US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kruger - a remarkable and life-changing place on this earth
We stayed at Lion Sands Resort, which shares borders with Kruger National Park: same wildlife, closer views, fewer potential interruptions via too many people on the dirt roads at once. Our guides made sure that we were always the only range rover on a particular unpaved track and this fostered a very intimate vision of the beauty of Africa...almost a dream.
Our guides were extremely knowledgable about this wonderful place and creatures and took great care in moving about quietly. They really knew where to look for amazing animal sightings including gazelles, elephants, lion prides, giraffes, hippos, Cape buffalo, all manner of incredible birds and on and on.
One of the most rare sighting was of a female leopard and her two young kits; watching her pad down a dry wadi and call her kits in a strange feline cry was amazing...they will only emerge from their hiding spot when they hear their mother's specific voice and sure enough, they bounded out and we watched for quite some time as they rebounded and moved on to the local watering hole.
Venturing out three times a day - for about 2.5 hours each trek - ensured that we would see the beauty of the land and it's inhabitants in a realistic variety of ways, not just a standard zoo-like single and contrived view (we actually visited a "game reserve" on the south eastern coast of Africa a week or so later and it is unworthy of camparison (we are mad for wildlife so we did this day trip too; 'recommended only for those who can't make it for a full safari or just passing through - otherwise, no thanks, we were irrevocably spoiled by Kruger!
The scenery is a mix of plains, jungle, rivers...all of the things you may have dreamed about Africa. Our accommodations were quite comfortable with all amenities, located on the edge of a river so we could view various creatures making there way to the river's edge to eat, drink and bathe.
The cuisine was quite good - getting a lot of face-time with the real Africa takes some energy and after three jaunts, you really enjoy a nice meal and a good glass of wine. Lion Sands is absolutely superb in this manner of hospitality - it's a mannered, hospitable place and very relaxing - highly recommended.
Seeing something so rare like Kruger - this beautiful and remarkable place - is life-changing and this is a feeling we will always carry in our hearts and minds. We wish the same for you in your safari. Jambo!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Timothy Hastings
We traveled across South Africa - from the northern border/Kruger, down through Johannesburg, on to Capetown, Port Elizabeth and finally Durban. It is a huge swath of land, people, life and sights that will intrigue and please even the most traveled persons.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Short Safari to Masai Mara
The trip was amazing and Nakupendakenya Safaris and Tours met and exceeded my expectations considering I decided and confirmed this trip just two days before my projected travel dates.
Day 1: Everything was as promised, there was a guide (Richard) waiting to collect me at the airport. We drove from Nairobi to Masai Mara. Richard was very good, providing a lot information about the country, people, stopping at good cafes, making sure I got good photos, etc.
When we reached the reserve Richard was very good at making sure there where good viewing and photo opportunities during the game drive to the lodge. Saw lions (on a kill), zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, elephant and more.
Day 2: All day game drive, from the lodge (Neekorok) to the Mara river and back. Considering this is the quiet time before the annual migration and animals are spread out Richard was great in making sure that I saw everything I possibly could.
Day 3: Morning (9am) flight back to Nairobi. Short drive around before flight and again plenty of animals seen.
In summary I had a great experience and got good value for money considering the short notice I gave for arranging the trip.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Execution of Our Dream Vacation!
We found Pembury Tours based on Internet recommendations and we are so glad we did! It is nerve-racking to plan a trip half-way around the world with people & suppliers that don't carry brand name recognition, but Tammy Harding, our Pembury Travel Consultant, walked every step with us during trip planning and throughout our vacation. From the start, her can-do attitude, quick responses, and thorough explanations made us feel at ease and quite pleased with our decision. Tammy provided thoughtful suggestions for our requested itinerary changes, booked us in wonderful accommodations, and set up great tours, especially the safari at the Sabi Sands resort Inyati. The entire vacation went off without a hitch, except for when South African Airlines experienced a delayed flight, which caused us to have to re-book a segment on British Airways, who ended up losing our luggage for 30 hours. Even then, though having nothing to do with this mishap, I reached out to Tammy who made phone calls on our behalf, and stayed on top of the situation until our luggage was delivered. Not only will Tammy be our go-to girl for future African travel, but I will highly recommend her and Pembury Tours to anyone interested in an African vacation. Well done!!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A perfect, private safari tour with a knowledgeable and easy-going guide!
