SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wild Portraits with James offers an authentic, respectful, and unforgettable safari experience.
We spent 10 days on safari trip with Wild Portraits. Travelling with James is to experience Africas savanna gives you as a whole.
The chance to see the five iconic African animals – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and African buffalo – is truly special. To witness the magical sunrises and sunsets of the savannah, where the senses of sight, hearing, smell and touch come together, is something James brings to life in a remarkable way. He has a natural eye for suggesting the most captivating scenes for photography, always without compromising the dignity of the animals. His passion for wildlife and nature shines through in everything he does, and his deep respect for both is evident in the way he acts.
With genuine humility towards nature and the way animals live – always mindful of a sustainable future for all, and a place one longs to return to – James is a true role model whom many other guides could learn from.
If you simply want pictures of one or two animals, James is not the person for you. Save your money and visit a zoo. But if you are looking for a complete experience – one that offers rich in genuine and profound knowledge of wildlife and breathtaking nature, along with the unforgettable scenes of the African savannah where all your senses are stirred – then James is the one your surely want, where I warmly recommend - where you will get real value in your journey. You will leave with renewed energy, memories to treasure, and magical experiences that no picture or words can ever fully capture, only the feeling of having truly lived them.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unreliable
A few years ago, 10 of us traveled on safari to Kenya and Tanzania through a different travel agent who went above and beyond. That trip was flawless, which made us excited to try Kruger in South Africa, as it is often considered even better. Sadly, our experience with Bianca Els and Craig Lucke of Southern African Tours was the complete opposite—and it has left us heartbroken.
We first contacted them in September 2024. Craig was responsive in the beginning, but soon handed us off to Bianca, whose replies were slow and inconsistent. After our first deposit, her communication slowed even more. By March 2025, we had paid in full—including domestic flights—for a group of 14, totaling over $56,000 USD, because Bianca said everything had to be paid in advance. From that point, communication nearly stopped. Confirmations never came, and when replies did arrive, they were delayed and filled with excuses.
Two members of our group required visas. Despite repeated requests, Bianca sent only one document, with incorrect information, and gave no real guidance on the requirements. She never even asked if the visas were obtained . She also ignored repeated requests for proper flight and hotel confirmations. Bianca did take a call a few days before our departure to discuss the trip and also again gave assurance she would be available 24/7 and that everything was confirmed. Because this company had come recommended, we trusted her assurances that “everything is taken care of” and boarded our flights to Johannesburg believing our arrangements were secure.
The reality was devastating. Upon arrival, we learned that nothing was booked: no domestic flights, no safari lodges, no activities, no transfers, no dinners. The only exception was a single night at one Johannesburg hotel. We were left scrambling, on our phones at all hours, trying to salvage an 8-day trip for 14 people at the very last minute. This caused incredible stress, disappointment, and financial loss.
During this ordeal, Bianca and Craig never once responded to our messages or calls. Yet when friends back home posed as potential new clients, Bianca replied to them immediately. That contrast was deeply painful and showed us where their priorities truly were.
We also discovered that the company operates under another name, Afrique Australe Tours (PTY) Limited. Their Southern African Tours website displays the SATSA logo, which typically signals credibility, but when I checked directly, I was told they are not current members. Perhaps they once were, but displaying the logo now feels misleading to travelers.
We tried everything during our stay—calls, emails, even asking locals for advice—but there was no accountability or resolution. The staff at the hotels we eventually stayed in were kind and sympathetic, and even they expressed shock that agents representing their country would allow this to happen. Several suggested our only option was to pursue legal action once home.
This experience has not only cost us greatly, but it has also shaken our trust in visiting South Africa at all. It is a beautiful country, and the people we did meet were wonderful—but what happened with Southern African Tours was devastating.
Warning: Based on our experience, we strongly urge travelers to avoid Southern African Tours / Afrique Australe Tours . We relied on them entirely, only to be abandoned, with the $56,000 we paid unused for our trip. We hope sharing this prevents anyone else from going through the same pain.
GR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
We had an adventurous safari in Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. The staff of Salvation Safaris did their best to offer us an unforgettable experience and overcome any issues that may occur in such an adventure. Our driver was knowledgeable and tried to help us spot as many animals as possible. Accomodation in lake Manyara was great and food provided was delicious!
Thanks to all of you and hope to meet again!
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly organized!
Adventures in Tanzania Safari is a great tour operator for the best safari of your life! We did a safari for 5 days and saw every animal we wanted, we did Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngoro Ngoro and Lake Manyara and everything was worth it! You get nice food throughout the whole trip and everyone is very kind. I would recommend booking with this tour operator because you get everything it offers. It was one of the most amazing experiences in my life! Jeff is also an honest and trustworty person!
