US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a most wonderful individually and expertly guided nature tour in Uganda.
A magnificent trip took us to Uganda July 15 to July 29, 2014, expertly guided by Muhumuza Deogratius; Deo for short. We had intended to book our trip through a local Ugandan travel agent and were lucky to find Deo recommended on the www.birdingpal.org website. Deo responded to our inquiries immediately and to our satisfaction. He booked our travel route according to our wishes and the accommodations selected by him were all very pleasant, clean and located in beautiful and safe environments. Every detail of the planned itinerary in Uganda was provided as promised.
Being interested in nature, birds and anything else that flies and walks, Deo was the perfect guide for us. He could spot and name any bird just from hearing its song. He also showed us many mammals in the various diverse national parks of Uganda. As we had requested, he took us to the mountainous forest vegetation and animals therein, and with great patience let us enjoy nature at a relaxed pace of driving with many stops and observations on foot.
It was a pleasure for us to realize that Deo was very open to our special interest in insects. He was fascinated and eager to be introduced by us into the world of little critters that he had never paid attention to or seen close-up through a magnifying lens. Therefore, the marvel of learning and enjoying was reciprocal and made this trip one of the best of our many travels. And we are sure, by traveling with us Deo became a more broadly interested, and interesting nature guide.
For any visitor who wants to enjoy African nature Deo is the best and most dedicated guide that we can think of. We highly recommend him and wish that he will be able to guide many more nature-loving tourists through his beautiful homeland of Uganda, and thereby enhance the mutual understanding of the people in this world.
Ursula and Rudolf Jander
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
David and Goliath Tours - Beware of the Thief !!!!
I have just returned from a Kilimanjaro Trek booked with David and Goliath Tours.
We booked with David's company after a local recommendation as we liked the idea of our money going straight into the local economy.
We asked David to arrange an 8 day trek (usually 7 days) to give us an extra day to acclimatise (an additional US$150 each for the extra day).
We agreed an itinerary and paid US$350 deposit each into David's Bank account.
4 days before the trek, David advised us that in addition to the cash balance, we also needed to bring just over US$400 each for tips for the mountain team.
I became suspicious and even more so when David wouldn't give us a receipt for the balance we paid to him in cash when we arrived.
However, the hotel was fine and we were picked up the next day for the start of our trip.
At the National Park entrance, David dropped us off and then disappeared completely.
There was also a shortfall of US$10 for the park fees which I had no option but to pay on my credit card.
And when we signed in, we had to sign in for 7 days which we were told was the standard trek duration.
I was even more suspicious.
The trek itself was fantastic.
The mountain team of 15 people were brilliant and we had a great time.
But we could never get an answer about the extra day.
We did however all reach the summit which we were really thrilled about.
On our descent, this is where our suspicions became reality.
We found out from the mountain team that the trek WAS for 7 days and when we complained, they said David would make everything right (would this explain why some of the team were on their mobile phones a lot ???).
We reached the exit gate where David met us.
We told him straight away that we were a day short.
He didn't explain.
Back at the hotel, we asked for a meeting with David and politely asked for a refund of the US$150 each for the extra day we didn't get.
This is where David changed.
He became very aggressive, told lie after lie (he said we had told the guides we wanted to come off the mountain a day early and he had only been notified the night before), and refused to give us our money back.
As he became more angry we realised we weren't going to get our refund.
We felt we had no option but to pay the mountain team their tips who had now been waiting almost 2 hours in the hotel reception.
David then came back and had the cheek to ask us for more money.
We sent him packing.
Although we had a great time on the Trek, I would not recommend David and Goliath tours to anyone thinking of using this company to book a holiday.
David is far from honest, he is not trustworthy and I believe that, if given the chance, would not hesitate to take money from tourists and not deliver what has been paid for.
In future, we will never use a local company for any type of holiday.
It has left us with a bad impression of Tanzania.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant safari
We booked our Milestones safari through Honey Badger Lodge (a fab place to stay). There were six of us plus Cornel our guide on a five day safari. Our trip was tailor made for us and we relied heavily on Milestones/Honey Badger to suggest areas to visit and places to stay. It was a fantastic experience - the lodges were varied (in places such as the Serengeti choice is limited) from a luxury lodge to a tented camp and all had their own charm, plus points and quirks. Apart from the food at the Serengeti lodge, everything was great and we would stay in any of the lodges again - Thank you Milestones! The actual safari was amazing, Cornel was a brilliant guide (with a great sense of humour) - he could spot a Leopard hidden in a tree at 100 yards (we needed binoculars!), we saw all of the big five as well as giraffes, monkeys, warthogs, hyena, elephants, Ostrich etc etc. On different occasions we were surrounded by lions and then by elephants - what an experience! Thank you Milestones, I can't recommend you or Honey Badger (Moshi) enough
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised, interesting and exciting.
