SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, Informative, and Exciting Game Drives in Kruger
We recently had a four day classic Kruger Park safari by WildLifeSafaris. We used an open vehicle for game drives and stayed at lodges within the park. It was a great experience, from many perspectives. First, we were blessed with Liese, the best of guides. She navigated the different sightings with precision and continuously shared details about animals and environment, as well as stories of her great experience with wildlife. We brought two children with limited proficiency in English, but she always made sure they felt included. We did early sunrise drives as well as evening drives, in complete darkness. Very exciting for all of us. When heading out of Kruger we had seen more animals than we had ever hoped for, including the big five and cheetah.
The fact that we had full access to Liese over four days also gave us a great deep-dive into South African contemporary life as well as historical development. We much appreciated her willingness to share experiences and thoughts, making our visit something more than just a traditional tourist trip.
Finally, I’d also like to give credit to the administrative staff at WildLifeSafaris. Jonathan was quick in communication and detailed in information. Christine was very helpful and cared about our plans beyond the safari, carefully suggesting alternatives that could improve our trip. Very professional.
All in all, we are extremely happy with WildLifeSafaris and recommend the firm, without reservation! We would love to come back again.
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DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Vulcanoes and Gorillas in three Phantastic Countries
It was our second trip to Uganda with Speke. after having seen and visited Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parcs in 2014 we decided to come back as our children are now old enough to see Gorillas as well. And as our first trip to Uganda was already perfect it was no question to have a totally well organized trip again with Speke - no hassle, no issues, just enjoy the trip.
After an excellent preparation, taking into account my/our ideas and Speke's suggestions we had two great weeks with the family in Uganda and Rwanda and I had a further week extension on my own in DR Congo and Rwanda. And any concerns that might exist thinking of the destination were totally unnecessary - no issues at all. Speke told us before that they will only send us to places, if they feel these are hassle free and so they did, even declining ideas I had had before, which was not considered safe and thus Speke advised against it - and we followed their recommendations. All in all a very pleasant experience and no reason to worry about the safety for this region.
The lodges: we asked for middle class (budget) and got perfect lodges, that Tony and his team had choosen, far beyond middle class, :-) all authentic, all fairly small (6-10 rooms, cottages), no posh safari nonsense. Straight and honest, and way beyond average. Two special recommendations, if looking also for some real relaxation: Isunga near Fort Portal with great views on the mountains of Ruwenzori, and Lake Mutanda for that spectacular two-three days of total relaxation. :-) :-)
The car/transport: private Landcruiser, pop-up roof, sturdy, always clean and no problems at all - perfect.
The guide: David was a friend at the end of the trip, not only knowledge and explanations, but real talks about life in Africa. Sorting all issues, very pragmatic, his company was a real highlight of our trip.
The experience: Uganda offered it all, animals, all we could think of. The Gorilla experience was very very special, worth the efforts and the prices for the permits, although two very different experiences in Bwindi (Uganda) and in Virunga (DR Congo - so try both :-), The people, very friendly in all three countries, still interested and not (yet) spoilt by too many tourists. The parcs: few cars and always pics with no other game drive-cars involved. Special compared to more crowded places in Kenia and Tanzania.
All in all: Not our last trip to Uganda, for sure, and not our last trip with Speke. And if East-Africa, then Uganda due to its still limited number of tourists.
Thanks to all of their team from planning, to picking us up, from guiding to waving us a bye. We had a perfect trip,
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari, average tour
We had a great safari full day (6am-6pm) and saw everything we could have hoped. The accomodation was great, with helpful friendly staff and delicious food. However, it's more of a full safari day than a 3 days tour. Day 1 only includes an hour drive, and day 3 is merely getting back to Nairobi, which, unfortunately, happened in a small taxi and not in the original van as some other members of our group moved on to their next location. An overall good experience.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING!!
My husband booked this trip for us for our honeymoon. He said Joyce was a pleasure to deal with over email, there were alot but nothing was an issue for her. We had two days in Masai Mara and one day at Lake Nakuru. Our driver Joseph picked us up from our airport hotel and drove us to Masai Mara first. He pointed out different places to us along the drive and answered all of our questions. We had a land cruiser and I'm glad we paid the extra for it, it's definitely worth it. The car was very clean, comfortable (the seats recline) and it had chilled water for us.
