DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exciting Honeymoon
An unforgettable experience and am so glad we decided on the Safari option as we were very sceptical at first. We did an 8 day Safari and spent 6 night in Zanzibar and were wined and dined like royalty. The combination of Safari and a beach holiday complimented itself and recommended to people wanting to go to Tanzania, what a blessed country.
KG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was really good
I gave very short notice to them, that is why I had to go to safari alone(not with a group). Service was really good and it was very comfortable with guide and driver. I enjoyed my traveling.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
the parks of the North: great experience!
We had a 6 nights safari with Savannah Explorers and we had a great time. We visited Tarangire Park, Lake Manyara Park (we made a really nice night safari!), Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
All the parks worth a visit: Tarangire for its spectacular landscapes, Lake Manyara for the forest, Serengeti for predators and its amazing and different landscapes, Ngorongoro because its unique and fascinating.
Savannah explorers was professional from our arrival until our departure. The choice of Lodges and Camping was perfect: we recommend in particular Tarangire Safari Lodge and Kati Kati camps (Tanganyka Wildeness camps).
The guide (that spoke also a good italian) was friendly and helpful.
We say all the big 5, a family of Cheetah, lots of other animals. It was great!
Hope to come back one day!! Jambo!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Lots of Birds - and Animals, too
We had a great trip with Nature Travel Namibia over New Year 2015, seeing a huge number of birds as well as lots of antelope, cats, and other animals in only one week.
Three years ago, we took a group tour with a different company to the other, more famous leg of Namibia - the Namib Desert, the coast at Swakopmund, Damaraland and one day at Okakuejo in Etosha - and had such a good time we wanted to do the other leg which, as we hoped, is quite different.
We had only seven and a half days, and we wanted to fit a lot in. After discussion with Nick and Janeke, we worked out a stripped-down backwards version of the '10-Day Etosha, Caprivi, Chobe And Victoria Falls' trip which they offer. We flew in to Victoria Falls at noon and did a three-hour tour. This short visit was great as the falls are more spectacular than any photo can show, and it completely revived us after thirty hours of travel from our home. Then we went straight to Chobe in Botswana (2 nights), after which we crossed into Namibia and went along the Zambesi/Caprivi Strip via Camp Kwando (1 night), Mahangu (2). We stayed at Mushara (1) on the east of Etosha followed by a full day crossing Etosha to Okakuejo (1), then a final couple of hours in the park before driving down to Windhoek for the last night before flying out. This worked very well. Of course, the extra days of the full trip would have been even better, especially for some birds that we heard or saw briefly but didn't have the time to follow up on.
The accomodation was well-chosen and of high quality, and all the places had all the facilities you could want, and good food (and wine).
We arranged a private trip for just the two of us because we had been to East Africa four times, as well as our previous Namibia visit, and we had seen a lot of the basic birds and animals already - not that we didn't want to see them again, but we also wanted to spend time looking for some things, birds especially, that Africa beginners in a group might not be so interested in. It wasn't cheap, but in our opinion it was great value for money, everything went smoothly, and we were completely satisfied. (And, obviously, the price per person comes down if there are more of you.)
The trip had a great balance between land and river, birds and animals. We did three boat trips on the rivers (and all three were quite different). And we also saw lots of the spectacular Namibian skyscapes and sunsets. It was the rainy season in theory, but actually there was some cloud but little rain (nice for us, not so good for the local farmers).
Nick wasn't available, but we had another specialist bird guide who was very knowledgeable, and also great company. We saw over 220 species of bird in the week, of which 60 were new for us, and about 50 more were 'first decent photos'. Given our time constraint, we were very happy with this. Highlights for us on the river were great close-up views of Slaty Egret, Black Egret, Purple Heron amd Pygmy Duck. Our guide knew a spot where we got good sightings of Souza's Shrike and Tinkling Cisticola. He also had a spot for Little Jacana, which was a bird we especially wanted to see, and Sharp-tailed Starling. We saw Blue Crane in Etosha. On the trip we also got 23 accipiters and falcons, mostly with decent views.
We also wanted to find the local antelopes, and we got beautiful views of Sable, as well as Puku, Red Lechwe, Southern Reedbuck and Greater Kudu, as well as Common Duiker, which were all new for us. We saw seventeen antelope species in total, and I think we would have got Roan if we had an extra day at Mahangu.
We had seen Hippos before, of course, and Elephants, but we were surprised by how moved and impressed we were by the large groups of both that we saw. And the other regulars were there of course - Giraffe, Zebra, and so on. We also saw Lion and Cheetah, and our eagle-eyed guide found a well-hidden Leopard.
One special highlight was the huge Black Mamba that we saw clearly (and photographed) moving through the trees, and which our guide found because of the alarm calls of birds which had spotted it.
All in all, this was a great trip, organised and run by professionals, and which we happily recommend. And if you want to shorten or lengthen it, or do more in one place and less in another, or add a side-trip to somewhere not on the main plan, just ask!
And if you can time it to fit in with the great riverside New Year party with live music at Mahangu Safari Lodge, as we did, then go for it. Just avoid the Jägermeister!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing service and great lodges!!!!
