35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti really is "the place where the land runs on forever"
We absolutely lucked out with Gasper as our guide. He was on a completely different level when it came to tracking wildlife and truly seemed to have two sets of eyes. As a Maasai guide, his tracking skills and deep cultural knowledge clearly added another dimension to the experience. One unforgettable moment was when he spotted a cheetah stalking a gazelle. We followed the entire hunt, witnessed the cheetah’s incredible speed, and later had a front-row seat as it relaxed in the shade right next to our vehicle before heading off for dinner.
We saw the Big Five by our second morning, including two separate leopard sightings. The first leopard had 15 to 20 safari vehicles surrounding it, but Gasper managed to find a second leopard with a gazelle in the tree that we were able to watch almost on our own for an eternity. It became pretty clear just how good he was when another safari driver kept showing up right after our best sightings, including cheetahs and leopards, clearly following where Gasper was leading us. Beyond his tracking skills, he shared an incredible amount of knowledge, and his passion for wildlife and Tanzania truly shone through.
A quick tip for future travelers. The whole “beware of the tsetse flies” warning is totally overblown. Maybe it was the time of year, late November, but we did not see a single one. Pack what you want and do not overhaul your entire wardrobe based on internet hype.
We booked a custom itinerary flying directly from Zanzibar into the Serengeti, then driving to Arusha via the Ngorongoro Crater. For fellow aviation enthusiasts, if you are booked on As Salaam Air, do not worry. It is legit. There is limited information online, but check-in was smooth at a small terminal north of the domestic terminal, and the flight itself went perfectly. Gasper was waiting for us at Seronera Airstrip, and we immediately jumped into the vehicle and started seeing incredible wildlife.
The accommodations were fantastic, especially considering the very reasonable price point we were quoted. We were the only guests at Kumbukumbu Lodge due to low season and some cancellations related to election protests, which we never saw or experienced at all. Farms of Dreams Lodge was also wonderful.
I cannot recommend Golden Trips Tanzania highly enough for a true trip of a lifetime. Definitely ask for Gasper as your guide.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An exceptional safari experience with Jocky Tours
We went on a 7-day safari with Jocky Tours, exploring the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli, and the experience was fantastic throughout the week. We were lucky to have Dennis as our guide, who knew the areas perfectly and knew exactly where to go and when to approach them. While a safari isn't solely about experience, having such a knowledgeable guide certainly helps a great deal. Thanks to him, we were fortunate enough to see all the animals, and up close, which made the trip even more special. Overall, an incredible experience and highly recommended.
(automatic translation from Spanish)
Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience our first time to Africa, we would definitely recommend Cuckoo to others!
Thank you for a very positive experience our first time to Africa! What could have been very stressful and nerve-wracking experience was alleviated through booking their safari itinerary. We booked the 12 Day Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park to Okavango Delta trip. The booking process was very simple, almost too much so that we were just nervous that maybe we missed something. Tatenda was very responsive whenever we needed to contact about the booking/itinerary.
When we arrived in Victoria Falls, Simon and Tatenda were waiting for us in the arrivals area and we were immediately off to Hwange. Simon was great about explaining our overall itinerary, but also just welcoming us with some background knowledge about the places we were passing through- the economy, the people, the customs, etc.
The lodge at Hwange was breathtaking. The open atrium was beautiful, the rooms were classy and had great views, and the back area where the fire pit and pool were perfectly overlooking the watering hole. We would just relax and observe the animals- it was our favorite view of any of the lodging we stayed at for the duration of the trip. Our guide Bheki was extremely knowledgeable in his craft and prompted our fascination with tracking. Not to mention a new appreciation of birds! His observation skills were enviable and we saw so many animals there, including some we didn’t think we would see at all or didn’t know existed!
We returned to Victoria Falls and had an amazing sunset cruise. The drinks and snacks with the ambiance of the Zambezi River were lovely. We were so impressed with the ability of the captain and crew to spot animals from the boat. The following day, we saw the namesake falls itself, which was breathtaking. There was a bit of time to explore the town and then we went to the private game reserve with our guide Nico that ended with delicious bush dinner.
Our transfer from Zimbabwe to Botswana was actually incredibly smooth. Simon drove us to the border for handoff to Gift, who was from Puku Safaris- Cuckoo’s sister company in Botswana. Border crossings can be quite hectic, but Gift guided us and a family of 4 through this process very smoothly and patiently. It was the easiest border crossing that my very well traveled friends had ever experienced.
Our two Chobe game drives via vehicle were guided by the talented Figo. His driving skills were second to none- I want to drive like him when I grow up. He was very pleasant and amiable, answering all of our incessant questions about being a guide, the parks, plants, animals, and whatever crossed our minds and he had a great sense of humor. Everyone in our vehicle wanted to see a leopard, and he was able to track one the first morning. We were the first to find it and one of a few vehicles that were able to see it before it disappeared like smoke into the brush. It was amazing.
The boat game drives in Chobe were also really cool and you get to see the animals in a much different way. The guides on the boats showed us different things, so each evening was a unique experience. It was definitely worth it to do game drives via both land and water. We ate dinner at the Chobe Safari Lodge buffet each night and the food was incredible, which I didn’t expect to say about a buffet.
