US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledgeable Company, Wonderful Staff = Magnificent Safari
In July 2014 my husband, two very good friends and myself left Milwaukee WI for an adventure of a lifetime in Tanzania/Zanzibar Africa. We began our planning process in January 2014 developing our itinerary and sketching out the places that we wanted to stay. We then submitted our itinerary to approximately 20 tour companies. During the process of elimination we considered a number of important factors, responsiveness to our endless questions and changes, suggestions for improvement to our itinerary, our confidence regarding the tour operator to deliver on its promises, the quality of their equipment, the experience of their personnel and price.
Easy Travel & Tours won our business by meeting or exceeding these criteria. After our decision to engage Easy Travel as our TO our relationship continued to grow and develop through ongoing communication via email and Skype. We met personally with Musaddiq Gulamhussein, Director of Sales and Marketing on our first day in Tanzania. He reviewed our itinerary with us again and took care of any last minute changes or concerns that we had, assuring us that he would look into a couple of issues and communicate with our tour guide, Emmilian Matay during our safari. We were soon to learn that Emmilian, a seventeen-year veteran, was one of the best guides in the business. Musaddiq told us to trust Emmilian, advice that would prove to be monumentally valuable throughout our trip. Musaddiq also told us to have patience, which also proved to be good advice.
Our itinerary was as follows:
July 25, Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport
July 26, Arusha National Park
July 27, Tarangire National Park
July 28, Tarangire National Park
July 29, Depart to Mto wa Mbu visit and Masai Village visit
July 30, Lake Manyara National Park
July 31, Lake Manyara National Park - travel to Ngorongoro Crater
August 1, Ngorongoro Crater
August 2, Travel to Serengeti stopping in Olduvai Gorge and shifting sands in transit
August 3, Southern Serengeti
August 4, Southern Serengeti
August 5, Travel to Northern Serengeti
August 6, Northern Serengeti
August 7, Northern Serengeti
August 8, Fly to Zanzibar
August 9, Zanzibar
August 10, Zanzibar
August 11, Travel home
We would not have changed any of the itinerary as planned. We thought the time at each location was just right and that our travel plans from one park to another was well timed with one exception, the travel day from Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti. We had to leave the Crater before the time we checked in 48 hours earlier or Easy Travel would be charged another whole day park fee. That meant we were in a hurry until we checked into Serengeti National Park. It was the most difficult travel day, with roads being what they are in Tanzania. It also meant that we did not have enough time in the Olduvai Gorge. However we did briefly stop at the Shifting Sands, which were mystical! If we were to do it again we would have adjusted our starting time with Emmilian.
The key to a superior African Safari is your guide and Emmilian gave us a magnificent experience. He was able to position us to see tens of thousands of wildebeests, many elephants, zebras, giraffes, cape buffalos, hippos, baboons, lions, crocodiles and hyenas, ten cheetahs, six rhinos and three leopards. In addition we saw hundreds of bird species and other small mammals. We were able to see a cheetah killing a Thompson gazelle and witnessed other kills such as lions eating wildebeest, zebras and impalas, a leopard eating his prey in a tree, cheetah and her cub eating an impala and a pack of hyenas eating a cape buffalo. We also saw zebra, hippos and wildebeest mothers nursing their young and a hyena carrying a hyena cub.
Two highlights, for us, were seeing not one but six rhinos and to see the great migration of the wildebeest over the Maru River. We could not believe our luck in seeing a black rhino in the Ngorongoro crater. Our guide knew the park rangers in the crater and asked them if there had been any rare sightings of the rhinos in the area (there are only 35 rhinos left in the crater due to poaching). The rangers were able to point us in the right direction and were lucky enough to have a rhino come very close to our vehicle. We also saw a mother and baby white rhino in the northern Serengeti and finally we saw another mother, baby and male rhino in the Northern Serengeti. These last two sightings we were totally alone with no other vehicles around. We were often the only one witnessing an event because, I believe, of the experience and patience of our guide Emmilian.
