SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great time in an amazing environment
The memory of my three day safari in Masai Mara will stay with me forever. It was an amazing experience to come so close to so many beautiful wild animals. We saw the big five, and so many more animals. Our guide was nice, the group was nice and we stayed at a nice camp close to Masai Mara, sleeping in comfortable beds in tents. The only thing I am a bit hesitant about, is that I think we got too close to the animals. It was absolutely not only us, but almost every other van from other companies (mostly Bonfire), that drove very close to the animals, and we were about 15-20 vans in the same spot sometimes. I later, when I got back, read that you're not supposed to be more than five vans and you're not supposed to get close than 25 metres from the animals.
I wish more companies would respect that. (as I said before, it semis almost no one doesn't). And of course I was really happy to see so many animals so close, but when for example four cheetahs surrounding a zebra were followed, and in their turn surrounded by 20 vans - it didn't feel as if it were on the animals' conditions.
But overall it was amazing to see so many animals, and our guide really did his best to find lots of them.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Efficient and persistent. They got me a booking at a difficult time.
The roads are a vast improvement. Reception was friendly and helpful. Chalet neat and tidy.Viewing very good
and rewarding. Only negative - people not obeying the rules. Good to see security improved at the entrance gate.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Trip with good organisation :-)
We did a Kenia & Tanzania trip in August 2017. Everything was well organised. The drivers were very exerted.
We saw a lot of animals and the Big 5 for sure. The price-performance ratio is very good.
Thank you very much for the great time we spent!
TH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The driver+guide are professional, and nice hotel choice
I found that the guide are so friendly and have a really professional service mind. Karim gave us so many information about safari animals and other thing too. For the hotels, the staffs in every hotel are really nice and kind. The hotel are clean and nice. Hotel food are fine too. I feel like this is quite beyond my expectation. Only some facilities in the hotel like warm water and electricity there are not the best but acceptable since they are in the park.
SE
A kind, beutiful land full of surprices.
We are very satisfied with our trip. The weather was good, the food was okay and we had a good guide.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great choice for a first-time trip to Africa
Takims Holidays is an extremely reliable tour operator. Despite us planning the trip very last-minute, they were able to organise a 2-weeks trip (one of safaris, one on the sandy beaches of Zanzibar) which went very smoothly.
They know the touristic offer very well, so once you make up your mind in terms of budget and accomodation they will offer you options that won't disappoint you. In our case, we should have done a little more digging in terms of the available options (sometimes we underestimated how popular some destinations could be), but this small hiccup was definitely on our side.
The car was very well maintained and Nelson was a very professional and pleasant company.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Beat the crowds and go in winter or early spring and layer, layer, layer!
Kruger was never actually on my Wishlist. Over the last 15 years I've travelled to several different areas in Africa - Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa. 'Kruger' is the place that everyone asks about - 'have you been there'? I'm not a big fan of the tourist pathways and have gone along the volunteering route to experience a different side. A side that I love.
Having said that, I was actually volunteering at The Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which is in the general vicinity of Kruger National Park. We were given an opportunity to visit Kruger on a day trip. Seeing that I was so close, I decided to see it for myself.
We left before sunrise in an open safari vehicle. The sides were up so the breeze was quite chilly. Our driver stopped so we could get pictures of the beautiful sunrise. Entering at Orpen Gate, we stopped for breakfast. Shortly after we found a leopard at the side of the road, relaxing. Eventually he got up and left. Two rhinos were spotted in the distance but we couldn't see them well without binoculars. A leopard tortoise also reposed in the middle of the road. He was a big specimen!
Elephants, lions and lionesses, zebras, kudu, wildebeests, impalas, nyala, waterbuck, giraffes, the usual parade were on view. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a lioness walking near to the road (our guide had missed her). We were the only vehicle around so had a good chance to follow and observe her without other cars. The best sighting was a group of spotted dogs, reclining in the shade. At the most there were 6-7 vehicles at a sighting at any one time.
Lunch at Satara Camp and time for souvenir shopping before the afternoon drive. By this time it was quite warm. Our group enjoyed the day and were happy to sit and watch the animals, rather than race around to see how many we could find. The safari guide was very compliant with our requests. Another stop at the Orpen Gate souvenir shop for anything we missed and a 'comfort stop' before heading back home.
If you want to see Kruger I'd recommend going in a low season to avoid crowds (unless that's your "thing"). More space for all to see and breathe!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don't expect too many animals during the wet season
In general, Etosha seems to be a great park to go to. The facilities were good, camping was fun and the scenery is just lovely. As we went there in the wet season of February, Etosha was very green, with plenty of water everywhere, so finding animals was very hard, even for our nice and very experienced guides. We did end up with a few sightings though, highlighted by a young leopard, who was drinking some water in the middle of the road. We saw plenty of giraffes, ostriches and springbok, but the rhinos were unfortunately hiding! It was fun to spot birds and also smaller animals like honey badgers, even though hard when the car was moving. I can definitely recommend going there, but would personally try again in dry season!
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great experience
I felt very happy with the service and the personal of viva safaris. the places were great, the food, and the guides. it was a great experience. i recommend.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great opportunity to reset after a very hard week's work
Pilansberg was beautiful and the Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge is to be recommended - friendly staff, excellent food and our guide, Ruan. was exceptional. All transport was efficient and friendly