65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent and varied holiday with great accommodation
We spent a second holiday with Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) and enjoyed the experience again. All arrangements were made according to our agreements and there were no hiccups and the accommodation in all of the places we stayed were exceptional. An excellent apartment in Camps Bay, a wonderful game park in the Nambiti Hills, an original design lodge at the Zulu war battlefields and a luxury hotel on the coast near Durban were the highlights.
The guide at the Game Park was very experienced and committed and added to the enjoyment of seeing the wide range of animals (including the Big 5).
The tours of the battlefield were interesting although the guide was somewhat outdated in his style and attitude.
Although the whole organisation of the trip was good, the consultant on our previous trip was far more proactive than this time, but nevertheless all worked out very well and the knowledge of good accommodation of Giltedge Africa is second to none
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
efficient, fast, helpful, friendly, honest, reliable
The service was great. Lots of helpful recommendations. Great way they present your own itinerary. Absolutely safe and reliable. Very fast in answering and impressing how they keep you informed. Thanks for your support Monique!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best Safari I've Been On
I've been going on safaris since 1981, and It Started in Africa did the best job of any of them. They were able to accommodate my schedule by moving some of the events around. Even more important, the owner Joao responded to my emails sooner than any other company told me the best time of the year to come and why. He also gave specific advice on what camera lenses to bring, and which places to camp "rugged" and which ones to camp "easy." The guide that drove us around did a yeoman's job of finding us ALL of the "Big Five" as well as organizing a 3 hour walking tour with a guide. He also stopped scores of times when I wanted to take a picture of local scenery. These guys treat you like Dr. Livingston.
CR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded expectations! A wonderful and comfortable traveling experience!
Everything went smoothly, as planned with no surprises. Airline flights were as arranged. Guides in each country were at the airports to pick us up on time. The guides in Tanzania for our safari and in Rwanda were both exceptional! In Zambia, a different guide met us for each separate adventure. All were prompt, but we did not spend much time with any one of them. The Tanzanian and Rwandan guides' expertise and friendliness really enhanced our trip. The lodges and hotels that Go2Africa arranged for us to stay at were first rate, but not 5 star, so the cost was reasonable.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti under canvas, starry African Sky
Everything handled competently, and the lodges looked like just in the pictures. We were a bit anxious when we landed as we have heard so many negative stories about Africa and this was our first time. Joseph was professional and knowledgeable. Apart from a bumpy road we have returned home with happy memories. Frank.
Great Rwanda Experience
Had a wonderful experience in Rwanda with the 2 day gorilla tour arranged through rwandagorilla.com. Due to limited time, I was only able to spend 2 days in Rwanda, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Nicolas responded to all questions and scheduled everything per requests. Our guide, Chris, was personable, accommodating and quite knowledgeable. He picked us up at the airport and took us on a tour around Kigali and to the Genocide Memorial (very well done) and the "Hotel Rwanda" before heading toward Volcanoes National Park where we stayed at the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. Chris picked us up the next morning and took us to the park headquarters and arranged for us to be assigned to a great gorilla family. Our trek experience was nothing short of amazing! A definite must do. I had shopped around and the prices were better than competitors. Our tour included the gorilla permit, our hotel (full board), and two days of transportation with Chris who demonstrated extensive knowledge of not only in depth details of the history of Rwanda, but information about the hopes and challenges for Rwanda's promising future. Back to the airport in perfect time for our evening departure. In a very short time I learned a lot about an amazing place. Would be happy to return and would use Gorilla Trek Africa again.
PA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Superb service made the trip perfect
I booked with East Africa Exotic Safaris as a last minute excursion when coming to Nairobi for a business conference. I had contacted several tour operators and due to the prompt and very courteous reply opted to use their services. From the outset, I was never disappointed. Always fast on replying and was punctual in coordination of activities plus the driver was knowledgeable to make this excursion perfect. We even got lucky and saw a pack of lions crossing the road. This was my fifth time going on a safari so I knew what to reasonably expect and they raised the bar with perfect service.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overrated. Had no luck with a guide driver.
So the main complaint is about information. It seems that our guide driver Matu was a lier! Or a joker, but it was not good that information about animals he gave us and other guides gave was very different. As not an local we cannot prove anything so it was kind of unfair. Also, he was late every day. Talked a lot with somebody on the phone and with other drivers. It was very uncomfortable to travel with him. He never commented his actions. We were driving about 3 hours under the hot sun with no words where are we go and what a going to do. And he had very bad accent. He always said "glass" instead of "grass" and other words.
Also it is a complaint about hot drinks. It was highlighted in the contract that drinks like sodas and beers are not included. But they didn't say a word that hot drinks are not included into lunches and you should buy it!
But they gave us a better price for that time. But at the same time the hotels and camps they are providing are so poor and incomfortable. Other proc is that they didn't want a prepayment (you know that e-payment systems are not brillliant in Africa) and the water was included in price.
I want to say a big thanks for Vinsent.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great first safari experience
Great value for your money, great services. The camping area was great. The driver was really nice and he was very patient showing and telling us about the region. The cook did a great job for our meals. Just stay at another hotel than the one they offer for free.
Great experience aided by an excellent driver/guide. Saw all the big game, bar Leopards,well pleased
George delivered on his promises of quality service and standards. It was my first safari in Kenya and I didn't appreciate the distances between game reserves. We had an excellent safe driver, a big bonus. He was knowledgeable and got us as close as possible to the game. I got what I paid for and felt it was above average value.
I would do it differently next time by spending less time on the road and more time in the game reserves. I would certainly do it through Right Choice Tours. George's was always available by phone if needed and his gesture to compensate for vehicle problems was very generous. He runs a good show and his staff are experienced and helpful. The collection and delivery service from and to the airport was much appreciated. Well done Right Choice Tours and Travel and continued success.