IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kilimanjaro Climb Is Amazing with Landside Adventures
My wife and and I submitted Kilimanjaro when using Landside Adventures as our guide/tour company. They did a great job, have experienced guides that really do make a positive difference.
They bring dining tent, bathroom tent to make the trip very pleasurable and not hard core camping that you're fending for yourself. They bring treats (popcorn, biscuits, tea/coffee await you at each day's climb end is just one of their nice touches.
Really good company to climb Kili with.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brights get it right
We had a wonderful experience with Bright African Safaris undertaking a 7 day climb of Mt Kilimanjaro and a 7 day safari that encompassed Tarangire National Park, Ngorogoro Crater and Conservation area, and the famed Serengeti. Brights were incredibly trustworthy, which was a big thing for me undertaking my first African adventure.
We (my 2 teenage sons and I ) felt very safe at all times with our chief guides Habib on the mountain and Othman on our safari, whilst we were still able to experience at very close hand the African culture, lifestyle and of course the abundant wildlife.
We had an unforgettable trip and a huge thankyou to Brights for making it happen.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Finding birds and relaxation in Kenya!
We had 9 days after a meeting in Nairobi, and wanted to see animals and countryside, with a focus on birds. E-Trip Africa arranged for a wonderful driver, Moses Kangara, and 4 bookings of 2 nights each (we wanted to be able to relax and listen to sounds and enjoy the wonderful places we were booked at, not just spend all that money to sleep). Making the arrangements on line was so easy, as the E-Trip folks were very responsive as the trip planning evolved. Every thing was much, much better than I imagined.
We stayed at:
Island Camp in Lake Boringo (watching a full moon rise over the lake from the cottage, bird guide for a walk on the island and another for a small boat exploration),
Sleeping Warrior Lodge in the Soysambu Conservancy (Best sighting- an aardvark on a night drive!),
Mara Eden Bush Camp in Masai Mara NR (giraffes and hippos seen from the campsite, big 5),
Malewa Wildlife Lodge in the Kiglio Wildlife Conservancy (along a river in the woods, listening to hopes and rock hydraxes screaming at night. Peter took us on some terrific bird walks).
Each place was so different in looks and landscape, but the same in the beautiful rooms and excellent service and delicious food (we are vegetarian and each place was alerted by E-Trip and made amazing and healthy dishes).
Everything and everybody completely exceeded our expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip!
My husband and I used Ancient Wild Safaris for our trip to Kenya this fall. We were lucky enough to stu,ble across a recommendation on a lonely planet forum. They were fantastic! They were patient and accommodating during the planning process and always responded to our questions and concerns promptly. By the time we arrived, I felt like we were meeting friends, not strangers. Our safari was excellent. We were with Joseph for over 10 days. We really got to know him and learned so much about Kenyan culture, the people, animals, parks, everything! Our itinerary was exactly as it had been presented to us, which was nice. We visited Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Samburu, Lake Boringo, Lake Borgoria as well as Masai Mara. we did the budget option and our accomadations were more than adequate. We knew beforehand most of the lodges and camps we would be at and were very comfortable everywhere. We hope to return to Kenya sooner rather than later and will defiantly use Ancient Wild Safaris next time we go!
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Why choose Cul Tours and Safaris??
BECAUSE……. You will get a very nice experience.
To choose Cul Tours Safaris you will get the best trip ever.
This company made a very nice trip for me and my family. The drivers know everything about Uganda, and that makes the whole trip special.
We went for some local dance in a small village, visit the craft markets, saw a fishing village, went for the safaris and visit an orphanage and everything was wonderful to see. Next time we are going to visit Uganda we will use Cul Tours and Safaris again.
A special thanks to our driver, Stephen.
Loves from Mikkel and Pernille, Denmark
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Above expectations
I never heard of this organisation, but I had a good feeling after I went to their office in the Netherlands. We had a great trip in Rwanda and Uganda. The driver was very nice and knew so much about the country and the animals. He arranged everything for us. The hotels and the food were good. I went with other organisations to other countries in Africa, but I would recommend this organisation!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A stress free, imaginative, superorganized, without a hitch, magnifcent vacation!!!!!
Kathi Simon was an absolute pleasure to work with. As I live in Canada and was concerned that communicating by phone might be a problem, I discovered that she was more than willing to accommodate the time difference and call me when it was convenient for me. She was so warm and patient with any questions or concerns that I had and took the time to research any and every hotel or activity that I was considering, and got back to me within a day or two. She was always aware and concerned about my budget and thankfully abided closely to all my desires and requirements. This was a trip of a lifetime for my husband and I as we were travelling with our adult daughters, knowing that this might be the last trip they might be able to join us on as a foursome. Kathi not only fulfilled her obligations as a travel agent but cemented our relationship for any future travel to South Africa for us as well as any of our friends and relations. She was superb!
