65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Carolyn
Excellent sightings of elephants in their family groups, splashing and rolling in the large pools, sibling brothers fighting each other by locking their tusks with one another, walking in single file to shadier trees and always checking on the younger elephants. A Park that was green, hilly and well wooded with Acacia trees that gave plenty of shade and opportunities for elephants to scratch themselves against.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized and comfortable.
We chose Wild Wings Safari for our Kruger National Park visit because of reviews we had read on line. We were very happy with this choice.
The organization of the entire trip was as advertised. Our guide, Simon, was knowledgeable about the wildlife, as well as an excellent cook.
We did manage to see most of the wildlife we wanted to see- some quite close!
The accommodations were simple, comfortable, and clean.
We opted for the Panorama tour on Day 3. We did not have great weather to see all the sights, but out guide was flexible to allow us longer times where the visibility was good. We were glad to have seen this part of South Africa.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A privilege to see wild animals in their habitats, to be so close yet be safe in a jeep, a thrill
We saw more than the Big Five and understood how the wilderbeast migration involves predators and weather changes across 2 countries, Tanzania and Kenya. Over 6 days the Northern Circuit was covered as our Guide communicated with other Guides to locate in the Serengeti the lions, sleeping leopards in trees, zebras, gazelles, ostriches, vultures at a kill, hyenas, elephants splashing in large pools, giraffes as well as flamingoes and two black rhinos in the Ngorogoro Crater. Each evening, after our welcoming fruit drinks and moist, rolled flannels to wipe away the dust of the day we enjoyed a shower and freshly cooked evening meal at the tented lodges. Our Guide was well informed and experienced with driving safely in the National Parks. Our Safari organiser gave us excellent service in that he arranged our transportation to the airport a day after our Safari had finished, which was not included in the price. Overall the Safari experience is a genuine one and good value for money.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Experience All-Around with Discover Africa
We are very seasoned travelers. We travel all around the world and the vast majority of the time, we organize and book our own travel. A safari, though, is a different matter, as far as we see it. We didn't know where to begin and we only had three months to get it all squared away, so we decided an agent would make the most sense. We used SafariBookings.com and had several agents respond, all with very tempting itineraries. However, the professionalism and expertise of Discover Africa's agent, Matthys, was head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. We worked with Matthys over several days to fine tune the itinerary and we ended up with an itinerary that seemed like it was going to provide an amazing experience for us on our first time to S. Africa and first safari experience.
Each day on safari we would mention to each other how finely tuned the planning Matthys at Discover Africa was. Transfers, food allergies, special needs ... everything was all taken care of. Not only that but the safari lodges we stayed at fit us perfectly. It was as if a close friend, who knows us well, had booked these for us. The fact that Matthys is on the other side of the planet in Cape Town, has never met us before, and we only communicated via email ... well, we were definitely impressed. I doubt it was just luck, either. We stayed at three different lodges. Each was typical "us" and when we looked at other lodges online, we saw that Matthys definitely pointed us in the right direction.
A safari is a must-do experience, for sure. And I can't imagine ever going on another one without using Discover Africa as our booking and planning agency. Bravo!
TR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Ecvellent organisation with a perfect guide named Dismass...more than the excpectation.
Great week with a perfect guide named Dismass...more than the excpectation. Trip wery well organized.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of a lifetime!
Taking an African Safari was a bucket list trip for me. Susan and Niko planned an incredible memorable trip. Every detail for our pleasure and comfort was considered-we were treated like family. Our guides knew everything-they answered questions ad infinitum-about the wildlife, the environment and the myriad cultures. Susan, Niko, Eliud and Stephen shared their country and their hearts. The national parks we visited, as our accommodations, were varied and showcased the rugged beauty of the country. My favorite was the KatiKati Serengeti Tent Camp. We slept to the sounds of the wildebeest amassing for the Great Migration. Every day brought a new setting, a new experience and a new memory. This was a trip of a lifetime created for us by The Destination Consultants. I will always be grateful.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Trip to South Africa!
We just returned home from our second trip with Safari Partners. Last year we went to East Africa and this year we went to South Africa with the "Kruger, Cape, and the Winelands" tour. It was absolutely amazing! Every detail of the trip was well organized by Chris Ronneseth at Safari Partners. We had a couple of special requests and Chris included them in our trip and responded to us almost immediately. All of our accommodations were outstanding and our tours and tour guides were amazing. Every airport transfer was on time and pleasant. Our safari in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve was incredible. We saw the 'Big Five' several times over, along with many other animals. We have so many great memories!
