20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Safari itself was positive but tour operator's organizational skills left a lot to be desired
If I were reviewing the gorilla trekking experience and safari itself, I would have provided a rating of 4. Unfortunately, the disorganization and confusing communication I experienced from the actual planning around the trip by the tour operator before and after the trip detracted from my overall customer experience. As mentioned by other reviewers, there are still a few improvements that the tour operator should pay attention to and address, specifically around improving their communication - including more proactive communication leading up to trip around key logistical details and making their communication within office more streamlined so there is less confusion for the client. There were a few coordination lapses and lack of attention to detail that detracted from what would have been otherwise an enjoyable trip. Though the owner did try to redeem this by following up on a daily basis on how our trip was going, unfortunately, it did not prevent the lapses from affecting my overall customer experience - including confusion around payment and price for trip. The redeeming factor was that the safari guide and driver - Hamza - was very client-focused, trustworthy, and efficient and once the trip started, our group spent the majority of our time with him.
Dive adventure in the Quirimbas archipelago
Our cruise in the Quirimbas archipelago was rather difficult : we were not welcomed. Most of the islands are private so we were not allowed to land. Even though we had a permit, sometimes we were not allowed to anchor.
We visited Ibo island : the village is out of time, a very pleasant and peaceful place where people are very quiet and the colors at the end of the afternoon on the old buildings were so beautiful. Some species of birds were standing in the mangrove but we didn't have enough time for bird watching.
The dive conditions were difficult : courant, poor visibility. But whatever we had good times and Neptune's arms dive site is amazing. Many schools of fish, lutjanus, caranx and also reef white sharks.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One lodge was more than expected but the other was less.
I have seen much more wildlife in the Serengeti and Masaai Mara and even Kruger. I was extremely surprised at that because I thought Botswana was going to have many more animals. My one lodge Mapula was terrific. Great food, staff, amazing tracker/guide, beautiful room. It was 41 degrees on one day and 39-40 on the others and the was little to help the heat. The fans in the room were over the seating area only. That could be improved, but otherwise lovely place.
The second place (crocodile teeth? in the local language) was much lower level. On our orientation in this semiarid place we were told that there were a number of big scorpions seen in the camp and that we were to be careful because they were extremely poisonous. I understand we are in Africa, but I would have thought there would be more responsibility on the camp staff to be watchful to rid the camp proper of scorpions. The tracker/guides were not great; the least knowledgeable and least excited guides/trackers of any safari I have been on. (An I have been on a good number throughout Africa). The food was not very tasty at all, edible but nothing exciting. We had to travel 2 hours from the airport and 2 + hours each way to get to the animals. That was a lot of driving. Also, we had lunch in a place that turned out to have ants in the sand and many of us had many ant bites with very itchy feet that swelled from the number of bites. I expected much more from Botswana given the hype and the cost in comparison to other great safari experiences.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Trip but ....
First, I can't emphasize enough how beautiful and scenic landscape and wild-life watching is! Our Tourguide showed us great places. Since all tour operators do more or less the same (travel plan, camping sites, food) its maybe important to know how Trip Advisor Safaris works: Its not an operator, but it provides your booking to sub-contractors. For example, the woman who took our payment was from Seven Wonders Safari, other people in our group booked at Hekima Safari... I don't say it's not good or bad, it's just not transparent and you feel that it doesn't matter at all which organisation you choose (at least in this price range). We definitely got a good deal with Trip Advisor Safaris, since they charge less than other organisations.
What I didn't like so much was the communication. Before we paid the deposit communication was fluent, after having paid, questions weren't answers anymore. This doesn't raised my trust but in the end everything worked out well and we were picked up at the airport as promised. The second thing I didn't like that much was our tour guides attitude from time to time. On our first day Umar guided us. He was really great and told us a lot interessting things. Unfortunately, he had to leave after the first day (for personal reasons as he told us) and was replaced by Amani. For my impression, Amani seemed a bit rude and not very motivated. One day he had our binoculars in the trunk and refused to get them for us even if we pleased him several times. As you can imagine... being on a safari without binoculars is not that helpful ;-) The worst thing for me was when he got off road once to get closer to a group of cheetahs (in his defense, a member of the group coerced him to do so) but it's forbidden to leave the trail and the protection of animals should weigh higher than annoying tourists. I know, a lot of tourist want to get as close as possible to the animals but Serengeti is not a zoo and I expect guides to follow the parks rules.
