CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Its hit and miss - and the big five are no way guaranteed
Crowd: It's the year of Corona and the crater is not too crowded these days. At one picnic site, there were about 15 cars for lunch - throughout the park we never saw more than two other cars.
Wildlife: Obviously it was a quite unlucky day, because everyone else seems to have the best wildlife experiences here. We saw one pack of lion very very far away (barely detectable with good binoculars), no other cats, no rhino, one elephant hiding deep in the bush, a few smaller herds and ostriches.. so its no way guaranteed to see anything here. It was a normal day, not too windy, a bit cloudy, in the middle of dry season. There was no obvious reason why there was nothing around, but you have to accept it's just nature. But after a day like that I really don't get the hype.
Scenery: The scenery is very unique though and the views into the crater made the day.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
3 night safari in Ruaha
The initial communications with Wild Gaze was efficient. Emails were answered promptly and questions where answered clearly. We booked a budget safari staying at the Tanapa Bandas in Ruaha National Park. While the bandas where clean, confortable and well located it was not made clear that there would be no options of food and we would be served the same thing everyday. While it was adequate it was not very tasty. The safari truck was comfortable and had plenty of sockets for charging electronics. Our guide, Ben, was accommodating, a careful driver and appeared knowledgeable. Overall a good experience and we would book with them again.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A responsive operator yet to improve on value for money
We did a 3-day tour to Gombe national park to visit the chimpanzees.
The planning and organization was very professional, with very fast responses and someone was expecting us when we arrived.
Once in the park, the accommodation was as expected - mid-range tents - far from the premium and cleaning standard you may get in other Safari experiences.
The experience in the park was great. We got really close to the chimps, while respecting their boundaries and always well guided by the local experts. The staff was also great and food was very good.
Our rating of 3/5 stars is based on two main elements:
1) On the second day (out of 3 days program) we arrived at Kigoma at 4pm. First the driver left us in a wrong hotel - we’ve noticed that and finally were redirected to the one that had been communicated - Sunset Vista Hotel. Secondly, at Sunset Vista Hotel we were put first in a very small room with a tiny toilet and wifi internet wasn’t working. Joshua, the operator manager, was responsive to our complaint and came the hotel to upgrade us to a better room. The improved room was still far from the expectations over mid-range on European or Serengeti standards.
2) The overall price of 350 USD per day is clearly overpriced - as 1st you profit only 2 out of 3 days, as the 3rd day you travel early in the morning back to Dar. And 2nd, you’re paying luxury daily rates when comparing to Serengeti, while getting a mid/low range service.
Overall we were very happy to see chimps from very close and Joshua was very professional and responsive.
We hope this constructive feedback improves the overall service delivery for future travelers.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Motto Tours and Travels gave us hard time during our Kenya visit
Hello,
We traveled to Kenya for a safari from July 18th to July 25th, 2021.
While the price is attractive and the contact person (Paul) spoke impeccable English to ensure we felt comfortable, the on-field performance had many ups and downs.
The properties that Motto had chosen were for our stay were beautiful. However, the vehicles brokedown 5 to 6 times during the 5 days of Safari.
We were 4 families and had chosen 2 large land cruisers. Both the vehicles broke down alternatively every day.
Mr. Paul did not pick up our calls for almost an hour on the last day when we had to catch our flight. The Nairobi airport was around 150 km away from Naivasha. We had a few stressful moments while at the same time we enjoyed the properties and the sight of majestic wild animals that we got to see in Kenya.
I highly recommend visiting Kenya. However, get a better tour operator.
Regards
Harish Dunakhe
Dubai
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Hustlers thieves, officials,police,ruin what would otherwise be a wonderful tourist destination
Zambia is a beautiful country with so much to offer, but traveling up from Botswana, there is a stark difference -the official's police and the Botswana people are friendly and efficient, (been several times) , have never been hustled in Botswana -the moment you arrive in Zambia there will be a hustler at your door -the Botswana officials expedite you quickly and efficiently -The Zambian side will keep you for hours -But that we can deal with.Livingstone(Vic Falls,) was empty this year of tourists, one would think they would welcome the ones who do come,but there we felt immediately like we were a mark, and constantly harassed and hustled, beware of the money exchangers and hustlers, do NOT deal with them,even if it costs a bit more, use a bank or ATM, where you are nor surrounded -they will come at you in gangs and try to distract you as others steal from you -this happened to us with our international guests who had money stolen, the police are no help,so don't expect any help there, we did go to the Livingstone police but they laughed at us and said we most probably dropped the money ourselves -so they find it a joke and obviously are not there to help tourists -our guests said it spoilt their experience there, and I doubt will recommend anyone else to go there
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They were professional, insightful and made the tour enjoyable.
The staff at First Class Africa were very professional and hands-on with everything concerning my trip. From the very first time I reached out they helped me with getting my accommodation and all the necessary payments and documentation I needed for my stay in Tanzania. They facilitated my safari drive at the Serengeti National Park as well as my tour of Zanzibar island. Their service was impeccable.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve by Brenda
Game is wonderful, the accommodation very much below par. Staff not much better
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari experience with Paul
I booked with world Escapes back in December for a three week holiday in Kenya and Tanzania which included a Maasai Mara Safari, a stay at the beach resort at Karafuu in Zanzibar. We also toured other smaller towns in Kenia including Lake Naivasha and lake Nakuru. All I can say is that Paul and his team at World Escapes not only gave us the best price for the safari but also A1 service. They took took care of us right through our stay in both Kenya and Zanzibar. Mohamed was our guide in Zanzibar. He organized our tour of Jozani forest and to see the dolphins.
I however would not recommend traveling in a minibus. We wish we had been briefed earlier about the state of the roads and Type of car to use.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He could have provided more information on ALL the animals.
Great safari! The location was great. We were able to see all big 5 animals! It was timed out just right where we were able to rest for a bit after lunch. The hotels/accommodations were very nice. The food was very good while at the resort and they had excellent service. However water was not provided on our trip and we had to purchase drinks if we wanted them. And the tour guide was very short and didn’t provide us with very much information about any animals. After 3 days of drives he didn’t even bother to ask our names or get to know us on any sort of personal level. The experience would have made a difference if our driver put in some effort for us to have a good time.... As far as location and number of animals we saw in tsavo west and amboseli they were great!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Information about Safari and Hotel was very weak, we had a good driver who did his best
Agency has provided very weak information about trips, hotels, what to expect, and considerations. There was no wifi connection in the hotel, our MTN sims were not working to connect to 4G. We have not been offered an Airtel sim, which is very cheap and had 4G connections in the area. Agency was not aware that Ryno park is closed, there is a bridge construction in the Murchison so the road is suspended, etc. SO, the trip was full of surprises. There were no plugs in tents/rooms. I have been asked for meal preferences, but the only available sausage for breakfast was pork, etc.
Once we arrived at a Murchison Fall, the driver asked if we have anti-insect spray/cream with us. Apparently, we have not been advised to take one, but luckily I had a cream.
The only positive thing was the driver. He was experienced and was doing his best to make us enjoy the Safari.
It doesn't worth of money paid.
I will never choose and advise this agency to others.