Shamwari has changed a lot, very much for the better, since I was last there in 1998.
Long Lee Manor in Shamwari is a luxurious lodge with excellent facilities and very friendly staff. Shamwari Reserve itself is around 25k hectares now and perhaps double the size since we were there last, in 1998. Wild cats are now free in the reserve; they weren't in 1998. The quantity of game to be seen, very often with only our vehicle present, was superb, both large and small (the jackal pups? cubs? we saw beside their den were entrancing); elephants were to be seen frequently, and close up without being hassled and unconcerned by our presence. We were also lucky enought to see a pair of cheetah brothers make a kill, again very close, and on another occasion an unbothered leopard came out of a thicket and went round our vehicle before going back into another thicket. Our ranger was very alert to what we wanted to see, and while radio communication with other rangers back and forth could sometimes be intrusive, I guess it was necessary to locate where particular groups of animals were to be found. I suppose the big surprise was the number of rhino to be seen, including a few black rhino, though rhino are not my favourite species. We were there for four nights, but still didn't cover all the ground - which is very varied from open plains to bush to wooded valleys. Getting up at 5 a.m. every day is tiring but very much worth it(!) though on reflection and from my notes (I kept a daily diary) I think we saw more in the afternoon/early evening drives. Although there are another four or five lodges on the property, we did not often see other vehicles out on drives, and being a private reserve there were no local tourist vehicles as there are, say, in the Kruger. One final point - Shamwari has a tie up with the Born Free Foundation and their visitor centre in the reserve is well worth a visit.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The bookings went well, and local flights arranged which I would have found very difficult to do.
Communications with Giltedge Africa (formerly Southern Africa Travel) were mostly by e-mail with prompt and helpful responses. There were also some necessary telephone calls which were fine. The programme, largely planned by me, was implemented successfully. The two safari lodges, both of which I had been to before [but one not for 16 years], were as expected, perhaps more so. I had arranged the flights from the UK myself but all the internal arrangements, internal flight reservations, lodge bookings, transfers etc in South Africa were down to Southern Africa Travel and there were no problems with them, and although one of the internal airlines changed its flight to Jo'burg, Giltedge Africa were "on the ball" and notified us of the change in good time. All in all I would have no hesitation in recommending the company. However, because I knew what I wanted to do and where to go, I didn't ask Southern Africa Travel to make any recommendations so I can't comment on that aspect of their operations.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour operator!
We obtained a Safari package for 2 people via Guilt City. Odyssey Safaris, the tour operator, did an absolute amazing job to assure that we were satisfied with the tour. Most notably, they were very supportive when our scheduled flight from the USA was canceled due to mechanical problems. Because of the flight issues, we arrived a day later in Nairobi. Yet, Odyssey managed to rearranged everything (hotels, guide) so we did not miss out during our tour. We stayed a day later than planned and got the full tour as described in the itinerary. In addition, Odyssey was supportive when a optional event was billed incorrectly by a third party. They were instrumental in assuring that the billing issue was rectified. Finally, the choice of accommodations and the quality of the guide made the whole safari very enjoyable. We recommend Odyssey for their Safari tour because they back their customers when needed and offer a quality tour package.
RO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Never again with Lilac Adventures Limited from Kenya, known also as East Africa Holidays!
We contracted them for a safari in Kenya and Tanzania in July 2014. In Tanzania our fundamental rights have been put at risk by being forced to drive in the dark, to remain without fuel in the savanna, very far from the lodge, just before the sunset, to be forced to use a broken and technically precarious and unsafe car and so on. To any of our or driver phone calls it was no answer from the company! We can easily say: we have been abandoned!
During the 4 days for which we paid luxury conditions, we experienced hours of waiting at the border for the car that was supposed to transfer us to the first location, one day without food, no visits at the Maasai village in Serengeti, no visit to the Old Uvai, although both included in the safari cost, and all in all, the game drives rendered to us could be counted as lasting only for one day instead of the four we paid. We have been spent the rest of the days waiting for payments never done in time or for repairing the car or even worse waiting for someone to tow the car without fuel in the middle of nowhere, but plenty of wild animals ready for hunting!
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari
My wife and I had a fantastic tour for eight Days. We started in Tsavo and Went on to Amboseli and Masai Mara and a bit more. Our guide was great and we had the luxury to have the car for ourselves, which I believe made a big difference. All the lodgings were fine! I can only recommend KET to others.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible time in South Africa on trip organized by Tailor Made Safaris
This was probably the best vacation we ever had. We hate guided tours but wanted a trip where hotels/cars, etc. was pre-arranged. We couldn't have been more pleased with the accomodations, vehicle, food, safaris and personalized service of Tailor Made staff (thanks Nick, Freya & Claire). Claire met us in St. Lucia and Nick met us at Royal Natal Park.
South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are great places to visit; people were so friendly, we felt very safe and the scenery is incredible. Favorite spots: Royal Natal Park (the view from our room was incredible), Sani Pass in Lesotho and the 3 days we spent in Little Bush Camp (we saw so many animals including lions, cheetahs & leopards).
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Ultimate safari experience
I have traveled to Uganda now three time and would say that the service provided by Michael was outstanding. He is safe, friendly,reliable and above all the best wildlife guide I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We will be using him again and will be recommending aroundafricasafari.com to all family and friends
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great experience
Southern Africa Travel (Giltedge) was so helpful in booking our trip to South Africa (which was also our honeymoon)! They listened to our wants and helped us plan the trip exactly as we wanted. We had a great time and loved all of the places we stayed!
NG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hustle-free Holiday
The best experience ever with a tours company. Hustle-free and affordable
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Marvelous and wonderful safari
I wanted a holiday of a lifetime and I got it. Go 2 Africa luxury safaris organised an awesome trip and handled everything more profesinal giving me great peace of mind as a first time travel we were making to Africa. This was very much important to me. We came to know this company through a friend who had really high value for them after taking the trip with them last month.
We got into contact with Derick, who is always on his mails, the mailing response was amazing, quitefast, the much detailed and specific answers to our millions of questions. From our conversation we did gain trust in this company and paid our lodge safari trip both Kenya and Tanzania for 9 days all at once, Confirmation of the trip sent to us and that was the end of our worry.
As soon as we arrived in Nairobi, simon and the guide Gordon was already there to meet us at the airport and were fantastic from start to finish. The driver/guides were courteous and friendly with clean and well maintained vehicles.one could tell some of them were very new, fantastic and very knowledgable guides.
Both of them had a fantastic way of over delivering, on every game drive we did see a lot of wildlife, birds and even the hunting going on. I knew we were in for a good trip when we did see the big 5 in the first 2 days. Iseeing cheetah were a major highlight for me as I’d always wanted to see them in the wild. I wasn’t expecting to see big five but Gordon had his own way of ensuring we get the best and the big five were all there during our safari trip.we did part of the great migration which has to be seen to be believed
The lodges both in Kenya and Tanzania (Lake Manyara Serena, Serengeti Sopa, Ngorongoro Sopa and Tarangire Sopa )were all excellent accommodations with very good food, excellent staff.
The other main highlight had to be the balloon ride over Amboseli, extrimly awesome and quite a thrilling experience, . It’s an experience that I’ll never forget and will always reccomend this company for any one who would love to feel the magic of Adventure. .it was fantastic and I’d love to come back at some stage