35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very hospitable staff, very competitive rates and the whole experience was just wow.
I had the best experience with Gilmag dealing with them for the first time after being to Tanzania on several occasions. Everything about them was just perfect, and trust me I had one of the most eye-catching tour ever with perfected timing to be able to see even the most discreet animals ,kudos Gilmag.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good in planning and organizing - but the guide was terrible and too many lodges were changed
I joined a 17 days taylor-made safari planned for another lady (2 people being the minimum needed to have the tour going), so it was the two of us + guide (a free -lance, first time working for Blue crane Safaris, named Ronnie).
The booking part was really easy and Traudy very helpful and fast in giving information and answers.
1) The other lady (who over the past 2 years had been organizing this Safari with BCS had been confirmed that we would have a Bluecrane guide, and only the day when she arrived she was informed that we would have a free lance instead; I was told by Traudy that this guy was working for them for the first time, but came highly recommended; I told her it was not a problem for me, as long as he was a good guide.
Sadly, he wasn't; not to bother you with a long list of smaller events, I will just mention 2: Sussusvlei Dunes, he started climbing Big Daddy running like crazy (I am very sportive, a marathon runner and fit; the other lady was none of this) for 10 minutes, without even turning his head to check if we were ok (knowing the other lady would surely have problems); then, when he saw she couldn't breath (she had to call him and ask him to wait) he said "well, maybe it's better we don't climb the dune and go down to take pictures to the deadvlei; I WANTED to climb the dune up to the top, and asked him how much time I would have to do it. He gave me one hour to climb it, come down, and go and see the deadvlei, and finally go back to the parking site. I asked him: are you sure that is at all feasible? and he said "it depends on how fit you are". Well, I thought then I could make it and I did arrive half way without stopping, and saw already 30 minutes had gone - so I said to myself there is no way I can make it up there and back in 30 minutes. Not even Usain Bolt could do that! I had to give up, quickly run down to see the deadvlei, take some pictures veeery fast, and run to the parking. I was more than 10 minutes late, and breathless for the run, and mad for not being able to enjoy the most iconic site of Namibia.
All of this rush to do what? to be at the Lodge at 4 PM doing NOTHING!
Second episode: at Swakopmund he tried to book an activity for us, asking 2000N$ for an activity which cost 1200 N$ (and telling us he had got "a very special price...SURE it was SPECIAL); I checked prices on the internet - telling him - and when I found the prices without adding any comment I just told him "Thank you, I have found it at 1200N$ so we'll book ourselves, no worries".
And there would be many more episodes; the most annoying thing is that, even when you caught him doing something really wrong, HE would get mad and say we were wrong, and he never did those things. It's all "misunderstandings" (and I have to say it was pretty annoying, after sending me feedback to BCS, to be told that "they were all misunderstandings". Well I am old enough and an extremely experienced traveler, for work and leisure... I think I can tell a misunderstanding from something else)
The only good thing I have to say - to be fair - is that he was a very good driver and organized in terms of documents/diesel filling/ practical things like those. As a guide, the only days when I saw him really passionate (and willing to use the whole day instead of cutting it short) it was in Etosha, doing game drives. However his English (I think it was a language problem, although I am not sure) was not very good, so many times if you would ask you questions you would not be able to get answers.
And he was complaining all the time this tour was very hard on him, lots of km, the program was wrong, etc etc etc..
A good Guide is the most important thing on a Safari, he/she can make it awesome or poor... I understand it was just 2 people on the Safari, but it was 17 days and we had paid a good amount of money, so...
