Thank you Tomodachi
Last year, I decided to go to Tanzania because I had already heard that it is among the best to watch untamed wildlife. My safari, which was on late June, 2013, was well organized. Also, the accommodation was very comfortable. Besides all of that, I had an excellent driver and a new 4x4 vehicle (Toyota land Cruiser). This combination led me to a very successful safari.
Finally, I want to say “Thank you Mr. Joseph for every thing you did to make my trip very convenient.”
Solayman
FR
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A wonderful trip, superbly organised and fascinatingly varied
I’ve just done the ten day Wild Dog Namibian Explorer trip. It was a journey to recapture lost times for me.Forty three years ago I lived in Okaukoejo for three months then in an engineering campsite on the side of the road towards Outjo for another three. I wanted to see it all again and I wasn’t disappointed.
For a start the Wild Dog organisation was really faultless. I’d like to take our guides, Gabriel and Manfred, home with me to run my life as brilliantly as they ran the trip. I doubt they’d be interested in relocation, though. They are safari guides through and through, both of them so knowledgeable about birds, animals, plants, geology. Did you know that termite mounds all face North to keep them warm and protected? I didn’t. Gabriel did. Both he and Manfred are unflappable, very hard working, it’s quite a knackering amount of driving Gabriel had to do. They are imaginative cooks, too, and the speed with which they prepared each meal for all eleven of us was a bit shaming for those of us more used to cooking in well equipped kitchens than on camp fires. I’ll stop about the guides before their heads burst.
What about the sites and terrain we covered? Stand out camp site for me was Hoada dwarfed by vast granite boulders. We skinny dipped in the pool and sat on top of one huge rock to watch the sunset while Manfred cooked dinner.
In Etosha we saw lots of animals including a pride of 13 lions, the adolescents tumbling, cuffing each other, watched by grouchy dads. Next day, a group of them were feasting on a newly killed zebra.
But it wasn’t even the animals that made the trip but the journey through ever changing terrain under huge, over-arching skies and magnificent cloud formations. The soil colour changes every few kilometres and even the ubiquitous thorn trees vary throughout the journey, some green flat tops, others with tiny white flowers.
Go and see it for yourselves. It’s a wonderful experience.
Ruaha's Wildlife: The real deal.
I've visited Ruaha National Park as part of a field trip for Biology Students.
We got a very unique camp site at the side of the Ruaha River. The view was absolutely stunning. During our siesta's at noon, we could even see groups of elephants passing by and 2 huge fish eagles had their nest on the top of a tree on the other side of the river.
The weather was perfect. Warm, but not too hot, and cool (but not cold) at night.
The park is huge an you can drive for hours trough the beautiful nature without bumping in to another jeep. Some places of the park are really green, while others are more savanna-like and very dry.
Most of the time we had our own guide, but one day we had a guided walk by a park ranger. He knew a lot about the animals and their tracks and dangers. Very interesting! We even walked along the river revealing many kinds of bird species.
So, in short. Ruaha National Park is really worth a visit!!
NL
20-35 years of age
Amazing experience
I've lived in Iringa town, just a 2 hour drive from Ruaha National Park and I've been to Ruaha multiple times. You can stay in a luxerious campsite or go for the Government Bandas, just 20 US dollars a night. It's basic and you need to bring your own food, but there is a decent toilet, shower, nets and some bandas where you can chill and drink a nice Tanzanian beer with a view over Ruaha River, and if you are lucky, some elephants. There is no fence, so during the night you can expect animal visitors, but there is an armed guard. Close to the bandas there is a campsite too, where you can camp with your tent at your own risk, since there is no fence too.
The scenery is beautiful, with hills and so much variety. The park has over 10,000 elephants, so it's easy to spot them, esp. in the dry season. Hippos, impalas and girafes are easy to spot too. If you are lucky you can spot lions and cheetas. In the wet some of the roads are not accesable, but the scenery is beautiful; so much green and it's a great season for watching exotic birds. If you are going with your own transport you can 'hire' a guide in the park or you can arrange a driver/guide in Iringa town. There is a couple organisations who arrange safaris.
I would recommend this park to everyone, although I hope it will maintain quiet with tourists now, so you really have the feeling you are alone in the park like you have now.
