CO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sad ending of a dreamed safari
After lots of research we contacted Simon King at Eastco and were very pleased with the tour that he designed for us - although the level of communication (answering our questions, etc,) dropped dramatically once we had paid. The price for the tour was to include all expenses for transportation, food and lodging within Tanzania and admission to the parks and reserves selected. Our initial flight from Dar to Mwanza went smoothly, but our first problem occurred when nobody met us at Mwanza as arranged: effectively we lost half a day before arrangements were evidently cobbled together to get us to our first stop, where our drivers met us the next morning. The next problem occurred when without previous notice, our lodging was changed from Serengeti to tents at a mountain site closer to Ngorongoro - obviously an improvised solution, as we were unprepared for such a cold site and the camp had been hastily set up the day before, and there were insufficient blankets the first two nights; also, the isolation of the site required a long 2 and 1/2 hour drive over a bumpy dirt road to get to and from Serengeti for the additional two days planned there. This way it was impossible to get there early in the morning and we lost many hours in the Serengeti, one of our priorities. Things got worse when we got to Tarangire National Park and there was no money in the debit cards the guides had to pay entrances, and we stayed for three hours at the entrance trying to communicate with the company via email and phone, only after we called the Tourist Board did they contact us and told us to pay the entrance assuring they would reimburse us the following day (today 15 days later still no refund). That night when we got to beautiful Boundary Hill we where surprised with a New Year's dinner of only rice, there where no provisions or drinks (not even water) in the lodge. After the same experience in Arusha National Park (we were stuck at the entrance with no money in the card to pay and this time only one car for the group of eight since Mr. King decided to change guides and failed to replace wonderful Edward on time.) At this point, we decided to pay a visit to him at his "office" in Arusha and refused to leave until we reached an agreement. We ended up paying the entrance to this park as well. Faced with the risk of being stranded without funds for entering parks, etc. during the remainder of our tour, we came to a compromise agreement with Mr, King: much against our will, we abandoned the remainder of our planned itinerary and instead would go to Zanzibar (which would be cheaper than completing the tour as planned) and that Mr. King would refund the entrance fees we had had to pay, the difference in cost between Zanzibar and our planned itinerary and would compensate us for the more than three days lost. This all adds up to several thousand dollars, of which we have not received a penny so far. Perhaps the most irritating and frustrating aspect of this was the difficulty in communicating with Mr. King, and the fact that he offered different versions of the situation virtually every tome we were in contact with him
Review about Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve by John Carthy
We were very disappointed. I think you need to hire a proper guide to get the best out of this park, which we rarely do. The coast is lovely though.
Review about Shimba Hills National Reserve by Claus Hjoernet
Too many (drunk) all-inclusive tourists on one day trip from Mombasa
disappointing
I travelled many years all over South Africa. I made a one day visit to Ithala game reserve by driving my own 4x4 car.
I was very desappointed except the scenic landscapes and some intresting 4x4 loops.
Wildlife is rather spare; there are no great predators. I drived sometimes long moments without seeing any animal ;when I was lucky I saw mostly isolated ones. Ithala is certainly a lovely place for week-ends in nature as the South african people like but sure not a place for tourist comming to SA for meeting games
US
35-50 years of age
Review about Saiwa Swamp National Park by Wanderlust
Not much here. A little disappointed. We did see many monkeys and birds were poor. It could have been a bad year or wrong time of year.
20-35 years of age
Review about Waterberg Plateau Park by Jofie Lamprecht
This is not a high density National Park, and with some luck you can have a good experience. Game is not habituated to game viewing vehicles. Large parts of the park can seem dull, due to thick bush. Scenically, the drive into the park and through some of the more open and koppie filled parts of the park are beautiful. Only vehicles from NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resorts) are allowed in the park. One trip into the park is sufficient, and if combined with Etosha, this will give you your only chance to see cape buffalo other than in the Caprivi to complete your big 5 in two parks.
TH
35-50 years of age
Review about Nairobi National Park by CedricVandermeulen
If you only have half a day, go. If you have more then 2 days, avoid. Crowded, polluted, and although there is wildlife, the park is also crowded. But find your spot / area well, and you might be rewarded !
Review about Nairobi National Park by Makis
Very nice for a place by the capital !
US
50-65 years of age
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by billt4sf
Few animals, hard to see the flamongoes
50-65 years of age
Review about Addo Elephant National Park by Ron Moon
Too small and too much thick scrub