CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Average safari at Selous Reserve
We booked a 2 day, 3 night safari to Selous Reserve. Communication with Mack was good, our driver was punctual, and there were no surprises with payment. We were told that we had been upgraded to a better lodge at no extra cost, as Kiliholidays had received complaints about the lodge they typically book. This was appreciated and a good business decision. The lodge (African Safari Lodge) was beautiful and the rooms were great, but the food was average (we have had much better in Tanzania thus far).
Our driver and guide was friendly, but he did not seem to have much experience with the reserve itself. We were disappointed with the game drives, though to be fair, I know any safari is a gamble and our lack of sightings may not have had anything to do with our guide at all. Coming to Selous is a trade-off-you won't face traffic jams like you would in the Serengeti, but it is also harder to spot the big animals.
Finally, I was disappointed that the we didn't follow the schedule/description we had agreed upon prior to booking. I was told that we would have a chance to swim in a hot spring at sunset on day two, and was really looking forward to it. When we asked our driver/guide about this, he seemed surprised, and said there is a hot spring, very far away, and that the only time we could swim is in the late morning/early afternoon. We declined, as this would cut into our game drive time, and a hot spring at 14:00 in the heat isn't appealing. Very misleading.
I should add that we had come from Maasaii Mara in Kenya and had an AMAZING safari experience for a much LOWER cost! Our guides in Maasaii Mara were incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgable and we were on game drives from 06:00 until 18:30. We saw so much wildlife, mainly in the morning and evening. With this safari, we left one day at 07:30 and returned at 16:30, and the second day left at 09:00 and returned at 15:45.
To summarize, our experience was very average and not the best value.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service and a well organized holiday
We are very happy to recommend African Travel Consultants. Sally went above and beyond to arrange a tailor made Botswana safari. My husband and I enjoyed our trip and we are happy with everything.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience that exceeded expectations
With the huge range of tour operators and safaris available, I contacted 8 different operators. Donatus came back to me straight way with useful information, a budget price and a cheerful attitude. This looked the best value for our purposes as we were travelling on a budget. It far exceeded our expectations in every way. The staff were friendly, the food was exceptional and included a delicious breakfast, packed lunch and 3-course dinner freshly cooked. The atmosphere at the camp was friendly and relaxed and our living quarters, whilst basic, were comfortable. The boat safari was our first experience and we stopped to watch the sunset. The 4x4 experience the next day was incredible as our guide ensured we saw every animal possible, sufficient time at each stop and provided lots of interesting information on the animals, birds and plants. Early the next morning we had our walking safari led by a bushman with a big heart, a great sense of humour and lots knowledge. Yes, the journey takes about 6 hours to Selous, but it is such an incredible experience you quickly forget the drive! I really recommend both the safari and the tour operator.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari tour
We arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport and Mr Seka himself came to pick us up :) and dropped us to the overnight hotel that was included in Arusha. The hotel was good with all basic needs for one night. Early morning Mr Seka, Gabriel (our driver) and Ms Meggie came to see us and also to go through our safari itinerary. After that we took off for the tour. We had a 4 day tour (Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro) and it was totally amazing. Our first day in Lake Manyara was really awsome, we saw so many monkeys, elephants and so many different kind of birds. Unfortunately there are no giraffs or lions here.
Second morning we were heading for Serengeti, another amazing place to see. Here you can see almost every animal if your are lucky. After game driving the whole day, by late evening we drove to our camp site which was based inside Serengeti. This was also awsome, to sleep in a camp in the middle of the wild nature. In the middle of the night we could hear hyenas and hogs. They had a lot of security around the camp site so there was nothing to worry about, but very thrilling to imagine what would lie behind those long grass when you wake up in the morning!
Third morning we started from inside Serengeti and did some game driving there till evening.
The fourth morning, our last safari day, we were heading for Ngorongoro, the crater,, also a very special and awsome place. After lunch we headed back to Arusha for our overnight in hotel.
I would recommand that one should do a safari tour at least once, its so amazing and its Worth every penny/cent. We had a great driver, Gabriel, who made our trip unforgettable and he was always so happy, funny, calm and didnt rush to get too close to the animal. He always said, we dont have to get close to them, they will come close to YOU and he was right every time :) We could see some of the drivers get so up close to the animals that it didnt feel right. We could stand very far and suddenly the animal would move and come towards us instead, so just have patience and you will enjoy more and get more upclose to the animal than you would ever imagine.
