50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Ugandan safari - Best ever!
This was the most fantastic trip of our lives! My husband and I had wanted to travel to Uganda for several years, but thought it was out of our budget (especially paying for gorilla permits!). With Wilson Bisaso's help, we were able to design the perfect safari, to maximise wildlife viewing in many of Uganda's amazing parks. Wilson was an excellent driver, navigating the sometimes very bumpy Ugandan roads with ease and speed, always keeping us safe and comfortable (and because I can suffer from car-sickness, this was quite a thing!). Wilson also had the most amazing eyesight - he could spot any animal at any distance (so it seemed), and my husband and I were completely reliant on him to see many of the beautiful creatures, especially lions! Wilson was incredibly attentive, friendly, accommodating and generous, speaking to us about various cultural issues, and always keeping the conversation interesting. We certainly learned a lot on the trip. Both my husband and I were so thrilled with all we saw and did that we could barely sleep - waiting for the next day's adventure! Highlights of the trip were definitely chimpanzee tracking (Kibale), gorilla tracking (Bwindi), and seeing lions in the wild in Queen Elizabeth. We very much hope to come back soon, Wilson, and will definitely be booking with you again - we have to find that leopard!
Communications before, during and after the trip were professional and friendly at all times. The service provided was beyond expectation and at a totally reasonable price. The safari was AMAZING!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience working with Kenya Walking Survivors!
Otieno (OT) of Kenya Walking Survivors organized a customized 13-day private tour in Kenya and Uganda for safaris and gorilla trekking. OT was very responsive and understanding of our needs and made sure all travel, park, food, and lodging arrangements were in place. He was very upfront about costs so that there were no surprises. Food and lodging were adequate and our driver-guide-cooks (Ochieng/Jacob, Martin/Sam) did their jobs superbly. While he made several changes to our itinerary, they were understandable and communicated to us. Just a caution--there was a lot of driving (unavoidable) and some activities such as the gorilla trek and pygmy village visit were physically demanding. Overall, we had a great time and highly recommend Kenya Walking Survivors for future trips.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rwanda + Ouganda in June 2014 with Mapendano : EXCELLENT !
I contacted Mapendano a few months before the departure. They organised everything and all was perfect in the communication (answers to my questions were quick and complete).
During the trip, I visited twice the gorillas and both experiences were different and complementary.
The hotels were excellent, so was the food.
Samuel, guide / driver, couldn't possibly have been nicer or more helpful - he felt like an old friend by the end of the first week. He was perfect during the safari drives in the animals parks.
We only got little problems with the car (2 flat tires and another problem with the transmission), it was just part of the trip and the lost of time was minimal.
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I highly recommend MAPENDANO for any trip in central Africa.
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All the team members I met at the end of the trip were so friendly.
I only hope to go back soon to central Africa (Burundi ?) with Mapendano.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The company provided in depth knowledge about parks and tour guide througn the game drive
We enjoyed the game drive and the tour guides/drivers are all very courteous. The living accommodations are generally good with couple of places exceeding my expectation. Food is also generally good. The cost is very reasonable with no hidden charges for the trip. The owner OT is very much personally involved in the planning and handling of the complete trip. The long travel in some days can be tiring. I would not hesitate recommending KenyaWalking Survivors Safaris to people interested in Safari tours in Africa.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
No effort at all
I was travelling on my own, and thought I may be presented with "sorry, we can no longer do this trip/tour/visit because you are only one person". In stead, I got, "You want to do xyz? No problem at all. Let's get going".
Food was very tasty everywhere, although beer was not necessarily cold.
The tented camp was clean, fresh bedlinen, and best of all, hot water showers, even at 5am in the morning.
Simon, the tourguide, was the right balance of approachable, but not in your face constant information. If I wanted to know something, I could ask, and he explained.
Even the last part to Lake Nakuru, with just me and Simon, it was great to have relaxed conversations on the way there and back.
I was fortunate with a great group of fellow travellers.
The tour vehicle was clean, comfortable, and great for game viewing.
