US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Bucket List Just Became Longer!
From first contact to our sad farewells, Savannah Explorers excelled in making this a memorable trip. Our guide, Peter, was simply amazing - his knowledge of the flora, fauna, animals and parks was only surpassed by his passion for the same and his awesome personality. Yes, we saw the big 5, many of them very up close & personal. It was the multitude of other animals we were just as fortunate to see that made it so that every single moment was special.
They even saved the day by chasing down one of our bags that didn't arrive with our flight - unfortunately containing most of Arlene's clean clothes - and getting it to us late on day 2 without any disruption to our itinerary.
Before we went, this was a once in a lifetime experience for our bucket lists - now we can't wait to explore more of the region, but only when Peter can be our guide!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
“Time of my life!!!” Loved every minute!!
I started planning my trip in Feb of 2014. I had no idea what I wanted and where to get it. I came here and read a lot of reviews on a lot of safari companies. I found the best reviews on Safari Infinity so I gave them a shout. From the very first reply I was impressed. It was prompt, professional and Lucia gave me all the information I needed and also asked questions to make sure I was getting what I wanted. She was not pushy, or demanding and I really liked that she didn't send multiple emails to me after to "convince" me to use them. She always replied to me within a day or two so there was never any waiting or worrying.
I was very nervous about paying that kind of money to someone in another country but after speaking with her multiple times I became more comfortable. ( I also like the fact that she was from Canada, but living there now)
It was a friend and I traveling.
We started with another Tour operator in Uganda to see the gorillas then went with Safari Infinity for the Tanzania portion of the trip. She arranged our flight from Entebbe to JRO and had a driver pick us up there. He was clean, on time, and smelt good! ( the last one in Uganda really smelt of body odor) He also spoke very good English and had a great smile.
First thing he did was offer us a drink from the cooler. That was awesome.
(I needed one after the episode at the Entebbe airport!) long story!!
He took us to the Bay leaf hotel where Lucia and Simon met us in person. She was very friendly and hospitable. I liked her immediately.
Our hotel was beautiful and the staff was great.
Our driver (Eric) picked us up the next morning and took us to our first destination, Tarangire
(after a stop at the Snake farm in Arusha)
We arrived at Tarangire and were shocked at how beautiful everything was and how clean. The Tarangire Lodge was gorgeous and the view from the deck was incredible. My first 5 minutes there I found a baby elephant walking between the tents with a broken leg and no mommy.
( I was assured afterwards vets had seen him and had been keeping a close eye. That made me very happy) I was amazed I could get so close to him and he had no fear of me. ( yes I know I should be so close.. but whatever!!)
Our first night sleeping there was a lion outside our bungalow roaring. The sound lulled me to sleep..
Our game drive was amazing. Eric is so smart and experienced and knows all of the animals, their habits and how to spot them from miles away. He has been doing this for almost 20 years. He was very fun to be with and very patient with us. From there we went to Manyara, ( that was not so great, ( not alot of big animals, but gorgeous hotel and beautiful park) Ngorongoro, then to central and north Serengeti and to Zanzibar for our final 3 days.
The tented camps were the best! Being out in the thick of it all was truly an experience to remember.
Staff everywhere was so accommodating an friendly. ( Especially great at Serengeti wilderness camp north. Claudine was amazing) Food was good everywhere we went. And the buckets showers were the best!! So hot!
Eric, our driver, was always on time. He always had the jeep kept clean and in immaculate shape and knew so much about everything. I was amazed. His driving skills were incredible. Some of the stuff he got us through was pretty hairy..(He even stopped to help with another truck who was stuck in a ditch with a truck full of clients)
When I had questions I would text Lucia and she always replied right away and was in contact with me whenever I needed her. It was very comforting.
I had a "lady" problem part way through the trip and could not find what I needed anywhere out there. Eric took it upon himself to call Lucia and they had my "supplies" flown in to me in the middle of the Serengeti! lol...Totally above and beyond!!
That was the most incredible thing anyone's ever done.
We saw two river crossings in two days at the Mara river. Countless other animals ( all the big ones) and he even spent 2 hours extra for me one day trying to find a leopard and he cubs somebody had said they saw.
I could go on for days about the trip but its just not the same. You have to go and see it for yourself.
I cannot say enough good things about this company and the staff. It was perfect and stress free right from the start. All of my fears about safety and every other issue I had read about were gone the minute I was picked up. And I was pleasantly surprised during the whole trip I think I saw only ONE mosquito!! (all that bug spray for nothing!! ) lol
The only thing I wasn't to keen on was the boxed lunches. After a couple days of that I was tired of them. Same thing basically at each place. I kept forgetting to ask for a peanut butter and jam sandwich and on our last day there when we were getting on the plane Eric gave us our "box" lunch to take with us. I said no, I'm not hungry and I dont want another lunch box. He convinced me to take it anyway saying I might get hungry later. He was right. 5 minutes into the flight I wanted to eat. I opened the box and to my surprise there it was. A peanut butter and jam sandwich!! Amazing. He is such a kind good hearted person and is always thinking of others first.
Oh, another thing.
