35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The family trip of a lifetime
Thank you Simon from East African Safari and Touring company for your suggestion for our 5 day safari through the Serengetti and Ngorongoro Crater, your communication in the lead up and organization made this a smooth ride. Our safari with our children aged 14 12 and 9 was a fantastic experience we were amazed by the closeness and abundance of wildlife we were able to see and on our final day we witnessed a pride of lioness stalking some zebra whilst 20 or more young lions roamed around our safari vehicle. At nights we were impressed by our campsite which was very well organized and the meals were great, the experiences the children were able to gain by sitting around a campfire freely talking and singing with the local Masai was priceless. Our driver Innocent was great with the knowledge he was able to share with us about the local wildlife there seemed nothing he wasnt able to tell us
Absolutely amazing, lifetime experience
E-Trip Africa was amazing from the time the first email went out, they communicated instantly back and answered all the questions I had if not more. My expectations were exceeded from the pick up at the airport until the drop off, everyone we came in contact with was exceptional and extremely professional. Their desire for you to succeed was demonstrated in every aspect of the adventure. I would highly recommended them for Kilimanjaro.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari-experience with "it started in Africa"
In February 2015 we did a 5day safari including Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Everything was perfectly organised. Our guide/driver was very friendly and competent/professional. We even saw the "big5" and a lion-hunt!!! The guide always looked for our wishes, e.g. for crocodiles. The car and camping equipment was in a very good condition; our cook made delicious food.
The nature, the mass and diversity of animals in Tanzania are unique and amazing. It was the best we ever experiecend. "It started in Africa" was a perfect partner for our perfect holiday: everything was well organized.
NG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My rushed, totally unplanned but enjoyable safari experience.
I was looking forward to a week in Paris but at the last minute I made snap decision to go to Kenya. On ym flight I read a magazine that suggested going on a Safari while in Kenya. Being my first time I didn't know anyone and had no reservations, luckily while I searched for a cab service at the airport I spotted the Big Time Safaris desk. The men who attended me where very pleasant and polite. I told them all about my lack of hotel reservations, or an itinerary. I got help with all that. I didn't want a long safari experience we figured it out and I left for my hotel. The hotel was the same one I used for my entire stay and I appreciated the staff and how helpful they were.
The second day I was off to the Masai Mara in the company of my fellow tourists and we bonded with our witty driver. The meal stops where nice. He showed us where to shop for the basic necessities. And his advice proved very useful.
The camp at the park was very comfortable and close to a Masai village which I visited on the last day. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and took several photos and made friends with my co travelers. I definitely recommend the Big Time Safaris Ltd to any first time and repeat travelers to Kenya. I will certainly use them when next I visit Kenya but I will make the necessary reservations this time. LOL!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing journey to the wild, with a wonderful team of professionals
We were in the best hands with Yassin (guide) and Waziri (cook) during our 7-person, 5-day safari. Professional, smart, caring, careful, calm, and fun - they made sure that we had an amazing experience. We saw a part of the world that we could not have imagined, and gained understanding and appreciation that will last a lifetime. We have encouraged many friends already to think about making this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Communications were excellent during planning. The food was wonderful! Expectations were met and more! It was a "budget" safari, and we expected to "rough it" a bit. In fact, it was less rough than we expected, thanks to the outstanding care provided by Yassin and Waziri.
Our only suggestion for upcoming safari-goers: remember to take a towel and sheet liner.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was the trip of a lifetime; an experience fit for a king!
Everything was top notch. Susan communicated with us throughout our plans, including air fare, tipping, travel tips, lodging, attire...... The service was beyond belief! We felt like royalty. Our accommodations were spectacular! Everyone was so helpful and kind. The safari left us speechless. Words cannot express our satisfaction with your agency. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and very dependable. I could go on and on about this trip. Everyone we spoke to heard nothing but accolades. Thank you ,Susan, and kudos to Pembury Tours!!!
Friendly hospitality at a high price.
The Sunset lodge is a nice and wonderfully located in a private game reserve. If you are looking to get away from the big city and stress, and are willing to be overpriced for it, then this is the place for you.
Unlike what I was told by Rueben, there was no buffet for meals, but a limited tasty set meal each day. On the actual safari days, although it says you will get sausage and eggs and hot coffee, in reality it is one boiled egg, a muffin, maybe no coffee, or one sausage, and the rest of the items mentioned (depending how many people are in the group).
At dinner, all beverages ordered - juice or wine - you will be charged for it, even if it is a glass. I think this this important to mention, because for the price you pay, you would expect a glass of wine or juice would be included with dinner. They never tell you the price or that you will be charged for it until the last day you leave which was a surprise to me. Although it wasn't too expensive, it still was an unpleasant surprise. Another unpleasant surprise is here on Safaribooking.com, it says a 3-5 day safari is whatever, but they charge an extra 14% in taxes which makes it more than originally advertised when you actually book with them.
If a single person did this as a once in a life time event, then I would rate the Themba operators and the whole experience as average and overall a great experience with the wildlife and seeing this part of the world. If I rate this for people who have a family, I would say it was overpriced for what you get, especially the bigger the family.
Considering that a four person family is paying about $4-500 a day to be there, you are paying a lot for limited food and drink (although the family who runs the Sunset Lodge are spectacular), and time. A "3 day safari is really 2 days - or 1 1/2 days" etc because the last day you are only driving back to Johannesburg, and the first day you take 6 hours to get there, and you are paying for any snacks or drinks along the way. This is WAY too much to pay for what you are actually receiving.
However, with this being said, the animals in and around Kruger's park are amazing, and the experience was unforgettable. I will definitely go back, but I am unsure I would use this operator again unless I got a serious discount to match what I felt I received.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
fantastic honeymoon
We enjoyed a fantastic camping honeymoon safari with It Started in Africa. We did 5 nights, one in Ngorongoro Crater, 3 in the Serengeti (Central and North) and one in Tarangire.
Our guide Jeremias was amazing and without him we wouldn't have noticed half of the animals we passed by. We even saw a lion killing a wildbeest...
I would not hesitate to recommend them, all was perfect!
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
6 days safari in Nakuru, Navasa, Masaai Mara, Amboseli
This company take cares of customers a lot, . I feel very warm of my contacter, David.
However, some of the accomondations they cooperate weren't good. One camp electronics had problems, we didn't have power all day and had to prepare troops by our own. One camp didn't save enough showering water. And cooks always cooked so late and sow, one night we ate dinner at 9pm, and one day, our driver told us leave at 5:45am, but cook served us breakfast after 6 am. And cook still ask us give him tips. And they didn't give us one liter water every day as what contract said, in Nassau Mara camp, when I asked water, the staff of the camp told me with bad attitude said no more water, don't ask me more water!
But the driver of the safari was experimened, he found many animals, we saw many animals in our trip.
Mount Snowdon to Mount Kenya, (and back again)
Michael is a great negotiator, he knows the value of his assets; Paul (transport), Wilson, (sherpa), Joseph, (mobile chef). My experience was so great that I wrote a book about it, as above. Thanks and best wishes, knowing that when you walk through the valleys the higher ground will meet you in good time.