US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We still talk daily about this fantastic trip!!!
We decided to book with Duma after reading Tripadvisor reviews and exchanging e-mails with Duma and a few other tour operators out of Arusha. We felt Duma best offered the type of trip we were looking for, and were easiest to work with, compared to other tour companies we contacted. We not only got the trip we had dreamed of, but even more than we anticipated. A friend of mine who had been on safari in Tanzania a couple of times, plus several other African safaris, suggested an itinerary that focused mainly on the Serengeti, and less (or no) time at other standard places to see. Stacy not only worked with us on that itinerary, but made suggestions that enhanced our plans. We wanted to splurge to do a balloon ride one day, but were willing to sacrifice in other areas to keep our budget in line. Stacy was fantastic at getting to understand us, and make appropriate suggestions for us, to allow us to do just that. Also, we had done a lot of research on Tripadvisor about the various camps in the Serengetti, Tarangire, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Stacy adapted our plans so that we could stay at the camps we felt strongly about, and provided what proved to be sound advice, about some of the other camps we considered. She was even able to get us into a particular tent at one camp - one that was farthest from the dining area, with a view unavailable to other tents. For the record, we stayed in Tarangire at the Tarangire Safari Lodge, we stayed in Serengeti at Duma's Chaka camp, Buffalo Luxury Camp, and Lemala Mara camp, and lastly at Ngorongoro Crater we stayed at the Sopa Lodge.
Being a rather anal engineer, I had many detailed questions about all kinds of things that would pop into my head during our planning, and then after our booking. I am used to planning for contingencies in my job, and many of my questions had to do with oddball "what if" scenarios. We booked our trip in Feb 2014, and until we arrived in Arusha in Oct 2014, I was sending Stacy these types of questions, which she always answered promptly and pleasantly.
Once we landed at Kilimanjaro Airport, the rest of our two weeks in Tanzania was as worry free as could be. Everything went as smoothly as possible. The accommodations were amazing. I gained weight at every camp, because the food was so good (the soups as the first course of most meals was incredible). Duma even made sure we had very little rain during the rainy season!
But, the main reason we booked a safari was to see wildlife, and boy did we see wildlife!! Our terrific guide was Michael Mlolo; a guide with 30 years of experience! He was not only a great guide for the big game (we saw over 100 lions, 11 cheetahs, 5 leopards, and 4 rhinos), but he knew every bird that we saw, and was patient spelling the names so that my wife could write these names down. When we got home, we started going through our photos and tagging them with the different species - we have not found a single instance where Michael's identification does not match what we confirmed on the Web. Michael is a very kind man, but also very protective. And, although we did not leave fluent in Swahili, Michael would always share Swahili words for things with us (Duma for instance is the word for Cheetah!). I'm sure there are plenty of good guides at Duma, but Michael Mlolo must certainly be the best one!! Absolutely, if we ever make it back to Tanzania, we will book with Duma, and request our new friend Michael to be our guide again.
Dream Trip #Os5emAfrica #SafariDurao
We had the best holiday ever! It was fantastic, a 6 day Safari adventure followed by 4 days soaking in the sun on the perfect Island of Zanzibar.
Thank you João Oliveira for the perfect programme. You gave us a bit of everything. From the Tented Camp to the perfect lodge. Wouldn't change a thing.
Special thanks to our driver Dickson Madiwa. He put up with our mad family of 5, and just sang along.... The best!
If you want to see more, check some of our photos on instagram #Os5emAfrica #SafariDurao
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
100% recommend
We stayed a week on safari with them and it was all perfect. I hired by email and answer at the time. 100% recommend they arranged an extension of six days to zanzibar with all transfers and hotel and it was spectacular.
Very happy with them.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Africa- 2015
Outstanding event with a guide that had the patience & experience to know how to get us up close to the animals for some fantastic photos. Good food with minimal concerns for proper sanitation. Really appreciated the guide stepping in on negotiations for art purchases to work down the price using the local language.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Cape to Addo national Park with the owner and guide. Highly recommended.
My wife and I went on a private tour with Craig, the owner and guide of his tour company, what a wonderful,intelligent and highly knowledgeable chap, we could discuss any subject whether it be the ecologically sensitive Knysna lagoon, the price of property or the political situation.
Accommodation was in ''charming'' friendly establishments, including a private ''lodge'' in the Addo National Park. I highly recommend this tour for it's huge diversity, value for money and Craig's personal touch. Bravo Craig I know Southern Africa tours will grow from strength to strength.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Enjoyable, interesting and often exciting encounters.
My 8 day "Cheetah Safari" certainly lived up to any expectations I had.
