SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, cheap and very friendly staff.
I was travelling alone to Arusha and had only few days there and really wanted to attend a safari trip and they arranged the safari very well for me according to my limited time. I am very happy with the safari and I saw even more than was promised and the driver and the cook were nice with good food. The driver was well known about the animals and was interested in the safari as well and he was the one that always found the animals first and then all the other drivers came to our place. We had the chance too see many of the animals very close and got to know very much about them.
The director was very friendly and professional. He helped me a lot with the planning, the airport pick up and my last night stay in Arusha and was always looking care of me. I would definitely recommend the Oltumure Tours & Safaris. They are cheaper than other companies and better!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari
Our group did an 8 day safari with a couple of extra days in Nairobi. Image Travel did an excellent job of arranging everything - all we had to do was show up at the airport and they took care of everything else. Our drivers/guides were wonderful to be with, very professional, and knowledgeable. We saw everything, including the wildebeest crossing the Mara (twice) and the very hard to find leopard - got my Big 5 T-shirt and can wear it proudly and honestly. All the hotels/lodges we stayed at were superb - great service and the food was wonderful.
Overall and absolutely wonderful experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
These guys rock!
We had a 4 day safari with these guys (just 2 of us and the driver) and as the other reviewers have mentioned peter was really good at setting us up with a personalized trip. We went to tarangire, serengetti and nongorogoro crater and we saw everything I could possibly have hoped for (and a hyena kill from about 2 meters away that I'm gonna have trouble forgetting! :P). Our guide, Glaizer (Who went by the nickname Six) was an absolute hero, as knowledgeable as you could wish for and very chatty and friendly and a great sense of humour. He was an ex mechanic too so we felt very safe in his skills to keep us going, would def recommend asking for him if you go with these guys.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Erasto is the best of all guides; educated, interesting, thoughtful, and a wonderful person.
E&H surpassed all of my expectations. Erasto provides the ultimate guiding service in every way, and was constantly making sure we were having the best time. The accomodations and the food were among the best in Tanzania. But the quality of the guide is what can make the safari super special, and that is what Erasto brings to it. He is a college educated Masai warrior whose knowledge of the animals, as well as the culture and history of Tanzania is simply amazing. His English is completely fluent, and he was great to be with.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Time with Elkan Safaris!
Elkan Safaris lived up to all of our Safari expectations! Payment was simple and straightforward. We payed part before hand and the rest when we arrived. Victor went out of his way to pick us up from the airport and ensure we made it to our hotel safely. He also accommodated us in a wonderful hotel before and after the Safari which was so generous of him. Our Safari guide, Omar, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly! The 5-day Safari was a truly unforgettable experience and we saw way more than we ever expected to see! I am truly thankful for everything Elkan Safaris did for us both during our Safari as well as afterwards. Every step of the way making sure that we enjoyed ourselves and experienced everything we wanted to experience!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A fabulous 8-day safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Oldupai Gorge, Serengeti, and Arusha
My family and I just returned from a 8-day safari to Tanzania, scheduled by Awaken To Africa. What a trip! This was my fifth African safari, though first in Tanzania, and my first with Awaken to Africa.
We arrived in Tanzania from the U.S. via Amsterdam, where we were met by Farida who quickly got us through the visa formalities. We then began our week-long journey wth Steven, our guide and friend.
All in all, Grace at Awaken to Africa put together the total package: just enough comfort while still camping, great food, great places, and the secret weapon: Steven our guide. We all hit it off so well for the whole week. He saw things while driving, that I couldn't see even on my telephoto lens. Besides his extensive knowledge of wildlife of all kinds, he's just a lovely guy and a great dinner partner. By the time we left, it was like seeing off an old friend, which he became over the week. The whole week was as great as it could have been: photographs and memories for a lifetime.
Grace selected great lodges and camping facilities in Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. At Ngorongoro Crater at the Rhino Lodge, we found a large elephant just off our back porch. Saw lots of wildlife (black rhino), both in the crater and out the back door of our Rhino Lodge rooms.
Drive to Oldupai was rough but the Gorge itself fascinating. The Serengeti was noteworthy for its beauty, great weather, a magical leopard encounter, and a similar lion encounter. The Serengeti Angkata Camp staff were unbelievable: very hard working and customer focused. (My personal favorite site).
Back in Arusha after a flight from Seronera, Grace scheduled a great lunch at River House and Shanga, which were another huge hit with my guys. Shanga is a project employing handicapped people making very desirable crafts, on the lovely grounds (no pun intended) of a former coffee plantation. Grace scheduled a day room to clean up prior to our flights back to Amsterdam for a day before proceding back to the U.S.
As we were sitting in the Amsterdam sun, drinking Amstels, we reflected on our favorite parts, places to stay, etc. Interestingly, all 4 of us had different favorite momements, different camps, etc.
Grace put together the total package: just enough comfort while still camping, great food, and great places. The whole week was as great as it could have been: photographs and memories for a lifetime.
I couldn't recommend her more highly.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fraud - Under investigation
This company is currently under investigation for fraud. It has taken client money made initial bookings and then cancelled bookings once they have received full payment. The Kenyan Tourist Police have blocked their website. If you have any contact details (other than those on this website) for the company please contact The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO).
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
This was a holiday and 5 star service very impressed well done Kyle and team
The entire experience was wonderful, truly would recommend to any personal
We would defiantly recommend to all
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip!
We had an amazing 3-day safari trip to the Murchison Falls with Matoke Tours! Great guide, beautiful lodge with delicious food and quick communication when booking the trip. I would definitely recommend Matoke Tours!
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mr Valentine Gumpo makes empty promises and I find him UNTRUSTWORTHY
Mr Valentine Gumpo had advertised for a 15 day Wildlife tour to Zambia from Lusaka from 11 to 25 Nov 2014,essentially to cover the Bat Migration at the Kasanka National Park--Lusaka--Upper Luangwa River -- South Luangwa River -- Victoria Falls from Livingstone -- end of tour at Lusaka.
He had offered a discount of 15% on payment of full tour fees ( USD 2800 ) , if paid 6 months in advance. A sum of USD 2380 was therefore remitted to him through my bankers in India , on 6 May 2014-this was duly acknowledged by him , though after my repeated persistence to do so.
My troubles started after he had received the money in his account. He has not given me, todate , the finalised itinerary together with the hotel/lodge reservations and a formal letter saying that I ( ABL Gupta ) have formally been booked for a tour with him-- this is the letter which is mandatory for me to get the visa from the Embassy of Zambia in India.
I am getting to be 79 and have travelled to various wildlife destinations in Africa 4 times in the past 10 years--my impression was that one could trust the tour Operators in Africa on their advertised word on the Net , as invariably I have dealt directly with them ( and not through a tour operator in India ).
I am of the belief that a Code of Honour exists in all such transactions -- but in the present case with Mr Valentine Gumpo, I feel , it is being belied.
I have requested him for a refund , but , on persistent prodding , he simply says that the tour is on.
I would be grateful if Safari Bookings could help me recover my money from him.