20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fab life experience
They were very well organised and always kept you upadated with what was going to happen. Very friendly and professional.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Rwenzori Nature Adventure following the beginning of the Bukurungu Trail
RRHA did a very good job to customise the trip to our interests and fitness! From the first answer to our inquiry and during the trip, they were always concerned to make us meet our goal. We wanted to see the fabulous mountain flora of Rwenzori. It took us 2 days to reach the zone of giant lobelia. The nature up there is so beautiful, next time we should add one more day, just to stay and move around in this zone.
We were 2 clients, and 7 Porters carried the material for the groups upkeep during the 4 1/2 days trip. 2 guides of RRHA stayed with us during the hikes and an UWA Ranger. The cook made the group of 13 people complete.
Augusto is a professional cook, serving us varied, delicious and nutricious meals. At the meals he provides hot water for tea, coffee etc.
We usually had to ask ourselves about the next water source to make sure we refill our bottles, drink enough during the day and have some water left for brushing teeth.
In village restaurants we got used of beeing offered water to wash hands before eating. On the mountain, you have to care yourself for your hygiene.
The guides answerd many questions about the plants, were patient for foto breaks and adjusted to our speed of hiking.
Porters seemed to be not so experienced in tightening the tent, which we used to improve ourselves. But they built a new open air toilet wherever we reached. Toilets hidden from the camp, but with marvelous views :-D Generally they were hardworking, friendly and helpful, although we couldn't speak their language Lukonzo. But they were ready to teach us some.
The path we used seemed to be cut out freshly out of the djungel and bushes, making the hike a real nature adventure. The campsites chozen were in beautiful places, with great views and/or surrounding.
As the clients we were given privacy of our tent placed in a distance from the others, but we were also welcome at the fireplace enjoing the warmth of the fire and the "group feeling".
Although we didn't have a lot of rain on our trip, most of the hike we used rubber boots. Maybe next time we will leave the hiking shoes at home. But don't underestimate the cold temperatures. Even on lower altitudes it can get cold in the evenings. It doesn't need gloves, but thermal cloth and a warm hat covering the ears are nice. Also useful is an isolating mat to sit on during the meals.
To have a good preparation of the trip, it is worth to ask back on questions about the packing list, and the detailed programm of arrival and departure day; About how and when to reach where. On our arrival day we got surprised by a first hike of 2 hours. Which was nice, but we were not aware of, und just by luck we reached early enough.
Generally all staff of RRHA did their job well. Whenever you miss something, ask as early as possible.
An inconvenience occured about how to pay the bill. Finally we payd in cash at the office on the day of starting the trip.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Respectable Southern Circuit Safari
Day 1
• trip to Selous (lunch enroute)
• 2 hour boat ride outside the Selous GR
• sunset, crocodiles, hippos, birds, life along the river
• Accommodation in Hippo-Camp: basic, staff is friendly and endeavour, not everything perfect, nice view to Rufiji River
Day 2
• 2 h Morning-Walk outside the Selous GR
• animal tracks, birds and flora
• Game Drive in Selous GR from Mtemere gate with 24-hour permit (to Day 3 at 10:00)
• Guide is endeavor and with the necessary local knowledge
• lions, elephants, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, antelopes ....
Day 3
• drive in Selous GR by Mtemere gate to Matambwe gate with 24-hour permit to 10:00
• only short stops for Game Viewing
• from Matambwe Gate it comes a scenic drive through the Uluguru Mountains to Morogoro (stop for lunch), fantastic views and insights into the normal country life
• continue through the Mikumi NP for Tan Swiss Lodge
(Swiss owner, well-managed mid-range lodge, comfortable air-conditioned room, good food)
Day 4
• drive to the Udzungwa Mountains (90 min.)
• hike with local guide
• waterfall, great views, natural swimming pool
Day 5
• safari in Mikumi NP, full day, only north of the Highway possible
• guide with the required local knowledge
• leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, antelopes ....