Amazing Experience At Sabi Sabi (Earth Lodge & Selati)
I went to visit South Africa for 3 weeks this past spring. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Specifically the safaris were magical. I stayed in Pilanesberg for 3 nights and then moved on to stay at Sabi Sabi in both Earth Lodge and Selati Camp 2 nights each. The service at Sabi Sabi was far superior to the other lodge we stayed at in Pilanesberg. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and we say all the big 5 within the first day! The accommodations were beautiful and clean. The manager of the property, at each location, made our trip. They were SO accommodating and helpful. They seemed to truly care about our experience. In an unfamiliar environment like that, you want to feel like someone is looking out for you and we definitely did. I became very ill one night and the manager got up at 3am to come check on me and deduced that it was my malaria pills I was taking and suggested since it was not malaria season that I stop taking them immediately and she sat with me and gave me a rehydrate packet she had. Every day after that every staff member asked how I was feeling. It felt like a small family when we left. I can't sing enough praise for Sabi Sabi!
IL
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very proffessional, client oriented in any way. hospatible,inteligent,english , caring ,honest
we took twice safari trips to TANZANIA with earthlife expedition's guides together with our granchildren . All the guides were very knowledgeble , extended great service and where there for us whenever required. we felt with themsafe , like home away from home ,despite some roguh obstacles created by the terain and nature.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kruger Park is amazing, however the contractor that supplied the open vehicles needs to be changed.
Our Safari in Kruger had a rough start, on the first official game drive ( late afternoon, with the open safari vehicle ) the vehicle broke down. When our driver/guide stopped to view animals, the vehicle refused to start. After soliciting the assistance of a passerby who had mechanic tools and knowledge, we returned to the camp safely and finished the game drive in a mini van.
The following day on our early morning game drive ( different open safari vehicle) we again broke down. This time a much greater distance from the camp and outside of cell phone range. We had to wait approx. 2 hours in the hot morning sun until another Safari company stopped and assisted in contacting the camp to arrange for alternate transportation. In the end we agreed to continue with the game drive, in another vehicle . However as a whole we were concerned for our overall safety with these vehicles and we had lost faith and trust in this tour company to deliver a product as agreed upon!
When you operate a Safari company in a huge Wildlife Park such as Kruger, you need to have safe guards in place. Having access to reliable vehicles for the game drives, should be their number one priority. Other communication equipment, such as satellite phones, that will provide contact to the camps in event of break downs or emergency medical issues, is a must. We were informed that the use of the open safari vehicles was fairly new to this company.
In closing, I found our driver / guide, to be very knowledge with the wildlife in Kruger and friendly. On the other hand , the other company employee whom we had direct contact with during this Safari was unacceptable. I felt he forgot who he was working for at times. His communication with our tour was very poor, at no time did he apologize for the inconvenience's of the break downs or inquire as to our safety during the break downs. We also witnessed his unacceptable rants towards our driver in front of us, blaming him for the mechanical breakdowns. He was very unprofessional and not a good representative of Wildlife Safaris !
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing adventure, enhanced with the camping aspect and closeness to the people and animals
This trip was my second with Masihambe- first one with my husband, second without, knowing how well organised the company was- everytrip has hiccups, but any were coped with efficiently and without fuss to everyones satisfaction. As a 60+ I had no problems adapting to the outdoors, everything was there, comfortable, food from the fire fantastic. Itinerary and variety were amazing- each day brought new thrills and surprises from accommodation, safari successes and friendships with locals and fellow travellers.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
a once in a lifetime experience
Have wanted to go on an African safari for a long time, am really pleased we chose to go with Masihambe. Our Guide was excellent, very knowledgable, helpful & friendly, as were all the different Guides & people involved in each place we stayed in, we stayed in a variety of accommodation from tents to luxury Lodges, great value for money, good food, & good company, & great animal viewing. Exceeded all our expectations. Keep up the good work Jude & Anna at Masihambe!
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
East Africa expedition
We cannot speak highly enough of Jude and her company Masihambe Afrika. This was our 3rd trip on one of Judes tours and we were not disappointed. As always the experiences were varied interesting and great fun. From the lodges we stayed in to the camping by the river at Ruaha National park we enjoyed the variety her tours offer and all under the guidance of experienced guides. Not to mention the game viewing and spectacular scenery that Africa has to offer.We have no hesitation in recommending Masihambe Tours to anyone.