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.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A nice amazing trip with unique people in a wonderful country!
What a wonderful and unique experience we had in Tanzania. It definitely exceeded our expectations.
We got back from an amazing Safari trip with Earthlife Expeditions in July. From the first time, we communicated with Deo to our last day, we were very well treated.
He was very attentive with our needs. He customized our trip to our advantage, so we could maximize our stay to our needs. He always answered his messages within two days.
We had a nice driver pick us up at the airport with a smile at 5 a.m.. We were never left alone once on our trip.
Even though the roads were bumpy and dusty, our driver Kessy was always paying attention to the roads. He brought us closer to the animals and he was always trying to position the jeep, so we could make the best photo shot. His knowledgeable of the animals was impressive, he was funny, attentive, patient and always giving us his best service. He made sure that we were pleased with everything we saw.
The accommodations were luxury, spacious, comfortable, clean and secured. The staff service was impeccable, and we always had a worm greeting from them. The bushcamps were well organized with everything: the service, the hot water and the security. We even had Wi-Fi in the middle of no ware.
The food was delicious and abundant. We also had fire and great company.
We made amazing encounters with a multitude of animals. We had a chance to see the big five, walk in a village with a great guide, taste banana beer, visit a school, hunt with a tribe and interact with different cultures.
We ended our trip to Zanzibar for five days at the beach. Everything was arranged for us, the driver, the air travel, the tours and the luxury room.
We would definitely recommend Earthlife Expedition to everyone. Thank you, Deo, Kessy and your staff for making our trip to Tanzania a cherished memory that will last a lifetime. We will never forget you guys.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Samburu safari with Go Kenya Tours & Safaris was a wonderful experience
From August 24-26, 2014 my husband and me booked a safari through Go Kenya Tours & Safaris. This was our third experience as we previously had safari's to Amboselli and Nairobi National Park with them.
We booked our safari from the Netherlands and the communication with the office was just perfect. Getting answers right away and also questions about safety were answered in a professional way.
Dickson our guide even picked us up from our appartment in Thika instead of a hotel in Nairobi. He is experienced and knows a lot.
Late afternoon we arrived at Sopa Lodge in Samburu after having our first game drive on the way up to the lodge. Both the park and lodge we highly recommend. The rooms are just wonderful and have all you need for a relaxing stay. There is a nice swimming pool, a bar and restaurant and the area is located in the middle of the park and guarded very well.
On the following days we experience the most wonderful safari's whereby Dickson gave us all space to watch the wild animals and we even followed two lionesses on their hunt for food to feed their cubs. Also the next day when we can across a lioness who just caught a grand gazelle and brought it up to her cubs who she did hide in the bushes across the road. We have been watching from a very close distance. Also other animals were much worth to see and this safari was the best ever and this was beyond our expectations. The guide, the organization and our experience made this a very valuable trip which we recommend to everyone. This absolutely is not our last trip with Go Kenya Tours & Safaris.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about East African Voyage by Flavia Mitri
Outstanding customer support, spectacular guides, fantastic catering, great logistics, impecable on customer orientation, attention to detail.