CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very perfect experience
perfect experience，we saw different animals at here
Great Safari
Having a great time with Anton as our guide! He’s gone out of his way to give us an amazing safari. The accommodations and food have been great so far as well.
CA
Well organized, diligent safari operator
Had a great week in June with Cymo African Safaris. I enjoyed my guides, Simon & Hosea immensely. The variety of wildlife & experiences outstanding. I highly recommend this company & Uganda is beautiful.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not book
Do not book with this woman or company.
If I could give 0 stars, I would.
I am extremely disappointed with my experience.
I paid for a safari in good faith, but after it was cancelled I had to spend days chasing my refund. Despite repeated promises that the money had been sent, I was left waiting with very little communication and only received part of the refund. I am still waiting for the remaining balance.
This completely overshadowed what should have been a special family holiday and my birthday. Instead of enjoying my time with my family, I spent it worrying about getting my money back and constantly checking my bank account.
Having over £500 tied up unexpectedly put me under significant financial pressure while I was away, and the stress it caused was overwhelming.
No customer should have to chase their own money like this. I sincerely hope nobody else has to go through the same experience.
I will continue to write this review everywhere and every month until I receive my refund. She might comment saying she has sent it and I'm lying. I am not! I have all the proof.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
You will not find a better travel company than Ikaze Rwanda Tour and Travel!
Ikaze Rwanda Tour and Travel has reliable, friendly and knowledgeable staff who go the extra mile to ensure you have the best experience possible. I have used this company for 10 years on many tours around Rwanda and every tour operator has been exceptional. They are always on time and each guide has provided unique experiences and shared valuable information about the country and the places we are visiting. They charge reasonable rates and are always a great value for the money. I strongly recommend Ikaze Rwanda Tour and Travel for a great Rwanda adventure!
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Alex is very knowledgeable, calm and fun tour operator.
Alex took us on tour of Nairobi national park. It was one of the best experience we had. He has deep knowledge about places to spot animals, about their habits and about country in general. He was on time, very calm and not even once asked us to hurry up. Best part, through his internal network and contacts he was able to get first hand information where to spot specific animals including cheetah and was able to quickly take us to those spots. Loved his services, will surely take his help in exploring other national parks and reserves as well.
A genuinely reliable Tour operator.
My experience with Kallito Tours and Safari was outstanding. He gave regular updates and called me on the last day to ensure I was prepared. They care more about the guests than just booking. Highly recommended!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Eleven night photographic tour of Namibia
My wife and I recently returned from a private 11 night tour with Gazechase Travels. We travelled in a Hiluz 4x4 and were accompanied by a photographer guide (who also drove). This tour took us to Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland via Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park (4 nights a various lodges), Okonjima Nature Reserve, and Waterberg Plateau. It was a grueling (lots of early mornings for sunrise) yet stunningly beautiful tour filled with amazing photographic opportunities. Our goal was to photograph exotic animals in beautiful landscape settings with clear atmosphere and beautiful light, and this tour surely delivered. We were fortunate that there had earlier been rains and the desert grasses shone beautifully in our early morning and evening pics. Oliver at Gazechaze organized our tour most efficiently and pleasantly. And our guide, Kai Luehl was fantastic. He was a knowledgeable and experience photographer that knew all the best places to go. And, he was super nice guy, really interesting and entertaining to talk with about photography, the country and the people and how they live. We had tremendous fun! I very highly recommend.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Once in a Life Experience Perfectly Fulfilled
We went with Jocky Tours for their 6d5n safari. Our guide for the first 3 days of the Safari in Masai Mara and Nakuru was Francis. Jocky Tours made the entire booking experience extremely smooth, providing us with updates and information at the right moment. They handled the handovers after Nakuru to Ambosseli (despite unstable political situation) really well, without sacrificing any part of the safari. Plus the accommodation and food was great; they accommodated our dietary preferences really well. The logistics were definitely superior than our previous experiences in Tanzania and Kenya with other companies.
Now coming to the safaris, we were previously disappointed a bit in Tanzania. But Francis, our guide went above and beyond in tracking animals and gave us some of the most "legendary" sights possible. Things we used to see in Nat Geo or documentaries were no longer on the screen but like 5ft from the safari jeep. He is absolutely great in tracking the Big 5 and giving you the experience of a lifetime. We saw the Big 5 upclose, including a leopard, which is really rare. He also know animal behavior really well and positions the vehicle in the perfect position for the perfect shots. With 16 years of experience under his belt, I would say he is the go-to guide if you are up for a safari in Kenya.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip and I recommend Meru to anyone who wants to go on Safari
The crew at Meru delivered an unforgettable nine day Safari. I have a section on the trip and also tips for souvenirs.
Overall trip - My tour guide Samweli is top notch and one of the best guides around (16+ years experience). He had a great eye for spotting animals, taught us culture/history of the people and lands, knew the answer to every question we had about the animals or flora, respected animals by maintaining safe distance from them while other guides would chase/harass the animals (you can still see them close with your naked eye as they will walk towards you, but many other drivers were obviously doing what they probably thought tourists wanted to maximize their tips). Everyday he cleaned the car thoroughly so it felt new. We saw all the big 5 and more, most of which ended up fairly close because they walk around anyways or they are by main road. His 16+ years of experience shows as other guides were calling him for advice on which roads to take. He also drove safely in general - didn’t tailgate other cars, which avoided dust and ensured safety for passengers and animals that might be crossing; many other drivers we saw were a few feet from the car in front which resulted in a ton of dust being put inside car. He did not off-road, which damages the environment.
Our consultant Leonard was great in helping create a trip that met our budget and placing us in amazing lodges (some of them is what I imagine a billionaire would live like), as well as keeping us updated every step of the planning process. Emmanuel was our driver to and from the airport, and also provided the city tour; he was very knowledgeable about Arusha and open minded.
Souvenir trips to get the lowest prices and most variety: buy paintings at one of the shops near lodge or national park, and buy the carvings/stones/clothes at the Masai market (you can get paintings here too) in Arusha during city tour, and also at Sanaa for glassworks/bags during the city tour (this place is amazing - employs people with disabilities and is also inexpensive for westerners). We bought some glass cups and animal structures they made in front of us at Sanaa. Of course if you aren’t doing city tour or don’t have at least 2 hours in Arusha, you’d need to buy from one of the souvinier shops by the park.
Outside of Sanaa, bargaining is expected by the sales people. Do not come in thinking you are a westerner and will not bargain with poor people because you will get absolutely ripped off, and regret it when you see the same thing in another store a few feet down the road at a much lower rate. If you want to give away your money, do so at a non-profit or a place like Sanaa.
Less applicable for Masai market (significant competition there amongst shops prevents gouging), but all other stores you shop at - they will ask for $400 when they’d settle for $50 and they still make a healthy profit. I saw a family before us pay $700 for some painting and crafts that I saw for $40 at another store later on. Masai market has prices fairly close to the lowest anyways so don’t expect more than 20% reduction. Safari land and its main competitor (don’t know name but not as fancy) are expensive; just go there for the experience. Many carvings you see are NOT unique. I have a hand etched wooden animal which I bought in a distant African country thinking it was unique, but I saw the same thing in Safariland for 6x the price ($20 vs $120). Buy it because you like it, not because it’s one of a kind because it’s unlikely to be.