20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!
He knows how to find all the animals. I saw everything in a one week safari, also a rhino. Sleeping in a tent outside the serengeti was a magnificent experience and with a torch me and my friends were safety. All 4 of us enjoyed that trip very much. Thanks and maybe cu again
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Company did ok but guide was disappointing
I communicated via email with Benson on a 1-week itinerary for me and my 3 children and he presented a comprehensive mid-range safari package in a timely manner. Everything went well until we started out with our private guide. Logistics were smooth with one exception that was clarified with a quick call to Benson. Otherwise, the guide was obviously more interested in chatting with others on his 2 cell phones and car CB than in providing information to us, his clients. Some of the communication was between guides sharing animal sightings in the area and there was no shortage of those the guide pursued but there was more than one case of me seeing an animal in a place that required backing up and the guide disregarded my request. This was my 3rd time on a guided safari but my childrens’ first and they missed out on so much, even with my advocacy. I prompted the guide several times to provide information - differences in species, etc. - and answers were one or two sentences at best. It got to the point at one meal where, after loudly reminding my daughter that using electronics during dinner was rude and unacceptable, I had to ask him to put his cell phone away minutes later. He never asked what kind of animals we were interested in, never pulled out a field guide, and offered very little personal insight. I felt like my family was a load to be transferred between locations rather than a family who had crossed half the globe to appreciate his homeland. We met other Benson guides who showed far more interest in their jobs (and us) so I think we got the guy who’d grown tired/bored after 15 years of guiding. One other minor thing: Benson claimed he would come by to meet us which he never did. The week was good in the sense that the animals are everywhere in the parks, camps and food were good and we didn’t have any catastrophes but I know the trip would’ve been MUCH better with a different guide.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Seven Day Safari in the Serengeti
We selected Rupia Adventure based on their long history of excellent SafariBookings (the pop-up jeeps!), prompt response to email queries, and proactive effort to provide us a hand-crafted experience tailored to our interests. Rupia Adventure was not the cheapest of the tour operators I queried, but I feel we got great value for our money. We were traveling as a couple, with a single adult (our nephew), who needed his own room; we thought the “single supplement” was reasonable.
Angel Davidt tweaked our itinerary several times as we refined our travel plans…we were very pleased that she stayed on our account after we paid our deposit and did not hand us off to “back office” staff (I saw a couple of other reviewers note this as an issue, but we did not experience it). Angel responded promptly to all my questions and was transparent about prices and options so I could make informed choices. The Rupia Adventure team obtained discounts for our nephew, who is living and working in Tanzania, and handled all the other paperwork, including “Flying Doctors” insurance, without a hitch.
We paid in advance via wire transfer in two installments, and promptly received acknowledgement and a receipt from Rupia Adventure. The pre-safari orientation was brief and pleasant (who wants to hang around in an office on a Sunday when you could be out on safari)? and the Kilimanjaro airport drop-off at the end of our trip went smoothly. I got there in plenty of time to deal with the multiple layers of security, check my duffle, and have before my 9:00 pm departure (this after a full day of game driving in Ngorongoro Crater).
The Rupia Adventure team was pleasant, professional, proficient in English, and knowledgeable. Information seemed to flow well through the team: Angel, the billing team, the manager who gave us our orientation and our guide were all on the same page, and all knew what we wanted. I never felt that we were lost in the shuffle.
Back to the jeeps. As other reviewers have mentioned, we saw several other safari groups stranded in broken-down jeeps (Land Rovers). We had no mechanical issues at all. Rupia Adventure provided us with a large Toyota Land Cruiser equipped with a pop-top, a cooler, seat cushions (we were very grateful for this amenity, given the condition of the roads), and a hamper with a thermos (we had two serious coffee-drinkers in our party). They also provided several pairs of binoculars, and an inverter for charging electronics. The Land Cruiser had air conditioning, as I had requested, but the weather during our mid-June safari was so pleasant we never used it.
Aside from your transportation, the other factor that will make or break your safari is your guide. Our guide, Mathiasy, was exceptional. He clearly loves his job, and is passionate about the animals. His cheerful enthusiasm, tireless zeal, and entertaining stories and animal facts made even the longest drives between viewing opportunities enjoyable.
More than that, Salvatory has an excellent eye for lighting and composition, and frequently pointed out photo opportunities, and then positioned the jeep for the perfect shot. On one occasion, he avoided a cluster of jeeps around a female lion to park us near her adolescent cubs (who, he explained, were ignoring their mother’s call, so she would be coming to check on them). Sure enough, minutes after we were in position, the mother lion got up, strolled over to check on the adolescent cubs, and was joined by the male, who crossed right in front of our jeep! On another occasion, Salvatory positioned us ahead of two groups of elephants, who converged around our jeep. We took amazing pictures and videos that we have enjoyed many times since returning home.
