65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A beyond wonderful experience
I am 72 and my husband 78 and both of us are very fit and healthy. We usually book one night in a country and then wander in back packer style so we wondered what an organised tour would be like. We felt this was the only option because the distances covered are vast and there are few travelers on the road and we certainly made the right choice. We did two seven day safaris to the north and south of Namibia. The guides and cooks were fantastic and served up very good vegetarian food for us especially. Everyone helped with putting up tents and the camp facilities were good and the sites where we stayed spectacular. I had read up on the country before booking and the tours covered what we wanted to see and more. Visits to cheetah and leopard parks were made interesting by having experts talk about the work they were doing although our guide was also especially well informed. The country is exquisitely beautiful with some not to be missed areas such as the Namib desert with its orange sand dunes, Fish River Canyon, and the Quiver Tree forest. The organisers were very laid back but very efficient. We had the time of our lives!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amboseli/Tsavo West Safari
Daniel arranged a great three night safari for us to Amboseli and Tsavo West in January. His local knowledge helped us plan an interesting trip that effectively used the time which we had available. He found us good quality accommodation at a reasonable price. We also used his Toyota Land Cruiser which has a lift up roof that gave us great views of the animals. His driver, Peter, was brilliant. Peter knew the wildlife and used his local contacts in the Park to find out the position of the latest sightings. We saw lions, cheetahs and a leopard in those three days. We have used Transtrek again since this trip and I would definitely recommend them.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent budget safari operator - great value, great experience
I took a 5-day, 4-night safari with World Tours & Safaris, and was very satisfied.
We spent one day in Tarangire, camped on the way to Serengeti, then 2 days and 2 nights in Serengeti, 1 night on the crater on Ngorongoro and then a day in the crater. That was an excellent variety - Tarangire's elephants and trees, Serengeti's wide expanses, and Ngorongoro's wildlife density. The parks themselves are obviously the true stars of the trip. Considering the cost of park fees, paying under $1000 for an excellent all-inclusive safari of that length truly is a bargain. It also included an extra hotel night which was handy and staff there were great about helping you get set up for the safari.
Recognizing that the parks are the stars, World Tours did a good job of getting us there and keeping us taken care of. Tents were basic but adequate and we slept well, food was simple but tasty and ample. Lots of water on hand. Most importantly they kept it 4 to a vehicle which meant everybody gets a window and there's enough leg room etc. Our driver wasn't so talkative, but was an excellent driver and spotter. We saw a lot of things that others didn't, and were usually the first or second car at amazing sights. He made every effort to have things in order, we spent lots of time out spotting, he answered the questions we had, and he really did a great job of getting us great views.
The only downsides were slightly older cars without some of the huge windows that others have, but if you're standing up that's not an issue. And we did occasionally have gear mounted at the front which obscured the view in that direction a bit, but there's probably a way around that. But talking to others, the cost of our trip was a lot less than those operations with newer cars, and our cars weren't overloaded with an extra person which does happen on some budget safaris.
Mr. Richard the proprietor had excellent communication, everything was exactly as promised, and he was creative about making things work for drop-offs, stop-offs etc.
I probably could have given a 5-star rating, as they really did make every effort to be sure we were taken care of and I would say they were an excellent budget operator. But know that this is a budget safari, so don't expect bone china and fine linens -- if you want a 5-star camp, be prepared to pay a lot lot more. But for me, the safari tent the first night was very comfortable and the hotel had nice facilities, and then 3 nights of camping in Serengeti and the rim of Ngorongoro were absolutely gorgeous. You're camping, so be prepared to get your hands dirty a little. Cars can break down whether you're on a luxury safari or a budget one, so the right attitude going in will get you over the inevitable bumps in the road. As budget operators go, World Tours & Safaris were always honest, accommodating, and delivered incredible value and an unforgettable experience.
I certainly recommend going on a safari with Mr. Richard and World Tours.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable safari experience
We did a three-day safari with Sunny Safaris in December 2014, starting in Arusha and ending in Mwanza. I can only say that it was an unforgettable experience! We saw all of the Big Five and witnessed two lions savouring a wildebeast from up close.
The first night we spent at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge,which offers a breathtaking view from the terrace, decent food, and fabulous rooms. The second night we slept at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp. An outstanding camping experience, with large tents including toilet and shower, solar lighting, a dining tent with excellent food and a campfire at night.
