20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
With SafariBook Evolution...wow!! A breath of freshness in safari tours
They bring in a new approach to how safari tours should be and how clients are treated. One gets value for their money and personalized service attention for a maximum experience about safari.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My experience with Kenya Walking Survivors is certainly pleasant, but there's room for improvement.
To start, I just want to provide a little background about the trip so that it's easier to understand the pros and cons. It was a 16 days trip that includes Safari(8-9 days) in both Kenya and Tanzania and Trekking in Mt. Kilimanjaro(6 days).
I thought the pre-trip communications could have been more effective provided that it's a fairly lengthy trip and that a lot of preparation is needed for the climb. The company didn't clearly convey to us regarding what to prepare and what to expect. Nevertheless, the Safari part of the trip went very smoothly with no problems. The lodging was mostly delightful and the guide was very knowledgeable and patient in showing us all the wild lives.
For the Trekking in Mt. Kilimanjaro part of the trip, the services that were provided to us unfortunately didn't live up to our expectation. Kenya Walking Survivors seemed to have contracted with a Tanzania local travel agency called Africa Royals in handling the Mt. Kilimanjaro part. Therefore, we were handed over to the Africa Royals immediately following the completion of the Safari. Africa Royals is disorganized at best. As you probably know, staying dry is one of the most important factors that play into whether or not one would succeed in reaching the top. However, our clothes got wet the very first day of the climb and, as a result, we were suffering for the remaining of the climb. Another area that invites criticism is camp management. Every single day, we were the last group to start the climb and once we reached the next camp site, we often have to wait for an hour or two for the porter to arrive and set up the tent. My last complaint is the fact that the principal guide doesn't sufficiently communicate the time table of activities of the day to us and even if he does, he's usually the one who doesn't abide by it. For instance, on the night of reaching the peak we were told that we would start climbing at 1am. and that someone would wake us up prior to that time to get prepared. We woke up ourselves at 1:30 am and the guide was still sleeping in his tent. We would have missed the sunrise at the peak.
All in all, I think Kenya Walking Survivors provided decent service for the Safari part, but partnering with Africa Royals for providing services to customers on Mt Kilimanjaro is in desperate need for improvement.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hakuna Matata!
My wife and I booked our honeymoon with Bramwel Safaris through William. From start to finish our experience was fantastic. William handled all of our arrangements, connecting flights, accommodations and guide and everything was absolutely perfect. Our guide Joshua, was outstanding. A true expert with the animals and a most pleasant person to be with for 6 days. The accommodations William arranged were also perfect in everyway and much more than we had expected. Honestly, I can't speak highly enough about our travel in Tanzania. The country is beautiful. The people wonderful and gracious and of course.. the safari experience was amazing.
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience!
My husband and I just came back from a 10-day vacation in Tanzania with Bramwel Safaris. We are absolutely blown away by the beauty of this country and the kindness of its people! But, that's a different story and this review is about our operator. We found Bramwel through this website and feel like it's our duty to give them the review that they deserve. Our operator William has always been very prompt in responding our questions and queries since we first emailed him months ago. He answered each and every question we asked with patience, prepared a detailed plan and ensured that we feel comfortable and secure before we booked the trip. He was reachable and ready to assist us 24/7 (I literally called him at 3am thinking that we had a problem with one of our domestic flights - yet we didn't-) since the moment we arrived in Tanzania. He met us at our hotel in Arusha on our day of arrival, and then called and checked on us daily (until we got back home) to make sure that everything was going well. We quickly felt like we had a local friend who genuinely wanted us to have a great time in his country. We really appreciated that! Our safari guide Joshua was a wonderful man! He was not only an expert wildlife guide, but he also had a very kind personality, which was very important since we spent 6 days with him inside a car. He was very knowledgable, professional and friendly also extremely skilled in spotting animals. We are very grateful to him for showing us so many animals (big 5 and more!) and teaching us so many amazing things about nature and wildlife. I think we were just so lucky to have him as our guide and we would definitely ask for him if we go back. In general, we were truly content and satisfied with Bramwel. It all went flawless, honestly, beyond our expectations. We are just so fascinated that we cannot wait to go back and explore more of this amazing continent! We cannot thank these guys enough for this amazing experience, and we cannot recommend them enough!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lifetime dream fulfilled
I have been dreaming of an African safari for as long as I can remember, and my experience was even more than I had hoped. It was an experience that cannot possibly be put into words! We had so many up-close and personal encounters with the animals, mostly because of the experience of our guide, who grew up in the area we toured. I highly recommend Tanganyika Ancient Routes! Bring a good camera with a telephoto lens. It's an experience of a lifetime!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Surprisingly good
I booked last minute (a couple of days before leaving the UK) onto a budget safari (the first to respond out of 4 I emailed); it was £300 for 3 days so I thought it would be pretty rough. But it was well organised, the tents were fine, the food was very nice, the staff were friendly and knowledgable and most importantly we had great views of all the animals.