If you are considering a safari be sure to contact Safari Partners. We would not look anywhere else. Chris will treat you in professional manner and help you feel comfortable with the process. We cannot imagine that anyone knows Africa any better than Chris and Safari Partners!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing once in a lifetime trip with knowledgeable coordinators and staff to help along the way.
This is my first safari and when I started my research it was difficult to decide which company was best suitable. I wasn’t sure how many days was ideal, or what a realistic budget would be, but after e-mailing and obtaining prices from a few companies I decided to book with Shadows. I choose a luxury tent experience (options were tent, luxury tent, or hotel). After the experience, I think what we paid (~$3,200 USD pp, ~$500 USD/day) was reasonable for 7 nights and 6 safari days.
COMMUNICATION: From the beginning, I worked with Jake and he was nothing but professional, responsive, and very helpful in all aspects of the planning process. As our trip came closer, he would touch base via e-mail to see if we have any questions, and to ensure that we were planning and packing accordingly.
During the planning, I was very confused about how many days I should go for and wasn’t sure what parks I should go to. Communicating via e-mail was nice but I wanted a more instant response and to talk to a live person as I wasn’t understanding the breakdown of the safari trip. I was able to speak with Jake and get a understand of what a safari trip was like, and this helped me with my expectations greatly.
Prior to arriving, my partner and I also got into a bit of a tangle in Rwanda and was afraid that the same situation would happen when arriving in Tanzania, JRO. I had reached out to our coordinator in Tanzania, Natasha, and cc’d the group. Our concern was addressed and taken care of. Airport pick-up and drop-off were also stress-free.
THE EXPERIENCE: Knowing what I know now, I would say for my partner and me, 30 y/o active couple, 4 to 5 safari days would have been ideal. The rides are long and bumpy. Our guide, Loma, was amazing; laid back, always on the lookout for animals, and had suggestions when we asked/were curious about other things/experiences during our safari. We were lucky and got to see all the animals we wanted to up close, except for the rhino that was far in the distance.
For the 6 days, we went to Arusha National Park, where we did a hike and a kayak ride. The hike was nice as we came across some giraffes and got some fun photos, but I would skip the kayaking experience. Lake Manyara National Park, which I personally didn’t enjoy because I felt like I didn’t get a lot out of that day. There are flamingos there, but we aren’t allowed to go up close to them or get out of the car. The next 3 days were spent in the Serengeti (south, east, centre and west). Jake had recommended more time to spend here as the park was very big and that the animals roam around. Yes, the animals move around freely, and you can be driving for hours not seeing anything new or fascinating, but we also came across some neat things. We were lucky enough to see vultures surrounding three hyenas eating a zebra, family of elephants up close, lions (literally behave like cats), etc. Ngorongoro Crater, we were hoping to see rhinos up close but instead, they were far in the distance…. But we did get to see hippos.
Whenever we were having our picnic lunch around others, my partner and I noticed that our meals were nicely prepared with a lot of options, not to mention tasty. We were very happy with the food. The overnight experiences were also nice. Overall, we enjoyed our lodges/big tents as they were all very comfortable. For all the reasons I have mentioned, I would 100% recommend this safari company.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip to Amboseli
We went to the Amboseli National Park Mount Kilimanjaro was beautiful
Harrison our driver was so informative he gave us so much information about all the Animals and birds we thoroughly enjoyed everything about our trip his driving was excellent we would highly recommended this company
We will return
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenyan safari with family
We were meet at the airport by flexivel safari representative Betty.We took of heading north of Kenya to sambauru game reserve a place that I have wanted to be what a wonderful experience on the first day of our safari! Our Driver Jonathan spotted us a leopard,lion grevy zebras,Oryx's, buffalos and the most beautiful reticulated giraffes.
On the second day we visited a samburu Masai village where we were welcomed by traditional Masai dance.where we learned more about the community I was totally amazed by the rich culture.
On the third day we took off for Nakuru game reserve our driver always made us very comfortable by engaging us in general talks and telling us about the community that leaved along the area we passed.
All in all we visited the most game reserves that I always dreamt of visiting.
Thanks to flexivel Kenya safari crew and in particular our driver Jonathan for enabling us see the Africa's Big Five.I highly recommend these company for any one visiting Kenya.