20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exhilarating Experience in Serengeti
Bush & Game provided us with the most amazingly priced and an even more phenomenal experience in Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater!! I have been on several safaris with various handlers, but this 5-night safari camp experience was simply unparalleled!
Will definitely always try to use Bush & Game for all future adventures :)
Amazing and unforgettable
This was a great safari With Mawere tours. I visited the parks which is close to a major city, I saw lions, black and white rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest migrations, crocodile, hippo, buffalo, warthog, impala and other creatures all within a couple of hours. The guide was great and fun to hang out with. He was super helpful in getting some nice shots. I highly recommend this tour if you are in Tanzania or in east Africa.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Madaraka Day Adventure at Masai mara, Kenya.
Had a plan for Madaraka day holiday to Masai Mara and didn't have a good idea on how to go about it, i consulted African Comfort Zone Safaris who offered to take care of everything that included hotel booking, accommodation, meals and guided tour drives in the Mara at affordable rates. I would recommend African comfort zone safaris as the most professional and experienced tour operator in Kenya to anyone wishing to have a good time.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic holiday with very nice staff
We had a very good time with Ancient Wild Safaris ! Masai Mara ! Nakuru and Amboseli game.
We did 6 days Masai Mara L. Nakuru and Amboseli parks. They were amazing and offered the best, lucky we saw the BIG FIVE.
Mr. Michael is very professional and answered quickly to our emails and questions which was very good quality.
The staff (Joseph as guide, and John as cook) was very kind to us and very helpful ! Our guide was very patient, letting us taking picture for long time, teaching us many things about nature and African local culture and the way of living. The staff were very punctual and timely.
We had an unforgettable time ! The country is wonderful with friendly people whom helped us to discover it in very good conditions! We can't wait to visit again next year.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An awesome time in beautiful Africa
I met up with my aunt who had flown in from Australia in Arusha where we had booked a Safari and Zanzibar extension with Safarihub. We utterly enjoyed the Safari and had the privilege of being in the company of one of most experienced driver guides in Tanzania, and we were delighted by the friendly local people and in particular the staff choirs that would sing for everyone during dinner time, I did buy a CD of their music for old times sake. The Zanzibar experience was a memorable one and very welcomed after the long Safari, we stayed at the Hideaway of Nungwi which had good service and I was amazed to be served lobster for breakfast! We appreciate the effort by Safarihub to make this a perfect holiday and thank them for patiently replying to all of my emails.
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lovely tour by Peter. Great committed team!
I had a great time in the Masai reserve. Peter and team were incredibly responsive to my emails, very accommodating and affordable compared to other choices. I recommend them.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Christy Turner, Calgary AB
Gorgeous reserve, and so much to see here. Animals everywhere, you will see half of the big 5 before you even reach your destination in Masai Mara!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Christy Turner, Calgary AB
The only thing that shocked me about the area is how filthy with garbage (plastic especially) just outside the park entrance. I cannot believe the people just throw this on the ground- and near a National Park. Absolutely astounding to see that locals abuse their own gorgeous country. That stuck in my mind forever- in a park in Canada it would be difficult to find even one scrap of garbage anywhere- I will never take this for granted again.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amboseli, Kenya. Mind.Blown.
Absolutely outstanding park, and our Masai guide Tiampati Manei was so incredibly knowledgeable and conscientious- our safari company Wild-Eye.co.za with Gerry Van Der Walt were simply amazing in their professionalism, knowledge of park logistics, animal behaviours, etc. The wildlife was abundant, and the animals were safe in their own natural habitat. I will, without question, return.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Leopards Galore and Sabi Sand Magic
Being a first time visitor to South Africa, I allowed my travel agent to make the decision on the Reserve and Accommodations for me. I told him I wanted to see lots of Big Cats (my favorite) in an exclusive environment, and I wanted a rustic luxury in my lodging while still feeling immersed in the bush. He recommended Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Simbambili Game Lodge, and they fit the bill in every aspect.
