The Tsavo experience indeed!!
This was a really thrilling trip for us. We had been to the Masai Mara before which was really exciting. We wanted a change, but was a little worried that Tsavo wouldn't live up to the Masai experience. How wrong we were! We had four of us in a jeep with a driver called Sam. He was a friendly chap and so knowledgable like most of these drivers are. They are in radio contact with other drivers as well, so even more eyes to help when an interesting sighting occurs. It was a real jeep safari just as you would expect. We drove alongside all of the usual animals and really felt part of them, we were that close. The weather was fabulous, very warm and clear blue sky with breathtaking scenery. Having said that, wet weather would not have put us off going. We have had some really exciting safaris charging through mud puddles in pursuit of rhino! Our only regret was that we didn't stay longer but we met wonderful people and we left with wonderful photographs, wonderful video and wonderful memories.
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Zimbabwe by Luke Brown
Zimbabwe is probably southern Africa's most diverse country, in terms of its landscapes and national parks. Incredible Highlands exist along the eastern border. There are vast wilderness areas in the north and west, including Hwange, Lake Kariba and the Zambezi river valley. In the south east, the country's lowest point, there is Gonarezhou National Park, which is bordered by vast wildlife conservancies. Victoria Falls is the crowning jewel in the far north west. All these areas are home to vast populations of wildlife. The best parks to go on Safari and have a chance to see some, or even all of the big five, include Hwange, Mana Pools and Gonarezhou. All these parks are well maintained and have vast road networks, as well as a multitude of accommodation venues, ranging from comfortable self catering options to 5 star lodges. Zimbabwe is renowned for its professional guides, who have to go through a rigid training period that lasts no less than four years and involves hands on practical application. This makes Zimbabwe an amazing place to go on a walking safari. Overall Zimbabwe has so much to offer the safari entusiast!
Review about Kenya by John Foss
For the sheer excitement of not know what you will come across along the next track. The birding experience is also beyond belief.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Getting out to see the real Africa
We retained African Adventure Safaris for a one month trip through Botswana, ending at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Botswana is still a wild place and if you want to get away from the structured tented camp/concession arena and get out there, AAS is a great choice. Antony "Ant" Washford has decades of experience in the African bush and his on-the-ground skills are absolutely invaluable. Beyond that, Ant is not only a great host, but a fantastic storyteller and knows how to run a bush camp. Ant is absolutely encyclopedic about birds, wildlife and ecosystems, so if you're interested in more than just the "big 5" (lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard, elephant), he's great - having said that, we did see alot of, and all of, the "big 5" as well. To that end, Ant is a great tracker and takes the time to explain what he's reading, which is fascinating stuff. Just sitting around the fire swapping stories with Ant is worth a million bucks. Finally, part of getting out to see the "real Africa", that is, camping in the bush, is the adventure of it all and that includes running into challenges and solving them. Again, that's when you want to have the years of experience of some like Ant Washford and African Adventure Safaris where the attitude is that everything is an adventure and in good spirits. We'll never forget our time with AAS and Ant Washford in the Botswana Bush. Can't say enough good things.If you want to hear more about some of the fantastic experiences we had with AAS, check out my blog: www.bryanjanetravels.com. (By the way, I"m not related to anyone at AAS, nor am I receiving any compensation of any sort for these comments - just a small payback for a fantastic experience)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truely a trip of a lifetime!
My son and I travelled with EASTCO through out Tanzania for 3 weeks. We visited the big name parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire and the lesser visited Arusha national park The highlights included the accommodation at Naitolia and Ol Tukia, and the tented accommodation on the Serengeti. We travelled with our guide James telling us all we needed to know and showing us his country in a personal and exciting way. We visited Babati and met the locals, seeing the rock art at Kolo and taking a ride in a dugout canoe on the lake. We saw more animals than we thought possible and many times we were the only vehicle in sight. Some of the most memorable were the lions devouring a warthog next to our vehicle on the Serengeti, the night drive at Naitolia and the beautiful colobus monkeys in Arusha national park. The masaai people were great, ready to share their lives with us giving us an insight into an ancient culture.
I would not hesitate to recommend EASTCO, they delivered all that they promised and more, we did some things that were not in the usual safari plan andthey did not hesitate to suggest things that they thought we would enjoy. They also organised the 3 days in Zanzibar for us and it was excellent. All in all an excellent trip, good food, good accommodation, good guide and good friends. We will be back to get them to organise a trip to Bwindi and more of the Serengeti!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Totally superb and the holiday of a lifetime
We went on safari with Wild Dog Safaris to Etosha and Okonjima in Namibia. Our Guide was Tembo. The Wildlife, Scenery, Weather, Accommodation, Transportation and our Guide, Tembo, were all absolutely fanstastic. We could not fault anything and will definitely be returning to Namibia with Wild Dog Safaris as soon as possible.
Excellent
Very knowledgable and helpful with deciding which options would best for us when combining the Kilimanjaro climb with a relaxing week on Zanzibar. Excellent service at each step of the way. We couldn't think of a single element that could have been better. The Kilimanjaro climb and support was superb and then unguja lodge was fabulous; just perfect for what we wanted.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic first visit to Uganda with A&A Gorilla Tours
Our visit to Uganda was an experience of a lifetime thanks to the personal service provided by A&A Gorilla Tours. Our driver, Steven, showed us real Uganda and took great care of us. Our adventure exceeded all expectations and left us with many memories and a desire to return to Africa. Thank you!
Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nothing was too much trouble, wonderful experience
The trip exceeded expectations...which were pretty high. Courteous friendly staff, efficient and a pleasure to be with. I have now visited three times and have recommended friends and family to follow in my footsteps...they also loved it.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A trip of a life time and an experience I'll never forget
Our trip in Tanzania with TSA was for two weeks and it was the most incredible vacation I ever had. We climbed Kilimanjaro in the first week and the guides and porters that were with us were very nice and welcoming. The food was very good, especially the soups! We would come to the camp and the porters would be there helping you take of your shoes and rub your feet, while they have been doing all the heavy carrying and work. The guides were very motivating and helpful to get us up the mountain.
In the second week we went on a six day safari. Our driver had a lot of knowledge about the animals and was really good at spotting them. We got to see the big 5 and lot's of other animals. He was also really interested in getting great pictures and drove into different positions so that we could get the best shots of the animals! First we went to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro and we stayed at the coffee farm the first two nights, which is an absolute amazing place and the staff was very friendly and food was good. After the second night we went to Serengeti and the third and fourth night we stayed in Savannah camps in the middle of the Serengeti, which was also very exciting as your in the middle of the wildlife. The staff here were friendly and the food was of very high standard. The tents are walk in tents with en suite bathrooms and actual beds. This was the most comfortable tent I've ever been in.
On the last night we had a lodge booked in Tarangire, again somewhere were you could wake up with wild animals just outside your window! This place was very relaxing with again such nice staff!
I'm very glad we booked our trip through Tanzania Serengeti Adventure as they were very considerate to plan a day of relaxing after out flight before our Kilimanjaro climb, a day of relaxing between Kili and the safari and again an extra day for relaxing and shopping after the safari and before our flight. You might want to do as much as possible when you are on holiday, however we were really happy with these days of relaxing in between. Our luggage also got lost on our flight coming into Tanzania and TSA did there best to keep in contact with the airport to make sure our bags would arrive on time for us to pack before the climb.
Everything of this trip has been absolutely amazing and I would recommend to travel with TSA to anyone, as they have been so great and they have a lot of experience in organizing the trip with/for you! I really hope to do this trip again in the future!