DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had the safari of our lifetime with "It started in Africa"thanks again for excellent organisation
"It started in Africa" met totally our expectations in communications, service and the safari tour itself. They were also very helpful in booking inlandflight and transport in Zanzibar. Everybody working for this company is very friendly and caring for their guests/customers.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Planet Africa Safaris created the best trip to Tanzania anyone could want - excellent service!
We returned from Tanzania last week and have to give Planet Africa Safaris credit for delivering a fantastic vacation for us. From the beginning, their communication was excellent. I had a million questions and each one was answered quickly and professionally. I was apprehensive about wiring money in advance but Planet Africa Safaris delivered everything they promised. Someone greeted us at each stop and each tented camp and lodge was just as described.
Our guide was knowledgable and friendly and in the first day, we saw more animals than we ever expected including two leopard sightings. We stayed at Oliver's Camp and Rhotia Valley Camp in the Tarangire / Lake Ngorongoro Crater area - both great spots. Be prepared for an interesting (and bumpy) ride to Rhotia Valley. We flew to Olakira Camp in the northern Serengeti and enjoyed the luxurious life in the bush. Imagine jumping up from the lunch table to watch a river crossing in your front yard! Again, we had an expert guide and saw many more animals, spending as much time as we wanted taking pictures and simply watching.
We wrapped up our trip at Baraza Resort in Zanzibar. Total luxury - nothing more to say. The food, accommodations, staff, beach and water activities were unbelievable.
I am very happy we chose Planet Africa Safaris for this unforgettable trip.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Let them plan a trip of a lifetime!
We started planning this trip a year in advance. After having many conversations and emails a trip was established. We did not know at that time it would be a trip of a lifetime. ...we only hoped that it would be great. All our expectations and more were granted!
The communication from Ashley was excellent. The personal service was much appreciated. Our surplus of questions were answered promptly, positively and with great patience and guidance.
Ashley suggested that we visit two safari reserves. That was a superb idea because we gained from both and they were both very different. It would take a book to share all our adventures on these safari drives such as seeing the Big 5, the Magnificent 7 in total, a lion kill, having to move the dining site as a herd of elephants was coming, being awakened by a baboons cry at 4:18 a.m. and having to be walked home at night because of an elephant and a buffalo on the path. That is only the beginning! No amount of reading and pictures prepare you for the "real" thing. We were so up close to these animals that I felt I could put my hand out and touch them. Yet I was never nervous because of the excellent trackers and rangers.There is not a moment I do not cherish and am so thankful for the opportunity.
Without Ashley's guidance this would not have been possible. It takes someone from South Africa, someone who has done these trips and someone who is so dedicated to providing the best advice to organize such a trip....thank you.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My awesome time with Tanzania Serengeti Adventures.
Our trip was absolutely delightful. My daughter and I enjoyed the safari very much. We have traveled the world and this was one of the best vacations ever. We took the 5 day and 4 night adventure in Tanzania, the timing was perfect and fit well with our other travel plans. We saw the Big Five, met wonderful people along the way and always felt safe and secure with our guide. He was an expert at finding animals and very knowledgable about the land and it's people.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Meeting all expectations & achieving all goals ! A month of excellent varied Safaris & Treks
I went to see the great Migration, visit the mighty Ngorogoro Crater & Serengeti again, Climb Kilimanjaro , walk the Ngorogoro Highlands, Climb the Masai Mountain of God " Eldoinyo lengai”. Tanzania has these and much more. Its a few months now since my trip of a lifetime with World Tours & Safaris and now the whole experience has had time to sink in. What are my first thought ? Wow ! When can we come again. I have travelled 9 countries in Africa and close to 70 worldwide & there are only a handful of places I would return to. Tanzania and the Galapagos islands top the list. Why did I return to Tanzania of all African countries and use World Tours & Safaris.
1. Achieving your goals. I believe Tanzania has the greatest number of the top attractions and best natural animal photographing opportunities in Africa.The best chance of seeing the greatest biodiversity of mammals in any one spot in the world ! Just Ngorogoro Crater for all the big 5 is amazing, not to mention its landscapes. Theres a huge selection of other parks & attractions including favourites like Serengeti ,Tarangerie Lake Manyara. The worlds highest freestanding mountain Kilimanjaro (on my bucket list) . As a serious photographer I needed to know I was in the best place for the best opportunities in the least amount of time.
2. Safety and reliability. Taking all things into account Tanzania is a place I would feel happy taking my family to when supervised by a great reliable team like Richards. Richard is a wealth of knowledge and an expert on where to go what to do ,when and how to do it safely.
3. Money and Value . I found Richard had an excellent range of options from budget and camping through to the top end magnificent lodges and luxury camps. I will never forget the the views lodges overlooking Lake Manyara the Ngorongoro Crater and throughout the Serengeti and many other parks. Knowing your money is going where you send it is utmost importance. Its a catch 22 , big overseas agencies out of Africa may offer security but at a huge extra price for the same product and the unknown lower end of the market agencies could be fly by nighters. I found Richard great to deal with and competitive in all aspects of my tours and he was always contactable.
