US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spectacular
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Safari on a whim...a life long desire of a whim, that is.
Mine was a last minute decision to join a friend on their bucket list vacation.
I did no research, had no plan. I simply said yes, signed on the dotted line and arrived.
Each and every member of Kanyezi and Sabi Sabi had every spectacular detail in place.
If, like me, you wish to book a vacation and arrive worry free “on vacation”, leave yourself to this luxury- in these very capable hands.
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic First Safari Experience. Very Confident in Wild Ways.
My husband and I just returned from our 6 day/5 night safari with Wild Ways (April 2019).This was our first safari so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but everything was exactly as we hoped. Wild Ways is currently a two person team: Alpha-the organizer/office manager and first point of contact and Mariki, the driver and guide.
Before the safari-- What immediately stuck out to me was how communicative Alpha is. He is very timely, usually responded within an hour or two and was happy to answer my questions and make adjustments. We went back and forth for a while to create a perfect itinerary with the type of accommodation that we wanted, within our budget. What I liked is that they listened to what we wanted, even specific accommodation requests like Migombani Camp & Ngorongoro Farmhouse. Our itinerary included Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire Parks as well as a half-day cultural tour of Mto Wa Mbu village which included a local lunch.
During the safari--Pick up from our hostel was on time, we stopped at a grocery store in Arusha to pick up some personal items and got a latte for the road at Kahawa Cafe. Then we ventured to Lake Manyara. Mariki really knows about animal behaviors, habitats, what to look for and where to find them. You can ask him pretty much anything. He is familiar with photography and will consider the placement of the vehicle and lighting to help get good photos. He also has a stockpile of reference books in the vehicle so we could look up birds. It’s evident he knows every road and even trees within the parks, he drove safely and navigated the bumps and dips in the roads with ease. We even came across an accident with two overturned vehicles and Mariki was prepared with a towing chain and leapt into action to help pull the vehicles out of the road. Out of the other 8 safari vehicles, no one else had the tools to help. His preparedness and experience really shone in that moment. On our last night, Mariki planned a nice dinner with a private chef, George, who stayed at our campsite and served us, it was a really thoughtful touch and made our trip really special. On the conclusion of our trip Alpha met us in Arusha and drove us directly to the Kilimanjaro airport (with a coffee stop) for our flight.
I would definitely recommend Wild Ways! My advice is to be communicative about what you want or don’t want and your expectations. I feel that they will do their best to create the experience that considers your interests, budget, and lifestyle. I think they get a feel for what their guests are like and try to read each individual situation. Personally, we are go-with-the-flow, like some independence, camping and being closer to nature, later mornings and have an interest in birds and landscape photography (in addition to all the awesome animals). If you have questions, be sure to ask them. I think during the safari, a little more communication about logistics (like distance between parks, what happens when we arrive at camp, etc... ) would have been helpful, but we learned to ask about these things. Everything was at our pace and we didn’t feel pressured to adhere to any preset things. Though, we went in low season so this may be different in the high seasons depending on the camps and the park. Thank you Mariki & Alpha at Wild Ways for helping us create a trip of a lifetime.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Efficient, well organised and good value for money; we will go with Uzuri again.
Edris put together a personal 5 night, 6 day trip from our Kampala hotel to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Straightforward pick up and drop off.
We were given a Landcruiser rather than mini-van. A good choice for a long cruise, with some bumpy safari roads.
There was a good balance between activities and relaxation time in the Bush Lodge.
The Bush Lodge is a magical place, great food, helpful friendly staff and a chance to have breakfast 15 meters from a a feeding elephant.
3 great game drives; Cob antelopes, Waterbucks, buffalo, leopard, baboons, lions, elephants, warthogs all on show.
The boat trip allowed close views of over 200 hippos plus fish eagles, Nile monitor lizards, drinking elephants and buffalos.
The 4 hour jungle walk to see the chimpanzees in the wild, was a mysterious, magical trip through 'impenetrable' forest, just off the roadside, with 2 guides/trackers who were good company.
The biggest surprise was to the Lake of Salt, meeting the local people working in a difficult, challenging conditions in a hostile environment. They were fine people and told us a lot about salt mining in a very delicate ecological environment, going back 500 years.
Vincent, our tour leader and driver, and also a very welcome dinner companion when we asked him; a careful driver, knowledgeable on local wildlife as well as the local customs. Good fun to stop off at roadside markets and buy local food, including a few chickens [$5 apiece, for Vincent's family]. Everything about this tour, including value for money, was spot-on. We will go with them again.
