CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip! Beautiful Country
My wife and I just returned from a 12 day tour in Uganda with Crystal Safaris. The mid range lodges exceeded our expectations. Our guide was very good, although his english needed some work. The vehicle we had was a few years old, and experienced a major mechanical issue (not surprising given the state of the roads!!). However, a replacement vehicle was delivered later that evening, so the breakdown had very little impact on our trip.
We booked the Chimp Habituation experience, thinking we would spend more time with the chimps -- this was not the case, and we had to alter our itinerary as we booked a chimp tracking the following day which was much better for people having never seen Chimps!!
We stayed at 2 Crystal Safari lodges, and Crater Safari Lodge was beautiful, Gorilla Safari lodge was nice!
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari experience in mid-range package
We enjoyed Serengeti and Tarangire national parks a lot. Each of them has a different character. Tarangire is nicely shaped by the river. You don't need to drive long distances to see wild animals. Serengeti is impressive by the endless plains and classic safari experience. But it tends to be overcrowded at some places. Also you need to survive the dusty transfer from NCA to Serengeti on bumpy road (2 hours each way). Ngorongoro wildlife has left us behind our expectations but maybe we weren't lucky enough. The crater landscape is breathtaking. Be prepared on cold weather in the morning (below 10 degrees Celsius). Our driver Jackson has done a good job, especially when tracking the wildebeest migration. We were sharing the car with four other travellers which was fine and caused no limitations to us. The only concern was that they had different accommodations. It caused extra miles driven every morning and evening on transfers which was a little bit annoying. The accomodation in Serengeti Mawe tented camp was excellent and is well worth it. The communication with the tour operator was fluent and friendly. Online payment of reservation fee would be welcome instead of bank transfer which can't be insured. We can recommend Kili Slope especially for good value for money of our mid-range safari package.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique experience and wonderful scenery but need to pay premium price to enjoy it
The geological location of Kenya made it an ideal place to travel during norther hemisphere summer time(July,August). The weather is neither too hot nor cold. Most of accommodations(lodges) have good food, tasty grilled vegetables and meat. Coffee and tea are superb! When you travel among those developed countries, sometimes you might need to find a good coffee/shop so that you can enjoy a good quality cup, but in Kenya this is something that most lodges would serve. I don't like the transportation honestly. The roads are powdery and ridiculously bumpy. Even in good road condition i.e., from Nairobi to Navasha where we need to cross a mountain, once there is a conjunction many drivers keep on jumping the queue and we all end up stuck into a total jam and no way to get out of it. However, good news is that there are many roads under construction by Chinese companies. For example, the way to Masai Mara is half completed during 2018 summer. Imaging going there next year would be much better. A good guide is somewhat a lucky one, he is the person that critical to the whole experience. Hot air balloon over Mara is an unforgettable experience. You will enjoy the quietness and the beautiful savanna sunrise, though a bit cold in early morning generally but that warmness from the balloon make you feel like sitting next to a living room fireplace.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
16 Day Kenya-Tanzania Solo Safari - Exciting to Say the Least
16 days with 8 different accommodation spots and a border crossing, there are bound to be a few things that might go off the rails. I would suggest anyone undertaking such a challenge have an open mind and be able to roll with the punches. I did a lot of research prior to booking my Safari with Orongai and in the end, they offered the best value for what I was looking for; a mix of luxury and tented accommodation with a full itinerary. First what needs to be noted is Orongai is relatively new to the Safari tour industry, but the Founder, Asseri is not. As such, they are continuing to learn and grow. If you are looking for that PERFECT nothing better go WRONG experience, then I recommend you pay the $10 to $15k US per person and book with a company that has been around for 30 years. If you are looking for value and won't get absolutely rattled if things don't go 100% according to plan, then you will have the trip of a lifetime like many others have indicated in their reviews.
Like a few others, I had changes presented to me upon arrival in Nairobi that had not been communicated prior to leaving Canada. I addressed the lack of communication with them in this regard and we came to a mutual agreement. Like some others, I too had accommodation changes that I was not expecting. Again, I stressed the importance in communicating changes to their clients prior to them arriving for their Safari - no one likes surprises, especially if they are going to be perceived as negative.
So here's my adventure:
- I arrived in Nairobi to learn my luggage did not. Martha and Asseri delayed departure for my Safari while they tried to figure out how they could retrieve my luggage once it arrived and get it to me while I was on the road. They helped make arrangements with the hotel, etc. They didn't have to - they didn't lose my luggage, the airline did. I was 5 days without my luggage!
