US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable Safari Experience!
I spent 5 weeks traveling through 7 African countries, and I can honestly say my favorite experience was my 6 day Botswana safari with Tony Mobile Safaris. I just loved my time with this company. We were a small group, just four people, there to enjoy bush camping, wildlife, and photography. Tony was a great guide - friendly, funny, and very informative. You can tell that he is passionate about African wildlife, which is extremely valuable in a guide. Tony also enjoys photography, which was perfect because he understands the importance of getting out early in the morning and being out for sunset for the good light. Plus, he also understands how to get us the best photographic angles. Even if you're not interested in photography, you will want to be out for sunrise because that is when the lions hunt! And Tony will make that happen. The safari definitely is 'mobile' - you will see so much! In six days we explored Savuti, Chobe, both the Okavango Delta and Okavango River, enjoyed canoeing and boating, saw countless lions, hippos, zebras, elephants, etc. Tony even went above and beyond during our boat tour. Our boat tour was delayed, so not only did Tony work quickly to get us moving, he also gave us a private pre-boat tour while we waited! Furthermore, our campsite was also nicely prepared for us and each time we returned to camp there was an assortment of snacks, coffee and tea waiting for us. They even prepared high tea for us. They also did a wonderful job of preparing vegetarian meals for the two vegetarians in our group. I would highly recommend Tony Mobile Safaris and I would love to safari with them again!
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari!!!
We had an amazing safari with Northern Circuit Adventure in the middle of June 2016
Michael helped us arrange the trip and everything went very smoothly. He was very fast to reply on all our questions before we arrived and gave us valuable advice. He also came himself to pick us up at the airport.
Before the safari we stayed a night at Clouds View Hotel which was a nice hotel with very friendly and helpful staff. It was very clean with nice breakfast. They stored all our extra luggage during the safari and helped to wash our clothes when we got back. The restaurant at the hotel cooked Chapati for us when we got back from the Safari - even though it wasn't on the menu - so yummy!!
Michael, Dennis (guide and driver) and Sweetbart (chef) met us the first morning of the safari with the car ready right on time. Since it was our honeymoon Mike treated us with a private safari, we felt really lucky and spoilt and we really appreciated it!!
We went to Tarangire and Lake Manyara the first two days which was awesome, we got to se lots of animals in the different environments. The first times you see the zebras, giraff, elephants, hippos and lions is really special, it's even hard to believe its true!
We slept at Heaven Nature tented camp two nights. The camp was very nice with tents under roof with real beds and they even had a private shower and toilet! The campsite also had a pool which was nice after a warm day. The last day there was a group (Kati Culture Group) that came to perform after dinner, singing dancing and acrobatics which was lots of fun!
The middle of June (13-18/6) turned out to be the perfect timing for the safari. Before high season so not so crowded with other people, very nice temperature and almost no mosquitoes or Tze-Tze flies. The park was greener than usual (we were told) after the long rains and the animals had lots of babies :)
Dennis was the perfect guide and driver. He drove very well, we always felt secure and he was very kind and answered all our questions about the parks and the animals. He knew were to look for the rare leopards, cheetahs and rhinos and we got to see all the big five! But just so you know, roads are long and bumpy so prepare for a but-massage :)
On the way to Serengeti we visited Oldupai Gorge and the shifting sands which was really cool to have seen.
Serengeti was truly amazing. We spent two nights in the park and got to see like 20 lions per day, some of them climbing trees. We saw over 100 elephants, lots of giraff and kilometer after kilometer with zebras plus gnus, buffalo, different antilops and birds. We were also lucky enough to see cheetahs with killings twice and also leopards twice!!
The campsite in Serengeti was nice with only one or two more groups there at the same time. There was a big kitchen and it also had cold water showers. It was exiting to camp inside the park, the first night we could hear a buffalo right outside our tent and we saw the droppings two meters away in the morning...
Ngorongoro was the last park we visited. We stayed there on the way back from Serengeti. We camped on the rim (over 2000 m high) so it was a bit cold in the night (and even down in the crater so take warm clothes) but there was hot showers!
In Ngorongoro we saw the last of the big five, the rhino, and also a pride of lions that had killed a Buffalo.
Sweetbart, the cousin of Michael who also studies business, planned and cooked all the meals the whole week. It was really delicious, three course dinner with different soups for starters and fruit for desert each day. We specially asked for and got to try some really nice Tanzanian food like Pilao and Ugali and we also had really great breakfasts with omelet, coffee/tea/chocolate, pancakes and even toast (!). To be able to see more of the parks we had lunchboxes which was great.
When we got back Sweetbart guided us in Arusha and took us bathing. He even wrote down the recipes for us and helped us pick out spices in the market (great souvenir by the way) and showed us the best restaurants and what to see. He was really nice and we really feel we were treated like friends.
All in all we are extremely pleased with the safari and we can easily recommend Northern Circuit Adventure and Michael to arrange the trip. Be sure to ask for Dennis as a guide and Sweetbart as chef :) they are the best and will take excellent care of you!!
We have a lot of really beautiful photos, memories and also a some delicious exotic recipes home with us to keep the memories alive!
Thank you so much Sweetbart, Dennis and Michael for this amazing experience!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An awesome, "good for the soul" experience!
