LV
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable falling in love with big cats, giraffes, Kenya
Here more about our safari:
The most unforgettable vacation among others (Bali, Phillipines, Canaries, Medditerranian islands, ...)!!!
I quested 4 companies at the beginning and only WILD Safaris and Travel's representative Tom kept answering on my requests while I was sticking together our ambitious wishes with our possibilities. Tom was very attentive, explained everything on e-mail and whatsapp, answered on all my requests, within max 24 hours.
With Tom's kind assistance also were purchased tickets for SGR train Nairobi - Mombasa (beach) to go after safari and back, as such purchase can be done only from local telephone owner.
We were met at Nairobi airport at night upon arrival by representative as agreed and after 4 days safari dropped out at our chosen accommodation
During our tour we stayed at 2 different places - Midi Mingi Ecocamp and hotel in Nakuru. We were welcomed with a lot enthusiasm at each place! The staff was very friendly and very accommodating. The food was very taste, a la fourchette, and always hot and fresh and plenty of it.
About safary: our driver and guide in one person - Patrik -incredible sense of where rare animals could be found, attracting descriptions about their habits and lives! and all - with light sense of humor! We saw all big 5 (rhinos - at Nakuru), many times lions - males with overfull stomachs, group of females, couple! and plenty of my lovely giraffes and elephants crossing the road!
Patrik has fantastic intuition where rare animals could be met. Patrik was so sincere and genuine in wanting to get to know us and make sure we were having the best time of our lives. Also visit to Masai Village third day morning was educational and interesting.
So exciting all together!
Our expectations were exceeded as we got value for our money.
We saw many animals (all big 5) thank to our very charismatic driver/guide Patric.
We highly recommend services of WILD Safaris and Travel to any traveler to Kenya.
After safari adventures we enjoyed one week at north (Malindi, Bonino Chalet) from Mombasa and south (Galu, Bidi Badu Zanzibar) beaches - greatest relax!
Highly recommend to attend Crocodile and Snake farm -Malindi!so exciting, with portion of good humor stories about all animals from farm owner, ex-professional snake catcher! There you can meet all famous politician names!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The safari was just fantastic.
We went on a safari with Lifetime Experience and they organized for me a great safari, including the visit of the gorilla's which was a unique experience. Only sitting in the car and watch the scenery was a pleasure. We came in the 'rainy' season but the rain never really bothered us. Accomodations were clean, the staff was very friendly and the food excellent. Our guide was an excellent driver, was very friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. It was one of the best holidays we had. Beautiful country, wonderful people.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect!
Safari was so great, we saw so many lions and every animal we expected. And the people in Zimbabwe are so incredible kind, it was so great to be there.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome experience..
The Best trip of 2018 so far. I booked Legend Safaris for Kruger and it was above my expectations.
Thanks to Arun & Team from Legend Safaris, Keep Growing and keep up the good work.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First African Experience .......memorable!!!!!!!!!
It was my first safari in Africa and it couldn't be better! The trip was really well organized.. Everything was wonderful... the camps, the people, the sightings....Thank you Ute !!!!!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible lifetime experience!
We had a great 7 day Big Game safari with Boundless Africa Journeys. Our rep Annette was extremely organized and thorough with our itinerary. Upon our arrival in Nairobi she was also most kind and helpful with a half day short notice tour ahead of our safari start. This is where we met Enock, our guide. He is the guide extraordinare, punctual, organized, knowledgeable with excellent driving skills. We completed seeing both the Big Five and the Samburu Special Five with credit to Enock . Top marks to BAJ for this trip of a lifetime !
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing wildlife experience
We had a four day safari with camping visiting Serengeti, ngorongoro and tarangire. We had a chance to see most animals including the cats, lions cheetahs and serval cats. The experience of having zebras and hyenas walk into the camping sites was amazing. It was very nice to be so close to nature.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Better than expected adventure of a lifetime
The ride was a bit long and rough. If you can afford it, fly in to the reserve. The wildlife was fantastic we saw every animal except a leopard. Accommodations were quite comfortable, and we never encountered any mosquitoes. Food was excellent. Weather was perfect, cool, not chilly, and clear. We have a baboon climb into the land cruiser and begin to help himself to some food, which was a little frightening, but very cool also.
A stunning experience, from views and wildlife to the welcome and the people
This was a big holiday, so we spent a little extra on everything. The two week holiday was a stunning experience, from views and wildlife to the welcome and the people.