Then, it was also very annoying that MANY Lodges were changed from the plan, and we had no information until the day we started the Tour (Sussusvlei one not even at that point - we found out during the tour)
- Camelthorn lodge has become Anib Kalahari Desert
- Sossusvlei Lodge has become Namib Desert (Sossusvlei being INSIDE the park gates, Namib Desert being ONE HOUR AWAY - so, no sunrise or sunset on the dunes since only who is INSIDE the gates can enjoy those, due the closing times of the gates)
- Palmwag lodge has become Khowari (2 nights): Palmwag being right AT the gates, Khowari one hour away (so, 2 hours drive added in the day JUST to go back and forth)
- Epupa Falls lodge has become Opwo Country Lodge (again ... hours wasted in the car and all the activities mentioned in the initial program -rafting, birdwatching, sundowner) DISAPPEARED
- Epacha lodge became Eagle (these two might be similar)
This is not my first Safari, and I know that it MAY happen that ONE/TWO Lodges may have a last minute problem and need to be changed (but should be changed to an EQUAL Lodge); however, since we had booked in February and were asked a 25% advance payment (needed to block reservations at Lodges), and we only paid the balance in July - I think there was plenty of time to inform us about the changes (if the Lodges were full) and have prices RE-ADJUSTED accordingly before we paid the balance.
So, I am sorry but I cannot say I am fully satisfied, because I really think that there were several things that were not fair and quite annoying. I saw many excellent reviews (which is also the reason why I chose BCS) and I am sorry having to say that my experience was different.
All the above being said, Namibia is so wonderful, that I loved it anyhow; I always try to see the glass half full and do not let external events take away my smile, so I focused on how lucky I was to be there and was happy for that. Nonetheless, concerning how high the cost of these kinds of Safari are, I think it is fair that I share my experience so that visitors are informed, and BCS (whom I had already sent me my feedback) can improve (if they want) their service.
TH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara
I'm a solo traveler and joined 4-Day Safari to Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara with another group. That's very nice experience to saw many kinds of animal in both the National parks with animal life information from George and Alan (guides). It would be better if travel with the Land Rovers :)
I missed only leopard in BIG 5 animal family so I need to go back again :)
I stayed in Nakuru City Max Hotel for 1 night and the budget camp in Enchoro wildlife camp in Masai Mara area for 2 nights. I didn't have the early morning game drive before leaving as showed in the proposal because the group need to go to another national park and I didn't go with them as I come back to Nairobi.
Last, I found something would like to open my camp door in early morning around 4 AM on the last day so until now I still don't know what is it.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing child-friendly Safari
Ranger Afrika was recommended to us by a family member who had done a safari with them and was very pleased with their service. From our initial communication with Ezekiel Mjema, we found him very helpful and patient as he promptly dealt with all our inquiries. The safari itself was an amazing experience as our driver guide Edger knew exactly where we needed to go at the right time. He is very knowledgeable and informative. We recommend Ranger Afrika to anyone looking for a professional as well as child-friendly safari Holiday.
SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!!!
They delivered what they promised, it was an amazing trip for us, my boys 7 & 11 years old loved every bit of it. Lennox who I was coordinating with from the beginning was great and I never felt left out he provided us the best Gide and driver Leonard who tried his very best on all occasions to get what we requested for I would give him a 5 start and would recommend their services!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5-Day Masai Mara-Nakuru-Naivasha-Joining Group Budget
We had a great experience, even beyond our expectation. Pros were the price, definitely the best value for money of any tour operators; the stays were great, especially at Nakuro. Food generally good, ok at the camp and fair enough along the way. Thanks to our driver, Raymond, we have seen all the animals in the parks, cheetas and rhinos included, even a leopard! Cons, just a bit of a confused organization. We didn't understand how the groups were made up, so we needed to travel to many camps to collect the people before entering the park. But that's just a minor, keep in mind you are there to have fun, so take it easy (hakuna matata). Summing up, it was marvelous.
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Taylormade Safari
We would 100 % use indigo again. We can really recommend Jimbazi camp in Selous. Excellent staff and topclass service. Everything went smoothly and we got value for money.
IT
20-35 years of age
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE EVER
We are a family of five and have just come back from two week in Mozambique. We spent eight nights at the Quilalea Private Island Resort which was truly magical. We had two beach villas and enjoyed both our privacy and the very warm welcome from Leon and Claudia, the two general managers. We had whales outside our beach villas, a few lovely dives and my three children / teens were never bored. There was so much to do... snorkel, dive, canoe, paddle board, long walks on the reef at low tide etc. The staff were absolutely wonderful. I hope to return. It is a truly beautiful and welcoming island resort.