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience!
My friend got very sick the day before our safari and Geff did his very best to reschedule our safari so we could still have our 5 days, we really appreciated this! We really loved the safari! We saw a lot of animals, all of the big 5. Sadly we were not lucky to see the cheetah.
We always got fresh water and three meals a day, that we enjoyed!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cheetah Appetizer
Fantastic Safari
Musa “Six” has over 20 years guiding experience and sure enough he delivered. We got to experience three cheetahs hunting a rabbit down and then feasting on it. Just wow!!!
You’ll get to see lions, hyenas, wildebeest, baboons, giraffes, leopards and others.
Truly a great experience
Thanks Mike for planning the trip
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Honeymoon Safari with Amazing Memories
We booked our honeymoon with Amazing Memories Safari this year, and it truly lived up to the name.
Planning began back in 2024, and with it being such an important trip, and our very first safari, we were naturally a little apprehensive. We contacted several companies for quotes, but after speaking with Brian, our decision was made. He immediately put us at ease, listened carefully to our needs, and created a detailed itinerary tailored perfectly for us. He patiently refined it until we were completely satisfied, always responding quickly and making us feel like no request was too much. His professionalism and reassurance gave us complete confidence from the start.
Our trip involved traveling across Kenya and staying in six different hotels, which required a lot of behind the scenes coordination. Thanks to Brian and the Amazing Memories team, everything was seamlessly organised, transfers, check-ins, and connections all ran smoothly. We never had to worry about logistics, which allowed us to simply enjoy the experience.
We spent eight days on safari with James as our guide, and he was truly outstanding. From the first day, he made us feel comfortable and welcome. His knowledge of wildlife, tracking skills, and ability to spot animals were remarkable, he always seemed to know exactly where to be at the right time. With his guidance, we saw all the animals we had hoped for and many more. Beyond being a fantastic guide, James was also a joy to spend time with, and he played a huge part in making our safari so memorable.
Overall, Amazing Memories Safari made what was already a very special occasion in our lives even more unforgettable. The organisation, care, and personal touches from both Brian and James went above and beyond our expectations. We would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone planning a safari, and if we return to Kenya in the future, they will be our first choice without question.
CL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Service
We loved the experience! And with a totally reasonable price for the service given.
Kueka was an excelente guide with lots of knowledge and great conversations. Very reliable (we had doubts before starting, but were always on time).
Is there something to improve ? Yes, I would say they car could be newer or better, maybe som A/C to avoid all the dust of the dry season, but it’s a minor detail: overall we had a time of our lives !
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari Experience in Tanzania
I had an amazing safari experience in Tanzania. From the start, the communication was excellent — Julius, the coordinator, was always polite and quick to respond on WhatsApp, and he even came to meet us the day before the tour to go over the details in person. This gave us a lot of confidence and made everything feel very well organized.
Our guide, Maximilian, was fantastic — always full of energy, cheerful, and clearly passionate about his work. He made every drive fun and engaging, sharing his knowledge with enthusiasm. The meals during the tour were also delicious and exceeded our expectations.
This was the most affordable option, so instead of luxury hotels we camped inside the national parks. Far from being a drawback, it was a highlight of the trip — falling asleep to the sounds of nature and waking up to wildlife around us was unforgettable. The tents were comfortable, and there was even a shared area where we could charge our devices, which was very convenient.
We didn’t get to see rhinos or leopards, but we saw almost everything else — lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many more. Beyond the animals, the landscapes themselves were breathtaking, from endless savannahs to dramatic sunsets.
Overall, everything was smooth, friendly, and memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a true safari adventure in Tanzania!
Amazing 3-Day Safari to Murchison Falls with Likana Tours and guide Henry.
We had an unforgettable experience with Likana Tours on our 3-day, 2-night adventure to Murchison Falls. From the start, Bonnie and Michelle did a fantastic job organizing the itinerary, ensuring everything ran smoothly and that we got the most out of our time in Uganda.
The highlight, of course, was Murchison Falls itself – breathtakingly powerful and beautiful. The safaris were equally amazing; we loved seeing all the animals in their natural habitat. Our guide, Henry, was outstanding. He was knowledgeable, fun, and really made the safaris both exciting and informative.
The accommodation at Twiga Safari Lodge, right on the banks of the Nile, was superb. At night, as we returned from dinner, we were thrilled to see hippos right in front of our balcony – an experience we’ll never forget.
Another memorable part of the trip was the visit to the Rhino Sanctuary. Walking so close to these incredible animals was exhilarating and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Overall, Likana Tours delivered an exceptional journey filled with unforgettable moments. We highly recommend them to anyone planning to explore Uganda!