CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Have we been in Africa? The holiday felt like climbing to the Moon! Only shining memories!
There is no better company. I quickly recognised why? The people behind keep strong passion for their job - which is their life. This mirrors in everything you experience on the tour. Best best best reccomendations!!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Travel Agent
We just returned from an epic trip to South Africa and we give 5 stars to PaperJet Travel Agency! We spent hours on the phone with Justin, from PaperJet, for many weeks planning this trip. He did a fantastic job helping us to create the ideal trip for our interests. Not only did he put in the extra time and effort to ensure we had the ideal itinerary, but he also went out of his way to purchase a South African history book I wanted and have it waiting at our hotel when we arrived! He also checked in with us while we were on the trip to make sure everything was going smoothly. We would highly recommend booking your trip with PaperJet. We will be referring all of our family and friends to Justin, as they all now want to go to South Africa! Thank you PaperJet for all your assistance. Our trip to South Africa was the most amazing adventure we've ever been on!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
excellent service
This was one of the most incredible experience I have ever lived, and it is widely due to the Adyeri Creations Staff. It was great tracking the Mountain Gorillas with you guys. Keep up the good work.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service and hospitality!
We picked only one-day safari to Ngorongor crater and although it was very short and budget option, we are extremely happy to choose Face of Africa Adventures service. First of all all staff including the owner (greetings to you Hamadi) were very friendly and helpful regarding creating itinerary and they did everything what was needes to make our experience unforgetable.
Even though we choose one-day safari, Hamadi offered us accomodation for the night before safari in a logde next to the crater so that we didn't need to spend time (ca. 2,5 h driving) for getting to crater on the safari day but we did it previous day and spent night in camp which was an unusual experience itself.
The service was great. Everything was as agreed before. Since they have many options for safari, from budget to luxury ones I surely recommend this company for all kind of travelers, who wish to have unforgetable experience among wild animals in Tanzania! Thank you a lot.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful Maasai Mara!
After a recommendation from a friend we took a 3 day safari with Dennis and Richard as the driver. They were both friendly and we had a lot of fun in the car. They always had us on location when animals were about, we saw all the favourites and more!
This company was excellent value for money and we were so happy with what we got out of the trip. We're even looking to book another tour with them soon, Thanks so much!
Josh, Diego & Stella
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari & Kilimanjaro trek with Kilimanjaro Trekking Mate
We did a 7-day Machame route Kilimajaro trek and 5-days safari (Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater) with Kilimanjaro Trekking Mate. As we had much time to prepare the trip locally in Moshi (volunteered for 5 weeks there), we spoke to many operators and Nick & his crew stood out. Very professional (great briefings, daily medical checks etc.), very high success rate (we climbed the summit, yeah :), and the whole team of porters, guides and chef were very friendly and fun! Same holds true for safari seeing all big fives, the migration and amazing nature. Highly recommended and really thankful for two amazing experiences!!!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari guide/operator in Tanzania
I went on a one-week safari with Allen's company in June of 2017, covering the major parks in the 'northern circuit' of Tanzania. I would very highly recommend Allen Tanzania to anyone considering a safari in this part of the world.
Our guides during the trip were Allen and his son Emmanuel, both of whom are incredibly knowledgeable, conscientious, professional, and thoughtful. We saw a great diversity of wildlife during our trip, including all the highlights, and again and again Allen impressed with his ability to spot things both near and far. Allen and Emmanuel are also simply enjoyable people to be around.
A few highlights/points:
1) Allen was born in Tanzania, has decades of experience, and clearly knows these parks as well as anyone. I always felt like we had a plan and knew exactly where we were going.
2) We only got one flat tire during the entire trip, and we were back up and running within ten minutes.
3) Again and again, Allen went out of his way to make the trip comfortable for us. For example, we had a vegetarian/pescatarian in our group, and Allen always made sure that she had good options at every meal. And we accidentally left a pair of shoes behind at the lodge that we stayed at between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, and Allen somehow managed to get them sent ahead to the Serengeti, so that we were able to pick them up before the end of our trip. I could go on...
4) Communication with Silas, the company's office manager, was easy, fast, and clear, throughout the entire process of booking our trip.
