, giraffe, Impala, and such. Some of our group saw leopard. The safari guides didn't have radios to communicate sightings so we saw less than in other parks like the Mara where they share information freely between safari groups.
The lush green scenery around the park is beautiful. The pool is refreshing and though it didn't look a nice colour, no one got sick from swimming in it. The only negative was some of our party had money stolen out of their huts when away on safari.
I would definitely recommend this park for its wildlife experience and peaceful setting.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Patricia Bates
Lake Manyara is a beautiful place to stop by for a visit. It is located in a populated area so the feeling of wilderness and isolation is not there. It is however, a very beautiful destination and worth a visit.