Our guide Ismael was friendly and knew all about the animals in the park. He clearly knows his way through the park and drove us all the way to western Mwanza without ever consulting a map. Yet, he had some problems locating the tented camp site; apparently the camp changes location frequently and finding the camp in absence of satellite navigation required quite some meandering.
One thing you should make sure to agree upon when booking with Sunny Safaris, is the number of days you will get inside the park. In our initial package we had a three day safari, but only 48 hours inside the parks. (Park entry goes via a sophisticated and rigid smartcard-system, which allows entr
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime for myself and husband and good value for money.
Our Kenyan tour guide, Alex, was exceptional, accommodation good and sometimes excellent and food superb. We initially thought the Kenya/Tanzania safari expensive as you pay in US$ but it was good value for money. We felt safe at all times given terrorist threats in Kenya but security was tight and we were pleased to be searched on entering hotels and supermarkets. The East Africans are extremely friendly and welcoming and we saw so many animals close up. I now want to go back again to other parts of Africa. We also found the Sydney office of African Ubuntu Safaris very helpful.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A+ Experience
Malcolm Van Coller is a first class proprietor. Simba 4X4 Tours and Safaris is a first class operation. I had the pleasure of visiting Africa for the first time in my life this January. I am a city dweller, from the United States; I have never even been camping! Van Coller and Simba 4X4 made my inaugural Africa experience UNFORGETTABLE. I felt comfortable and safe the entire time during my visit; even in the remote and "wild" areas. Van Coller's expertise in all things Africa and Safari journeying is plainly evident and reassuring at every turn. He also happens to be very personable and hospitable. He has a magnetic personality and truly went the extra mile on every possible occasion to make the experience special. I will never forget it. I will return to Africa. I will, moreover, rely on Van Coller's expertise and genial nature to be my guide on these subsequent journeys. Kudos to Van Coller and Simba 4X4 for a job exceptionally well done. It is my pleasure to pass this message forward about the wonderful value proposition available to all interested in visiting the REAL Africa with a REAL guide (Van Coller); and Safari operator (Simba 4X4).
Our honeymoon safari was life changing!
All of our expectations of going on a safari were exceeded! The lodge was so luxurious, the service some of the best in the world & to be in the bush with the wildlife forever changed us. Luckily Southern Destinations sent us to an area where there are the most leopards as well as all the other Big 5 wildlife. We had many sightings that we will treasure & took hundreds of photos. The South African rangers are so well educated & can tell you everything from the smallest dung beetle to everything about elephants. They graduate from Wildlife college & are certified guides. The native trackers have grown up on the reserves so they can spot animals or tracks when no one else can. Our food at the lodge was top notch & the chef accommodates any & all special requests along with providing wonderful wines. We felt terribly spoiled our entire stay!
CA
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip wonderful people
I enjoyed a missons trip to Kenya on March of 2014. My experiences were wonderful and eye opening! I traveled with a man named Moses not only was he a great guide to our tour but he was a wonderful person full of life and kindness I wouldn't recommend anyone else if your planning to go on a safari you will truly have a wonderful time.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My 40th Birthday in S. Africa
We were there for two days without knowing where to go to book Safaris. Where ever we went; oddly enough, no one was able to help us. Then we decided to stay at a backpacking place in Nelspruit and this is where our adventures began... with Crazy Dave and his Kruger Flexi Tours. Crazy Dave took time to get to know us and what we wanted in our vacation and we were more than please! So pleased that we put our trust in him than with any other company. Not only did Crazy Dave go out of his way but he really goes out of his way to earn your trust and made our vacation to S. Africa better than what we had expected. We ended up meeting with so many people and at times we would change our itinerary to be with the new people we met! Even after our Kruger Tour, Crazy Dave helped us in the other cities in S. Africa we were going to. Crazy Dave helped us, with booking and how to get there! Crazy Dave and his entire staff made my birthday a birthday to remember! Thank you Crazy Dave! *PANGOLIN! =)
A brilliant introduction to Africa
From the first email providing advice ,until boarding the plane home, Transtrek provided a seamless service discussing our particular requirements ,suggesting possibilities and then delivering a holiday which the family will never forget.
We saw so much, be it the animals, birds , the drama of the landscapes or the people. The visit to the Masai village will always remain the highlight with Kilimanjaro & elephants in the background. The driver, Peter, was fabulous, finding all the big animals including a pride of lions with cubs and answering our endless questions with enthusiasim. The accomodation that Transtek booked was unforgetable whether the park lodges or the tented village.
We cannot wait to return