50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable trip on Rovos Rail to Victoria Falls followed by 6 nights safari in Botswana
We were delighted with the tailor made itinerary Clyde arranged to fulfil our long held wish to combine a journey on the Rovos Rail to Victoria Falls with a safari experience in Botswana. The ground arrangements were excellent and the tour ran smoothly throughout. We were impressed with the knowledge & attention to detail in the planning particularly the safari element. Although the dry season the choice of two contrasting camps ensured we experienced many game & wildlife sightings. Everything added up to a most memorable & enjoyable holiday.
CL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing fun and safe experience
In few words, our safari was MUCH better than expected. The scenic views, the wildlife and the way every animal was found in nature was a unique experience. The accommodations were also better that we have imagined when we booked a 'budget safari', everything seemed very safe and well maintained.
Our preferred park was Masai Mara, very beautiful and full of wildlife. Seeing rhinos at Lake Nakuru was also a marvelous experience. On the other hand was Amboseli park, which, because of rain seasons, was not as amazing as it is supposed to be on dry seasons. Nevertheless, we spotted mating lions and a huge pack of elephants from very close, which was very exciting.
If I had to name a downside for the whole safari it would be the food. It was very delicious and abundant everywhere, but there was a specific place where we had lunch 2 days in a row that gave my wife and I stomach issues for 4-5 days.
All this was briefly opaqued by the miscommunication problem when transferring from Amboseli to Arusha, where we were left stranded at the bus station, but Diana (from Sterling travel) responded very well after we could communicate, offering a fair solution.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spontaneous safari
We came to Uganda a bit unprepared so that we booked it (8 days through Uganda, 1999 US$) only fife days before the tour started.
All in all it worked out pretty well. We had the most amazing experiences visiting the Gorillas and having all the other experiences.
The accommodations and the food that was provided three times a day were very good. Being two university students we most likely would have booked less comfortable lodges and hotels and eaten less often and in less expensive restaurants.
The transport was mostly good. We had a very kind and caring driver who even picked us up from Jinja which was an extra two hour drive for him. Unfortunately, the car broke down twice within the eight days which caused some irritation and made us wonder about the State of our car .
Even though they handled both breakdowns pretty good we would have enjoyed a better communication about how it might affect our plans for the day.
In addition to that we would recommend to read the program carefully. At two occasions the guides forgot about smaller activities mentioned on the program.
The payment has been quite stressful for us as we did not bring that much cash to Uganda an the ATMs wouldn’t let us withdraw more than two million a day (of course this a problem that occurred due to our spontaneous booking). Nevertheless, we would have enjoyed to be able to pay with either credit card or by money transfer.
All in all it was a good experience and we would mostly recommend it.
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Orange adventures is simply amazing, its services are out of this world
Orange adventures is one tour company that's doing the unimaginable to make their guests feel at home and enjoy their safari. All communications are done in time and in a polite and friendly way, the customer care is great! From neat tour guides to comfortable tour vans and great discounts. Orange adventures takes you to new places, amazing destinations you never knew existed! Indeed, thank you so much for the experience.
I'm planning another trip soon, can't wait. Orange adventures is my choice always
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect tours to Maasai Mara and Mount Kenya
In March 2017 I booked a Safari on Maasai Mara Train with Wilson. I went to Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru and I really enjoyed it. I was the only one who booked with him so I was in a group with people from another agency and everything went well. Only on the first day we had a little car problem and missed the evening game drive but the next day we did a longer drive instead. Unfortunately I didn't see rhinos and leopards but many other beautiful animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, ... And I liked the landscape around the two lakes a lot.
Because I had such a good time on the Safari I also booked a Mount Kenya trip with Wilson in April 2017. We were 2 tourists, Wilson as a guide and his brother as a cook and went up to the Lenana peak. There was a list what to take with me but Wilson provided everything that I didn't have including walking boots, sleeping bag, gloves and a flashlight. The last night before the summit at 4200m was quite cold and we had to wake up around 3 the next morning but seeing the sunrise on Mount Kenya was totally worth it. And on the way down where it was getting warmer again breakfast was already waiting for us. By the way the food was much better than I expected it to be on a mountain. We had chicken one day and fish the other day and always a lot of Chapati.
I had 2 really good tours with Maasai Mara Train and can highly recommend them.
Thank you Wilson!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Trip of a Lifetime Ruined
I didn't want to write this and usually let my husband do these reviews but this experience was so horrible I wanted to share it and warn other people not to make the same mistake by hiring Mushra to plan your trip. I don't want to go over in detail all the painful memories again but needless to say, every day we had to spend hours of our vacation time dealing with problems not handled or created by Michaels' dishonesty or incompetence (e.g. hotels we arrived at with no reservations made and having to pay out of pocket to stay, no flights between destinations after this was in itinerary, no gorrila permits after having paid for them in April and personally assured everything was set, etc.) Don't want to relive it but anxiety coming from these things happening every day ruined what was planned as a trip of a lifetime.
BY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Helpful people
My friends and I hitchhiked through QENP for see wild animals on the road and mister Kennedy was nice to pick up as and drive around 80 km through this park. Also he is knowledgeable about gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Thanks for help!
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A trip to authenticity
The trip to Swaziland has been a very nice discovery.
People are really nice and not polluted by European way of living. Landscapes are beautiful!
Accommodations are good (compliant to European standard !!). This is really a place I’d like to go again!
PK
It was unforgettable!
We went to kenya in December. Alot of people said it was the off season however we saw amazing wildlife and the weather was gorgeous. Accommodations were great however our experience at the mpata safari club was not great. Our guide Daniel was great!
outstanding service , driver amazing we had nothing to do just sit back and enjoy
We travelled overland to Sabi Sandi Notten's lodge for a four night stay. We were a family of 5 staying in 2 lodges. The game drives were amazing and we easily spotted the big 5 on more than one occasion ,all up close. The service and quality of the lodges was outstanding , the staff, food and drink amazing. I would highly recommend this Safari. Our driver to and from Johannesburg was friendly and very helpful . We also did a day trip of Johannesburg with Safari With Us