50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Straight into our top ten best holidays ever !
South Africa has such a mixed reputation that we have avoided a family trip there for years. Then we decided in April 2016 to book a South African winter ( UK summer holiday) The UK brochures looked A) expensive B ) Limited. I googled and found Pembury quite by chance – well, the angels must have sung for me when I was connected to Tammy at Pembury Tours.
From the off she immediately sorted an initial trip - which when I looked at seemed fine but we had a slightly larger budget so she moved things around - and again and again . I kept changing my mind about what I wanted to do and in what order. Tammy was all over it. Finally we agreed the price was right and the hotels looked wonderful - they always do though – don’t they?
I had lunch with friends who had booked with the big travel agents the year before. I told them the price.
"How much? - you’re either being scammed or the accommodation will be awful."
Wrong !
The accommodation, without exception was 5 * plus.
All of the hotels & B & B were beautiful, the Safari so good we wept when we left and the welcome warm and friendly and the service to die for. The entire trip was flawlessly organised with small little add on’s like the bus tours around Cape Town and the details in the documents sent about trips to take at each stop. It was all very easy and relaxed. I compared the price paid to the big UK brochures and Tammy at Pembury supplied a 5 * service for pretty much the same price or less in the case of our stunning Safari ( Game Farm ). I can wholeheartedly recommend Tammy to anyone travelling to SA at any time in the future. We are already planning our next trip.
IN
Great experience & Good Coordination
A 12 days trip to Kenya , Me and spouse alone . Private tour and the best part of the tour is our Guide /Driver Mr Shem, a Knowledgeable and very humble person . Mr OT was excellent in coordination . Met him at His office and from the next day the tour started . Tsavo _, Amboselli , Nakuru , Naivasha & Maara . Mr Shem was very cooperative and made us feel very comfortable . Everything was well organised . Baloon safari was awesome - a lifetime experience , pl do not miss it . Have patience in Massai Mara ,Natures Unfolds at its own course and our Guide was very patient and even suggested us to few locations where get to see Lions and Leopards very close . If it had been a 4X4 vehicle Mr Shem would have felt comfortable and he was at its best in driving with the Vehicle given to him . An wiressless Radio would have been a added advantage which was Missing.
We are planning our Next trip to Massai Maara very soon ..., of course with Kenya walking .., Mr OT - will meet you soon .., Keep it Up team.
AT
Very good experience with Kilimanjaro Budget Safaris
I climbed Kilimanjaro with them via Marangu route and it was an overall nice experience. Everything was well-organised, the guides and porters were friendly and the food was suprisingly delicious.
I can really recommend Kilimanjaro Budget Safari to anyone thinking about visiting Tanzania.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 day Masai Mara
We got picked up at 6.30 am and went to the office of Big Time. But the thing they do is that all the companies try to fill up their buses and so we were driving for probably four more hours through Nairobi to pick up people from other companies. This caused us then to arrive at the camp so late that we couldn't go out for safari anymore. The plan was then to start the next day really early with breakfast at 5.30 to compensate the missed time and to see the sunrise. But this didn't work out because there was no breakfast until 6.15am so we also missed the sunrise. The rest of the day was really awesome, we saw a lot of animals and the Masai Mara national park is really worth a visit. When we asked in the evening for water they told us that there's only 1 liter each per day and in my opinion this is too less if they say that water is included!
On the third day we actually made it to see the sun rise and left to Nairobi at 8am and arrived at home around 4pm. Besides that we had a driver who wasn't speaking at all to our group and was racing all the time so that we were just shaking in the bus the whole time. It would have been nice if he would have explained sometimes things about Masai Mara but at least he knew the ways there very well.
So I definitely would recommend to go to Masai Mara National Park but in my opinion not with the Big time company. Probably spending more money would be worth it.
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
From the first moment on we have felt like family
My daughter organized our trip. And from her I know, that the communication before hand with Erick was excellent. He was there for any questions and guidance.
