20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If I had to rate only based on our tour guide I would give it 5 stars.
This was our first visit to Africa and there were a lot of concerns ranging from safety to housing. In addition, I had my concerns regarding transferring large amounts of money (price for our safari) to a bank account in Africa, however I must admit I was very impressed with Mr Otieno's. He was kind enough to speak with me over the phone which gave me a lot of re-assurance. Overall, me and my wife were very satisfied and would like to return again, this time we are planning to visit Uganda.
I think the only reason I have given 4 stars rather than 5, is because when we booked our trip to Nakuru I specifically mentioned that I wish to see flamingos and we were not told that there are no flamingos. We only got to know about flamingos when we came to Nakuru and our guide (who was amazing btw, see below) told us that flamingos haven't been at Nakuru for past 2 years... They have moved to Kisumu and other places.
I would like to add that if you do decide to chose Walking Survivors Safari, I cannot stress enough, you must ask for Sylus Bala. I think if it wasn't for him we would not have enjoyed our tour as much. He loves what he is doing and as a result the whole experience is just much more pleasant. Also, he knows some gems like an island in Naivasha where you get to walk with the animals (unlike safari where you are always in the car)... If I knew him before our trip, I would have let him to plan it all...
Either way do visit Kenya it is beautiful country!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Endless Scenic Skeleton Coas.
The Skeleton Coast National Park is probably one of the most scenic places in the world. (That is if you like deserts).
But, this one is exceptional.
Depending on the weather... this can be one of the most awesome photographic experiences you have ever had. Where else can you see a desert with massive sand dunes slipping into the endless deep blue ocean while the sun is setting over the ocean. The shadows cast by the dunes, eery early morning fog and late afternoon colours are such that you just don't know when to stop photographing the scenery in any direction.
This is a National Park and you cannot enter the area on your own without a permit.
Being a desert, here is not much wildlife. But you will see Gemsbok (Oryx) and probably some elephant on your way there.
There are some excellent tour operators in Namibia that can take you anywhere and also give you some interesting stories about the history of the area while you are driving.
The best way to see the area is by one of 3 ways.
1) Join a self drive tag along 4x4 safari tour operator. For this you would have to a rent a 4x4 vehicle. There are a few companies renting out very well equipped 4x4 vehicles in Namibia. For us this is the most exciting option. Or, if you have your own vehicle, it's even better. Just join the group.
2) Book with a safari operator that has larger 4x4 vehicles that can accommodate larger groups of people. Here you would be a passenger and don't have to do any driving yourself. Just enjoy the ride and scenery, use your camera and relax.
3) If time is a limiting factor, then you can fly over the desert. There are a few companies that would take you on either day trips or fly you between different lodges in the area.
With the first 2 options you have the choice of doing the camping thing or staying overnight in luxury lodges.
We ourselves like to go camping and then spend the last night in a luxury lodge, to spoil ourselves and get rid of all the dust and dirt.
Whichever option you choose, the Skeleton Coast is an experience you cannot afford not to do. It is stunning.
The Namibian people are very friendly. Most of the safari operators speak English, German and Afrikaans. (Afrikaans is very similar to Flemish).
Go an enjoy it!
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good service and great communication!
We spent 3 days in Mikumi. Great park and great lodge (another lodge than we reserved but great, too)... we saw lion cougars, giraffes, elefants and all kind of animals you expect. Driver very polite. Thank you!
HK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
the driver is extremely friendly and hard working
the last two tents are a bit disappointed otherwise the whole trip is very exciting and interesting. Everything has been good taking care of. If the living place and food can be improve a little then will be more attractive.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safaris in camps In Amboseli and Masai Mara
The safaris booked on internet where as per my expectations.
There were safaris in camps and I must say the camp in Masai Mara was really great.
The one in Amboseli was good: what an experience to face the Kilimanjaro when waking up!
Mathew has taken good care of me being there the 1st morning before I joined the group.
He was also there when I came back to Nairobi so we could debrief the safari.
All in all no bad surprise as I was wondering how it would go when booking on internet.
Happy with the choice of Tropical Vacations.
Maybe not as much lions as I expected, but this is the beauty of safaris as this is not an exact science and you never know in the morning which animals you are going to see. Of course if in Amboseli you don't see elephants then you can consider your guide is very bad. I've seen several groups of elephants there so no complain.
