CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fly-in Safari in Lemala Camps
I did a fly in safari with it started in africa. They did not provide their services as it was a fly in safari, so lemala camps were handling everything. But regarding the it started in africa team and customer support, everything was brilliant, smooth and fast. Definitely recommended
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Travel Agency You Can Count On!
I'm a published travel and food writer and have traveled extensively all over the world. A few years ago I gave up using American travel agencies because they knew little to none on the tours they were booking. That's when I turned to booking with local agents in the various countries I travel to. First you'll save a whole lot of money and secondly if you encounter any difficulties in your travel plans it's nice to have "feet on the ground". In my case Michelle and Brett were there to handle a travel plan change quickly and efficiently.
On our recent trip to South Africa our travel plans when seamlessly without a hitch. Every recommendations that Sun Sarfaris made were spot on! Do yourself a favor and don't hesitate to use this company. They're can be trusted to deliver. Also don't get caught up on some of the bad reviews on Trip Advisor…everybody has their own personal expectations and when it comes to travel half of them are ridiculous!
Alan
Florida USA
Shadows of Africa organized a perfect, custom tour through the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater.
We did not know anyone who could make a referral for a tour operator, and even with research felt some trepidation about choosing an operator online. But we did, and the experience was beyond our expectations. The company, Shadows of Africa, organized everything from our airport pickup to our hotel in Nairobi, arranged for transportation to Arusha where we began our 6 day tour with our guide, Moody. All of the lodging, food, and the experience itself was perfect. We saw wildlife from morning till the end of the day. We stayed in tents two nights - "glamping" - and were treated to a surprise 'happy hour' in the setting sun and tall grasses near our camp, with singing and spear throwing lessons by our Masaii hosts. It was the most unforgettable experience and I would recommend that anyone considering a safari - contact Shadows of Africa. They made sure we were fully prepared for the trip down to the smallest detail.
SK
50-65 years of age
Excellent services
I took a Kilimanjaro climb this January with Shadows of Africa. While other providers did not even bother with answer to my requests for quotation, SoA staff was always welcoming and ready to provide all information I requested with no delay. My supporting team during the climb lead by Amir as my mountain guide was extremly helpful, ready to meet my requirements anytime. Thanks to them was my successful climb a lot easier.
I highly recommend! Thank you SoA!
True experts in Botswana
I highly recommend Safari Specialists for all your planning needs in southern Africa! They are knowledgeable, friendly, responsive, and reasonably priced. I was able to provide them with a rough idea of the things we wanted to see and do and they developed a very detailed and incredible trip itinerary. It is hard to find the right company so give Safari Specialists a shot!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mt Kilimanjaro
In March this year I took on the challenge of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro . I did the climb using Kurt Safari and as a novice climber I'm glad that I did . A few months before the climb Kurt made sure that I was fully prepared by giving me invaluable information which included training advice , a comprehensive list of equipment , clothing and medication / first aid needed in order for me to summit successfully . During the climb the guides and porters were fantastic. They made sure that we were as comfortable as possible at the camp sites and the cook prepared food that was both nutritious and tasty . The porters ability to rush ahead of us carrying our heavy supplies in order to set up camp before we got there was astonishing . Even though the guides have done this climb many times before they still have a love for the climb and the mountain that is infectious and this certainly rubbed off on the rest of us . All in all this was a great adventure made even more memorable by the experience and guidance of Kurt Safari . Highly recommended .
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not recommenable at all
I booked a 4-days-Safari to Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park and ended up doing the tour with a very friendly french family. At first, also the owner of the company seemed to be a nice guy. Later that turned out to be a false first impression.
The first day we stayed in small bomas, the dinner was reasonable and their was enough food.
We found out the next morning that a another guy would join us for the next three days. Unfortunatly, we had to wait for him, which delayed our drive to the next park, but was of course not the fault of the very friendly south korean guy, who told us that he actually didn't book his safari with the same company we did. Before he joined us, we also spend about an hour at a garage to get the shocker of the jeep repeared.
The time we spend in the parks was great, we saw many animals and really enjoyed it. The smallest problem we had, was that the zippers of the tents that the safari company provided couldn't be closed. One of the things we really got annoyed about was that the driver and the cook didn't stick to the programm which was given to us when me made the booking. One morning, we should have left at six, but they said seven would be early enough because we would have been at another park to early. This would have ment an extra payment, as it was planned for us to stay until afternoon the next day (as you might know the entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours) and only goes to show that the programm was actually full of promises that weren't kept.
