DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's an majestic place on Earth!
I loved every second of our trip and could not be happier with all the experiences and lovely people we met. The people with their diversity in culture, positive energy and calmness as well as the rich nature and animal kingdom are incomparable and I am sure I will visit again!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing experience with great services from the expert Tony montana
I will recommend anytime to anybody to use open African safaris for all your trip and adventures,they are well organized,they communicate well,great people,well experienced.wwe were able to see all the animals at a very close distance,they also provide lunch boxes very delicious.going back this Dec for tarangire and Serengeti trip with open African safaris.will highly recommend anyone to book your trip through Open African safaris.Tony Montana gave us a great time.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a magical time in Kenya: warm, friendly people; beautiful land; animals--unbelievable!!
We had a wonderful time in Kenya in February, 2023. We felt safe, we were very comfortable in our beautiful lodgings, the scenery and weather could not have been better. We did a 4 day safari with Motto Tours. Our guide was a friendly, knowledgeable Masai man who went over and above to give us a great time. We saw all the Big 5!! Plus many, many other animals. We visited Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara National Preserve. We stayed in 'tented' camps that were so comfortable, wonderful food and friendly staff. We were able to visit a Masai village one day for an incredible cultural experience. On our last afternoon/evening in Nairobi (before flying home at 11:00 pm), we visited the Giraffe Center to feed giraffes and learn about efforts on behalf of the endangered Rothschild Giraffes of Kenya. We had a fun and delicious final dinner at the Carnivore Cafe!! Thank you Motto Tours and thank you Kenya!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience
Cannot praise Chris and the safari partners team enough. We were a little nervous booking an expensive trip to Botswana over the internet with an agency based hundreds of miles away but these guys are legit. No detail was too small to be looked into and Chris offered a competitive price compared to other agencies.
Chris was flexible with everything and even though we went with a package, he was able to change lodges and other things whilst still keeping the price down and the quality up. Particularly liked the tech behind his his online itinerary too - the service had a premium feel to it, even before we left!
I wouldn't hesitate to go with them again and can't wait to return to Africa!
Thanks for all the help and support.
All the best from Munich, Germany and thanks again Chris :)
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience I ever had!
We never thought to find such an amazing country and wonderful people. We have been driving around the country and everywhere it was different landscape and things to discover. Either Etosha, the desert or the coast, everywhere is unique and beautiful. The experience of being watching the wild animals in their own environment is unforgettable. We definitely will come back and stay longer!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
short but sweet, great variety of wildlife
We had a very brief visit to this wonderful reserve. The variety of wildlife was great with many amazingly colourful birds. The rangers were very knowledgeable as well as being friendly and professional. I would love to return here and recommend Selous highly.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly recommended experienced safari guides
We chose Crazy Dave based on a recommendation from a work friend - great advice. We affectionately called him "Super Dave" who was accommodating and flexible with our family of 7. Dave and Marc were so knowledgeable, passionate, friendly, accommodating and fun. Many good laughs and memories.
Kruger Safari experience - we saw all of the big 5. (big 7, ugly 5 etc) in our 2.5 days. Our days started early so that we could see all of the animals which paid off. Steak dinner braii prepared by Dave was excellent. Having previously done a self drive in Kruger I can now see the benefit of using an experienced safari guide in an elevated safari vehicle. They know where to find the animals, are in contact with other safari guides for recent sightings and provide interesting insights on the animals.
Definitely recommend Kruger Flexi Tours to anyone.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Such a great experience
We saw almost all of the big 5. great people and good organisation
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommended...
My husband and I made enquires with Achmed at Base Camp Tanzania three months prior to departing on our safari. I chose Base Camp Tanzania for their price and also experience - from several positive reviews and also having been in business since 1997. Email responses from Achmed were usually within 24 hours. My husband and I did the "8 Day Camping Safari", with a requested change to the recommended itinerary (excluding Hadzapi bushmen and Dagota Tribe visits, instead visiting Ndutu in Ngorongoro Conservation Area) easily done. Additionally, Achmed organised 3 nights extra accommodation at L'Oasis Lodge with half-board (breakfast and dinner, not lunch) with ease - we paid for lunch separately, factoring this into our budget, also including alcohol (Safari beers 500ml are about USD$2.50 each) and tips for the driver, cook and any additional guided tours not included in our safari.
The initial 30% payable-upon-booking deposit was via Wire Transfer, with a scanned copy of our transfer transaction emailed to Achmed. The transfer was confirmed very quickly, with Achmed emailing a receipt of the transfer. The final balance, paid 2 months prior to the safari departure date, was also problem free.
We opted to pay the visa-on-arrival, standing in a fast-moving, lengthy queue at Kilimanjaro. A driver was waiting for us at the airport and drove us the 1 hour drive to L'Oasis Lodge, Arusha. We unfortunately did not carry small USD amounts at this time for tipping the driver or porters at the Lodge. After a day of relaxing by the pool, Achmed met us in the evening prior to our safari to discuss our itinerary. I felt calm, reassured and really excited.
Our safari was awesome! Emmanuel was our driver - experienced, informative (just the right amount), professional yet relaxed, wanting to give us a great experience - he is a fantastic guide. Zacharea was our cook - the food was plentiful, varied and tasty, and considering I have a food allergy (mentioned at the time of booking), I was extremely well fed, and I had absolutely no problems. There was always heaps of bottled water available. The large 4WD with pop-up-top was more than suitable for us (and would be comfortable for up to 4 people) and there were 2 multi-adapter power-points in the vehicle for charging devices. The tent was adequate for 2 people, and bedding was a 5cm (2") thick foam mattress each, so was quite firm to sleep on (I'd recommend taking your own camping foam-roll mattress or perhaps considering the luxury camping option if this basic style is not suitable for your body).
The camping sites were all different - fenced or not fenced, most with warm showers, and squat or western toilets. The list of "Things to bring" from the website was helpful, but don't forget: a sleeping bag, bath towel, body wipes (if you won't take a cold shower), and tissues (not all toilets have paper). Also, stinging flies are attracted to black and white, so neutral coloured clothing is recommended.
I admit that I had low expectations of seeing the wildlife, simply to avoid my own disappointment. I was super happy with my experience, completely satisfied. I feel Base Camp Tanzania really wants their customers to go away very pleased with their safari, and endeavour to provided the best possible experience. Emmanuel was also happy to stop at our request (where practical) for placement of us to the animal/s with consideration to lighting/shadow for photographs. He was great at spotting wildlife, and getting ourselves and assisting others out of a jam (quick-passing, down-pouring storms made the roads slippery, very boggy and created pools everywhere).
I have heard/read several people say that African safaris are expensive. I feel what we paid for our 12 night holiday/8 day camping safari was worth the money for us (if perhaps compared to self-drive) - no time/effort wasted on driving and navigation but completely focused on wildlife spotting, knowledge of the local areas and roads, less risk of getting stuck/bogged if experienced in the driving conditions, answering questions and providing interesting information, access to communicate with other drivers to find out where the wildlife has been spotted, all meals prepared for us, and tent/bedding prepared for us. All airport transfers (Kilimanjaro-Arusha-Kilimanjaro) were also included in the cost of the safari, even thought we didn't start our safari immediately, and also had "rest-days" afterwards.
Achmed met us upon returning from our safari for a chat about our experience (and perhaps to listen to any recommendations, although I had none). I am so very happy with my Tanzanian safari experience and have no hesitation in recommending Base Camp Tanzania.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari