35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best value and excellent communication
My wife and I booked three nights at Thornybush game reserve with Sally who was extremely efficient and honest, we could've booked the lodge directly but I'm glad we didn't as we were given a fantastic rate and very good advice on which lodge to choose. Sally recommended Waterbuck lodge which was intimate and very private. The staff and the food were top notch, however the game drives were the highlights of our stay. We were treated to a stand off between wild dogs and a white rhino and what a sighting that was!
I can not recommend African Travel Consultants enough, we will happily use them again for our next safari as we feel that we received more value for our money.
Ashley
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My first safari (Kenya & Uganda) holiday and I’m really happy I went with Matoke Tours
- My first ever safari holiday. Having read the excellent feedback from other reviewers on Matoke Tours, I got in contact with them and Matoke staff quickly and diligently helped me organize my trip (14 day, Kenya and Uganda).
- My wife and I had a fantastic time in both Kenya and Uganda - The itinerary worked really well, capturing the best parts of both Kenya and Uganda. Also thanks to our drivers who were professional, knowledgeable and friendly and the staff at the camps we stayed at (especially Eden Mara camp, Masai Mara and Isunga Lodge, edge of Kibale forest)
- Highlights of the tour included Masai Mara Great Migration and watching the Mountain gorillas in Bwindhi forest.
- Matoke tours surpassed my expectations and I’ve already recommended the company to my friends and family.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good service
The service was so good and they ride back fast. They are at the place on time. Me and my family was very happy
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
Our safari with Nature Travel Namibia exceeded all expectations from booking right through to the experience itself. We had a very personal service when booking with lots of silly questions answered quickly and fully. We did the Namibia, Botswana, Victoria Falls safari and it was excellent from start to finish.
Our guide, Jakes, knowledge, expertise and patience was unbeatable. He took care of all the arrangements and looked after us for the whole of the Namibian part of the tour. He was excellent at finding and spotting wildlife and taught us so much. The group was very small and personal, just myself and my adult daughter and 3 other ladies. As 2 women travelling alone safety was an issue of us but we felt totally safe at all times.
Our guide couldn't accompany us over the border to Botswana and while we missed him and all he did for us all the transfers were smooth and without problems.
The Namibian part of the trip was the best for us with wonderful views of animals including lions on a kill, elephants, zebra, giraffe, hippos, crocodile and lots of different antelope and beautiful birds, some of the encounters up really close. Chobe in Botswana was fantastic in terms of wildlife and landscape but was spoiled for us a bit by being so crowded, especially compared to Etosha and Caprivi. But Victoria Falls was a fantastic ending and even with low water levels was spectacular.
The accommodation was all excellent, with wonderful service, food and entertainment - and some great gift shops!
All in all a fantastic trip, and we would definitely recommend Nature Travel Namibia to anyone looking for the perfect safari - you wont be disappointed.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awe inspiring, amazing and wonderful memories to last forever
Email correspondence was fast and accurate whilst booking a tailor made safari for clients with a fairly specific criteria (and travelling and meeting up from UK / Australia) - massive thanks to Nick and his team.
We were really fortunate to have Kit as our guide - he was so knowledgable about the wildlife and knew exactly where to find them, very organised and checking us into lodges, and even took us to his local once we were all back in Windhoek! Friendship and memories made from the most amazing two weeks! Can't wait for my next trip to Namibia - a geologically rugged and stunningly varied country.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful safari in Tanzania!
Thanks to Florent Ipananga and Snow Africa Adventures, we experienced the most wonderful safari one can dream of (Arrival at Kili as three of my travel companions ascended the mountain and made it to the top, with Florent's experience, tight organization and expert team...! then Arusha for a rest at magnificent Arusha Villas in the middle of a coffee plantation, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara , Ngorongoro and to finish it off: splendid Serengeti with lions playing 10 meters away and a leopard at our feet!) 4 days in Zanzibar to finish it off. Hotels were great, food delicious, Ayoub, our driver-guide adorable...An easy and memorable trip, well-planned, perfectly-organized. I highly recommend the services of Snow Africa Adventures to discover beautiful Tanzania!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Snow Africa gives the best service because Florent and his team are experienced in Safari adventures
The safari was ten times better than expected !!!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect from start to finish
From the moment we showed interest in booking our trip to the minute we were dropped off at the airport at the end of our amazing two weeks in Uganda, Matoke Tours were superb, dealing with everything via email in a highly efficient way. We did the 12-day Nature Only tour and Edwin was a brilliant, knowledgeable and considerate guide. The whole trip was exactly as described and fully lived up to expectations. We added a couple of extras and they were probably not necessary given the breadth of the tour's itinerary. It also reduced the 'down time' that would have allowed us to the opportunity to enjoy the facilities at a couple of the lodges. You have to be prepared for some long days on the road, as while some of the distances may not be huge, some of the holes in the road are!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional safari with lots of fun!
We booked an 11 day safari (Hot springs, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Tribes, Ngorongoro and Serengeti) and we have to say Pumba gives you the best safari experience.
Edwin is an expert on East African wildlife, with an keen eye for even the smallest birds and hidden leopards. Thanks to him we have seen almost all the animals in the parks. He is very flexible, full of nice surprises and is just a reliable, professional and humorous guide.
Pumba Safaris is a growing company with an excellent focus on the demand and wellbeing of its clients. We will never forget what we have experienced and definitly want to come back some time! For now we will recommend him to all our relatives!!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Paid for the budget safari and I got it
THe difference between a budget safari and a costlier one is in the accommodations, food offered. and transportation method. Low budget offers tents, same meals every day, and hard road time. On the highest end, you fly into the parks and avoid the "african massage" from the potholes in the road. HOwever where you end up going, is exactly the same spot.
I too my 73 year old mother on the budget safari. Joe was our driver and guide. He found all the beautiful creatures that made our safari amazing. My mom took to the African massage allot like everyone else in the tour van, what choice do you have? Our Route to masai mara was okay, not too long, but the second leg to Lake Nakuru was a long drive day. Flamingoes are no longer at Nakuru and migrate someplace else now. Lake Nakuru to Amboseli was a very long day. In retrospect I'd add an extrs day and spend it near Nairobi, then finish the drive to amboseli the next day.
I'm vegan and found enough to be filled. The point of a budget safari is to see the animals, we achieved that, the simple food, tents, colder showers, and bumpy roads are all part of the low cost. I can endure all that, but make sure the drive time each day is acceptable when planning. I blew it in that department.
BTW: everyone says I brought back the most amazing pictures. Over time , you forget the bumpy road time and remember the highlights.