CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome guide and cook, excellent communication and value, average mechanics
We booked our Safari at the very last minute and Michael, the owner, on-boarded us on an existing 5 days / 4 nights budget-level 6 people group tour that corresponded to what we wanted to see. We had been told that the group was to be 4-5 people but it ended up being 6 at the very last minute. I do understand why they try to book the groups as much as they can at this price level, but still I would have appreciated a better management of our expectations in terms of group size. Other than that detail, communication throughout the arrangement process was clear and efficient.
We arrived in Arusha the day before our departure and Michael was at the airport himself to welcome us, very nice touch. He took us to a - basic but OK - hotel downtown for the night, at no additional cost. The morning we left, Michael came back to brief us at the hotel and we realized we did not have much warm clothing. So Michael was kind enough to lend his sweater to my girlfriend (which, by the way, she needed! - if you go to Ngorongoro Crater, BRING SOME WARM CLOTHES, it's freezing cold at night in July at 2800m of altitude in a tent). He really does everything he can to please his clients.
Having booked a budget-level safari, we were expecting the worse in terms of accommodation and comfort. We were delighted to see that on the first and last nights of the safari, we were actually sleeping in a very nice tented camp with bed and private bathrooms. On the other 2 nights we slept in tents that were packed in the land cruiser and brought with us. If you don't have your sleeping bag they provide them, but already used by other people, so keep that in mind.
Our guide, Dennis was incredible. He had a good sight for animals and was very patient. One of our group members was quite demanding (to say the least) but Dennis always stayed professional and was extremely patient. He was always very informative and deployed a lot of efforts to make sure everyone was happy. Our cook, Gabriel, was also very nice. Although a bit shy and distant, his food was excellent and always in gargantuesque quantities.
The Toyota Land Cruiser we traveled in was not in perfect shape. The suspension was literally destroyed and this made the travel on dirt roads quite uncomfortable. During our return from Serengeti, the vehicle's engine stopped. We were stuck on the side of the road and Dennis and Gabriel were trying their best to fix it. We were lucky another driver who was going to get his clients at the airport passed by and offered to bring us at the park gate (our 24h time to be inside the park was almost done). This is when we realized how much of a bad shape the suspension on *our* car was. This new car was cruising smoothly over each bumps, whereas ours was really struggling. Anyways, it took Dennis about 30 minutes to fix the car with the help of another guide and we were back on track. During our return to Arusha on our last day, the car stopped twice, apparently because the fuel was exhausted. Don't know what to think of this one, but anyways, we got to Arusha a little late but we got there :)
Looking back at the learnings after our safari, my only advice to you the reader is *don't try to see everything*. The tour we booked allowed us to visit 4 national parks in 5 days, but looking back, we would have been a lot more satisfied seeing only 2 (probably Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater) in the same amount of time. Travel time between national parks is SIGNIFICANT. Serengeti is *far*. If you want to enjoy your time with the nature and animals as much as possible, please try to limit your urge to see every national park in the region. Select 1 or 2 that you really want to see and go for a real safari! - not highway travel... We had a very limited time to book our safari so we jumped in one of the existing packages Michael offers, but he can also arrange more custom safaris. *I highly recommend* going for more modest aspirations in terms of the number of national parks you'll be exploring during your safari. For most people this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience so do it good or don't do it :)
We are happy we found Michael and his company for our safari... we were not sure if we could trust the reviews here but now we can say you can definitely trust them. NCA comes highly recommended.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent safari, highly recommend
We traveled with Ecological Wilderness Adventures in July 2014. We had an excellent time and would highly recommend Ecological to others. Leading up to the trip, Brian was very helpful - always fully answering our questions and responding to emails very quickly. We knew we did not have to worry about organising any aspect of the trip as Brian had it all covered. He planned well for special food needs - with good vegetarian options - and organised a nice birthday cake and celebration for one member of the party - a great surprise!
On the trip, Sammy was our guide and we had a wonderful time from the very beginning. Some of our group had been on many safaris before, and we were impressed with Sammy's guide abilities relative to other trips. He was very adept at finding what we were looking for, and was very patient in seeking out the best animal sightings. He was also a lot of fun and our group enjoyed the trip quite a bit!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Honeymoon
Rose at The Luxury Safari Company was recommended to me and I'm so glad that I contacted her! I had never been to Africa before and so wanted someone who could give me some guidance and personal perspective vs a larger tour operator. Rose really cares about her clients and was very patient listening to my requirements/budget and came up with several different options for me to consider. I felt that Rose had really considered my requests and she came up with the perfect itinerary for us (Amara Selous followed by Essque Zalu in Zanzibar). We had a slight issue at Zanzibar airport and I called Rose who dealt with the issue immediately and efficiently. I would highly recommend speaking with Rose before you book your safari as her knowledge and enthusiasm made booking my honeymoon a real pleasure.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience
A group of 14 went on safari to Selous National Park. The whole trip was a great experience from start to finish. We saw all the Big 5 and both Kanuth and Tony went out of their way to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see, from the river safari to the walking tour and the jeep ride. The food was excellent and Hippo Camp was everything it needed to be for the trip we had planned! Couldn't recommend Kanuth Adventure Safaris more!
