FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience !
We had an amazing experience of a 3 days safari : 2 days in serengeti and 1 day in ngorongoro crater.
We got to see many animals and amazing landscapes.
The guide was really nice and took well care of us, and the food was excellent.
I highly recommand this company for your safari. It was the cheapest we found to do 2 days serengeti + ngorongoro. The communication and service was great.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Brilliant!
Thanks to Benson Safaris we had the most amazing and memorable Tanzanian experience. We chose to book with Benson because they are a locally owned and operated company, and from the booking process to the airport transfers, to our week spent with our exceptional guide, Kessy, they do a superb job. Our accommodations were first class, our favourite being Kubu Kubu in the Serengeti, and the meals were excellent, exceeding our expectations.
We couldn't have asked for a better guide. Kessy is experienced and very knowledgeable and always gave us all the time we wanted when there was something to see. He's a fun guy to spend a week with.
All the wildlife we saw was truly amazing, and the amount of wildlife staggering. What a privilege to see The Big Five, and spot a cheetah in the tall grass on the plains of the Serengeti. Also totally incredible and fascinating was witnessing the wildebeest migration. We also never imagined how impressive and beautiful the birds would be, and the landscape is unforgettable.
After four days of touring the National Parks, Tarangire, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, we took the less travelled route and headed north to Lake Natron where we hiked the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai with our Maasai guide. An absolutely memorable experience, but so steep, it took a lot longer to descend than it did to hike up!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Classic Journeys Africa made this trip of a lifetime even more enjoyable than expected.
From our first contact with Classic Journeys Africa, we received quality service. They were responsive to all of our questions, even after our tour was over. They suggested the right tour for our desires and budget. We feel we received very good value for our money. The guides were great and went out of their way for us. The accommodations were wonderful and the lodges and camps provided great service and good food. Of course, the animals we saw were amazing. We will never forget this wonderful experience. I highly recommend Classic Journeys Africa.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tsavo West National Park by Steven Levenson
Did not have time to see much
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Tsavo East National Park by Steven Levenson
Unbelievable amount of animals
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Steven Levenson
Saw a lot of Lions and many animals - fun Balloon ride
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Up-Close-And-Personal Experience with Habituated Lemurs
The Palmarium Reserve was a truly amazing experience! Surrounded by lemurs - and I mean surrounded! - there were ample photographic opportunities! The Black and White Ruffed lemurs, the Crowned Lemurs, the Hybrid Lemurs and the Black Lemur were all frequently around the dining area, and the Indri wasn't far off! There were also other creatures such as chameleons and frogs. I had the opportunity to explore the area myself, and also to travel around with a very helpful guide, who found the lemurs for me (recommended). My only disappointment was the fact that the lemurs were baited (with banana) - this meant EXCELLENT photographic opportunities but not entirely wild (in my opinion). I would recommend 2-3 days stay at Palmarium.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable
Fell in love with South Africa! The people, the food, the weather, the wildlife ! Can’t wait to go back ! We had the best honeymoon ever ! Even though it’s far to get there ( we live in Canada) it was worth it and we have no regrets !
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing seeing so many animals up close - did not expect such long drive times to different reserves
Used Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris - chose a modified 10 day safari rather than the 12 day mid-priced, also upgraded to Luxury accommodations, and they were very accommodating - I did not recall an airport pickup - so I paid for transportation from another company - both were there even at 11:00pm. Used our tour company - Zachery - he told us he was with us for our 10 Day Safari. Dropped us off at hotel and told to be ready at 7:00 sharp - he would be there and ready, please be on time. I had to email our tour company at 7:25, because no one was there - about 5 minutes later another driver/guide was there, AL - I explained that Zachery was our guide - he made calls and said he was.
Started to Tsavo East - a little into the drive, stopped for about 90 minutes in a very dirty gas station where we believe he was trying to get money into his account, said needed a car charger for his cell. Another stop about an 1 1\2 later for what we were told as a potty stop - went used and wanted to leave - found Al eating and had to wait. Couple hours later stopped at a restaurant for lunch, we refused, well below our standards and supposed to eat at our 1st lodge, per itinerary. Got to 1st lodge after 8 hours - problems with reservations - had lunch and then were told we were being refused, tour company had not paid - went on a game drive on way to new lodge - really nice, lots of animals - got to lodge, standards well below that of the original one in our itinerary. No hot water, food very basic - lodge very rustic, but very clean and we could view many animals, up close. I did receive an email from tour company that Zachery was on way - was sent replying to my email at 7:30am - I do not understand how we ended up with Al.
Day 2 - Itinerary - not followed - did 2 game drives and did see lots of animals - missed Via Aruba Dam on itinerary.
