US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding
I can only say we were completely impressed. Like everyone else, the first time you use an internet site to search trips to a new country you want to visit, you are maybe a little unsure of what you are committing yourself too. Please rest assured. Karibu Safaris were quite outstanding. Not just the actual safaris it self', but the honesty of Robert in telling us clearly what he would not recommend, and that that he would, and still allow us to make the decision. Always on time, with excellent informative drivers for both Kenya and Tanzania safari.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
beautiful place
We stayed in Augrabies Falls in September. The weather was brilliant, but there were a lot of flies. It wasn't possible to get out of the car. So we decide to refrained the hiking tour.
Wildlife was okay. But there are Parks with more wildlife. We saw a lot of birds like Hoopoe, Bee eater...
The most beautiful thing of the park is the landscape. The waterfall was despite of less water very impressive and the plants in the park are manifold.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by matthias.hoelz
If you like animals, this is the best place for holidays
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and personal, Earthlife gave us a safari of a life time!
My family and I had a wonderful experience with Earthlife and we could not have asked for a better safari for the price. Our accommodations exceeded expectations and the bushcamps were a great experience: falling asleep to the sound of distant prides of lions and nearby zebra and antelope is unforgettable. The food was a great mix of local dishes and foreign cuisine; there was always something for everyone. Our guide was warm, friendly and exceptionally knowledgeable which allowed us to see an array of animals. We got amazing photographs of the big cats and elephants that came right up to our jeep. It was an experience of a lifetime-a big thank you to everyone at Earthlife.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Adventure
After years of watching Discovery Channel and National Geographic, it was unbelievable to see the same sights in person—all thanks to Earthlife! Our guide, Aggrey was just as excited as we were to see each animal, whether it was the first time on the trip or the thousandth time that day. We learned more from him than from years of watching wildlife documentaries. Whether it was watching lions hunt and devour a kill or warthogs herding/chasing their young, he ensured that we got the best view. His experience and skill as a guide enabled us to see multiple Mara River crossings and countless big cats. We saw the Big 5 all thanks to his great eyes: the elusive black rhino had not been spotted in Ngorongoro in three days, that day Aggrey found us four, even spotting two from the lookout on the rim. He made many people very happy that day and impressed many of the other guides. Our entire experience on safari, arranged effortlessly through Earthlife, made for an amazing adventure.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience with Focus in Africa!!!
In September 2015 we (my husband, my mom and me) spent wonderful 4 days on safari in Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngoro Ngoro. We arranged it via Internet from Poland, with no prior safari experience so we were not sure what shall we wait but everything was much better than we could expect. The safari was organized by Focus in Afrcia, a non-profit organization working mainly on improving of Tanzanian educational system. One of the ways of gaining funds for this purpose is organizing of safaris (and also Kilimanjaro trekking and climbing but we didn't do it). Nelson, the owner (or manager) of the foundation is smart, perfect English speaking person who knows his business and do not waste time for unnecessary things - either e-mail correspondation or arranging details already in Tanzania was quick, concrete and didn't bear any unexpected problems. So, from the begining: we were picked-up from Kilimajnaro Airport by a driver who took us to hotel in Arusha where we spent a nice afternoon with some cold beers what was the best thing that we could expect after a long journey. Nelson came to the hotel, spent with us about 30 minutes and explain all details about the safari. What was maybe not very nice was the fact that he asked us to pay the rest of total amount (we sent 25% in advance) already in the hotel a day before departure for the safari itself so we had no occassion to see his office or the jeep we were supposed to go with or anything that would give credibility to Nelson's words. As we travel a lot and have some experience in paying in advance we kindly refused to pay in hotel and finally meet Nelson again next morning and gave him money after meeting our driver Brison, checking the car and so on. So, we depart from Arusha about 10 am and started the safari.
1) Accomodation - First night in Country Lodge - perfect. Second night in Angani Tented Camp - very simple but also perfect, especially the elephant walking around the camp when drinking beer in front of the camp (btw - no bar or restaurant in the camp - we brought some beers and snacks from beyond the Serengeti). Staff in the Angani Camp was horrible but believe me - during safari nothing is able to spoil your good mood! Third night in Ngoro Ngoro Wildlife lodge - perfect. Nothing to add, organization was fantastic.
