AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent... everything
When I searched online for safari tours in South Africa my eye immediately caught the elegant Tambuzi homepage. Gert and I got into contact via e-mail at first and told me we could choose anything we’d like to do. Flexibility - first wow! He also phoned me a few times (we live in Europe) which left a very good impression and made me feel very welcome. He constantly kept contact with us over skype and facebook. Assurance - second wow! The package I chose was awesome: it included a variety of things we wanted to see like the Blyde River Canyon, Moholoholo Rehabilitaion Centre, the Panorama Route (God's Window, Berlin Falls, Forest Falls, Potholes, Mac Mac Falls etc), Camp Jabulani elephant back safari, the Kruger National Park, Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and walking with cheetahs. The different camps we stayed at where just amazing. So close to nature, listening to the sounds of the bush, especially at night. Gert organized everything perfectly and we had a lovely time and lots of fun. Variety, quality, organisation - wow, wow, wow! South Africa, we will come again! Thank you very much Gert!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No worries. Great service and Safari trip!
My husband and I went on a 13 day safari with Kenya Walking Survivor’s and we were extremely happy with every aspect of the trip. As others have stated, I too was leery about wiring so much money to an unknown person in Kenya, but rest assured, Mr. Otieno is very ethical and will go to all lengths to make your trip spectacular. Our plane arrived and departed in the wee hours of the night and he provided transportation each time. We had such a great guide (Ochieng) who was focused on providing us with the best views and photos of all of the animals. Not only was he the first to spot the animals, we were finished viewing them before other vans came upon the same viewing spot. We were on our way to another spotting by the time the competitor’s guides came along. He was very knowledgeable too about all of the animals and the country of Kenya. Our accommodations were top of the line. I know with Kenya Walking, you can choose to tent it, but we chose the tented camps and lodges which were very luxurious. We literally had linen table clothes and a 5 course meal out in the middle of the Serengeti when we went to Tanzania. Mr. Otieno is very accessible too. When we were leaving, we accidentally left our cameral in the drop-off car. I had to call Mr. Otieno at 2:30 AM and he answered and called the driver to return to the airport with our camera. He couldn't be more attentive to his clients. The food at all of our lodges and tented camps included a wide variety of Western food and some African selections. It was delicious. They will provide all the bottled water for you on your safari. You only have to purchase alcoholic or soft drinks, if you choose those. He really listens to the clients’ feedback too because there was one hotel in Naivasha that we mentioned we didn’t like to our guide and before the end of our trip, the word got back to Mr. Otieno and he had already changed the Chester hotel to another tented camp for that location. I cannot stress enough how nice these tented campsites are. It was like we were the rich and famous on a safari. He said he negotiates rates, so he can get them much cheaper than if the customer books it directly. I was afraid since his rates were lower than the other companies that I would get sub-par safari, but that wasn't the case at all. Overall, I would rate our experience as 5+++! Since we had 13 days for our trip, the only thing I would do differently is I think I would choose to go see the gorillas. I heard from other people along the way that it was super cool to see them. We met the guide who specializes in those tours and his name is Martin. He was great too, although we only had him drive us back from the border to Nairobi. You can’t go wrong with this company.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible adventure to Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai
I was travelling in northern Tanzania with limited time, and had heard of Mt. Oldoinyo Lengai and its unique geology. Wildroot safaris organised an excellent trip to to summit with me and I only wish I had been able to stay trekking with them for a longer period of time. The climb was tough but hugely enjoyable with attentive and very knowledgeable guides. Wildroots gave me a brilliant tour of the region around the volcano and taught me about the local Masai culture, and their food, vehicle and gear were excellent. They do longer trekking trips across the crater highlands and around Lake Natron along with Safaris, and when I hopefully return to Tanzania in the future I will definitely look to Wildroot Safaris again; I would strongly recommend this company for treks and safaris.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A dream come true!
We just returned from the most incredible trip to South Africa, thanks to Wild Wings Safaris. From first contact with our consultant, Madi, to our departure after 2.5 weeks in the beautiful country, everything was fantastic. Our trip included a couple of day tours near Johannesburg, 9 days in the Greater Kruger Area, and 5 days in Cape Town. I emailed back and forth with Madi for a year, and she helped me plan the perfect trip based on our budget, style, and needs. This was our first time travelling overseas, so we had many questions and concerns and Madi answered them all. The main focus of the trip was to fulfill my Dad's lifelong dream of going on safari, but we did and saw so much more.
Everything went so smoothly. All of the service we experienced was absolutely fantastic, everything exceeded our expectations. All of our accommodations were great, the food and the service outstanding. We would go back to any and all of them!