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truely amazing experience all drivers wonderful, safe and caring men attending to our every need.
The staff of Twiga tour are exceptional. We could not have wished for more, always understanding our needs and making sure that we saw all the animals of Kenya and Tanzania.
The accommodation was first class, the food magnificent and the comfort in the vehicles first rate.
The drivers friendly and caring. Thank you and well done to Ebraham,Ali, Salim,Ernest Mushi, John Mushi, Musa and Joshua.We will never forget you and will remember our trip of a life time.
Thank you for our amazing picnics along the way, never to be forgotten. Great big thank you to the wonderful Manji Family for a beautiful farewell dinner at the end of our visit. We love you all, Blessings from Jannette and Robert Boord of NARACOORTE South Australia
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tuli Wilderness - authentic and beautiful
I've visited 'Tuli Wilderness' twice now, first in February 2013 and again in 2014, both times as a part of university lead group to collect data on the biodiversity of the region. My experience has been one of gaining an understanding of how wildlife management works in Africa, not a holiday.
Tuli is beautiful. It has a massively varied landscape: the tropical and humid Limpopo, dry rocky koppes (hills), fertile alluvial plains, dense mopane scrub, and the highest point of the region (eagle rock). There are no fences, no guarantees as to what you see, only luck and your guide. The 'wilderness' in 'Tuli Wilderness' is not advertising speak, I've spent over a month there and didn't see anyone who wasn't part of my group. The accommodation is basic and rustic, and the people are fascinating and genuine.
Some of the most memorable experiences from my time there:
Crossing the Limpopo river to enter Botswana via the worlds only international border crossing in a cable car. And leaving via the thin concrete bridge at Platjaan, being told to avoid the crocodiles on the left.
Sleeping in the bush under the stars, taking turns at watch and seeing glowing eyes reflecting back from my torch light.
Stalking a leopard through rocky mopane veld as the sun slowly sets, cascading everywhere in orange light.
Sitting atop eagle rock, relaxing in the refreshing wind and watching a herd of fifty elephants strolling across the land.
My time at 'Tuli Wilderness' was beautiful and authentic, I wish I could see how Tuli changes with the seasons.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly responsive and trustworthy
Just returned from a wonderful trip to Kenya. We were very pleased with the services provided by Karibu Safaris. I think it would be difficult/impossible to organize a trip from the US without the help of a company and working with a local company was great. The agent was always very responsive - - and we organized a rather complicated trip (because we were traveling with my wife's large family - - they live in Kenya). Everything went so smoothly and we had a great time. Will go back in a few years and will definitely use Karibu. Highly recommend!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
My Review on Seven By Far Travel Tour Company
I am happy to provide a reference for the Seven By Far Travel, a tour firm I have worked with from 2011. I've known the Director Ken Sila for more than 10 years and find him to be a respectable Manager who runs his firm with integrity and skill. When I wanted 3 years ago, I went to the Seven By Far Travel for all my tour needs.
From setting up my holiday needs to dealing with client issues, the Seven By Far Travel tour company has always been dependable, straightforward and honest. Tour fees can be quite expensive, but the Seven By Far Travel has always been forthright with costs and hours billed, and they've even worked with me on payment arrangements. I'm happy to recommend them to anyone seeking tour guidance for the following reasons:-
1. They acts professionally, are punctual, are organized, are Sensitive to group needs and are Prepared for medical emergencies
2. They are Knowledgeable, are accurate, are multilingual and they know their audience
3. They have the right personality, are engaging, have leadership skills, and a Good sense of humour and the Board of Management of Seven By Far Travel seeks feedback
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
8 days from Maun to Vic Falls
We booked a tour of 8 days, from Maun to Vic Falls. Blessing was very friendly, more a driver and organizer than a true tourist guide. He arranged all excursions, obviously with a profit percentage for him, but it's his job. He can arrange your suitable tour but you must have to tell him what is your program.
I can suggest to contact him if you have a clear idea about your trip.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic walking safari trip
In June we had a trip with a Mike. He is very friendly and wants to do everything for his guests. We stayed 6 nights camping in Hwange, 4 nights in Mana Pools and 2 nights in Matopos. Apart from the wildlife it was a very relaxed experience. We just did the walks and game drives and everything else was done by the guide, the tracker and the cook.
Our tracker was superb. He found lions on several occasions. We could watch them from a close distance during walking safaris.