FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
professionnel ,quality/price
Hello, we are a couple having stayed from 02/02/2018 till 04/02/2018. We liked the place, the welcome was warm, the roo and the private bathroom toilet were clean. The meal prepared by the chef was delicious. The staff was nice and very helpful our guide ' Saloum ' (saddened for the spelling:-)), was very kind very nice, he took care of us during the stay, he even found us a flight for return. Mr Donatus was very professional, thanks to him we were able to reserve and to program our safari from France . I strongly recommend thank you for all Nahla
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great planning, mediocre execution
We booked a 4 day Serengeti honeymoon through Walter with a 5-day Zanzibar add-on. We chose to book with him because he was easy to communicate with and seemed extremely knowledgeable. The detailed trip descriptions customized for the season gave me confidence that he would arrange a great trip for us.
Altogether, Walter's recommendations for lodging were all spot on. All the accommodation he recommended were truly outstanding.
Reasons for the 3-star review:
1) My most serious complaint was our guide named Anderson. While he was a safe driver, always punctual, and seemed very competent at finding game we had an unbelievably hard time communicating with him and that really put a damper on the trip for us. To give you some background, I have lived in the Middle East and Africa for extended periods of time so I would consider myself adept at speaking with non-native English speakers. However, both me and my wife found ourselves constantly frustrated. Anderson could not teach us much about the nature that we came to see nor could he answer our questions. To be honest, we would ask a question and usually get a completely off-the-wall answer as he didn't understand what we had asked. Eventually driving around gets boring if you don't know what you're really looking at with any depth! Other travelers and their guides we met along the way did not seem to have this issue.
2) There were some permit issues entering two of the parks, each one causing a 1-2 hour delay when we would have preferred to have been relaxing in the lodge. The driver tried to tell me it was the network, the park employees clarified it was poor preparations although didn't further elaborate. I ended up having to pay entrance fees to one park which I did get reimbursed for.
3) Our guide decided to go off the road in Serengeti to get closer to some lions. It was our first day and we had no idea that this wasn't allowed. Sure enough, the rangers came and we had to follow them back towards the airport (nearly an hour away in the wrong direction) for our driver to get a 'ticket.' About 5 minutes into this drive they stopped and motioned our driver out of the car. Next thing we knew our driver was asking us for money to bribe the rangers. I said I would not give him money. A few minutes later we were on our way without paying a fine. I have no idea what exactly was going on... I have no idea if this is a setup or common occurrence but it certainly left a bad taste in our mouth.
4) The airport transfer that Walter arranged for us in Zanzibar consisted of an hour of entrapped salesmanship. The transfer company he contracted was also a 'tour company' and spent the hour pushing countless tour options which we were not at all interested in. We both arrived with headaches.
Bottom line: I would trust Walter's planning again but I'd be weary of your guide. I honestly would go so far as to talk with your guide on the phone ahead to be sure you can communicate. Don't trust other's TripAdvisor notes mentioning guides because ours actually had a few decent comments!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sarah got us all set up, my husband and 2 kids. They are well organized and have a personal touch.
First Safari, Tanuga was very knowledgeable. They gave us 100% we felt comfortable and they thought of everything. A safari with kids(3,5) not easy but we rather enjoyed ourselves.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We only renting a car but the service was great.
We did a 3 week trip true Kenya and Tanzania in 2017 as backpackers. And therfore we needed a trustabel car whithout a driver. And therefore we needed a trustable car without a driver. Blue Mountain Trekking Safaris rented us that car for 4 persons and gave us some good advices and tips. We where very happy with that and have had a wonderful time in Kenya with their care. We didn't have any complaints. Because the elections problems in Kenya in 2017 we had to leave some days earlier than planned but also that was no problem we good leave the car at the airport where the owner picked it up him self.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari!!! It was like a dream!! Great company, and amazing staff!
I did the safari with my partner at the beginning of February with this company and it was an amazing experience! We book a group safari, and we were just us :) so everything private :)!! The guide was great, and we had an amazing chef that cooks really good food. The car was in perfect conditions, and all the parks that we have visited were incredible!!
Richard, the owner, always answer your emails really fast, and help you with all the questions that you have.
I really recommend this company.
Thanks so much for such amazing experience!
HU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful safari, easy booking
I booked a five days Tanzania safari and booking was very smooth and easy. Simon patiently and timely provided all the information I requested. It was a joining group safari with lodge accommodation. The safari was done by Tanzanian branch, all logistics worked perfectly even taking into the account the fact that our group changed a bit in the middle of the trip and that other people in the car were doing camping option. The company also told me that I can choose any starting day and any safari option and they will accommodate it.
