IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Saadani National Park by Chiara
Saadani park is not very populated: it is hard to spot lions and zebras for example. It is interesting because it is located on the coast: there are bushes, a river and the Ocean as well. Due to our lack of experience and to the lack of information from the tour operator we have chosen, this safari was very badly organized: I think that even if Saadani is a small park, there is no point to go there for less than 3 days. You have to take into consideration several elements that could overturn the original plan: for these reasons you need to take some time to enjoy the wild nature, have time for a walk and so on.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was my first, in Saadani N.P.: for sure I will organize better next time!
For my friend and I it was the first safari: we were in Zanzibar, so we decided to visit Saadani National Park(closer and smaller), even if we knew that it was not the best and most "populated" African park. Unfortunately the agency we chose was not clear about the duration of the journey from Dar Es Salaam port to the park. We had several issues with our car until we got stuck into the mud: I know people may say it is part of the adventure... however, it is not funny when you have less than 2 days.... In the end we did not make the boat safari to see crocodiles and hippos because in the morning the tide was not at the correct level...I am wondering why we did not make it in the previous afternoon then! For sure, it was very exciting for 2 Europeans to spot giraffes, monkeys and above all a big lonely elephant. We were expecting something more, especially a real guide, not only a silent driver who seems to be annoyed by us... accommodation was ok, but for a possibile future safari, I would not take selousrufijihippoadventure.com into consideration. Anyway, I think that this was just a start and that we have learnt something for next safari.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Entertaining, eye opening.
Viva Safari did a fairly good job, I should qualify that my budget did not allow me to be to demanding , the guides were recent graduates, very friendly, but they never left the paved roads in the park, pretty much anyone could have rented a car and did what we did and saw what we saw.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Communication difficult, great tour
It took me a while to decide on which gorilla tour from which tour operator to choose. I was looking around for one day tours starting from Kabale or Kisoro. I booked a tour with Gatatu, which had both a good price and good reviews (on safaribookings.com).
Contact with Gatatu was by e-mail with the owner. In his first e-mail to me he said that I would pay at the start of the safari either in Gatatu’s office or to my guide. But because Gatatu had to buy my gorilla permit for the trekking date I asked if I shouldn’t pay for at least the permit before. Then I received a reply that money did have to be transferred to Gatatu’s account.
I had to transfer the full amount which I did, but Gatatu did not buy the permit before the money was received. One week later they had received the money, but it took 3 more days until I received a message from the owner saying he bought the permit the day before. The waiting for Gatatu buying the permit (in total 9 days after payment) and telling me about it made me pretty nervous as I had read that permits could be sold out. Also the payment information I first received turned out to be incorrect and after finding out they had received the money it still took 2 days for Gatatu to buy the permit.
The gorilla tour itself was great. First I could enjoy the landscape during the early morning drive from Kabale to Bwindi Park. Mist was hanging over the valleys, a beautiful sight. Then during the gorilla tour we had found the gorillas very quickly and they came very close, especially 2 babies.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by AyBee
Going to manyara at the end is not really worth it, too much bush, more difficult to spot animals, there are apparently climbing tigers, but difficult to find.
there were thousands of flamingos, but they are too far to really understand how many they are.
DE
Satisfactory safari provisioning
I chose Crystal Safaris after reading reviews and comparing prices for safaris on this website. They seemed to be solid value for the price, which was the case. I had booked for 3 days to Murchison Falls, then expanded to 6 days. My email interactions with Barbara were fine; she responded quickly with information. However, I wish that more information about the hotels would be included in the package description. I was not prepared for the quality of the room in Paraa Lodge - I expected to have AC and a view, but neither was provided. Knowing more about the hotel prior would have allowed me to manage my expectations, and not be disappointed.
Our driver, George, was very good and attentive to our needs. He did a great job on the game drive to find nearly all animals present in the park - the only one he couldn't find was the leopard, which is not surprising. On our last day with the tour, in Entebbe, George was needed for another tour, so we got a different guide. This guy must have been new to the company, because he did not have quite the same skills and personability as George.
Overall I was satisfied with the tour and would recommend Crystal Safaris.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Lake Manyara National Park by Leandro Rosa Novo Vita
Beautiful scenery. Lush vegetation and mountains. It lacks diversity of animals and predators tough.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tarangire National Park by Ivan VanDon
The place has small number of wildlife. Though I real enjoy walking safari of four hours with our guide and park ranger we walk at the middle of bushes we real experience nature. The place has plenty of elephants but we didn't see lion. Also our chef prepare lunch for us and we eat within the bushes after a long walk.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good overall, but small details weren't up to scratch.
The safari and the Transfers from O. R Tambo were as expected and I am happy with the service.
The Lodge on the other had needs some attention.
- the rooms are nice and authentic, but the cleanliness was not up to scratch. The room was was sticky and it was necessary for me to wear socks within my room at all times.
- the bathroom was not clean in terms of smelly, mouldy and run down...updates or industrial cleaning needs to occur.
- the service was push and confronting, being pressured into eating, and ordering food that wasn't first picked to eat.
- the pool was very merky, the bottom of the pool could not be seen due to this, along with bugs floating on the surface at prime swimming times.
- wifi is claimed to work at reception, the pool and the restaurant, this is false, it only works at reception and if your lucky enough to sit at the right table, works in the restaurant. This is unacceptable for an accomodation that mainly receives international guests, along with the fact the local reception is a 2/5 within the lodge rooms.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Coordinator was great but driver was rude
The coordinator Angela G. was extremely helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend her!
The driver Simon M. made inappropriate comments, was rude, drove unsafely, and was passive-aggressive when we made inquiries (that were paid for in the itinerary). His tour of Lake Nakuru National Park was rushed and we had to insist to get to spend time viewing the game (again all prepaid for).
The meal and tour at the Kericho tea plantation hotel that we requested was extremely disappointing: the food had an insect and the waiter did nothing about it, the paid tour lasted 15 min only and we only were allowed to see a tiny lot that is unused but had old tea bushes. Deviating to Kericho was unfortunately not worth the money.