DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Kilimanjaro Tour
thank you very much for professional Kilimanjaro Tour on Machame Route. We were a group of 4 with two 18 year old boys. The guides were very kind and experienced. When I felt sick, on the third day, they really looked after me and gave me helpful advices. The cook was perfect an prepared delicious, meals for us, with some traditional dishes. The guides always set the best pace for us and we all reached the peak without any problems. They were very flexible and agreed to our plan to leave the night camp at 4am in the morning, instead of midnight. We enjoyed the final climb because we only had do walk 3 hours in the dark, the track was completely ours and we had to share the peak (at 10am) with no one else. The whole tour we felt very well looked after. Thank's to all of you, the porters, the cook, the waiter, the toilet guy and the guides for this outstanding experience - I will never forget.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the most diverse beautiful countries I have ever visited
The scenery is out of this world , from the beautiful beaches, Table Mountain, Botanical gardens, Boulders beach, Wine country, garden route, Safari in Kruger. each experience was unique and highly recommended. Cape Town itself was a very cosmopolitan area with some of the best restaurants and food I have tasted.
On top of all of this you get so much more for your money! We will be back!
PK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A nice big five safari less rhino round the year.
We could see herds of elephants in dozens. Rhino is not present in this park (as per guide) but other 4 of big five were visible in abundance. The park is big and well kept. Kenya safari Lodge Hotel has a tremendous view. Loved it
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing wildlife and scenary
We stayed at lower Zambezi first and then moved to south Luangwa. The density of animals was surreal and guides and people where very charming and knowledgeable. Given it was end of dry season, it was quite hot in the afternoons.
Review about Okavango Delta by rgcxyz35
The highlight to our trip was 3 nights at Eagle Island Lodge (Belmond) on the Okavango Delta. This was a beautiful location with first class accommodation and service. In addition to the game drives we enjoyed a walking safari and trips out on the delta, both in powered boats and by mokoro.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
We were in a 3 days safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara starting from Zanzibar Island. It was fantastic. Brenda took care of everything and she was great. We had transfers to and from our hotels to the airport, plane tickets, transfers in Arusha, very nice accomodations in lodges, a small missunderstanding about the lodges, but we ended up in wonderful locations. Our safari drivers were skillful and we felt safe during the ride. We manage to see 3 from the big 5. Lake Manyara was a bit disappointing only because we couldn't reach the best part of it because of the water, the lake extended its surface, otherwise very nice views. In Ngorongoro and Tarangire the wild life was everywhere you turned your had. It was a very exciting experience. I would say that 3 days are not enough to see all the beauty of the african savanna. Definetily a reason to come back 🙂
A great safari experience
This was our first safari experience and will not be our last. We loved Chobe and were surprised at how close we got to so many animals. We stayed at Salute Elephant Camp with Belmond and had a great experience. The accommodation was good, we enjoyed the game drives and the experience was made even better by our guide. May was a good time to go as it was approaching 'winter', so only 30º which was just right for me.
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Tanzania trip
Last december we visited Tanzania for the 2nd time. Africa Tried and Tested organized our safari to Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. We ended on Zanzibar, 2 days Stone Town and 5 days at the beach at Fumba Beach Lodge. Wow. It is hard to use any other word than perfect to describe our experience.
From the moment that our guide picked us up from the airport to the minute we left absolutely everything went flawlessly. Not to mention the absolutely excellent correspondence from Karin, whose prompt, friendly and incredibly informative emails were the motivation for us picking Africa Tried and Tested for our safari. We were not disappointed!
As for the safari itself, we saw absolutely evrything one hopes for on a trip. The Big Five, including two separate leopard sightings (South of Tarangire), and a lion kill (Ngorongoro) werw more than we could have hoped for!
Throw in the rhinos we encountered in the crater and the vast array of other animals and birds you really have an unforgettable experience. The guide was wonderful, friendly, funny and impressive, we could not have asked for more! He was particularly great at finding the right angles to allow us to take some great photos of the animals, and at making quick decisions when action was happening ( e.g. whether to follow the lion kill or stay put.......we followed and got to see the whole thing!!). Zanzibar was a splendid ending. We loved to walk through the small Streets in Stone Town, and the beach, just wow, total relaxation!
There is little more praise I can give but I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is considering a safari in Tanzania.
Visited December 2014
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantasic Family Safari Experience
Our Southern African holiday was initiated by my father-In-law who thought it would be a great experience for our 2 children. He came upon Darren and Compass Odyssey from mutual friends in Perth. All arrangements were made via e-mail. Darren suggested several itineraries that would suit our family, including my Father in law and 2 young children 7 and 5. Our final arrangements included Cape Town, Kruger NP, Victoria Falls and Chobe NP.
All our accommodation was superb. From a beach House in Kommetjie, Cape Town to the quirky rondavels in Kruger NP. All accommodation was arranged to be self catering so we had flexibility when it came to feeding the kids.
African Safari's with young children can be challenging as many operators do not allow children as young as 5. Darren had arranged and drove our own private mini van which meant our youngest could be a part of the experience.
There were several internal flight between Kruger and Zambia as well as Botswana to Johannesburg airport not to mention less than straight forward border crossings between Zambia and Zimbabwe. These all went of smoothly.
As our group consisted only of us and Darren as our guide ( for the entirety of the trip) the days and scheduled events were very flexible. As a parent himself to 3 young children, Darren had a good sense of how much to fit into one day, never did we feel rushed and plenty of rest stops were catered for on the longer drives.
Darren's passion for South Africa is evident through his extensive knowledge from politics and history to the bird life and wild life which he is more than willing to share.
Our holiday was one that will not be soon forgotten. From the initial contact to the final goodbye everything went smoothly and without any hassle. I couldn't recommend Compass Odyssey and Darren
highly enough. Especially to those thinking about travelling with a younger family.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Priceless Experience!
amazing experience with Safari Bookings/Obag!
we did a 3 day, 2 night safari from Dar to Mikumi by train (including all transport - car and train, 2 nights hotel stay and all meals/snacks/drinks)
definitely recommend the train option (1 st class if possible) - make sure to leave early morning and return evening.
Johnson was a great guide - very punctual and caring/knowledgeable. Our safari driver was George and he was fearless! best day ever seeing giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, crocodiles, hippos, buffalos and so much more!!
if it mentions all included, do not pay extra. only pay extra for tips :) everything else is included and you may need to remind them :)