2) Meals - generally very good but breakfasts in Tanzania (it's not Focus in Africa's fault, wherever you go in Tanzania, problem is the same) are very, very, very simple but when check-out from hotels we were given lunch-boxes which was in general good. Dinners both in lodges and Angani Camp were absolutely fantastic. So, however meals are good and enough, it's good idea to have some snacks like rice wafers. Water is provided by the company.
3) Driver Brison - if there were something that might be improved in our safari it was Brison's attitude towards us. He's a very young, nice but really not-involved guy who was a really good driver (we felt safe whole 4 days even on very difficult roads in Serengeti) but not a guide. We didn't wait him to be very talkative or involved in our matters but he didn't show any initiative, seemed to be bored all the time and during stops he couldn't take his eyes off his mobile phone. I must admit that when we asked some questions about wildilife, animals etc. he gave us response so I suppose he has very wide knowledge and especially in this context it's a really big pitty that he doesn't want to share it with tourist. What was good - after 2 days of admiring zebras, gnus and all the horse-similar animlas which are fantastic but after seeing hundreds of thousands of them you may get used to it, Brison realized that we'd like to see big cats and took us to places where they really were! So, I think Brison has a potential but still need experience and and shall try to be more open towards travellers.To be honest - he did well all the cars staff - we had a flat tyre twice and despite the fact that our car was not equipped with a large jack (what was Nelson's oversight I think) Brison changed the tyre within 15 minutes.
4) Car - Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4, a little bit old and raddled, no large jack and only one spare tyre so after the first flat tyre we didn't have anyone more in case such a problem occurs again. Brison being aware if this situation lend a spare tyre from another driver from Focus in Africa met in the middle of Lake Manyara. Considering the fact that another day we had another flat tyre - I have to prise Brison for being far-seeing.
5) Price- I'll not give here concrete amount that we paid for the safari (if anyone is curious please send me a private message) but it was really reasonable and the conditions we were provided significantly exceeded our waitings.
6) In general -the safari arranged by Focus in Africa is absolutely worth to be recommended, it was one of the best travel experiences in our whole life!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great trip
This was our first trip to Africa and we did not really know what to expect. Overall, other a few minor glitches (stuff happens, like vehicle breakdowns), the experience was seamless from being greeted at the airport on arrival in Victoria Falls to being met prior to departure from Maun at the end. Essentially, the ground reps looked after getting us around in Zimbabwe and Botswana, and we felt safe the whole time. The two main accommodations (Khulu Ivory and Chobe Elephant Camp) that Thierry booked us into were amazing. Great staff and food and lots of wild life. The third (Oddballs) was probably more rustic than I would have chosen in retrospect, but it was still an enjoyable experience. Overall Thierry spent time to take our interests into account and design a semi-custom itinerary that met our desires. I would definitely use his services again.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional organisation providing a wonderful travel experience
Cuan made himself available to answer all our questions and make suggestions for the trip. He kept us up to date with bookings etc. In Africa we were met and transferred to all our locations. The quality and variety of accommodation was superb. There were many opportunities to see animals in their natural environment with excellent guides. The service in both Australia and Africa was outstanding.
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari, great guides, excellent organization
This safari was everything we expected, and more. Our guides were very knowledgeable and extremely nice and fun to be with. We felt safe the whole way, even when the weather wasn't good and the water was choppy. The Zambezi Classic Short was just the right length of time canoeing, and we were happy we didn't opt for a shorter excursion. Doing a semi-participatory safari rather than a luxury one was also a good choice. Helping to set up camp, cook, wash etc., was a wonderful experience for us. We were a group of 5 women with varying dietary needs. Natureways catered to most of our needs.
We also used Natureways to book our activities in Victoria Falls. Kelly-Anne was always promptly responsive and gave us excellent advice, as well as booking everything we asked for and greatly facilitating our trip.
Overall we had a great time and highly recommend this outfit for a canoe safari on the Zambezi, or any other needs in Zimbabwe.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good care from beginning to end and worderful travel
Elisante was a good travel agent, he did a travel for us with our ideas.
And the price was competitive.
From first travel day the personal atencion was perfect, with drivers, guides...
100% recomended