CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Joke of a tour operator - Avoid at all cost!!! Complete lack of safety
Horrible experience - MG met us at the border between Zimbabwe and Botswana - took our money and luggage and then was supposed to pick us up at a certain time after we visited Victoria Falls. They were late in picking us up. Then we had a lovely time in Chobe National Park, which was the only positive experience with them. As soon as we started our camping safaris - one disaster after another. We rode in an open safari vehicle at high speed for 3-4h to get to the dirt road leading to Savuti. We then got to the game reserve gate 90 minutes after its closing time and then drove at night! (strictly forbidden) for another 5h to find our campsite - the guide could not find the camp - we were scared, tired, frustrated, cold and hungry. Second day, we were on a game drive and our driver went offroad and took us within 15m of a pride of lions. He stopped the engine and then the car would not start again. We were completely exposed and luckily another safari vehicle came and pulled our car out. The driver would never fill up the car’s gas tank so we were left without gas at one point in Kalahari, without water. Driver had to abandon the car and us to go in search of help - no cell phone signal. At no time we were told how long the drives would take to get from one place to the next and they notoriously underestimated the durations. We never made it in time to any of the game reserve gates. We were exposed to unsafe trip conditions on more than one occasion. Driver and his safari vehicle were subcontracted by MG and each one blamed the other for all the mishaps. Absolutely horrific.
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Murchison Falls National Park by Alice Muthinja
Had a fantastic safari with a very good driver called Ronnie
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome
We had a fantastic Safari with Saso company and our driver Ronnie. Murchinson Falls is really beautiful. the safari was also well organized. We were picked in our hotel in Kampala on time, and went straight up to the falls. Also the game drives were superb. Unfortunatly we had to cancel our boat trip, due to weather conditions. Saso Tours? Ever and ever again!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Honeymoon in Kenya
My wife and I chose Amazing Memories Safaris for our honeymoon in Kenya. The experience was incredible and far exceeded our expectations. Our trip started with a pickup at our hotel in Nairobi. We were given a quick briefing about the safari as well as safari hats which was a nice touch. Our guide/driver Joseph was very knowledgeable and had a great ability to spot animals in the wild. We first visited Lake Nakuru where we saw many beautiful animals and birds. We stayed a the Lake Nakuru Lodge which was okay but not amazing. We then traveled to the Masaai Mara where we spent the remaining 3 days of our safari. While there we stayed in a beautiful lodge, the Mara Simba. We had the opportunity to see the crossing of the wildebeest thanks to Joseph as well as rare animals such as cheetahs, leopards and lions. Overall, my wife and I were very satisfied with Amazing Memories Safaris including the quoting/booking process, the guide, the vehicle and content of the safari.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was great
Perfect Safari Tour in Tanzania with the lovely person John! It was amazing to see the landscape and animals with such a kind guide... our memories will last forever
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome Safari Company!
All went as advertised. Second time I have used Etrip Africa and again everything was just brilliant! Safari camps great, guide great, food great, communications great. Tusker beer not the best but we have to make sacrifices...
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Africa is not Europe, you will love it or hate it:)
1. We had our 3 weeks trip to Kenya organised by Orongai in cooperation with Bonfire. We visited Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Diani Beach.
2. Our first an owerwhelming experience: Africa is not Europe or US. Things work differently, and you must accept it or your trip will be ruined.
So for the things we were surprised with, and which could ruin our trip if we did pay too much attention to it:
- changes in the itinary which were not consulted with us. This was the major annoyment, but since we were 3 weeks in Kenya after a week we were used to it. To be fair: we had a hotel for each night, the hotels were between 3-5 stars, we had our Full Board meals, water and our guide to help us. The itinary kept changing from the first day till the last one, but we did not inquire why. Since everything was going rather more than less according to plan we were happy. However, for 80% this will be unacceptable, and Orongai must change its approach if it wants its customers to be satisfied.
- the car: at first we felt that the car is a mistake - a very old Toyota. We have seen a number of newer and better cars on the road and for the first few days we were a bit upset. However and it is a big however, the car was very comfortable. When you are on a safari you will get dirt, you will be tired of the road, you will want to just throw you things wherever you want to: this car was very good for this, and quite frankly, we think that for this trip it was much better to have it than a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser.
- hotels on the Diani Beach - don't expect that a 4 star hotel in Kenya is really a 4 star hotel. But it's not Orongai fault.
- Terms and Conditions, Agreement, Invoices..... well this is Africa, don't expect any of this, we had seen and signed none. However, the trip cost almost exactly the same amount as indicated when we booked it. No hidden costs or tarrifs. Find me a European tour operator which does that:)
- One more set back - for 22 out of 23 days our car was always on spot when we needed it. It is a pity, on the last day somebody forgot to arrange our transport to the airport (sic!):) It cost us 30 USD, but we made it:)
3. What was amazing and why we loved it:
- The driver: a real game-chaser + Formula 1 master. I could never have expected that a car may go to and through places and things ours did. We would only hope he spoke better English. But except this, he did an amazing job.
- Communication: Martha was always there to help us. Sometimes the issues needed time to be resolved, but all of them were and that's what counts.
- The trip: well planned. Animals amazing, parks even better, weather - Kenian:)
- Safety: from time to time, we noticed that safety is an issue in Kenya. All of our drivers/guides were very vigilant for any suspicious behaviour and did not allow anything bad to happen to us.
- All the things we described in point 2, for as constituted a specific "African flavour" - and this is a part of the experience. It was our first time in Africa, and it exceeded our expectations. We are happy that this was a case and not the other way around.
4. Conclusions
- first timers in Africa, we have no comparison.
- Africa is not Europe. This is why we gave Orongai 4 stars. If the trip was done the same way in Europe by a European tour operator we would rate it 3.
- our best advice: when things don't go the way you planned, try to relax and go with the flow:)
5. Tips and tricks
- Safari: buy yourself a good pair of binoculars 40x40 or 50x50. Its much more important than a photo camera. In other case, don't go at all.
- If the sacurity in your camp say you are forbidden to go out of the tent at night - they are right. You're lucky if it's only a Zebra feeding grass next to you tent and not a Hyena or 10 of them.
BR
M&M
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very pleasant experience
Our tour operator Simon was very helpful to provide the offers and all explanations necessary. Also the optional we asked as extra bed were all fulfilled without additional charge. The safari lodge was above expectations, we ahd a car only for us and a masai guide very attentive and helpful. Really a good experience which we will never forget.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Get together. Not just a name
I did a day trip to the hot springs near Arusha with Wilbard and Tony. It was truely an unforgettable experience. The organisation was easy and smooth, transport went well. Both guides did a very good job. They provided their knowledge when suited and listend when someone else had something to share. They showed us the incomparable beauty of their home country. They gave us the feeling of beeing a part of it. Achieved by not viewing us just as tourist, but as people from different places who come together to admire what beauty this world has to offer.
I could not have asked for more.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique Safari Experience
We did a 4 day safari tour with Hekima, which was an amazing experience! We visited Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Lake Eyasi and discovered Arusha National Park at a walking safari.
We booked everything the day when we arrived in Hekima House, where the stuff is so friendly and welcoming that you don´´ t feel like being in a Hostel but at a friends place. Arranging the safari was really easygoing and they followed our wishes perfectly and gave good recommendation what suits best so that we had a really diversified tour with a lot of animals, haunting with the hadzabe and last but not least the walking tour, which is a great experience after sitting in the car for 3 days.
In the evening we always had a great dinner and our guide put much effort in us feeling comfortable. For example organizing a bonfire, show us the sundowner at the lake or just entertaining us;)
#GoHekima