oustanding service attention to detail
we have used Journey beyond for all our travel arrangements in Africa and the indian ocean. Their attention to detail is superb and they have far exceeded our expectations with their service - from original enquiries to follow up on return. If you want excellent professional service, use journey beyond.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They provided a great tour, meeting all our expectations with great care and consideration.
We were very pleased with the prompt attention, response to emails and itinerary outlines we were offered for the number of days we wanted to travel. We had great accommodations arranged for us in the budget we requested. Our personal guide, Abdul, was very knowledgeable and equally as personable, making our time on safari very enjoyable.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya - Simon is the best!!
My wife and I went on our first ever trip to Africa through Odyssey Safaris through a Groupon deal and it couldn't have been better. We were taken care of the whole way and never felt unsafe at any point. We didn't get to see all of the Big 5, but it was the trip of a lifetime. It couldn't have been better with panoramas of Mt. Kilimanjaro and an all-inclusive end at Diani Beach. Simon was the ultimate guide - he was very friendly answered every legitimate and ridiculous question that came up and was a heartfelt professional. We would love to go again with Simon any day. I highly recommend Odyssey Safaris to anyone who is the least bit intimidated (like I was, but not my wife) in taking a trip to Africa. Maeshi marefu!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Trip
Itinerary, (30 + days) was perfectly planned. Our expectations were exceeded, and we look forward to doing it again. Chris and Safari Partners looked after every detail. His recommendation to add Namibia to our journey was well worth it. The 'andBeyond' lodges in Botswana and Namibia were magical, and our accommodation in between was perfect. We highly recommend Safari Partners.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Canoe Trip
This was an excellent experience. Seeing the Zambezi river from a canoe for three days gives a whole new perspective to safari. Our guides, Mark and EG, were very knowledgeable and managed the canoes (and hippos) very well. Camping on the banks of the river was great, as were the walking safaris. The food was top notch too. The support staff did a great job making this a truly memorable experience.
Gondwana provided us with the best holiday in nearly 50 years of traveling.
Our safari in Botswana was spectacular. Mark Hathaway helped us plan the trip; he was responsive from the first email. Everything we asked for he provided, quickly and pleasantly. Mark met our plane at the Maun airport when we arrived; he met us again the next morning to see us off on the safari. He even sent us a bottle of wine to one of the camps, as well as a birthday card to me. We've never experienced such great service from a tour company before.
The safari itself surpassed our expectations. The accommodations were lovely, the food fabulous and the camp personnel friendly and professional. If (when) we book another safari, it will be through Mark.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible 12 day tour of Kenya and Tanzania
First class service. All lodges were some of the best in Africa like the Serina Safari lodgers with great good and sleeping quarters. We took 2000 pictures each of Animals and scenery. At the time The cost was $3,200 each which was very modest when a similar trip in tents offered by a famous society was over $10,000 a person! We had an experience of a life time and are now thinking about an all Tanzania your.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I was incredibly pleased with our tour operator, Raphael Muturi-above and beyond his duties.
Communications with Raphael Muturi were clear and concise. He went above and beyond the call of duty-picked us up, dropped us off. Raphael also made sure we were well taken care of, he exceeded our expectations. The safari tour was everything and more than we expected. I felt very safe and well cared for in his service.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Safari...and Then Some
From sunrise to sunset, I had a terrific time with Breakdown. They recommended a one-day excursion because we stayed in a town pretty close to the park. And on my budget, it was the perfect fit.
We started out before sunrise. They have a comfortable SUV with a open top more than adequate for the four of us to stand up and see out the top in all directions.
Money was convenient. They took a lump sum for the whole day and then took care of park admission and food. They also pleasantly surprised me throughout the day with stops for tea and fruit that they brought along.
The park was beautiful--and of course so were the animals. We had some breathtaking shots of elephants in the river and giraffes right next to the road.
I found the team effort of Fanuel and Kathy to be a great mix. Fanuel is an an experienced Tanzanian lookout and guide who provided plenty of interesting info about the animals we saw and their behavior. He also communicated with the couple other guides we saw in passing in search for animals we hadn't yet seen. Meanwhile, Kathy is a fellow Westerner so knew how to make us extra comfortable with the great touches such as drinks and fruit.
My only minor criticism is that the day ended without warning and with some disappointment because we never saw lions. I know not seeing lions has nothing to do with Breakdown, but I wished they would have communicated their attempts to find lions rather than just have the day end abruptly. Also, the driving was a little jerky sometimes.
We got back to our guesthouse at sundown with plenty of great pictures and memories. I can't speak for multiple day experiences. But for this one day outing, I don't think I could have done any better.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great self-drive trip through Northern South Africa!
Geert and Freya, we want to thank you for the great service you have given us in the preparation and compilation of our self-drive trip. Tailor Made Safaris has provided us with good information, through the wonderful book produced by Geert and also via skype and email sessions prior to the holiday. The trip we did was a good fit for our needs and requirements and our perception of South Africa.
We can absolutely recommend Tailor Made Safaris! No better organizer!
A cordial greeting from Marcel and Brigitte Kramer, Ronald and Wiesje Kramer,
Hengelo, The Netherlands