I loved Phinda for its beauty and variety of experiences
My dad and I visited Phinda Game Reserve on a safari to South Africa a few years ago. It had been recommended to us as a nice alternative to the private game reserves outside of Kruger. We had spent a week in Timbavati and Sabi Sands and wanted to safari in a different part of South Africa. Phinda is an excellent place to do that. We stayed at two properties in Phinda: Vlei Lodge and Rock Lodge in order to get a feel for different parts of the reserve. The lodges and rooms are first rate. Great views of the surrounding wilderness, plunge pools and big bathrooms, outdoor showers and mini bars---I can't think of anything they missed.
But I'm more about the wildlife than the accomodations and we had been told that Phinda is the best place in South Africa to see cheetah and had some great sightings in the few days we were there. A mother and cubs, and then two brothers hunting (we didn't see a chase). Other guests were intent upon photographing cheetahs hunting and I'm not certain if they were successful, but it's definitely a good place to observe cheetah.
Rhinos both white and black are also a feature of Phinda and we saw both while we were there. We watched a black rhino mother and calf casually feeding for a half hour or so. We also saw several white rhino including mother and calf as well.
Other highlights included elephant and lions and giraffe. Night drives are possible as well. There's really a great variety of activities and we took advantage of them. We went fishing in the Indian Ocean out of Sodwanna Bay and caught tuna and saw humpback whales. We took the Flight of the Fish Eagle to get a lay of the land and it was absolutely stunning! We left out of the airstrip in Phinda and flew over the sand forest, the estuarine areas and lakes and then over the dunes and out over the ocean. This was a spectacular flight. We spotted numerous whales (humpbacks) and even a whale shark. We loved the perspective from the air!
We also visited a zulu village for a little local culture. I thought it was a beautiful place with a lot of unique things to see and do. The only negative comment and it really shouldn't be taken negatively is that, to me, it had a little of that "managed" feel. I've been to Africa multiple times and there is a slight difference between one of the national parks and a privately managed game reserve. I would highly recommend it as a supplement to your South African safari and there are definitely some unique things to see and do here!
If you'd like to see some of the videos I took while at Phinda---search Phinda and Gunter32804 on Youtube and it will give you a flavor of the place. Hope this is helpful!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth a repeat - which I will presently
All services except 2 (Jambojet services were lousy; nobody for pick up from KSM airport) were perfect. Next time please advice on the various services available.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Efficient booking service
Bookings were as requested and the coupon was issued by email in a timely manner. The Royal Livingstone had our reservations in hand on arrival.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Some issues but guides went above and beyond
It seems like Wildebeest could have prepared better for our tour. I still believe it was a great value for the price. There were several small issues but the guides were very nice and the accommodations great.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The 8-day trip was relaxing, well-organized, and of great value
The communications in planning this trip were very good, the service was excellent, and the trip generally lived up to our expectations--even though when we booked it we did not exactly know what to expect. The first thing to understand is that this the 8-day safari is not a constant trip in the bush. Our director from Africa-Zim, Blessing, is wonderful--very organized and professional, as well as informative. Moreover, it was only our family on this tour--me, my husband, and our adult daughter, and we really appreciated the flexibility this trip offered. The first day we traveled from Livingstone to the Chobe Safari Hotel. The hotel was luxurious and the service was great, as was the boat tour on the Chobe river that we took the afternoon we arrived. The guide on the boat was superb in his ability to spot and talk about wildlife. The next day, we went to the Chobe game reserve, and once again, the sights were spectacular, and the expert guide made the 3-4 hour outing quite wonderful. The following day we drove about 7 hours to Maun and the Sedia Hotel. The hotel is not the best; the outing to the Okavanga Delta was very interesting, but we saw little wild life, in part because of the season. Nothing was scheduled for the next day in Maun, so my husband and I paid extra for a trip to the Moremi Game Reserve. It was a long drive, but once again, the guide was absolutely wonderful and it was well worth the added expense. The following day we spent in the Africa-Zim air-conditioned, comfortable van driving back to Victoria Falls. The Rainbow hotel was lovely, with a view of Victoria Falls and all the amenities one would want. We had a great time touring Victorian Falls the following day. Blessing then took us to the exquisite, historical Victoria Falls Hotel for a wonderful lunch, and then a celebratory dinner of authentic Africa cuisine at the Bhoma Hotel (with music, drums, singing, and dancing) our last night. It had been my husband's birthday the day before, and Blessing went out of his way to have the restaurant present him with a birthday cake. We had a wonderful trip. The only slight downside were the long drives between Chobe, the Okavanga Delta and back to Vic Falls, but the scenery was interesting, the air conditioned van very comfortable, and we really enjoyed talking to Blessing and learned a huge amount from our conversations with him. We had a wonderful trip for a very reasonable price and I strongly recommend Africa-Zim. Thank you so very much, Blessing.