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35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Must visit if you're looking for Elephant encounter
This was the first park of our Safari Itinerary. The weather was perfect for this trip - cloudy overcast with some occasional sprinkles, but due to heavy rains prior few days some of the roads in the park were closed, so we didn't get a chance to visit all planned areas, but those that we have visited were amazing. I was expecting a little bit less folks/tourists there, but this is subjective. We've got to see giraffes, gazelles, monkeys, ostriches. But the most memorable encounter was with the herd of elephants, counting about 20. They crossed dirt road we were on and you can see all of them from few feet distance - amazing.
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35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tanzania by Andrei Snitko
We have visited 3 parks during the course of our Safari trip - Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area - and all 3 were different and amazing in their own way. The animal diversity is impressive and the wild nature vibe is well preserved. I would definitely recommend Tanzania as Safari destination.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing terrain with such majestic animals
Seems like best place for safari - we saw the big 5, weather was great and food was very good even for a vegetarian. All aspects of our safari was excellent
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Trip EVER!!
My husband and I contacted Dave Herbert at Great Safaris after our friend (who is an experienced travel agent) highly recommended him. She has traveled to Africa numerous times and has always relied on Dave to make her arrangements. Not once has she ever been disappointed. So, following her lead, we gave him a call and told him what our budget was as well as what we wanted to see for our first time there. He recommended that we go for 19 days and go on safari to Kenya and Tanzania. He then put together an incredible itinerary that included Samburu National Park, the Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti. We stayed in deluxe accommodations throughout.
Every detail was attended to throughout our trip. Roundtrip transfers were included from small, dirt air strips to and from our lodges; private or semi-private drivers/guides took us on safari twice a day for a minimum of 7 hours per day; the food at each lodge was above average or outstanding, depending on where we were and often was included in the price of our tour; all inter-Africa flights were booked with excellent airlines (sometimes we were the only 2 passengers in the plane!); round trip flights from Los Angeles to Nairobi with a stopover in Dubai were also included in the price (we traveled on Emirates Airlines per Dave's recommendation--definitely a good call); and we received outstanding service wherever we stayed.
We highly recommend Great Safaris and Dave Herbert if you are planning your first trip to Africa or your fiftieth! He knows the continent like the back of his hand because he goes there and sends his staff there continually to ensure that what they're selling to their clients meets their high standards. You cannot go wrong with Great Safaris!!!
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65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect 8 days!
My husband and I took the 8 day Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Elelphant Sands, and Okavango Delta trip in July 2016. It exceeded our expectations in every way. We knew we wanted to visit those places, but we had no idea what would do at each location or how many days to stay. Andrew and Zim Travel arranged every detail. They were so knowledgeable about each destination, the culture, places to eat, where to take the best pictures, border crossings, sightseeing-----you name it and they knew where and what to do.
Andrew picked us up and delivered us to each event. He either personally guided us or arranged for an excellent guide.
As we drove from place to place, he filled us in on so many interesting details. He informed us of the currency to bring, where to exchange the currency and drove us there.
At Chobe, we sat in a boat 30 feet from a herd of elephants and watched them drink, play, eat and "wrestle". It was unforgettable. On the safaris we so many animals! Each day was amazing and different! Vic Falls was incredible. We walked the entire length of the falls and viewed each lookout point. Andrew guided us personally and it made a difference to hear his commentary.
Andrew took care of every possible detail. We wholeheartedly recommend Zim Travel!!!!
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable Safari Experience!