Of course I must mention our time in Kruger with Simon (co-owner of Wild Wings, and guide extraordinaire), what a character! We had such fun with him, and were so impressed with his knowledge of all things wild. We saw so much wildlife, and it was so great how we were able to learn so much about birds. We saw all of the big 5, and more, including leopards and cheetahs. He must be one of the best guides in the park! The food was also great - he was so well prepared and we enjoyed all of it. A huge huge thanks to shoeless Simon! We really got a kick out of him.
I highly recommend a safari trip to South Africa; the people are friendly, the scenery is stunning, and the wildlife is abundant and amazing. The service and advice we received from Wild Wings made this trip outstanding and truly worry-free. I can't say enough about this company. I will be using them again in the future, and recommending them to friends. Thank you, Wild Wings, our trip was truly a dream come true!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly individualized, personal safari with great guide in exclusive tented camps and lodges
Brian and his company had been recommended to us by friends, who had already been on safari twice with Ecological Wilderness Adventures before. Thus, we felt comfortable right from the start. Although our inquiry for a safari was at short notice before the desired time of travel (only 3 months in advance), Brian made this holiday dream come true and organized a highly individualized safari tour tailored perfectly to our ideas. Within hours he came back with answers and solutions to our questions regarding the planning.
During the trip, our guide Kappia took great care of us. His deep understanding of Africa's wild animals, his extensive explanations during animal observations as well as his humorous spirit contributed to an unforgettable experience.
In addition, we would like to emphasize the high standard of Brian's tented camps in Serengeti NP. The nights spent there were the greatest of our trip. The staff are very, very friendly, always have a warm welcome for you and make your stay an amazing experience. Plus, the meals served by the camp's team are awesome - always a soup as an entrée. Compliments to the cooks!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had the experience of a lifetime!!
We were met at Kenya Airport by Evans and George with champagne, hot towels, safari hat and goody bag. What a reception to our much anticipated safari.
My daughter and I had, for years, wanted to do a safari and we left the "organising" to our very capable travel agent here in Menai, Sydney Australia.
I really don't know where to begin to describe our experience, it was absolutely beyond our expectations and just amazing. The accommodation, personal service, guides, everything was wonderful. I couldn't fault Twiga Tours at all, if I had to, it would be to complain about the fact that we had 3 guides. I understand its a political thing, but we had really enjoyed George and then when we crossed into Tanzania we found out we were losing George and were getting Rama! Rama was lovely, but not as fluent in English as George but we did get used to him and enjoyed his funny giggle and the information he provided. Then after a week with Rama, back to Kenya and yet another guide! That was a disappointing way to finish the trip.
However, I would definitely recommend Twiga, they were fantastic, my daughter and I will never forget our first trip to incredible Africa!!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Seamless travel experience.
Having used African Welcome on previous occasions, it has always been re-assuring to know that the small details will have been covered, and that you can arrive knowing full well that from the time you are met until your departure, all will run smoothly. The Safari Tours themselves have always been excellent as it was on this occasion, and it would be re-miss not to mention what a truly great safari experience the staff and facility at Londolozi provides.
Communication has been one of the great features of our experience with African Welcome - from the moment we have contacted Kathi, floating our next plan, she has responded promptly and expansively, providing the local knowledge that lead us to seek out an agent "on the ground" .
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome
Thinus met us at the airport and within a few minutes I knew my niece and I were in good hands. Thinus was able to identify readily what we wanted to achieve on our trip through Namibia and he delivered. My niece had been before and Thinus was able to provide her with new experiences that exceeded expectations. It was my first trip and I was also extremely pleased. I wanted to see animals and the shots I got as an inexperienced photographer are fantastic. Thinus just knew where to take us and some of his 'detours' were the best part of our 10 day journey. He left us wanting more which for me was the real indication of a great trip. In a heartbeat I would return to Namibia with Thinus as our guide.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful trip of a lifetime!
We took a wonderful 7 day trip with Moriti Private Safaris with our private guide & owner Shaun Taylor. Shaun was a very friendly & informative guide and his knowledge, interest as well as love & respect for the animals was contagious. It was a prefect trip for us and our 4 teen/ young adult kids. They loved it as we did!! Learning to track & find animals, riding up front of the safari vehicle and just watching the amazing animals ( elephants,giraffe,zebra,rhino,hippos, impala,etc,etc) in their natural habitat was amazing & very special! We stayed at wonderful lodges- Angela's camp was a private sanctuary in an amazing spot over looking the Sabie river & we were treated to a roaring fire after our night drives & gourmet meals by our private chef Lindsay!! Wished we could have stayed longer!! Laughing Waters was another very special spot and we were so welcomed & cared for by the wonderful couple who owed it. They even helped my son out with his camera and made my birthday extra special!
Our only regret was not staying on safari longer & seeing lions. Thanks Shaun for a great trip!! We would love to go back & highly recommend it!!
Visited June 2014
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very friendly, sensitve, humerous, god nose and nice anton (leader)
Very friendly, sensitve, humerous, god nose and nice anton (leader)