Experience level: over 5 safaris
Mana Magic!
Mana Pools is one Africa's most magical wilderness areas. It is a United Nations World Heritage Site for good reason. Here the Zambezi river gives life to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, all of which rely on one another to maintain a healthy and diverse ecosystem. The tall Acacia albida trees that line the river provide much needed shade from the hot sun and their apple ring shaped pods, rich in protein, are highly sought after by elephants, who will even stand on their hind legs to reach them, a truly amazing site to behold! Wild dogs exist here in large packs, lions and leopards are abundant as are big herds of buffalo. The river is home to an incredible density of hippos that create a cacophony of sound, which lulls you to sleep at night a midst the haunting laugh of the spotted hyenas. Mana Pools is typically only accessible during the dry months of the year i.e. April to October. It is possible to get in by air, road and also on the river. Zimbabwean air charter companies have light aircraft that can access Mana Main, Dandawa or Chikwenya airstrips all within the vicinity of the national park. There is a dirt road into Mana Pools from the main Makuti-Chirundu tar road. Depending on whether this has been graded or not will determine how long this section takes. If it has not been graded for a while then the trip can take up to 4 hours due to severe corrugations. It is advisable to travel this road in a 4x4. There are only one or two companies that offer road transfers. Most people that drive in are self drivers. It is possible to canoe the river with a reputable canoeing company. Trips range from a few days up to nearly two weeks and this is determined by the stretch of river you run between Kariba dam wall and Kanyemba. A popular stretch is the 4 day, 3 night canoe trip from Chirundu to Mana Pools. Mana Pools is in a remote area of the country, which has meant that it has remained pristine, adding to its already renowned fame for excellent game viewing. A visit to this park is a must for any African wildlife lover.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thank you Safarihub!
We had an incredible time! Tanzania is an unbelievably beautiful place! The landscape and surroundings of the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti are just mesmerizing! The guide was professional and knew the whereabouts of the animals in all the parks. During our Safari we were lucky enough to see the famous wildebeest migration and to top it all a live cheetah kill, absolutely surreal experience.
US
Our time in Tanzania was AMAZING!!!!
We just wanted to send a quick note and let you know our time in Tanzania was AMAZING!!!! Magical, really. I was very nervous about spending so much money on a vacation, but Addison and I both agree the experience was worth every penny. We loved all the places you recommended, particularly Sayari Camp. The timing was incredible– there were hardly any tourists and we got to see everything from rhinos to river crossings. Thank you so much for all your help and guidance. We look forward to working with you again and recommending you to our friends and family (who, by the way, are very envious of our trip now that they’ve seen our photos!)
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Botswana by Steve Filipiak
Botswana has a very stable government and wildlife abundance that rivals east African countries. The Okavango Delta is just the beginning!
NL
Selma did listen very good to our wishes and made them come true.
You deserve the 5 stars: very good communications, very good service and advice. The safari was well organized and the accomodations (Kibogo-lodge, Tarangire River Camp, Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge) were varied and all very nice. Our guide, Peter, was not only a very good driver, a good guide who could tell us many things about the beauty of Tanzania, but also an inspiring man. My visit to my children was a great success partly due to the tour with Makasa. They even gave us free tips about our stay in Zanzibar. They do their work with love! I should say: 'go with Makasa!'
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
ATI Holidays was very flexible and helpful in putting together a 2-month trip to Namibia for us.
We worked with ATi Holidays to put together a 2-month trip to Namibia this past summer. They pieced together a hiking trip to Fish River Canyon, two volunteer wildlife projects and a self drive safari to Ethosha National Park, Kunene River and Damarland. All pieces fit together perfectly and the entire trip went off without a hitch. ATi was very accommodating and was able to make all our last minute changes. When our backpacking trip in Fish River Canyon was cancelled due to lack of water, they came up with a suitable alternative. They paid attention to all details and even provided us with a cell phone and cool box for our entire trip. The pre-trip information including marked maps for our self-drive was very helpful. Thanks ATi Holidays for making our trip to Namibia a most memorable one!
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Kiboko Safari
Our 15 day Kiboko Safari ( Kenya and Tanzania ) was above and beyond our expectations. Chris did a great job co-ordinating everything for the six of us, 2 each from 3 different cities, from flights, insurance, and responding to the many questions we all had. The staff were amazing and right from greeting us at the airport we all felt comfortable and welcomed. We had three guides in total, Obama and Erick in Kenya and Emanuel in Tanzania and all shared their expertise, vast knowledge, professionalism, and fun senses of humour. The animal sightings (including watching two cheetahs bring down their prey) were more numerous and close up than we had ever imagined. We had a mix of lodges and tented camps and all were 5 star, especially enjoyed the luxury of both Ashnil and Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camps .All the food was first rate, the staff so friendly and being greeted after long drives with hot towels and cold juice was such a nice touch. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best tour I ever had!
I've had some tours in africa in the past, but this was really the best.
Very good organization, very nice personal and very good equipment/cars.
I recommend this company to everyone!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Surreal safari
after spending the last 2 years exploring the 7 continents, my final adventure came down to a safari in Africa. I spent months preparing and researching where to go and what to see. Listened to many of my friends from all over the world. The Outfitter that best exemplified my needs and tastes was with Ecological Wilderness Adventures. Spent many phone calls via Skype with Brian to arrange it so that I could spend over 2 weeks seeking the best spots to have a safari. What it all came down to was the quality of the guide and the service he rendered. Without a doubt, in all 4 regions of Africa that we toured, Brian exceeded my expectations. His experience and knowledge surpassed what I thought possible. You know you have e best guide when others are flagging him down asking where he could recommend they take their clients. On one occasion we spotted a leopard- which is my favorite big game animal- walking across the river. Instead of chasing after it like all the other guides, he went off in a different direction. When I asked him why we weren't headed after it like the others, he replied that we were going to where it was headed. Sure enough we parked under a tree 10 minutes before the leopard arrived and climbed into the tree where it had stored it's kill. All the other vehicles had to park behind us as we got the front row seats and best pictures possible. His guiding skills are incredible and the camps on the Serengeti we stayed at were 5 star resorts in a camp out on the plains. The entire trip was way beyond what I had envisioned having done almost everything, now only the best will do. That means Ecological Wilderness Adventures will be the only phone call I make for the next safari.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing discovery
This safari was organised as part of an overland tour. The safari operator Oti had everything organised and made us feel extremely safe. We did a 3/4 day tour of Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. He was very well informed and spoke excellent english. We managed to get upclose to 4 of the big 5. Even though we were camping, we were still very comfortable. Meals were all provided.
Since that trip my friend has been back for another tour and I intend to do the same in the near future. All in all we had a fantastic time and can't recommend this tour enough!