under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb!
We went to climb Mt.Kenya with Bushtroop Safaris, I was very much pleased with their service and professionalism. The sales Lady Jacqeuline was very helpful and made this trip successful.
Also 7 stars would be less as a rating!
CA
Best vacation of my life so far!
In South Africa, we started our voyage from Capetown, on to Franchoek (wine region) and then onward to Kruger National Park and then through Johannesburg on our way back home. The country of South Africa is like no other I have seen - it is so diverse, with a very westernized city like Capetown with amazing food and scenery, and then the wine region which was like Napa Valley or Okanagan (Canada) on steroids - it was THAT good - the buildings were designed beautifully and the wine was fantastic. And finally, the unbelievable wild animal life in Kruger National Park! It really was a dream trip and South Africa is an amazing place with many secrets that unfold for the tourist! Our private lodge, Simbavati, was beautiful, high-end, amazing service and food. Our guides and trackers made our trip, by teaching us so much about the animals, the terrain and the foliage. We loved every minute of our trip and have been highly recommending to anyone who will listen.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
When all you want is an overwhelming Safari experience go with Bush and Game
Eric and his team did an excellent job preparing the Safari for us, making the three days one of the best travel experiences of my life.
It's not just because Paul, our driver, found every creature, like a Leopard or Cheeta with kittens, but also because we felt safe and cared for the entire time. Excellent driving skills, knowledgeable about nature, he obviously loves his job.
We stayed at Kichakani Camp in tented rooms which was an excellent choice recommended by Eric. Staff was extremely helpful and caring after I came down with sever headache after the first game drive (water, people! Water and more water. And a hat will do the trick). Accommodation was clean and nice, the food was good, the Masai people were good fun. And falling asleep hearing the hyenas just across the river is just something else.
Our next Safari, this time with a large group of friends from all over the world has already been organised by Eric and his team. The task included organising airport pickups, getting people from the coast to the Maara and then disperse them onto their individual trips home. No question was too stupid, no task too strange, we were getting updates, suggestions and information immediately, everything like you hoped it would be when you try organising a trip from a remote location. Can't wait until December! Asante sana guys, see you soon!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever
Thornybush lodge was terrific, with knowledgeable and friendly staff, great wildlife -saw everything, and not too crowded.
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It looked like we drowe into a Jehovas Witness poster.. Into their vision of paradise.
First of all, we went to Selous during the wet season. During the wet season roads may be difficult to impossible to drive and animals are more widespread, the watering holes have become lakes and rivers. Food and water is plentyful, so animals will be more widespread, predators will be harder to spot (we did not see lions). But the guides speak to each other so if one finds a flock of elephants, he will notify the others. This is one of the benefits of joining a tour instead of goind on your own. We did see a lot of impalas, giraffes, zebras, wilderbeest, bamboos and wild pigs, plus a few more. I honestly care more for the birds than the animals, we saw a lot of vultures, but the small colorful birds are the most beautiful sight.
Even though we went on safari during the wet season, we didnt see rain every day. During our 3 day/2night tour, we had rain overnight once. The accomodation was great, they called it tent, but basically we had a concrete room with shower, sink and wc, then a frame covered with tarp and palm leaf roof with 2 beds (mosquito net too) room. All this on a raised concrete foundation with a porch where you could sit and look at the view. This was one unit. We stayed at Ngalawa camp, the camp was basic, electricity for 2-3 hours at night and sometimes an hour in the very early morning. At night you lie in bed listening to the bush babies making a ruckus in the trees outside. No AC. The food was good, the service was good. Our guide was great, this man man did his best to please us, but what I admire the most is that he wanted us to leave nature untouched, we were not allowed to feed the animals neither in camp nor on tour, and this is such an important attitude if we are to safely watch nature close up. Ive seen so many horrible examples of feeding bread, fruit and even plastic to get animals close. Also, going back we had a severe breakdown of the car. The guide made sure we were as comfortable as possible while he tried to have the car fixed. When he knew he had to go to Dar es Salaam (we were stranded in Kibiti) for parts, he made it so we found a driver to take us up together, instead of waiting yet another 3-4 hours for the company to send a car to pick us up. Than way we were home before midnight, late, but justifiable so. We were also stopped in a road block going out of the bush, some youth had organized this. Our guide tackled this very well, talked to them and so we passed without paying (important, because these things should not pay off). I dont remember the homepage of the company we used, but their email is [email protected]
The guide was decent in english, and we ended up spending a full night just talking about life, there and back home for us. To me its extremely important to have good communication ability.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great things come in small packages
Our experience with Afroriginal was the pinnacle of a twenty country world tour. Afroriginal took great care of my family for more than three weeks. They arranged and executed a world class safari. We were fortunate to view all of the animals this country has to offer. The safari brought my wife to tears more than once. Afro expanded our experience to include more of the country and its people. We appreciate the guidance of Faye and the flexibility of Desiree...thank you both for making Tanzania top our list of world experiences.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was an amazing safari experience!!
This safari was the cheapest we found and was definitely the best! We saw all the animals we were hoping to see, including lions (up close)!! I felt very safe the whole time and would recommend this to anyone looking for a affordable, few day safari!!!!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tour guide in Namibia was wonderful, airport transfer, overpriced, rude driver, dirty car
Beautiful country, Onguma was beautiful, chef was accomodating of dietary needs
Gondwana was also nice, a bit crowded
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wilson Shange was an exceptional and attentive guide. We highly recommend his services.
Duma Explorer Guide Wilson Shange was tremendous. We spent 5 days with him in May. He was very well informed about the area and the wildlife. He is also very well known with numerous contacts in the Arusha area. He is very easy going, thoughtful and extremely helpful and accommodating.
Even prior to our safari, he was accessible and extremely helpful. Two days before our safari, a member of our group needed emergent medical attention. He contacted Shange (his preferred name) who then traveled to the hotel, talked with our companion, suggested (an excellent) hospital, arranged for transportation and then communicated with the hospital staff. When I arrived at the hospital, I was shocked when I learned that Shange was our safari guide. However, I soon learned that this was the type of attention, service and accommodation Shange would provide during our tour.
The safari itself seems to have been from a different world. Being in such close proximity to such magnificent animals and to watch and study their actions and behavior was surreal.
This was our first safari so I can't compare with a safari in the dry season but I felt like we saw a wide variety of wildlife. Maybe not as many animals as in the dry season but the advantage seemed that we often alone. We watched a pack of elephants for about 20 minutes before another safari tour came by and we had an encounter with a lone unruly male elephant for about 15 minutes. That was priceless.
Again, I would highly recommend Shange Wilson and Duma Explorer.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Put this on your bucket list
We went at the end of March to arrive in rain - a bit of a shock! First safari drive challenging in terms of weather but such an experience. The sighting of a beautiful leopard melted my heart!! Weather did improve and sightings of animals on the drive were wonderful. After safari, garden route, national forests, beautiful scenery. Cape Town and peninsula beyond beauty.
A visit is a must. Wonderful food and wine and so reasonably priced.