US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Planet Africa planned the ultimate, perfect trip! Could not have been better.
This was our first safari, and was to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday. Mary at Planet Africa was supremely helpful and is an expert with regards to east African safaris. She spent some time up front talking to me to understand what type of travelers we were and what we wanted to do and see. Then we planned out the itinerary, which included 4 game reserves in Tanzania (Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro Crater, Serengeti) one in Kenya (Masai Mara) and then a beach holiday at Azura Quilalea in Mozambique. During the planning process she was very responsive, helpful and patient -- she spent hours on the phone or emailing me when I had questions or new ideas based on my research. After we finalized the locations we wanted to visit, she would recommend a couple of different lodging options at different price points, all that she had stayed at and knew herself, and she would tell us pros and cons of each. And when we arrived at each location we discovered that she was completely honest and candid about what to expect. She cared and wanted us to have a wonderful experience. As I mentioned, this was our first safari and I was working with some someone on the other side of the globe to plan it, so admittedly I had some trepidation at the start. But her responsiveness and candor put me at ease and I enjoyed working with her. I now realize it is far better to work with someone who has experience and has gone on many, many safaris, and who knows the lodges and resorts because she had stayed there. Also, when Mary was traveling herself or unavailable, someone always responded to me immediately and was quick to help. And there were also many nice details about working with Planet Africa. They provided all sorts of data about the trip, ideas about what to see and do, what to pack. They made sure there was someone at all points to transfer us and help with questions. They arranged 50th birthday cake surprises at one safari lodge and at the beach resort. Our luggage was lost on arrival and they got it to us quickly -- out in the bush. Just a lot of nice little details that made us comfortable and added to our trip. I would recommend Planet Africa Safaris to anyone, and I plan to use them again for my next trip to Africa.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
! TOP QUALITY ! If you want a concierge Level experience, a unique itinerary, and an AMAZING GUIDE..
We are experienced World Travelers (over 40 countries ) , and although flexible as needed without issue, when traveling we prefer luxury accommodations and private versus group tours. We are not snobby about it, and have no problem staying in modest accommodations or using group tours, the fact is we simply appreciate and look for the extra level of quality , detail and attention when available from higher end providers. I note this to qualify our experience with E&H BLESSED SAFARIS. They were not at the top of the lists , but recommended by friends . SO we Especially I was very hesitant to go with a less know company versus a name brand for such a potentially complicated trip . When starting to plan the trip we were told Its important to keep in mind you are planning a Safari in Africa, and you will be touring many uninhabited areas. thus it is important to rate luxury with that caveat, That was our mindset going into the trip . Medium expectations of service and quality rated as Luxury. Boy were we surprised by the level of Quality !!! Erasto Mollel ( the E in E & H ) Is an AMAZING Tour Operator and Guide. Proud of his upbringing as a full Masai warrior, having been raised in a small tribal village, then later University educated, His unique and engaging knowledge of the Land, the Animals , and the Culture makes the hours on the road or in the jeep pass quickly. Our concern over the attention span of our Early teen Boys was quickly overcome By Erasto's warmth and personal interaction with each of them, knowing just how to hold their interest and educating them in the process. We couldn't have been more surprised to find the Boys eagerly trying to locate and identify different Bird species as we traveled along the Roads.... Erasto makes a Special Effort when possible to avoid being in the same exact place at the same exact time as the other tour jeeps, not being part of the "wagon train of Jeeps" is a major part of making the experience Unique although sometimes this is unavoidable. In terms of Park Access Service and Quality of accommodations , Erasto's network of Personal friends and Contacts range from a Number of Major Park General Managers (who were Friends & class mates) to Hotel Operators who worked with Erasto when he was part of upper management at one Luxury Hotel Chains. This Hotel background in particular provides Erasto with foreknowledge and concern for making sure that Not only does he Get the best possible Accommodations for your desired level of comfort and budget ( based on availability at time of booking ) But also Insures that Once On site, Every detail is to your liking, and when It's not he is busy insuring that whatever the issue was has been addressed to your satisfaction. Hopefully I am conveying the High level of personal attention and concern that E&H Safaris ( Erasto, and Happiness His wife the "H" in E&H safaris) place on creating the Tailored Safari experience You seek with the highest level of comfort and quality of accommodation available . Honestly I couldn't believe when my wife said she was booking a small tour company versus one of the Top Name Tours, based on the personal recommendation of a friend. When she checked with Erasto she and was impressed from the start , his responsiveness, attention to detail , and suggestions for customizing our tour won her over immediately . Though as noted I was concerned at first, But once Involved I also quickly became comfortable trusting in Erasto , throughly enjoying our trip and Left Tanzania with a new friend and the most memorable quality experiences in all my world travels.