Musaddiq Gulamhussein, Director of Sales and Operations warned us that we had probably missed the Great Migration at our meeting with him in Arusha. While we had planned our trip around the "typical" migration season nobody notified the wildebeest of our desire to see them migrate. We were told that the migration had started in late June so there was probably no chance we were going to see this epic event. Emmilian thought this too but we waited by the Mara River one morning for three hours and by gosh we witnessed a crossing! What a thrill. Then after a lunch and potty break we returned to the river and saw another crossing. We couldn't believe it!
As most Americans, we thought we knew best when we arrived in Africa, when we left we knew that you should listen to your guide's advice, be patient and remain flexible. Emmilian used every resource he had available to him, his intelligence, knowledge of the terrain and animals, his relationships and communication skills, to provide us with the best trip we could have ever imagined.
We found, especially, in the Serengeti that one early morning game drive, starting at dawn to about a two pm was better than two game drives, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Through this arrangement we were able to cut down on travel times and increase safari time. An added bonus, the animals were more active in the mornings.
While I won't list all of the accommodations we chose here, we were either very satisfied or generally satisfied with them all. There were restrictions on electricity, hot water and heat in most places, but you adjusted. Some accommodations were pretty remote to our daily game drive destination, however, we would not have seen the mother and baby rhinos and a leopard close up if we had stayed at other places.
We were sad to say goodbye to Emmilian at the end of our safari. We were glad that we had made arrangements to fly to Zanzibar from the Kogatende airstrip through Arusha. Some of our fellow travelers faced a difficult two-day trip by vehicle back to Arusha. After taking the roads to our final destination in the Serengeti in bits and pieces it was not at all appealing to think about experiencing those roads again in a two-day marathon.
Easy Travel arranged for our tour guide, Zamir, to pick us up at the airport and transport us to our accommodations in Stone Town. During our planning some, in our party, wanted to skip Zanzibar and Stone Town, we were glad we didn't. It is so culturally different than Tanzania it is hard to believe that they are the same country. While you can arrange to stay in a resort type hotel we were happy that we decided to stay at the Kisiwa House in Stone Town. We took advantage of eating in some great diverse restaurants for the two nights we were in Stone Town. On the first day in Zanzibar we arranged for a day of sailing and snorkeling in the Indian Ocean! What a contrast to our safari. The second day, we had an extensive tour of a spice farm and Stone Town. Learned a lot about the tragic slave trade that sold the African people to eastern countries. We visited a local market and walked many miles through Stone town.
To wrap up, we would highly recommend Easy Travel for your African Safari for the excellent staff, knowledge guides, reliable and comfortable equipment, superior coordination of all aspects of our safari, exceptional communication and reasonable pricing.
P.S. In the middle of our trip i was notified that my brother had suddenly died. Emmilian did everything he could to help me get in touch with my family and was personally very supportive. Musaddiq was ready to help us make arrangements to get us back to the States. We felt a real genuine out pouring of sympathy from the people of this company. One more reason to engage Easy Travel for your Tanzania safari.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Thank you for this experience
Thank you for an amazing experience. Your team were very knowledgeable and made it a very enjoyable experience too.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great safari tour in only 5 days
We heard about Tailor Made Safaris from our dutch friends who live in Kaapstad, they told us the had great experience with them, and so did we. Their name "Tailor Made", the every right to use it. We only had 5 days, but they made it possible for us to have a great time. From the time the picked us up at they airport until they the dropped us there again. We had the privilege to have a privat guide, which was perfect for a first time safari. We spent 2 nights in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, which was unique and we spent 2 nights in St. Lucia, at a very nice guest house. I can recommend everybody to book their Safari with "Tailor made Safaris" because they do what they promise and wil make your stay unforgettable!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
perfect safari in beautiful kenya
At the beginning of the small rain season we had a excellent private safari. Thanks to Masha (our pleasent driver) and Jacob (the best cook in whole africa). The time in November guarantees a beautiful background, because the clouds give more quality to the picture. Also at the camp grounds there is no bussiness and you can enjoy the evenings alone and hear only the nature. We would do it again every time. Thank you Mr. Etiono for the perfect safari. Good bless you and your staff.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical weekend safari that we will never forget!!!
