50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding adventure covering Vic Falls, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania
We (being myself, wife 2 daughters, son-in-law and brother) had a simply stunning 3½ week trip through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania covering Vic Falls (including a chopper ride over the Falls), Chobe, Okavango, Amboseli, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Zanzibar. Time was Jan 2014. The younger ones went on to climb Kilimanjaro after.
We booked through Cuan at African Ubuntu Safaris and from the start of planning 2 years before we went, he was just fantastic. We had a rough idea of what we wanted and left it to him to fill in the time and arrange it all. Over that time he tweaked and adjusted the itinerary and the end result was the most memorable trip. Nothing was too much trouble or too trivial.
Cuan recognised that there were some dollar constraints as we were a sizeable party and he took that in his stride. The quoted price included all our excursions, flights and pickups. Apart from additional expenses which Cuan outlined were excluded, his price was fixed and firm. Very comforting to know.
Accommodation was just great-some tented camps and some lodges but all were excellent, tho as requested not 5 star but certainly very comfortable and the staff were happy and sincere in their wish to give us a great experience. (Let me say 5 star is not necessary-they still see the same wildlife!) Not a complaint from anyone on the accommodation score and the meals were all brilliant, notwithstanding they were in some remote places. The organisation was first class-not a hiccup anywhere. The chosen parks all offered different slants on the African game parks and we saw the Big Five in droves plus the migration in the Serengeti was mind bogglingly impressive. Then of course we saw the myriad of other animals and birdlife. If January is the “off season” then go for it. Weather was great (lucky maybe?) and the number of people minimal, even in the Crater.
Cuan’s father Gerald met us in Joburg to store some additional climbing gear for our adult children which was wonderful. But even more wonderful was Cuan’s and his father’s concern and swift action when one of our party developed multiple blood clots in the lung after the Okavango. Gerald organised a doctor’s appointment on the evening of our return and then a specialist appointment the next day. Unfortunately that person was laid up in hospital for 5 days before they could join the rest of us 5 days after that. In that time Cuan's father and his wife visited out sick traveller and made sure all was well and he was comfortable. Cuan meanwhile arranged alternative flights so we could all be together in Zanzibar.
The whole trip went like clockwork and we all had the most wonderful experience with so many memories. Thanks to you Cuan and your parents and the team. Simply the best.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Safari but with problems
I was on safari with Marta. I confirm that we are very badly treated by the owner of this company As a result of our complain about not good service. This would be also confirm by American lady who attended also our safari from the second day. We were as a group of three people. Mr Richard knew the name of the hotel because he gave us the transfer the day before. I tiiped 100 USD for both of them, even we were cheated about the cost of visit Masai village which for us was 100 usd per car, whereas for others 40 usd - we got this information from other tourists on a camp in Serengeti. My suggestion: Think, read a long comment and then decide.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A trip organsied with a friendly, very reactive and efficient team from Falcon Safaris
From the first internet contact, we were taken in hand with quick responses to questions, a good proposal of trips to fit into our schedule and an efficient booking process. The secured credit card payment facility was very reassuring.
Once in Livingstone we were taken in hand and everything was delivered as promised in a very efficient and friendly way. We had a really good guide for the Falls visit, a very relaxed, friendly and interesting Evening River Trip and we maximised the use and value of the time we spent in Zambia.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Highly efficient service and a well-planned trip
My husband and I recently enjoyed a trip to the Okavango Delta and Linyanti regions with Maun based Gondwana Tours & Safaris. In all it was a very well managed trip that followed a very well-thought-out itinerary, thanks to Mark Hathaway. Communication was always quick and responsive during the planning process, and information given was accurate and well-considered. This gave us huge confidence in the company and that everything would go as planned, which it most certainly did. No hiccups at all and we specifically appreciated the personal touch of being met at Maun airport both on the inward and outward journeys. We felt our individual trip objectives as seasoned bush-travellers were fully taken onboard and communicated onward to the camps we visited. As a result we had a fantastic and personalised few days in Botswana and would readily return, utilising the excellent support of Gondwana tours. Highly recommend!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful and informative! Overall excellent service!
The tour we went on was an experience of a lifetime. It was exactly what we were after and had an incredible time.