After which we spent 4 nights at Vamizi Island (Casa Marajani) . Our beach villa was spectacular but should someone look into Vamizi I would recommend a villa with a pool such as Villa Papilio or Villa Kipila. During the high spring tides there is no beach left. Fiona our hostess was very professional and the food was exceptional. We felt very spoilt but maybe in hindsight it would have been better had we travelled with friends. The coastline and beach are truly amazing. Perfect for a private retreat.
Rose arranged everything perfectly. All the logistics of getting to and from Pemba and the bookings for both resorts and flight times in order to catch the helicopter to Quilalea and the light aircraft to Vamizi. Everything worked perfectly.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Odyssey created a magnificent vacation experience for my family that far exceeded our expectations.
From my first conversation with Mark and Lucy, I felt like my family was in good hands with a supportive, caring team. My many calls and emails were answered promptly. Mark, who bore the brunt of my novice questions, answered all my concerns with patience and good humor. Even during our trip, when I had a question, I received a very quick response from an Odyssey team member in Kenya, as well as an email from Mark. This, to me, showed that Odyssey was on top of every aspect of our trip and had our back.
From the moment we touched down in Kenya to our departure at Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania, our drivers/guides took care of all our needs. Charles, our driver/guide in Kenya met us with a bright smile. He was an exceptional guide and driver who had a great sense of humor. I'm sure our trip was enhanced because of Charles. We feel very lucky to have met him and have him show us his country. Charles was able to find a leopard as soon as we entered our first game drive. We joked, that everything else is downhill now. This was not true, every game drive was incredible. If we get to return to Kenya, Charles has to be our driver/guide.
Charles passed us on to our Tanzania driver/guide Gibson at the Kenya-Tanzania border. Gibson had big shoes to fill, and he did just that. Gibson was another excellent guide/driver. He was very accommodating with our schedule and needs and was very knowledgeable. I would definitely request him again if we are ever lucky enough to travel back to Tanzania. I was very touched when he presented me with a gift at the end of our tour.
All the lodges or tented camps we stayed in were good to great. Be prepared to not have wifi, hot water or even electricity at some of the places during certain hours (mostly overnight). It was kind of liberating to be disconnected for a time. Most of the place we stayed had amazing views. I do have some favorites, but they were all very nice. Most meals were buffet style, which my family enjoyed. While I didn't mind the few times we had a pre-packed picnic lunch, my husband would have liked to have been given more of a choice of options.
We spent long hours in our safari truck driving from one location to another, but I would never trade the six-hour drives for an internal flight. We were able to experience so much more while driving, getting to stop along the way and meet some local Kenyans. We also got to really get to know our guides. The drives passed quickly due to so much to see.
We did do a few extras while in Kenya. While in Nairobi, we had previously fostered a baby elephant at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. We were able to meet all the baby elephants and watch as the came in for the night. I highly recommend this experience. We also went to the Giraffe Center. While we enjoyed feeding the giraffes, this is something we've done in the US.
While staying at The Sopa Lodge in the Maasai Mara, we scheduled two private bush meals; one dinner and one breakfast. Both of these experiences were great and something we were glad we got to do.
If we got to do this same trip again, the one thing I would do differently would be to add a few days, in the end, to relax in Zanzibar. This was a once in a lifetime experience for us and it exceeded all expectations. I will be recommending Odyssey Safaris to anyone who is interested in going on Safari.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome safari in Serengeti!
The experience of a 5-day safari in Tanzania with Afrishare was absolutely amazing. Everything was organized by Ibrahim in a perfect way: transport, accommodations, meals, beverages. Our guide Haji was excellent in meeting all our needs during game drives! With his experience of more than 10 years in this job, he was able to drive us in the perfect locations and spot animals from far away; he explained us many things and curiosities about the different species we saw and he respected our requests for time while taking photos, being always very professional, serious, available but also nice and friendly. Thanks to his skills and patience we managed to see, besides many kind of animals, the “big five”, including two wonderful black rhinos! The vehicle was also comfortable and spacious for two people, the packed lunches were good and all dinners and breakfasts in the lodges and tented camps were simple but really tasty and genuine. We must say that our experience with Afrishare exceeded by far our expectations on a safari!