Suffice it to say, this was a special trip, and a big part of that was due to Allen Tanzania. Everything completely met/exceeded our expectations; we got to see wildlife and a part of the world that we had never experienced before (and may never experience again); and we learned a lot from Allen, not just about nature and the parks but also the culture, history and politics of Tanzania. Again, highly recommended without reservations.
CA
Experience level: first safari
Fabulous Rwanda - A must-see destination !
Overall it was a very nice and enjoyable solo tailored trip. I found Rwanda to be a beautiful lush green country with amazing scenery at every turn but mostly it’s the people, they are very warm, friendly, open and curious. Have always felt welcomed, very safe and the few kinyarwandan words I learned, well wow! It had a great positive impact when making contact with locals. If you have never been to Africa, this country is a great option for a first-time experience.
Kigali
Vibrant city and so clean! Felt instantly comfortable and at ease.
Interesting visits: Inewa art gallery, Ikerezi Bookshop, dodo lunch (delicious!), Cards for Africa, Kigali and Nyamata Genocide Memorials.
Hôtel des Mille Collines : grounds are nice, pool not very clean, very good breakfast but room quite ordinary with stained carpets but comfortable bed, in need of renovations, pool meals ok, very good service all-aound. First room had nice view and always had hot water. Still enjoyed mostly because of history of this landmark hotel. WIFI in room is a plus.
Akagera National Park
The drive between Kigali and Akagera is absolutely beautiful and worth it.
Safari game drives: Few animals but I did get to see all of those I wanted except lion: elephant, giraffes, buffalo, impala, hippos, alligator, baboons, etc. The scenery is beautiful and very different from what I expected, not flat at all, plenty of hills. Our guide Vetuste was a wonderful, curious, knowledgeable young man. While driving aimlessly at some point, we were lucky enough to quickly spot a rhino, they are new to the park and not yet accustomed to people. PM boat ride was nice, lots of birds and buffalos. Knowledgable guide.
Community Cultural Experiences:
In collaboration with the community and the park, the Community Freelance Guides have developed some cultural experiences to share with park guests. Revenue is shared with the community members visited.
Banana-beer maker: probably one of the highlights of this trip, it was amazing to be hands-on in a local community and in someone’s home.
Honey cooperative: delicious! I am allergic to bees and I must say that they went out of their way to make sure I was safe. They adapted the visit accordingly.
Ruzizi tented lodge: Fabulous experience! Beautiful grounds and tents. Quite an experience to sleep at night with so much nature noise. Food ok, excellent service. Hot water issue, none for a day but was resolved. I would easily have stayed an extra night. Cons: the need to choose in advance your meal and meal time did not please me and no WIFI.
Huye
National ethnographic museum: Nice visit, interesting to see the women make baskets and plates in the training quarters in the garden area. Warm welcome. Delicious lunch at local buffet style restaurant.
Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee tracking: Really enjoyed it but was a difficult treck, demanding and off the beaten track.
Tea plantation visit: Spent an hour walking around the fields with knowledgeable guide. Interesting.
Waterfall hike: Very enjoyable but few birds. Easy treck.
Top View Hill Hotel: Excellent service. Good food. Hot water issues resolved. WIFI in main building only. Amazing views. Room a bit sad looking and empty but clean, large with fireplace and terrace. Main building is awfully depressing and sad. Cons: No spirit, no light, no music, no life it's just plain dead.
Kibuye - Lake Kivu
Majestic lake that looks like an ocean in some areas. Nice scenery but less impressive and green. Nice stop to relax a few days.
Cormoran Lodge: Waterfront and away from town, good food, great views, pretty warm and no fan, WIFI in room, simple, clean rooms but very little or no hot water. Very steep climb to cabins, might not be convenient to anyone with walking issues. Excellent service.
Swimming and kayaking to see sunset over the water was beautiful.
Short boat trip to island where you hike to the top, beautiful views but too expensive for what it was.
Rubavu
Excellent lunch at Serena hotel by the beach. Fabulous location and great city.
Imbabazi visit: For anyone you loved reading Land of a thousand hills: My life in Rwanda by Rosamond Healsey Carr, visiting her house, grounds, school is a must. Emmanuel, my guide had the privilege of working with her for many years. Touching.