Every hotel and lodge we stayed at was fantastic and enjoyable, although I have to add that along with the wonderful environment, service (and food!) that each accommodation offered was the added bonus of the friendliness and warmth of the South African people wherever we went. The highlight of our trip was our four days at the Dulini Lodge in Sabi Sands. I have never experienced the wonder of staying anywhere of this caliber. The cabins were luxurious, each with plunge pools, magnificent furnishings and an outdoor shower with utter privacy. We were taken care of by Given, a lovely man who was our butler. The two safaris we went on each day were an exquisite introduction to the Africa of one's imagination. Our tracker, Martin was amazingly talented and our ranger Fred was so knowledgeable that all the information he passed on to us is indelibly inscribed in our memories to the extent that we still talk about what we learned. I must add that the owners as well as the staff of the Dulini were constantly making sure that all was up to snuff. The food the lodge provided was absolutely magnificent, with more than enough choices to fulfill anyone's desires including my vegetarian daughter!
Every domestic flight was arranged by Kathi beforehand and there was always a guide patiently waiting for our arrival anywhere we landed. One of our guides, Louis van Niekerk, who accompanied us for two weeks of our three week tour was unbelievably knowledgeable and had answers to almost every question about South Africa the four of us asked of him. To top it off, he was such a lovely man that he endeared himself to all of us enough to consider him family!!!
My husband and I have travelled the world over many years, and I have to say that this was one of the most flawless and enjoyable adventures we have taken thanks to Kathi and African Welcome Safaris.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service and great communications from an outstanding team !
We recently spent 3 weeks in Southern and Eastern Africa on a tour we had been planning for a year. We had great service from Michelle Astbury at Sunsafaris who arranged this tour for us. Our tour included many internal flights , 3 countries , 2 safaris and many lodges . The whole trip went like clockwork. Guides were excellent , always on time and we were extremely well received and treated at places like Nthambo Lodge , Nasikia Camp , the Plantation , Sopa and Simba Lodges. We were fortunate to see all the wildlife that was on our list and more. What a great experience...one that we will remember forever. Thank you Michelle and all the people involved in making this one , the trip of a lifetime.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They are one of the best I have experienced so far and their services are world class.
At first, i did not have much faith with them but there is always a first time to everything, I must admit I was wrong about them and can comfortably write that they are the best. Their communication skills are good and we never had any problem during our adventure. Their services are one of the best and can recommend to anyone all over the world. For me, all my expectations were met and am happy with them so far and would recommend to anyone willing to involve with them.
Worst tour I have ever had the displeasure of being on!
I booked and paid through Commonwealth Bank Australia via International money transfer for a 4 day Selous Safari with the company with a contract signed and itinerary set out. (6 months in advance)
I paid extra money (above what was quoted for the tour) when I did the IMT for airport transfer and overnight accommodation before the safari.
I was picked up, accommodated overnight and the next morning I was asked how I was paying for the accommodation. I explained that I had already paid for this as part of my tour package and this was sorted out once the tour owner/operator turned up.
I asked if I could go on a night game drive added to the tour (after initial payment in July) and was quoted $150USD. When I was collected from the accommodation I was asked to pay $200USD for the organised night game drive and an additional $35USD. The $35USD was because when I was quoted the full tour amount and advised what I had to pay they did not include the bank fees charged by the tour company’s bank. I paid the quoted amount as advised by them and MY banks fees for the international money transfer. Rather than argue I paid the $235USD to the owner/operator, and I was driven to Selous, to Kinga Lodge.
After 1 night accommodation and a river safari I was told that the booking was only made by the tour company the day before I had arrived in Selous. I paid the full tour amount on 28/07/2014 and undertook the tour on 18/01/2015, so my payment was made well in advance.
The manager of the Kinga Lodge in Selous, Robert, tried to contact the owner/operator of 'time 4 Afrika' to sort out details as no money had been paid to them by the tour company and only 2 of the 3 nights I needed were available for me due to the Lodge being booked out.
Both Robert, the Lodge manager, and I, tried to contact the owner/operator of 'time 4 Afrika', and were unable to. Robert then called, Howard who was the to tour company’s driver and who was staying in the village waiting to transport me back to Dares Salaam at the end of my safari.
Howard made contact with the owner/operator of 'time 4 Afrika' who said he would forward money when the bank opened the next day (19th Jan 2015). Money was received the next day but not all of the fees that were due were sent.
I had no confirmation from anyone as to where my last night in Selous accommodation would be, no details about the night drive and the full game drive, all of which had been paid for by me.
Robert, the manager of Kinga Lodge advised that I should return to Dares Salaam as I had received no confirmation of my accommodation for that last night in Selous or confirmation of my booked activities going ahead.
Howard drove me back to Dares Salaam. On the way back we ran out of fuel and we had to wait in a small town while money was sent to him from the tour company so he could put enough fuel in the car to complete the journey.
I was delivered to the airport and told ‘things’ would be looked in to when Howard returned to the office. I have heard nothing and do not expect to, least of all do I expect be refunded for the accommodation and activities that I did not receive as I am sure this company has no morals or code of ethics.
This tour was stressful and traumatic and I would like to make other people aware of this fraudulent company!
I am 60 years old and I have travelled extensively all around the world. In all my travels this is by far the most disgraceful and dishonest tour company I have ever had the displeasure of being associated with.
They happily took my money and did not even attempt to deliver the good/services they promised!