- As a single female, they were concerned with pairing me with a young, male guide. They hired a new guide/driver that was supposed to be more experienced. James turned out to be friendly enough and very aggressive when it came to maneuvering the safari vehicle into position for the best wildlife shot. I got the best photos and did not have a professional camera with a 2 foot long lense. The downside was James' english was not very strong and he was not as outgoing and personable and I would have liked. An outgoing, personable driver with a good sense of humour was part of the criteria I requested for my Safari. As I was travelling solo, I needed to have a driver that was willing to engage. He also ended up taking more risks then he should have with the vehicle; taking short cuts that were not authorized by Orongai.
- Due to 'confusion' with regards to my itinerary my driver chose to skip taking me to the Nakuru Rhino reserve/drive and I missed out on seeing any Rhino's on this trip; a big disappointment for me. To make up for this, Asseri had my driver take me to Naivasha where I was treated to a private boat tour on the lake at Orongai's cost.
- Asseri met me at the Kenya/Tanzania border to take me to the Serengeti for 2 days. Crossing the border, and getting another Visa is quite an undertaking and to have the assistance and support to be guided through that process by him was very helpful and appreciated. I was hosted by Steve at the Kati Kati Tented Camp right in the park - it was amazing.
- Most of the lodges and tents that I stayed at, although there were some changes were quite nice.
- The biggest concern with accommodation was in Nakuru where I was placed at The Legacy Hotel; a hotel, not a lodge or a tented camp. In the middle of the night a man entered my room with a key. I suspect with the intention of stealing from me; as he had a key, he must have been an employee, but I will never know as he took off before anything could be done. I addressed this with Martha who addressed it with the hotel. The result is Orongai will not be placing any clients in that hotel in future.
- My driver made another unauthorized deviation near the end of my trip on the way to Mombasa. Because of this, Asseri again paid to have me taken on a private 5 hour tour through Mombasa to make up for it.
- The end result is 'James' will not be hired for any future safari work with Orongai
Communication, communication, communication. It is key, especially with a trip that was as complicated as mine was. And remember, you aren't always going to have internet or wifi access when you are out on Safari - be prepared for that.
Orongai is new, they are continuing to learn as they continue to grow; this is to be expected. They did their best to make right the things that went wrong; that is all you can ask of any company. Even with the few bumps in the road along the way, I had a fantastic experience - something I will never forget, and I now have friends in Arusha; Martha and Asseri.
If you are planning a 5-7 day Safari, you will not be disappointed like the many others that have posted reviews. If you are planning a Safari that is longer and has you moving every day or two to another location, be prepared for some hiccups along the way.
I definitely recommend them. Just confirm your itinerary prior to leaving your country of residence.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari experience
We booked the 3 day Safari package in Selous. On Friday we were picked up at 9 am at our hotel. There we had to pay the rest of the Safari in cash (1000$). This is quite inconvinient, as it is hard to get so much money in Tansania (ATM charge fees and only gives out TSh, bank only gives out 800$ per day). So if you can I would recommend to get the cash in your country in advance.
The trip to Selous takes about 5-6h. Our driver ("Fun") was really nice and helpful. During the whole trip water was provided, however, for other softdrinks one would have to pay. On Friday evening we had a 2h boat safari.
Saturday was really intense. Early in the morning (6am) we had a walking safari with a native guide, which was a unique experience. Afterwards we had a Jeep safari from 9am to 5pm, which was the highlight of the whole trip. It is amazing to see all these animals in their natural habitat.
The accomodation was nice and comfortable. All food was included and comparably good.
On Sunday we were driven back to Dar es Sallam and taken directly to the ferry to Sansibar.
All in all it was a very enjoyable experience.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very responsive and easy to communicate with
Communication and responsiveness were excellent
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kruger National Park by Emily
We didn't see as much wildlife up close as we saw in other locations and there were many more people.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Ulka
Ngorongoro crater is very scenic but our wildlife sighting was much better in Tarangire as well as Serengeti. We saw rhinos from very far since there appears to be some research going with the rhinos or perhaps there has been poaching.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful offroad experience
UHURU is a very serious and reliable organization.
We had a gorgeous trip in Selous Park with our family (5 persons)
Driver was great and friendly and very flexible.
We manger to see wonderful animals, kills and other offroad landscapes.
Proposed lodges were perfect.
I would recommend!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari in Uganda
I have had a memorable experience while on a safari in Uganda, my focus was on chimpanzee but my tour operators and ground handlers advised l incorporate it with a safari, I did the chimpanzee in
Kibaale and the drove toward the northern part of Uganda for safari in
Murchison falls, the park is vast with all the big game and it was memorable to see the Murchison falls..., it was spectacular to be in the wild,
Thank you iconic travel services, I really enjoyed my sole trip in Africa