US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime becomes, when can I go again!?!
The entire trip exceeded our expectations. While I originally said it would be a "trip of a lifetime", I've now modified that, as we know we want to return! I think our overwhelming delight with the entire trip is attributable African Welcome Safaris (Kathi) understanding my wishes and then organizing such a great itinerary and followthrough, with excellent service and promptness. In fact, we were in similar travel situations with others throughout the trip who didn't quite have the ideal connections, pickups, etc. that we had and I think that is because African Welcome Safaris does the job so well.
I will take the trip, place by place and provide additional comments. However, I'd just say overall that all of our airport pickups and deliveries were great! We easily found our person and they were most efficient in getting us where we needed to go, informative and courteous. Plus each of them stayed until we were all checked in!
Johannesburg: We love The Michelangelo. The room was great, the view was great but above all the staff was just so friendly, helpful and courteous. The breakfast offered a great variety and the food was really good. We had dinner out on the square at a restaurant they recommended at the desk which was very good. We felt quite safe in that area and used the ATM in the mall adjacent. Our tour of Jo'burg, Soweto and Pretoria was really interesting. We chose not to go into any museums, etc. but just get an overview of the three locations. Our guide was most accommodating and we learned so much. It was timely for us that Mandela was at his home and we got to go by there. Our guide, Siphiwe, was bright, articulate and very interesting.
The Hide: I can't say enough about this tented safari. We LOVED The Hide. The staff there is super. The size is small enough that everyone gets to know everyone a little, even in three days! The animal viewing is fabulous. It's comfortable and just sort of like what I wanted a safari to be. Then there's the food which was outstanding! The young man who is their chef takes such pride in the food he presents. Everything he prepared was so tasty! It was unseasonably cold while we were there, but they even provided hot water bottles waiting for us in our bed each night. Due to the fact everyone was so friendly while we were there, on the last night they put all the tables in a big square and we all ate dinner together. I also like that our guides ate with us. It provided an opportunity to get to know them or to follow up a sighting with a question, etc. A'Zambezi and Vic Falls: The accommodation was quite lovely. The food was average. Meals were provided in a buffet setting and there was a wide variety. Nice entertainment at dinner. The staff and managers certainly wanted everyone to be happy with everything and did a lot of follow-up. The grounds were lovely and we really enjoyed having the warthogs there to groom the lawn. The Victoria Falls are quite beautiful. It was 103 degrees F the day we went, so we were glad to be in and out early in the day. We also did the helicopter ride over the falls which was nice but if I had to leave something out that would be it. The little town is probably the most touristy spot or at least trying to be that we saw. I bought some items in the gift shop at A'Zambezi and those were very inexpensive--example a handwoven basket for $6. Now before I tell you this, please know there were NO PROBLEMS, however, the Shearwater folks were the least "professional" that we experienced during the entire trip. I might attribute this to Zimbabwe, but I didn't find this to be true at A'Zambezi as well. So . . . take it as you will.
Chobe Chilwero: This was a very beautiful and plush accommodation in the middle of the jungle and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Upon arrival, we were welcomed and given all our instructions. Our cottage was not ready nor was lunch, so we were given complimentary foot massages! This was certainly not necessary or expected. However, the ladies did such a great job, both of us scheduled a regular massage for the following day and I even had a third massage the day after. My gal was GOOD! At maybe our first meal, hubby discovered the homemade ice cream--it was the best I've ever eaten. So they had ice cream for him at every meal thereafter regardless of what was on the menu. The food was really good and it was fun to try some of the unusual dishes, e.g. impala, eland, etc. The animal viewing here was also incredible. We saw 3 different leopards while we were there. The boat ride alternative to the jeep safari was a nice change too. I know it sounds silly, but when we arrived they had plastic water bottles with our names on them that we got to keep and it was just a nice touch. They also provided entertainment one evening with some of our staff joining in the dancing at one point. Just a delightful experience!
Cape Town: Louis was a great guide and well-suited for us. He and hubby hit it off quite nicely. The weather was not cooperative for most of our time there but since it was to be a restful time that was okay! Everything we did was fun and informative. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! The day we had nothing scheduled, it rained a lot. So we stayed in the hotel most of the day and rested which we needed. The drives were beautiful. The lunch at La Petit Ferme was superb. While the wine tasting was good, we'd done that before so not overly impressed with it. Beautiful, beautiful, countryside. Really enjoyed the V & A Hotel and the waterfront with some really good shops and restaurants.
Grootbos: This is also a beautiful location and accommodation. The weather again did not cooperate but we had a fireplace so that was okay. Everyone there was very helpful and welcoming. The whale watching with champagne was amazing. We saw 40 to 50 whales that evening. The nature walk was great. The food was good. I got tickled because they try so hard to have a fancy menu that a lot of the people don't have a clue what it is. I'm glad we got to see it but I don't think I would go back there. However, keep in mind we live on the beach.