Suffice it to say We have recommended Erasto and Happiness, E & H BLESSED SAFARIS to everyone we know planning a Trip to Africa. A Few Friends have taken our recommendation and now they too come back feeling just as passionate and satisfied with their experience and that of their Children.
Thus It is with my Highest Levels of Praise and level of Recommendation, ( and my Families) That we Suggest your choosing Erasto's E & H Safaris. They Truly are the Best ! They make every effort to go above and beyond in order to make your Safari , Unique, comfortable and a "Blessed Experience" , One to remember for a Lifetime .
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommended local tour operator
This summer we traveled through Kenya, and a few weeks before we arrived there we tried to find a company to do our safari-trip with. We wanted to visit Samburu as well as Masaai Mara, ideally in a 6 or 7 day trip. Not a lot of companies were offering that as a group tour. Because of that, and because of the good reviews, we contacted Terminal Tours. Even though it was quite short term, we mananged to plan everything such that it exactly fitted our schedule, and Terminal Tours went the extra mile to help us achieve that. Communication was fast and adequate.
The trip itself was an amazing experience. Basically we proposed ourselves to join two different groups and change halfway during our trip, because this would give us an extra day. Because of this we have met several drivers and cooks from Terminal Tours, and they are all very professional, nice guys, and fun to travel with. Because of some unexpected circumstances Terminal Tours had to send another driver for one part of the trip. In order to not let us be affected by this, this driver left Nairobi at 3AM, and in fact on that day we had a private Safari, even though we booked a group tour. This is just an example to show how important service is for Terminal Tours, and they go to great lengths to really give you the experience you pay for, and nothing less.
Already the second day we had seen the complete big five and the great migration as well. We have seen animals hunting, eating prey, and on another day we actually saw the whole process of the migration starting to happen in a spot where we were the only car. This was completely due to the skill and insight of the driver. The cooks were amazing, and the food was of high quality. In the second part of our trip to Kenya we went to the coast for some more fancy resorts, but if I had to choose between the food there, and the food during the safari trip, I would choose the latter anytime. The accomodation is of good quality as well, since we booked a budget safari we expected more of a backpacking setting, however everywhere we had good beds with mosquito nets, hot showers, etc.
Next to the safari trip itself we received great help from Terminal Tours as well, for accomodation on the night we arrived, for helping us book other activities/transport on our travel and by showing us some nice places in Kenya. So, take my word for it, Terminal Tours is highly recommended.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I wish Alym was a travel agent for the rest of the world!
