FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An extremely fine experience
We saw the "big five" and lot of different wild animals and birds. Highlights was to see leopard and rhinos very near. Our guide was very really expert. Good accommodations was also surprise for us. We recommend safari in Kenia.
TW
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing landscape and friendly people
The tour industry is very mature here and most people speak englush , making my trip easy and convenient ! I did hiking in Kilimanjaro and then 4-days safari. It’s a perfect itinerary that I can make my two dreams coming true in one country
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A paradise on Earth
Thanks a lot to the team of Beacon Safaris, my week in Kenya was awesome. I enjoyed EVERY MINUTE OF MY TRIP from the great lodge accommodations in Amboseli (Kibo) and in Tsavo (Kilaguni) and the exciting game drives (thank you John for everything). The perfect end was the 3 days in Diani Beach, a paradise on Earth. I gladly recommend Beacon Safaris for a stress free experience!
NP
It exceeded our expectations
My family and I visited Kenya in early 2018 and we absolutely loved every single bit of it. We went to Masai Mara, Amboseli and Nakuru and got to see all the big five animals multiple times. In fact, we saw most of the wildlife present apart from a cheetah ( which was sad)
Jeoffrey as our guide and travel companion was exceptional and James was a wonderful host. Jeoffrey is very friendly, accommodating and went out of his way to make the trip memorable for us.
I wish I could give a 4.5 rating ! The only reason I wouldn’t give a solid 5 is I wish the windows in the Jeep would have been a bit bigger that would have made watching the game reserve a bit easier !
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An awesome lifetime experience.
We traveled to South Africa on the Queen Mary 2 (from Southampton) and upon arrival in Cape Town we were treated to an absolutely splendid view from the sea of Table Mountain and the city. We spent several days on Cape Town and were thoroughly impressed with the city and its surroundings (but not the water shortage......). We took a day tour to Stellenbosch (booked online with “WineFlies”) and were impressed with the quality of the guide and - of course - the wine. We drove up the east coast, staying in Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth. From PE we did a self-drive tour of the Addo elephant reserve. It was outstanding. We then headed further north, staying in Umtata, Umhlaga, and Richards Bay/Empangeni (an important family location). All hotels were excellent, and reasonably priced. stayed near Newcastle at a first rate recently-built hotel - Vulintaba - which is surrounded by mountains and next to a brand new golf course. Worth the detour.
Our final destination was Joburg. We had fortunately booked a hotel in Rosebank, because that is where the hop-on hop-off leaves from (well worth it for those, like us, new to Joburg). The highlight in Joburg was the Apartheid Museum. Very well done, and very moving. It should be visited by anyone going to Joburg.
Our final four days were on the safari that we had booked online with Jewel of Africa, having first browsed your very useful website. Because we had driven nearly 4,000kms since our arrival in Cape Town, it was important to book a safari that included flights from Joburg to Hoedsprit, and not more driving. Jewel of Africa delivered in spades. Staff were helpful throughout the booking process (including difficulties paying in Rand through Visa). They were especially helpful when, on the day of our departure on safari, the airline we were booked on (CEMair) ran into “operational difficulties” (they had safety issues.....). We stayed at Phelwana lodge in a brand new “tent”next to a dam with hippos. At 5pm on the first day we were toured around the property and saw many animals. The first full day was spent at Kruger NP. Our guide (from Tally-Ho) was excellent, very well informed, and extremely helpful. The second day we toured Manyuleti, a private reserve with open fences to Kruger. Lots of off-road driving - which brought us within feet of prides of lions, leopards, elephants etc. Really amazing! Our booking was all-inclusive, and the food and wine at Phelwana were extremely good. Jewel of Africa did an outstanding job. I recommend them highly.
