DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Spectacular Safari with Rob!
My family and I have traveled to Namibia and South Africa for many years so we finally decided to go to Botswana for my mothers birthday trip. Golden Africa was recommended to us by our dear South African friends who have been on safaris all over Africa and we could not have been more lucky with our choice. Right from the beginning we felt very comfortable with Rob and were very impressed by how smooth and professional he put together a trip according to our preferences. The in-country services were equally as impressive! Robs knowledge of the region really allowed us to find stunning wildlife scenarios including a wild dog kill right in front of us. Rob had been the only guide who was able to properly track them down so we had the scene to ourselves. There were many situations where it was very clear to us that we picked the right company for our trip, we wish we could make it down there every year and go on another adventure with Golden Africa!
We highly recommend their services! 5 Stars easily!
US
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!!!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Touring Zambia by Car
I explained to Leslie of MTT that my husband I are different from other tourists, we actually want to see the country Zambia and not fly from one camp to another like others. We are interested in the people, the history of a country and we also wanted to see the animals.
Leslie arranged to have Paul take us all around Zambia over a three week period in a private car. Paul is a wonderful guide and a safe driver who seemed to know everybody in the whole country. We spent several nights in various bush camps and when camps were not available we pitched our own tents in the wild, helped Paul cook our own dinners and breakfasts. What a wonderful way to spend a holiday. We are thankful to Leslie for spending the time and effort to make our trip a memorable one. We have been in many places in this world, but Zambia stands out as the best place to see animals without the heard of tourists in your face.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Scam don't go near them
I booked with trips without borders for a part of our honeymoon. I paid some of the money in a wire transfer from the UK. They sent very credible sounding emails and a contract and I was in touch with them right up until my arrival in Kenya. Now the phone number they gave me doesn't work, they are not responding to email and I am reporting them to the police.
SK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great and customized Tanzanian safari experience
PWS organized a great safari for me and my two friends when we visited Tanzania. They customized it to fit our budget and time preferences. Our guide, Vince, was awesome, knowledge of the parks and wildlife was complemented by a great sense of humour.
Would recommend them
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Expereince of a Lifetime!
We loved our tour with World Tours & Safaris. I was nervous because you never know what you are going to get, but World Tours dispelled all my fears!
The guide and cook were both great. The food that they provided three times a day was creative, fresh and surprisingly healthy. We never got sick or anything. The tent was nice and the foam mattress, pillow and sleeping bags were very clean and adequately comfortable. I am sure you could pay twice the price for a thicker mattress, but it was not necessary. We are 50 ish and 60 ish and were mildly roughing it, but for the price and experience it was totally worth it.
Our guide Frank was very knowledgeable and really knew how to keep everyone safe and happy. The guide and cook both worked very hard to ensure everyone was happy.
And we saw all the animals (except the Rhino) and amazing landscapes!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya Walking Tours is the only way to go!
We just returned from 20 days on safari with Kenya Walking Tours, which included Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was absolutely beyond words! We were a party of 6 and we were ALL 100% satisfied with all aspects of our experience. From the planning stages where we negotiated itinerary, accommodations and pricing with OT who was more than willing to work with us, through the actual visits to his office during our stay to give him first had reviews of the adventure, we couldn't have asked for a more organized and comprehensive client-oriented adventure. Our package included all of our transport (including airport transfers!), meals, accommodations, English-speaking drivers, and park admissions. We visited Samburu (our favorite!), Navaisha, Amboseli, Nakuru, Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and finally Zanzibar! Be prepared for long and dusty car rides if you select an itinerary like ours, but keep an open mind and be patient -- pole pole (swahili for slowly)! Hakuna Matata! Everything you will see and the people will meet will be well worth the time spent in rough transit! Our driver, Anthony, was fantastic! Personable, knowledgeable -- and always interested in keeping us safe and happy! Our accommodations ranged from upscale lodges to low budget hotels to tented camps (our favorite being the unfenced camp in the Serengeti!!). Other than the unpredictable availability of hot water, we were always pleasantly surprised with our stays. The food was plentiful and decent; the staff bent over backwards to make your stay unforgettable. We suggest you bring lots of small bills and items to trade. Enjoy the bartering with all the native Kenyans and Tanzanians. It's half the experience! And bring along an extra tote to cart home all the things you'll find yourself not being able to resist purchasing in the heat of the bargaining! I just can't say enough about this trip! Already hoping to book a gorilla trek to Uganda with Kenya Walking Tours!
