50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A must with Bernhard Bekker
I am a photographer first and foremost, I met Bernhard Bekker some 5 Years ago, every time I Visit the Kruger, I drop Bernhard an email. Bernhard goes out of his way for me to get the shot and ensures the sun is in the right place. From great Sunrise shots to game and Sunsets. Pick the Animal you would like to photograph and Bernard will find it traveling a hundred Kilomaters if Neccessary, his bird knowledge is exceptional and is able to play you the exact song or chirps on his phone,sometimes the birds respond in Song. This is a truly amazing experience! And if after reviewing shots utilizing the incorrect white Balance or the shot is not sharp Bernard will turn around and go back. Sometimes he will patiently wait for 20 vehicles to move so you can get the shot or see that leopard. Nothing is a burden for Berhard, who is a well mannered gent, respect is earned and Bernard has my utmost respect with his years of Knowledge and stories he is able to relate. Most important is he is able to predict Animal behavior and keep you safe during your safari. That to me is the most important aspect to any Safari! I will certainly utilize Bernhard in the future and highly recommend him. Should you require memories Bernhard will take photos for you too, Do tip him for the Photos as Bernhard is required to purchase his own equipment each year and do take a Fast SD card for him to record your Safari.
US
20-35 years of age
The Malcolm & Simba 4x4 Tours and Safaris experience
Thank you Malcolm (the best expeditioner and tour guide of the South of Africa) for putting together this incredible trip, from camping in the wild in Hganwe and navigating the Chobe river in Botswana to Helicopter rides and Bungee Jumping over Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, we never thought we would have enjoyed such a good time, great barbecue and infinite amount of laughs. At the end of some trips you just want to go home and others you want to do them all over again, this is one of those. Thank you for everything and especially for the Malcolm Effect!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I had my fair share in traveling
How can I squeeze all the great experiences into that small place ?
My expectation was high - very high. As a child Africa were in my dream destination and now I'm 57.
My friend and I after many mounts of planning decided on African Ubuntu Safaris.
E-mails, phone calls went back and ford and Cuan "worked for his money".
My friend and I are photographers there for it was important where and when.
Eventually we finalized everything and arrived in Der Salam Tanzania - that is where all the positive surprise started....
I could wright a short assay and itemize each service experience - but let me just say this I had my fair share in traveling but African Ubuntu Safaris surprised me every step in a good way and big time !!! Will going with those guys again ? - you bet !!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing trip
I chose Focus in Africa to climb Kili and for a 4 day Safari and was extremely satisfied.
I climbed on my own with Speight as my guide. He was great and supported me all the way and espiecially on the last 7 hours to the summit, not letting me give up. We arrived in time for the sunrise, was fabulous.
I had also 4 porters and one cook, Johnny managed to prepare me the most excellent fresh food even with conditions that aren't easy, you have more than enough to keep you going on the hill. They were an excellent, professional team for a very good price.
For the safari, we were a group of 4 with Hermann as guide and William as cook. Again, it was excellent. Hermann always manages to spot the animals and so we all came back with beautiful memories. William is an excellent cook and you are always looking forward to the next meal with him.
So don't hesitate, Focus in Africa was for me the best !!
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Many thanks to Fantastic Safari
“Our sincere thanks and congratulations to Fantastic Safaris. Our 7 days private safari in Tanzania was fantastic in each and every aspect. The hotels were excellent. The driver was fantastic and pleasant, well informed and friendly.
CH
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks to Wonderland Tours
Before I left, friends and family told me this could be the trip of a lifetime. Thanks to Wonderland Tours, it was. Their excellence was apparent from the start, with swift answers to all our questions. The vehicle was better than any others we saw. Our guide was knowledgeable and as interested in what we were seeing as we were, even taking his own photos. Perhaps most importantly, they included unique, non-commercialized cultural experiences: a morning hunt with the bushmen, and a day with a Maasai family still living in the old ways.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Impeccable organisation and delivery. Loved every second of our honeymoon!
Encompass Africa handled our safari and scuba diving honeymoon to Kenya and Tanzania. Their assistance and sound knowledge in the planning stages was greatly appreciated - I liked that they didn't just come up with Option A and nothing else, we were presented with numerous and varied options to choose from. Their enthusiasm and excitement for the itinerary they had created was contagious and from the moment we landed in Nairobi it was smooth sailing the whole time. The camps they chose suited us perfectly. Expectations exceeded!
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wildlife experience in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Encompass Africa showed great initiative in interpreting our wishes and developing locations and itinerary to suit our budget. The result was a twelve-day trip that included Kruger Park in Mpumalanga, Hluhluwe and Lake St Lucia in Kwazulu Natal, Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. For this trip, the communications and detail beforehand were clear and thorough and on the ground in Africa it all happened as planned. The wildlife experiences on the ground were truly highlights of a lifetime, and the professionalism of the guides provided were an important part of this. We would not hesitate to use Encompass Africa again and commend them to other Africa visitors.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
dodgiest tour operator ever, do not book under any circumstances!!!!!
We were in a group of 7 so my review is the same as the other you will see posted here. Do not book with this man, he will ruin your African Safari Experience. We booked with Image Travel in March 2014 for a 10 day Masai/Serengeti Safari commencing Sep 2014. Paid for the tour in full prior to arriving. Mwanje, the owner, was great to deal with when booking but it all went horribly wrong on arrival. Our driver wasn't paid and we were stranded on the side of the road for 3 hours on the first day. We missed our afternoon game drive and lunch. We went for the 5 star option so for our group we paid over $30k USD for the whole trip. Our first night of accommodation was paid for but after that the next 9 nights had not been paid. The deposit was paid but the remaining amounts were all outstanding. We ended up having to report the matter to police and found that over $20k of the trip had to be paid for again. Our once in a lifetime trip was turned into an absolute nightmare by Mwanje and Image Travel. Mwanje would not respond to our calls or emails. Take my advice and go with another company.
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great adventure!
The whole trip was very well arranged. The safari, in particular was a great experience as the guides were very knowledgeable and did their best to ensure we had a good time. The staff back at Mdonya Old River Camp were very hospitable and the food was delicious. It was nice to meet other travellers from all over the world around a camp fire and this trip really did give us the full bush experience. Would definitely recommend booking with Karibu as they take care of everything. All you have to do is show up!