Simbambili was beyond welcoming and accommodating from the start. As an example, we arrived slightly late to the lodge and feared we might miss our first evening game drive. Our host immediately insisted that check-in procedures could wait, handing us refreshing towels and a gourmet packed lunch to take with us in the safari vehicle. Our ranger and tracker kindly introduced themselves and helped us aboard... within 20 minutes of our arrival to the lodge, we were in the bush and had already spotted our first leopard - amazing!
In fact, we saw a total of 6 different leopards during our 3-day/6 game drive safari. I asked for Big Cats and the Sabi Sand absolutely delivered. It didn't take long to realize that this area of South Africa is renowned for their leopard sightings. We didn't see any kills but we tracked alongside a stalking leopard twice on our trip, once at night and once in the morning. It was absolutely incredible to see these hunters in their natural element, and being winter, they were so much more visible without the lush vegetation.
Other wildlife included the rest of the Big 5, although the lions made it very difficult for us. Isn't that half the fun, though? We spotted 3 or 4 very shy rhinos, lazy hippos, tons of impala, wildebeest, bush buck, kudu, zebra, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, and many species of birds if you're a birder.
Wildlife highlights included seeing two giraffe wildly swinging their necks at each other - our ranger informed us that the taller elder giraffe was teaching the younger how to defend themselves, although it sure seemed to get heated! Also, their is an old resident cape buffalo on the premises that was literally standing on the doorstep to our villa one night after dinner! The porter had to shoo him into the bush with some loud noises. We chased wild dogs each day we were there, but they were elusive and we were never able to track them down. Again, the thrill of the hunt was fantastic! The guided bush walk was also a nervous thrill. Aside from the leopards, the elephant species around Sabi Sand were my absolute favorite. We got up close with baby bulls, as well as the house-size older bulls - at one point I felt I could almost reach out and touch one's trunk as he picked away at an acacia tree.
As far as the ranger and tracker go, they were also top notch. You could tell our tracker had such an intense connection with the bush, he would often wander off on his own with nothing but his radio and a slingshot. He was incredibly kind and patient, and a wonderful companion during morning coffee break and with sundowners. Our ranger was also very knowledgable, engaging us often with stories from the bush and history about the area and the inhabitants. He really made the game drives such a thrill, but also a learning experience. He was also an amazing photographer, divulging tips and tricks to get great safari photographs!
The lodge itself was perfect for me. Simbambili has a beautiful view of a watering hole from the main dining area and deck that was frequented by warthogs and kudu. I was told you could also see leopards visit, and in fact after we left, one leopard gave birth to her cubs directly underneath Simbambili's deck! To feel so close to the wildlife while still being surrounded by luxury was a great experience. It's rustic and modern and very much apart of the bush. While we were there in winter, the riverbed was dry, but I can imagine it being very relaxing to hear the river rush by below the sitting area.
The villas themselves were very similar to the main lodge area I described - rustic, modern, luxurious but still apart of the bush environment. Comfortable beds, nice amenities and touches, and huge patios completely with loungers, a daybed, and a private plunge pool with a view of the riverbed below. The doors open fully to the bathroom, really brining the the outside in.
As for the food... If you're a fan of breakfast, that was my favorite meal at Simbambili, but all the food is amazing - fresh, regional, healthy, and sustainable. The french press coffee was fantastic, the alcohol selection very well curated. They will surprise you with the locations of certain meals, ranging from the boma to the bush to the riverbed. Dining was an experience all on its own.
We traveled in late July, so it was technically winter but that came with many advantages. The brush was low and sparse and really helped our visibility with the wildlife. Although the early morning drives could be cold, Simbambili provided blankets and hot water bottles to keep us warm until the sun rose higher in the sky. Once the sun was up for a half hour or so, it warmed up very quickly and remained perfect throughout the day and into the evening. I thought the weather was wonderful. Incredible clear skies for star-gazing as well!
All in all, Simbambili checked all of my boxes - wonderful wildlife sightings with incredible leopard encounters, modern luxury that remained connected with the surroundings, and excellent food and dining. I recommend you do at least 6 drives - I only wish we would have stayed longer!