As we ventured out towards Maun, our itinerary seemed less full, but that was likely due to the remote locations we needed to travel to. Hearing the animals at night and watching the elephants drink water at Elephant Sands was spellbinding. The meerkats were adorable and so worth the morning drive.
Once we reached Maun, Mr. Lee transported us to the Mokoro dugout canoe expedition. I would say that this is less of a canoe experience and more of a bush walk, for those who are participating. It is performed by people in the community and helps to support them. I think we walked for about 2 hrs. The following day, Mr. Lee deftly guided us in the Moremi Game Reserve, and poetically checked off the last of the animals we wanted to see. It was perfect.
A note about food and beverage- we were worried because we have dietary restrictions (vegetarians and food allergies), but everywhere we went was very accommodating and we didn’t have to worry about it at all. Cuckoo did well to relay our specifications, and everywhere that fed us either knew or confirmed with us what we could eat. Buffet style meals always had plentiful options for all of us. They also constantly provided bottled water so we never had to worry about buying our own or be concerned about having to make bold choices.
Overall, I can’t say enough about what a great experience Cuckoo made this. They booked unique, comfortable accommodations. They ensured that we had extremely competent guides who made sure that we were safe and respectful of wildlife while still getting to see a wide array of animals and educate us about an expanse of knowledge. Simon was very friendly and kind- making sure we were comfortable, reminding us of our itinerary, answering our questions, giving us suggestions, and educating us about life for people and animals alike. Thank you so much for everyone responsible for these bookings because it was a once in a lifetime trip. I hope to visit again one day.
Excellent
My friend and I did a shared 3 night/ 4 day safari and had a great experience. We did the middle range lodges and even felt that some of them were nicer than middle range. The food during the safaris was also a warm meal as well. Would highly recommend.
Excellent
My friend and I both really enjoyed our experience with Justin. He was very knowledgeable and made the adventure fun! Would highly recommend!
The Best Trip You’ll Ever Have
The front office’s customer service was great, our local guides’ knowledge and skills in the field were impeccable, and the whole travel experience was excellent. I fully recommend Lush Africa Safaris especially if you’re looking to combine a number of countries. And I don’t know if you can hand-pick guides but Derrick in Uganda and Rwanda is impressive, Peter in Kenya is a champion and Joseph in Tanzania is heaven-sent. We couldn’t have been luckier to get three of the best!
I spent 18 days in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania with 5 other friends and we had a blast, felt safe, taken care of and we saw many amazing things. We never wanted the trip to end because we were having a lot of fun, learning from the best Africa has to offer. As a lifelong Arizonan, the African sun was never a problem for me, but I must tell you the gorilla place Bwindi can get really cold at night, as if it has its own winter system. We were so lucky we saw the big 5 plus the chimpanzees, gorillas, lots of primates and the boat ride in Queen Elizabeth park is quite a highlight. We chose gorilla habituation over the standard tracking because we wanted to stay longer with the gorillas. I saw my favorite animal, the cheetah, in Masai Mara and Serengeti. At that point, my safari was completed. But we also saw many giraffes, lions, black & white colobus - another of my favorites, leopards, crocodile, many hippos in Uganda, rhinos in Kenya, we even saw a honey badger tussling with a pair of jackals in Ngorongoro.
Our trip began in Entebbe and ended in Kilimanjaro. The airport transfers were handled expertly by Lush. Their prices are fair, and they got us very nice midrange accommodations everywhere.
PH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dangerous
South africa is a dangerous place for tourist, i was robbed and almost died there.
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
Beautiful people, scenaries, wild life!! I realky enjoyed Tanzania and safari tour
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Could not have been a better expierience
Booking with New Horizon Africa Safaris was one of the best travel decisions we have ever made. From the very beginning, Emmanuel took the time to understand exactly what we wanted to experience in Rwanda and offered thoughtful suggestions that truly elevated our trip.
Every detail was flawlessly planned — from transportation and accommodations to daily itineraries that balanced adventure, wildlife, and cultural experiences. Seeing the gorillas was absolutely life-changing, but what made the trip exceptional was how seamlessly everything ran. We never felt rushed, confused, or unprepared.
Emmanuel’s knowledge of Rwanda, its wildlife, and its people is remarkable. He is professional, warm, responsive, and genuinely passionate about what he does. We felt safe, cared for, and welcomed every step of the way.
If you are considering a safari or custom African adventure, do not hesitate to book with New Horizon Africa Safaris. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are already dreaming about returning.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very charismatic and welcoming he was super informative and just a pleasure to be around.
Every day in Africa felt like a new adventure. There is something magical about waking up and immediately heading out to track wildlife; it sparked a curiosity in me I didn't know I had. I learned so much about the intricate patterns of their live, how they hunt, how they move, and how they survive.
Beyond the animals, seeing the local conservation efforts was a highlight. It’s amazing to see the passion people have for preserving this land. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’d recommend to anyone in a heartbeat. It changes your perspective forever
