DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The time of your life!
The main purpose of my trip to Tanzania was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. But since I had few days between my arrival in Tanzania and the start of the climb I decided to book a Safari. I picked three agencies through safaribooking and asked them to provide me an offer. The reservation and payment process was quick and easy. I arrived in Tanzania on February 2nd, it was the end of the rainy season and I was struck by the beauty of the landscapes around Kilimanjaro Airport, with a wonderful tropical forest. Unfortunately along the street which takes to Arusha there were dozens of slums and unpaved roads. Arush itself is nothing special at all, but it's the perfect starting point for any safari headed to NgoroNgoro and Serengeti. I had booked a four days group Safari to Serengeti and NgoroNgoro but as I was the only one willing to sleep in a Lodge I found my self alone with the Safari Guide/Driver. He was just amazing ! Serengeti it's simply unforgettable, pure magic, amazing wildlife and landscapes. The time of your life! NgoroNgoro didn't tell me much, but seen from aboveon the terrace located on the way down it's beautiful- The lodges I slept in were simply perfect, two nights inside Serengeti, with the Lions roaring during the night and amazing thunderstorms in the far distance. The food as well was always good, nothing special or typical from Tanzania, but absolutely okk !
But Kilimanjaro again was the time of my lifw!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A quiet park with lovely scenery
This tranquil little park in the Eastern Cape is one of the few places you can see its namesake: the Cape mountain zebra. The population of these animals dropped to zero in the 1940s, but through a very successful reintroduction programme, the park now boasts more than 700 Cape mountain zebras.
(Burchell’s is the most common zebra in southern Africa. The Cape mountain zebra is smaller than its common cousin, and has bigger ears. Its stripes are bolder than the Burchell’s, and its belly is white. There are no shadows on the stripes, as with the Burchell’s.)
Mountain Zebra National Park is also home to cheetah (which I didn’t see) and a lot of plains game: hartebeest, buffalo and black rhino, springbok and blesbok. When I visited, there were only two roads you could drive on – both one-ways, which take you along the beautiful open plains of sweet grass that stretch off into the distant hills. There are, however, a few 4x4 trails, and some walking trails too.
The night skies out here on the edge of the Karoo are exceptionally clear, so take a star-gazing reference book or download a night skies app, and take your safari into another dimension. There is an overwhelming sense of tranquillity in Mountain Zebra National Park, and while game-viewing doesn’t compare with many of South Africa’s other parks, it is a wonderful place to put your feet up, take out a good book and soak up life in the lovely Karoo.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A bush experience on the borders of a bustling city
What makes this park so special is that it’s situated right on Nairobi’s city limits (in fact, the city is growing around the park) – and within a 20-minute drive from the airport, you can be watching rhinos graze contentedly or lions dozing under bushes.
The park is home to Kenya Wildlife Service’s headquarters; as a result the game is very well protected and Nairobi National Park has become something of sanctuary to rhinos, and there is a population of around 60. The park is mostly open grasslands, and you’re almost guaranteed of seeing hartebeest, zebra and giraffe. There is a healthy population of lions too, and one evening we watched a pride of about 15 – including many cubs – laze about as the sun set.
There are now two lodges within the park: The Emakoko, a very comfortable lodge set in small valley, with suites that look out through fever trees, and Nairobi Tented Camp, which is set in a beautiful forested ravine. If you’re travelling to Kenya for a safari experience, it’s well worth booking into one of these lodges, as you’ll not waste any time getting into bush mode.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great for budget and convenience, but more downtime than expected
Safari With Us booking at Kruger adventure lodge was overall a good experience for the price we paid, which while not cheap was definitely the cheapest we found compared to others for the value it offered. This package definitely maximizes budget and convenience (transportation to/from airports and safaris each day, breakfast and dinners included), however the package included more downtime than was expected with little to do on site.
The package advertised activities at night, full day safari and optional game rides on the third day. All optional rides were ~$100 extra each, there were no activities at night, unreliable WiFi only in the reception area, and the full day (which does start at 5am) ended before 3pm with nothing to do in the evening. So, what we thought was a 3 day safari was actually 1.5 (evening ride day 1 and 5am-3pm day 2). The game rides were incredible and made the experience absolutely worth it, but more transparency about what we were actually getting up front would have been nice.
The staff were mostly friendly (especially those who drove us and receptionists up front), with exception of 1-2 wait staff who seemed caught off guard when we sat down to eat and were not friendly at all.
The rooms were clean and spacious, though the AC does go out, the fridge did not work, and we found a frog in our bathroom on the last day.
Overall, I would still recommend this tour package if you are looking to maximize on budget and convenience while still getting to see some incredible things, but not if you are looking to maximize your time on Safari or a luxury lodging experience.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ok
Food, transportation, guide were great... but the wildlife and safari experience was regular
TR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bucket List Ticked
I loved my Safari with Best Day Safari...they were terrific ...magical experience...thankyou to all that made such a great trip!
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Content
My experience with Absolute Holiday Safaris was satisfactory. The safari itself, and the safari guide were amazing. The campsite however, was not anything described to us. When you first arrive in Nairobi you are taken to Absolute Holiday Safaris main office were a consultant explains the details of the trip and the camp to you. Unfortunately, main things he explained about the camp were completely wrong. I almost felt as if they had never been to the camp themselves, or lacked contact with the camp. Their was no free wifi as specified. When taken to see the Massa Mari tribe we were told a small donation of about $10 American was needed. This was not the case, as you have to paid 1000 shilling before the Massa Mari will let you into their tribe. Then they continue to push you to purchase jewelry and other goods from them. While it was a great experience, it was also a little uncomfortable. The food at the camp is mediocre. We had to demand our 'free water', and the water in our attached bathrooms did not work, and if it did for a moment was time was no were near warm.
I did overall enjoy my holiday, but would tell people not have the highest of expectations.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Alright but too touristic
Our guide did not even introduced himself when we met him. Basically I would say that he was a driver more than a guide. We didn't lean anything about the wildlife of the reserve and the communication was very poor.
the guides went out of the road to see the lions closer, which is forbidden. We didn't appreciate that at all since it was very disrespectful of the wildlife and of the animals.
The food was alright.
A bit disappointed to do the same as all the tourists in the reserve.
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Not great, but dealt with problems well
Let's start by saying the Ngorogoro Crater and Serengeti were both amazing. The standard of the food was excellent.
However, this trip could definitely have been done in 3 days not 4, particularly as we had one 'rest' day at a campsite with nothing much happening. At $135 per day, that's an expensive rest.
Also the tents provided by the affiliate were entirely unsuitable for camping at the top of the crater. Thin plastic poles, one of which broke, flimsy plastic covering, no guy ropes. the crater top is cold, wet windy and you need the proper safari tents that most other operators provided. All my stuff got wet and i hardly slept.
Upon return at Arusha, Bestday listened to my complaint and took it on board. They promised not to use that affiliate again and paid for my hostel that night, so i felt they dealt with it well.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wildlife
My accommodation, food and transport to Ndaka at Nambiti game reserve was excellent and so was the weather and wildlife. Our game ranger and staff went the extra mile and had sighting of 4 out of Big 5