CH
Experience level: first safari
Most Amazing Trip Ever perfectly planned by Journey Beyond
My wife and I spent 2 weeks in South Africa in February of this year and it was one of the most, if not THE most amazing trip we have ever taken and we can thank Journey Beyond for making it happen for us. We learned about Journey Beyond through online research and word of mouth and we started planning our trip early with them. We worked with Tanya Robinson and Annette Holtmann from Journey Beyond and we gave them a budget and a rough agenda of what we were wanting to do and see while we were in South Africa and they took it from there and put together a itinerary that was absolutely perfect. They were so easy to work with and so helpful, in the end all we had to do was show up as they had taken care of everything else. Before our trip, they conveniently mailed us a guide booklet with our detailed itinerary, with each section explained with helpful tips, all needed phone numbers for contacts and useful information about each stop we had.
We started our Trip with 2 days of Safari in Kruger National Park and we stayed in the Tinga Lodge at Lion Sands. After 2 days we relocated to the River Lodge at Lion Sands with Safaris in the Sabi Sands National Park. It was great because Journey Beyond gave us the opportunity to stay in both Lodges, which were quite different from each other but both amazing along with having the 2 different experiences of going on Safari in Kruger and Sabi Sands National Parks. Staying at Lion Sands was the perfect plan as the Staff at Lions Sands take care of every one of your needs and make it so all you have to do is relax and have a good time!
After 4 days of Safari, we flew to Capetown where Journey Beyond had planned our next 3 days of sightseeing. We had a guide arranged by Journey Beyond, Darren, who was a local and extremely knowledgeable of all the areas we saw. All of the suggestions for sights we saw were perfect! Journey Beyond even planned in a day off for us to relax on the beach and by the pool while we were in Capeteown. From Capetown, Darren drove us to the Wine Country in Franscheok where we spent the next few days eating delicious food and drinking some of the best South African wines.
From start to finish we experienced so many different adventures while we were in South Africa from Safari to Beaches to Wine Tastings. Journey Beyond made the trip so memorable for us and by FAR helped exceed our expectations. We are so thankful that we used them to plan our vacation and would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to get the full South African experience. We hope to make it back and will certainly use them again!
KR
Just go.
1. Wildlife
You get to see what you only saw in books and TV. The animals feel more real than when you see them in zoos.
2. Scenery
I can only speak for Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara and the roads in between. I loved all of it. Nairobi is not as prim as Tokyo, which in a way adds to its vibrancy. Lake Nakuru gives you green forests. Masai Mara is the typical savanna plain you imagined but never really got to know. The roads in between gives you a glimpse into what Kenya is really like, with lots of villages, plantations, livestock, empty fields and lots and lots of dirt road.
3. Weather
Early October is pleasant and not so extreme, both in Nairobi and in the wild. Chilly in morning and night(13 degrees Celsius), warm in day(about 24 degrees). Mostly dry with occasional rain.
4. Accommodations
Accommodations in Nairobi are relatively inexpensive if you are from a developed country. However, you really need to research how much time it takes from your hotel to the airport. Because of traffic jams and roads that go roundabout, it takes more time to get to the airport than, for example, Google Map's estimation based on straight distance. Look into other travelers' reviews.
Accommodations in the safari area depend on how much money you spend. Safaribookings sort them into Budget, Mid-range and Luxury. I can only speak for Mid to Luxury(Sarova Lion Hill, Mara Serena Lodge). They provide great services, up to standards of good hotels in big cities. However, I think their real value is in their location. Lodges or camps on hills provide breathtaking views. Sometimes wild animals such as hyrax or baboons wander about near your room(so keep your windows closed, and get your camera ready for a close shot).
5. Food
Food is actually quite nice. Kenyan cuisine came across as hearty and healthy to me. Try staples like sukumawiki(a vegetable dish tastes something like kale and spinach) and ugali(steamed starch that is the Kenyan equivalent of rice in Asian food. They give you fork, but try them with your hands like the locals do if you want more cultural experience; it's oddly satisfying to handle your food like a bit of clay to soften it). The influence of Indian food is really strong too - you will find bits of Indian cuisine pretty much everywhere. You can also experience Ethiopian food in Nairobi, they have some good restaurants. And try tea. Kenyan black tea is great. They also have good coffee.
6. Transportation
As I mentioned in 'accommodations', traffic situation in Nairobi isn't great. Give yourself enough time for moving around when you plan your trip. And you really need to take into account the ever-present dirt cloud and extreme bumpiness if you go by car to the safari region.
I recommend Uber in city and safari vehicle driven by a hired guide/driver outside the city. Reasons are because, in Nairobi, you stand out too much if you take local public transportation, and outside Nairobi, the road conditions are so bad you need a big vehicle made for such roads, and a local guide/driver who will be in charge of things so that you won't find yourself stranded in middle of nowhere if your car breaks down(I saw three safari vehicles with flat tires on the road. There is always a chance of a breakdown not only because are the roads bad but also because cars in Kenya are usually old and much worn down in the first place).
Of course, you can simply take airplane from Nairobi to Masai Mara(I think it costs about 300-400 USD, I'm not too sure). It would then take about an hour and you would have a view from above but miss out on the 6 hour trip, it really depends on your preference and budget.
7. Guide
Stephen, my driver for safari was also my guide. He is good at his job. He speaks good English(Kenyans usually speak English well because English is an official language there), gives enough commentary and explanation about things when needed but doesn't really tire you with too much talk. He knows his way around well and is both a good driver on the road and a good guide on the safari(we got to see all of Big 5 plus cheetas).
8. Other Highlights
If you go to Masai Mara, balloon safari is a great idea. It is definitely worth the money(430-450 USD).