Masai Mara, what can I say, unbelievable, what a place! We were extremely lucky and seen the big 5, lions eating their kill, cheetahs hunting and catching a wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, hyenas, zebras and lots more. It was so exciting every day not knowing what we were going to see. Joseph was extremely knowledgable and was amazing at finding the animals. He treated them with respect not getting too close or staying too long with them.
We stayed at Entim Private Lodge and it was fabulous. We were treated like royalty by Musa and his staff. The tents were so lovely and bed was extremely comfortable. It has the real safari feel to it being open in the park but we felt safe with the Entim Warriors on watch. We woke up both nights to lions roaring, hippos groaning and hyenas laughing, it was amazing! When we came back after dinner on our first night, the had a bottle of prosecco in our room, with hot waters in our beds and chocolates on our pillows, what a lovely surprise! The provided a huge breakfast picnic for us with a great variety of food to feed about 10 ppl!
The drive to Lake Nukuru is bumpy so the land cruiser was ideal. It was nice to drive by all the small villages and see the children running out to wave hello to us :) In Lake Nukuru we saw white and black rhinos with babies, a newborn baby giraffe. We stayed at Savora Lodge here and it was very nice. It is a busy enclosed resort with good food, friendly stay and evening entertainment of African dancing and signing.
I have not stopped talking about this trip since we came home and have recommended CATS to all of our family and friends. Joesph was an absolute gent of a man, it is very clear he loves his job (how couldn't he). He had no issue getting up early for us as we wanted to see if we could see lions. We had lovely chats on the drives and I would 100% recommend him and CATS to anyone, we will definitely book with them again for our next safari trip!
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience and service
We thoroughly enjoyed your recommended 14 days safari to Kenya, it was very well organized and saw a lot of places.
With Ken as our guide, we got a lot of background information and history to everything we saw. Ken was very knowledgeable and very pleasant.
Thank you
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This safari was good value for money and was basically what we were looking for
Our guide, Evans, was very reliable and helpful. He was a cheerful guy who was professional and flexible when it came to minor changes to some arrangements. He was our guide as well as our driver and he was knowledgable about the wildlife but not expert. I would recommend him to others.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Team
The tour was great. Friendly staff, well organized, food was delicious, and the team took into account our needs and suggestions.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable
Chris the booking agent was fantastic despite me making many changes to the booking. Very fast responses to questions. The hotel the voyager resort was amazing with three swimming pools , right on the beach. The food was excellent with so much choice. We went all inclusive with 3 children and it was very worth while ages9,14,16.
ES
Wonderful safari in Kenya for wheelchair person
The communication with Fika Safaris was easy and fast, both by mail and by phone.
Robert was always available to solve our doubts and suggest solutions to our special needs.
The services provided were the expected. We were received in the airport by our safari guide. A fast meeting with Ester and Robert to review with us all the details of the safari, and as they commented, this was our safari and any problem, complain or requirement, they are available to solve it. We didn't need it, because all was as was planed.
We visited Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. The accommodations were perfect. Completely adapted for people with high disability. All of them wonderful, with a very friendly and profesional staff.
It depends on each case, but we would suggest always the 4x4 to enjoy it at 100%. It is only for people who don't need travel in their wheelchairs and can be transferred to the car seat, because the adaptation is just 2 ramps to mount the wheelchair in the car, but the door is too small to mount the person in the wheelchair.
Macharia, our safari guide managed all perfectly. He explained us all the details of each place that we visited, the animals and plants that we found, and solved the few troubles that we found, as for example, the lunch in Naivasah's hotel where we arrived with a big delay by a traffic issue crossing Nairobi.
By his long experience, he knows the best places to find the animals, and the places to take the most beautiful photos.
In summary, a fantastic vacations that met all our expectations. We recommend Fika Safaris to all the people who want visit Kenya. We hope repeat soon and visit also Tanzania with them.
LT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best safaries company
I am very happy traveled to Masai Mara. Good sevice ( food, camp please, good driver and guide). Thanks a lot.