US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A smooth, fluid and unforgettable experience
I first contacted Deo with a few questions and options for a Safari itinerary that matched my family’s schedule and specific interests. I soon received a detailed and personalized itinerary that met all our expectations. We contacted additional references who highly recommended this small local company and we were set on our Earthlife safari. Communication leading up to the trip was professional and timely and payment went smoothly. Soon we were in Tanzania and our safari began. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable on everything from culture to the amazing wildlife we saw in all of the parks. The accommodations were more than suitable; many had amazing views of the landscapes and good local food. Deo and the people at Earthlife ensured that everything was taken care of and we were able to fully enjoy our safari!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda truly is the 'Pearl of Africa'
Africa Adventure Safaris provided a wonderful tour of Uganda. Our guides Robert and Cris took excellent care of us and were very knowledgable; we learned a lot from both of them. The gorilla trekking experience was amazing and well worth the difficult hike. We were very satisfied with the accommodations and the food was fantastic! While we had already been on safari in Kenya in 2013, this experience allowed us to see many new things that we did not see in Kenya. The boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel allowed us to get closer to hippos and crocodiles which was very exciting. Uganda is a beautiful country and we are so happy we chose Africa Adventure Safaris. I would recommend this company and tour to anyone who wants a comprehensive, first rate tour of Uganda!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our first time in South Africa, what a great experience!
We booked our 24 day self-drive tour with Tailor Made Safari’s.
A few weeks before departure we received our self- drive pack, including a GPS and wonderful travel guide book, written specifically for our itinerary.
Our whole tour consisted of highlights, but our favourites where our stay at Leopard Mountain Lodge and Tembe Elephant Park. And we really enjoyed our first guided drive through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park with a great guide and lunch at the beach.
But our visit to the Drakensberg and the whale watching at St Lucia was also superb!
We saw lots of animals, but we have not seen the leopard from the Big 5, a good reason to go back again!
It’s likely we are going to book another tour with Tailor Made Safari’s. We would recommend this tour operator to anyone, everything was perfectly organised. We have experienced the booking process to be very convenient and personal, especially the personal visit by one of their representatives whilst staying in St Lucia
Overall a fantastic holiday!
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely great 3 days in Serengeti and Ngorongoro
After few days in Zanzibar we decided to book a 3 days in Serengeti and Ngorongora. We chose Bestday Safaris among the long list of agencies and we made the very good choice!
Peter was quick to answer our emails and provided all the infomation we asked. Once arrived in Arusha, he meet us at our hotel to discuss with us the latest details in order to make the trip the more confortable for us (we were 6, 2 adults and 4 kids)
The driver was very friendly and spoke a very good french. He even known the french name of every birds we saw in the parks! The hotels in Serengeti and Ngorongora were just perfect! Far more comfortable than we expected. Everything was great during these 3 days!
We definitively recommend this safari agency.
US
Lilac Adventures represented by Mr. Daniel Njamewa is untrustworthy and NO ONE should use them.
UPDATE 9 MAR 2016:
Lilac states that they did what they could to help us thru our safari. The fact is they did nothing but take our money.
Lilac states that their financial problems are behind them and they will refund our money. The fact is that they have not refunded our money and it has been five months since they promised they would. We are still waiting. By anyone's definition, this is theft and they should be prosecuted. We are working with the US Embassy to see that this happens.
I strongly recommend that persons interested in a safari stay as far away from Lilac Adventures as possible. They do not honor any commitments, and are untrustworthy.
There are much better tour operators available that value their reputation and will not leave you stranded.
ORIGNAL REVIEW:
Worse than terrible. This safari tour arrangement did not meet even minimal expectations; in fact, left us to our own devices two days into the vacation, a tough spot to be in when you are in a foreign country. Lilac Adventures appears to have disappeared from normal forms of communication since about August 2015. I strongly advise against anyone contemplating using Lilac Adventures, or any operation fronted by Mr. Daniel Njamwea.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic guide for a technical climb up Mt. Kenya (Batian)
I used Archtrek Safaris as a guide up Mt. Kenya. James was a pleasure to work and converse with and my technical guide Joseph was excellent. He was trained by NOLS and is on Kenya's search and rescue team. He knew his stuff and made good decisions even when a bad storm rolled in and we had to do an emergency descent. The food was excellent and they were really flexible in arranging my itinerary and logistics.
US
Excellent communication. Dependable. Trustworthy.
My daughter and I traveled to Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls. Our trip was short, 1 night . We used Falcon to book our hotel room and our transfers to and from the airport.
Our room at the Victoria Falls Hotel was beautiful and exactly what we had asked Falcon for.
The driver was waiting for at the airport on arrival and again at the hotel exactly when they said they would be there.
Communication with John at Falcon before our trip was excellent and made us feel very confident about everything we had asked for.
I would definitely use Falcon Safaris again if I returned to Zimbabwe.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A joyful trip
Overall, a good trip.
Noah, the owner, did responded quickly throughout the very initial planning stage and during the trip and very helpful in arranging my special requests although I have no idea what it turn out to be as we have missed.
Bad thing (go away) first, we lost half a day and stuck in Kenya/Tanzania border due to mechanical problem of car and could not enter Serengeti as it was too late and we have to change our lodge. Given the size of the company, it maybe more difficult to eliminate this chance, but Noah managed to rectify the lost AFTER we ask for it. This show the good will and is important for tour operator.
We was taken care of by 3 driver/guide throughout the trip,
Hamsa in Tanzania was wonderful, without him, we would have missed the most beautiful view of leopard for the entire trip and so many other things.
Dennis in Kenya was also good and took us to see lion, cheetah and black rhino within 30 mins in our first day in Masai Mara and river crossing the other day!!!
I believe the third one, who took us to Amboseli, is relatively new, as we have to ask him to stop the engine a couple of times while we were taking photos.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great time, good service, good prices
We are very happy to have choosen with Meru Treks in Tanzania.
The company and Ibrahim, the manager, are very reliable. They have organized our safari (5 days in Serengeti, Tarangire and the crater) and our Kili Trek (5 days trek on the Marangu Road) in a few days, just before doing those trips…
So we could book everything in Arusha and that was very very much cheaper than doing it from home.
The service was great and the guides (Olé for the safari and Julius for Kili) were perfect !
After a few talks with different agencies, we could bargain the price with Ibrahim and he was ready to do it.
It's note the most luxurious agency… it's simple, comfortable, reliable and not so expensive
Enjoy !
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect organization and great safaris
Many thanks to Kathi at African Welcome Safaris for planning a wonderful two-lodge safari in Kruger: great accommodation (Thorny Bush River Lodge and Narina Lodge at Lion Sands) and spectacular animal sightings. A very special holiday that allowed us to sit back and enjoy the experience as everything had been looked after to perfection.