Bottom line? South Africa and its people, scenery, accommodations and food are superb!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience with a lot of highlights - Many thanks at Bella and Grace
In comparisson to Kenya we saw less animals but we have seen the BIG FIVE and in addition Mountain Gorillas. All our accommodations were like expected with one extraordinary highlight. For our 25th wedding anniversery we got the honeymoon suite at Birdnest. From the first contact on we had a very good feeling with Bella and this was never disturbed by anything. A few days before we startet our roundtrip she informed us that Grace will be our guide. Grace is a very kind and lovely person. We had a lot of fun together and whenever we needed her support she helped us. In total we had a 13 days guided tour with a lot of unforgettable memories. In case that we will come back to Uganda then definitly I will do the trip again with Bella and her team. Most of the teammembers are women. I recommend Bella and her team 100%! Now after I finnished my review I noticed already that I forgot one important/interesting thing. Our car was cleaned each and every day.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Fantastic
Everything from the initial contact with Rob at Wild Africa to the end of our trip was fantastic. The Accommodation, was of a great standard, and tours and Safaris were everything that we had hoped. The connections and transfers through Zambia and Botswana were a breeze. Rob did a great job at organising and tailoring the trip to our specific wishes (group of 9 - 2 families with teenagers) and I would highly recommend him to anyone considering a trip to Africa
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A lovely,locally based company, that offered value and expertise on all aspects of a safari
Remsi ensured that we booked a safari that suited our needs and budget perfectly, offering alternatives to consider. The accommodation we got was amazing and varied. 1 night in a remote tented camp with massi dancing and the next in a beautiful and luxurious Eco lodge near the crater. The safari was for our group of three and Remsi and the driver, Six, were very knowledgable about where to find all the animals, patient with us at all times and offered lots of conversations about cultural themes on the journey. Very good value and highly recommended.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Chobe River National Park in Botswana is a Wonderful Location
Except for Airfare to and return from Johannesburg, tips for guides and staff, alcoholic beverages, and miscellaneous the cost of the Safari is all-inclusive. It includes overnight stay in Johannesburg the first night and air transfers during the Safari. The boat that the CNP safaris use on the Chobe River is custom-made with 360° rotating seats with an adjustable camera mount which has a Wimberley gimbal head. This gives you the option of photographing in different directions, high or low and the ability to follow moving creatures. It also means that you do not have to carry as much camera equipment that you would normally have to. I brought with me was a camera body, and three lenses, 17-35 mm, 35-70 mm, and 70-200 mm.
CNP also supplies professional Nikon equipment for the use of the participants. To give everybody a chance photographing from the front of the boat, for the first two trips, you used the seat that you were assigned, and for each succeeding trip everybody moved one seat up, and of course, the front person transferred to the last position.
you are able to photograph multiple species of mammals including wild dogs, elephants, hippopotamuses, Cape Buffalo, and baboons. There are multiple species of birds ranging from raptors to Passerine's along with wonderful scenery
The average day started at around 6 AM with coffee; then we will head out to the Chobe varying locations. We would photograph, and had an instructor available to help with any of problems. We would return to the dock in time to have a late breakfast. After breakfast, the group would gather in the boardroom four a lecture and/or instruction plus time to download our images from the morning’s event. There was time, for a rest before the afternoon’s trip. We would leave by 3 PM at the latest or earlier depending on the distance that we need travel on the Chobe to get to a location. Returned to the dock around 6 PM, where we went to our room freshened up before meeting for supper.
We follow the same itinerary daily, except for the last day, where we left for the morning shoot, returned, finished packing up, checking out, and being driven to the airport we would board the plane for the flight back to Johannesburg. The nicest part was at the airport actor Kasane; we could check our bags right through to our final destination plus get all of our boarding passes.
Included in the cost of the trip was everything from when you arrived in Johannesburg and until you left, excluding tips for the guides and helpers. The cost of the flight from JFK to Johannesburg range from $1000 to $1400, depending on when you booked.
The rooms Chobe Safari Large were large with two double beds side by side, mosquito netting, available, a work desk, stall shower and a large bathtub. In each room were a fan and air conditioning. Breakfast and supper were buffet style with multiple items available for your gastronomical pleasure. There were omelets and eggs cooked to order, cheeses and bread, different juices, coffee or tea. At suppertime, you could have a different soup every day, salads, stir-fry, at least 4 to 5 varieties of meat, fish, and vegetarian.
Two nights, we ate in the other dining room which was more formal with tablecloths and prepared appetizers and entrées.
Alcoholic beverages and wines were available, which you were charged separately for, and their prices were very reasonable.
We had to great captains on the boat, Kawana, and Mokamba, who knew the river, how to position the boat to obtain the best pictures and could identify flora and fauna for us.