4. Food was always good and plentiful. I never once had any problems and had some great culinary experiences.
There is so much more I could say but now what remains beside are those vivid memories of the landscapes & animals is the " team the family " I felt a part of there with Richards Crew. I would like to thank them all for making my dream a reality. Yes I am giving him a big plus because he was able to make it happen, safely efficiently and economically and I know he will look after me again should I decide to return to Tanzania, which is highly likely.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Logistics and timing handled perfectly
Kerry at Pembury was very helpful in making recommendations and we probably exchanged over 50 emails as we adjusted the itinerary to build the best possible experience on our 3-country stop in Africa. Having someone with local connections and first-hand knowledge of the area was invaluable, particularly in setting up the transfers to go from point A to point B. Our arrival and departure flights were also timed perfectly so that we were able to get to the lodge for the afternoon game drive, and depart after the morning drive and breakfast. Other guests didn't have that good fortune and missed out on the best part of being on safari! Overall, very happy with Pembury Tours and would highly recommend.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very friendly safari company
We went on a 3-day, 2-night safari with Safari Multiways in May this year whilst visiting Tanzania for a wedding. The service provided was excellent from the start - after making an online enquiry via SafariBookings, we received a very quick response from Romeo the manager, detailing possible itineraries and prices. Booking was simple via email. Because of technical reasons we were unable to wire transfer the deposit but this was not a problem. When we arrived in Arusha we visited the office and got a very friendly reception from the staff - our guide was even sitting outside on the street all day with a our names on a sign waiting for us to arrive! And he took us all around the town helping us to use the banks as we were having problems with many of the cash machines!
On the first day of our safari, our driver guide collected us from our hotel. The vehicle was comfortable, with plenty of room for our luggage. As there were only 2 of us, we always had great views and were able to take some fantastic photos. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about all the animals and a lot of the birds too. We visited Tarangire, Ngorogoro Crater and Lake Manyara over the 3 days. Each was beautiful and each different in terms of landscape and the animals and birds we saw. Our favourite moment was when our driver told us to "Close your eyes and don't open until I tell you to" - and when we opened our eyes 30 seconds later we were parked up with a lion and cubs sleeping just a few feet away from the jeep!
Accommodation was in lodges - both were lovely and provided good dinner and breakfast. On the second night, there were buffalo roaming around below just outside our room which really added to the whole experience! The lodges provided a nice packed lunch too.
We had a great time on our safari and would highly recommend Safari Multiways to anyone. They are a small company yet are professional, friendly, very accommodating and helpful. Many thanks to Safari Multiways for such a fabulous experience!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda and Matoke are in our hearts, with special thanks to Bella (our guide) and Alex (our driver)
We just got back from the 15 days roundtrip to Uganda with MATOKE (spotted at the travel exhibition centre in Antwerp). At booking, we were disappointed to hear this "short" trip has a native guide (not Dutch speaking). However, what an advantage it turned out to be, that we had a local guide (Bella) and driver (Alex), black and speaking the native language!!! including their enthusiasm, expertise and experience, never a dull moment. We were in an exceptionally small group (only 6, probably due to the rain season (allthough we mainly had rain at night and while we were on the road in the bus)) and she took us to places where would never have been able to / allowed to / dare to come with a Dutch (read: white "mzungu") guide: As per our suggestions for loose moments on the road, we have visited an open market, a small public school, a gospel church on a Sunday morning, the busy market in Kampala.
The (instructions for the) preparation, organisation, programm itself, timing, guidance, professional local guides and rangers, accomodation and follow-up were perfect! All hightlights visited, all wildlife spotted (the gorilla's even within the hour), all distances do-able, all meals in the hotels and the lunches on the road very nice, "lekker", and safe.
A few memorables:
Murchison Falls N.P.: We could get out of the bus to stretch our legs for a moment: Alex peels pineapple and hands us the juicy segments while we were watching hippo's and while a single male elephant just walked by! Adrenaline!
Bwindi impenetrable forest: Taking pictures of a big gorilla at 8m in front of us, hearing something from behind, happening to be a younger gorilla passing by at nearly 2m! Adrenaline!
Taking a shower at Bush Lodge, outside the wooden tent/lodge, in the rain, after the personnel brought 4 cans of hot water! Hilarious! Hearing the day after that the hippo's sometimes come for a walk near the lodges at night ... scary ... was that what I heard last night?
Traveller's warning: only small minus: really do check if the swimming pool is clean before taking a swim (KONTIKI). Buy an ointment for insect bites locally, because the Belgian version does not help. If you have shoe/leg protections ("getten"), use them, so no safari ants can get through your socks.
Thank you MATOKE and Bella for learning us so much about Uganda, its people, habits, nature, ...what a personal and correct service! You wish yourself such a guide on every trip!
And thank you to our 4 co-travellers for the nice company!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
Just returned from a 6 day safari with Bright African Safaris which started on the 1st September 2014. A truly memorable experience. Couldn't fault the service offered by Msangi and his team. Bright African Safaris were prompt and efficient at answering all our pre-safari queries and the service provided by our guide, Othman, whilst on safari was second to none.
Nothing was too much trouble throughout our trip and we felt very well looked after. We would definitely recommend to other travellers.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great travel service with excellent staff
We had a 4 weeks honeymoon with Tailor made safari. Everything was perfectly arranged. Started from the first contact when still planning the holiday untill the last day of our stay.
Would definitely travel with them again in the future!