US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful safari to Amboseli and Tsavo East and West
We recently completed a week long safari with Transtrek Safaris and had a great experience! We were looking for a week long add-on in Kenya after traveling for 5 weeks in other counties in Africa. We contacted several companies we had found on Safari Bookings. We choose Transtrek because Daniel was wonderful to work with; he really took the time to answer all of our questions -be it on the phone or email - to ensure that we would be getting exactly what we wanted in out of our trip. We had already been to the Masai Mara in the past, so we wanted to explore other parks in Kenya. We choose Amboseli and Tsavo East and West, and Taita Hills. We really loved both Amboseli and Tsavo East and West. Amboseli is absolutely beautiful with loads of wildlife (try to stay at Ol Tukai if you are looking for a gorgeous lodge with spectacular views of Kilimanjaro). Tsavo East and West are much larger so your chance of seeing wildlife is a bit slimmer so you'll want to consider spending more time there. However, the scenery was absolutely gorgeous in both parks; you really feel like you are in the quintessential Africa bush. Serena Kilaguni Logde in Tsavo West was our favorite lodge - it is a gorgeous property with a watering hole that provided so much natural entertainment we even debated whether we should head out on our afternoon safaris!
In short, we were very pleased that we choose Transtrek as Daniel took into consideration all of our needs and requests and was really terrific to work with. Our guide was Peter who was also terrific - he was very enjoyable to be with for a week and took really good care of us!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Individually tailored safaris, awesome expertise and a wonderful trip - highly recommended!
After having travelled to Botswana with Gondwana Tours & Safaris in May 2015 and falling in love with the bush, we decided to return to Botswana in green season this February and experience the country in a different season. As we were more than happy with our first trip, it was absolutely clear that we will book our travels again with Mark Hathaway from Gondwana Tours. His expertise of the lodges and parks is outstanding and you notice constantly that he has been living in Botswana (Africa) for considerable time. It is remarkable, you always get a quick, friendly and competent answer no matter at what day or time you contact him and for longer planning sessions it is easy to arrange skype calls. We were welcomed met by the airport again flying in and out of Maun and the travel and transfers between the lodges were smoothly and accurately organized. Experiencing Botswana in the rainy season and seeing the country so green was definitely a very interesting and different experience. I can only recommend you to book with Gondwana Tours & Safaris! Thank you again, Mark for planning such an unforgettable journey for us.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply amazing! What an experience!
Was at Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha the wonders of Kenya. Saw the big 5, witness the lions hunting and wildebeasts crossings. Simply amazing and breathtaking views of the savannah and wildlife. Many thanks to our guide Paul, knowledgeable and very friendly. Always at the right spot at the right time. His hospitality totally enhance the experience of the trip.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travel with confidence and comfort
Our family of three started out requesting information for a short few day excursion from Johannesburg to Botswana. We sent inquiries to many tour operators and got a variety of responses. By far, the most detailed and informative response was from Compass Odyssey. Our trip then morphed into a trip for four people, then six people, then it was to Victoria Falls and Chobe, then it was ten days, and Hwange too. Suffice it to say, our trip went through multiple adaptations before we settled on our final itinerary (and I didn't even mention we were traveling with a seven (7) year old and a ninety (90) year old) but Kate and Darren were so easy to deal with; they sent prompt replies; answered all questions; and sent the most detailed information of any tour operator I have ever dealt with before. It was because of their professional yet friendly and accessible nature that we had no doubt that when we finally arrived things would be in good order and they were. The drivers were all prompt, the accomodations were fantastic, and everything exceeded our expectations. They even arranged for a birthday party for my father-in-law who celebrated his 91st while on safari. The entire trip was truly extraordinary, no doubt because of the comfort and confidence we had in Compass Odyssey to take care of all the details (and there were many); we just luxuriated.