LV
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Really wild and unforgetable!
Our experience - ( we took 3 round trip - South, Etosha and North side)- the first round to South was the best- guides were excellent.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was fantastic, unbelieveible wunderfull, we love it.
we were totaly lucky und happy
we have seen all kind of animals, who live in this countrey.
We want to do the same journey again.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Going on Safari was one of the best and most amazing experience I have ever had!
Doing Safari in the Kruger Nationalpark was amazing. We have been so lucky with the weather and the wildlife. In only 4 hours we saw all of the BIG 5. So close to us, that you thought you are still dreaming. It was an indescribably feeling to watch the animals in their natural surrounding. Our guide was very good in spotting animals. He saw everything, even a little camelion next to the street or a lot of rhinos in the distance. He was very smart and had a huge knowledge about every animal we saw. We felt so lucky to doing safari with safaribookings. Everything was just perfect!
GR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
a pleasant trip along the garden route
Cape Town was great as always, but for the weather, cold grey and foggy. Winchester Mansions hotel was very comfortable. unable to see anything at Cape Point and table mountain cable car was shut. V&A shopping improves with each visit.
Drove the garden route and stayed at Franschoek, The Avondrood Guest House, lovely, wine tram was great. Stayed at The Belvidere Manor Kynsa, nice complex of chalets outside Knysa, very pretty views and visited the Craggs sanctuaries , all of which were very good. Bird World is a very special place!
Drove to Port Elizabeth. Only stayed at one private game park on this safari, Lalibela which,we found out when we arrived, was under reconstruction( not the lodge, the reserve !!! ) . We were shown a video explaining their long term plans and why we would go on to see huge areas of devastation so the vibe was very muted at Lentaba lodge. Had we known they were taking hundreds of mature non indigenous trees out with heavy equipment we would not have stayed there. The bush has yet to grow back. The effect on the wildlife must be substantial. We paid for a chalet upgrade ( it was our wedding anniversary and my wife's special birthday ) only to find it was nearest to the very noisy generator which switched on every 4 hours when they experienced the Government induced power cuts. Very obtrusive in the room. It was so noisy it drowned out conversation at the pool! Sounded like a jet engine! . Weather was not good, with rain and mist and little sun, not a good time of year to safari. In all a holiday with some highlights but could have been so much better. Not good value for money to us.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A thoroughly wonderful experience
Everything about the experience was well organised and exactly as advertised. We saw lots of the animals we wanted to see, we were provided with great food and entertainment in the evening. All in all, a must visit! Highly recommend.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
avoid this company
First off, I bought this safari from Trip Advisor Africa Safaris, and had all communications with Seth Vincent of that
company. The morning of the safari, we were picked up and taken to Inno Africa Safaris or Innocent Africa Safaris, where we
paid for the tour. We should have realized something was wrong at that point, but we were assured we were getting the safari
we booked. I am posting this review for both these companies as they have blamed each other in our communications.
Originally I was traveling myself, so I went with the basic accommodations. Later a friend joined me, so we upgraded to the
mid level accommodations. Below is a copy of the itinerary I was sent, then our communication confirming the upgrade to the
new accommodations.
DAY 1: ARUSHA / TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK.
Pick up from your overnight hotel in Arusha follow by short briefing and distribution of hard copy itinerary, then drive to
the Tarangire National Park for a morning & afternoon game drive. You will enjoy a picnic lunch served at a picnic site while
you watch the wildlife around the lake. Later in the day you will leave Tarangire and drive to Serengeti for dinner and
overnight at Seronera tented camp https://www.google.com/search?q=seronera+camp+serengeti&client=firefox-b-
ab&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBq7GK06nVAhWGvxQKHXPrABAQsAQIYA&biw=1024&bih=669
Day 2: / Full day serengeti national park
All day spent in Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives in the park with your picnic lunch. Serengeti National park
is one of the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world and symbolizes the the classic Africa Africa safaris with more than
2 million Zebras and it has greatest concentration of plains game in Africa the it's also symbolize with the annual wildebeest
and Zebras migration other animals like Zebras giraffe baboon and many others might be sported dinner and overnight at your
campsite https://www.google.com/search?q=seronera+camp+serengeti&client=firefox-b-
ab&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBq7GK06nVAhWGvxQKHXPrABAQsAQIYA&biw=1024&bih=669
Day 3 / Serengeti Ngorongoro Via Olduvia Gorge
Early morning game drive then leave Serengeti to Ngorongoro Via Olduvai Gorge with optional stop over at Oldvia gorge where
remains of animals that lived and died more than 2 millions years ago area found the guide will give you on site information
of the gorge before you proceed with your safari you will explore various area such as Moro Kopje's the extensive grassland
interspersed with Kopje' rocky outcrop like Island the flat plain each with their own the Saronera River flows through the
park providing habitats for varieties of birds mammals and reptiles proceed to Nabi hills picnic lunch will be served at
picnic site drive to Malanji depression entering Ngorongoro crater are in the evening and direct to your campsite the drive
is amortizable with clouds rollings over the rim like a mist waterfall, the whole setting is a dreamy and unique Africa Masai
campsite safari fit into contours of the Ngorongoro crater rim dinner and overnight at your campsite on full board basis.