I spent 5 weeks traveling through 7 African countries, and I can honestly say my favorite experience was my 6 day Botswana safari with Tony Mobile Safaris. I just loved my time with this company. We were a small group, just four people, there to enjoy bush camping, wildlife, and photography. Tony was a great guide - friendly, funny, and very informative. You can tell that he is passionate about African wildlife, which is extremely valuable in a guide. Tony also enjoys photography, which was perfect because he understands the importance of getting out early in the morning and being out for sunset for the good light. Plus, he also understands how to get us the best photographic angles. Even if you're not interested in photography, you will want to be out for sunrise because that is when the lions hunt! And Tony will make that happen. The safari definitely is 'mobile' - you will see so much! In six days we explored Savuti, Chobe, both the Okavango Delta and Okavango River, enjoyed canoeing and boating, saw countless lions, hippos, zebras, elephants, etc. Tony even went above and beyond during our boat tour. Our boat tour was delayed, so not only did Tony work quickly to get us moving, he also gave us a private pre-boat tour while we waited! Furthermore, our campsite was also nicely prepared for us and each time we returned to camp there was an assortment of snacks, coffee and tea waiting for us. They even prepared high tea for us. They also did a wonderful job of preparing vegetarian meals for the two vegetarians in our group. I would highly recommend Tony Mobile Safaris and I would love to safari with them again!
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari!!!
We had an amazing safari with Northern Circuit Adventure in the middle of June 2016
Michael helped us arrange the trip and everything went very smoothly. He was very fast to reply on all our questions before we arrived and gave us valuable advice. He also came himself to pick us up at the airport.
Before the safari we stayed a night at Clouds View Hotel which was a nice hotel with very friendly and helpful staff. It was very clean with nice breakfast. They stored all our extra luggage during the safari and helped to wash our clothes when we got back. The restaurant at the hotel cooked Chapati for us when we got back from the Safari - even though it wasn't on the menu - so yummy!!
Michael, Dennis (guide and driver) and Sweetbart (chef) met us the first morning of the safari with the car ready right on time. Since it was our honeymoon Mike treated us with a private safari, we felt really lucky and spoilt and we really appreciated it!!
We went to Tarangire and Lake Manyara the first two days which was awesome, we got to se lots of animals in the different environments. The first times you see the zebras, giraff, elephants, hippos and lions is really special, it's even hard to believe its true!
We slept at Heaven Nature tented camp two nights. The camp was very nice with tents under roof with real beds and they even had a private shower and toilet! The campsite also had a pool which was nice after a warm day. The last day there was a group (Kati Culture Group) that came to perform after dinner, singing dancing and acrobatics which was lots of fun!
The middle of June (13-18/6) turned out to be the perfect timing for the safari. Before high season so not so crowded with other people, very nice temperature and almost no mosquitoes or Tze-Tze flies. The park was greener than usual (we were told) after the long rains and the animals had lots of babies :)
Dennis was the perfect guide and driver. He drove very well, we always felt secure and he was very kind and answered all our questions about the parks and the animals. He knew were to look for the rare leopards, cheetahs and rhinos and we got to see all the big five! But just so you know, roads are long and bumpy so prepare for a but-massage :)
On the way to Serengeti we visited Oldupai Gorge and the shifting sands which was really cool to have seen.
Serengeti was truly amazing. We spent two nights in the park and got to see like 20 lions per day, some of them climbing trees. We saw over 100 elephants, lots of giraff and kilometer after kilometer with zebras plus gnus, buffalo, different antilops and birds. We were also lucky enough to see cheetahs with killings twice and also leopards twice!!
The campsite in Serengeti was nice with only one or two more groups there at the same time. There was a big kitchen and it also had cold water showers. It was exiting to camp inside the park, the first night we could hear a buffalo right outside our tent and we saw the droppings two meters away in the morning...
Ngorongoro was the last park we visited. We stayed there on the way back from Serengeti. We camped on the rim (over 2000 m high) so it was a bit cold in the night (and even down in the crater so take warm clothes) but there was hot showers!
In Ngorongoro we saw the last of the big five, the rhino, and also a pride of lions that had killed a Buffalo.
Sweetbart, the cousin of Michael who also studies business, planned and cooked all the meals the whole week. It was really delicious, three course dinner with different soups for starters and fruit for desert each day. We specially asked for and got to try some really nice Tanzanian food like Pilao and Ugali and we also had really great breakfasts with omelet, coffee/tea/chocolate, pancakes and even toast (!). To be able to see more of the parks we had lunchboxes which was great.
