US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience with Matoke!
Top notch experience both working with Matoke and throughout the trip. The organizer (Pascqa) did a great job answering questions about the various options and was very timely in her responses. The accommodations were great in all three countries, the guides (Kule- Uganda and Doto-Tanzania) were both super friendly and knowledgeable, and the trip flowed smoothly. Cost was very competitive and days were packed with many fantastic memories. Would definitely use this provider again for travel throughout eastern Africa.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great itinerary and very comfortable trip
We did 11 days “Legends of East Africa” tour which includes Tanzania, Kenia and Uganda. The itinerary is amazing – it enables you to see all the best in East Africa: wild life in Serengeti and Masai Mara (we met everyone we could meet: lions, cheetahs, leopards, a lot of antelopes, zebras, giraffes, baboons, hyenas), gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda! Take hot air balloon in Masai Mara (optional, you need to book it advance), extra cost but it definitely worth it.
Uganda is less popular as a tourist destination but definitely worth visiting – unique opportunity to visit gorillas and spend one hour with them in the forest, beautiful nature and very positive people! The program also includes visiting Masai village in Tanzania (extra cost) and traditional village in Uganda with bananas plantation.
We really enjoyed lodging and meals (overall level was far above our expectations)! Lodges with nice design and views – especially in Uganda.
Chris is a great guide with perfect English!
SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great day birding with Eagle Eye
I booked a tour with Eagle Eye Safaris to do a full-day of birding around Joburg in September 2019. My guide was Ernest Porter, who is a partner of the company. He brought me to two parks that had different kinds of habitat so that I could see a wide range of bird species. Not only is Ernest knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife, he is a fun guy to be with.
Although Ernest is an accomplished photographer, he did not even bring his own camera on the trip as he focused purely on spotting birds for me. That's what I called excellent customer-centric service! This tour was definitely one of the highlights of my recent visit to South Africa.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unfreakingbelievable
We went with the 5-day tented lodging safari with Shemeji which took us to Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro crater, and the Serengeti NP. It was unfreaking-believable! Very difficult to describe and put into words.
I have nothing but wonderful things to say about our time on the safari with our guide. This trip is literally out of the Lion King. Our guide/driver, Sele, was very knowledgeable, patient, friendly, funny, and able to spot wildlife from incredibly far away. He taught us the Swahili term for each animal, he knew the gestation period of basically every animal, and was able to answer all our questions that we asked and there were a lot. In addition, we never felt our safety was compromised. He was always conscious about our well being. We saw many other tour companies who drove dangerously fast and unsafe (in my opinion) during our safari. We never felt unsafe with Sele. He always asked if we wanted to stop for pictures and if the spot was good enough, (if the spot wasn’t good enough, he would predict where the animal was going and angle our jeep accordingly).
We were able to see the BIG FIVE and SO many other animals up close: elephants, gazelles, hippos, ostriches, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, cheetahs, lions AND ALL OF THEIR BABIES. It was amazing to see how protective each species are with their young. One of the more memorable moments was to actually see a rhino up close, a very rare occurrence. We were also lucky enough to see a little cheetah hunt, VERY COOL…...and, and, and we got to see a pack of vultures attacking a carcass (unreal!).
The accommodations were all very comfortable and the staff very welcoming. The lunch boxes were filling and full of different snacks each day, the breakfasts and dinners were also delicious. Sele also brought along hot water in thermoses for our picnics during the day so that we could have a coffee and/or tea for lunch!
We cannot recommend Shemeji enough. Some would say this was a “once in a lifetime experience,'' however, we hope we will be able to experience this type of adventure again in the future!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Safari ever
Safari with Okoa Tours:
We were 3 nights and 4 days with Chef (which means chef) Vitalis and the driver Alifa on the way and it could not have been better, they have a special praise. The smooth email contact in advance was also good.
The only downside, you have to pay the rest of the paid safari in dollars in cash in the office, which led to fees of 45 dollars, because we have no dollar currency in Germany, had to be exchanged in Tazania, which was very awkward on the bank.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good safari and service.
I contacted Kili Slope based on the good reviews, and I have to say I was not disappointed. David always replied quickly to my emails and made sure he could answer all my questions, and provide solutions according to my needs, like organising airport transfers very late/early.
The 4-day safari itself was really up to my expectations, as we could see the big 5 and many more. We were with Amani, who is a knowlegeable guide, and an experienced driver.
Overall impression: very satisfied, thank you Kili slope!
CY
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing, worry-free unforgettable honeymoon!
We had an amazing two weeks honeymoon in South Africa and Mauritius. Few telephone calls with Wayfairer Travel and all trip was tailored specifically for us, providing the real expertise and tips on where better to stay / why / planning our activities and preparing very detailed plan. First we had an amazing safari experience at Timbavati park.
Then we had luxury relaxing holiday sat St. Regis Mauritius. Accommodation was superb and the food was fantastic!
Both experiences were outstanding and exceeded expectations. Everything about that trip was excactly as described in the travel package that was prepared for us. We would highly recommend this tour agency for anyone planning African safari adventures or luxury honeymoon experience.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience Ever!
I had an excellent experience climbing Machame route for 7 days in January 2015 with Martha and Orongai Safaris. I contacted Martha and found him very Helpful with everything and also very flexible as I was unsure of my climbing dates. She told me about his company.
Her price was very competitive; I found other companies more expensive who did not offer any additional services.
She Helped me with renting gear for my climb, such as a Down Jacket, warm summit trousers and poles. I considered buying these before my trip but it is expensive gear. In the end I am glad I rented it as the quality was very good.
I liked the little things that Orongai Safaris offered; they picked me up from the bus station in Arusha and brought me straight to my hotel (which was very comfortable). The bus stop in Arusha is a little crazy so you will be glad of this!
Also on the trip you are provided with a portable toilet so you
don't have to use the toilet at the campsite. This is a luxury you will only realise when you are 4000m up on the mountain, trust me!
My guide was Andrew who I got on very well with. His English was perfect and, as I was the only climber in the group, we got on very well. She Helped me in every way She could and made the trip very enjoyable.
All meals were excellent quality. The porters could not have been more Helpful.
Only one thing to be aware of is the cost of tipping, especially if you are a solo climber like me. Martha gave me recommendations and I tried to match them as best I could, but tips are very expensive so make sure you include these in your budget.
I had trouble getting down from the mountain due to altitude sickness, where I had trouble walking down from the summit. Andrew my guide did a great job in assisting me to lower altitude and gave me oxygen to ensure I was ok. He did a brilliant job.
Overall my experience with Martha and Orongai Safaris was 10 out of 10. You will be glad you booked with them.
Feel free to get in touch if you need any more details about Orongai Safaris or about the climb.
Thank you Martha.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing weekend!
Really quick at replying to all my emails before the trip.
Raymond was a great driver! He was very knowledgable and really went out of his way to make sure we saw as many animals as possible (we were super lucky and saw all the Big 5 in the first 4 hours of our game drive)!
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Astounding experience, excellent organization
Very well organized. I have nothing to object. I would suggest this organization to anyone.