Our experience with Expedition Safari was perfect from the first email to get a quote until we were dropped off at the airport. Patrick got back to me quickly from my initial inquiry and was helpful in constructing an itinerary specifically for us. Emails were prompt, thorough, and clearly written including many options for us and links to the specific lodges. I was able to handpick where we stayed with some guidance from Patrick. Prices seemed very fair especially for higher end service and accommodations.
Upon arrival in Kenya, Patrick, Meshack, and Joseph (our driver/guide) met us at the airport. We arrived at 8pm so went immediately to hotel where they helped us check in and get settled. After a nice buffet breakfast at hotel Joseph picked us up and we departed for Amboselli. We had a private tour - just my wife and I escorted by Joseph in a Land Cruiser for the week. We visited Amboselli, Lake Nakuru, and Maasi Mara. Despite not being during the migration we were able to see tons of animals. We saw 4 of the Big 5 during our safari only missing the leopard. Saw many lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo along with cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and antelope. We really had a wonderful experience. Joseph was an unbelievable guide with 18 years of experience. Booking was a seamless process and fully customizable. The lodges and food provided were high end. As a seasoned traveler I have rarely had such a good experience and was very pleased with Expedition Safari. Our final day was my wife's birthday and they arranged a special dinner along with a cake for my wife before dropping is at the airport for our red eye flight. Truly door to door service. Have already recommended Expedition Safari to some of our friends interested in doing their first safari.
If it could go wrong it did
I booked a 3 day safari to Masaii Mara with Sun Splash at the last minute since I would be in Kenya for work. When I arrived there had been 3 days of protest in Narok a town on the way to Masaii Mara. In the morning after a prompt pick up we were on our way, though I had been told it would be a full van there were only 3 of us. The driver was on the phone constantly. As we got closer to Narok there were many cars and lorries pulled off to the side of the road,. when the driver was questioned he was rather evasive. We went to the very "front" of the line to find the road blocked. Kenya Police eventually arrived and as they cleared the road of rocks and burning tires we moved forward. Unfortunately the road would then close behind us with more rocks and burning tires. We ended up in the middle with tear gas and police beating people with batons. It was dangerous and totally uncalled for. Since I had been in transit I had no idea what was going on. There were only 2 other safari vans in sight, the rest must have been much smarter than this company. We did not make our evening safari drive in the Park. Next morning we found out the walkie talkie that every safari van relies on to find the animals was broken and had been broken for 3 days. We spent the entire day driving aimlessly while the driver stopped every van he could find to question where were the animals. Last day the driver borrowed shillings from me to buy an herbal remedy from the Masaii prior to leaving the park. On the way out he stopped at a small store to get himself a soda and surprise! someone jumped in the van for a ride to the next town. Great way to make a few shillings for the driver but not OK. I have been on safari in Kenya in the past and this was the most unprofessional disappointing company I have ever used. When I got back to Nairobi I sent an email to the company. Their response was not their problem about the protest and while I certainly agree they were not responsible for the protest they certainly had hours of warnings prior to our arrival in Narok. No response about the broken radio, This company contracted with kairi tours so they are most likely responsible for the radio and driver. No response to the email I sent to them
MX
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized and exciting.
I went both to an safari island in Kariba lake and a walking safari in a reserve. Everything was organized perfectly, pickups, departures etc. Everyone one was helpful, friendly and professional. The experiences were both relaxing and exciting, and walking in the bush is a much more vivid than perhaps that in a vehicle.
The Best!
Ibrah is great! He has a hostel which is more like a home and if you decide to include the meals in your stay (I would encourage that) it's an incredible and affordable way to check out the town near Kilimanjaro. You get fresh juice and great foods at the house everyday, I loved it!! The treks are very fun and you can choose from a variety, Ibrah is flexible and can help you figure out what's right for you or even create it. They're amazing, everyone is super friendly and helpful. I highly recommend AfriShare if you're traveling in Tanzania. They have different options from day hikes to waterfalls, to excursions, to three day trips, they can create any kind of trip I think, it's awesome. Do check them out.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Greatest knowledge and friendliest staff ever!
My wife and I went on our honeymoon to South Africa from Dec 7-23, 2014 and while planning the trip, we could not have been more pleased with the knowledge, friendliness, and accessibility of Go2Africa, in particular, Kiah Preyer! We worked with Go2Africa for the safari and lodge we went on and stayed at (Simbambili Game Lodge in Kruger) as well as the accommodations and recommendations for South African's Wine Country, Franschhoek.
Kiah and her team were attentive and provided various options for what my wife and I were looking for in our safari experience as well as our Wine Country experience in Franschhoek. Beyond just the areas we directly worked with Go2Africa on, when we asked Kiah for her own personal recommendations on restaurants to eat at, sites to see, logistics (ie. gratuity customs, taxis vs. hired cars, etc.), she was quick to provide a response and never steered us in the wrong direction.
It really was a pleasure to work with Kiah and Go2Africa and will be calling on them again for my next African vacation!
Great 2 day trip
This two day safari was all inclusive, unlike some others, so beware of add-ons. We saw almost all the animals on our list and our guide was kind and patient. The trip to get there was 6 hours, so prepare for long hours in the van.