Ngorongoro: East Africa in a nutshell
I visited Ngorongoro Crater for one day in March 2015, towards the end of a two-week safari tour offered by a large American tour company. Ngorongoro Crater felt like a miniaturized version of the whole safari, with most of the good parts concentrated down into a convenient small package. The view from the crater edge was spectacular- a vast, flat plain flanked by steep rocky walls, with clouds hugging the crater rim. Although my visit was just before the rains came, the floor was fairly lush in places, with pools supporting hippos and waterbirds, and a salt lake with flamingoes. During the one day, I saw most of the classic East African large mammals in the crater- elephant, Cape buffalo, hippo, lion, wildebeest, zebra, many different antelopes, etc. A pack of hyenas managed to take down a young wildebeest, and proceeded to quarrel over the spoils. A bull elephant came to the water pool to drink, and, unable to walk directly down the steep bank into the water, he carefully lowered himself onto his front knees and slid down on his belly! The birding in the crater was excellent; highlights included both Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Hunter's Sunbird, Abdim's Stork, Fan-tailed Widowbird, and Grey Crowned Crane. Overall, Ngorongoro Crater is a great place to view East African mammals and birds in a beautiful, not-too-crowded environment.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Uganda by Debbie Stewart
The Country is so lush and green and is packed full of wildlife wherever you look. The rolling hills and mountain scenery is stunning to wake up to, it's not over crowded and the lodges are all small taking on only a handful of guests at a time. There are birds galore even just in the hotels surrounding gardens and numerous other reptile, butterfly and primate species just doing what it does everyday and you get a real feel of nature and serenity.
Review about Tanzania by Baltimore Bob
This was my first visit to Africa, so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I found Tanzania to be as wonderful as I was expecting it to be. My final tally after two weeks was 180 bird species and 35 mammal species, and these impressive totals are hardly unusual. The parks are largely unspoiled, and if you travel in the low season (I went in early March, which is a slow period) you don't have to worry about the overcrowding that can happen in the more popular parks. (All the safari drivers talk to each other by radio to report interesting sightings, so when something exciting is seen there can be a minor traffic jam. The closest to that that I saw was at a kopje where a mother leopard was playing with her two cubs; about ten safari vehicles gathered at the base to watch her. But most of the time, we could drive along and not see any other vehicles.)
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Erica is outstanding and has planned numerous safaris for me
Wow! Where to start and how to describe the wonderful and outstanding help Erica has provided me for trips to Botswana and Namibia and Zambia. Erica has planned numerous safaris for me and is ALWAYS available and is incredibly responsive. She's got a great team that will meet and greet you and make your trip seamless. For first time safari goers you can absolutely trust Erica and can feel comfortable she has your best interest in mind. Most importantly, she will plan and design a safari that's right for YOU. Her first priority is to her customers. She's also got extensive experience and has been to almost all the camps in the delta. Even after planning a half a dozen safaris for me I still experience something new each time i return. Enjoy the trip, Glen Weaver.
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It was one of my excellent adventure.
I did not realize the pleasure of visiting the great hidden features of Mt,Kenya with excellent guidance and the help of The Kay Adventure Tours.With my friend Roman from Netherlands,we spend 2 nights at Serena Mountain Lodge and later spent 3 nights at Aberdares Tree Top Lodge.
The choice made by The lead Consultant Manager Madam Moureen was really relevant to our tour plan.
She is an experienced,good customer service,and offered excellent airport transfer from Moi International Airport.
She also organized for us a nice Van.It was an excellent safari
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Traveling w/Open Heart was a community connected, heart centered ultimate animal kingdom experience!
From beginning to end I felt safe and well taken care of by Tom and Laura and all the people they contracted with; from drivers, lodges and local villages to internal air travel and eateries. After a day of regrouping, at a beautiful lodge near the airport, from a long day of travel; our second day- first day of Safari was so memorable. I remember thinking I could go home now and the travel would be totally worth it! The sound in the air, the color of the sky and the abundant variety of wild animals was more than I could have ever imagined! The crazy thing is- it only got better: each day unfolded to awe me in it's own unique way. One early morning an elephant strolled by my tent and stopped to graze on the tree right in front of me, monkeys foraged around the camp and hippos sang in the river. A unique aspect of Open Heart Safari is their grassroots community efforts and the connection with the locals. One night we visited and stayed over night in huts at a traditional village. The adults were welcoming, children playful, and the food delicious. Africa was a musical menagerie. Its a memory I will carry with me always.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Botswana's Green Season Highlights
We spent 8 nights in Botswana on a fly-in-safari visiting various camps at different locations. Each of the 3 camps was just wonderful with very attentive staff, great activities and the locations, including games, accommodation, food, etc. were just great.
Everything from start to finish was very well organised and we always felt well locked after.
Thanks for that
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant tour and guide
Would thoroughly recommend the Armadillo Safari tours. It is a great experience, made all the better by Chris’ enthusiasm and eagle eyed sight (and ability to sight eagles) while out on the trail.
The custom built ‘Truck Norris’ is a great vehicle to go on safari in – high off the ground it’s perfect to see over the scrub and other vehicles and take some great photos, and with space for enough beer to make sure one’s camera is never perfectly focused. I spent the first day marveling at the Truck rather than what was out of the window. Really enjoyed our trip, and great to have such a knowledgeable and friendly guide (who also makes one mean Thai curry). Thanks Chris.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great wildlife to photo - great guides!
We went with friends to tour the major parks in Kenya, and our guides were fantastic. Very thoughtful, they knew where to go to get great photo shots of animals, and went out of their way to take care of us. I happened to forget my camera's recharger in a hotel room early in the tour... I called the hotel and they found it, so our Image Travel tour guides made arrangements and delivered to me before my batteries ran out. This is saying A LOT considering the traffic and the roads! I would have been sick to have missed all the great photo shots, but they made sure all was taken care of. We thoroughly enjoyed the guides, the parks, the narration... everything. Couldn't be happier.
IS
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My Safari tour with Eastern Sun Tours & Safaris was great and big adventure with great guide.
Very good communications and service from Mercy. It fulfilled all my expectations. The safari tour was on big adventure with great guide, Richard Nicholas, and he served us also very well. I give recommend to Eastern Sun Tours. Thank you all :-) Greetings from Iceland.
Thorbjorg Kolbeinsdottir