From the moment we arrived we were in good hands. And this kept during the hole low budget 12-day trip (Kenya and Tanzania). The game view was fantastic. We had so much luck with our guides ("Animal" in Kenya and Essau in Tanzania). We saw soooo many amazing things, not only the animal (Big five of course too) but also a cheetah hunting a Thomson gazelle and a crocodile catching a zebra. Since we were well prepared, we know that it could be really cold not only in the car watching the animals in the morning but also at night (especially at the top of the Ngorongoro crater in 2300 m). The temperature changed during the day from 28° to next to zero° Celsius). We had our own sleeping bag with us, a small towel for the camping sides in Tanzania, winter clothes and always enough toilet paper in our trouser pockets. We also had some spare water with us. For the tour everyone got 1 litre in Kenya and 1.5 litre in Tanzania per day. In the camps and in the hotel you could drink a lovely bear at night to refill your electrolytes. And we really loved the popcorn for dinner in Tanzania! Our accommodation were home stay (self organized in Nairobi), hotels, tents with included bathroom and tents with extern washrooms at the public camping sides in Tanzania. The tents were much larger than we expected and very comfortably. And so were the hotels. The food was also good and always, especially at night, far too much. For the next time we learned to protect ourselves in a better way against the dust. We would using a dusk mask rather than just using a scarf. For us the hole trip was an unforgettable experience and for this we want to thank Erick and his team very much. We hope to see him in the next future again. For all the wildlife friends out there we can highly recommend Erick and Ewamanns Safari.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Victoria Falls/Botswana Tour
We just returned from a trip to Victoria Falls and Botswana that was planned by The Safari Partners. The trip exceeded our expectations! We spent 2 nights in Victoria Falls, and 2 nights each at Chobe Game Lodge, Camp Moremi, Camp Okavanga and Leroo La Tau. The lodging, locations and guides were great. Each location was different and Safari Partners did a great job of coordinating the flights between camps. Chris at Safari Partners was great! Anytime we sent him a question, we had a response within 24 hours or less. We would definitely use Safari Partners again.
EG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very accomodating
Wonderful experience with Ewamanns. We needed to change plans last minute and they were so accommodating. Communication was quick in response and comprehensive. The whole operation was very slick. I would recommend them for their flexibility and attention. The safari itself was such an amazing experience. I would definitely use Ewamann as a safari operator again.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Truly Wonderful African Experience
My daughter is a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi, Africa. When I decided to visit her in Africa during her assignment, I had no idea how to piece a two week vacation together. I contacted Anne Bellamy of Great Safaris who put an amazing trip together for us. Anne made arrangements for us to meet in CapeTown, South Africa where we spent a wonderful week touring this beautiful and fascinating city, as well as the Cape of Good Hope. We then flew to Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a part of greater Kruger National Park, and went on safari for 5 days. The arrangements made for our trip were flawless. The flights were well planned out, the ground transports were professional and on time, the companies they contracted with in South Africa were wonderful, and the facilities that were booked for us were perfect. Anne tailored a vacation package that suited our needs, which included tours we were interested in but also included enough free time for us to spend time together and explore on our own. I could not have done this on my own, and I cannot thank Great Safaris enough for putting together this worry free vacation that has given my daughter and I memories that will last a lifetime.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Getting all those little details right!
Such a great trip! It was obvious that the team really care about what they do and are determined to get everything right for you. Lovely attention to all those little details that add up to make the whole thing a great experience....and we laughed so much!! A beautiful, beautiful place , coffee plantation,waterfalls and great company. We had actually gone with them the year before as well on the Ngorongoro safari tour which was such an excellent holiday. I would really recommend Godfrey and his team at African Traits.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing time
World Air Tours, and their guide, John, really delivered a great time. Six adults, ten days, five-two lions, two black rhinos, five leopards and uncounted elephants, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, etc. etc. We stayed at two wonderful lodges and two comfortable tent camps. The food was always good and plentiful. We really enjoyed having meals with John and learning about his life, his family and his country. The Safari was truly like nothing we've ever done and are so happy that World Air Tours put together a flawless trip. Thank you!