US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very satisfied
Well I am sure a lot has been written about Ngorongoro and the safari trips within the crater. It is hard to imagine that such a vast wildlife sanctuary exists so close to human settlements. Once you descend into the crater all signs of human life are left behind except for the local people. It is truly a breath taking site once you are descending the crater and actually within the boundary. I am going to write this review from a photographic perspective.
Most people are interested in the wildlife. As far as that is concerned it is a mixed bag. Lions are plenty but depending on where they are in the crater they can be hard to find and photograph. I am not sure if there are leopards or cheetahs in the crater, but we never saw.
There are definitely a lot of grazers and interaction between the predators and prey can be fascinating if it is close to the road otherwise the action may be too far away. You can get very close to Cape Buffalo, Wildebeest, Zebras and of-course African Elephants.
From a birding perspective be on the look out as you descend the crater early in the morning. There is a vast diversity of avian life form and they are not shy at all. The accommodations surrounding the Crater are truly amazing for the most part. As far as I am concerned every time I go to Tanzania, I always make a stop at the crater.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lifelong wildlife experience in Tanzania..A must for any bucket list.
This was our second visit in Africa,my wife and i visited Kenya in 2009 during which visit we had a short 2 day safari at Masai Mara..and then on to the beaches around Mombasa.
This past january we booked a 5 day safari in Tanzania so that we could experience a proper full blown safari experience.We managed to see plenty of wildlife including the big 5 though some animals were harder to spot and not as abundant as others.
The weather was pleasant and comfortable ,accommodation was very good ..we stayed in a tented lodge,a proper small hotel and a tented camp.Once we got to know our guide/driver and him us we got on very well with him and took his time answering all our questions.
All in all it was a wonderful experience and we are already planning another visit, this time to see the mountain gorillas.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I am sure I made my best choice hiring Go Safari because everything went better than I expected.
Glen and Susan were great! They were very friendly, positive and full of energy. They picked me up on time (4am for hot air balloon safari!!) and everything was smooth as scheduled. Pilanesberg is an amazing place, the Bakubung Bush Lodge that I stayed at was very comfortable. I really enjoyed my trip.
I highly recommend them!!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wow! Brilliant! Perfect!
We had a lot of choices in choosing a travel coordinator who is well versed & experienced in South Africa and safari adventures. After a lot of research, interviews and a personal referral we chose Southern Destinations. It was the right decision. Let me also say, we are well expirienced travelers who, over the years have been through the gamete from top to bottom and this was probably one of the very best experiences we have ever had. Not only working with Southern but the entire trip itself, it was the journey of a lifetime. We worked with Ilze Fox, who I have to say is absolutely marvelous and after we described how we would like to travel, a bit about our tastes, our budget criteria, a few Skype meetings, clued right into us and suggested the best solutions. And WOW did she get it right - SPOT ON.
From the hotel in Cape Town, The Table Bay and our personal guide Charlie (was he the best) to Victoria Falls, The Royal Livingstone to the 2 Safari Camps by &Beyond it could not have been more PERFECT. Even to the point of Ilze helping us make dinner reservations in Cape Town months in advance, what more could you ask for. She even went out of her way to introduce herself in person one day at a vineyard in Stellenbosch. What a delightful young woman. Every detail of this trip was so well coordinated and planned the only thing we had to do was take our bags off the carousel at baggage claim.
A word about our Safari Camps: the 2 camps we stayed at are run by a group called &Beyond, recommended by Southern and let me say, the name lives up to what you experience, Ngala tented camp is something out of a story book that will remain in our memory bank forever. The same holds for Kirkman's Kamp although not tented is gives the feel of a traditional English lodge. The service and the bush adventures with their teams in both camps is a once in a lifetime experience. Beside up front and personal with the animals and the details that these rangers have about them, there's the morning stops for coffee and biscuits and evening cocktails watching the sun set. It doesn't get much better.
Southern Destinations, Ilze Fox and their entire team far exceeded our expectations in every way. And if you're reading this review and choose Southern Destinations, I have no doubt that you will feel the same way.
US
65+ years of age
Experienced, responsive, and straightforward
Leslie took on the job of arranging a logistically challenging safari for my husband and me to Gabon and she did an outstanding job. All along she was very straightforward with us about what to expect and very responsive to our questions and requests. She is extremely knowledgeable about Southern Africa and very resourceful in dealing with the logistical challenges of getting her clients to and from less well traveled destinations. She is also passionate about protecting Africa's remaining wildlife. I would recommend her highly, and especially to those adventurous travelers looking for the road less travelled.
Wonderful
The 2day Safari to Tarangire was super great it was nice the giraffe and Zebra.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks to Abakombe Tours
Great Climb
"We climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with Alphonce Kishoke and his team and were impressed with his knowledge and professionalism. We saw many other hikers struggling with the climb and some who were forced to turn back due to errors made by other guides, including inadequate English skills, lack of attention to the condition of their clients and even one person who had to turn back due being given incorrect and unnecessary medications by his guide. Alphonce on the other hand is a consummate and attentive professional with lots of experience, great English and (just as important) excellent high altitude first aid training. We were checked each day for our blood oxygen levels and general condition. At least one member of our party almost certainly wouldn't have made it to the top without Franks care and encouragement. I strongly recommend that anyone wanting to summit Kilimanjaro pick their guides with great care and highly recommend this company.
– Peter Webber- Norway
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Creators of a dream holiday with adventure, mts, activities & unique wildlife & some luxury treats
Communications:
Excellent combination of calling to chat about plans and details, followed up with emailing of detailed information. Made all arrangements easy for us from the actual booking to payment procedures, exchange rate recommendations, visa advice, packing advice and suggestions for malaria prophylaxis amongst other details.
Service:
Went above and beyond to help adapt the itinerary to suit everyone's needs and timings. Made excellent suggestions based on group travelling and ensured that all of us were happy.
Expectations:
Exceeded ! Was impressed with the knowledge of the consultant (Carel Verhoef) of not only the country (Uganda) but the best transport routes, practical solutions to travel plans, excellent ideas and well chosen accommodation establishments. He helped and arranged all the details with diligence and really listened to what our needs were and then made it happen. Will definitely use them again.
Tour:
Everything and more than we expected. From a luxurious & relaxing (much-needed) start of the trip, to smooth transfers, an incredible hike and mountain experience, a unique wildlife experience that should be on everyone's bucket list and then a calm and gentle wrap up with great wildlife and lodge choices. The assistance during the trip was also superb as we had a typical "travel-in-Africa" experience where we were delayed and there was a risk of missing our Gorilla Trek and losing our permits. During the 'race' to make it in time, the support from Discover Africa to help with arrangements was outstanding. (PS: You can't 'race' in Africa)
Thank you to Discover Africa for a trip of a lifetime. It will never be forgotten.
Great experience!
Thank you for amazing safari for our group, everything went well! We appreciate stadard of service as well as your efforts and courtesy. I hope for further cooperation.