We will certainly be coming back to African Ubuntu Safaries to organise our next African trip!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great way to experience Africa while camping under the noght sky without the stress of driving any
The service was great. The tour guides made great meals and made a real effort to accomodate everyones need.
Jobovic got us where needed to be at given times.
The tour guides where knowledgeable in their field and share some awesome facts about Nature and Africa
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service and Knowledgeable Guide!
On a family trip to Kenya and Tanzania, we were fortunate to work with Christopher for our time in Tanzania. Christopher picked us up in Arusha and from the moment we were with him, made sure that everything was to our satisfaction. Throughout the trip, he provided detailed and interesting tidbits about the parks and animals and demonstrated clear skill driving a Landcruiser (no easy feat on rough roads!). Always flexible with what we were interested in doing, he nonetheless professionally made suggestions and modifications to ensure we would have the best experiences. As a photographer, I was especially appreciative that Christopher was willing to stop when asked for the occasional scenic picture and animals that we had already seen many times. If I am fortunate enough to come back to Tanzania again, I will be sure to use Chris again and I highly recommend him to anyone that wants a wonderful, private safari experience in the beautiful country of Tanzania.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience with a great team!!!
My friend and I were on a 5 day safari: Lake Manyara (1 night), Serengeti (2 nights including New Year's Eve) and Ngorongoro (1 night). In terms of animals, we saw pretty much everything: the big five, cheetahs, hundreds of hippos, as well as crocodiles. Especially Serengeti and Ngorongoro were astonishingly beautiful!
In Lake Manyara we stayed in fixed tents, while we camped in Serengeti and Ngorongoro at public camp sites. These are great if you are adventurous and looking for the true experience. For intance, in Ngorongoro elephants visited the camp site on several occasions :)!
The whole team was awesome from start to end. "O Senhor" Joao Oliveira (co-owner) was
Extremely helpful in arranging all the details in advance. We emmidiately felt like we had known each other for a long time. Our guide (Simon), driver (Deo) and cook (Fasili) were very professional, yet laid back and fun. In addition to learning a lot about the animals and parks, we were laughing and joking around the entire trip, and felt like the team were old friends. Since you are spending so much time together with the team both during the day, as well as in the evenings, it is very important for the overall experience to have a good relationship with the crew.
Fasili prepared some really good food, especially considering the rather primitive kitchen facilities available in the Savannah. We were pleasantly surprised!
Deo had his guitar with him and we had a blast hanging out with the team over dinner every evening!
Simon was very knowledgable and a great at spotting wildlife.
The binoculars provided by the company were very good.
We highly recommend this company!
It's good to know that the cars take a real beating during the safari, and some minor problems are to be expected. We had minor stuff break several times, but nothing serious that would have stopped our progress. But it's recommended that you have a laid back mindset and attitude when going on a safari
Great Safari, awesome team!
Our entire Safari with Northern Circuit was a blast! We had a great guide a great chef and the itinerary was perfectly chosen. Even after the Safari ended Mike, the owner of Northern circuit, showed himself really helpful and organized our transfer to Lushoto with a local bus company.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Inspiring Adventure
This was our fifth safari and surely the best organized.
Thank you Rose, and thanks to your partners in Namibia and Cape Town.
Namibia isn't maybe the best place for game, but the sceneries are so amazing...From the many countries we have visited , Namibia is without a doubt one of the most beautiful we have seen so far. Thank you Rose for advising Serra Cafema. The flight above the Skeleton Coast and the Kunene River's valley, the landing on that airstrip lost in between immense desert lands, the welcome of Serra Cafema's team, the rooms so well adapted to the surroundings, Josef's Ice tea and his secret recipe, Osco our guide throughout the dunes, and much more...a unique gem for nature lovers...
If you plan a visit to Etosha, we can only advise you to stay at the Fort on the Onguma private reserve. A beautiful and surprising place with a lovely team.Great game. Special thanks to Frederica. And to Friedrich who tried his best to teach us his native Nama language
Special thanks to our pilote Ben Steyn, to whom we wish all the best for 2015...
Ce n'est qu'un au revoir...
Best wishes from Switzerland