US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our dream trip going on Safari became a reality
We have just returned from our 8 day trip on safari in South Africa. Africa has always been on our wishlist. South Africa offered a variety of what we wanted, and we signed up for a Go Touch Down tour in 2015 and traveled Sept 2016. My wife wanted the other tour they offered, the city one, in cape town, but I was not going to go to Africa and not see wildlife. Safari offerd a sample of everything, so we settled for that. We stayed at 3 properties, Dukeld Estate, Seasons Spa, and Humala lodge. We arrived a day early on the Tuesday and stayed a night at Seasons before the tour kicked off the next day. The spa helped to recover from the 15 hr flight. Overall the guides 9/10, the value of the tour 9/10, the properties 8/10, Humala gets a 9/10, the activities 8/10, the staff service at the lodges 9/10, the friendliness 9/10, and the food - well that gets a 10/10. Braaai is my new favorite word. It is a barbecue but S. African style. It is to die for. Only negative was the excursion at a very dry Kruger park, as this SA reserve has been experiencing a drought.
The trip and flights (economy) cost us 10K. We would recommend this tour and company. Overall I give them 4.5 stars
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
safari with homestay
On our safari we also did a homestay, which was a great culturale experience. We saw the beautiful country, learned so much about the Kenyan Culture. We had three homecooked meals a day, by our great cook Sammy. The best thing to do on a visit in a country is a homestay, to learn about the people, the culture and the food. Kikwetu makes that possible. I would advise anybody to book with Kikwetu.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good to Excellent
We booked a tour through Kenya and Uganda with Seven by Far. The service was excellent, that accounts for the tour in Kenya (Rafting on Tana River, Aberdare national reserve, Sweetwater, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha) as well as for the partner company in Uganda (Kibale, Bwindi). E-Mail communication with Sylvester was fast and reliable. They could provide some additional tips regarding trip planning, however they were very flexible in changes in the program. Also enough flexibility to adapt short term. However, we didn’t want too much driving in one day. As it turned out, Uganda was a lot of driving involved (especially the border crossing via car just took a very long time). We probably would change that for next time and book a flight for the transfer. Approx. driving hours in the program would have helped to change that in advance (flights should be booked in advance as the prices tend to increase for last minute tickets). The pre-payment of the full tour in advance via bank transfer with a tour operator in Africa made us suspicious at the beginning, however, no reason to worry, all promised included services were booked and the value for the tour was in our opinion very good. Also choice of accomodation was very good. The safaris were also great and the minivan with pop roof in Kenya absolutely perfect (car in good conditions and very good new tyres as well). Nicholas was our guide, he had wide knowledge of wildlife, spotted the animals very fast and also was patient when we wanted to stay a little longer at a certain spot. As I already mentioned our guide also was very flexible in program changes. We for example visited spontaneously a cheese factory company and Nicholas made it happen that we had a private tour.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent value for money, great experience
We booked a 6-day safari with Karibu Safaris in Kenya and had a wonderful time. Given that this is really a budget tour, the accomodation we had was really good, and Always very close to the gate. Food was OK too. The van we were in was standard- I think that 80% of the safari vehicles driving around the Maasai Mara looked exactly like ours. If you have the time, I would greatly recommend going for the 6-day option since the variety between the parks was astonishing and each park has a certain 'specialty' of wildlife.
Robert was a great organiser, whenever we had a question or issue he would respond right away and help us to the best of his ability.
All in all, highly recommended!
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip and good value
Communication was good overall. Was surprised when a Western Union transfer was requested for the deposit as this is not for business purposes so wasn't comfortable with that. The tour itself was great with everything running smoothly. The Safari was great. Leonard our driver was very good. Just one small thing at the end where he could have listened better to where we had to get dropped off but overall thanks for a great time.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masai Mara
My partner and I took a three day safari to Masai Mara and couldn't be happier with the experience. The trip is really well organized, we were really lucky that other travellers in our small group were really nice and respectful, and so were the team of drivers and assistants who shared music and stories with us. We got to see zebras, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, lions, wildebeests, gazelles, elands, antelopes, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, topis, ostriches and some other amazing birds. The accommodation was nice and comfortable, the food was good (vegan friendly), and the whole trip was worth it. We also got to visit a Masai village and interact with locals and learn about their costumes. Highly recommended.
BE
Good response time, clear information
Very good software generating a clear itinerary with tourist related information.
Expensive but the final result is ok.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great budget safari
The safari was substantially less expensive than other companies we contacted. Even so, it certainly met our expectations.
Positive points:
- We saw lots of animals, even relatively rare ones. Completed the Big Five in one trip!
- A very friendly guide/driver that adapted the planning to the group's wishes.
- The soups were excellent.
Negative points:
- The guide's English was passable but not good, which made conversations difficult
- The equipment (car, tents...) was relatively old and worn. This is to be expected for one of the cheaper safaris.
- There was not a lot of variation in the food.
Overall a very recommendable experience. If your budget is tight, this is the company for you.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Namibia by Eduardo Canut
Is a country full of contrasts and ideal to make your own self drive dream trip. Best place on earth to see black rhinos (Okaukuejo waterhole, the best waterhole on earth). Other places like Aus (wild horses) or Erindi private game reserve are very very recomendable.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The namibian green area.
It's just a place that you don't expect, specially if you come from Sossusvlei or Etosha (very dry areas). The park has stunning views and is full of green, something that you miss in the country. Is a very recomendable alternative place to make a couple of nights during your road trip. Wildlife is not the most spectacular thing, even though you will see mongoose, baboons, warthogs, dick dick, hyrax, giraffe and if you're lucky rhinos, eland or roan antelope.