ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
On Stop East Africa
Since I was a child, I had dreamt of traveling to Africa. But life passes and those dreams fade. On my 50th birthday, I realized that life was passing quickly and I was missing out, which was my reminder of my dreams of African Elephants and the Snows of Kilimanjaro.
I happened to get the contact of E-Trip Africa by a chance encounter at business dinner. On first contact, they listened to what I had dreamt about. And after a few days they put together some options of tours that could work for me. Aurelie also gave me some other suggestions that I did not even know where possible.
Knowing that I am not getting younger, I also decided that Kilimanjaro was either now or never. So I ended going to East Africa for six weeks. I spent some of my trip with my wife and the trek with two old friends. What really amazed me was the ability for Aurelie to organize and manage our trip in three different countries. She had also visited every hotel and done each of the activities that she proposed to me. Now that is a dream job, if I have ever heard of one.
We started our trip with six days in Kenya. Many people told me to stay away from Kenya due to
terrorism, but I felt completely safe, even in the massive city of Nairobi. The people were very nice and my guide Joseph is now like family. Masai Mara was very nice but crowded and on several occasions Joseph, as an Honorary Park Ranger, intervened to put some very disorderly Chinese in order. He even was picking up trash when he saw it. Joseph is a nice man that cares for the environment and wants to see a better future for his two children. We then went to Lake Nakuru and spent two great nights at Sleeping Warrior Lodge. The night game drives were very cool. And Joseph could always say what the animal was just by the color of it´s eyes in the spot light.
I then headed down to Tanzania and met Jorge and Carlas for our Kilimanjaro Trek. Our guide Casper really gave us a wonderful 8 days on the Lemosho Route. Even though there was some rain, I could not have asked for a better experience and the challenge to get to the top was fantastic. I am not in the best condition physically, but this was endurance and a challenge in your own mind.
After the trek I left my trekking friends to meet my wife in Mafia Island. This untouched island is a perfect place to relax and enjoy fantastic diving. Our hosts at Shamba Kilole were very friendly and prepared perfect food, but that can be expected from Italians. Five days was not enough and I hope to return one day.
We then flew to Ruaha National Park to enjoy again an untouched park that has few visitors. This park was very nice and the lions provided us several exciting moments. Unlike Kenya, we did not see another car for several hours and you could really have a nice feel of being in the wild of Africa.
Next we flew to the Northern Circuit. Tarangire, Lake Manyara and then into the Ngorongoro Crater, where the wildlife was only slightly denser than the tourists. This part of the trip was not so great. The crater is a must, but with all of the other tourists and even a few loud rundown vehicles really distracted from the experience. Also, Oldupai Musuem is a complete waste of time and money. Aurelie and our guide both talked it down, but did I listen?? Lesson learned and shared. The Serengeti however, was better as we only spent two days in the Seronera Area before heading to the North. Again, a perfect site at Sayari Camp, where there was the chance to get out and enjoy nature secluded from the masses. Four days here was perfect and we even got some great time close to a Rhino, not to mention some fantastic Wildebeest River Crossings.
Last on the list was Rwanda. Again, this was a welcome surprise. Most people are uneducated about the country. They only remember the war and genocide and assume it is still a war torn place. It is not. It is beautiful and very warm country. The smiling faces and friendly people were unlike the rest of our trip. People were helpful and not aggressive at all. Even in the touristy shops. Gorillas were fantastic and the trek was surprisingly easy both days. Also, the visit to see the rare Golden Monkey was worth the extra day in the area.
Rwanda is another place that I hope to return to one day. The country is booming and the people are quite different from their neighbors. I think that sums it up. A trip this long has so many great stories and not enough place to write them all.
US
50-65 years of age
Professional, knowledgable, dependable. Aims for the traveller to have a truly valuable experience.
I was not there for a safari, however Africa Zim was VERY helpful in guiding me on my travel throughout the country, particularly in spending time to answer questions and give advice and in arranging accommodations and ground transportation in and between several towns that I visited. They more than met my expectations. I will be referring others and will use this company again myself.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in the South of Tanzania with Antelope Safari
Excellent Safari with Miraji from Antelope Safari across several parks in southern Tanzania.
