US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Khama Rhino Sancutary, Kubu Island, CKGR, and Khutse Game Reserves
Malcolm planned a great adventure for us in the 12+ days we traveled primarily through Botswana. This was a planned "roughing it" camping trip with few amenities (Real Africa!). This was my first trip to Africa and what I learned right away was that despite the best planning there are few certainties in Africa (weather, roads, availability of diesel fuel, just to name a few). Malcolm and his comrade Siggy were able to guide us through anything that came up and we made it to all of our planned sites and we had a great time. Some of my best memories however are from the unexpected detours. If you are looking for a memorable camping experience I would strongly recommended Simba 4x4 tours. You will not be disappointed!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Overall good experience but very dependent on which safari guide you are given
The tremisana lodge was a little tired and basic (compared to other lodges I've stayed in before).but the staff at the lodge were very friendly and helpful. The Dutch lady (I can't remember her name) who was the manager at the lodge was absolutely lovely and very warm and friendly. The safari guides were very variable. We had a day safari to Kruger with James who was absolutely outstanding. He is the best safari guide I have ever had. He was knowledgeable and worked tirelessly to find wildlife for us. He was truly excellent. I can't recommend him highly enough
Murray, was also an excellent guide and knowledgable and enthusiastic.
We had a morning safari walk with Philip, however, which was very poor indeed. He seemed totally uninterested and the entire morning was very dull and I would not recommend doing this with him.
We also did a sunset drive with Rex. What should have been a nice evening safari drive was ruined by our guide, Rex. He was obviously upset at the vehicle he had been assigned and spent the drive complaining about the organisation of the company and the poor state of the vehicle. We then stopped for a drink to watch the sunset and he spent this entire 30 mins or so complaining to us about viva safaris, their organisation, the staff, the lack of investment and how he had used to work in 5star lodges that were much superior. I found this odd and very unprofessional. If he had an issue with his bosses etc then I would expect him to discuss this directly with them and not spend a few hours moaning to us about it. In summary, I think safaris are good here if you are lucky and get a good guide (James or Murray from my experience). But I would be careful because if given a poor guide in my opinion it can really spoil the safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome time, amazing people,trip of a lifetime
Our trip went very smoothly . Staff were amazing and very knowledgable . Food was fab , everywhere clean with everything we needed. Fantastic experience
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Experience with Kruger Park Tours!
Would definitely recommend booking a Safari through KPT's. Our agent (Rochelle) could not have been more helpful - she catered to all our requirements, constantly changing our itinerary as per our requests. While all the time maintaining a professional & friendly demeanour. Our tour was exactly what we wanted given the time frame we had. We were also extremely lucky to see the "Big 5" on our first day! We throughly enjoyed our experience at Thornhill Lodge - accommodation, food, amenities, staff & hospitality shown were all fantastic. The bush walks and the Safari itself were great, enjoyed every minute of it! Special shout out to our great guides who were so informative & entertaining. Could not fault KPT's - highly recommend & will continue to do so to anyone considering going to SA!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Family Safari and Capetown Adventure
Upon contacting Giltedge Africa (Southern Africa Travel), I received a response in 24 hours. Nikki was able to guide me through all of my questions. I originally enquired about a self driving tour and we ended up customizing the entire trip so that by the time we reached South Africa, I knew that everything was planned to the last detail. South African arranges our transfers, in-country flights and amazing hotels that worked with my family's needs. They used professional transfer companies who also went above and beyond in providing not just a transfer to a hotel or another area within South Africa but always a historical/ geographical reference. The 'Luxury' Safari was true to it's word. The resort exceeded all of our exceptions from their amazing guides/trackers to the wonderful reception we received when coming off safari and the meals and service were outstanding. My family thought I arranged the most brilliant trip, but it was all Southern Africa Travel. We can't wait to go back and explore more. Our time in Cape Town and surrounding area was also great, and we even were able to arrange a day in Wine Country. The food and wine scene in Cape Town has a great vibe, they are serious contenders on the world stage. I truly think South Africa has something for everyone; adventure, hiking, food, wine, safari's or just relaxing, you can trust Southern Africa Travel to create a vacation specifically for you.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Multiple Safaris planned in only 7 days!
This is my second time travelling with Absolute Holiday Safaris. They maintain a professional service with qualified guides. We requested a few changes to our itinerary during our trip and they accommodate all of it! We had a great time. I'll travel with them again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Msangi made our trip the best
We leave and work in Dar es salaam for about two two years now. Am writing this feedback just to thank msangi and his team at Bright safaris. Msangi and BAS were recommended to us by one of friends we work together who comes from the same village as msangi. We went on five days safaris and all what he promised he provided to us. It is a bit worrying to pay large amount of money to someone you don't know. we are lucky we paid it to the right company with right people. Onema was our guide and he did his best to make sure we are happy. We went on 4days tented camp safaris to serengeti, ngorongoro and manyara.
All I can say, we real enjoyed our vacation.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I was very impressed with their service, their pricing and the professionalism of their employees.
Been on couple safaris before, in Kenya & Botswana, and in the US. My experience with Helinas Safaris was absolutely the best I've ever had. And you can be sure I'm keeping them for all my future Africa tours.
Every one at Helinas has some kind of magic at what they do, it started from that first inquiry telephone call I made (I was just shopping around for service and ended up closing a deal). The consultant was a master at her art, she had all the info at hand like she knew what I was going to ask next. Her adeptness and swift in her prowess instantly won me over. I had no doubts going forth with them. Barely minutes after that call I got an email with my itinerary, precise as we'd talked over the phone; a 10 day family escape to Amboseli and Samburu. Three weeks later we were in Nairobi and and quite excited to be back a second time in barely two years.
Our tour driver was another charming fella. Very skilled in both city and countryside driving, he knew how to do his math right and get us to our stop overs at the right times. He literally cut away what would otherwise be the boring part of the journey. We got to go to couple curio shops, the market and two hotels on our way, his eloquence was quite handy in negotiating prices with the locals.He was quite knowledgeable too and all the way he was narrating interesting stuff about the places, people and life in general. He had a charisma and the kids enjoyed listening to him. We enjoyed every bit of the journey.
At Amboseli our lodge and the service there was exceptional. Same with Samburu. Everything went exceptionally well, our reservations were perfect. Kenya is a beautiful land, the people are nice and our tour with Helinas Safaris only crowned this goodness.
I probably should've started with their pricing. Their rates are quite reasonable,not cheap (their services are not cheap anyways) but they are not exorbitant. You will get value for your money. And at no point we had any worries or regrets hiring their services. Thank you Helinas Safaris.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent
I have just got back from an awesome trip and I thouroughly recommend this company. Thank you Lisa.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A good experience
We contacted the company as we didn't manage to find a suitable lodge + safari, it was too late for booking and we didn't have good knowledge of the country. They handle everything and found us a beautiful lodge at Indlovu River Lodge. Which we highly recommand. I thank them for this help at a suitable price.