Speke Uganda Holidays helped us to organise a FANTASTIC weekend in paradise during our time in Uganda. They recommended a variety of wonderful experiences including a riverboat cruise along the Nile, a hike up Murchison Waterfalls, a safari trip through the national Park at Murchison falls and a morning at the rhino sanctuary where we got to walk with rhinos!! Our guide Hammid was brilliant and his knowledge of the national park and country was astounding! Speke Uganda Holidays chose Kabalega Wilderness lodge for our stay, right on the River Nile. We were greeted by the most friendly and caring staff that I have ever met. The food was incredible and the service was outstanding!! We are so grateful to Speke Uganda Holidays for such a memorable trip!! We plan to come back again next year and stay for longer... we will definitely be booking with them again! Highly recommended!!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Journey
From the beginning very well and personally organised by Nicole.
When we arrived, we met our travel companions from holland and our tour guide Bella and the two drivers Fred and Richard. All of them where very nice people. We booked a 15 days tour through Uganda and everything was well arranged. Bella was a perfect tour leader, so we only have to enjoy the views, experiences, animals, people and landscapes. We recommend this trip to everyone, because Uganda is the most beautiful country we've ever seen. Bella informed and helped us very well, so we've learned a lot of the religion, the political situation and the way of life of the Ugandan people. It was a trip with lots of adventure and the Gorillatracking as highlight. If you are planning a tour through Uganda, please contact Matoke tours and you will have an incredible journey.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Jamie is so good at his job we nicknamed him "The Oracle"!
I have traveled many places and spent several years in Africa. It is a place that draws me back time and time again. This trip with Jamie was the best yet. We had a small group and with Jamie's experience and planning we were able to watch the African sun set with a leopard, sit and watch painted dogs and their pups hunting and playing and an elephant swim across the Chobe River. Our meals, accommodation and transport were all enjoyable and exceeded our expectations. Jamie's knowledge of the African bush and wildlife is incredible and has us returning for another safari in 2015! He is a pleasure to deal with and very informative and supportive during the planning and booking stage as well. I highly recommend Jamie Thom Conservation Safaris to anyone intending to travel to Africa and I have done so personally to all my friends!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Eco camping Safari, the raw experience
We opted for the 7 day camping Safari as wanted a real feel of nature. The camps were perfect and because this was an Eco Safari we learned about saving electricity and water, it just makes you realize how we take things for granted in our modern cities.
What I enjoyed most, personally, was Ngorongoro Crater, beautiful. Serengeti and its incredible eco system was abundant with wildlife. Those who love nature and want a real feel of African bush go for the camping experience.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best choice for Kilimanjaro and Safari!!
In March, I used Kili Heroes to climb Kilimanjaro and then went with them on Safari for 4 days with my family. We had an amazing time, the guides took great care of us and Kili Heroes in general did everything they could to satisfy all our wishes and to make our holiday the best. It is unbelievable that they can offer their service to such a low price compared to other companies. They are a rather small company so the service feels very personal, the clients are treated more like friends. I definitely recommend them, you will not regret it!
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Abakombe Tours is the great
On july 25, me with my fellow from South Korea we were meet at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfered to Moshi at Keys Hotel where our trip for a 5 days Marangu days marked the beggining followed with 2 days Ngorongoro crater safari!
Our trip was really good, we appreciated the arrangement made by Alphonce. He really took a good care of us and I can strongly recommend him to any one going for a trip in East Africa or Tanzania.
We were pleased by the service at Abakombe Tours and all the were perfect and panctual, the food was delicious and the guides were smart at every thing and especially Chacha and Martin.
Thank you all