IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Laura
Not my favorite place, reeeeeally cold, but there we saw hundred of animals all together reaching a small lake to drink and it was again a spiritual experience, seeing life itself all coming together to sustain itself.
RO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mixed
Overall, the adventure went well. In detail, we saw wild animals - that's why we went to Tanzania in the first place - and sometimes they were so close... right next to the jeep's front wheel OMG. We had Mister T, Lewis, Silas as our guides and Piu as a chef in Ngorongoro. On the first day of the safari, the jeep had issues when it exceeded 35 km/h, and we lost a few hours trying to fix it at a Mad Max-style service center :). The response was that it could be repaired if taken elsewhere for a part, and all of us in the group chose to continue using it as it was. On the second day, a different jeep, a different guide, and a different group: this time, the gearbox broke down right before entering the park, before the ticket gate. After a few phone calls done by Silas, we were told that it would be fixed in an hour. After an hour, we were told it would take another 2 hours. After the first hour of the two, we were informed that we would receive a replacement vehicle around 3 - 4:30 pm. After a while, Silas managed to persuade another driver (just entering the park) from a different company to take each of us to our respective accommodations - we drove for 6 hours with only a few stops because it was already getting dark, and the driver didn't have time to return back safely. The vehicles were not properly checked, which posed risks (what if we were already near the group of relaxed lions we photographed next to the front wheel? What if the vehicle didn't start? I'm sure Silas would have found solutions, but I would have preferred not to have these worries :). The first night of accommodation was at Boma Lodge - excellent lodging and food. The second night was at An'gata Lodge - MASH-style tents, a dedicated team - we were escorted to and from the tents by a team member using walkie-talkies; good food. The third night was at a camping tent, and the toilet/shower area needs improvements. Good food cooked by Piu. During the night we were visited by zebras OMG :) I'm glad that, overall, the safari was a success. We took memorable photos/videos and returned safely, with no unpleasant incidents regarding food. I can recommend improvements in communication between guides and tourists AND regular technical checks of the vehicles. Regarding tips, I agree with it up to the point where there is so much pressure that it can be believed that salaries are not paid from the money tourists pay for the safari (and it's not a small amount), and guides rely solely on tips. I hope that is not the case.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari was a great experience, but it could be better with a better service
Contact with the provider was minimal. I had to ask for all the information and all updates.
We were traveling as a family, but in the first lodge we had to stay in 2 rooms located far away from each other and with completely different standard. Our kids get sick during the journey. They had stomach problems. The driver helped us to get to the doctor. He was also sick.
The driver had good knowledge about animals, but sometimes he was lost. Like he was not aware where we stay last night, or how to get to the first lodge in Tsavo West. We had impression that our car was always leaving the parking as last one in the morning and that all other cars were passing us during the journey, so we always had late lunch and were in a hurry. Also, our start from Mombasa should be earlier but we were told to be ready at 8 AM.
Despite of above issue safari was a great experience, but it could be better with a better service.
IL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Pleasant to deal with the management, but the guide left something to be desired
Management was fine, price was reasonable. We had a half day safari; it was our first. The guide took extended breaks during the day and acted annoyed when we asked questions
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
a safari experience that deviated from the expected itinerary
I had booked a seven-day safari with Super Eagles, upgrading my accommodation for added comfort. Unfortunately, the journey didn't unfold as expected. Sharing a minibus with five strangers from different agencies was unexpected, and accommodation issues even led to a missed booking. The lodging arrangements didn't match the initial plan. Despite the prime wildlife viewing times being sunrise and sunset, our schedule rarely accommodated this. Additionally, the addition of two new travelers resulted in a shortened visit to Nakuru Park, allowing them to catch another minibus. Two new travelers joined later, forcing us to cut short our Nakuru Park visit so they could catch another minibus.
HU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operators were nice and helpful.
When we organised the trip, our correspondent was correct and flexible. The drivers were also nice and helpful, and really tried to make the most of our trip. We saw a lot of animals (rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, lots of birds, antelopes, etc). The hotels, restaurants, boat trip included were all fine.
However, our car broke down as soon as we arrived to the National park and we had to wait hours for replacement in a camping. When we got a replacement car, which we had to use for the rest of the safari, its roof was not working properly and it was smaller, so one of us had to sit in the middle (not ideal for seeing things). Its back door was regularly stuck so at the end of the trip we almost couldn't get our luggage out. I think a safari firm should either have working cars, or a working emergency plan for such cases (and possibly both).
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good, not great
We visited Madikwe in August 2023, with probably too high expectations given the length of our stay (5 nights) at Rhulani (very good lodge with great staff) and the reputation of the reserve.
We ended up quite disappointed on the predator side, since both leopard and cheetah eluded us and we did not even see spotted hyenas.
We were also expecting good wild dog sightings, but we just caught little more than a glimpse of a running pack after sunset.
However, we had various good lion sightings and we did manage to see a brown hyena.
Regarding other game, plenty of elephants, zebra, wildebeest, steenbok and impala. Very good white rhino sightings, briefly saw a black rhino in the dense bush. Some giraffes and a klipspringer.
No trace whatsoever of rarer antelopes like eland, gemsbok, tsessebe or red hartebeest.
Overall, a good reserve but we felt the variety of game was far from impressive compared to Kruger or Okavango.
NL
We had a wonderfull touroperator
Unfortunaly we did not visit any of the lodges from planning. Because we were together with other travellers and they had not the midservice safari. We had to go with them to the camps for breakfast and sleeping in other lodge. It was a disappointment to visit not the planned lodges.
May be planning might be better and it should be nice to put the same travellers on the trip (all midservice for example)
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Mixed Experience
The company was easy to communicate with before the tour, and they met me on time. The price was competitive and that’s what I cared for most. This was my first safari and overall I loved getting close to the animals. The driver got us right up to some lions and I could hardly believe that we were just next to them! The negative is the guide watched a lot of videos on his phone when I wish he could have told me about the animals.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Smooth booking but tour guide was very unprofessional.
Booking process with Denise was very well done but this is just the tip of an iceberg to have an enjoyable safari.
Day one - our tour guide was extremely late. He advised us to arrive at pickup location at 6.30 am but didn't arrive till past 8am. Worse, we couldn't reach him on contact provided by Born Fire. The guides lack of professionalism was evident right away since he got into it with one of the tourists stemming from frustration of waiting on pickup.
I didn't feel safe riding on the Land Cruiser after the guide explained his late arrival was due to fact that he had arrived at Nairobi city same morning following a seven day tour from Mombasa
