35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about The Luxury Safari Company by Annie Joubert
Spot on recommendations and seamless on the ground travel arrangements - couldn't have gone any better!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First time safari was a dream
We loved our first ever safari which was organised by Rose at The Luxury Safari Company. Having always wanted to go to Africa this was big trip for us, and as I explained to Rose we were used to travelling to very remote corners of India and South America, so wanted something off the beaten track and unique. She managed to provide this for us on every level - we started in Laikipia, at Tassia Lodge - wow, what a location to start in, we mostly walked here and got to know the bird life and local Masai community. The cultural experience there was completely authentic and felt very natural which we loved.
We then moved onto the Masai Mara, which we had been unsure about due to it being notoriously crowded - well we stayed at Richards Camp and had the most amazing four days game viewing without another soul in sight, we went into the Mara Reserve for one morning and didn't get it at all, there were minibuses everywhere. Returning to Richards Camp after that game drive was a relief - the staff there were also mostly local Masai and absolutely lovely, our guide Leng was charming and very knowledgeable.
We ended by flying (quite a mission) to Pemba Island near Zanzibar - gosh was it worth it, we stayed at Fundu Lagoon which was out of this world, and just as remote as we are used to - really is paradise on earth.
Despite some quite complicated routes everything was completely seamless which made us feel very comfortable, and all Rose's organisation and suggestions were spot on. We even had a private tour of the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. We wouldn't hesitate to book with Rose again, in fact we wish she offered other continents!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Chose region - left the rest to ATI - Never disappointed !
We were very lucky having ATI as our first and only enquiry point at what has, and continues to be a rolling Annual Holiday programe since 2006.
Our Self-Drive packages have covered everything that is needed to give you a most enjoyable stay, and even to the satisfaction of revisiting some venues chosen for us, such as Huab Lodge, Anib Lodge, Okanjima Cheetahs, Cape Cross, Mushara for Etosha Park, and the Okavango Delta - once by Road & Boat, but the most spectacular was the Island hopping trip by small plane through Botswana.
What is a great comfort is that ATI's care of your holiday starts well before you leave home (UK), and then land at your destination airport to be greeted and transfered to the starting point, with the fullest of briefing as you start your adventure, because that's what it is !
We treat the Windhoek welcome lodge at Rivendell like home, as it gives you time to unwind and prepare at your own pace with no pressures, and the Staff are so helpful.
Having visited many Southern Africa countries, we are again off to Namibia for Christmas, our only sin in our Grandson's eyes is that we're not taking him this time, as the trip he came with us was the best ever he's had - all down to ATI.
Well, must start packing, so wish all readers good Holiday hunting
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable trip and stay at Gorilla Forest Camp in Buhoma
We are just back from a wonderful trip in Uganda, tracking the mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Forest.
Our journey was perfectly organized by Patrick and his team from JDA, in a very professionnal way.
All ground and air transfers made by excellent drivers/pilots. All guides very knowledgable. The Gorilla Forest Camp is a wonderful place, with an excellent service and food !
The gorilla tracking has been very exciting and easier than expected. We saw a lot of them and made beautiful pictures !
US
Fun to plan and flawless and carefree execution!
This was my second time around using ATI, and how glad I am that I did. David was such fun to with work both times, and he was never once bothered by my thousand questions! As I was a lone traveler, he ensured I was well taken care of everywhere I went. I was welcomed at each lodge/camp like an old friend instead of a stranger. I have recommended ATI to all of my friends interested in traveling to southern Africa.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Western Tanzania
If you have read my other reviews of The Luxury Safari Company you might have gathered that we like remote places and rose certainly saved the best until last, katavi in Western Tanzania is by far the best place for game I have been and there wasn't another soul for miles. The nomad team are as professional as can be and really look after you. We walked out to a fly camp from chada which was honestly magical, we then ended at greystoke mahale and got to track and eventually see the chimps there - there can be no place on earth as beautiful as mahale. We never have much time and rose always makes sure everything is seamless, and we're always treated like VIPs in all camps, back to Africa next year no doubt.
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It was all outstanding!!!!!
Excellent organisation, very well chosen lodges, fantastic locations, incredible landscapes, lovely staff, assisting for all our wishes, very helpful, a varied safari with lots of love, empathy and knowledge of the wildlife, time to watch the animals at the sightings, simply ingenious and created the desire to repeat the adventure!!!!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a great trip, everythink was ok.
It was the trip of my life. Everythink was great.
The safari was amazing. Our tent was very good cleaned and the food was great.
I will recommend wild angles. Thanks a lot to Antje :) She did a great job :)
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A trip to remember-excellent guides and wonderful opportunities to view wild animals of the area
We were extremely satisfied with all aspects of the trip. Overnight on the plains of the Serengeti was an experience I will never forget! Being adventuresome, I appreciated the many amenities we enjoyed even in the wilds. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience Tanzania. Saw lots of elephants, giraffes, wildebeests and lions.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Perfect Safari for the Whole Family
I tell everyone- if you’re going on safari- you should go to Tanzania and you must go with Ecological Wilderness Adventures! When my mother offered to take the entire family on safari, she put me in charge of arranging it. I first wanted to find a Tanzanian operator so that we could support Tanzania directly and have local guides. I also wanted to find a good price and an itinerary that visited a wide variety of sites. I found Ecological Wilderness Adventures on the internet and started a conversation with Brian Mengoriki and his staff. I was a bit nervous about booking such a big trip with an operator on the other side of the world without knowing much about them, but my fears were quickly abated. Brian and his staff were attentive and flexible and allowed us to modify the tour schedule to suit our needs, which were varied since our group was comprised of five kids ranging in age from 6 to 14 and ten adults including young parents and grandparents. Brian arranged for us our own personal tour with three safari vehicles and three guides!
Our experience with Ecological Wilderness Adventures was absolutely amazing and was a once in a lifetime experience for all of us! A year later, we are still talking about all the animals we were able to observe closely including 9 cheetahs! Countless wildebeest! 635 elephants in one afternoon! And a pack of Wild Dogs on the hunt! We loved the beautiful scenery, the wonderful lodgings at all the sites, and all the fun that we had with our friendly guides. The itinerary developed by Brian was perfect- we visited five national parks, each with their unique habitats and animals, which made the tour interesting every day. The safari was well paced for all of us, with a range of activities each day including game drives, visiting local villages, tasty lunches, and opportunities to walk around.
The kids never got bored and were actively engaged by our guides at all times. They especially loved sticking their heads out of the roof of the vehicles and trying to count all the animals we saw. Our visit to a Masai village was especially fascinating to all. The safari was also well suited to our “older” travellers who enjoyed the scenic views and delicious food at our distinctive and comfortable lodges selected by Brian. Since our tour was during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we were delighted by special celebrations such as waiters dressed like Santa serving champagne!
As a biologist and natural history tour guide myself, I was especially impressed by the expert level of knowledge held by Brian and our other two tour guides. They knew the common and scientific name of every animal and plant we saw and had detailed stories of their natural history. They also had fun facts and stories to entertain the kids! Besides being knowledgeable, they were funny and helpful and quickly became good friends with our entire group. We all still keep in touch.
The entire tour was absolutely perfect and we would highly recommend Ecological Wilderness Adventures to everyone interested in an African safari. You can’t get a better value or more amazing experience than traveling with Brian and his friends.