Day 3 again Itinerary not followed - very long day 7am start - went to Mzima Springs, saw Hippos and Crocodiles, then to Rhino Sanctuary, struck out seeing either Rhinos or Leopards - got to lodge 6:30pm in Tsavo West. One of 2 guests at this very rustic lodge, did not get the expected Luxury upgrade - no hot water again- food very basic.
Day 4 early start to Amboseli - lunch at very nice Sopa Lodge, checked in - rested before afternoon game drive, lots of animals. There was a personal stop for our guide to get money - about 45 minutes while we sat in van with up to 30 kids surrounding our van begging for money - we were extremely uncomfortable and told him
Day 5 morning game drive - really nice. Lunch at lodge then a visit, without guide- extra cost, to a Maasai Tribal Village - very enjoyable.
Day 6 very early morning start on way to Lake Naivasha - another very long drive for late lunch at the Sopa Lodge - an extremely nice resort/lodge - many animals walking around. Afternoon game drive at Hell Gate - not many animals, but did see the Geo Thermo Power Plant.
Our favorite accommodations - many animals wandering around grounds - Hippos wandering around at night - really cool - food was fantastic.
Day 7 - a day at "Crescent Island Sanctuary" - supposed to be an included, guided tour - charged $60 for tour - Al was our guide, but there was no tour - just walked for about an hour seeing animals and birds. Did not see or do anything per our itinerary - again supposed to be included, but charged $60.
Day 8 - very early start to Maasai Mara - another very long drive - late lunch at Azure Mara Haven - a Tented Camp, then a late afternoon game drive - lots of animals. Dinner, family style, no choices - food OK at best - had a nice tribal show during dinner.
Day 9 - Very early start - 5:30 for a Hot Air Balloon ride then outside breakfast - highly recommend - really nice and fun. After a morning game drive with the balloon operator - our guide did not show up at meeting place - so he took us to try and see Leopards - no luck - but did see lots of animals. After many attempts to contact Al - he was going to take us back to hotel but Al finally contacted him for a meeting place - continued drive with Al to border of Kenya and Tanzania - had box lunch and continued game drive - lots of Lions this day.
Day 10 - After breakfast - anther extremely long drive back to Nairobi - I paid for box lunches for all because would not eat at the restaurant Al chose - finally in Nairobi, dinner at 6 at a very nice restaurant - Al instructed waitress to give me bill - no problem - then to Airport.
There were many personal stops for our guide. Many of the roads taken were very questionable. The seat-belts were not working in van.
Al was very knowledgeable about the animals and birds - really enjoyed listening to him. Also, he ate every meal with us - the only guide to do so.
We are still very puzzled by the confusion regarding guides and the non payment of the original lodge. The original lodge was very nice and we ended up at a far inferior lodge - not the Luxury upgrade that we paid for.
All in all we really enjoyed our tour.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream come true!
We would happily recommend indigo safaris to organise your holiday found through Safari Bookings. We had a few ideas on what we would like to do, the accommodation type and travelling we were happy with, but were struggling to put it all together. Ines responded quickly to our request, and sent us ideas on how to collate our trip to Namibia, Victoria falls and Botswanna. We exchanged a few e mails, and, everything fell into place very easily. Payment was simple through a gb account.
Our trip to Namibia turned out to be be far better than we imagined. Everything went smoothly apart from an onward delayed flight with Namibian Airways. Our guide Rudy was a star throughout our tour of Namibia. He had a passion for his country and its peoples and wild life which he shared with us throughout our trip. We always felt safe in his care, and he went out of his way to help us enjoy our first visit to Africa. His knowledge of his country was extensive and we were sad to see our trip come to an end. Rudy kept our mini bus clean and we always had plenty of water on board. He drove safely, even when the days were long and the drive was hard. We had plenty of room in the bus as we chose to have a small group, so we shared with three other people. Expect very bumpy roads and long days, with early starts but it was worth every bump to experience such diversity. The landscape is stunning and so diverse.
Th accommodation was spot on. We decided we didn't want to use tented accommodation, and so the lodges we stayed in were very clean and comfortable. The food was delicious with lots of choice at the evening buffet. It was good to try Springbok, Kudu, Oryx, Impala and Zebra! Most of which were very tasty. Breakfast was also plentiful, with fresh cooked eggs etc if you wanted it.
We were so lucky to come across the Desert adapted elephant on our trip, and to see lions, zebra, impala, springbox, rhino, giraffe and water buffalo. Couldn't ask for anything more!
Thank you Ines, from Indigo Safaris who organised our extended trip to include Victoria Falls and Botswana. ITs been an amazing Trip. Your help and guidance made it happen?