Outstanding knowledge of plants, animals and a very sharp eye to catch every single detail.
Everyone was very pleased.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya Turacos Safari is a company i highly recommend
Kenya Turacos Safari is a company i recommend in all service...I learned to know Elijah when he was our guide on a safari tour I made with my family in Kenya in 2009. The tour operator he was working for at that time is specialized in birding safaris and custom-made safaris, both important issues for us. In a very natural way he succeeded in becoming friends with my children; they still are in contact with him.The two following years I made a safari tour with Kenya Turacos Safaris again: 2010 with a friend and 2011 alone. The last tour I asked him to organize it from begin to end and he did it wonderful. I was aware of his excellent knowledge of bird- and wildlife but I learned he was in good physical condition, climbing the second highest mountain in Kenya.
What makes him better than others is the way he asseses the demands of his clients and come up with ideas or suggestions.
When I will come back to kenya I will surely contact Elijah.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari!
Kenya Turacos Safaris arranged for me a wonderful safari and I was fortunate to have Elijah as my African safari guide as he is well informed , very personable and made my trip highly enjoyable and educational. I am a photographer so capturing images of all the animals in this area was very important to me - and Elijah was very accommodating and knew how to find and enabled me to take incredible images that I will treasure forever. We did go before breakfast because of animals and more was coming out... killings we saw. He is very knowledgeable in birds population, and habits of the big 5 which enabled us to view and photograph incredible scenes.
I let him operate my small camera while I used my large camera so I recommend him as a second photographer also.
Wonderful experience - his sense of humor and explanations of living conditions and some history was invaluable.
I have recommended him to my photography club and all my friends who desire an epic adventure.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well organized safari. Everything exceeded our expectations :-)
Very well organized safari. Luxurious lodges with very service-minded personnel and really great catering.
We saw all the Big Five and had a very good and welcoming guide/driver who was well-informed about the different animals in both Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru and their habitats.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a lifetime!
We are seasoned travellers and want unique experiences. Afroriginal got it right - Desiree spent time understanding what we were looking for, and got us a great combination of beautiful wildlife parks, wonderful lodges and small scale campsites, accompanied by a very friendly and knowledgable driver, and some nice R&R in Zanzibar in a beautiful family hotel. In two weeks we saw so many different ecosystems, and each and every overnight stay was worth while. I know there are many tour operators offering similar experiences and you may think Serengeti is the same whatever operator takes you there, but I disagree. It is the local knowledge, the special places to visit, the friendliness of the staff that makes you feel welcome and enjoy your time. As a family, we really thought this was one of those 'once in a lifetime' trips. Desiree called after we got home to seek feedback, and this is another example that Afroriginal cares about your experience. Wel worth your consideration!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice experience
I decided to do a 6 day safari in the lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. At first I was worried because it was my first safari, but Robert has made my experience pleasant and unforgettable! The safari was comfortable even if we slept in a tent. The places that I have visited are really beautiful and they all deserve to be seen! if you go to the Tanzanian, it is worth seeing everything there!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A fabulous 5 day safari to Kruger with Themba
My wife and I wanted to escape the cold in Toronto and booked a guided 5 day tour to Kruger with Themba. This was our second tour with Themba and they did not disappoint. The logistics of being fetched from the airport and the drive to Kruger from Johannesburg etc was faultless. The whole trip was organized very well and we enjoyed our guide, Sue, who is extremely knowledgeable with animals, birds and trees and plants.
We were lucky to see a lot of game and Sue made sure that she positioned the vehicle so that we could have the best vantage point. We stayed in Skukuza camp and it was very adequate with good food and facilities.
I would highly recommend Themba and look forward to our next trip in a few years time.
QA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing personalized attention form Hirola Tours & Safaris
We had a week long vacation in Kenya in February 2014. Hirola Tours & Safaris were the organizer of the tour of Ole Pejeta and Masai Mara. The attention to every detail, making a first timer feel home, very friendly and professional guides and above all very prompt response to each and every query in planning the tour was a great experience. Salute to the patience of Patrick and his staff that they painlessly kept on responding to my ever changing plans and queries.
I found Hirola Tours & Safaris a real dependable friend to any first timer like me.