Another problem was the fact that there was not enough food for 5 people. When we came to the campsites after a long day, we had to wait for our food for more than an hour twice, while all the other travellers from other companies were already served. It made me upset, when the cook even delayed our moring game drive because he obivously didn't get up early enough to prepare breakfast. The portions were small and compared to what we were served the first evening and what people from other budget safari tours were having, the choice was too.
Also, I had the impression that our driver had no idea where he was going and didn't seem to have control over the car at all. On the way out of the Serengeti we almost overturned after a speed bump and drove into the bushes. How could the driver or the cook even dare to ask for a tip after their services had been so horrible?
When we came back to Arsuha and spoke to Ibrahim, the owner of the company, he wouldn't even listen to us. I was in his office with the french lady and her son. The cook had been taking pictures of some rice and a tiny bit of sauce we left over, so Ibrahim shouted at us and said we were lying when saying there was not enough food. He wouldn't even listen when we told him that we didn't finsh the food because their was no meat, no vegetables, barely some sauce and only this pile of rice left over. It was not possible to have a proper conversion with him and after he had called me a "bitch"and said "fuck you" to me, I decided to leave the office, because this was just getting ridiculous. The french lady asked me to stay which was not a good idea at all, because Ibrahim got very aggressive. We asked him again to stop shouting at us and really felt like I was in kindergarten. When I told him he was behaving like a child, he got up, took my glasses, cracked them into pieces and threw them on the floor. He even shouted silly things about us being christans, complained about us using up to much of the milk powder, claimed he had never had any complaints like this and reproached us for having too high expectations concerning the food. I really could't believe it! Just because he didn't want to take the critism of his clients serious, especially not from a white yound lady, he got violent. Moreover, he pushed the french lady out his office and might have broke her arm. I didn't find out, because they left the next morning.
I haven't experienced anything like that in the last 7 months in Tansania and Uganda. Next time I would definetly spend a hundred dollars more to avoid this kind of hassle. There is still no guarantee that everything will work out fine then, but I think in this case it's worth spending a little bit more money!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fun family holiday in Vic Falls
We had excellent service from start to finish. Everything was meticulously planned, clearly explained and ran smoothly. Our tour operator was even in cell phone contact for the duration of our trip in case we had any problems.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Alfred is AWESOME!
I booked two safaris and a Kilimanjaro climb package, with Alfred . He organized everything and things went much better than I had expected. I am a person with very high expectations and Alfred far exceeded my them. I highly recommend Bencia Africa Adventure And Safaris. Book with them and you will not be disappointed.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We want to go again!!
Our 10 day trip, comprised of 3 couples (ages 30 something to 60 something), was arranged by a member who had previous travel experience with Odyssey Safaris—a positive experience, needless to say. Our trip was designed to experience the highlights of South Africa and Zimbabwe, along with some personal picks. Mark Cahill had the itinerary and details customized to everyone’s satisfaction prior to departure and the travel arrangements- –pick-ups, transfers, tours, accommodations--went very well from there. The tour included Cape Town, Peninsula and wine country, Victoria Falls, day and night safaris, and a short elephant safari. Our drivers and tour guides were always on time, ready to share information about their country, and ensure that our experiences were meaningful, enjoyable, and safe. We were enthralled by the accommodations at Mjejane River Lodge overlooking the Crocodile River. Our young safari tour guide’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the abundant wildlife and their relationship with their habitat in Kruger National Park definitely added to our amazing time there. We found free time to seek out street markets in Cape Town and Zimbabwe. Weather conditions scuttled a balloon ride, but our disappointment was quickly forgotten because a spectacular helicopter ride over Victoria Falls was substituted, which is very worthwhile to do. Flying with South African and British Airways, one still has food and beverages included in the coach ticket price--something that you don't find with U.S. domestic flights anymore. Plus, we found the South African food and wine to be great and quite reasonable! So many special memories, but seeing a herd of elephants, along with their calves, drinking at the edge of the Zambesi river at dusk and seeing Victoria Falls from the ground and air are at the forefront. You will be well pleased choosing Odyssey Safaris as your tour designer and operator.