DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A very successful 16 days wildlife super safari for one person
The result of wildlife rating should be very much better if I would have taken part on gorilla or chimpanzee tracking. Without the mentioned
animals you can'' t compare the wildlife with countries as in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia or South Africa. But also with a smaller animal kingdom you can have wonderful experiences. So I had the possibility to watch in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary my smallest rhino
I have ever seen before in Africa, in one of the lakes or channels my smallest hippo, without the mother you could carry the cup away with
both hands, a fish eagle with a too tall fish just in front of our car, not more than three metres away, twice the fish fell down in front of our car
when the eagle started to safe the fish and in Rwakobo camp I had the luck to watch a two months old waterbuck, found from the manager of
the camp in a age of 1,5 weeks without a mother. Two times a day the little buck came to the manager of the camp and was asking for bottles
of milk. Because you could touch the cup and give to the animal some milk, it was one of the main attractions.
The safari was organized with one of the best, perhaps even the best travel agency in Uganda. For nearly a year, the manager Jackie was
planning with me together my tour of Uganda. Jackie was a amazing and patient, with unusual prompt replies to my emails and with her help
I booked the best safari to suit my needs. With one of the best cars, a 4x4 wheel driven Toyota Landcruiser, we - the driver and safari guide
Martin - started our safari, when he picked me up at the airport around midnight. For road conditions, which I haven' t seen before during
nearly fifty years in Africa the car and the driver was the best what could had happened to me. Very often without any signs Martin found
without any difficulties his way and brought us without any breakdowns back to Kampala and Entebbe. Under no circumstances I felt unwell
or there was a fear of not enough security. Wether for lunch or dinner I had to eat meat, with his help I could always pick up a piece of fried
fish with chips.
The accommodations, with Jackie I had agreed with "moderate", were always very clean and comfortable, but only the accommodations in
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Rwakobo camp where a little bit more simple and older.
The mountains and lakes of the southwestern part of Uganda are postcard perfect. Katona Tours and Travel is a very experienced Tour Opera-
tortor and travel expert for East Africa. I would definitely use Katona Tours again.
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
10 days magical Kenya
Once again, we asked Robert to organise a 10-day trip to Kenya seeing Tsavo East and West, Amboselli, Lake Naivasha and Nakuru and Masai Mara as we did also september 2016. This time, Ken was our driver/guide. This time we came with four friends/family and reserved a jeep.
We were astonished about the number of animals, the beautifull scenery and all the adventures we had underway. Having a leopard at the front door in Tsavo West was a special experience. But every day has been great from beginning to the end. We thank Ken for his friendliness, his professionalism, his helpfullness and guidance. We liked him a lot as a person. Ken was GREAT.
Thx a lot as well to Robert for organising.
We were able to see so many animals, lions, cheeta's, leopards, rhino's (black and white), elephants and so much more.
Only (little) minor thing was the change in our itinarary and the fact the four of us never could stay close to eachother (tents and lodges never together). But overall, it was an excellent holiday and safari.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was well planned.
Our guide, Humphrey, not only knew all the mammals and birds, but seemed to know at least half of the other company guides, as he talked to all of them. We saw an amazing number of animals, both mammals and birds (I'm a birder). Accommodations where all clean, staffs friendly and helpful, food was plentiful and good. Except for the horrible dirt roads, all else was worth it.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya Tour Budget Safari: Customer Service under construction!!
Cannot recommend this company at all.
I was booking at an early stage and reconfirmed to be accommodated in the 4-star Sopa Lodge. At time of pick-up in the Nairobi Hotel we are being told that the Sopa Lodge is overbooked and we have to be moved to another lodge nearby; Jamba Mara Lodge.
We protested and got at least the last of the 3 nights in the Sopa Lodge.
But the first 2 nights were in the Jamba Lodge which is a place still under construction (mid Sept-18). Containers, building material on the ground, and of course construction noise when we wanted to take a midday sleep between safaris.
Also this place has no pool, no proper view into the park like from the Sopa pool, mediocre quality buffet with little choice, and no comfortable lobby with fire place as in Sopa. Room was much smaller.
Sopa, 1 night; very good experience, relaxing atmosphere, properly maintained facilities, seasoned customer service and Value for Money!
Even once construction is done, Jamba Mara Lodge will not live up to the standards of the Sopa Lodge. The price difference between the 2 lodges are USD 165 per night which indicates the quality difference obviously.
Kenya Tour Budget Safari must take more ownership for their customer service. If their service provider shifts customers from A to B with quality loss, the travel agent has to provide the customer satisfaction which, in this case, would be a refund at least of the price difference between the 2 lodges. Customers left disappointed and service feedback is slow and quiet.