Working with Alym is the best experience I've ever had working with a travel agent. He started by having a phone call with us and discussing a plethora of options, and then giving us his opinion on what he thought we would like based on our ideas for the trip. He hit it spot on. And the best part of the whole thing was the ease of communication. He always answers within 24 hours, which I've always had problems with previous travel agents answering when they felt like it. We had an amazing time in Kenya at the Giraffe Manor, and safari in Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. We liked our accomodations in Masai Mara better than Lake Nakuru, but Alym set our expectations going in that it was not quite as nice due to the budget restrictions we had set. We know now that we should have been more lenient with our budget but we will know for next time. After safari, Alym found us a great beach resort in Zanzibar where we relaxed for a week. We are already thinking about where to next in Africa and in the meantime, letting all of our friends know that they need to go too.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
highly recommended
this is the second time I have done a safari holiday in africa and the first time with sunway. I was certainly not disappointed and infact the holiday and accommodaion were far better than I had expected. I did a 2wk 'beach and bush' from johannesburg through swaziland and mozambique. the tour was very well organised, guides farai and william highly knowledgeable on all our questions, either flora or faune, and did their jobs very professionally. the tour included 3 nights in several places, a welcome break from the long days in the truck, which obviously was a big part of the trip. we did several safaris in a couple of parks, and saw loads. the food on the tour was top quality and rarely convenience foods, lunches often picnics on the road sides and dinners usually a fabulous meal around the camp fire. the 'permanent tents' were far from being tents, all with very good sanitary and hot water, and the places we stayed one night in were more 4* than basic. the programme, although it included thousands of kms and long travelling days was...excellent. I think the entire group would agree that there was nothing we would have changed in hindsight. well done to the guides and organisers
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
spectacular 4 day sani pass and drakensberg tour
Hi Rowly, just to thank you for the really fantastic time we had with you during our 3 day tour last week. The Sani Pass was spectacular, it was great being at the Highest Pub in Africa, and the Drakensberg was fantastic. An amazing walk to gudu falls as well.
We will contact you again next year, when we want to go exploring again.
Regards,
Nicole.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Tour Operator & Safaris for Masai Mara
As suggested by number of colleagues that Absolute Holiday Safaris was one of the best i first emailed David our plan - immediately I got a response with the detailed itinerary. We were travelling from DRC to Uganda to Kenya and then moving ahead to Tanzania. If you plan to do this route with the Masai safari, this tour operator is the one you have been looking for. David, the owner, gave us John Wanjau as the guide, locally known as the AniMal for he knows the jungle like the back of his hand and he will show you all the animals and places like nobody else.
The company helped us for our tours ahead with no extra cost - looking after minutest details. David is available on Whats app for any requirement one can have. Should you need to travel to Kiliminjaro, Zanzibar or other places in the continent, David's network is as reliable as himself and I would trust them as much as I trust him.
Definitely somebody you should contact for all your trips in Africa...
Thanks Absolute Holiday Safaris, we all had a lovely time. Looking forward for our next visits.
SI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great African experience with Blue Crane Safaris
Great trip in Africa ! Our 14 days Self drive trip from Windhoek to Victoria Falls has ended a few day ago and we had to write this review to share the great experiance we had. After we had checked a lot of offers for our holidays - traveling through Namibia to Botswana and than Victoria Falls we had chosen Blue Crane Safaris and that was for sure the best possible decision. They offered good price, they responded to all of our emails in very short term, they suggested what to visit, which roads shall we take and many many more. They had really helped us a lot. When my son was sick almost in the middle of the desert they gave us all the informations about the nearest doctor and helped us organize meeting with the doctor. The next thing is the car we get... It was almost brand new car. Really great car for driving across gravel roads. Not to mention accomodations which was all above our expectations. We choose medium price level accomodations but that were in our opinion almost all luxurious level and consequently the food was great and there was plenty of choice every day. So a brief summary, You have to book you holidays with Blue Crane Safaris and you will be amazed with all the beauty that Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa has to offer. A big thanks again to our agent Mr. Derek Jacobs who helped us organizing that outstanding vacations, and we will for sure meet again one day.
Igor
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wildlife and beach relaxation
The Safari was well planned and everything turn out as promised. We saw thousands of different animal species and stayed at some iconic Safari lodges with a charm of their own. At the end of our Safari we caught an Auric Air flight to Zanzibar where we spent the rest of the 5 days lazing on the beach and exploring the quirky Stone Town. We found the local people to be very friendly whether is Zanzibar or Masai hut the glowing smiles always welcomed us.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great horseback trail and game drive Hluhluwe
Hi Roland, just to thank you for the great time my friends from overseas and I had while on tour with you. We all had an awesome time, they will be back next year to go on another safari with you.