Day 6
• return to Dar
• Option: Snake Park
Conclusion
• solid / respectable tour in the field Budget / Mid Range
• no obvious organizational weaknesses, professional consultation with the Management
• driver / guide safely, vehicle in order
• Note: Tour 6 days including 3 days GR / NP (Permit)
• price-performance okay
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice balance of cost vs benefit
Booking through Wild Africa Travel Company was pretty easy, and Robert Francis was responsive. The only confusion was around our flights into the Okavango Delta. The process was not clear and it was difficult to get a hold of anyone to help us sort it out (In Botswana). However, In WATC's defense, we had a moderately unusual self-drive itinerary and everything ended up going off without a hitch once we figured it out.
We thought that the adventure we booked with WATC was adequate and fun. We very much enjoyed our stay at the Odd Balls camp, especially because the manager 'Doc' who really was delightful and made our stay there especially enjoyable.
We are rating this with 4 stars, or 'good', because we don't necessarily know what would constitute 'excellent'. We have no real complaints. The price was right and it was well within our expectations.
Thank you, Robert Francis! Tell Doc we said hello!
HR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
National geographic live experience
It was great experience with wonderful guide and driver Ernest. We enjoyed every moment and feel greatful for this adventure. Ernest made an effort to find animals for us and he has a lot of experience in Ruaha national park so we had feel like he knows every part of national park. He was also ready to answer to all our courious questions. Thank you Ernest for this experience we are still full of great impressions.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari!
We had a great time on safari!! We really enjoyed our guide Emanuel, he did everything we asked him and he never complained. He did a good job and we feel save with him as our driver! We loved the food also, Costa is a great cook!
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An experience unlike any other
We did this trip with out much planning and was so glad that we went with most of the recommendations of ancient wild safari. They are extremely helpful and very forthcoming with relevant information about each place. The only think i'm looking forward to in the next trip is the vehicle upgrade as promised ;)
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Family safari in south of Tanzania
Gecko has been very reactive for the preparation of the Safari with mails exchange from France. They have tailored the trip with my recommandations. No surprise during the safari, everything was perfectly organised
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Basically a well-organized safari, but tour description was not correct
We were a bit late to book the safari tour, but the communication of Bush Routes was fast enough to have the tour fully planned before our vacation started.The price however was a bit higher than initially displayed on safaribookings.com. Due to our late booking we should pay the safari at the time we got picked up in DAR, but unfortunately we had some problems with the ATMs there (and did not bring enough money with us to pay the whole tour). Thanks to Bush Routes that they drove us to several ATMs, so we still could manage to start the tour just with a little loss of time.
The tour itself then was well organized, with just one drop of bitterness...:
Actually in the tour description it was written that we will have a "knowledgeable English speaking driver/guide". And we cannot confirm this at all! Okay, we had a very knowledgeable driver (thanks Alfons) and he always brought us to very good places to see all the animals and made the Safari fantastic. Unfortunately he cannot speak English very well, so he could not share his knowledge with us... And we had another guy who was said to be our guide, but actually he was a trainee and was just starting to become a guide. For him it was the first time in the National Park as well and he had no knowledge about all the animals. His English was better than the driver's one and he understood the basic things, but did also not understand us when we were asking something about the animals or environment or anything else. That was a pity, because we thought (and we wanted) to get some more background information about everything. Anyway, he tried his best and was very friendly, was always looking if everything is okay, organizing the meals etc...
Nevertheless, this was not part of the tour description and if it would have been written correct, we would probably have booked another tour. For us it was important and this costs 1 star of the overall rating... The rest was fine and if someone is not very interested in the background information and just wants to see animals I can recommend this operator with no doubts.
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in Tanzania
I was in Tanzania for the month of July for the first time and I went on Safari to Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Manyara national park. It was so lovely, the tour guide from Global insight Safari was great, we saw majority of the animals that were looking forward to see. Ngorongoro, was the climax of our safari as we were able to experience unique and untouched ecosystem of the park. This is something one has a to experience at least once in a life time. Thanks to Global Insight team for making our safari memorable.