The drives to and from Joburg are a pain - if I was going again I would stay longer but the Safari itself was excellent and I would happily use outlook safaris again in the future.
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing African wildlife safari experience with northern circuit adventure
I am zubair from southern part of india. In February 2014 I was realized my life's ambition that a African wildlife safari. When I was looking for a good safari operator in whole Africa, so many different companies I found. Including northern circuit adventure. Finally I chose northern circuit adventure by only one email. They are provided all information about safari with first e mail. Why I choose them? Answer is very simple . very cheap price. I was contacted with more than 10 companies, but I can't accept them bcs of highly expensive. Finally I went kilimanjaro international airport. I got visa on arrival at the airport within 10 minutes. I was alone. I went out from terminal building. There the director of northern circuit adventure mr Michael Ndallo(Mike) waiting for me with his car. He took me to a good hotel in arusha. Very nice person. I was changed my concept about African people while our journey to arusha with Mike.
Next day morning we're leaving arusha for our 5 days safari. The safari car was good. Almost all facilities on board. Guide book, charging sockets, refrigerator, ex. Our driver was Solomon(solo). He able to speak very good English and he have good knowledge about wildlife and national parks. Very friendly and helpful person. Next nice thing is foood. Our cook was Gabriel. Always prepare something special. Food was excellent. Even suitable for Europeans.
The game drive is a amazing experience for us. We can see almost all types of animals very close. Our driver solo was very nice. He stop car and explain about animals. It is very helpful for us. Totally very excited and amazing trip. Next time I will be with same company. Thanks alot for mike and his team. Keep your dedication upon your clients... god bless you...
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Knowledgeable as well as likeable people!
When it comes to customer centricity, knowledge and know-how, these two people are in front of the line. I have travelled quite a bit and it is difficult to find tour operators that befriend you in this manner - well done to Johan & Elize, you are a shining example for excellent tour operators!!
Amazing
I am a Kenyan, born and raised in Nairobi and hadn't yet visited Masai Mara until Last year December(2013). My family and I were hesitant because of the rains and Mara is known to be impassible during the rainy season but we decided to go ahead and not cancel our booking. Aren't we glad we went to the Mara. By road, its almost a 5hr drive on tarmac road until you reach Narok town where the tarmac just starts reducing until there is none as you get near the park. I have been to some Parks and Reserves in Kenya but Mara was the best. We saw a lot of lions(which isn't easy), leopards playing around and some of the prettiest tallest giraffes I have ever seen, among other wildlife. Now we know what the fuss is all about and cannot wait to back during the migration period. We booked directly through Sarova group and stayed at Sarova Mara and it was fantastic, best customer service ever. Our tour driver/guide was from Somak Safaris and he knew his wildlife.
P.s if you can, splurge more on hiring a land cruiser than a tour van when planning to tour Masai Mara. once you get to the rough roads, that's when you really appreciate the 4wd.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best company to visit Africa with!
I was lucky enough to be on one if Africa Expedition Support's tours in 2006 and again in 2007. The knowledge that they have of the whole of Africa is second to none, their stories and sense of fun was an unexpected bonus which really made the trip for me. I have done a few safaris over the years but Africa Expedition Support's safaris are the ones I remember the most and which were the most impressive. Not only do I always recommend them to anyone I know who is thinking of going to Africa but I am also counting down the days until I can do another trip with them!