DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great enthusiasm - and a great safari
Had a great safari with Northern Circuit in July 2014, four-day budget-tour starting i Arusha. The driver-guide (Dennis) and gave us a very good experience, he found almost all the animals and he put a lot of effort into talking with other drivers he met, about finding the animals. We saw them A LOT of lions, elepants, cheeta, buffalo, etc. (except the rhino), which is much more than I expected from the four-days budget-safari we went on. AND the driver-guide knew a lot about life in Serengeti, Ngorongoro and about animal and plants. The tents were ok and the food was really fine.
I will most definately recommend Northern Cirquit!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacular holidays with Speke Uganda Holidays in Uganda and Ruanda
First of all we want to thank Michael Jakob in Germany and Tony Mulinde in Uganda from Speke Holidays for the informative previews by phone and email to plan our individuell roundtrip through Uganda and Ruanda. We got what we paid for.
The whole roundtrip was very well organized, well prepared and we had memorable holidays. Our guide was well trained and friendly and our car was under perfect conditions.
Many thanks again to Jakob, Tony and to our guide Hamidu.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most memorable experience with Tailor Made Safaris in South-Africa!
Our trip with Tailor Made Safaris was beyond memorable! Friends told us about their great experience and everything about that was true. We send Tailor Made Safaris an e-mail with our plans. They quickly responded with a few questions about our budget, dates of traveling and preferences (what kind of wild parks and accommodations). After we filled that in, we received a very detailed offer which fitted our desires perfectly. After a week in Cape-Town (own planning), our week with Tailor Made Safaris was what we hoped for. We stayed for 3 nights in Avalon Guesthouse in St. Lucia, with a couple of day trip safaris. After that, we stayed for 2 nights in Tembe Elephant Park and 2 nights in Rhino River Reserve. Al those parks and accommodations were pretty amazing. The game drives were so good and the guides had great knowledge of all the animals. Also the service at the accommodation was perfect. We didn't want a massive touristic experience, we were more looking for an African experience. And we did get the African experience!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
"The trip of a lifetime was a safari with Shadows of Africa," says this cynical traveler.
Was this safari my best trip ever. This jaded, cynical, well-seasoned traveler says a resounding "absolutely!" It was in no small part due to Shadows of Africa. I'm so glad I booked it with them after researching a safari with several companies. I wanted a customized, 4 day intense experience with just a driver and me. Oh did I have one! Natasha, the owner of Shadows of Africa and Richard, the manager, planned and executed every requested detail perfectly. All went smoothly from beginning to end.
A guide-driver, can make or break a trip of this nature. I once had an adventure tour company. I know what to look for. Mine, Moody, was a gem. When we met there was an instant rapport. There was more beyond his prompt nature, extraordinary knowledge of English, flexibility and most importantly, convivial personality. Moody was a combination zoologist-environmentalist-animal lover as far as this retired anthropologist is concerned. He fielded any questions I had about my experiences in layman's language. It enabled me to mentally digest and understand all that I was seeing in the extraordinary natural world in which I was immersed. He had a sharp eye to spot the quasi-hidden animals and lead me to where they were up close. And oh, were they! I never expected to be able to see them in such away. That moved more than my intellect. It reached my soul.
We spent a night at a tented camp in the Serengeti with David, the Maasai manager. Lions, hyenas and elephants were nearby. No worry. It is safe. Here, thanks to booking this place for me, I learned more about the animals than just through seeing them. David could lecture on environmental or anthropological issues about the symbiotic relationship the Maasai have with wild animals as well as their cattle. All live in balance. How the modern world needs to learn how to do that and soon. Elst not do just the Maasai lose their culture, but the animals become extinct and we humans with them.
Thank you Shadows of Africa for helping me realize that more than ever we need to protect these creatures everywhere they still exist. You did it without preaching. It was done through showing me their world in as intimate way as possible. We destroyed their habitat. We need to expand it to save them. For now at least, those which remain are relatively safe at Lake Manyara, on the Serengeti plains and in the Ngorogoro crater. A lion and I gazed at each other at close distance in the crater while he rested. In my mind's eye he mouthed "save us."
There are safaris and there are safaris. You know with whom I'd do a repeat.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
service is good but schedule needs to be improved to save some time on the way.
The driver is easy to communicate n experienced. The director of the Kenya Walking is helpful if any problems. But our schedule needs to be improved to save some time on the way.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awsome tour in Tanzania (in Africa)
My wife and I signed up for this tour in Tanzania (in Africa) seven months ago, and I am glad (very satisfied) that we took this tour. which included a BBQ lunch. Was it pricey? Yes, it was, and well worth it..
Once we arrived Safari West, we were immediately greeted by the employees, given plenty of information of the tours - one was a ride on a open aired shuttle bus and the other was a walking tour through their aviary section, and to come back around 12 noon for the BBQ lunch.
our safari tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and pleasant in answering questions from all us tourists. (Wow, about 400 acres of open space on this riding tour - I am impressed.) There were plenty of giraffes, gazelles, a few hippos, a couple of ostriches and zebras, but no lions, tigers, bears (at least not in sight)...oh, my...lol. They must have a herd of cattle somewhere because that certain aroma (dung) was in the air. One drawback while on the tour was I almost wanted to "face palm" one of the tourists in our group who was constantly complaining...yikes. I don't do well around negative energy and whining. My honey-do had to calm me down.
The walking tour was through an area with different types of animals-lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo the pond area. Nestled in one of the cages was a baby fox asleep, two turtles roaming around slowly, monkeys also in their cages and I only saw one cheetah. That's okay because I don't want to be chased by any of the animals - ostriches, cheetahs, giraffes.
After the lunch, it was off to the Trading Post. I didn't buy any souvenirs, but they did have an assortment of things - games, magnets, plush animals and snakes, accessories, books. I should have bought one of those snow globes, but I didn't see them until I looked at all 60-something photos that I have taken when I arrived home...darn.
Overall, my wife and I had a great time, and I can only hope that they will have this tour again next year.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!Great accommodations and excellent services provided by the tour owners and Victor the guide
We were very impressed with services provided by Makasa. The were prompt in responding to queries which made for easy communications. Makasa made our Safari experiences very pleasurable.lThe memories will be with us for the rest of our lives.
Thanks, Makasa.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Tanzania by Antony J.
I'm sure the bush vibe was there but I was in 5* lodges, so not so much. TZ is the best place in the world to see not just the 'big 5' but so much more the parks are vast with a variety of environments, the people I met were lovely
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip during the great migration
My friend and I did a two day safari in the Masai Mara during the great migration - we had an amazing time and saw many animals! We very much enjoyed our trip and felt it was excellent for the price. We thought we'd be staying in economical tents when we were staying in what felt like luxury camp sites! Would highly recommend - also, dealing with the owner was extremely easy and he was very responsive to all questions and concerns.
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good and reliable
Lily is a very responsible and reliable person to work with. Even if there is a minor problem she just comes in and solves it without hesitation. She offers safaris for need as well as for planned programs. She is just great.