US
65+ years of age
Great company, top notch experience!!
From beginning to end we had a wonderful safari experience. Kate Okellele at Bushman was our main contact and organizer for our 18 day
tour covering much of Uganda, including Mabamba Swamp for shoebill viewing, Sipi Falls, Kidepo National Park, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale for chimp viewing, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Bunyoni canoeing, and Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Basically we circled much of Uganda countercloskwise. Kate made it very easy to arrange the entire trip by email. Every time I had a question I would contact her and receive an answer and explanation within a few hours at most, always the same day. Ours was a camping safari, which added to the excitement since we had the opportunity to hear African sounds at night, such as hippos, and lions roaring in the distance. We were provided with a very experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver named Richard Mukasa for the entire trip. Our vehicle was a large Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 with a poptop. I wouldn't hesitate to sign on again with Bushman Safaris for future trips.
Mark Newman
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Vacation
What more can I say but thank you, thank you, thank you.......we had the most memorable trip to South Africa with our friends from Texas. This trip would not have been possible had it not been for Heidi Bedford who worked tirelessly at putting together an incredible itinerary for us. Heidi was always quick to respond to any questions or concerns and was contactable at the drop of a hat during our visit to South Africa, always having our best interest at heart. The welcome bags and comprehensive itineraries were phenomenal with loads of additional information on the areas and sites we would be visiting or attractions we would be seeing, these made for good keep sakes. Our friends from Houston Texas were in awe of all the beauty this country has and absolutely loved being on Safari. From the beauty of Cape Town to the untouched nature of the wild and seeing the big 5 and so much more, was wonderful. We were spoilt with all the awesome sightings of theses incredible animals in their natural habitat. The whole trip was planned to perfection with just the right amount of everything. All the tour guides did a fantastic job and everyone was impressed with their knowledge and friendliness and their efforts to go above and beyond to make our experience a lasting one.
Thanks for everything you did to make this possible Heidi
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Short Lovely trip to Amboseli
My family and I had a wonderful two-day trip in Amboseli with Kenya Tru Nomads Tours. The co-ordinator Faith was very professional and well-organised and our driver George was knowledgeable, friendly and confident. The campsite was superb and much better than we had expected with lovely staff and very good food. We arranged everything ahead of time over the internet which was very uncomplicated thanks to a very good website and service from Kenya Tru Nomads Tours. We would definitely recommend this experience to anyone thinking about doing a safari and certainly with this company. Thanks!!
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilimanjaro
I recommend these boys to everyone, trustworthy, serious. Thank you Omben!
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a amazing trip!!! Daniel is super pacient and knows everything!!
Daniel is super helpful! He helped me with everything, he always answered my questions very quick. He did a trip plain according to my budget and he understood everything that I would like to doand also gave me a lot of suggestions!!! If one day I will back to Kenya, I am sure that I will go back with Transtrek!!! Thank you Daniel for everything, my trip was wonderful!!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fun safari in Kenya and Tanzania
We were a group of 16 and were provided three vehicles. The price was very reasonable. No surprises. We are glad we chose Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The hospitality and thoughtfulness of Tanzania Choice Safaris is immeasurable!
Upon our arrival we were greeted and welcomed late at night at the Kilimanjaro Airport by 2 smiling faces that immediately packed up our bags and transported us to our lodge. They made sure all of our needs were met and more. Everything was well orchestrated down to the food, accommodations, scheduling, and the safari tour. It is locally run and owned by Kakasii and his wife Brenda. When on safari, Kakasii and his drivers were very knowledgeable and could answer all of our questions we had about the wildlife and the people. I highly recommend TCS to anyone who is considering a safari or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. I have been told by very good friends that they do an exceptional job leading a climb up Kili!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
it was a real wonderful journey, our giude was very friendly and well-known, he knew a lot about uga
it was all super! the lodges were very clean and had a grandious landscape, safari tours were well organized and the service was always very good
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THE Outfitter You Want to Trek Kilimanjaro With
I'm a solo female traveler from Hong Kong. It's been a month since I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with Everlasting in March, and I still keep reminiscing about this beautiful experience.
