US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless safari
My family and I just returned from a 10 day safari with Awaken to Africa. Grace Evans planned the trip for us earlier this year and the safari was perfect. There was literally nothing in the least that was out of order or less than expectation. Grace's knowledge of the area and the various tent camps and accommodations, ability to plan an aggressive yet achievable safari and her attention to all of the details was impeccable. She arranged all of our local flights and transportation to and from Dar as Salaam. All of her planning was meticulously documented in both emails and documents mailed to our residence in the US. Her responsiveness to questions was prompt, clear, and comprehensive. That she is located in the US is very helpful. The trip was flawless due to her knowledge and planning. We stayed at four Lamala tent camps including the new and highly luxurious Kuria Hills camp in the northern Serengeti. We also spent a night and half day at the Gibbs Farm cottage/lodge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which was one of the nicest, most pleasant stays I have experienced in my lifetime.
For the 11 nights and 10 days of safari, her co-owner for Awaken to Africa, David Mshana, was our full time guide. He met us at the airport in Kilimanjaro and was with us 24 by 7 until he dropped us off at the Kogatende Airstrip inside Serengeti National Park 11 days later. David guided us through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti National Parks along with the Ngorongoro Crater. We also had an impromptu stop at a local outside market in Karatu and a planned stop at Olduvai Gorge where the Leakey’s did their most noteworthy anthropology work. David suggested and coordinated a guided tour to the bottom of the gorge where all of the famous Leakey excavations occurred. Seems no other tour operators did so. David also coordinated a walking safari and a night safari in Tarangire.
David is simply the best. He has incredible knowledge and experience with the area and paced the 10 days perfectly. He was able to provide excellent insight into the regional fauna and flora and is highly intuitive on animal behavior. This intuition allowed us to see things that other tour operators either were not aware of or did not have the patience to endure. For example, we came upon a number of safari vehicles watching a lioness in the Serengeti. David immediately noted that the lioness was calling her cubs and patiently waited until she disappeared in the brush near her cubs. While all the other tour operators left the area, David drove us near the brush and we were able to see the lioness with her three cubs from a less than 10 yards away. Only then, did a few of the other operators return. He also showed us a recently abandoned Maasai village outside Serengeti National Park. It certainly helps that David seems to know half the drivers in the various parks and is well connected to them via a radio in the safari truck. We seemed to be in the know at all times as to where the animals were. The best experience with David, however, was his knowledge of the migration at the river crossings. We saw six in total, including four in one day and one with over 3000 Wildabeests. David knows exactly how to observe the beginning of a crossing without getting so close to distract the animals and disrupt it, unlike too many other operators who where consistently disrupting crossings. In all we were able to see everything we expected including Cheetahs, Leopards and their cubs.
In summary, the trip was completely flawless and I highly recommend working with David, Grace and Awaken to Africa for all of your Tanzanian safari needs.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly amazing safari
The staff at Expedition Kenya Safari gave me a spectacular safari experience during my 7 day kenya safari in April. Patrick was very accommodating on our requests and communication via e mail and phone during the safari operation were smooth. Meshack met us at JKIA airport and it was a pleasure to have such an upbeat safari guide who was patient and took us on very exciting game drives. Our safari started at the Amboseli national park where we stayed at Amboseli serena. The lodge was pretty awesome and the Mt Kilimanjaro views were breathtaking. We ended our safari at the Maasai Mara and i will always treasure my safari in Kenya. What a beautiful country. Thank you Patrick and Meshack:)
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awaken to Africa is an amazing safari tour company!.
We are extremely happy that we chose Awaken to Africa for our Tanzania Safari!! Grace was extremely helpful to us as we developed our travel plans. She spent a number of hours with us, answered all of our questions, listened to our desires and planned an outstanding safari itinerary and within our expected budget!! We had checked into a number of other Safari Tours and did not find the same personal attention to create the perfect safari trip
Both of our guides were extremely knowledgeable gentlemen and were our teachers throughout the safari. They were great at finding animals across the various parks and were very accommodating to whatever time we wanted to spend watching the animals – we never felt rushed. They answered all of our questions and we even learned some Swahili.
