CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A well organized, insightful exploration of Tanzania's wild
We greatly enjoyed our safari and how wonderful our guide Zepha was.
Zepha's hospitality was apparent as soon as we met him at the airport, and he was friendly and conscientious throughout. His understanding of animals and their behaviours made it feel like we had a scientist onboard with us. We learned so much from him about the Serengeti and Tanzania. He is a great ambassador for Swala and Tanzania.
In terms of the trip it was wonderful how seamless everything was was - no issues with lodges, meals etc. Rose was very prompt and helpful throughout the booking process.
A relaxing time!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 Days Gombe Stream Safari
After trying to arrange travel on my own to Gombe Stream, I am so glad that I decided to work with Gombe Track for what turned out to be a once in a lifetime trip to the Reserve for chimpanzee viewing. Here are a few of what I found to be the biggest challenges to arranging my own travel: 1) there is one flight to Kigoma every Sun, Mon, Weds and Fri only, 2) Gombe is accessible by boat only and catching a public boat or hiring your own on the spot is not guaranteed, 3) you may only visit Gombe on a 24 hour maximum permit. Joshua with Gombe Track was responsive in multiple e-mail communications about the 3 day itinerary. I was all set to travel to Gombe followed by another safari elsewhere in Tanzania when Joshua let me know that the flight times had changed. Fortunately, although I lost some money, I was able to re-book my subsequent flight and shift my subsequent safari schedule one day ahead. Despite this uncontrollable change in flights, my experiences with Gombe Track Safari were excellent. All the drivers provided were on time to meet me at the hotel and airport. James (driver) was especially helpful in explaining local sites and culture. Hotel accommodations in Kigoma included a private room with bathroom. Hotel staff, however, did not seem to be aware of my affiliation with Gombe Track Safari and tried to charge me for diner that was actually included with the safari package. The boat booked for transport to Gombe Stream was on time, well equipped with new safety equipment, and the captain (Baraka) well experienced with the route and lake conditions. The safari chef, Amos, was very accommodating and prepared more food than I could eat, including fresh caught lake fish. The “Luxury Tented Camp” in Gombe Reserve was by far the nicest platform tent accommodation I have even seen. It was fully equipped with a shower, toilet, and large bed! The park guides are very experienced and mine worked with two trackers to locate a large Chimp troops, which I was lucky enough to watch for quite some time. Although Gombe is off the beaten tourist track, it is worth a visit for anyone interested in Jane Goodall’s work or the Lake Tanganyika area.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible experience with outstanding guide.
I'm an experienced traveler having been to 46 countries. This was my third trip to Africa where I'd visited 7 countries but not been to Namibia yet. I discovered Nature Travel Namibia through Safari Bookings and couldn't be more pleased. One never knows quite what to expect when trying a new company. What a wonderful surprise this was. Nick Buys has an infectious love and knowledge of his country and wildlife. We made a last minute decision to travel. With such short notice, he was able to arrange for everything we wanted and was flexible as the trip progressed. Accommodations were superior with wonderful meals. We were on a safari trip, but my boyfriend is also a birder. Nick knows his birds and got me hooked on them too. All future trips to Africa will be with his company. I've recommended him to all my friends. I know he also leads birding trips elsewhere and we will definitely go with him.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy choice, Best choice –Gosheni Safaris Africa
My three friends and I had an unforgettable safari in Tanzania on the 24th September to 1st October.
This is my first trip to Africa and I was fascinated by the endless plate and the freedom animals. I can’t stop to look around and take pictures. I have to tell you that Tanzania is a good place to travel for your life.
everything about this safari was amazing and I have nothing even remotely negative to say. I cant recommend Gosheni highly enough, you will not regret booking through them.
At the end I want to say I will be back in the future.
Thanks Gosheni. thank you Peter and Thank you Enock.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dahlia Safari
I chose to work with Brian Temu and his company to coordinate my Safari in Tanzania and it was the best decision I could have made. The safari excursion made possible by Brain and his team were such a pleasure to deal with and they made sure that every single aspect of my trip was exactly what I wanted.
Starting with my 9p.m. airport pickup from Kilimanjaro International airport, Brian and his team were on time waiting for me to begin my journey. I could not have asked for a smoother trip being that everything went well without a hitch.
I would 100% recommend this company to anyone looking to enjoy an African safari. I am already thinking about when I will return for more!
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari means great people - You will find them in Hekima Safaris for sure!
