NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
safari with homestay
On our safari we also did a homestay, which was a great culturale experience. We saw the beautiful country, learned so much about the Kenyan Culture. We had three homecooked meals a day, by our great cook Sammy. The best thing to do on a visit in a country is a homestay, to learn about the people, the culture and the food. Kikwetu makes that possible. I would advise anybody to book with Kikwetu.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our dream trip going on Safari became a reality
We have just returned from our 8 day trip on safari in South Africa. Africa has always been on our wishlist. South Africa offered a variety of what we wanted, and we signed up for a Go Touch Down tour in 2015 and traveled Sept 2016. My wife wanted the other tour they offered, the city one, in cape town, but I was not going to go to Africa and not see wildlife. Safari offerd a sample of everything, so we settled for that. We stayed at 3 properties, Dukeld Estate, Seasons Spa, and Humala lodge. We arrived a day early on the Tuesday and stayed a night at Seasons before the tour kicked off the next day. The spa helped to recover from the 15 hr flight. Overall the guides 9/10, the value of the tour 9/10, the properties 8/10, Humala gets a 9/10, the activities 8/10, the staff service at the lodges 9/10, the friendliness 9/10, and the food - well that gets a 10/10. Braaai is my new favorite word. It is a barbecue but S. African style. It is to die for. Only negative was the excursion at a very dry Kruger park, as this SA reserve has been experiencing a drought.
The trip and flights (economy) cost us 10K. We would recommend this tour and company. Overall I give them 4.5 stars
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip with the complete big 5
Last september we have visited Tanzania and had a great time together with our guide Bobby and cook. Bobby picked us up from the shuttle bus stop in Arusha and did bring us to our hotel and showed us a great dinner place.
During our safari we went to Lake Natron, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
We have seen the complete big 5, had great stays at the campsites and fantastic food thanks to our great cook.
In the beginning we had some problems with the car but they fixed everything and we could continue our trip.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing game viewing
Did a 3 night, 4 day safari in October and loved it. I signed up to it on my own, and there was just one other person on the trip so it was a very private and personal experience. We did the basic camping safari. Tents are provided and put up for you prior to you arriving at the campsite. You have 2 members of staff - a chef and a guide. Guide is brilliant at spotting wildlife and very knowledgeable. Chef really impressed me with the food. There was always an abundance of it so you never go hungry.
We were originally due to go to Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorogoro but at the last minute our guide changed from Lake Manyara to Tarangire as he'd heard that the wildlife wasn't very good in Lake Manyara for a few days prior - so they always try to take you to the best places. When in the parks, the guides all speak to each other so you have a higher chance of viewing wildlife.
In the Serengeti & Ngorogoro crater, the campsites are really wild. Often, lions and other wildlife walk through the campsites. I found this very scary when sleeping in the tent!
Saw incredible things, the only thing we didn't spot was the black rhino but they are very rare. Managed to see a cheetah really close up which was probably the highlight. An abundance of elephants and giraffes. Lions eating a zebra and fighting. Plenty of wildebeest. Everything was incredible.
Also, Richard (who runs the company) will really look after you. Even while not on safari, he set up a good hotel the nights either side, and helped me get into Arusha town by taxi and showed me how to get back. He will help you with any questions at all.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome experience!
My mother and I booked with Wildlife Safaris for a 4 day tour through Kruger. We had a great time and especially loved our guide Hoppy. Accomodation was good. Food at the included restaurants was very good. The group size of four people was perfect and our guide was obliging to stop for us whenever we wished to take a photo. Cons were that we thought the first day of driving through the mountains to get to Kruger was very long and overrated . The safari vehicle was good but would have liked some blankets and or wind protection supplied as we were freezing in the wind.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip
The trip was great - the Flash team met us at the hotel when we arrived, and gave us a quick debrief of what to expect over the next few days. They were really friendly and communicative. Everything was well organized, we didn't run into any issues.
KW
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour with helpful guides. Little bit of down time, but they made up for it in hospitality.
I knew what to expect; however, because another group showed up at noon and left early my tour was shortened. However, my tour guide was fantastic and did all he could to accommodate me and the group.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect, except the vehicle
our guide was absolutely perfect! Halisi Camp was soso. The vehicle was poor!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
two of us with private guide and vehicle for photography at Mana Pools
Camp facilities as expected, camp staff all excellant as was food and drink. Guides super knowledgeable and drives/walks very good with some adrelin fixes thrown in. As a photographer the only grouse I have is the vehicles used have a large cab on the front, (normally customised and removed). This prevents photo opportunities over the heads of the guide /driver and also inhibits ineraction with guide/driver as communication is through a "window". Having said that it didn't really affect us as we were "only two" and had plenty of room. I wouldn't want to be sitting on the front seats on a full vehicle as undoubtedly your view would be inhibited. Still, had a brilliant time and Mana Pools is a must................will go again and Naturways if I'm sure of the vehicle utilisation.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Affordable & Accommodating
Ewamanns Safaris is an affordable and accommodating company. My friend and I booked a safari within a week of our departure and about 36 hours in advance I was able to call and delay our departure as I had a last minute deadline come up at work. Our safari was also during off season, but I definitely appreciated the flexibility.
During off season you may not get see as many animals, but the perks include easy booking, cheaper rates, and an uncrowded campsite and reserve!
Accomodations
I believe the accommodations were commensurate with the rate. The campground was accessible to the Reserve and comfortable for a 2 night stay. Ewamanns did a great job setting up accommodation expectations as they sent me a picture of the tent/campgrounds while I was booking it, so there were no surprises here.
Food
Food was inclusive of the tour and they provided vegetarian options for those with some dietary restrictions. Note if you have more strict dietary restrictions like celiac it would be best to bring your food!
Safari
As far as the safari goes it was incredible!!! Everyone had a window seat to it was pretty easy to take pictures and take in the sights. Our driver didn't talk that much as was hard at first to know what was going on. However, in context our tour had 3 groups in one bongo speaking 3 different languages, within a day we were able to get in groove with communicating with one another. Overall it was a great trip.