Volcano National Park
Park entrance: Intore dancing à 7:00am: a real treat, enjoyed it very much. Colorful and energetic.
Gorilla tracking: Quite an experience, quiet and calm small group. Beautiful creatures. Interesting to watch interactions. Gloves came in handy, no need for gaiters in dry season but walking pants are not enough, needed my yoga pants under so that it was thicker, helps with nettles. Easy enough treck.
Golden monkeys tracking: Up close and personal, so many of them everywhere and very active. Enjoyed it very much. Easy short treck.
Short nature walk: easy 90 min walk in the forest before heading out to Kigali for return flight. Nice scenery. First female guide I had, interesting conversations, she was curious and not shy to ask many questions, I liked.
Lake Ruhondo: drive to Virunga Lodge for fabulous view
Mountain Gorilla View lodge: Great volcano views, nice grounds, nice large room with fireplace and hot water bottle. Good meals, packed lunch/wine expensive, better to stock up at breakfast and bring snacks for trackers. Bathroom needs renovations. Plenty of hot water, WIFI in main building only. Excellent service.
Gorilla Guardians Village Visit : lifestyles, activities, artifacts and traditions of local people. Interesting.
Special thanks to Lionel, sales consultant at Matoke:
I cannot comment this trip without mentioning the excellent service provided before and during my trip. He has been a gem and I thank him for all his work, patience and insight, it has been greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to Confidence, driver/guide for Matoke:
He was safe, punctual, patient and excellent driver. Respectful, professional, smiling, calm, easygoing, warm and easy to get along with excellent birding knowledge. Travelling with an African native makes contact with others easier as he knows how to approach and communicate with everyone. Ate great local food in places I might not have went on my own. Could work on his overall knowledge of Rwanda.
Tips:
If you are curious, crave information, fun-facts and knowledge about your destination, I strongly suggest that you read-up beforehand. Rwanda Bradt guide is a must.
Before a visit or activity, find out what to wear. It makes the visit more interesting and comfortable if you are wearing the proper clothing.
If your tour starts in Kigali, ask to be picked-up at the airport by your driver/guide to make sure you are on the same page for activities and visits itinerary the day after. More efficient timewise if short stay.
Good to know:
Food: Varied, Rwanda grows fruits and veggies. Also meats and delicious fish. Veggie options easy to find.
Toilets: On the road, mostly basic hole in the ground and while tracking, in the bush.
Insects: Tse Tse flies are a nuisance in Akagera but no worries if bitten. Saw little to no mosquitos during my 2 week stay.
Weather: Perfect, no rain and not too hot. Warm temperate and cool in mountains.
Altitude: Make sure to bring proper medication just in case your body does not have the time to acclimatize.
Safety: No worries at all.
Children: Sooo adorable! But do not take pictures without permission and do not give money.
Souvenirs: Beautiful wood jewellery, local organic coffee and tea, delicious!
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. It will be a pleasure!
Sophie
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great time with Raja Tours in Tanzania
The programm which was suggested by Raja tour was excellent and the driver for the game drive was very nice.
Kenya Safari
From start to finish, this tour was incredible! The booking process and correspondence with “It Started in Africa” was professional and always very prompt. We were collected exactly on schedule by Charles, our exceptional guide and driver for the tour. His general knowledge of the country, wildlife and culture provided for very entertaining and informative drives between the different destinations. Although the roads were at times very busy, Charles always remained calm and ensured we felt safe and comfortable throughout the journey. The tour itinerary was designed perfectly to ensure ample time for sightseeing, with enough flexibility to fit our needs. The range of accommodation we stayed at were fantastic. From luxury lodges to quirky lake-side retreats, were delighted with the locations, the excellent service and the atmosphere at each of the venues. The parks themselves were truly phenomenal! From panoramic vistas to once in a lifetime game viewing opportunities – including watching a cheetah hunt in progress – we were amazed at the variety and beauty of the landscape. This tour was well organized and perfectly executed and we would definitely recommend It Started in Africa for anyone wanting to experience the wildlife and wonder of Kenya!