20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Bad experience with Terminal Tours
My friend and I signed up for a 3-day Masai Mara tour with Terminal Tours (Kenya).
Terminal Tours arranged for us to stay in Rhino Camp for 2 nights, which turned out to be quite a bad experience. Firstly, the electricity was unavailable during some parts of the promised hours and hot showers (generated by wood fire) were mostly unavailable during the promised hours too.
Our driver (and guide) Sammy does not seem enthusiastic in leading the tour. He was often quiet during the game drive and only spoke when people in the tour group asked him questions. Furthermore, he seemed clueless to some of our questions, to the extent that two of the Canadians in our group sarcastically told him to "at least make up a reason to tell us when we ask you again".
Also, the apparent owner of Terminal Tours - Nelson, practices price differentiation to a huge extent. For example, people on the same tour were charged in varying amounts between USD$360 and USD400+. Hence, it might be wiser to book a tour with a tour operator that has a more transparent pricing structure. On a side note, it is intriguing that Nelson issued me with an invoice with a stated amount which is lower than the amount I had paid him and he told me that it is okay.
Lastly, do not rely on their promised free transfer service. Terminal Tours was supposed to pick my friend and I from our hotel to the bus terminal at 6:15am in the morning to catch a bus at 7am. We waited until 6:25am and no one turned up. I have explicitly mentioned to both Nelson and his assistant - Steven, the day before our departure, that the driver must before 6:15am as we needed time at the bus terminal to have our tickets confirmed. Eventually, we had to fork out money from our own pockets to pay for a taxi to the bus terminal. Nelson eventually arrived at the bus terminal himself, just before our bus departed. Ostensibly appearing apologetic, he started arguing that I have told him to send the driver to our hotel at 6:30am instead. I was totally disgusted by his actions and words.
In conclusion, I will not recommend anyone to sign up for a tour with Terminal Tours. As my friend says, it was "a ruined experience in Kenya".
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect days
Our guide, Anthony came to get us at our hotel. As soon as we met him, the holidays began....He's very nice, he laughs all the time. We were lucky enough to be only 4 with him, and we felt privileged. He's a real bushman, with great knowledge about the bush and South Africa, always available, but most af all, he's a great person. At the end, we considered him as a friend and were very sad to leave him.
About the safari, the landscapes are amazing, we could see very animals, even leopards, lions, elephants...
Two weaknesses:
- The visit of the elephant sanctuary after 3 days in the Kruger is not a good thing. Elephants are locked like in a zoo and we didn't enjoy it at all.
- The drive night was not with our guide Anthony, but with guides from the Kruger Park. We had to take a bus for 10 persons, and felt like tourists. It was too crowded. It was not so interesting as it's too dark and you can't see animals.
Thanks to Wildlife Safaris for their availability, flexibility and enthousiasm!
20-35 years of age
Uganda
All round great experience. Would recommend to anyone as it was a life changing experience!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the best guides I worked with, ever
Phillip was great from every point of view: organization, site choice, problem solving and group entertaining and communication. A great trip companion with a strong background and a deep passion about nature. I strongly advise you to call them for a trip!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
VW fun!
I took KNT on a safari to Lake Mburo with a few friends.. was a fantastic and memorable trip. The Kombi's are really fun and unique to travel in. The inside was super comfy and the fab sound system meant we could plug in our ipods and listen to whatever we chose. Lounging on the top of the Kombi, drinks in hand, has been by far, my favorite way to go on a game drive. The novelty of the Kombi is icing on the cake--and makes for some great photos too! Rachel and Steven were knowledgeable, friendly and professional in our interactions with them. Thanks KNT!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely Amazing!
Image Travel went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable- they were flexible with our schedules, concerned about our well being and very accommodating! The hotel was incredibly relaxing, and the safari far surpassed our expectations! The only thing I would change is to request a 4 wheel drive vehicle for the drive to the Masai Mara as the roads are incredibly slippery in the rainy season. Besides that, it was perfect!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable trip with Alpha Adventures 6-Day Gorillas And Lions
Before we started our mission to Uganda we contacted Alpha Adventures to organize us a trip before reporting to our work station and On 8th of June 2013 we had a very good accommodation at Cassia lodge,then on 9th June 2013 we took a trip fully organized and managed by Alpha Adventures. Our trip departed from Kampala through the Equator line and with a lot of sightseeing in the crater region – to Queen Elizabeth National Park and we were accommodated at Mweya Safari Lodge. Even so it was supposed to be the rainy season, we experienced only two times a thunderstorm – and what an experience this was, too. The temperature was always perfect, the plants and trees were in blossom, the grass high. We spotted a number of beautiful birds – thank you, Albert -, and all kinds of mammals, including lions, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, and so many other creatures great and small. In addition, the lodges Albert selected for us were all real beauties and at most of them we were just the three of us, so that we could enjoy the sounds of the night, too.
Albert , our guide and also highly specialized in birdwatching, really took care of everything up to the smallest detail: we were pampered. Right from the first email contacts we got a good feeling of Alpha Adventures and the people working there.
Whenever you plan to visit Uganda, we can highly recommend the services of Alpha Adventures and the admirable knowledge on nature and wildlife which our friend Albert has. We traveled already quite a lot before, but never had we felt as good and learned so much about fauna and flora as we did with Albert and Alpha Adventures.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 'Classic Namibia' experience - impossible to fault
A huge thank you to our guide Nick and Nature Travel Namibia for making our trip an unforgettable adventure. From the moment we stepped off the plane to the moment we said goodbye, we loved every second. In such a beautiful country, we couldn't have asked for a better conceived itinerary - our only wish is that we could have stayed longer! Nick was the perfect host with immaculate attention to detail, exceptional knowledge of wildlife and a fantastic sense of humour. From the beautiful and ever changing scenery to hunting around for snakes and lizards with the incredible Tommy on the 'Living Desert' experience, there was always something new to enjoy. We still can't believe how many different and wonderful animals and birds we saw and each new sighting was special, no matter how far - or close! - they were. On our flight home we were already planning our trip back. We couldn't recommend Nature Travel Namibia highly enough. Totally spectacular. Go!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Okavango Delta by Jennifer Baird
Simply beautiful. The mokoro ride is one of the most zen things I've ever done. Anyone that has ever appreciated a bird MUST go to the Okavango. Out of 2 weeks of beautiful sunsets, the ones in the delta were the best.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Moremi Game Reserve by Jennifer Baird
Moremi had the most unique wildlife experiences for me - might have just been luck - but we saw honey badgers, wild dogs and wattled cranes - 3 species I have not seen elsewhere in Africa.