My and my family choose Hekima Safaris for our guides in Tanzania in June 2017 and that was best decision ever. :) From the very beginig Hekima Team was very helpful and caring. We spend with them 5 days - 6 nights visiting Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. We slept in many different places discovering whole variety of Tanzania - exactly as we asked for. Hekima guide Sammy is a great guy with huge knowledge about wildlife and Tanzania itself. We had amazing time with him during game drives and also chatting in the evenings I know we did his best for us to see big 5 and other amazing habitants of Tanzania's national parks. During safari he become a member of our family we all liked him so much! :) Also Marcus - our Master Chef did a great job cooking for us tasty meals every day - what's more he was responding for every our requests regarding food (we wanted to try traditional tanzanian food: meat with bananas and he prepared it for us for the next meal) and we loved his pancakes <3 The last 2 evenings Jackson and Elieza joined us and we spend some quality time during dinner chatting and having fun. The last night we spend in Hekima house thanks to kindness of whole Hekima Team :) and again they show best side of Tanzania hospitality and good vibes only! Thanks to whole Hekima team this travel for me and rest of my crazy family will be remember as a great and safe adventure among amazing people who love what they do :) Thank You Hekima Family - hope to see you soon agian!
JP
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
4 days safari at Masai Mara and Nakuru
Maggie is very responsive and the tour is well organized. However, I gave three stars, because the guide/driver was not so professional. I did not feel his passion to entertain guests who came to Kenya from far away countries. He sped away through many interesting scenes, and he drove slowly in barren area without any animal. One day, he came back to the hotel at 4.30 pm from full day safari, while sunset is 6.30 pm. He can be more attentive to guests and communicate with them to confirm what guests want.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Three wonderful days on safari in Tsavo National Park organised by Diani Travel Centre
Three incredible days in East and West Tsavo with Patrick Gitonga our guide and driver who helped to make our safari an amazing and unforgettable experience. We stayed at Aruba and then at Saltlick, seeing elephants, lions, buffalo, zebra, cheetah, lots of different antelope and birds too numerous to mention. Special thanks to Patrick the man with binocular eyes, it was a pleasure to be with someone so knowledgeable and friendly, also to Bruce whose customer service and communications were excellent. Many, many thanks.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time, much more than expected with Arrive Africa Safaris
We did a 13 days tour with Arrive Africa Safaris from 11th to 23th June 2017
We had a very good experience using the services of this company.
It started by contacting Jessica at their office. She answered each mail
and each question promptly. She organized a safari tour tailored to our needs and time and the
plan was just the best one can ask.
Arriving at the airport of Entebbe, a car was waiting to drive us to our hotel at Kampala, exactly as
Jessica promised.
The Safari tour was much more than we expected. Our guide/driver, Martin, was a young guy, who finished his
studying as an engineer, but still prefers to work with tourist. Martin has a good knowledge on
almost everything in Uganda, animals, History, political situation or Sport. He appeared to be a very reliable
man, always on time, taking care for everything we need, which included cutting pineapple and mango every day with his machete. We just had the feeling he is part of our family.
The lodges were mostly above what we expected, we ordered a budget tour but mostly got lodges of higher
class, maybe because it was the beginning of the season and Martin and Jessica could work it out this way.
A good company is tested in a case of a crisis and Arrive Africa Safari did it just great.
On the second day of our tour the car broke down because it went over a very big stone, tearing its lower part
and causing leaking of oil. We already thought we are going to miss some days of our tour. Martin just put us on another car of a colleague of another company, took care that he will take us to our lodge for lunch, took care for bringing us to our boat tour and took care that the boat will take us. Meanwhile his company sent two mechanics from Kampala (5 to 6 hours drive) to fix the car. The car could not be fixed in one night, so they sent another car to drive us till the car got repaired.
We didn't miss anything, we could just appreciate Martin and his company working so hard that we will be happy.
I was quite skeptic, while booking our tour with Jessica, cause I didn't find a lot of reputation on this company on the web. I did it cause Jessica convinced me that it will be ok and because I wanted to do it with a company, which belong to the local people of Uganda.
For summary, we had a very beautiful time in Uganda, thanks to Martin and Jessica. Any detail which was promised has been fulfilled.
All the permits for the Gorilla, Chimpanzee and other reserves were taken care long in advance. The price we got was really fair and the "value for money" the best.
I can just recommend them to anybody going to make a Safari tour in Uganda.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Safari experience in Kenya and Tanzania
This Canadian based tour operator is excellent. They work with two locally owned agencies, in Kenya and Tanzania, so you get a lot of local experience in designing your itinerary. The driver/guides were knowledgeable and professional. The selections of accommodations was exceptional and added to our safari experience and were selected to met our safari requests.
I couldn't recommend them more
You just gotta use them when you go to Africa (Kenya and Tanzania)
We also used them to add on a gorilla trek in Rwanda and some sun in Zanzibar. Again Africa Bound Safaris paired with professional local agencies and we had no issues and great experiences.