During lunchtime our driver took us to picnic site where you could stretch your legs, go to washroom and enjoy your lunch pack in the middle of the wild park.
Example when we were in Ngorongoro on picnic site. Just after arriving suddenly we saw behind us over the hill so many zebras trying to get down, where all of us were sitting enjoying lunch, but I guess they got scared seeing us all there and rounded the hill instead
Your daily lunch pack and water is included, but my advise is to bring some dry snacks, like roasted nuts, cassava chips, maybe some dry fruits.
If you feel sick sitting in a car for a long time you should probably bring some medicine for road sickness.
Also bring some warmer clothes, maybe some warmer hats and gloves. We had brought spring/autumn jackets but we still felt very cold during morning time, after 11 am it gets warmer.
In every gate before entering a national park there are good washrooms, make sure you go before you leave :) It will take couple of hours before you make it to the closest washroom again :) Unless you want to go for a bushtoilet, like our driver Gabriel used to joke with us :) :)
Overall this was the best experience ever and we have already decided to come back again and book with same company.
Mr Seka is excellent, you can just mail/call him and tell him what your budget and what kind of tour you want and he will book it according to your requirements. This is a quite new company, but very reliable and trustworthy. There were no problems transferring money or to get receipts for you bookings from Mr Seka.
Mr Seka and Ms Meggie thank you so much for this life time experience. And the opportunity to get to know you both! Mr Gabriel, you were amazing, cant imagine there could be any better driver than you. You made our trip the best ever! You are the best!
We miss you all very much, but we will be back 2020!!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amaziong Personalized safari experience at an affordable price.
I would like the owners Ryan and Thale for organizing the tour and arranging the bookings and transfers, and thank my guide Chris and his assistant Ben for their great service and responsiveness.
The tour took me to several camps in different areas in Kruger NP allowing for viewing different habitats and different assemblage of animals.
This tour enables you of having your own guide and tailor made the drives to your own interests for example we found a leopard on an impala kill and spent two hours watching him and on another drive we encountered two lionesses with 6 small cubs and could spend an hour with them as well; this is hard to do in with a large group with many participants.
I would use Wild Planet Safari again in my future trips to Kruger.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exciting Trip with an excellent guide
We had a very good time with our guide Gilbert. He picked us in Arusha and on the way to our first stop at the Tarangire National Park, he told us a lot of useful explanations about the country, the nature and the animals.
During our trip we had the big luck to see a lot of beautiful animals at Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Park. Gilbert knew a lot of places to see them and to take great pictures. He always took care of our premises and fulfilled feasible wishes.
We are very thankful for all the experiences and we hope to have another chance to repeat the “safari kubwa“.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
NIGHTMARE. This is a company full of liars and cheaters. Be careful, if you see one of them, RUN!
I point one start because it's not possible to put half or any of them.
This is a company full of liars and cheaters. They will try to fool you, get your money and then, seldomly they will fulfill the agreement you pay for. We hope that company will close soon and not more tourist will be fool by them.
Be careful specially with Ben, he will say at all your requests "tomorrow we will see", and then one they, he will respond to you, "sorry, but your complain are not mentioned on time"...
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrific, fantastic, superb.....do i need to say more?
Encompass Africa were simply awesome in every respect - would use them again at the drop of a hat - our Safari was arranged by Jono and Katie - thank you. Their expertise and knowledge in the planning staff were invaluable and when we got there all arrangements worked seamlessly. Not one single hiccup. Would highlight their on the ground mobile camping safari partner, Safari Life, is equally as good. Simply brilliant all round
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
professional services, friendly staff, cost~effective route.
efficient communication, meet our expectations, the safari is amazing, exciting,and total safe.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience with precise, flexible and very available operator!
I booked our family experience from Italy. We have been introduced to Ngutu by one of our hotels and we managed to easily plan our tour via email.
We really appreciated the flexibility and full time availability of Ngutu responsabile who suggested us a very detailed plan according to our needs.
Once arrived we enjoyed a very nice experience with very friendly guide who drove and guided us for the whole stay. We enjoyed our holiday in complete relax while Ngutu managed all park fees and hotels issues for us.
We managed to see all the things and animals we came to see and really had good time and hope to get back to Tanzania soon.
We therefore recommend this operator!