This was my first safari, and I could not have wished for a better experience. Everything was planned well, everywhere we stayed was excellent and everybody was helpful. Certainly a professional team. We visited Amboseli, Tsavo, Naivasha and Nakuru and saw the 'Big Five' as well as many, many other animals. A truly breathtaking trip. Highly recommended.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amboseli Tsavo Great safari
A wonderfully organized safari, everything went on as expected, will be back soon hopefully for a longer stay. Thanks Robert for making the safari a success
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well run and professional, but with a personal touch
The safari was everything we had hoped for, and more. It was very well organised, the service was personal but still professional, the different accommodations were all excellent, and we had a marvellous time with a knowledgeable driver in a comfortable and suitable vehicle. A fantastic experience all round.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience!!!
We had a great time during our safari trip in North Tanzania thanks to Roberto and Savannah Explorers.Roberto was helpful,answered quickly to our questions and planned everything according to our needs.
We visited Tarangire Np, Serengeti Np and Ngorongoro we saw all the big five and two cheetah in a hunting scene thanks to our guide Juda.He was a great driver,responsable,nice and Knowledgeable.
Everything was satisfactory and Savannah Explorers paid attention to all details.
We recommend you to choose Savannah Explorers for your Safari.
Paolo,Mattia,Lory,Renato
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Safari with Lindo Travel was amazing and enjoyable down to the last detail.
Our safari experience was just like the pictures in Lindo Tavel's web site.
> We saw every animal possible with our expert driver and guide Stephan.
> He is very knowledgeable about the Serengeti and it's wildlife and
> landscape. Stephan made it an unforgettable experience. He covered all
> the details; and we always felt comfortable and secure in his company.
> He went out of his way to make the safari memorable each day. We are so glad
> we had the camping experience-in our opinion, it truly was the best way to experience
> the Serengeti and Crater. The meals prepared by our cook were
> amazing. Our safari trip guided by Stephan was well worth every penny; no wonder he came highly recommended by friends who used Lindo Travel in July 2014. Many thanks to Lindo and crew. CH
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Many, many best thanks, dear Merci and dear Simon for your perfectly organize of my trip!!!!
Dear Merci, Simon and your Team!
Many, heartly thanks to you for your best organizing my trips;
so, so many, many heartfelt thanks also to:
- Nasero my best 4-star cook,
- Richard a super guide and safe driver,
- Hamsa my wellknown informed, politly Guide in Zansibar,
- Mohamad my safty and just in time, punctually and safty driver in Zansibar.
Eastern Sun Tours organicided the following Safaris & Tours for me super excelently & perfectly:
1. Full day Safari in 'Arusha NP. visiting 'Momella Lakes' with Canoeing on one of the Lakes with his breathtaking flamingos,
2. Excellently organiziced Full day Safari in Ngorongoro Crater NP.,
3. Full day Safari visiting the Olduvai Gorge with 2,4 Mio. years old human footsteps: Arriving just in time with
Museum of excellently excavation work there was pioneered by Louis and Mary Leakey beginning in 1931.,
4. Three full day Safaris in Serengeti NP. with unique impressions, including a visit to the impressively designed
Serengeti Visitor Center,
Seeing the big deartrpis of gnus and zebras behind the Serengeti National Parc Gate:
Many, many thanks to our driver Richard "Right time, right place!!"
5. Impressive non-stop flight from Serengeti Airport to Stone Town Airport,
7. Seven Days relaxing in Zanzibar with the following perfectly, safty and just in time organizided Fulpl day Trips and
adventures: - very interesting Leadership of historical Stone Town,
- Visiting Sultans Palace, Sultans Arabic Bath and one of the many Spice Plantations, a perfectly Tour,
- Guided Visite of the Jozani Jungle with his famos Colobus-Monkies and ist mangroves,
- Sailing-Tour with snorceling and picnicing with one of the old Dow-Boats.
The hotel in Stone Town, selected Eastern Sun Tours, I experienced a fairytale as in "Arabian Nights"! Best
All trips, Safaris, Walks & Visites are just in time, punctually and perfectly well done: The first choice!!!
Heartly thanks for made it possible all these unique impressions:
I would be made immediately organizes this trip from your company Eastern Sun Tours!!
...and only again, with you,
Merci, & Simon with your SUPER Team of Eastern Sun Tours!!
Birgit T.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Experience
Jono and the team at Encompass Africa were very responsive to all our requests during the planning phase of our trip. They only sell trips to Africa, so are experts in this region. We found them extremely knowledgeable. Once on safari, everything ran smoothly. If you are booking a trip to Africa, look no further than Encompass Africa - we highly recommend them.