FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
More history than wildlife
The Waterberg is not as interesting for the wildlife as one could expect, especially when Etosha is so close. However, the dirt roads inside and around it are really pleasant to drive. The cliffs of the plateau are impressive, particularly at sunset. The most interesting about the Waterberg Plateau is that it makes an opportunity to learn about the history of Namibia, as the Herero fought the Germans at this exact place. There is a German war cemetery within the park boundaries. For the rest, Etosha provides much more for the same price (or less).
FR
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Nxai Pan National Park by France and Roger
it was very dry and the water hole was nearly dry, the guide explained that the period was not good,
Review about Victoria Falls by Achim
A must see, when you are in Zambia, even if the view of the falls is better from the Zimbabwean side. A heli-ride is highly recommended.
Review about Livingstone by Achim
A busy and very touristic place with all the facilities around the Victoria Falls
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Let down by easily fixable problems
We did a five-day, four-night budget (camping) safari with World Tours and Safari in December 2014, visiting Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara national parks.
Let’s start with the good:
1) this really is a budget safari – from our conversations with other travellers, you’re likely to pay $700-1000 more for a very similar itinerary with many other operators out of Arusha.
2) we saw a great many animals, and had some very exciting sightings – more lions than we could count, a leopard (!), a lion-buffalo showdown (the buffaloes won), lots and lots and lots of hippos, hyenas, jackals, owls, vultures, even rhinos in the far distance in the Ngorongoro crater (etc etc). The places we saw are jawdroppingly beautiful, and all in all, just being there is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
3) a couple of the (freshly cooked) meals were very tasty.
4) (though this is by chance) we had great company, getting on very well with the couple who were in the Land Rover with us – which made the trip so much better than it could have been.
HOWEVER:
1) While Richard’s communication had been fast and informative when we were booking our trip, he firstly made us change our initial leaving date, with a story of us joining what we suspect to be a fictional couple (since our eventual companions had been told exactly the same story) and secondly, he then changed our itinerary the day before the start of our safari. Make sure to check that you’re still spending the same amount of time in each park as initially agreed upon, and be firm about getting exact details. Also, when planning, stick to what you want, and when you want to leave.
2) Our guide and cook were both very nice and friendly men, who both appeared to be trying their best. However, their English was quite poor, which made communication and planning for the day difficult. Our driver did know a lot about the bush, and clearly loved (spotting) animals, but it took time and patience to draw it out of him, that you don’t always have, and he didn’t volunteer information very often. In other words, he was much more of a driver, than a guide. This led to frustration from both sides, and made some meal-times (when it is the custom that the guides always join the clients) quite awkward.
3) Our Land Rover was old, and stalled and overheated a number of times – the worst of which was for about 45 minutes, as it was getting dark, on the way to our third night’s camp.
4) The tents are very old. The worst however was the camping equipment, all of which was very old and dirty. The mattresses are okay, but the sleeping bags and pillows are downright disgusting. Bring your own!! We also really didn’t like that the guides had a much worse tent than us (!), and lower stools (which broke) rather than proper chairs. More (easily avoidable!) awkwardness.
5) As above, a few of the dinners and the one lunch that was freshly cooked was tasty enough. However, the packed lunches were all the same, and not very palatable (dry fried chicken for the third day in a row, anyone?). Take the menu on the website/in your itinerary with a very generous pinch of salt, and be prepared to bring your own snacks along to supplement meals, particularly fresh fruit, nuts etc.
To reiterate, we were on a budget safari, and the result was – the incredible scenery and wildlife aside! – a budget experience. What is disappointing though is that many of these things could be fixed quite easily, and at minimum cost (or perhaps by increasing rates only slightly). The cook needs a bit of training and some new ideas (make a chicken mayo sandwich on the third day! Add fresh tomatoes to your lunch menus!). And fresh safari uniforms for both men would also go a long way to make the operation look more professional. Give your customers and your guides a detailed itinerary for each day, and impress upon your guides that they need to stick to it as far as possible or communicate any changes to your customers. Fix your vehicles!
Weighing it up, we probably wouldn’t recommend World Tours and Safaris. Rather go on a shorter safari with a more expensive (and professional) operator.
Review about Palapye by Terry Carew
Just a town and petrol stop. Will get better when tour operators establish themselves here.
Review about Maun by Terry Carew
A busy hub but is the stepping stone to Moremi and Savuti. There are many affordable options and game can be found out of town.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Safari but with problems
I was on safari with Marta. I confirm that we are very badly treated by the owner of this company As a result of our complain about not good service. This would be also confirm by American lady who attended also our safari from the second day. We were as a group of three people. Mr Richard knew the name of the hotel because he gave us the transfer the day before. I tiiped 100 USD for both of them, even we were cheated about the cost of visit Masai village which for us was 100 usd per car, whereas for others 40 usd - we got this information from other tourists on a camp in Serengeti. My suggestion: Think, read a long comment and then decide.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good safari but with problems
We had 5 day and 4 night safari Tarangire/Serengeti/Ngorongoro with world-tours-safaris. At the beginning the contact with Mr Richard was very fast and clear. We got a lot of information that we need. But the first day of safari was terrible for us. We heard that the other couple who had joined to us did not come on the time. We had one hour late pick up from the hotel, then we started the safari at 11 with minivan (not land cruiser that was in offer). My seat was wet. The minivan had an open roof but without the top-up roof so we had a lot of sun when we open and spend all the time open and close the roof at the safari. No air and very hot in the car because the windows were not openly and were with a lot of scratches and we had not a clear view. Our car was the worst on the safari that day. We were disappointed of this day and Mr Richard told us that we agreed with this and it was private safari when we gave the call to him at the evening - although we did not have any other option. The second day we start our safari with land cruiser and with another one tourist - not that couple. From this day we had a good safari to the end with our guide Aron who was engaged. We saw a lot. But at the end when we were in the office Mr Richard start our conversation from worlds: What was the problem. We were so disappointed. We didn’t heard a word of sorry and any questions about our feedback. The other things from our point of view - be prepare for old tent with not so nice smell and the other equipment’s are old and very used.
We had also not nice case of visit Masaii village and making the picture of this community and not nice the case of tips from the other tourist who was with us. Serengeti was fantastic i would like to be there again but I would like to try with another company.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The corrupt leadership of the country and the disparity between classes is heartbreaking.
The most beautiful part of the trip was taking the panoramic scenic route from Johannesburg to Kruger national Park. Kruger was awesome and we saw all of the big 5. Cape Town is a fantastic city and is a cross between Sydney, Australia, and San Francisco, California. We especially enjoyed the V & A waterfront. We would highly recommend the hop on hop off bus to get a feel for where you want to return to.