Even if I complained a lot it was an unforgettable trip and I can recommend strongly to do it - no matter with which organisation. By booking Trip Advisor Safaris you get the same quality as by any other organisation as long as your willing to deal with some intransparencies.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge and Safari was amazing; Kanyezi not so much.
The Sabi Sabi staff and accommodations were absolutely amazing and first class. The ranger and tracker made our trip! We saw so much more than we expected - up close and personal! The food, service, and villas were 5 star. However, I would book direct rather than use Kanyezi in the future. Chris and Michael were with us only in Capetown. In Sabi Sabi, they had their "friend" act as our guide. We really didn't need a guide in Sabi Sabi because the lodge takes care of everything. In Victoria Falls, we were all basically on our own with a local guide who we had difficulty understanding. The accommodations in Vic Falls were far less than the 4 Star advertised.
Air travel was arranged very late despite emailing and calling on several occasions. We only received our international flight arrangements/tickets 2 weeks prior to our departure day! Given we were required to wire transfer the full payment months before the actual trip, this made us very nervous. Most all guests in our group had similar issues. Some did not get airline tickets until days before departure.
Lastly, Kanyezi threatened with legal action a guest in our group who posted a question online about their lack of responsiveness. They upset one couple on our trip and told them they should have booked the trip themselves! While generally nice people, they are highly unprofessional at times. This is marketed as a luxury trip of a lifetime ....
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
welcome to the jungle
The safari itself has been fantastic. Good food, good driver/guide (Emmanuel), accomodation in tent as expected. We passed a very good time with the animals and the wild saving a lot of money. We only have had 2 misunderstanding with the hotel for the 1 night accomodation and for the way back to the airport, so we suggest to be preparated and maybe to organize yourself to save money and to avoid surprises. We suggest Twinkle star tour for your tanzanian trip.
US
Animals are amazing but don't use BIGMAC Safaris
Nothing can beat the wildlife of Kenya, however we had the WORST tour guide, John and would not recommend BigMac safaris or John as a guide. He rarely spoke to us and quite honestly barely acknowledged us. He put us in danger by driving insane speeds on the roads and with broken seat belts. He was on his phone ALL of the time, if not talking then texting and looked like we were bothering him anytime we asked a question. He was frequently late for us sometimes at the expense of us missing meals. Go with another company, ANY OTHER company has to be better. He only spoke to us at the end when he wanted to explain to us what a good guide he was and if we didn't believe him we should "check trip advisor".
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor communication but ended up with an amazing experience.
Communication started off good early into the planning of the safari but ended up poor. After a while the responses i was getting were vague. What really annoyed me was when i was told that once i got to my hotel in arusha the night before safari someone would be waiting at the hotel to collect the remainder of money that needed to be paid and an intinerary of the next day would be given. Arrived at the hotel with no one from the tour operators to give any information. Spent half an hour trying to get through to them to get some information with no answer. Eventually they called the hotel back to give us our pick up time and no apology or explanation of why they were not there when they said they would be. If your gonna say your going to do this then i would expect this to be done. Other then that we had exceptional service due to our tour guide Oscar. Great guy who provided us with a great knowledge of the all the animals and history of the serengetti. Overall i was happy with service that was provided but the lack of communication was rather annoying.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hell's Gate National Park by Luanne
We rented bikes to ride in, entrance fees for non-Kenyans are way too high! Bikes were not safe, however, sand on the road and no tread on the tires of the bikes. Hike in to the Devil's Bedroom was more than I was ready for, but beautiful once we got there.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Okay
First things first, I prefer dealing with only one person while planning a trip from beginning to the end but this was not the case I ended up dealing with Sam then Chris then Francis which was a bit concerning because information was lost in translation and I ended up having to repeat myself quite a few times.
I would have loved a detailed breakdown of the itinerary in terms if what clothes to carry for rafting what kind of clothes and shoes to carry for the gorilla trek including the fact that porters are a necessity for the hike, the different levels of the trek in order to be well prepared..We had enquired from Martin our driver if we could stop to buy hiking boots and rain coats but he said there would be no need since we can hire these from Bwindi which was not even the case! But he managed to redeem himself by signing us up for the medium level trek which we thoroughly enjoyed. It would have helped if we also had a breakdown of the rafting itinerary in terms of breakfast is actually provided on site as opposed to us having to rush the hotel to provide a packed breakfast.
It would also have helped if we had been informed in advance that that we would be required to tip as a gesture of kindness starting from the rafting crew to the gorilla trek crew.
Our driver was constantly rushing us and this became borderline unprofessional.