My first experience at a safari lodge couldn't have been better! My daughter (13 yrs) and I spent 2 nights and 3 days (or part thereof) at Klaserie River Safari Lodge and it was an experience that will stay with me forever... We were treated to a very warm welcome of home made ginger beer and thereafter shown our beautifully decorated cottage alongside the Klaserie River. That evening a superb dinner braai at the boma under the clear night skies was beautifully prepared and efficiently served by Sygnet, Alma and Mumsie. The game viewing drive through the bush veld, despite not seeing the 'big game' was a treat as the smaller game of kudu, dyker, impala, giraffe, zebra, warthog and a variety of other birds and animals was pointed out to us. We saw leopard spoor and in the evening heard it grunting in bush veld some distance away. The drought has been a great challenge but the feeding program allowed us to see the zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and warthog upclose and personal. Home prepared meals are taken in a casual manner under the beautiful large lapa of the lodge, whilst watching the zebra and warthog cavorting around the bottom of the garden. There are many activities that one can become involved with, within the Hoedspruit vicinity but we chose to pay a visit to the Rehabilitation Centre and experienced petting a cheetah as well as handling and stroking, numerous birds of prey, that have been rescued from injury and are now in rehabilitation. We had an amusing guide who related the story of Stoffel, the famous Honey Badger - an extremely intelligent animal. Afterwards we went to 24*, enjoyed a wander around the little 'village' with the various clothing boutiques, vintage car and bike displays as well as the silk factory and spa. A wonderful lunch under the trees was enjoyed by all. Every activity is arranged and efficiently facilitated by the management of Klaserie River Safari Lodge. As with any establishment glitches arise and our lukewarm water in the cottage was quickly attended to and resolved. We were indeed treated like royalty and look forward to our return. With grateful thanks to all at Klaserie River Safari Lodge for making the occasion so special and for the outstanding and friendly service... You have done our country proud and have set the bench mark for our tourism. May you continue to be an ambassador for South Africa as you display our rich heritage to our tourists both foreign and local. It was indeed a stay the was 'good for the soul'!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip at the right time of day
I had a solo safari with the Mmilo guide Willem, who picked me up at 0400 in Johannesburg, in time to be at Pilanesberg when the park opened at 0630. It is very important to go early in the day! Other tours were due to depart at 0900 and that would have been too late. We drove through the park for five hours and saw most of the Big Five -- lions on the road, elephants on the road, rhinos on the road - zebras and more. It was a fantastic experience and a great addition to a short visit to South Africa. The guide had many years of experience in the park, and was expert at spotting and identifying wildlife. I recommend Mmilo highly.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well-Organized Safari to the Masai Mara
Erick organized a perfect 3-day safari to the Masai Mara. Pick-up at home, driving in a bus to the Masai Mara, 3 game drives, and return. It all went smoothly, and Erick was easy to reach to answer questions. Food and water was organized and included. It was the budget-option, so the accommodation itself was really very basic, located a few minutes drive outside the National Park. The compound had a nice garden with benches. The game drives were great, and we got to see many critters in beautiful landscapes. Great operator for safaris!
CL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding service. Highly professional staff.
Philly is a serious and quite professional guide. He and his team left an extraordinarily good impression on us during our 4 days safari in the Okavango Delta. Everything was well planned and executed. Our stay was absolutely pleasant. The walking safaris were superb thanks to an excellent guide part of his team: Sam. Brunches and dinners were just perfect. The confidence and knowledge of the Delta is immediately noted as you walk around several islands or go in a traditional mokoro. Totally recommended, highly reliable, fully professional.
CA
Attention to every last detail
For our daughter's high school graduation, we wanted to take her on a family trip to South Africa. A friend recommended Jen from The Safari Partners to help, as I had no idea what to do or where to go! From the start, Jen did a great job figuring out what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go-making suggestions and listening to our ideas. She worked with us almost daily, and did a bang-up job with our itinerary! Every place we stayed (especially the Simbavati River Lodge), the location was ideal, and made the trip with our 3 teenagers just perfect. The package that arrived for us had absolutely everything we needed to make our trip memorable. Thanks Safari Partners!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Anyone Could Ask For- Honeymoon
Let this be the easiest decision of your trip: choose Makasa. I literally could not have dreamed of anything better than what Makasa provided.
Selma was an incredible partner to me in working through planning our honeymoon- responding quickly, kindly and informatively, with great respect towards both our dreams for the trip and our budget. Her expertise and advisement could not have been better. Upon meeting her and Ngomi on arrival, they were extremely kind, welcoming and made us feel like we were in the company of friends.
Our guide Humphrey was hugely knowledgeable, super fun, charming, and made us feel safe, relaxed and adventurous for the entire 9 day safari. He navigated every element with ease and experience, and matched our energy perfectly. Spending 9 solid days with 2 strangers is no small feat, and Humphrey made us fast friends, and super comfortable on the adventure of a lifetime. I could not have chosen a better guide. We have no doubt that when we return in the future, we hope Humphrey will work with us again!
Every place we stayed on safari was phenomenal- and really blew away our expectations with both luxury and service. Due to our budget concerns we did pick a hotel in Zanzibar that we ultimately weren't thrilled with (our own fault with budget), but as soon as we contacted Selma, she found us another awesome resort, and got booking and transfer handled in a flash.
This was a trip I have been dreaming of my whole life, and truly working towards for the last four years. I had extremely high hopes. Selma, Humphrey and the whole Makasa team were extraordinary service providers. If I did it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Cannot recommend this company highly enough.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Have used Mmilo all over South Africa
We are currently living in South Africa and have used Mmilo Tours for several trips all over South Africa for us and family. Patrick is very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of South Africa and is very responsive by phone and email. His recommendations are always spot on and he is open to one's preferences, too. I even had to modify a trip with a sudden injury that put me in a wheelchair right before a family member arrived for a visit and with Patrick's help we were able to complete the trip anyway. We are mostly self drive types but we will use him for our next safari. Can't wait!
PK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience, friendly people and an amazing guide!
We stayed at Masai Mara 2 nights and 1 night in Nakuru, saw the big five! Very enthusiastic and friendly guides/tour drivers. The camps were clean and we were made comfortable! Really enjoyed the experience and met lovely people during our stay! Thank you!