Day 4: 28 / 1 / 2019 / Ngorongoro Arusha drop off Killimanjaro
This morning better prepare yourself for Ngorongoro Crater - The Eden of Africa: The Crater is Twelve miles wide, home to the
rare Black Rhino and has its own Soda Lake. The high concentration of wild animals in the Crater area means that you are
likely to see the African Big Five in a short period of time. As we descend 2,200 feet into the Crater, experience a
thrilling day among Africa's Big Five: the Lion, the Elephant, the Buffalo, the Black Rhino the Leopard, zebras, hippos,
hyenas, wildebeests, warthogs and many more you will leave the Ngorongoro in the late afternoon and proceed to Arusha town
follow by drop off at your hotel in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport where our service ends.
My email to Seth confirming upgrade: Ok Seth, lets upgrade to the mid range accommodations at katikati tented camp
https://www.google.com/search?q=katikati+tented+camp&client=firefox-b-
ab&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjEzb3AqbrdAhXPz4UKHRh_DZoQsAR6BAgCEAE&biw=1280&bih=891 and Ngorongoro sopa
lodge http://www.sopalodges.com/ngorongoro-sopa-lodge/overview.
Day one, got picked up at 730 from our hotel. Other safaris were doing pickups at 6:30 or 7:00am. Driver had no supplies or
gas, which amounted to another hour wasted. There was no such thing as a morning drive as advertised. Driver drove at least
10 mph slower than everybody on the highway. We passed nobody, and got passed by semi trailers (really,) women walking with a
hundred bananas on their head, and grazing goats. Very near Tarangire park, for no reason, we stopped in a small town for ten
minutes, (to stretch our legs as driver said,) long enough to be pestered by peddlers. Approximately 30 other jeeps past
through the town, and not one of them stopped. As we continued on, we found out the park was less than 10 minutes away. We
stopped for 15 minutes to have boxed lunch, and started our safari at 1230. The driver who couldn’t keep up to loaded trucks,
is now racing thru the park like Al Unser. Most stops, he would start to drive away before we said we were ready to go. Ended
the safari at 4:00 and were supposed to drive to the Serengeti park for dinner and lodging, but stopped In Mto Wa Mbu at 5
even though dinner wasn’t ready till 7:25. Total safari time on day one was 3 1/2 hours. Instead of staying at the Katikati
tented camp, (which was absolutely amazing and one of the highlights of the trips,) we stayed in a 2 star hotel which charged
$100 per night, as opposed to Katikati which is over $500 per night, so I wrote Seth the following letter. His reply followed
Seth I thought our safari was with Trip Advisor Africa Safaris, not Inno Africa Safaris??? Our itinerary is not how you
emailed, or what it shows on your web page. There was no morning drive in the Tarangire yesterday. In fact we didn’t start
until 12:30, and left the park at 4, a mere 3 1/2 hours. So I thought, that’s fine, we have to drive to the Serengeti, like
your itinerary says. NO! We stopped at a lodge in Mto Wa Mbu at 4:55 pm, where dinner wasn’t ready until 7:25, so we wasted 2
1/2 hours doing nothing when we could be driving to the Serengeti. I thought, OK we will leave early so we can get to the
Serengeti for an early morning drive. All other safari companies staying here left this morning at 0630 or 0700. Not us. It’s
9:35 and they are still loading the Jeep. Obviously the morning drive (when the lions are out) at the Serengeti is not gonna
happen as we won’t get there until afternoon. Why did we just stay 17 hours in a lodge room without a tv, wifi or working AC?
We paid for a safari, not to stare at four walls. Obviously we are not getting what was promised or what we paid for, and are
not very happy.
