IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari
Had an excellent Safari with Mr Joseph, coordinated by David very lucky to see Masai Mara at its best. Accomodation and living was excellent n food was amazing...had a wonderful time
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic journey to nature
We did Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara in 3 days. I would consider switching Lake Manyara and Tarangire during the dry season because the lake was almost fully dried and not much animals. Animals were interesting but I really enjoyed the landscape part as well.
The overall safari experience was better than I expected. We had Philimon as our driver and guide and he was very helpful and caring. Jordan and Iris are the owners of the company and they were very quick to reply and provided a very good service overall.
Quick tips:
- I realized safety is the most important thing, so pick a good tour like Serengeti Adventures and stay at nice hotels
- We stayed at Serena lodges, all hotels are located at very very good places, they are all good but Serena Ngorongoro was fantastic. Check the place of your hotel because I saw hotels at awful locations
- When you are in search of safari, do not give to much details to tour operators, one of the other tour operator came to the airport to get me even though I said I will not use their service and they almost tried to kidnap
- The roads are really really bad, make sure you are resilient to hours of bumpy journey, my mother got sick
- Do not forget suncream and insecticide
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Kalahari experience!
Anthony Washford is simply the best. He can spot the most elusive of animals or birds, he is at one with the bush and he is incredibly fun too. What a great trip camping and viewing wildlife on walkabouts in the Kalahari desert, and touring the Okavanga Delta by Mokoro canoe. The experience is one I will never forget and one I would love to repeat one day soon!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A life changing adventure that more than lived up to our expectations!
This was an excellent safari from the initial pick up at the airport to the final drop off. Everything was professional and well done. Our safari guides, Gabi and Guido were excellent; they were so insightful, so helpful in everything we did from driving to areas where we witnessed the animals in their natural habitat to capturing the moments first hand of lions stalking/killing their prey, to finding the cheetah mother and her 3 cubs. We would have missed/passed by an incredible close up of a large leopard in a tree without our guide picking up the visual cue. This truly was a remarkable adventure, one of those life experiences that changes how you look and interact with nature forever into the future - BUT all because of the guides incredible knowledge, insight to animal behavior and personal interest to share their world with us. My wife and I have travelled the world, been a part of many adventures, but this ranks in the top five and I truly give the credit to our professional, knowledgeable, and FUN guides. We and our safari group enjoyed all the time we spent with them.
So to recount- the guides were excellent, the vehicles we used were excellent with great viewing, the hotels we stayed at were excellent, and some of them were in the middle of the game reserve, so animals surrounded us ( how cool is that), and lastly, the food was excellent- fresh, nice choices, and great wine- all in the middle of nowhere. I don't know how they do it but they deliver it all and far exceeded our expectations.
EE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our trip to Masai Mara, Amboseli and Mount Kenya
We were recommended Big Time by a local friend and in short - we are quite happy with the choice.
They helped us with hotels in Nairobi, took us to a very very nice trip to Masai Mara (do climb the hills there with some Masai guides, it's very nice if you don't leve it to the middle of the day, better temperature in the morning), took us to Naivasha lake, from there we went to Amboseli and Mount Kenya. We were very happy with both the drivers snf guides we got assigned during our trip and also happy with their help in Nairobi (one of our companions needed a bit medical help).
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience
It was an incredible experience. Right from reception at the Bus stop to the accommodation, everything was catered for. Would like to specially appreciate the personal help given by Mr David and all the staff.
I am sure this attitude will take you to greater heights.
Good experience
I went for the budget camping 4d/3n safari in Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Right from the start Richard was very good and quick in replying emails. He was friendly, answered all my questions, provided my transport from and to the airport before and after the safari. The safari itself as very good. Frank, our driver guide knew what he was doing and what he was looking for. We saw all the big 5 and so much more. However, the safari would be better if he would give further information about the animals and safari during the long drives. He would answer your questions so you have to be pro-active in asking questions. If not, the safari would be a lot of looking around. Our cook, Sokafour was really nice, he cooked really good and bountiful food for us. In terms of equipment for camping, it was a budget camping so everything was basic. But you get what you paid for. I was quite satisfied with the equipment provided. All in all I thought it was a good experience and I was very satisfied with my first safari experience.
Amazing experience, true african felling
Our guide was very helpful and cooperative, when we were planning the trip. We were traveling with small children, so we needed to make some adjustment. We still saw the big five and we even did not go to Serengeti. Everything went according to plan and there were no additional costs as the one agreed at the beginning.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing awesome so worth the money.
I booked a trip with sunsplash through Eric otieno it was amazing he was so patient and kind,the food on our safari was worth the money all on its own this company picked us up made all the reservations for us and it well exceeded our hope I will 100 percent go agian.This company is trustworthy and the safari was excellent Eric is more than a driver he is a friend what a amazing experience whomever reads this book with sunsplash wont be disappointed.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An unforgetable Experience with Encounter Africa Safaris
The arrangement of the Gorilla trekking and the booking of the accommodation was done in time and well situated. Although the distance travelled from Entebbe Airport was tiring the stops along the way was well planned and refreshing. The drive through the Entebbe/Kampala area was also alive and unforgettable adrenaline rushing experience with the rush day(hour) peak traffic (rush day traffic - because I think the traffic in this are never slows down) The cultures was explained to us. The history about Entebbe(meaning Chair) was shown and enlightening. The other thing I must mention here is that Uganda/Bwindi is absolutely a beautiful country and park to visit. Now regarding the gorilla trekking:- The following needs mentioning .
1. They guides was experienced
2. The trackers helped a lot in finding the Gorillas
3. Without the help of the porters can I only say this.. Pay the porter fees it is worthit . they are strong , helpful, and you will thank me later if you did hire a ported to carry your lunch/water/pack
4. We were lucky to find the Gorillas within the first hour of tracking and enjoy the hour interaction and photo shoot of the gorillas with a couple of scary interactions with the 2 x silverbacks, mothers, youngsters and 2 x baby's( needles to say me camera was running in overdrive -- shoot +/- 4250 photos with 3 x cameras (head mounted go-pro camera , Canon SLR and 1 x small digital camera) What an experience --
This was a life long dream of mine that realized. Thanks to Encounter Africa Safari, Jones the gorilla guide, Tolbert our dedicated tour guide and driver and Chris the man behind the scene at the office.