Lion Sands: Very nice accommodation and a very attentive staff. There's a definite line here between management and staff and drivers and trackers. The food here was very good and we enjoyed the Boma dinners on 2 nights, complete with roast marshmallows and entertainment. The animal viewing is varied and very good. There aren't as many herding animals but a wider variety overall. The drives here go "off road" which is different than the others and sure to get one very close. It can also be a rough ride and not for the faint of heart, but fun. We had already seen bunches of buffalo, elephants, along with some lions and leopards, but this was our first for seeing rhinos--making our "big five" complete. If someone has to pick just one place to go to for viewing animals, this would probably be it. The vehicles here were a little more crowded. While we were used to have 3 X 2 riding in the back, at Lion Sands there were usually 3 X 3 or 3 X 2+1. Additionally, in The Hide and Chobe we had someone who served as both driver and guide while in LS we had a driver and a tracker. I'm not sure if we saw more animals because of this or not. And, why was our trip so fantastic---African Welcome Safaris, for sure! Thank you so very much!
The most incredible and adventurous holiday in my life thanks to Safarihub!
I have been on a couple of holidays but I must say that Safarihub are outstanding at what they do. It was easy to work with them as they are very well organised, informative and efficient. My safari was out of this world! Everything was so well taken care off, to top it off I ended with a magical trip to Zanzibar. I would highly recommend booking your safaris to Tanzania through Safarihub, they are amazing and their knowlege on Tanzania is great!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An Excellent Camp!
Chogela safari camp is an exceptionally beautiful camp located in a great area of Tanzania. The staff is friendly and hard working and the food is incredible! The sleeping and bathing quarters are comfortable and there is ample opportunity for wildlife watching in and around camp. If you travel to Iringa and/or Ruaha National Park you can not miss staying at this camp!
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
operator- excellent service -devoted, commonicative, Ocreative, resourcefull
very easy to communicate- by any media- phone, mail, skype, viber
available 24 hours-including in holidays
service- the only operator that commuincated with me and was precise on time , all the other opertators, inc. top rated one , the part who answered send me their regular itinary and thats all.
on the ongoing he was creative in solving problems that I encounterd after the Safari,
he ordered hotels for me and gave me his discount,
gave me tips to the trip though it wasn't for his own benefit- on the cnatarary
Something more- I came by my own , my first time in Africa and I really earned a friend.
I recommend warmly.
The tour- was very well orgenized and planed, we had a great guide.
the food was cooked especialy for us- was clean.
we slwpt in tents.
The cars were divine - toyota cruiser with open roof for the safati- i never drived for so many kilometers in safari roads without filling the bumps of feeling tired...
Wonderful landscapes, and amazing wildlife sightings
Safarihub tailor made an excellent safari package that we really enjoyed and the price was very reasonable as compared to other safari operators and will definitely use Safarihub again when planning to visit Southern Tanzania. The vehicle was very comfortable and the guide was friendly and very experienced.
Encountering the wild life at a distance so close that literally you can touch the animal is an awesome experience. Frankly speaking, no words to explain the excitement we experienced through out the course of safari amidst the thick green sea of trees and bushes extended acres endless and witnessing wildebeest, elephants, leopards, buffalo, birds and streams of zebras from close. It's truly awe-inspiring and slightly terrifying experience.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It's worth the cents you spend.Touring Uganda?Visit Uganda Safaris is the choice.EXCELLENT.
It is my first time in Africa and I choose to tour Uganda.Too many tour agencies.I blindly chose Visit Uganda Safaris. This is a good guess I did. They are excellent in their services and I believe those who want to have a great time yet at a pocket friendly cost,Visit Uganda Safaris is the choice.You will not regret it.
Visit Uganda Safaris you made me love Africa and I am deeply in love with Uganda. Thanks guys I had a great time.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent communication skills, great package deals, reasonable prices, ensures safety of all
Safari Hub has definitely lived up to its expectations in terms of having great communication and operational skills, they work hard to ensure that all your needs are being catered to and they do a great job at showcasing the beauty of Africa through their reasonably priced selection of package deals and offers. You can't go wrong with Safari Hub!
Beyond Expectation!!!!!!
The trip was exceptional, exciting, and very accommodating in all its services, including hotels and activities. SafariHub staff was of high quality and our experiences with them were top-notch.. They were knowledgeable, caring, sensitive to our needs, gracious, warm and fun.The rates are competative I would love to use Safari Hub again for my next Trip to Africa and I highly recommend anyone to use Safari Hub to Africa.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari tours and reasanable price
The young Mr. Robert coordinates a small but very efficient tour crew. When I contacted him for the first time, on july 2013, I was surprised how cheaper was his prices comparing with others local safari companies. However, the low price doesn't mean bad service. On the contrary. Mr. Robert's driver, cook and guides took us to an amazing Kilimanjaro climbing and a three days adventure around the Arusha's Wild Live Parks (We had been in Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara). Mr. Robert was responsable for our great time in Tanzania. He just coordinated everything about the safaris: car, food and accomodations. We really recommend Oltumure Tours & Safaris.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The experience we had was much better than anything I expected.
My daughter was living and working in South Africa. When I suddenly found an opening in my schedule I contacted Ute at Roho Ya Chui and asked if she could put together a Safari for my daughter and me. My only parameter was that it would be memorable. We ended up spending three days as the Phinda Reserve at the Phinda Rock Lodge and three days in Sabi Sands at Kirkman's Lodge. The entire trip was amazing.
In working with Ute I found a true professional who really cared about the quality of our stay. She took care of everything from the time of arrival in South Africa to my transfer back to Johannesburg. She was fully accessible and immediately responded to all my questions. I cannot find words to fully describe this wonderful adventure.