NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
In a few days you see and learn a lot about Zambia: the culture, the nature and zambezi river.
If you want to see and learn a lot about Zambia in just 6 days then the trip of Lochinvar Safari is perfect for you. In a SUV we travelled from Lusaka to Livingstone whit 4 poeple. So it was almost a private tour. The schedule was good and flexibel if necessary. The accommodations and food were good but not luxury. Mark, how drove us safely, told and shown us a lot about Zambia. We always feld safe on this trip. The rafting and the Victoria Falls were amazing. We saw and learned a lot about Zambia in a few days for a good price.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This safari is good for nature lover, like camping and if you are traveling with low budget.
Safari was amazing experience. Our driver James had 20 years experience so he knew where to go and did everything that we could see all possible animals. The chef Ibrahim was so kind and made tasty food everyday in modest conditions. The tents were okay, but mattresses weren't that comfy and sleeping bags should be updated. There also were no pillows. Almost everything went good but sometimes we didn't get enough information and we needed to ask things many times. And sometimes the schedule of the day wasn't clear for us. Even though we got help when we asked something from Vicent who was from the company. He picked us up from the airport and let us leave our backpacks to the office during safari. If you manage without comforts this could be your safari.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They are a professional tour operator
I was lucky enough to have them arrange my tour. They promptly provided me with the quote, so that I could reserve my air ticket according to the final itinerary just in time. The initial travel vehicle was luxurious, and the hotel accommodations were very nice. I had a wonderful trip thanks to their professional work, and I hope they could have more business in the future.
MT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wildlife Overdose!
I spent around two weeks in Zanzibar which was a mistake. The island seems to be the place to go after a game drive / safari on the mainland. I wish I had given it a miss. Zanzibar is dirty, the shop owners in Stonetown just don't leave one alone, they have no prices on anything, you have to haggle ALL the time which is very tiring. There are some lovely handicrafts for sale in the souvenir shops but why oh why are there no prices on anything? It just makes you feel like you're constantly being ripped off.
We hired a car, you have to get a driving permit (?) which costs an extra USD 10, then police are just ready to stop you on the roads and hassle you for your documents, they lie about the speed you're doing in order to get a fine off you. It just doesn't make for a relaxing holiday. The beaches are dirty, I witnessed several hotel beach boys cleaning the hotel area of the beach on a daily basis then just wheeling down the wheelbarrow full of rubbish into the sea!! What's that about? Is there no rubbish collection in Zanzibar? The sandbanks are the same, piles of tourists over for a stopover, some including lunch, so piles of plastic are left behind along with hot charcoal. It's a dump, such a shame because it could be paradise. Zanzibar clean up your act. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The only way to swim in clean water is literally to jump off a boat into the open sea, at the snorkelling spots, which is lovely.
As for the mainland, I went on a 3 day safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro which was absolutely fantastic, especially the latter. It truly is breathtaking. We saw lions feasting on a gnu, countless zebra, hippos, flamingoes, warthogs, amazing birds, elephants, buffalo, antelope and I've no idea what else. I wish I had gone on a five day safari rather than just three.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour
I did the 3 day budget safari to Maasai Mara and had David as my guide. It was my first safari and an amazing experience. David was a great driver / guide who was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The only thing I would say that could be improved is communication- what the plan is for the day, when we will be eating etc.
The parks had an abundance of wildlife (saw many of the big 5 apart from a rhino and leopard). The vehicle was in good condition (Land Cruiser) and the accommodation was really comfortable - I wad expecting a lot worse for the budget option. The passengers of our car had been spread across 3 accommodations which where quite far apart. Due to the bad roads it took approx. 45 min. to pick up/drop off everyone. Thus, one thing I had wished for is that the people you are in an accommodation with are also the ones in your car - to avoid unnecessar in the morning and evening (loosing precious time to see the wildlife). Alternatively a meeting point just outside the national reserve could be introduced where passengers of the car could be swapped according to the tour operators/accomodations.
If you want a more detailed description, then you can read my travel blog entry for this safari: https://findpenguins.com/6jjjgruit3szw/footprint/65c92fec1d1a40-06088084
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Baraka is very funny and lovely. He made an already amazing trip more special.
Great experience, affordable price, excellent safari experience. Every service staff is warm and friendly, especially our guide Baraka, who is familiar with wildlife and brings us a detailed explanation and gives us the best travel experience.
KR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very kind, quick and punctual
My wife and I had a.good time.in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botsnawa for 2 nights and 3 days, thanks.to Afro Dawn travel service, in particular to Isabella, the 1st class tour guide. We saw the Vicotori falls from.two.different country sides and went for the Chobe river.cruise, while wrapping up helicopter tour right before departure. Every arrangement was great, except Boma dinner show with limited menu (no fruits but fruit cocktail only).
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Makes the safari fit your individual scedule: Short or long. Rough or comfy.
For a short safari (3-4 days) the living quarters is not important as we spent most time out in the bush. We never used the pool or the bar as we went out early and came back late.
Professional, helpfull and knowlegeable staff.
We picked Viva Safaris because they collect at most hotels in Joburg. - Not just from the airport.
TR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good operator, organizes everything very precisely.
It is in general a good operator, however the cars they used for safari are not comfortable.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing days with a lot of animals
Everything can be better but in a general view the safaris done were really good. All things depends around the people who do it and we feel some difference between one guide and the other that go with us. Another thing, talking about animals is the lucky that you are, and I thing that we were lucky. Thanks a lot for your work and we wish with repeating with you.
