20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible!!!
I chose to do my Kilimanjaro climb with Nyange Adventures, as when I arrived in Moshi they were the company that everyone was talking about and happy to recommend. I met a few people who had done climbs, safaris, and day trips with them, and every one of them had a million great things to say about them... and now I know why! From the moment I walked into the office I was greeted by Praise and his team, no hard sell, no pressure to book with them. They simply guided me through what they could do for me and gave me a great price too. They were very informative and had answers to all of my questions. I needed equipment hire from them, and the gear they provided was first class. Praise always says, "come as a client, leave as a friend", and that is so true. Their customer service is very professional and I really felt like they did everything they could to make sure my climb was perfect.
On the climb itself, I honestly can't think of a single way to improve it. My guide, Davis, was a true gentleman with perfect English, endless amounts of knowledge, and he was great fun to be around. On the first day he gauged well the fitness of everyone in our group of 6, and was able to support us and advise us perfectly. I have a real problem with my lower back, and Davis was experienced and willing with some basic physio that really helped. The food was something I was worried about, as I didn't want to go hungry on the mountain. I couldn't have been more wrong! The food is in huge quantities and was absolutely delicious! I reckon it was as good as any meal I had in Moshi itself. The chef was the happiest person on the mountain, who obviously enjoyed his job and took great pride in the food he produced. The team of porters that Nyange employs were honestly amazing. They were diligent, friendly, and always smiling. Even with the language barrier we were able to develop relationships with them, and were warmly welcomed to each camp as we arrived, all ready for us. Tents are pitched, hot tea is waiting, and food is on the stove. Perfect! The tents, sleeping bags etc are really warm, clean, and in great condition. Each and every morning I was woken with a cup of coffee, a huge bowl of hot water for "washy washy", friendly smiling faces and a team that really made every effort to make sure we enjoyed our climb. Summit night was especially tough, and I know for sure it would have been a lot tougher without the positive attitude of Davis. He is obviously heavily experienced and with his words and encouragement made us feel that we could climb Everest! Like I said, there is no way I can give a single negative about the whole experience. 100%!!!
Knowing that the company I chose was ethical, and paid and treated their staff properly was very important to me. Having spoken to Nyange's team, and heard just how much they respect and love working for Praise, I know that I found a company that does all of these things. Even when we got back to Moshi we went out for a drink with Praise, and everyone knows him, comes over to say hello, and have a great deal of time for him. I even learned that for every safari and Kilimanjaro climb he does, he donates a percentage of the profit to a local old folks home. Amazing!
I enjoyed my climb so much I booked a safari with Nyange too. Just like my climb, it was perfect. Professional, relaxed, knowledgeable guides, great price, and a first class vehicle. My guide, Moses, had an answer to every question we had, and even though he had been a safari drive for 20 years, enjoyed the weekend almost as much as we did. He was a man who is proud of his country, and was so happy to share it with us.
All in all, I can't recommend Nyange enough. I have had some very bad experiences in the past with other companies, and some very average ones. In my years of travel I had come to expect average service, but Nyange have changed that. I thought I'd leave Tanzania with unforgettable memories of animals and the mountain, which I have... but what I really left with was unforgettable memories of the people, and Praise and his team are those people. Thank you again guys, for making my time in Tanzania perfect!!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gap year in Uganda is so amazing
To really grasp the joy of a gap year ,you need more time and money. As ladies in our early-middle twenties; this was far much enjoyable. We took off this time because we wanted to explore what the world has to offer and us ,being biologists. I think it made sense to visit Uganda which is commonly referred to as the pearl of Africa. It was great joy for us for all the experience. The country is so much enriched that it would take us years to truly understand its nature and wildlife. We were thrilled with the gorillas and how to react around people. This was more than biology coming to life. what more shall I say? Thank you gorilla tour booking safaris for being organized, I enjoyed our Guide, Mr. Francis, especially when on the 7-day of our trip to Uganda.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Totally unforgettable experience on Mount Meru!