Excellent arrangement,
We had a great 5 day safari! Very smooth after arriving in Nairobi! Joseph was our driver and was amazing - great and very knowledgeable and a superb driver, on and off road! Highly recommend
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Third travel with Gondwana Tours: Unique journey to Zambia and Zimbabwe
We just came back from a stunning, exciting and to Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was already our third trip with Gondwana Tours & Safaris and again perfectly organized by Mark Hathaway. During booking our second trip with Mark from Gondwana Tours to Botswana, Mark told us about Zambia / South Luangwe, that it is still wild and he believes it would be ideal for us. To be honest we had never considered Zambia as a destination before but were completely enthusiastic about the information, stories and lodge suggestions he shared with us. Thus, we started planning our third trip with Gondwana Tours. The service and consultation was again fabulous, the routing was a bit complex and Mark was extremely patient in answering all our questions and rearranging the journey so it fit our flight dates. The travel was as always perfectly organized, the lodges knew all our wishes and preferences and everybody knew that we are Mark’s clients. Also during our holiday in Zimbabwe, when one information about the flight was somehow “lost” at the hotel and not transferred to us, Mark was within seconds available via WhatsApp and immediately solved the problem for us (even though it was a holiday). We loved South Luangwe National Park and Mana Pools and had wonderful sightings and stayed in fabulous camps. To sum it up, we can only recommend Zambia and Zimbabwe and will never book our Africa travels with another agent again. Thank you Mark for proposing us Zambia and planning this unforgettable trip for us!!!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding, individual consulting, great responsiveness and a perfectly organized trip
It was always one of our dreams to visit the Okavango Delta in Botswana. However, after contacting and seeing the (totally overrated) prices of several big German tour operators, we doubted that we can realize our dream due to our budget restraints. Thus, we reached out to several local tour companies, including Gondwana Tours & Safaris, Mark Hathaway answered and immediately stood out from the rest with his extreme responsiveness, individual consulting and high expertise and knowledge of Botswana. Thus, it was the easiest decision only to continue our travel plans with Mark. Mark immediately understood what we are looking for, proposed us great camps and did a great job in tailoring a perfect and very individual safari for us. The journey was perfectly organized, the transfers worked out perfectly (even though we had several border crossings in our trip!) the camps completely met our expectations and ideas and it was great to meet Mark in Maun and to know someone is close just in case sth. goes wrong. Gondwana Tours & Safaris did not only provide much better service and individual consultation than german agents (who do not really tailorize journeys but rather sell and combine modular blocks) but above all was significantly cheaper and reasonably priced, which is why I cannot understand why people still book with German agencies. In summary, I can only recommend you to book your travels with Gondwana Tours & Safaris. You won't regret it!!!
ES
20-35 years of age
Amazing experience in Tanzania thanks to Face of Africa
We did a four days safari in Tarangire, Serengeti and Nrongoro. We saw many animals (lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, buffalos...) and very near. Furthermore the sites and the landscape are truly incredible.
Regarding to Face of Africa all the workers are willing to help you and ready to make your experience unforgettable. The guide was super nice, he explained us many interesting things about the animals and the culture, and drove us for the best sites. The cook prepared tasty and varied foods. Finally Hamad and the rest of the staff helped us a lot while preparing the trip and during our whole stay in Tanzania.
Therefore Face of Africa is highly advisable as it is formed by a group of great professionals and charming people.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good and professional safari company with great staff
Everything was very well arranged, from the pickup at Nairobi Airport, hotel in Nairobi and a great safari experience. The camping facilities are good and the overnight hotel after Nakuru parks is very nice. Our guide Edward is not only very friendly, he really makes sure you have a great safari experience. The vehicles are comfortable and in good condition. The food is very good as well. Great value for money!
NP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
i did Tanzania safari is the best
I really enjoyed with Tanzania Bush to Beach safaris they have a good service that you is unforgettable. I really happen to see all big five and more beauty of Tanzania. I recommend this for you guys if you really want to experience the beauty of Tanzania