TT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Taking the hassle and stress of vacation travel away with a personalised, efficient service.
From the time we arrived in South Africa the quality of the service was evident. We were equipped with all the relevant information beforehand. Our drivers Jihan and Derek were not only expert drivers but knowledgeable about current and historical events which they shared liberally. They did not rush you so you felt truly relaxed while on vacation even when mother nature didn't cooperate.
The accomodations were spectacular, especially Olivers Lodge and the Ezulwini Game lodges. The game drives lived up to expectations as we saw the Big 5 (even the elusive leopard) and a whole lot more thanks again to our skilled trackers. Even the 'after sales' service was excellent. My wife inadvertently left an electronic item at the River lodge and arrangements were made to have the item shipped to us. Honesty, integrity and efficiency...can't ask for more on a vacation trip.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded our exceptions beyond our wildest dreams.
Authentic Africa Adventure lives up to its name and we had a spectacular vacation because of them. Terri who traveled with us from the United States and accompanied us during our 14 day trip was wonderful. She was very attentive to our needs and made every effort to accommodate our requests. She hand-tailored our vacation so everyone in my family was able to have an enjoyable experience- from my 60yo+ parents to my 9yo son. We saw so much wildlife on our safari with our expert driver, Seve, at the wheel. We saw a heard of elephants playing, prides of lions, and every single of the Big 5! We enjoyed meeting both the Maasi and the Hadzabe tribe. They were so warm and Terri gave us a very authentic experience with them. The accommodations were wonderful and again hand-picked by Terri. You will not go wrong if you pick Authentic Africa Adventure for your safari vacation.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They were exceptionally good and helpful by tailoring the trip to my own requirements and interests.
I had already been to Zambia on five occasions. This time I wanted to see the Livingstone monument in Chitambo. They were able to make the arrangements and also suggest what else I might do in that area - a stay in Kasanka National Park. All my communications with the company were courteous and very efficient. They were able to make all the arrangements and I had a fantastic trip. The guide was exceptionally helpful and able to provide a useful and insightful commentary to my travels. Nothing was too much trouble to ensure that I was well looked after and had a good experience. The final part of my journey was to travel to meet friends in a rural community in Central Province. Again, nothing was too difficult and the guide saw me safely to my destination. The care and efficiency of the Tafika Travel Advisor staff were outstanding. Whether you want to visit one of the traditional tourist areas, or, as I did, create an individual itinerary within the wonderful country of Zambia, I have no hesitation in strongly recommending Tafika Travel Advisor - and I hope to use their services again in the future.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gosheni was very knowledgeable,organized and extremely easy to work with.
Right from the beginning of our hunt for an operator we found Gosheni very responsive. Communications were timely, effective and correct. From the time we arrived at the Airport in Arusha we were warmly greeted by Gosheni staff, transferred to our hotel and then met with Pendo John who went over all details of our six day safari. The next morning we flew to Kogatendi on a very clean Cessna Caravan, met our outstanding guides Ombeni and Zachariah, loaded our bags and the adventure was on!
The two vehicles were cleaned each morning, the fridge was stocked daily and the vehicles were in fabulous shape.
We saw two crossings of Wildebeest on the Mara river, saw all of the big five plus many more that the guides always found and explained all details of their habitat.
Our family of 10 could not have been happier with our Safari experience with Gosheni! Thank you for a magnificent trip.
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very helpful and professional
The Safari was amazing and our driver Edward was excellent .
The only thing that we did like it was the food at the restaurants on the road. The rest was great . We had such a great experience and to be so close to the animals was awesome
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic, unforgettable and great organization and execution of our family safari and Zanzibar trip
We were referred to Magda Vries by a mutual friend and we felt right at home the first time we met with her in the Netherlands. We wanted to have an unforgettable safari vacation with our 4 adult children as a memory of our 25th wedding anniversary. We discussed our goals, desires and wishlist with Magda and she prepare a magnificent safari with her team. They were quick to respond and patient listeners, adding god ideas.
So, we spend 5 days in the Masai area, travelled and camped in Sinya Conservation Area in little dome tents. We did not see a single tourist for the two days we spend there only accompanied by Sam, our driver and tour guide, a Masai guide named Luwasa, an excellent cook, a Masai warrior for security from animals and a Masai help. This secluded area close to the Kenyan border was the absolute highlight of our safari. We really got close to the local tribes and their way of life, their challenges and their joys. Besides that we saw a lot of wildlife and beautiful nature. Make sure to include the Masai Lodge in your itinerary; unknown and extremely authentic.