The Pilanesberg safari tour with our guide Jason was absolutely great! He was very friendly and made us feel comfortable. He was not only very knowledgeable about the different animals he also told us a lot about many sites we came across during our drive from Johannesburg. At the park it was great to try and spot the animals together and we saw a lot.
Many thanks for this awesome trip! I would definitelt recommend Jason to anyone looking for a safari trip from Johannesburg.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Private Tour
Gail at Pembury set up a private tour for our family of four-- Cape Town, Safari at Sabi Sands and Vic Falls. Every person who came to transport us was on time, polite and informative. Gail listened to our ideas for the trip and offered her informed opinion, resulting in an excellent and efficient tour and memories for life. We found Pembury on the web and felt we were taking a chance hiring an unknown company but it totally worked out and I heartedly recommend the company.
SK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great time with Ancient Wild Safaris
We joined 6-day safari (Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli) with Joseph as guide. Firstly, comunication with Mike for perfect. He prepared everything we wanted. On tour Joseph was perfect and made the safar really excelent. We answered every our question, learned us a lot about animals and also about all Kenya. We had so great time with him. If you are looking for some safari company, this one is right choise..:)
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Tanzania Safari with Tembo Adventure and Safaris Company
My wife and I and nine friends travelled from Ridgecrest, California, USA, to Tanzania to go on safari with the Tembo Adventure company. I was a little unsure of what to expect as I had never been to Africa nor had I been on a safari. The trip was motivated by my wife to satisfy one of her bucket list adventures. From the moment we landed in the middle of the night, and made it thru the Tanzania visa line at Killamanjaro airport, Tembo guides met us, loaded us and our baggage on a company bus to Arusha where we stayed at the beautiful Lake Duluti Lodge. The next day our safari adventure began. In the next days we visited a grade school, an orphanage, an organic coffee tree farm, the Tarangiri National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, a Maasai Village, Oldupai Gorge where the Leakey's made seminal discoveries of early man and his tools, and the Serengeti National Park during the migration of the Wildebeests and the Zebras. My wife took an exciting early morning hot air balloon flight over the migrating in the Serengeti that she was thrilled with. All the lodges we stayed in were first class with excellent accommodations and meal menus. The vehicles that Tembo uses are large Toyota Land Cruisers that handle the slow and high speed trips over rudimentary dirt roads with no problem. The tops of the vehicles can be opened and locked up and provide excellent wild animal viewing and picture taking opportunities for the passengers. We saw thousands of fierce and wild animals including but not limited to lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, hippopotami, rhinoceroses, monkeys, baboons, hyenas, jackals, eagles, vultures, and many more, with plenty of opportunity to take photos. I took over 1750 great close up photos with my little 14x zoom camera. This safari was not only excellent, it was fantastic, and was the bucket list trip of lifetime. I must express my deep appreciation and thanks to our guides Justin, Roman, Mark and Peter for a fantastic trip!!! Each one did everything they could to make our safari great. My wife and I will remember it forever.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Experience Gorilla Tracking with Encounter Africa Safaris
This experience was so much better than I could have ever imagined. Joseph, our driver was the best. Super fun and took great care of us. The camp we stayed at was lovely with the best showers and delicious food. We saw a family of 15 mountain gorillas after a 2 hour walk and the guides made sure we got close and all the pictures we wanted. I highly recommend this trip to anyone. I've done several other safaris and adventure trips in Africa and this one is definitely one of the best.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Simply the best Safari ever, thanks to Quest Horizon
It was everything and we thought it would be and more. From our first communication with them in the early planning to actually arriving they made it all so easy. Once there they took over all the decisions and proceeded to give us the safari of a lifetime. Our guide Kisali was extremely knowledgeable and very entertaining, which made the week end far too soon and us wanting to return to this magical place.
I would thoroughly recommend them.