I will recommend the tour, the timing and the company.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable company
We are not the first time in Kenya, so we made a program for our trip and sent it to ten companies. George proposed us the best price at the best conditions. We had a private tour for three persons and luxury lodges in four National parks. Our driver Jakob was a very professional driver and a good guide. He is calm, patient, knows the parks very good. The most important, Jakob knows great the behavior of the animals. He was following all our wishes. He was looking for the animals better than most of the other drivers and we saw a lot of animals first. And he is a real hardwoker - we spend so much time at game drives that we couldn't spend more - thanks to Jacob.
The tour was well organized. Our flight landed at 3 a.m. and Jacob and George met us with a car. So we left early from the airport (around 6 a.m.) directly to safari avoiding Nairobi. The car was a mini-van. It is quite decent, the seats are comfortable and there was no major breaks. Jacob could use the maximum the car can provide! :)) The hotels were booked as agreed. Overall, the program was done completely.
The final conclusion: Right choice tours and safaris is a reliable company that is able to organize for you a good customized safari at the best price. Jacob is a very good drive who tries to make the best for your trip.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and always willing to please
Brian was a very knowledgeable and vigilant tour guide. He has a fantastic memory and was able to name the vast variety of birds and animals on our 12 night tour of Tanzania. He does not know how to say 'No' and went out of his way to meet our requests, which exceeded all our expectations.
We saw the Big 5 and the Little 5 and the tour was able to tick all the boxes for my husband and myself. as this was our first trip to Africa. We travelled with another couple, our very good friends from Virginia (USA) and all of us had a fantastic time. The accommodation and food was excellent and the communication from Brian was clear and helpful. I am not a camping person and am generally fussy with my food but I had no complaints. Brian promptly responded to all our emails and text messages and the tour was very well organised. We went on to Kenya to see the wildebeest crossing which was truly amazing. A must see.
This was a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for the memories Brian-it was a memorable trip.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you want to experience the real heart of Africa, this is a must do Safari with the best Co.
We travelled from oz and experienced so much I could write a book. The co is gr8 to deal with, everything they planned for our 8 day Safari from Hotel in Arusha to side trip to Moshi prior , esp our drivers, for our two Safari 4x4's & they were fantastic drivers/ guides, true gentlemen. Our driver was Godlisten....and v skilled offroad & on everything animal, flora & fauna....we saw it all, the big 5 & loved our night stays in deluxe Safari tent resorts which in some cases were huge, with en suites, all meals included were gr8 too.....we visited parks on the way to the Serengeti & back & stayed in two lodges too. One being the Lobo Lodge in the magnificent Serengeti, they arranged a balloon ride at dawn over the Serengeti that we wanted to do too, I must do even tho its expensive at $ us 500ea it is something priceless & which we will never forget...floating above the acacia trees in the early morning haze! ........we didn't want it to end and would return again if we could. Since our trip, we have had two of our friends and our son has had 3 work clients take the same Safari ...all raving about it and best if all it won't bust your budget either it was v reasonably priced and true value too, unlike the glossy travel biggies that charge twice as much. If u have any questions & want to see pix do contact us via pm on Face Book under me CB.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had fun and enjoyed our beach safari in Zanziber
Pumba expedition Tours and Travel are the best when you come to their communication and service its what you could expect .you will be satisfied at the end of your safari would be glad to recommend them whenever am sure will use you again.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
More amazing than I could have wished for.
I wanted to take a safari on my own and many of the safari outfits wouldn't work with me, some wouldn't even respond. Brain at Ecological Wilderness Adventures not only worked with me and my schedule but gave me a great pice for my week long safari. I could tell just from working with Brian that I was in for an experience of a lifetime.
The lodging was excellent at every location. Each meal was delicious and the service was fantastic. I especially loved the bush tent camp in the Serengeti. I will say at times it hard to sleep in the tent because you could hear the hyenas and even lions outside, very exciting! Even with that I always felt safe and that I was in good care.
My guide, Jared had a great eye for spotting animals and getting me in a good spot for a picture. Jared was very knowledgable about the animals and history of all the places we went. He was good company and went out of his way to ensure I had a great time. The sights, sounds, and memories will be with me for ever.
From start to finish I couldn't have asked for a better experience than the one I had with Ecological Wilderness Adventures.