In the main, accommodation was very good to excellent, as was their food and service. Our driver/guide was most genial, helpful, efficient .... and good fun! Maximum use was made of areas visited and time spent in each location. As a result animals "performed" accordingly with sightings of a leopard close up, a number of black rhino and a river crossing, as well as many lions, elephants, cheetahs, wildebeest, jackals etc. Special arrangements were also made so that I could visit the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi (an inclusion at the end of the tour) before catching an early flight. This African Encounter is thoroughly recommended.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Second safari and just as fantastic as the first
This was the second safari we did with East African Safari and Touring Company (Eastco) and the trip was just as good as the first.
We went on our honeymoon with Eastco and on this trip I took my parents. I had emailed a few other companies for quotes but the communication I received from David was excellent, really quick to reply, and very willing to answer any and all my questions.
The trip did live up to our expectations and in many areas exceeded it.
The wildlife of course was a highlight, as was the interaction with the guide, the Masai at Tarangire and the Tingatinga artist at Boundary Hill Mr Nchimbi.
Boundary Hill Lodge was special, beautiful views, wildlife, being able to go for a bush walk and night drive all added to the experience of this quiet, well managed lodge.
We also stayed at Ol Tukai beautiful and quiet as well on the shores of Lake Manyara.
The wildlife lodge at Ngorongoro had beautiful views but as expected with a lodge of this size the food was very good but not excellent. The view and easy access to the crater made up for it.
In the Serengeti we slept in Eastco's own camp ensuite shower and toilet and perfect locations to catch the wildebeest birth.
If you have not seen the calving, with hyena and lion, vultures and jackals you should go, it is an amazing experience. Even though we had been before we probably enjoyed the trip and wildlife better this time round.
I would recommend a Tanzania safari and you can't go wrong with Eastco.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience
Wild wings are exceptional. Communication with Gavin during the booking stage was excellent with prompt replies to any questions. The safari itself was beyond our expectations. Simon was our guide and it was a privilege to share his passion and knowledge of wildlife. He was no ordinary guide and went the extra miles and hours to ensure we had as many sightings as possible. Our feet literally didn't touch the ground as if Simon had news of a sighting we were on our way - siesta or no siesta - we weren't there to sleep! Simon is also a great cook and entertaining company. When looking for a safari company we think we found a jewel in wildwings and highly recommend them.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Aardvark Expeditions , the best choice :)
We have been to Tanzania, in Oct 2014 with only 2 goals in our mind: have fun and enjoy safari. If the first goal was our responsibility, a group of 10 joyful people, the second one was only possible with the greatest account of Aardvark Expeditions team. We left Arusha in 2 cars, each having a guide and a chef. Apart following their job description, they were so friendly and funny which made the good bye more painful. The guides were very well informed, and we did learn a lot, they knew the 'lucky spots' in the savannah where we could enjoy the view of wild animals and somehow, they made us feel safe in the camp when the night was falling and the wild beasts were pinpointing their red eyes at us, behind the bushes. The itinerary is established from the beginning, depending on how many days you want to spend in the safari, but at the same time they were very flexible with our requests, for example, when we asked to stop and visit a maasai village or, to go on the opposite way so we can buy some souvenirs from a local market. The food was excellent, we had 3 meals/day and the soups were memorable :) Our tour included, a maasai village, Manyara Lake camping for one night in tents with beds, Ngorongoro Crater, camping on the rim of the volcano, Serengeti National Park, camping in a very nice and quite private camp, Victoria Lake and visiting a fishing village and eventually they drove us to Mwanza, so we can carry on our adventure.
I would strongly recommend Aardvark Expeditions for anyone who wants to mix safari adventure and fun.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Ouganda will be in my heart forever thanks to Matoke Tour
Well having just spent 3 weeks in Ouganda, I must say it has been BEYOND my expectations and Matoke tour has definitely something to do with that feeling.
We visited with their recommandations all the possible highlights, staying in the most beautiful places nature wise , it was a great mix of safari, roads used by very few tourists, boat safaris, Sippi falls, Nile rafting, Kibale forest with the chimpanzes, Mutanda Lake and the gorilla tracking. We went round the country in a really cool 4x4 and the driver was very safe on the sometimes very bumpy and difficult roads. His service was perfect! Always on time, very friendly and fun and making contact with the locals really eased the relationship to people. Matoke could even organise us to visit the secluded far North tribe of the Karamanjong which was A highlight.
We could relay on Matoke tour at every moment, the head office was always there for questions or details to sort along the trip.
We had the best conditions to visit Ouganda , because we felt they love to share their enthusiasm and love about Ouganda. So I can only recommend Matoke highly. Thanks to the head manager Vim and our driver Franck !!