DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An awesome life experience!
Without any doubt, I think that the safari me and my friends went with was one of our best life experiences ever.
We were simply amazed by the trip since the very first begin when they picked us up till the end.
Our guide, Luka, knows everything about the life in the bush and was giving us not only the necessary information regarding places and animals but also adding his own experiences to the night tales we were used to chat around good food at the dinner table.
I feel like to suggest Fantastic Safari to those who are looking for a mind blowing experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari, very well oraganised & proffesional
The 3 day, 2 night safari in Chobe national park was fantastic. Our transport to & from Livingstone to Chobe ran smoothly. The camping facilities was really well set up and the food that was cooked was great! Shadrick was great as quickly responding to any questions I had via email before we departed. I would highly recommend!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
an amazing canoe safari along the Zambezi
My wife and I joined Natureways Safaris for their 3 day Canoe Safari along the Zambezi in mid-June. There was one other person on our tour - along with our two guides, Mark and Takesure, we were an intimate group of 5.
First stop after pick up at Mana Pools Park HQ was the campsite for the first night where we were provided with a light lunch and some initial instruction, then off to the starting point further upstream for the first day of canoeing. Final instructions and safety briefing and then into it! My wife and I were in one canoe, Michelle (the other "tourist" and Mark in the "lead" canoe, and Takesure brought up the rear with the non-paddling "Sally" (the Esky - or cooler box).
Both our guides were clearly very experienced, and safety (particularly around the hippos and crocs) was paramount. Both had a good sense and were pretty much able to second guess the movements of the hippos (on most occasions). They were both very enthusiastic about their job and it was easy to see that they enjoyed what they were doing.
Mark is a guide with many years experience - his knowledge of the birds and animals could not be faulted. He was continually pointing out the various birds we encountered along the way, and the many animals on the river banks. On the many land based walks we undertook, he we also knowledgeable about the animals we were encountering along the way. One of the memories we have taken away is the joint effort of Mark and Takesure tracking a male lion through the bush on our final morning of the trip. While somewhat younger than Mark, Takesure has a big future in front of him - he is a fully qualified canoe guide, and is very close to completing his final exams to enable him to lead walking tours.
The camp sites were well run by the camp manager - each evening we would arrive at a fully functioning camp - camp fire burning, tents were up and our bags already waiting for us, the kitchen area was already humming with the preparation of food, the shower was ready (just call for the water) and the long drop loo was set up waiting for use. Meals were great - amazing what the cooks were able to put together each day - not only for dinner, but also our lunches and breakfasts.
Note that this is not a luxury camping trip - the camp accommodation is basic, although you do have a camp stretcher to sleep on. The camp as clean as you would expect for something which is set up each day on the river bank.
The canoe safari can really be undertaken by any person who is capable of paddling a canoe. We certainly did not find the trip onerous - my wife had never previously paddled a canoe (to any extent) and she had no problems at all - the pace is set to allow you to get from start to finish each day, and still be able to enjoy the trip, the scenery, and to have to have some fun. We made one or more extended trips into the bush on foot each day - sometimes for 2 hours or more - in search of wildlife. All were interesting, and Mark always checked to make sure that we were comfortable doing the walk before proceeding. If we were close to animals, he would always check to be sure that we were comfortable with our proximity to those animals.
We would highly recommend the canoe safari to anyone wishing to do something just a little bit different to the average safari in Africa - we loved it! At no time did we feel unsafe. Maybe next time we could try the longer 10 day safari and really test our ability.
NL
Holiday of a lifetime
We all had a truly wonderful holiday in Tanzania. Not only was the wildlife outstanding but also the settings, the accommodation, the landscape, the birdsong, the sunsets - the list is endless.
We found all the Tanzanian staff in the camps very professional and absolutely charming. Our safari drives and boat trips were full of excitement and wonderful sights and we will have lasting memories of our holidays.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best safari tour in Uganda!
James Mwere is one of the best and nicest guides. He and his team are dedicated to making your trip forever memorable. Exceptional tours, a great experience and memories I'll cherish forever. Thanks James!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good, friendly, customer orientated safari company
We had a very good safi experience in Kenya with Aardwolfsafaris. We had a good friendly contact before where anything was negotiable and for a fair price. Our driver James was a good friendly guide who does anything you ask (if possible). The only thing whe told him was to be more careful while driving next to animals on the road.
Time was not an issue, whe could take all the time we needed.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari
A wondeful tour of northern parks, lots of wildlife and great contacts with local people. Thank's for everything, and a special mention for our guide/driver.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A once-in-a-lifetime experience
We are 5 students from Holland and heard good stories about Caracal Tours & Safaris from friends. We spend 3 months as student doctors in Tanzania, and started travelling across the country afterwards. We didn't hesitate to book our 6 days safari and 4 days of climbing Mount Meru with them, and we didn't regret this at all. We had such a great time!! Everything was very well arranged and exactly how we wanted it. Marion was always very fast in responding to our e-mails and trying to think with us the best she could.
Our safari guide, Temba, did a really great job. He showed us such a lot of different animals and had a very good knowledge of all of them. He was always ready to make our safari the best as possible, also in the evenings. When there was no power on our campsite, he even arranged to have our camera's and phones charged in another place, so we would be able to make as many pictures as we wanted the next day. He would also take us to the local pub for a fun night of dancing when we asked for it.
Also our trip to the summit of Mount Meru was perfectly arranged. Our guide Jackson did everything he could to let us feel comfortable, so that everyone of us was able to make it to the top! Marion would call him frequently to ask if we were all doing well.
Those ten days we spend with Caracal gave us really a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We would recommend it to everybody, you won't regret it! (We actually already did, since my parents and also colleague student doctors went on safari with Caracal after our recommendations!)
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience!
Makasa provided us with a great seven day experience. Our guide/driver was very knowledgeable, courteous and safe. It became obvious to us that Makasa is highly regarded among tour companies. The number and variety of animals seen was incredible. All the accommodations were outstanding! The food was excellent. It was a perfect time for this grandfather, son and fourteen year old grandson. Memories that won't soon be forgotten.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless Execution - really would not change a thing
Signing up for your first Safari is a bit of a leap of faith. You look at reviews, you figure out what you think you want to see and how you want to experience it. After talking to a couple of operators, we settled on Scenic because of the rapid response by Amanda. It doesn't mean we weren't nervous. Maybe all those 5 start reviews were fake. I sent almost all of the money via a bank transfer but held a little back, I am not sure why. If I were you I would just pay it all up front so you aren't carrying so much cash in Tanzania.
Anyway, from the first moment, we thought our guide Grayson was great. He was articulate, college educated, kind and fun to be with. We chose to have upgraded camping with one day at a Tented camp. I think the upgraded camping (with cots) added a great deal to our sleeping comfort. The tents were large and we were comfortable every night except a bit cold at Ngorogoro on the crater rim. Bring a wooley hat! The upgraded night was wonderful but expensive and really a luxury. Having a massive tent with an indoor bathroom and shower was pretty wonderful after a couple of days of camping. We did Lake Manyara, Serengeti for three nights, Ngorogoro for one night then Tarangire for one night. 6 nights total. We especially loved Tarangire because it was less crowded and because of the hilly landscape, you turn the corner and there is something there to surprise you. If I were doing this again, and didn't have people with me who were new to camping, I would have taken the money from the upgraded night and spent a second night in Tarangire. The food was also really good. We brought some extra beef jerky in case we didn't like the food. Even my 10 year old son liked the food.