His response below, where h never answered any of our questions:
My dear to be honest, if you arrive at the lodge around 4:55pm, and the supper was ready at 7:25pm is there any problem? I
think you were given time for refreshment before you go for supper, remember we are not at safari rally and if you start
calculating time instead of watching the animal it will be a big loss to you.
Drive will try to go slow as he can so that you can see the animals, they will try to look areas where they will get animal,
not as safari rally where they compete with time, our main aim is to see animals not to reach in time,
I will be very happy if you will tell me that you have see all the big five (5).
Thank for your understanding.
Regards
Seth Vincent
Day 2 we left late, because they made us wait for other customers to join us. We sat in that rundown hotel for 17 hours. We
obviously lost the morning drive in the Serengeti. In fact, we never arrived till well after noon. We had only 3 hours on the
safari. Day 3 we started an hour late because we had to wait for the driver to pick up the people staying at a different
camp. Instead of a full day in the Serengeti like promised, we left early because the driver only purchased a 24 hour pass to
the park, so we never got two days there like promised. Then we drove to our accommodations. Once again, we were taken to a
different lodge then we agreed upon. We were supposed to stay at a beautiful lodge overlooking the crater. Of course, we were
placed in lower valued and priced accommodations. I wrote both for prices. The difference was $200 cheaper for the place we
actually stayed. Following is another conversation I had with Seth.
1. We were supposed to have two days in the Serengeti. We had only a 24 hour ticket
2. We were supposed to have two nights in Kati Kati tented camp. Instead we stayed in a rundown Twiga lodge without working
AC. The price difference between the two was $400. The Kati tent was one of the highlights of the trip, Twiga was the
lowlight. And we did not appreciate sitting in the Twiga lodge for 17 hours, instead of being on a safari
3. Last night we were supposed to stay at Sopa, overlooking the crater. Instead we stayed at Rhino Lodge. Price difference
was almost $200
Writing this to Trip Advisor Africa Safaris, his reply was this:
Thank you very much for your update. First I like people like you who do update us if something went wrong,and see how we
can sort it out. To be honest, all the money you paid in Tanzania and even the $ 200 paid before I sent to our Tanzania
counterpart for the same service. I have go through your email and what your saying it is an acceptable, please allow me to
contact my Tanzania counterpart and then I can come back to you latest Monday. People to serve a lot to come to holiday and
they should get exactly what they have paid for, there is no way he can decide to take you to Rhino lodge instead of sopa
lodge,to serve $200.Please am apologies for what has happened but before that, let me get the side of the story from Innocent
then we can see what to do next.
Thanks again and again for your update!!
Regards
Seth Vincent
Conclusion: Day 1 we lost the morning drive at Tarangire Park, due to reasons listed above. Then we stayed in a poor hotel at
Mto Wa Mbu city, instead of the stunning accommodations in the Serengeti.
Day 2, we stayed in Mto Wa Mbu for a total of 17 hours, waiting so they could join more people into our jeep. We obviously
lost the morning drive at the Serengeti. As a result, we only had 24 hours there, not two days like promised. Day 3, started
late again, and had to leave the Serengeti early before the 24 hour ticket expired. Then drove to our accommodations, which
turned out again to be lower valued accommodations than promised. Day 4, were told we'd start at 7:00 am, got picked up at
7:50. In all, we lost the morning drive at the Tarangire Park, one day at the Serengeti, an hour at the crater, one night
stay in the Serengeti camp, and one night stay at the crater. The price difference between the accommodations day one was
$400. The difference the third night was $200. That does not include the value of all the time we missed on the safari. I
wrote Seth Vincent from Trip Advisor Africa Safaris and demanded a refund, for at least the price difference in the
accommodations that they would have saved, roughly $600. Once again, that does not include all the safari time lost. After a
month of back and forth emails, and me threatening to write an obvious bad review, it was apparent, that all he would refund
us was $100 each, if we didn't write that review. Looking back at the pictures, and the memories, I am so mad at what we
lost, and realizing they ruined our once in a lifetime trip, I am therefore now writing that review.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Alex is very professional, caring, offers interesting tours. Has a great sense of humor.
Alex is excellent on communicating about different types of safaris and the number of days, places to visit, places to stay that would fit into one’s budget. While on safaris or tours his staff is knowledgeable, friendly and willing to go the extra mile, eg. visiting “flea” markets.
Either Alex or one of his stall will meet you at the airport.