When we got back Sweetbart guided us in Arusha and took us bathing. He even wrote down the recipes for us and helped us pick out spices in the market (great souvenir by the way) and showed us the best restaurants and what to see. He was really nice and we really feel we were treated like friends.
All in all we are extremely pleased with the safari and we can easily recommend Northern Circuit Adventure and Michael to arrange the trip. Be sure to ask for Dennis as a guide and Sweetbart as chef :) they are the best and will take excellent care of you!!
We have a lot of really beautiful photos, memories and also a some delicious exotic recipes home with us to keep the memories alive!
Thank you so much Sweetbart, Dennis and Michael for this amazing experience!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An awesome, "good for the soul" experience!
My first experience at a safari lodge couldn't have been better! My daughter (13 yrs) and I spent 2 nights and 3 days (or part thereof) at Klaserie River Safari Lodge and it was an experience that will stay with me forever... We were treated to a very warm welcome of home made ginger beer and thereafter shown our beautifully decorated cottage alongside the Klaserie River. That evening a superb dinner braai at the boma under the clear night skies was beautifully prepared and efficiently served by Sygnet, Alma and Mumsie. The game viewing drive through the bush veld, despite not seeing the 'big game' was a treat as the smaller game of kudu, dyker, impala, giraffe, zebra, warthog and a variety of other birds and animals was pointed out to us. We saw leopard spoor and in the evening heard it grunting in bush veld some distance away. The drought has been a great challenge but the feeding program allowed us to see the zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and warthog upclose and personal. Home prepared meals are taken in a casual manner under the beautiful large lapa of the lodge, whilst watching the zebra and warthog cavorting around the bottom of the garden. There are many activities that one can become involved with, within the Hoedspruit vicinity but we chose to pay a visit to the Rehabilitation Centre and experienced petting a cheetah as well as handling and stroking, numerous birds of prey, that have been rescued from injury and are now in rehabilitation. We had an amusing guide who related the story of Stoffel, the famous Honey Badger - an extremely intelligent animal. Afterwards we went to 24*, enjoyed a wander around the little 'village' with the various clothing boutiques, vintage car and bike displays as well as the silk factory and spa. A wonderful lunch under the trees was enjoyed by all. Every activity is arranged and efficiently facilitated by the management of Klaserie River Safari Lodge. As with any establishment glitches arise and our lukewarm water in the cottage was quickly attended to and resolved. We were indeed treated like royalty and look forward to our return. With grateful thanks to all at Klaserie River Safari Lodge for making the occasion so special and for the outstanding and friendly service... You have done our country proud and have set the bench mark for our tourism. May you continue to be an ambassador for South Africa as you display our rich heritage to our tourists both foreign and local. It was indeed a stay the was 'good for the soul'!
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip at the right time of day
I had a solo safari with the Mmilo guide Willem, who picked me up at 0400 in Johannesburg, in time to be at Pilanesberg when the park opened at 0630. It is very important to go early in the day! Other tours were due to depart at 0900 and that would have been too late. We drove through the park for five hours and saw most of the Big Five -- lions on the road, elephants on the road, rhinos on the road - zebras and more. It was a fantastic experience and a great addition to a short visit to South Africa. The guide had many years of experience in the park, and was expert at spotting and identifying wildlife. I recommend Mmilo highly.
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20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well-Organized Safari to the Masai Mara
Erick organized a perfect 3-day safari to the Masai Mara. Pick-up at home, driving in a bus to the Masai Mara, 3 game drives, and return. It all went smoothly, and Erick was easy to reach to answer questions. Food and water was organized and included. It was the budget-option, so the accommodation itself was really very basic, located a few minutes drive outside the National Park. The compound had a nice garden with benches. The game drives were great, and we got to see many critters in beautiful landscapes. Great operator for safaris!