Sure we went to all the other big parks and wonderful places in Tanzania; Flash Safaris had them all covered. Sam, our tour guide for two weeks, was great fun and a very skilled driver as well as an experienced game spotter; imagine doing these things at the same time!
Also we went to Zanzibar through Flash. Again perfect prepared and on top of things. We had a booking issue with the diving organization, but Flash immediately fixed it! Excellent, Excellent.
We can Highly recommend to book your safari with Flash, especially if you want to see something different. Thank you Magda, Edward and Sam and the entire crew!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highy recommented!
From the first contact everything was communicated quicky and on a plesant way. African Travels has very resonable prices. We got lots of extra information about driving in the bush.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari experience
It was sort of a last-minute decision for us to book this 7-day safari trip. We did a lot of research online and eventually went with Shemeji. The owner Emma was a breeze to work with. Despite the time difference between the United States and Tanzania, I find it rather easy to communicate with emails. The payment was done via international wire transfer without any issue. Our guide Adam was a courteous driver and very knowledgeable. We covered Tarangire, central Serengeti, northern Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara before departing to Zanzibar. The road conditions can be challenging, but we felt lucky that we didn't skip northern Serengeti. It was amazing to witness the wildebeest migration. Serengeti is the place you won't be disappointed and won't forget for a long time. The tented lodges we stayed in were fantastic. Special praises to Tortillis and Savannah. Nice breakfast, friendly staff, and excellent service.
A percentage of the Shemeji income is going to the volunteer work to improve living conditions for the local people. I didn't know that beforehand but felt very happy that I made my small contribution.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
All that we could have hoped for and more.
I would recommend Spirit of Kenya without hesitation. Great communication from the first email enquiry right up to the day of departure. Met by the charming and efficient Moses late in the evening at the airport. Charles was our superb guide for the safari: calm, efficient and knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble. Managed to make every safari day special and memorable. I hope to return to beautiful Kenya for another adventure and would definitely rebook with Spirit of Kenya.
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect service and management on the steps of booking; nothing to see and to do on place.
I booked 3-day-2-night mokoro trip, and it was the most expensive and the most disappointing part of my 16-day-travel. To start from good, the manager, Nobantu, was nice and helpful, she replied to my emails fast and for details. Also, the camp was designed in a wise and nice manner: every tent is spacious and equipped with en-suite portable shower, bio-lavatory, bed, and blanket. The food was good, and the cook did his best to please us. But this is where good points end.
On the first day, we were sailing on a motorboat for about one hour and then on a mokoro, the little canoes, for about three hours. Under the baking sun. But all of that would be fine enough if we could see at least something except a couple of birds...
Then we came to the camp and spent the afternoon doing nothing. After we had a 'Nature walk' seeing a lot of excrements of different animals and some insects. The local guides could tell 3-4 sentences as maximum about each species, and we were lucky to have a professor of zoology in our group. From him, we received 90% of information about the Delta and its wildlife.
During the night, in the camp (or village, I don't know) that was not far from us they had a kind of party till 3-4 AM and they make such a bad noise, that if I would have been an animal I would run away as far as I could.
Next day we had a 'safari walk' on another island, where we saw a herd of zebras and a heard of antelopes. It was early in the morning and from 10 AM to 4 PM we were just sitting in the camp. We were not allowed to walk around because of the 'dangerous wildlife'. I walked a bit at my own risk and saw heaps of rubbish and plastic. Probably that was why it is not allowed to walk around because there is simply NO wildlife in this area, I didn't see there even one simple impala. And I don't think that any wildlife will come there if they won't stop night orgies and pollution.
Coming back I found that my bio-toilet is not working. I asked the staff to do something.
In the evening, we had a mokoro cruise to the lake with the hippos. They were far away to make good photos, but at least we've seen something - I thought. But at that moment people from this camp/village came on their mokoros shouting so loudly that my group mates started to worry about our lives since hippos are not so tolerated to that crazy sounds as people are.
When I came back to my tent I found my toilet clean, but it was still not working.
Next day after the breakfast we just went back to Maun, without any morning activity.
Honestly, I was expected from Okavango Delta much more. Before that safari, I went to Chobe National Park, for the 3-days-2-nights tour, too. But there we had two safaris every day and just a couple of hours to rest, the staff was experienced and did their best to make us see as much as possible, and we've seen a great number of different animals. In comparison with that, this trip was just for wasting time and money. For this amount, I'd better book a flight and I'm sure I would be impressed much more.