One of the first things we noticed was the poverty. The country is one of the poorest in the world. Children under ten work the fields, carry bricks, and generally do what they can to earn a living. Seeing children searching a rubbish tip to find items to either recycle or sell is not uncommon. To make an income this results in the nation, arguably, leading the way in recycling and reusing items. We visited one shop where miniature replicas of bicycles, Put-puts and trucks were made from tin cans and expired medical tubing. They sold for 10,000 MGA (about US$2.50)
The lodges we stayed in were top end of the range, although they varied in quality. All were clean, and though we didn't have any issues with mosquitoes, a couple of lodges did have nets.
You do not go to Madagascar expecting five star food, although there is a French influence. The fruit and vegetables are closer to organic, as the farmers cannot afford pesticides. But the meat is a little tough, to say the least. Zebu is the principle cattle, and is a working animal. Chickens run freely across the road looking for food. Fish and seafood are fine, although menus usually just say ‘Fish’. Get used to the same food and menu options wherever you go. Rice is a staple diet item.
We had a driver for the two weeks. He has been a guide and driver for over fifteen years. He was experienced to know where to go, but ensured we decided what to do. We asked about tipping, but was told it was up to us. Took about three days to get a handle on the tipping for services. Do expect to tip, everyone expects it, and they are thankful when you hand over a couple of notes. Try not to over tip, although 2000MGA may not be much to most, whereas it is a lot to the Malagasy.
The roads are astonishing. The Route 2 main road is more like a field in places. The road is just about a two lane country road. At one point we were driving amongst three rows of various vehicles; trying to avoid pot holes; trenches; whilst over-taking. All whilst avoiding the oncoming three lanes of traffic doing the same manoeuvres. Think of the cartoon ‘Wacky Races’.
But the food, hotels and driving were not why we went. The wildlife and scenery were. Over 90% of rain forest has been cut done. Loss of forests, the introduction of Eucalyptus and Chinese pine and slash and burn (widely used by farmers), has had a devastating effect on nature and the environment. Thankfully some areas are now protected by national parks. In most cases the local villages have fought to protect their forests and wildlife. This improves the environment, and protects the wildlife. Lemurs are now preserved, not hunted.
Wildlife is not predictable, it is wild, so expect to be walking, climbing, and scrabbling through vegetation to find that elusive photographic shot. Visitors must have a guide to enter the parks and rain forests. This means you, thanks to the spotters, will generally be taken to where the wildlife can be found. The 6 hours walking through Ranomafana Rainforest can be tiring. It is up and down steep hills; uneven paths; as well as through the forest itself. Expect rain (as the name rainforest suggests), although we didn’t get any until we hit the beach. It is well worth the effort, seeing 6 or 7 types of Lemurs, including the Golden Bamboo. Listening to the cry of the Indri in a forest is spooky, but not as bad in the early hours of the morning. In all we saw about 15 types of lemurs on our travels.
This is also somewhere to go if you are a ‘Twitcher’, bird watcher. Although don’t expect to wait around in a nice cosy hide waiting for them to appear. You need to be quick as usually you only get a glimpse. If you are lucky then you may see a flycatcher’s nest right by the path at eye level. Or quietly snap a Hoopoe or a Fody, whilst just missing a Hawk. Listen for the chatter of Myna birds, introduced to kerb the rise in locusts.
Our aim was to see not just the lemurs, but also other endangered species, such as tree frogs and giraffe necked weevils. We were not disappointed, our guides knew what they were looking for. The guide in Andasibe National Park spotted a Mouse Lemur in pitch black high in a tree. The guide in Ranomafana found the Giraffe Necked Weevil just as we were leaving. I would never have seen these without their experience and vision.
To summarize: you go to Madagascar to see the wildlife, lemurs, frogs, insects etc. This is a poverty stricken country. The people are friendly and welcoming, on the whole. Lodges are clean, and the food is basic. We never felt unsafe, but then our driver ensured we didn’t stray. Crime against tourists does occur, but not often. As with anywhere in the world, be aware of your surroundings and your belongings. This was an experience of a lifetime, a very enjoyable experience I would highly recommend.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Rich in beauty, wildlife and people.
While there are a lot of gaming farms and national parks to see the rich Namibian wildlife, going into the more arid areas of the country will show you as well many animals (Oryx, Baboons, etc.). November the right period to see seals off the coast of Walvish bay, it's some kind of show!
Namibians are generous, positive and welcoming. There are some prejudice between some tribes, but don't listen to nay-sayers: even if some other Namibians would warn you for their aggressive selling techniques, listen to what the Himbas have to say. Their culture is rich and the price not as expensive as in other "tourist friendly" shops.
I have stayed in Townships in both Swakopmund and Windhoek. They are not so as unsafe as what you might hear concerning South Africa, and the taxi drivers are fine. Just do as the locals and all will be fine.