SA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A knowledgeable and friendly Safari operator.
I couldn't recommend Seven by Far enough! They were great and attentive to every detail. With a knowledgeable guide, I was able to see a lot. Accommodation was second to none. I would thoroughly recommend.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Expert service, easy communications
Sandi Elkington of Pulse Africa did an excellent job booking our two week trip to South Africa and Botswana. Here are the highlights:
- Bookings. Our trip involved 14 flights, 10 of which were within Africa and booked by Sandi. Every flight was on time. We had zero problems with any of our bookings. Pick ups arrived on time and in the location expected. Camps greeted us, knowing we were coming.
- Flexibility. When we decided to make a change a month before our trip, Sandi made the change happily without making us feel badly for asking.
- Expert Advice. All of Sandi's advice was spot on. While we knew we wanted to go to two particular camps, we did not know where we wanted to stay in Capetown or the Delta. In Capetown, Sandi gave us four options. All looked beautiful so we asked her to pick. She picked Cape Grace Hotel by the marina, which was an excellent decision as it allowed us to walk around the harbor shops and listen to street musicians after long days of touring rather than having to pile our family into another car to go somewhere. In the Delta, Sandi recommended two camps that looked beautiful and were part of chains that we had heard were wonderful (e.g. And Beyond). When those camps were booked (as we were booking the trip just 9 monhts in advance), Sandi recommended a camp that had very mixed reviews on Tripadvisor. It was very expensive, so I was really concerned that we would be super disappointed with the camp, asked for another recommendation and contemplated skipping the Delta all together. Sandi strongly encouraged us to go with the camp she had found as any other (according to Sandi) would be a disappointing end to an otherwise fabulous trip, and we had to see the Delta. She also told me that the camp was due to rennovate the rooms. While I have no way of knowing whether any other camp in our price point would have been disappointing, I was thrilled with the camp Sandi selected and agreed that the Delta was worth the effort to see. It was everything she had promised, and we had a terrific time.
- Responsiveness: Sandi at least was tremendously responsive. When she was on vacation, an associate covered and was also very responsive.
- 24/7 Help Line: Pulse has a help line available during your entire trip so that you have someone to call if something goes wrong. We never needed to call, but I really liked this feature.
- Printed Booklet: In additoin to the gorgeous virtual itinerary, Pulse provided on our arrival in Africa a spiral bound book with all of our travel information in it. I loved this because it was so much easier to carry and read than my printouts from the virtual iternary and because it's a great keepsake from our trip; I know exactly where to go when friends ask me 10 years from now where we stayed!
- Clear Instructions/Warning: Sandi repeated on several occasions (at time of booking and multiple times before we left) that we needed birth certificates to get our kids in and out of Botswana. Incredibly, another family who had paid a private guide to take them everywhere and book their trip did not know about this requirement and were stuck in Botswana immigration trying to wake up family members half way around the world to get copies sent! Sandi also gave us plenty of warning about luggage weight restrictions, although not a single plane checked.
- Nonprofit donation and gifts. Pulse made a donation to a nonprofit in our name and gave each of our kids and us gifts upon our arrival. While unnecessary, I was actually thrilled with these gifts as they became meaningful souvenirs from our trip.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic experience working with Angel!
Excellent communication- everything worked out as planned! Wonderful service the entire time absolutely fabulous safari and accommodations. I would highly recommend Magical Destinations Safaris! We will be using the company again in August and plan to use them regularly from now on!
Thank you Angel for a truly magical experience.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Luxurious accommodations, great service throughout, spectacular wildlife... the trip of a lifetime.
My son planned this trip with him and his wife as a gift for my 70th birthday. It was a dream vacation from start to finish. Liselle at Sun Safaris took all our tastes, needs and wishes into account very thoughtfully in designing our itinerary with three nights at Klaserie Sands and four nights at Arathusa. Both lodges were luxurious but unpretentious with stunning vistas, beautiful rooms, friendly staff, delicious food and simply amazing safaris. The wildlife guides and trackers in both locations were outstanding. We saw "the big five" within our first 24 hours and over the course of a week saw roughly 50 species of animals (including all three big cats and some rarely-sighted smaller animals like genets, honey badgers, jackals) and 70 species of birds, with multiple sightings of all creatures, many quite up close, many with babies...it was simply spectacular and very moving. We enjoyed every minute of the experience and were completely satisfied with the service we received. Additionally, the whole trip, including safari rides on rough terrain, was easily manageable for a relatively fit 70 year old.---A couple of further points of information for travelers: 1) mid-June in Kruger is winter and temperatures in the pre-dawn and nighttime hours get cold enough for a down jacket, gloves and hat especially when riding in an open safari vehicle; 2) Although both our lodges had some intermittent WiFi, guests should realize that cell service is essentially nonexistent in the Kruger wilderness and that internet connection is spotty at best, so one should be prepared to be offline.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari trip!
I had a fabulous time on the safari trip I took with Odyssey Safaris. From start to finish all of my concerns/questions were answered by their informative and professional staff. From the initial purchase of the trip, applying for the VISA, information regarding the itinerary, and up to the actual trip. The hotels that we stayed in were fantastic, all having their own unique experiences adding to the adventure of the trip. Food at all locations was good (except for the box lunches we occasionally had) and I am a pretty picky eater and still had no problem finding foods I enjoyed. But for the icing on the cake; were the actual game drives......AMAZING! We got to see the "Big Five" as well as hundreds of animals. The guide/driver who stayed with us throughout the week, (Steve) was wonderful. He was able to find all of the animals and answered any questions we had regarding the animals. I would not hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone considering crossing this trip off of their bucket-list.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Serengeti with FOOT SLOPES TOURS & SAFARIS
A beautiful safari in Tanzania Serengeti thanks to the whole Foot Slopes team.
Our driver and guide Gabi was helpful, patient and kind. We were surrounded by care from A to Z (two girls and a child :), like VIP, everything for us :)
Filip's cook made sure that we would eat like kings every day. The most beautiful time thanks to you. Asante Sana :)
TR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was as planned, I recommend this reliable tour operator
All tour stuff was friendly, professional and helpful. Our trip was executed as planned, with great communication. I would strongly recommend Monkey Adventures...
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A TRIP OF A LIFETIME
I saw and experienced everything that I wanted. our guide was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable as well as friendly and professional.
The spectacular wild beest migration at Masai Mara was an experience of a lifetime. Bison Safaris and the team really planned the tour well. This was my first group tour and I really loved it. I'm so glad to have chosen Bison. They are truly exceptional.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent value, excellent guide, excellent experience
Booked a 4 day trip to Mara and Lake Nakuru with Amko on the recommendation of a colleague. I highly recommend it. The price included vehicle, guide, accommodation and all meals for 4 days and was extremely reasonable compared to all other companies I enquired with. Communication with Peter was prompt and efficient. The itinerary was extremely good, all preparations were made in advance and everything was 100% smooth. Most of all, I would like to recommend the service provided by our guide Jones - he was polite, friendly, extremely knowledgeable, helpful, enthusiastic, dedicated and great to have with us. It was a most memorable holiday. Thank you.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Experience
I was extremely satisfied with Bison Safaris. They were very courteous and helpful from the beginning. Super friendly, professional and very knowledgeable guide. The accommodation and food were superb. Thank you Bison and team for the unforgettable experience. You guys are exceptional.