PS -- I almost forgot the animals! We got glimpses of the Big Five and took thousands of photos of some of the most sites ever! It often times felt surreal to be in such close proximity to animals I thought I's only ever see in National Geographic! Take the Hot Air Balloon --- it's amazing...and the breakfast is unbelievable as well! Finally, we loved our time in Navaisha where we did a walking tour in Crescent Island, as well as a boat ride to spot Hippos galore! I could go on and on, but you get the point.
If you're trying to decide whether to book a tour or not..think no longer! Just do it! You wont be sorry!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Greate 12-days budget safari in Kenya and Tanzania
I booked a 12-days budget safari in Kenya and Tanzania with my girlfriend. The trip started and ended in Nairobi. Erick and his team was well taking care of us.
The driver picked us up at the Nairobi airport and drove us to the Decasa Hotel which Erick reserved for us. We met Erick there and discussed our trip in details.
The payment had to be done partly up fron in cash which as a bit difficult but we agreed to transfer the rest by bank.
The next day we met the rest of the group in the Nairobi city center and we started our trip to Masai Mara. The driver was our main contact person during the whole trip. If we needed something they have taken care of it. We slept in basic hotels or tented camps. In Tanzania we were sleeping 2 nights in a tent and a sleeping bag. Price quality is good.
The organisation was smooth and we enjoyed very much the trip. I would book again. Thank you Erick!
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Personal day tour in Kigali
Booked a day tour with the company at short notice and didn't really have a clear idea what to visit. The owner, Reginal, was brilliant, he came up with suggestions and we quickly agreed a package of visits in his air conditioned car with collection and return to my hotel.
The day was a great success and we crammed an excellent itinerary into 6 hours including the genocide memorial site (a must do), past president's palace, wonderful huge local market packed with very friendly and welcoming store keepers, good lunch stop, best coffee shop in the city and brief visit to the natural history museum. The tour was excellent value, Reginal was very attentive, nothing was too much trouble and he made this Rwanda experience truly memorable. Well done.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Luxurious Primate Experience
Gatatu Safari is a Ugandan based locally ran tour company. The communication with the owner (Richard) is phenomenal. Richard will answer all your questions and change anything and everything you like. He will work with you on customizing everything of preference from activities to lodging upgrades (tents, deluxe rooms, lodges, etc.) He answers most e-mails the same day. Also, the prices they offer can not be beat. We stayed in luxury lodges and Gatatu was the only company that offered them in our price range. The best part about the company is that the owner (Richard) has a degree in social work and he started a school to help children. He uses a portion of the profits from his company to help fund the school and support the children. So, you can feel really good about supporting this tour company as the money does not feed into some euro-based big business. This is also why I believe you will find the best prices here. Note that since the company is not a Euro-business, they do not accept credit card at this time. Payments are made via wire transfer, if this worries you please feel free to contact me or Gatatu can put you in contact with my facebook to confirm your money is safe (and also check out some tour photos)! Working with Gatatu was very professional. They picked us up where we requested right on time and we were dropped off to our exiting destination promptly. Vehicle, safari guide/driver, and bookings were all as promised. All-in-all we were very happy with our tour. We have many recommendations if needed about activities and lodges. I would say your best bet for Primates is through Gatatu as many other companies have a significant mark-up. Gatatu will make sure you get the most for your money.