I'm a college student and the trekking was a spur of the moment thing. I started planning the trip only one month in advance (a shoutout to Sam who helped me with the logistics and pre-trip training - an ever-calm solution provider who could even magically conjure up a portable wifi in no time when the hotel Wifi was down).
When I saw their web page and the reviews online (most of the reviews are on another forum page, see https://en.tripadvisor.com.hk/ShowTopic-g293747-i9226-k6014473-Planning_a_trip_to_Tanzania_Everlasting_Tanzania_Travels-Tanzania.html), I just knew this is the outfitter I would want to choose. Some topmost decision criteria for me:
1. SAFETY FIRST. This can't be emphasized enough on the mountain. On the summit day, my guide Saidi and summit porter Batista (not all outfitters take summit porters, which turned out to be extremely important because most people simply weren't functioning in full capacity on that altitude) carried oxygen cylinder and all kinds of anti-dizziness/nausea/headache medicine. On our way back from the Uhuru Peak, there's a guy traveling with another company. He clearly suffered from high-altitude sickness, staggering down the slope. It was very dangerous because for a few times he tripped over and almost rolled down the hill. But his guide simply wasn't doing anything. So my guide stopped them, asked how the guy felt, gave him pills and made him breathe in some oxygen. After that, the guy came to himself and started talking and walking normally.
In fact this wasn't the only time our team offered support to others. Once there was a porter from another company came to my guide for medicines when he severely cut himself when setting up the tent. Apparently not all companies take care of their porters properly.
The Kilimanjaro National Park requires all guides to pass a first-aid course which is, however, usually conducted in a hasty way. So you would want to find a company that emphasizes internal first-aid knowledge training and medical support capabilities, and whose guides really know how to assess the situation when things happen.
2. Responsible Travel. Make sure that you trek with a partner company with KPAP (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project https://kiliporters.org/becoming-a-partner/) to promote ethical treatment of porters. It was a rigorous process. For each team, the organization would send a porter to serve as an "auditor", making sure that the porters are fairly paid, carry the proper weights and have enough food.
3. Choose a local company. Not only does this mean higher value for the same amount of money you pay, but also means the money you spend would stay in the Tanzanian economy and help the country grow.
Everlasting is owned by three local entrepreneurs who take a hands-on approach to the management of their company. They know the strengths of every porter and assign them the jobs perfectly (e.g. on my team, Mkana had the most reliable tent setup technique, Pascor provided the impeccable dining service, Clemence was the most careful one to manage the dishes).
Also, the partners kept a buddy-like relationship with the porters, which had a direct impact on the overall vibe of the team. You wouldn't see any other team in the camp singing and dancing before you depart every morning and after you return from a successful summit day. We trekked like a family and I felt close to every one.
Even more amazing was how they care for their community and try to give back. They partner with the NGO Mom2Mom Africa and sponsor a local orphanage.
4. Mt guide Saidi, the meritorious man. I was just so lucky to have this fabulous man as my guide. He treated me as his Dada and it was surprising how sensitive he was to my smallest habits and needs.
For the summit day, Saidi proposed an alternative schedule which not only helped me avoid the midnight traffic but also better preserved my energy. It allowed me to summit in a very good spirit and fully took in the mindblowing scenery of glaciers at the peak, instead of just rushing down because of fatigue.
Also, I learned a ton of the cultures and norms of Tanzania from Saidi - a never-ending source of wits and fun. During our conversations over meals which were full of laughs, I learned about everything from witch doctors to lion hunting, from African hip-hop to courtship and wedding practices in different tribes, from the religious practices to baptism experiences.
There's so much more to write about Everlasting. I'm pretty sure this won't be the last time I explore this amazing country with them.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely magic!!
Being a Tanzanian myself, I was super impressed by the quality and professional service received, the knowledge of the areas the tour guide, his friendliness and passion for the work he does... Keep up the great work guys!