RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the wildest places I've been to, totally recommend!
Ngorongoro is definitely one of the wildest places I've been, even though I am a seasoned traveller. The sheer concentration of animals in small space makes it a small place makes it an unforgettable experience. On a safari, you see an animal and come it, whereas in Ngorongoro the animals come to YOU. This was my second time there and each time I saw black rhinos and hunting lions, among dozens of other animals. Ufortunately in January we couldn't find any flamingos - the pink sea of flamingo was the highlight of my trip the first time - so make sure to check the best time to go for flamingos. Also, make sure to make a detour to the elephant retirement home, as the locals call it - a huge conservation of old huge ageing elephants that are no longer mating and can't be with the rest of the herd. There is usually a lunch box included with the trip - an apple, a cake, a piece of chicken and a box of juice - simple but enough to get your through the day. We went with Akaro Tours and the driver/guide were alright, although we thought the package was over-priced for a one day trip. The best way to go is to find a local guide with a car and just go on your own.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tarangire National Park by Shutter Tours
Tarangire is a great introduction to seeing lots of elephants. Last trip we encountered Leopards too, which was a great thrill for everyone.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Serengeti National Park by Shutter Tours
When I think of Africa, the Serengeti is where my thoughts and memories go.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Arusha National Park by Shutter Tours
Arusha is always our first stop and customers are thrilled to be able to see their first wildlife, just minutes from the gate. Also love seeing the Flamingos and multitudes of Giraffe's
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Africa's Garden of Eden
This was my second time visiting the Ngorongoro Crater. Our guide Gabby, from Maasai Magic Safaris, suggested we get an early start to see the animals as the park opens. The early sunrise and a bit of mist on the crater floor make for an ideal opportunity to view the animals on their morning hunt for food. We had numerous lion sightings both mornings and then had lunch at the lake on the crater floor. Here we were able to see lots of Hippo's and had a visitor, the largest bull elephant I think I have ever seen walked with about 25 yards of our lunch.
Nighttime was quite spectacular too, from the Serena Lodge. The stars were so bright, and my other travel partners and I would marvel at the stars and enjoyed our wine on the deck as we shared the day and some philosophies on life with shooting stars above in the heavens. Those scenes are forever going to be great memories.
Its is always exciting to pull up to the rim of the Crater when we first arrive, especially with guests that have never been there and seen how massive the crater is.
I am fortunate to go back every year now while leading photo tours and it's always a magical place.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tanzania by Shutter Tours
Tanzania is a wonderful country and everyone is so welcoming. The children always run out to the road and wave as we drive by. Makes us fell appreciated in this great country.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
extraordinary Ethiopian adventure
Our adventure in Ethiopia was perfect from the beginning to the end. Our guide, Ermias Tamiru, was knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and fun! In just 12 short days we were able to see much of the country and certainly many of the highlights. We were able to enjoy historical monuments and museums as well as natural hikes and cultural markets. I would not change a thing. Lara Ray did a spectacular job of setting up the tour, keeping us informed and helping us to be prepared.
US
Don't Use David Kiango!
David Daud Kaingo, you asked me to write you a review……here it is!
I have been waiting 2 months (2 credit card billing cycles), to write this review. I will not mince my words, just, DO NOT USE this crook. David (Daud) Kiango has no intention of helping you to book a hassle free trip. To make a long story short, he quoted me a rate, including lodging in 2 different locations, and private charter flights between locations…..and in the end, I was made to pay twice more, above the quoted rate. He was cordial and prompt at first, while initiating discussion, trip planning and rates. But, once I paid for the trip, communication was pretty much non-existent. He urged me to pay via bank transfer, but, for my security, I opted to pay the higher fees in order to have the insurance backing of my credit card company. I was later to learn, that was a very good investment on my part!
I was planning this trip, only one month before our travel date. Normally, I book all travel by myself. But, with time constraints and little knowledge of travel in Tanzania, I decided that I should use the assistance of an agent. My bad, and so unusual for me, I did not research well. There are only a few reviews of this David Kiango, a couple good, a couple minorly bad. I want to change that, along with a more recent review that was posted just before mine. Just move on, do not consider using him!
After a few days of correspondence, I booked and paid for our trip, on 11/10/16, for a trip to take place on 12/15/16. After I paid, I heard very little from David Kiango. He strung me along, saying he was waiting for my payment to be processed. That I should be patient. That funds would be disbursed for hotels and flights, and then he would send me vouchers. I sent many emails, asking for confirmation and trip vouchers. Finally, I heard from him 5 days before we were to embark upon our vacation. It was not the email I was expecting to see….. He said that the flight charter company changed their rates, and I would have to pay more. Not just a little more, but, A LOT more. 5 days before our trip, what was I supposed to do?! I paid again, with the knowledge that I would have to contact my CC company after the trip, in attempt to get my money back. Incredibly, though, this is not the end!
I contacted both of the lodges before our departure. Our safari lodge, the first stop, assured us that they were indeed expecting us, and incidentally, Kiango, just days earlier asked them to book our flights. WHAT?! Well, ok, they assured me everything would be ok. I never again contacted Kiango regarding logistics of the trip. We were picked up by an agent of the hotel, brought to our charter flight, and off to our Safari lodge. Everything was great…… until our last night at the lodge. Apologetically, the manager approached us and told us that Kiango still had not disbursed the balance of funds for our charter flights! The hotel had tried to resolve the situation quietly, while we were there, but, to no avail. You have got to be kidding me!!! ……we had to pay yet again.
What more can I say. Do not take the risk, do not use this crook, also known as:
David Daud Kiango
Kaingo Adventure Safaris
Tanzania Safaris
Zanzibar Travel Holidays Online Shop
ZanzibarMagic
Botanic Country Resort
Made In Tanzania Safaris
DaudKiango.com
I am lucky, I came home from our trip (which actually turned out to be great, despite paying 3 times for our flights), disputed the flight payments made to Kiango, with my CC company, and got that money back. Just trying to save you all from the hassles……don’t use him!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bwindi and Murchison Falls
Both trips were great. The mountains near Bwindi are stunning, and we found a family of gorillas very quickly. We had some car trouble on the way back to Kampala, but the driver/guide was very proactive and the company owner came out to drive us back to Kampala. The trip to Murchison Falls was perfect: lots of animals, great scenery, a peaceful lodge overlooking the Albert Nile, and a very knowledgeable guide (the company owner).
QA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I highly recommend Speke Uganda Holidays to show you this beautiful country
From our initial contact, Speke proved responsive and flexible despite our numbers, and even arrival date, changing up to the last moment. And from the moment we met Robert, our driver/guide at Entebbe, I knew we were in good hands. Ever cheerful, personable, untiring and well-informed, he put in long hours and great effort to take care of us on a whistle-stop week that covered Murchison, Kibale, Fort Portal and Queen Elizabeth National Park, and he was truly soon part of the family. Many of the roads are poor, and the distances great, but the sights and experiences more than make up for this - from sunrise over the Nile, waiting for the ferry to cross and keeping a wary eye on the brazen baboons looking for a breakfast in the vehicles, to getting within a few metres of wild Chimps as they calmly sit, regarding you, to laughing at young elephants splashing delightedly as they bathe in the Kazinga Channel. I have lived and travelled widely in Africa and this is the friendliest, most beautiful, amazing country... you should not miss it. My family had the holiday of a lifetime in Uganda, and I can thoroughly recommend Speke Uganda and Robert to take care of you there.