CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mediocre at the best.
The Driver would take us no further than 10-15 Kms from our lodge and move in circles and follow the radio if there were any wild life sighting. Going so far from Canada we were disappointed not to go north to see the migration. Out of 3 days one day was a complete wipe out but we were fortunate on one day to see a lion pride and a Cheetah get on to a Safari jeep next to us.
They are nor trained to delight customers but rather make it routine and sometimes monotonous. We spent 3 days in the Serengeai, 1 in Tarangerine and 2 in Ngongoro crater but asides from moments of excitement the vast majority of our drive was boring. When we said that one day was lost in just driving, the driver got offended and confronted us and the rest of the trip lost all its charm.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Marvellous honeymoon safari tour in Tanzania
I quoted about ten safari tour companies and in the end we chose Travelpartner due to the competitive pricing and careful and helpful support by their sales agent Belen.
At our arrival, our safari guide John picked up my wife and I at the airport and drove with us until our hotel in Arusha. There, him and Belen explained with more details the planning of our safari.
We had the first day at tarangire and the following days at Serengetti. We saw many many wild cats at central serengetti and we were able to check the first wave of the wildbeest migration arriving to the border of Mara river. We were expecting to see the crossing (it was about July 21) but unfortunatelly the crossing started a bit later this year. Anyway, seeing the magnitude of the great migration was an incredible and unique experience. The last safari day was in Ngorogoro crater.
A special reference to our guide John which made our safari tour amazing. He is natural from arusha and have been working as a safari guide for the last 15 years. He has a very deep knowledge of serengetti, is extremelly kind , helpful and polite, and speaks a fluent english and also a fluent italian. He is simply the best.
Also, Belen was aware that it was our honeymoon and she provided many complimentary surprises during our entire trip, such as a congratulations cake at the first dinner, a bottle of wine at our bedroom in one of the lodges, a special table at the restaurant in another night, a basket of fruits in another day, and also a bottle of cava and another of wine at the refrigerator of our car. Those kind surprises made our honeymoon trip even more special.
Regarding something that we could do different, if you have flexibility on budget, at the end of the safari consider taking a flight from kogatende to arusha to save hours of driving.
Regards.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trusted Operator
Everything was really great, starting from e-mail conversation and informations provided before our trip (Lennox was our tour agent), until the day we were back from the safari. Our driver John knew literally everything what we wanted to know about animals, trip, place... Tent accommodation was excellent with bathroom attached. Food was fine as well. Only thing that we didn't like was our accomodation in Naivasha (unfortunately I can't remember the name if "resort"). That was faaaaaar from the resort, with extremely rude lady working there, with very limited meals and horrible rooms. If you want to get a beer there and you don't have exactly 300ksh, you're in a big trouble cause she said it's our problem and that we have to solve it, not her. They don't accept bigger bills, and they don't have Credit Card machine.
Besides that, everything was perfect and highly recommended!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic trip!
We had a wonderful safari with Kanyezi. The accommodations were all lovely and we had a good opportunity to see the sights in and around Capetown then enjoy a good length safari. When the weather was difficult in Capeton, Chris was flexible in re-arranging plans so we could see as much as possible. The Sabi Sabi Lodge was gorgeous and the service was perfect. I wish this trip could have lasted another 17 days!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Hlane Royal National Park by fivetoedtravels
Spectacular! With our knowledgeable guide, we saw giraffes lunching on leaves, a pride of lions snoozing, elephants flapping their huge ears to keep cool, hippos submerged in water pools, and most special of all, walked close to about 20 white rhinos, and watched them eat, nap, scratch themselves on tree branches and roll about in a mudbath. Brilliant!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A highlight of our month-long travels in Southern Africa was walking with the wildlife in Mlilwane.
One of our first stops on our tour of 6 countries in Southern Africa was Mlilwane Sanctuary in Swaziland. We stayed in a delightful thatched-roof rondavel at Sondza Backpackers, and had great dinners and breakfasts cooked up by the local ladies. In the morning, we walked from Sondza to the sanctuary centre and then along the Hippo Trail. Altogether about a 3-hour hike along well-kept paths through spectacular scenery, with some very special close-up moments with wildlife. Nothing dangerous... no hippos or "big 5", though a few crocodiles in the distance. But lots of impala, warthogs, nyala, hartebeest, wildebeest, waterbucks, and my favourite, zebras. Who knew that zebras would make squeaky sounds to each other while patiently waiting for us to go by so that they could cross the path? Each one with its unique dramatic stripes and beautiful black-lashed eyes. Also much enjoyed were the birds such as hamerkops, blue cranes and lapwings. And the little stuff, like dung beetles and locusts. And the huge termite hills. This was one of the few times we could actually walk with wildlife, and not be driven in a vehicle. With misty mountains and green forests in the distance, it was quite a magical day.
CL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
CL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect safari with grassroots safari and fikirini S Fikirini guide
beautiful safari with grassroots safari and fikirini S Fikirini guide
The safari was easily customised, very well organised & the guide made it flow so smoothly.
Wildlife was excellent - the guide knew the best locations to be. Scenery - spectacular. Weather - perfect- cool in the mornings & evenings, pleasant during the day. Accomodation first rate without the cost - well chosen & central to our touring. Food very good, transport excellent. Our guide was outstanding, informative, very knowledgeable about Namibia. Outstanding safari. Go soon before it gets overrun with tourists.