US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gorilla twins!
We took a two-day gorilla trek, which actually took less than 24 hours. Drive 2.5 hours from Kigali to Hotel Muhabura on night #1, wake up at 5:30 a.m. the next day to drive to national park entrance, hike in to see gorillas, spend an hour with them, hike out, then drive back to Kigali.
The tour is responsible for getting you to the hotel, arranging meals there, getting you to the national park, and working with the national park guides to get your group on a trek to see a gorilla family. The national park is then responsible for leading your hike, communicating with the gorillas (no joke), and ensuring everyone's safety.
Both the tour operator (Enos) and the national park ranger gave us the best service we could have asked for. In particular, we were under a tight time constraint - had to be back in Kigali by 3pm for a flight - and both Enos and the ranger worked to get us on a shorter, rather than longer, trek to make that possible. Enos was a portrait of good service. The gorillas themselves were everything you could want; you get very close. Our family even had twins!
Additionally, communications with the company prior to arrival were very smooth. They have an assistant in California to help English-speaking folks on USA time zones. They are very quick to respond to emails and calls.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First class bespoke service from extremely knowledgable, flexible and friendly staff
We were recommended Alex by a friend who used her to book their honeymoon - we were not disappointed. From the first call when we thought we wanted to go to South Africa, she discussed what we wanted from our trip. After lengthy discussions, she said that if adventure, amazing scenery and landscapes was our thing, then she would recommend Namibia - we were blown away by the trip beyond all expectations and Alex pitched absolutely perfectly when it came to the mix of luxury and adventure - this was only possible due to her own experience in Namibia. We gave her a budget and she stuck to it rather than what most agents do which Is stretch and tempt you with things that you cannot afford. When a flight was cancelled prior to our departure, she sorted everything and gave us various options all within 24 hours and then sorted out the alternative bookings without a fuss or any cost. first day back and we are saving for our next trip with Alex as this is a truly bespoke service. We could not recommend highly enough. Thank you Alex.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A total dissapointment! Avoid them at all costs!
I travelled around the world and I haven't found a travel agency worse than East Cape Tours. I booked with them a 4 night stay at Jackalberry Lodge, I paid 30% and I asked them to pay the difference after I would receive my visa for South Africa at the beginning of December. They spoke with The Reservation Department from Thornybush Game Reserve where Jackalberry is located and it was agreed that I will pay the difference after I have my visa issued. On November one month before leaving to SA, East Cape Tours have charged my credit card for the difference even if the agreement was to pay at the beginning of December. The bank was asking me if they should block the payment but in the end I have received the visa and I said no.
But the worst things were still to come.
3 weeks before leaving to South Africa Thornybush Reservation Department informed me that they have no availability for 4 nights at Jackalberry even if I paid in full our 4 night stay and I have received the confirmation of booking. East Cape Tours and Thornybush Reservation Department were so incompetent in dealing with me and my reservation and offered me a lower value lodge N'Kaya. I was very very dissapointed and frustrated to see that these 2 companies were trying to turn my holiday into a disaster. The accomodation that they were offering was 500 USD cheaper than Jackalberry. In the end I had to settle with N'Kaya because we had already paid the transfer to Thornybush and there was no lodge available left for the period before Christmas. I had to phone my bank 4-5 times to see if the difference was reimbursed of not, in the end the money entered my account.
I lost a lot of time speaking with East Cape Tours, with their stubborn manager Colin Diland which didn't apologize for the mess and harm done to us. i have all the emails and documents provin the harm done by these 2 companies. Anyone interested can contact me anytime. Try to stay away from East Cape Tours and Thornybush Reservation Department, otherwise your holiday can turn into a disaster!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical experience down the Zambezi
My friend an I found the overall experience uniquely african and supremely enjoyable. We found ourselves in the heart of the african wilderness, enjoying the sights and sounds of Africa, while always feeling safe and being made to feel comfortable by our experienced and knowledgable guides. I was also continually amazed at the five star food that our guides produced with the basic tools they had at their disposal.