I recommend that you try to buy or borrow good cameras and get some practice months before the trip. If you have a phone with a good camera it's usually fine, but sometimes you want to zoom in or open your aperture a bit more to give your photo some style and so on. Action cams(such as Go-Pros) are a great idea too, since you sometimes want to take videos of things while moving in a car on a bumpy road. It also helps that action cameras usually have a wide-angle lens that allows to capture more of the vast scenery.
it is just breathtaking
I love the wildlife, i love the people. No other place is as good and pure as Tanzania.
TR
Fascinating nature and amazing hospitality!
We did a Safari in Tanzania, visiting Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and we had a night game drive. We booked our safari through this website and with Africa-Safari, a company tied with Hotel Zanzibar. The camping place was so amazing. Everything was so minimalist that you have everything you need, have an amazing comfort and feel like you are in Africa, unlike the unnecessarily luxurious lodges in National Parks. We still really miss the way we woke up and go out of our tent, having an amazing view with refreshing scents coming out of savannah. Besides, the location is very convenient, if you don't want to move with your bags from lodge to lodge every day. Finally, the staff and the food was much more than we expected. As it is the case in most of the country, people are very friendly and solution oriented.
Coming to our guide, Gaspar, he was like a nat geo dubber, giving us amazing information as we went through the parks. We understood that a guide with good eyes is very important, and his sight was like an eagle. We used to go around, looking empty at the trees in hope for seeing a lion or a snake, without seeing anything and he would point out a tree 100 meters away, telling which animal is on it with certainty! Apart from that, he was very friendly to keep us away from the tourist traps around the village, and to take us to a local bar to have some drinks each day.
It was really an amazing experience out there, looking forward to see those places and people again!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Botswana by Jessica
Botswana seems to really understand conservation through eco-tourism. Our guides helped us understand and uphold the ethos, "take only photographs, leave only footprints," which enhanced not diminished our experience. I'd love to return.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Lion-Tastic Safari with Travel Explore Africa
This was truly the trip of a lifetime!
Touring Uganda for two weeks with Travel Explore Africa (Wilson Bisaso) is an experience I will never forget. Three days in Murchison with giraffes, lions (including a pride of seven, and finding a lioness resting under a tree after eating their fill), a pregnant hyena, Patas monkeys, and local music; Chimpanzee Habituation Experience at Kibale (12 hours of following the delightful Sebo, second in command); 3 days at Queen Elizabeth National Park, with wonderful lion sightings (including three satisfied males, lounging), a Kazinga Channel boat ride (hippos, crocodiles, elephants), and tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge (Kejojo, Brutus and Muzungu!); 2 days in Ishasha, seeing a young pride of 5 lions; Bwindi, Kisoro, and finally Lake Mburo, for beautiful zebras, fighting impalas, spotted bushbuck...wow!
Everything was just perfect: the food, the accommodation, the price, and most especially the animals! Wilson made everything run smoothly, was courteous, professional and kind (as well as funny) at all times; could spot any creature for any distance (his eyes are amazing) and navigated Uganda's difficult roads with panache! I can't recommend Travel Explore Africa and Uganda's National Parks enough!
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very beautiful and special place.
Safari experience in Tanzania is very unique and different from everything I have experienced so far. Wildlife is great, landscapes are magnificent. We slept in camps and didn't really know what we are getting into, so we ended up in kamps with no mobile service and electricity without previous warning. But the scenery in the morning was worth it.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Ugandan Safari! Beyond Our Wildest Dreams!
I travelled with a group of 3 friends to Uganda this year - best trip of my life! With the help of Wilson Bisaso, we were able to have fantastic wildlife viewings throughout this beautiful country, including chimpanzees, gorillas, lions, elephants, hippo, buffalo, kob, topi, baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, red colobus, red tailed monkey, zebra, giraffes, crocodiles, and more! Wilson was an excellent driver, making long journeys smooth and enjoyable. He was knowledgeable about animals, politics, the land, and shared a vast amount of information with us, which helped us really get a feel for the country. He introduced us to Ugandan food (delicious) and music (wonderful and joyous!). Everything was done completely professionally and within our rather restricted budget. I cannot recommend this company enough! Communications - A+! Price A+! Safari - A+++!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Namibia by Matt OZW
Namibia is a safe country to visit and contains a variety of stunning scenery from desert and sand dunes at Sossusvlei, mountains, coastal towns with old German colonial architecture such as Swakopmund, great game reserves like Etosha and Daan Viljoen and others. Bird life is exceptional as are the animals. It is sparsely populated and the people are friendly.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Ugandan safari - Best ever!
This was the most fantastic trip of our lives! My husband and I had wanted to travel to Uganda for several years, but thought it was out of our budget (especially paying for gorilla permits!). With Wilson Bisaso's help, we were able to design the perfect safari, to maximise wildlife viewing in many of Uganda's amazing parks. Wilson was an excellent driver, navigating the sometimes very bumpy Ugandan roads with ease and speed, always keeping us safe and comfortable (and because I can suffer from car-sickness, this was quite a thing!). Wilson also had the most amazing eyesight - he could spot any animal at any distance (so it seemed), and my husband and I were completely reliant on him to see many of the beautiful creatures, especially lions! Wilson was incredibly attentive, friendly, accommodating and generous, speaking to us about various cultural issues, and always keeping the conversation interesting. We certainly learned a lot on the trip. Both my husband and I were so thrilled with all we saw and did that we could barely sleep - waiting for the next day's adventure! Highlights of the trip were definitely chimpanzee tracking (Kibale), gorilla tracking (Bwindi), and seeing lions in the wild in Queen Elizabeth. We very much hope to come back soon, Wilson, and will definitely be booking with you again - we have to find that leopard!
Communications before, during and after the trip were professional and friendly at all times. The service provided was beyond expectation and at a totally reasonable price. The safari was AMAZING!