Refund of USD 100 was offered by the travel agent arguing with their bottom line and different flat rates they pay for the accommodation. The quality difference was USD 330 for 2 nights though which requires to be refunded to make up for a disappointing trip to Africa.
Kenya Tour Budget Safari: Customer Service still under construction!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Shoebills tried and succeeded to ensure that our requirements for our Safari were always met.
Our Safari was custom made to fit around our particular needs in Uganda. This Shoebills carried extremely well, changing times and places during the development stage easily and competently, resulting in the trip we wanted and that completely lived upto our expectations. Richard, our guide was extremely knowledgable about the animals and birds we encountered and went out of his way to ensure we saw them in their best light. His phenominal eyesight and knowledge of animal behaviour ensured we saw rare and interesting sights
The trip worked like clockwork and we can only recommend Shoebills for the work they did. We will certainly use them in the future.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
safari went perfect as planned and I would do it again with E-Trip Africa
I planned my safari with E-trip Africa 15 months in advance. Upon arrival in Tanzania, all the elements came together perfectly. Ben Jennings, the planner, worked with me and answered all questions from start to finish. Ben listened to what I wanted to do, what level of accommodations I wanted, and arranged for what I wanted not what earned him the biggest commission. Our driver David Mushi was a friendly, educated, knowledgeable and delightful man. His wildlife spotting skills were amazing. There was a last minute change to our arrival time due to flight changes and ben handled them perfectly.
I enjoyed all of the 5 different lodges/tented camps we stayed at, some my suggestion some E-Trip's suggestion. Overall the food was just average to mediocre, but Idid not go on a safari for the food. I got enough to eat.
I will go back to Tanzania i the future for another safari and I will hire E-trip Africa to plan and conduct it.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
ACZ tried to change agreed conditions several times
After agreeing on conditions and contracting tour for Amboseli 3 days in lodges, and paying in advance 50%, they contacted to say that it wasn't a lodge but a luxury tent and that a suplement was needed for a lodge. We refused and referred to agreed terms, finally they admitted it would be lodge without suplement.
One or two days before the tour, they called us to let us know that they had problems with the vans, and that they were changing our open-roofed van for a jeep... we refused, and finally got the van as agreed (which is more spacious and permits a full experience).
During the tour, they disturbed us during dinner and argued that they had problems again with vans and proposed to change the safari drive of next day for a visit to a Masaai village. Again we had to refuse, really upset of being bothered by their logistic problems that we are not responsible of.
Last day in the return trip which had lunch included, the driver stopped and told us that the company had given him some money for us to buy food. The amount was ridiculous, so we had to refuse again and as in other tours asked to go to a proper place where the meals are arranged for tourists and we don't need to care about prices.
None of these things happened with other safari tours that we contracted.
Not directly related to ACZ, but to the AA Lodge, we found several cockroaches in the lodge, not only in the bathroom but also inside the sheets. We had to move to a tent that night.
Apart from all of that, we enjoyed Amboseli a lot, and the driver was really nice (in these tours, drivers generally do the hard work in an excellent way and get the less of the money; managers just arrange conditions and pickup the money).
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE WITH AN AMAZING TRAVEL COMPANY!!!
I spent almost 1.5 years planning my Kenyan trip with Jenieen and Razaan. It was the most incredible experience and the trip of a lifetime!!! The planning phase was SO easy - they took care of EVERYTHING POSSIBLE!!! There were no glitches, no moments of wondering if things would go as planned! Everything went smoothly. We were placed in amazing camps with incredible tour guides! The flights to and from each camp were easy. No detail went untouched by this team!!! Thanks Razaan and Jenieen!!! You made our trip of a lifetime a literal TRIP OF A LIFETIME!!!
Prescott and Alissa Hope
BE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
10 days MAGICAL Kenya !!!!
Second safari with Beacon!
As expected from Robert, he was extremely fast in his communication and the organisation of the whole trip was superb again.
This time, we had Ken as our driver/guide. Extremely nice friendly guide who was always smiling. So each day started perfectly with a smile. He can handle the most difficult traffic situations in the "jungle" of Nairobi, on the dangerous Nairobi-Mombasa road and in the reservation parks. You always feel safe when he's driving.
During the game drives, he brings you to the spot where the action is. Sometimes, he drives away where the rest of the Jeeps try to get in. It doesn't make sense at that moment, but a few moments later, you are at the front seat. It is like he can predict the animal's behaviour. This happened on several occassions with a leopard and 5 cheeta's. A really amazing guide.
I believe that the standard of guide/drivers is high for Beacon Safaris, but you really got the best! Our previous guide/driver was John. He' was also amazing.
So Beacon Safaris is certainly a five star company which I can only recommend.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great trip.
Communications were good although we did feel a little uneasy paying by cash in a room several floors up. Picked up on time .
Our driver Arony was excellent. Camp although different from one expected (Daisy Eco camp) was good.