We had heard of Active Tanzania from some friends who had booked a tour with them several years ago when they were much smaller in size. We found the information, service, helpfulness and general friendliness during the inquiry and booking process totally amazing and 120% satisfactory. They even helped us find a certain hotel in Zanzibar and managed the booking for us and their recommendation of a hotel in Arusha was super as well. Payment was easy as well and when we got there they picked us up from the Arusha bus station, checked our gear and briefed us and then made the four-day trip up and down Mt. Meru a totally unforgettable experience. We were so impressed with the way the tables were set for meals, the high standard of the food considering the guys had to carry every single thing up the mountain... Our guide Stanley was outstanding in his knowledge about the area, his friendliness and easy-going personality made the whole trip such a joy and even when physical fatigue and pain wanted me to quit he encouraged me and was patient enough to climb up the summit with me very slowly.
We would do a tour with Active Tanzania again any time and can only recommend them highly! Well done, guys!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful
I hired this company on October 2015 while I was working in Rwanda to do gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains. Reginal (the owner of the company) and his driver were very punctual when picking is up at our hotel. They drove us up to buy our permits and then to the mountain where our journey to see the Silverback gorillas began. We did not bring gloves, so Reginal let us borrow for free, which was a blessing. To prevent our cameras from getting damaged by the rain, they let us use their digital camera for free and later emailed us the pictures. After the trek was over they were waiting for us to take us to a small market where we picked up our trekking certificates. We shopped around and they patiently waited for us to finish. Then they took us back to our hotel. They were very nice and professional during the whole trip. I liked this company so much that 2 weeks later I hired them again, this time to go see the Golden Monkeys. Reginal went with us on this tour and was our personal photographer. We had a lot of fun with them. I stronly recommend Rwanda Eco Company and would definitely hire them again.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fun mixed with professionalism
I was with Jewel of Africa Safaris in november 2013. The weather was hot but rain was coming. It would turn out to be the experience of a lifetime!
Our guide was Neil. What a standup guy that was! He really knows his stuff and is all about professional behaviour but mixed with a nice sauce of fun and laughs! He is fun and game but when it matters (eg. approaching dangerous wildlife) he turns into a really serious and caring guide who will make you feel safe at all times.
Because I speak dutch, which is related to South African, we could really have a laugh and if you meet him ask about "vrouw aan die stuur, bloed aan die muur" ;).
We did a Kruger tour and saw all big 5 in one day! What a lucky streak that was.
The icing on the cake however was the news that Nelson Mandela had passed away. Neil specially drove us to Soweto where we attended the ceremonies of the local people and joined them in their grief. It was a really nice gesture of Neil which made the trip all the more special. It characterizes his nature and the lenghts that he will go to, to make your journey unforgettable.
If you want a mix of professional guides, with tons of laughs, Jewels of Africa will be IT for you!
BD
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The travel arrangement of Kisoro is very good and entertaining
Communication service is good and services are as per the agreement,the accommodation is very nice, overall tour is memorable
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a fabulous time but communication with the company was a little limited
The safari itself was everything we expected. Our tour guide Kim was awesome and very knowledgeable. The accommodations and food were good also. The tent camps are cool and they have electricity and bathroom and shower in them. I never received a packet from odyssey and some things aren't very clear. You definitely need to bring your yellow fever vaccination card...Kenya and Tanzania will need to see it but that wasn't on the list of things to bring. Also get your Kenya and Tanzania visas online prior to going so you don't have to carry that cash and wait in longer lines. If you do those things prior to going, things should go smoothly and you will have an amazing time :)
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professionalism at it's best!
I run a small, private safari business called Moriti Private Safaris and have worked with Jewel of Africa on a few occasions. Kobus and his team are awesome to work with and it is so refreshing to have people like this in the industry!
The tours they provide, not only are they value for money, but my guests as well as myself when I travel with them are treated like royalty! The accommodation used and the food provided is always great and Kobus and Neil's knowledge of, not only customer service, but animals and history is just phenomenal... I could really listen to them for hours, and I'm a guide!
I love working with these guys and would recommend them to anyone looking for a value for money safari that is well planned, tailor-made and a lot of fun
Exceeding expectatios, excellent arrangements and exciting game drives.
Communications worked seamlessly before the safari: quotation with good details, payment arrangements, flights from Dar to Kilimajaro, etc. We wanted to see Ngorongoro and appreciate that a game drive in Lake Manyara was added en route to the crater. Fabian was an excellent driver and guide. I think we managed to spot all the major mammals in the Crater. We saw two lions i Lake Manyara, four on the first day in the Crater and 15 the second day including five cubs. Serengeti next time!