In addition to expertly navigating the deeply-rutted roads (and never referring to a map once during our week-long safari), Salvatory was also personally concerned about our well-being. In addition to ensuring we were adequately caffeinated, he did his best to make sure I had tasty and nutritious options that complied with my medical needs for every meal.
We visited Lake Manyara, the central and western Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater. I had to fly back straight from safari for work, but my husband and nephew stayed a night at the African Tulip before going on to other adventures, and they highly recommend we stay at the Tulip next time we safari in Tanzania. I will review the lodges we visited separately.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing guide and adventure!
Isa Jackson was our safari guide and he was amazing! My sister, myself, and parents undertook our trip starting at Maun and had game drives throughout Chobe as well as Moremi game reserve. It was an amazing experience and we were able to see lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hippos, African wild dogs, crocodiles, hawks, baboons, vervet monkeys, and many different birds. With the lions, we were able to be within ten feet, which was frightening to say the least.
Although seeing the animals was a great experience, what sets any safari apart is the guide. Extremely Wild Safaris has a great guide in Isa. He is very knowledgeable of animal behavior, scientific understanding of the geological processes taking place in the Okavango Delta, and has a great ability to track and find animals. An enthusiastic guide, he made our wonderful trip truly once and a lifetime. Thank you!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing service
We initially contacted Rupia Adventure direct to inquire about safari options. We received a prompt reply from Janniken who worked with us to accommodate our exact requirements and put together a wonderful safari experience. Communication in the lead-up to our travel was responsive and very helpful, which gave us full confidence ahead of traveling over to Tanzania from the India. Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro, we were met by a Rupia driver and given a full briefing at the Rupia office in Arusha. For the safari, we were taken through the Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti National Park by our driver Elasto. Elasto was extremely polite and helpful, and also very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the animals and safari experience. He really made very positive difference to our trip and ensured that we not only spotted all the animals we had hoped to see, but also arrived on time and smoothly at all of our accommodation, whilst never feeling rushed to move on from a particular location. All in all an unforgettable and fantastic experience which we'll never forget. I would highly recommend contacting Rupia Adventure for a quote on your safari; we found them very cost competitive, provided the best service in planning the safari and then found the quality of the actual experience, vehicle, driver and accommodation to be exceptional. Thank you for making our honeymoon safari experience everything we hoped it would be and more!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They are good and havegood treatment as well as hospitality
Actually excellent, I enjoyed a lot and I wish to vidit the place one day again.
I like the service, treatment and most impoertant thing those guys are so kind compared to the other places i ever visited.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Caring thoughtful service on an adventure of a lifetime
Godson Adventures provided a fantastic safari from start to finish. Godson was flexible and fast to respond to all of our questions from the initial inquiry, graciously supporting us on our Kilimanjaro hike even though we had already chosen another guide company and helping us arrange logistics to Arusha. He was there to pick us up, found us a fantastic place to stay at Mann Peace of Mind Lodge, and covered us with all the gear we did not have.
The safari experience itself was fantastic. Godson is a fantastic guide and driver, knowledgeable about animals and keeping people happy. He was always able to wheedle us into the best spots for viewing, seemingly anticipating the animals moves. And he leveraged his vast experience in the parks to ensure we saw all the animals. Everything was well organized and yet felt entirely easy going and stress free. And the food was fantastic. He catered to all sorts of special needs with aplomb. When he woke up early to drive us to the airport and say farewell, we felt that we left with a true friend in Godson.
NZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Amazing and successful safari in Uganda
We zeroed on Uganda specifically for the gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest because seeing these amazing relatives in their native environment, so close up is indescribable! At Lake Mburo, cantering through the bush with impala and zebra on the horseback riding safari in lake Mburo national park was very exhilarating! I also included a couple days in other national parks like Murchison falls,Kibale national park and kidepo valley national park. Excellent lodges with nice food and helpful employees.Our driver/guide (Peter) whi accompanied us the entire trip from gorillas,chimpanzee.wildlife,nature and cruising on the nile. He was amazing - very knowledgeable and entertaining. Gecko safaris will always be on our minds.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It couldn't be better
We spent 4 days with Vervet Safari Tour at Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Our driver Maulidi was the best we could think of. We found all animals and we always felt secure - whereever we where.
The lodges they booked for us where on outstanding quality ( warm shower, great diner & breakfast choices, electricity and wifi ;-) ). There was truly nothing we missed.
Maulidi, Basili & Nicholas prepared a once in a lifetime trip !!!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
What a glorious trip with Katona Tours
My wife and I had a glorious trip with Katona Tours.
Our encounter with the Mountain gorillas will linger in our minds. Elias was so caring and politely attended to our endless requests that were not part of the Trip.
Jackie the owner amazingly replied to all our mails queries.
Hope to use Katona Tours again in future.