Overall we had an amazing time and are definitely considering other tours by natureways upon our return to Africa.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing adventure with a great guide from a well organized company.
I have nothing but positive things to say about eTrip Africa. From the initial planning stages Ben and Aurélie were very helpful in providing guidance; first with a number of sample itineraries and then working with us to customize our route and hotel choices. Upon arrival, everything was in order and the trip begin without issue. Our guide Yusuph was amazing. He made the trip very easygoing and enjoyable by working with us to chart out the best routes each day and being flexible to our schedule and what we wanted to see. His greatest strength was his knowledge of the area and his sharp eye. He seemed to be able to just where the animals were.
I highly recommend eTrip Africa to anyone who wants to experience an amazing trip along with the peace of mind knowing that there is a great team behind the scenes ensuring everything runs smoothly.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kili by Rongia route followed by safari
In June/July2016 I had the privilege of a Kilimanjaro climb followed by 5-day safari with African Scenic Safaris.
First Kilimanjaro Rongai route - we did this over 6 days and it was an incredible journey from start to finish. The support we got from our expert guides Ami and Antipas for the whole climb, the great food and the lovely porters made our trip safe and really a trip of a lifetime. On the night of our climb our small team of 4 had 3 guides between us and enabled all of us to get to the top safely.
I cannot thank them enough. The porters also are heroes. I would suggest any group consider the merits of getting their own toilet - it is an additional cost but we thought it was worth it.
Part 2 of our trip 2 of our group went on to a safari. The Crater, Serengeti and Tangere , the tents were bigger which was great, while some of the camping equipment was tired it still fit for purpose . We saw all animals hoped for with exception of the rhino. Grayson is an eagle eyed mild mannered guide and Mr M was an amazing cook and our food was even better than the food on the climb.
I have no hesitation recommending this company for a value for money and the combined climb and safari was a simply amazing and special trip .
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of a kind safari destination from the beginning to the end
The Ngorongoro Crater is a one of a kind safari destination from the beginning to the end.
We went with a personal safari driver by jeep with open rooftop. From the moment you drive into the park the experience begin as the road takes you up and up until you reach the top of the side of the crater. A viewpoint overlooking the entire crater was the first breathtaking view. From this viewpoint we spottet a couple of elephants and then we were ready to go down into the crater. On the way to the entry road into the crater we saw giraffes and Masai people with all their cattles (the live around the crater). Inside the crater we saw wildlife such as ostrichs, wilderbeasts, warthogs, zebras, baboons, elephants, hyenas, hippos, buffalos, jackals, antilopes and lions up close (and probably more i can't remember at the moment). We were even lucky to see two young male lions feasting on a buffalo at close range. In the distance we saw two black rhinos they are rare to see due to the low population in the park.
Most of the time we drove around observing the animals without any other safari jeeps around. They were visible in the horizon (since the landscape is mostly flat and at that time a year the vegetation is completely dry) and once in a while we crossed roads and at major attraction spots (like the lions feasting) we were several jeeps gathered.
Our tour operator had organized lunch for us, which we ate by a lake with hippos relaxing in the water.
Overall we are very satisfied with our safari experience in the Ngorongoro Crater and will recommend it.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ol Pejeta Conservancy by Marc Pineau
If you are lucky you may see some wilddog here.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Africa's Postcard
If you want to see Lions, elephants, hippos, crocs against a beautiful african backdrop, this is your place. It isn't particularly easy to travel through independently (i.e. get there by bus etc), but certainly possible. Once there hiring a local guide is the best thing to do. We caught a taxi to Katunguru, then hired a guide called Mustafa (who is well known in the area, and is listed in the Bradt travel guide). He was fantastic, would very much recommend going with him.
amazing
About wildlife I saw all the animals. I saw leopard which I never seen other parks. Different weather than nairobi. Food is very good. Stayed at umoja camp nice one. Peter who organised the safari. Very nice person. Thanks for Peter he done everything arranged good at samburu.