CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Booking with Kenya Walking Survivors Safari
I booked a safari with KWSS on May 21/2014, after much searching online for a safari that would be able to take me to the places I wanted to see. It had been proving very difficult as a solo traveler to find a 14 day safari (I did not want to have to do two or more safari's with different outfits), most T/O's wanted you to do 5-7 days, then go on a another safari. I contacted Mr OT and sent him the list of places I wanted to hopefully see in my 14 day visit, he sent me back a safari that was 13 days and more of the places than I had planned. Two places I had not thought I could get to, he had tagged onto my safari (not knowing I wanted to see them). And, I had one day left at the end in Nairobi to fill up with the Nairobi area sights. Mr OT answered all of my emails at lightening speed, even when I know it was the middle of the night for him. My safari is not until October, so a safari review is pending. I am looking forward to sleeping alone in a tent with the great outdoors of Africa, and all of it's wildlife on the other side of the zipper!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very rich experience to see a lot of animals
During the safari, the guide is quite experienced and kind to help us find a lot of interesting animals including some rare ones such as cheetah.
SK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Better than expected
We've spent wonderful time in Masai Mara organized by this company. Communication and arrangements were made by email and it worked well. The only thing was that after arrival to the lodge they required some document or voucher which we didn't get from tour operator, however it took only few minutes of waiting and everything was perfect afterwards.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good reliable service
I had limited time available at the end of a business trip to Kenya, and enquired about my specific requirements from several tour operators.
Hallmark replied promptly, with a reasonable quote, then again responded quickly to a couple of additional queries.
The day before my 3-night stay at Masai Mara, I did have to telephone, to check that everything was arranged for pick-up the next morning. (A courtesy call to my hotel would've been appreciated.)
That aside, all other arrangements worked very well, with the same driver picking me up from Wilson Airport, taking me to hotel to collect large suitcase, then to international airport for departure - at no additional charge.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilimanjaro via Lemosho and safari to Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater
Overall Richard and his staff were reliable, punctual, honest and fun. In business dealings he was very congenial and totally fair and transparent. Their drivers were safe - very important in Tanzania! The guides were knowledgeable, spoke English well and the food was great. The value for money was terrific.
We had some issues with tent zippers that were worn. He promised they were getting new equipment. I would also advise that you pay for them to bring along a Gamow bag (portable compression sac for altitude illness). Could spare you a dodgy descent in the dark and so worth the money (I'm an emergency physician and have witnessed/cared for people with altitude illness, I would not climb without a bag).
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A tough motorcycle ride that should only be done by experienced off-road riders
In September, the pans are very dry, so the wildlife is scarce. September is still very hot (42 degrees Celsius) and the wind was also very strong. With no trees for shelter, camping on the pans was difficult. The Pans are surrounded by deep soft sand, making it difficult on two wheels.
Camping on the open Pans in an awesome experience. You will never feel such solitude when looking across the Pans at absolutely nothing.
Kubu Island with its mystical history is a must see
FI
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kilmanjaro via Lemosho Route and safari with World Tours and Safaris Tanzania
We booked our climbing trip and safari from World Tours and Safaris Tanzania last August. All details were smoothly agreed by emails. And almost everything went according to plans.
Kilmanjaro was spectacular. We had booked a seven day trek but it should have been eight days. We both are in our late 60's and they knew it. Perhaps they could have warned us about the tightness of our timetable.
The five day joining safari was marvellous. Lake Manyara was quite empty as expected but Serengeti was full of animals. Finest moment was when we found a sausage tree were three leopards were eating their prey (antelope). Ngorongoro was, as expected, lively. We saw rhino, buffaloes, eland, mating lion, and much much more.
The arrangements were almost perfect and the abundance of animals compensated for few inconveniences in the safari. We had two tire punctures due to worn out tires and secondly the Jeep was overbooked.
Altogether everything went smoothly, we were picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport when our plane arrived late during night and correspondingly dropped there when we left Tanzania.
Hassle Free, great dining and close encounters with many wild animals!!!
Landed in one of the cold months, needed good wind barrier - warm garments early morning and night game drives - freezing in the morning. (The Guides etc had various blankets too aboard their vehicles..)! Left the vehicles to go on "foot" at a couple of places which definitely was a great experience .., got quite close to two Leopards on one occasion due to being quiet and down wind.. Simply fantastic to be there and see them approx 30 meters from where we stood! Saw many other animals too but the Leopards really will stay with me!!!
The food we had was great, dined on a different variety of meat each night, always a good selection of sides and puddings and at the places we stayed the service was second to none.
All our transiting to fro went without a hitch and well on time thanks to Robert...
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
2 days safari in Tanzania
It Started in Africa made me spend a beautiful safari in Tanzania. They just have been honest, flexible and professional, three features that made my time with them unforgettable. They are really dedicating to the customer and for me it has been impressive the starting communication by mail where everything has been with full transparency and open to my desires. They really know how to treat travelers.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexible and good planning, very satisfied
The 7 of us went from Zanzibar, but due to the flight company's arrangements we only arrived at Arusha at 3pm on our first day. But thanks to the director, Mike, experienced planning we were still able to see the most with our limited time. We went for a 4 day safari; it was the end of the wet season and the weather of our last two days were not very nice, but overall we were satisfied with what we were able to see (4 out of the 5 'Big Five', the leopard is always hard to see), and we even saw cheetahs on our very first safari day at Tarangire. Our driver and guide, Alias, is very knowledgeable in wildlife and had a very good eyesight (he was able to spot dung beetles rolling while driving 40 km/h!). This was our first safari and we had such a great time. I am sure we will go for more safaris in the future, but this very first time has certainly set the bar high.