35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Not the best
We were told we had booked a particular accommodation, on the evening before our safari when we met them in Dar Es Salaam we were told we will be staying somewhere else as we were on the reservation list and the place was fully booked. We would never have booked if that was the case this, it was never explained in any email communications prior to booking. When we arrived at the accommodation is was way way below the standard we had booked for, aircon not working, broken windows, shower not working very well, need I go on! MAKE SURE YOU ARE GUARANTEED THE PLACE YOU WANT AND NOT TOLD YOU ARE ON A WAITING LIST!!!
CL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dissapointing
The experience in Kruger Park was ok but not how we expected, we didnt saw too many animals. We think that our guide wasnt good, he drive for the same part of the park most of the time, we spend our without seeing animals.
We didnt saw any cheetas, leopards and Rhinos. The thing is that most of the time you can see them there, so we think that our guide wasnt good. We’ve been in Tanzania but there is another thing, we really enjoy there, the parks, the tour guide and we saw a lot of animals.
We noticed that many people that pay a lot in the private reserve they has more chances to see animals and different species, I dont know if that a point to consider because they own a lot of animals , and the know exactlu where they are, but is very expensive too. Or maybe the option to drive by yourself could bebetter because you can go everywhere..
Also the communication during the tour with the agency wasnt good (Shinzelle Safaris).
We regret to add Kruger Park in our trip to Africa, that money could worth it, in another place, because we visited Tanzania and Uganda and everything there was amazing.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Second rate at best, owner has no integrity!
Where do I start, the food in the camps was good but that's about it! A party of 6 doing a 12 night trip all paid for before we arrived. 3rd day we are at Speke Bay Lodge for one night, our safari landrovers turn up at 1300 hours to collect us, they are immediately blocked in by a tractor and trailer, the management of the lodge inform us that East African Safari and Touring company (also known as EastCo) had not paid for our stay and would not let us go until they did, our luggage was locked in reception. The lodge management then phone EastCO and ask me to speak to the owner Mr Simon King, this I agreed to as I was not happy, after a long chat Mr King asked me to pay off his debt with my credit card, I suggested he use his own credit card, as we had paid for everything up front, he hung the phone up!! About an hour later Mr King phoned and asked to speak to a different member of our party and ask them to pay his debt, again told no, again he hung up. After we had been held hostage for 4 hours, I'm afraid to say that with no help from our tour company, I threatened to kick in the reception door and I would move the tractor (I'm a farmers son) At this point the lodge management get us go, this would turn out to be the first of 3 safari drives we would miss out on due to EastCo's lack of integrity. We drove for 5 hours, mostly in the dark, to arrive at our next lodge at 2100 hours. So lets talk about our 2 Landrover defender safari jeeps, both 15 years old, most of the seals round the doors were gone, so we were covered in dust most of the time, One only had 4 gears out of 5, the other sometimes 3 or 4 gears ( this would cost us another game drive later as the gear box would fall out) this jeep also had 6 warning lights on from day it picked us up! On another day one of the pop up roofs would not stay up, so we were only able to look out of the side windows, most of which were stuck shut! On 2 days we drove for 11 hours between camps, only to be told on arriving at EastCo'c tented camp there was only enough water for 4 people to shower, on the second day at the tented camp 5 French guest arrived to be told there was no water for showers! Ok, I think you are getting the idea of how our trip went, missed game drives, charging a lodge without telling us, the 2 drivers did the best they could with the resource they were given, each time we entered a Game park the drivers had to fill in forms and pay cash which took about 30 minutes, while all the other safari companies stopped for 30 seconds, showed there passes and drove on.
Do not use this company.
Review about Spioenkop Game Reserve by Johan B van Niekerk
Great weekend destination.
Review about Augrabies Falls National Park by Johan B van Niekerk
We did not encounter any "wow" moments at Augrabies
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Moremi Game Reserve by C H
We stayed in Sango and were disappointed overall. game drives with the exception of the first morning were very long and not much wildlife. Guide was not very interested. Overall we would have skipped this one.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Queen Elizabeth National Park by Callan
Wow, this place was not as expected. A lot less animals than expected and while the boat trip was a different way to do a safari in africa, the commentary while on the boat was a real disappointment.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by rick harner photo
The lake level is continually being depleted for agricultural interests and as such the ability to see hippo, flamingos and other water reliant species are being diminished. This park can be bypassed if on a tight schedule and/or budget. I rate this park Fair for wildlife photography.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Overpriced.
For what we received the charges were exorbitant--the room was not in order upon arrival, water not hot, pool hours limited so that once one returns from the cruise the pool was closed, cruise time was fine but the distance and information limited, family rooms sleep six but only four allowed (????), price was more upon arrival than quoted in the email. Sorry, but we won't be staying there again. It just wasn't worth the price.
BE
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Mieke Verschueren, Belgium
Not a lot to see