I dont know if it was planned or accident but we ended up just the two of us, We didn't have anyone else join us and after seeing the other vehicles with people crammed in there like sardines, I was SO HAPPY about that. Being hot and sticky and trying to move and get good pics with all those bodies would have been a nightmare!!!
Lucia and Simon, thank you so much for everything and for being so amazing.
I really feel like Lucia is a great person and consider her a friend.
I will DEFINITELY be back as soon as possible.
SAFARI INFINITY IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Out of this world
Well what can I say about the great safari experience I had with It started in Africa, to say this company bent over backwards to help me would be an understatement. They did everything I asked and more, from collecting me at the airport and arranging my hotel and doing the same for my return home but lets get to the safari, WOW it was fantastic we started off in Tarangire then onto the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and finally Lake Magyars. The driver and guide were great, stopped when asked and the guide knew so much about the animals. We got to see all of the big 5. Now onto the chef, well the food was out of this world!! 3 meals a day and was top class. The guys would also bring me to local shops in the evening to get some beers and snacks. If I ever have to opportunity to go back to Tanzania I know the 1st call I will be making will be to It started in Africa.10/10
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Enjoyable time and extremely accommodating
Overall, an excellent safari. Particularly appreciated the flexibility in making my arrangements as I wanted them including determining exact timing during the safari itself. The accommodations were varied and superb (and the massage at Ngorongoro was welcomed after a day on bumpy roads.) The food was very good, much better than I expected, including the box lunches. I felt like a cherished client. And, of course, the experience with the animals was top-notch. Highly recommend.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Partner in Planning a Safari
Michelle at Thorn Bush handled all of our (many) questions as we had never taken a safari before.
She helped us throughout the process, booked a great rate on the two lodges we stayed, and even double-checked our flights (which had changed that morning) and let us know we had a new departure time before we left.
They are a great operator for a memorable safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
best organised tour operator in zim, absolutely reliable and thorough, great service.
Don't know what to say - everything was simply perfect. Monika found the perfect locations for us and at reasonable rates. She was always available for any questions we had and wherever we went we got detailed descriptions, all the vouchers were up to date and we were expected at every destination. The Safari Source offers a very personalized service and thereby makes you feel important and not just taken for granted. Our expectations were not simply met but were exceeded. Will only book with them in future.
Experience level: first safari
Up & close with wildlife and outstanding service from NCA
Thanks to Northern Circuit Adventure, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful safari and trouble-free journeys during our stay in Tanzania and Zanzibar. We arranged the safari with Michael, the Director who responded quickly to our emails and answered all questions before the trip. He was friendly, reliable (understood that we were not going by "African time") and checked in on us at every step to ensure that we were picked up on time, everytime. We booked a 5 night safari - a spectacular African adventure! Our guide, Josephat was knowledgeable, relaxed and open. He even helped us, together with the Director, to collect our luggage that had been delayed by Precison Air. We saw the "Big 5" and got close to much of the wildlife. The food was more than substantial with our own chef, Roderick accompanying us throughout the whole safari. Vegetarian alternatives were also provided with some meals. I would recommend NCA to anyone wanting a close up encounter with Tanzania wildlife. 5 stars!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Encounter Africa Safaris made our dream come true even better than we possible imagined!!
Encounter Africa Safari are an absolute amazing, professional, friendly organisation!! My daughter and my self went through this company last November 2013, to do the Gorilla trek, 2 nights 3 days, it was the BEST time of our lives!! They went far beyond expectations made it the most memorable experience. I am SO glad I chose this company. I have raved about them ever since and would HIGHLY recommend them. I just want to say a big hello and thank you to Encounter. I would use them again with NO hesitation. Thank you for creating such wonderful memories and keeping us totally enthralled.
Gorillazzzzz!
If you want to see mountain gorillas I believe this is the best park to go and see them. I went on Sunday 7th September 2014 to one of the entrance points (sorry I forgot the exact location of entrance) of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP. The group was small, arount 5-7 tourists. Before the track the guide/ranger gave us tourist/trackers a good introduction on what to expect and the do's and don'ts. Thereafter the guides were informed by the rangers where our gorilla family was found. Because they are walking, foraging and eating, they are not fixed in one spot. Then the tracking began. I am not a sporty and I was a bit scared now and then climbing up and down the slopes of the mountain, but they all provided us with a stick and you could choose a porter to carry your daypack and to assist you. I have to admit that I was holding the (female?!) porter's hand for almost the whole trip, but they all really helped out: the guides, the porters and the rangers. It was a very nice experience, they were all very professional and we managed to find the gorillas after around 1-1,5 hours hike. We saw them eating tree bark and sitting together. They (the gorillas) saw us, but for the main part they simply ignored us and allowed us to be in there habitat. We also saw them swing in a tree and sit far above us. After we had spend 1 hour with the gorillas we hiked back through the forest. The silverback said his goodbyes to us with a big fart :-). After around 2 hours hiking we came at a parking lot where our drivers were waiting for us with the cars. It was a well organized and wonderful experience and we were all rewarded with a certificate :-). We were lucky with the weather, because during the whole track there was no rain. Nice experience!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 day Gorilla trekking
I had a amazing tour in Rwanda.Booking and planing the tour was very easy,pleasant dealing with gorillatrekafrica.com.The Guides are very knowledgeable.