The safari itself included visits to four national parks in the North of Tanzania: Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. We saw plenty of animals, saw big five, all five days were exciting and amazing. The parks are very different and each is very special. Lodges which were booked for me were great. The pick up and drop off from/to airport were also included and were on time, in clean nice cars and with good driver.
The entire experience was very positive.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
JUST TOO GREAT
We have just finished our once in a lifetime African Safari with Rupia Adventure and are ecstatic with the whole experience which far exceeded even our highest of expectations. Mathias organized a personalized 4 night, 5 day budget safari. Mathias was extremely accommodating, helpful and responsive which was a major reason for choosing Rupia Adventure. Our guide Miraji and chef David were outstanding, exceptionally friendly and professional.
Miraji has a huge depth of knowledge about Tanzania's people, wildlife, plants and the national parks that we visited. He was very passionate about providing a truly individualized Safari experience for us, and his added sense of humour will be sorely missed.
For a budget tour, we still felt like we were living in luxury. Each day David provided 3 delicious and hearty meals, plus heaps of snacks, juice and fruit. David also was totally friendly and accommodating to all our needs, we couldn't have asked for more and we will miss his heart warming smile.
The campsites we stayed at were Nsya at Lake Manyara, Seronera at Serengeti, and Simba at Ngorongoro. Each campsite was tidy and clean, and it was beautiful to fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush with the stars above you. We also spent one night at Chaka Camp which was very luxurious and the food was superb.
We will be recommending Rupia Adventure to all our friends and family. If you are considering a safari look no further, this is the company to travel with.
We love Tanzania! Thank you Rupia Adventure for making it so special.
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magical Beauty
I have been to Africa a few times BUT this time was very special, due mainly to the wonderful people of Shikwaru Adventures. They organized for me and my 8 year old a magnificent experience. South Africa is in itself a beautiful country. Shikwaru went the extra mile to make it even more beautiful, more enjoyable, more unforgettable: their professionalism and friendliness, their punctuality and extremely skilled drivers, the places they took us to, all organized to perfection. It was just magical! My daughter and I left with our hearts filled with joy and beauty, new friends, and the certainty that we will book with Shikwaru again sometime in the near future.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lion King is Simply the Very Best! Choosing Lion King was the best decision we could have made!
From the moment we requested a safari quote from Lion King, we were treated like royalty. Anna responded to every question and itinerary request quickly and graciously. Booking a safari from 5,000 miles away (with an 11-hour time difference) for a family of four was a daunting task but Anna’s incredibly courteous demeanor and prompt responses made the process not only painless but enjoyable.
Our flight to JRO arrived over an hour late, at close to 11:00pm. Even so, we were immediately greeted by a friendly Lion King representative who drove us to our hotel in Arusha and checked us in. The following morning, we were greeted promptly at the planned time by our guide, James. We could not have dreamed up a more incredible, kind, knowledgeable, and overall fabulous guide and human being than James.
Our 4-night, 5-day safari included: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara. We stayed at Outpost Lodge in Arusha, Eileen’s Trees, Heritage Luxury Tented Camp, and Ilboru Safari Lodge. All exceeded every expectation. At every turn, we were left with jaws agape at the scenery, the up-close encounters with unreal wildlife, the accommodations, the people, the food — everything. James proactively shared interested facts about the flora and fauna, the animals, the culture and customs of Tanzanians and the Masai tribe. He knew shortcuts and people along the way and handled every moment of our safari like an absolute pro. To watch him navigate these roads is a site to behold in and of itself.
When our safari finally came to end and it was time to say goodbye, we were delivered for our last overnight at the fantastic Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha. Anna even met us here for a debrief and hosted us for drinks and lovely conversation.
Now, as we wait at Ilboru for our Lion King-hosted ride to the Arusha airport to catch our flight to Zanzibar, I write this review hoping others out there, probably miles away and struggling to find the right fit for a safari company, take great comfort in reading this review, knowing you will not find a more genuinely amazing company than Lion King. There aren’t enough stars available to adequately rate Anna and James and the Lion King team. Without a doubt, they are the cream of the crop. They made every step of our African safari even more magically than we’d ever dreamed it could be. We are ever grateful for them.
PE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE
I am very glad I chose Rupa Adventure for my safary, the organization was perfect me and my family loved it ..we got unforggetable memories ..thank you so much to the team..