We had a fantastic Safari each day.
Each night we arrived at spectacular lodges/camps chosen by Grace. Each lodge had outstanding customer service, accommodated our dietary restrictions with fantastic meals and had beautiful rooms and dining areas.
The ‘young men’ were always available to take us to and from our lodges/tents at the end of the evening. We had wild animals in view from all our camps. The morning sunrises were fantastic and the coffee delivered every morning was a real treat!
Grace planned the trip perfectly around a 3 day window when I could visit my daughter who was volunteering in Tanzania and to coordinate with a nephew joining us on the trip.
We feel so fortunate that Awaken to Africa planned our trip. The Safari far exceeded my expectations! We were thrilled every day with the Safari experience! We recommend them highly!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
True african feeling
In June we had a fantastic experience in Mvuu lodge in one of the Game Management Areas (GMA) of Lower Zambezi National Park. As with most lodges this one is located at the bank of the Zambezi river. The proximity to the National Park itself is probably the reason why so many elephants visit the camp. The dry river that forms the eastern boundary of the camp is used by a herd of elephants multiple times per day to wander from their grazing areas to the Zambezi to drink. They actually walked along our fireplace at less than 5 metres frequently. Sometimes they get into the camp. At night the grassy areas of the camp are visited by Hippo's that eat the grass. Velvet monkeys and baboons are also present.
The lodge is well maintained, the camping places (8) are a good budget option, each place having their own open-aired toilet / shower. A caretaker helps you to keep the fire going. The restaurant / bar area is beautifully constructed and blends with the surroundings very well. Natural materials are used, which make it stand out from some of the other lodges we saw from the river. Views over the river from the terrace are splendid. Binoculars, books on animals, birds and regional information are freely available. Food is somewhat expensive (bring your own if on a budget), basic but tasteful and good portions. Since the nearest proper town (Chirundu) is 2.5 hours drive away everything has to be brought in. Various activities can be organised: fishing trips, canoe, guided game viewing from river or from your own car, etc. People are friendly and helpful.
For the two days we were there, there was enough to do in the GMA and on the river, although the west boundary of the National Park (Chongwe river) looked very promising with regards to wildlife (different types of antilopes, crocs, hippo's, warthogs, all kinds of birds, elephants, etc) and was very, very scenic. Next time we would definitely go back there for a longer period. We would take some time inside the park as well. We would probably bring some of our own food.
Be sure to fill your petrol tank before heading there. There is no petrol station between the camp / Chirundu (Zim border) and Kafue village (1 hr from Lusaka). You definitely need a high clearance Vehicle. We did not need the 4x4 on ours but I would not feel safe without. The dry river crossings were sometimes sandy and steep. In the rainy season I doubt whether you can get there by road.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Zambia by Martijn Boss
Many Parks, each with their own atmosphere and highlights. Zambia is the real Africa with Savanna areas, wetlands, large rivers and very dry areas. Tourism is less developed, which make it more adventurous but also very expensive if you are not ready to sleep in your own tent. It is nearly impossible to go to most parks without your own car. People are generally very friendly and easy going. Politically stable. No real urban highlights, although you could spend a couple of days in Lusaka without getting bored. Especially eating, drinking and markets are good (if you are into that).
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They took care and thought of everything!
The team at Safari Specialists was simply excellent. Erica provided us very detailed and comprehensive information in answering all of our many questions during trip planning and pricing. They took all of our trip ideas and desires into account and created a wonderful custom safari trip for us. The experts at Safari Specialists really understand Botswana and its regions and will steer you exactly where you should go to maximize your safari experience! Don't look anywhere else.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Peter
This was the first park and after it I said we have seen everything so how can they better that. We did do better.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Peter
Not as good as the other parks.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari