CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari and beach holiday in Zanzibar!
We booked a safari and beach stay in Zanzibar with East Africa Wild Adventures, and it was the best vacation we could imagine!
East Africa did an incredible job with the organization of our vacation. They prepared a great itinerary, and they made a great selection of accommodations. When we arrived in Tanzania, we were very well welcomed by the local team. Our guide was very nice, friendly, very knowledgeable on animals and wildlife, and he was speaking English very well. We were really impressed and really liked him!
We visited Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. We saw a lot of animals (including the big five, giraffe, zebras, monkeys, etc.), and our guide did all he could to find the animals and get closer to them. The accommodations that East Africa had recommended (Serena and Kati Kati tented camp) for our stay were simply beyond our expectations!
East Africa had also arranged our stay to Zanzibar after the safari. They had prepared our return to the airport, our flight to Zanzibar, our transfers on the island and our stay at the Royal Zanzibar Resort. We had absolutely nothing else to book or do, they had already taken care of everything! Everything went smoothly, and we were really happy that everything had been arranged and that we did not have to mind anything except to enjoy our vacations!
Overall, we were extremely satisfied with East Africa! Always available, very knowledgeable, and the price was very competitive! We would recommend it to everyone who wants to travel to Tanzania for a safari or beach stay!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best vacation ever (with a few glitches!)
An African safari has always been on my bucket list, as well as my mothers, so we were both excited for this trip. Noah was great in preparing our itinerary, which we changed numerous times to fit our wants. His communication was excellent; he was always prompt in replying to our questions (remembering that he is halfway around the world!) All of the lodges he selected were superb!
Our trip did not get off to the best start, as there was no guide to meet us at the airport (there were about 100 other guides there though!) A gentleman at the airport was able to call Wildebeest Safaris for us, arranged a cab to our hotel (which Wildebeest covered), and confirmed that our guide would meet us at the hotel the following morning. Our guide, Dennis, was there early, and we left by 7:30am. Two of the first three police safety checkpoints stopped our vehicle, questioning the condition of the tires (they were worn out) but let us proceed. The roads in Kenya are terrible, and sure enough, a couple of days later, we had two flat tires within an hour (both rear tires). Luckily most safari vehicles carry two spares, so we were able to make it to our lodge in Maasai Mara only a little late for lunch, and Dennis had the tires repaired by the next morning. Our only other issue was the trip between Kenya and Tanzania. We were required to change vehicles and guides upon entering Tanzania, and there was a mix up as to who would provide our lunch, so no lunch for us that day. Hamsa did offer to stop and get us something to eat, but we had some snacks with us, and figured we could eat a big dinner. (The lodge food was excellent everywhere we stayed!)
Other than that, the trip was fantastic. Both Dennis and Hamsa (our Tanzanian guide) were very friendly and knowledgeable. They knew when and where to find the animals we wanted to see, and showed us many additional things we did not expect to see. They both worked with the rangers and other guides via cell phone and radio to find out where the animals were that we wanted to see, and they were great at making sure each days' game drive offered something different. Hamsa was especially knowledgeable, expanding on our questions and giving very thorough answers. He explained the education process he went through to become a guide, and he seemed to know all of the other guides we saw.
The last day of our trip was back in Kenya (Amboseli NP), and it was Dennis again who met us at the border (on time, and with 4 brand new tires!) He again was very good, planned ahead, and made sure to get us to the airport early (no easy task with Nairobi traffic on a Friday afternoon!)
The safari vehicles had some minor issues (i.e. the aforementioned tires, a broken door handle, etc.) but being 70 series Landcruisers , had certainly lived a rough life. Most safari vehicles we saw appeared similar. Just remember this is Africa - don't expect to be chauffeured around in a brand new Cadillac! The issues we had prevent me from giving a full 5 stars, but I would certainly use Wildebeest Safaris again.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Lion King world for my kids.
My family and I were very lucky to spend 10 days in Northern Tanzania. It was our first visit to that part of Africa and, telling truth, our first "not beach resort travelling". I booked this tour in the beginning of March and from the very first letter, I was satisfied with service, quick, full and polite responds from managers of this company. Due to the lack of previous safari experience, I have completely entrusted organization of our tour to manager Eugene. As a result, after few letters we have approved a 10-day safari in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Natron national parks.
My two children were delighted by The Lion King world. We have seen Big Five animals. Before the trip, I was a little worry about transfers since I was not sure how my children feel themselves during long drives.
As a result, this trip turned out to be the biggest adventure of the life for my family and we are very delighted to travel with Altezza Travel and driver Franky, who is very intelligent, reliable and friendly.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don't worry if you don't know how to organize your safari.
Don't worry if you don't know how to organize your safari, these guys are real professionals!
Just tell them your budget and how many days you are willing to spend and they will find the best solution. You can send them tens of emails asking hundreds of questions. They will reply promptly every time.
Our guide was Franky. A very knowledgeable guide and very nice person who really loves the job he does.
Words cannot convey the pleasure of the safari.
Thank you very much!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Larger resort style with excellent facilities and game viewing
Mala Mala is the largest private game reserve located in the in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and adjoins the Kruger National Park on its western side. There is no fence between the two and , consequently, game can move freely between the two areas. This is certainly reflected both in the density of the game and the number of sightings ; during the two full days we spent there, we were rewarded with plenty of Big 5 sightings and recorded some 20 other animal species , including the African Hunting Dogs, which are no longer found in many parts of southern Africa. Since this is a private reserve, night safaris are also offered , which provide a unique opportunity to see some of the nocturnal animals. Mala Mala is also an excellent place for birding.
We stayed in the lower Sable section of the lodge, which is separated from the main lodge and therefore quieter and with fewer people. The accommodation was excellent,more than spacious, and the meals were of a high standard; in fact in many aspects Mala Mala feels more like a resort than a safari lodge (with pool, gym etc).. The guide was excellent, knowledgeable and only too happy to try and accommodate individual wishes for the keen photographers. They try to keep animal disturbance to a minimum by allowing only 3 vehicles at any sighting at one time and, because the reserve is large (130 square Km), there is still a feeling of not being too crowded.
In sum, Mala Mala offers great game viewing , resort style accommodation and is easily accessible from Johannesburg (as are all of the lodges in the area). We have been to many different lodges in southern Africa and for us the more intimate feeling of the smaller game lodges was missing. This is not a criticism, rather a personal preference.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Trip to South Africa and Botswana
My husband and I traveled to South Africa and Botswana to do 4 safaris at different camps in each country. Our experience was everything we could have hoped for and more. The safaris were fantastic and we saw all of the animals on our list and more. The guides were excellent, knowledgeable, polite, friendly and very accommodating. Every safari trip was unique and full of wildlife.
Each of the camps had wonderful accommodations and terrific food. If I have a negative comment on the trip, there was way too much food! It seemed like we were always being fed. The staff at the camps were wonderful, making sure that all of our needs were taken care of in a timely manner.
We did visit Capetown and Victoria Falls. Those trips were lovely, the hotels very nice and the guides excellent.
All in all our trip was terrific. We had a great experience, one that we will long remember.
US
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Safari
I can't imagine a first introduction to the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, local people, and conservation practices of Tanzania more incredible and in-depth than the one I experienced with Aardvark Safaris Tanzania. Augustine Mwangotya is one of the kindest, most welcoming, and most knowledgeable people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. For the two weeks that I spent in Tanzania with Aardvark, Augustine was not only our group's tour leader, but our teacher and more importantly, our friend. Because Aardvark Safaris Tanzania practices eco-tourism, our safari was not only a photographic opportunity, but also an educational one in which we all attempted to truly respect Tanzania's wildlife and understand the varied lifestyles of the country's people. I am constantly missing our Aardvark tour guides and when I again return to Tanzania, I will, without a doubt, be going with Aardvark Safaris Tanzania. Thank you so much for the experience of a lifetime!!
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!
It was the best vacation ever! We had 4 full days of safari and 2 days of zanzibar. If we had known it was this good, we would have arranged a longer vacation. Our tour guide (Bryson) was informative and very friendly, our contacts at the office were very helpful. The tour price was reasonable and the places we stayed were more than we expected. The staff, food, land, everything was amazing. We will be definitely back to Tanzania and I thank everyone who helped us have this wonderful time!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy,Efficient,Well co-ordinated
We a couple booked a tour with Kenya Survivors. They definitely are efficient and well co-ordinated beginning with quick response from Mr. Otieno for all our queries. There was no question, unanswered by our driver,Fred. He was putting all efforts to show us the best., not forgetting our cook Jacob. Accomodation at Kibo Safari camp Amboseli was superb, once a lifetime experience, Mara Sidai camp accomodation could have been a little bettter. Overall, no complaints with Kenya Survivors.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience with Knowledgeable Guides!
This experience far exceeded any expectations we had. Augustine and David were two of the most informed guides. Any questions we had they could answer. They made sure our experience not only covered the large animals but also the smaller flora and fauna as well as the human experience in Africa with visits to the Masai Village and Oldupai (Olduvai) Gorge. The places we stayed couldn't have been more magical. The staff at all the locations were very helpful and nice. The food was amazing (and plentiful!). Planning on going again!