FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Honeymooner luxury safari
Gosheni
For our honeymoon, we chose Gosheni for a week safari in Tanzania. For contact, questions and contract we were in talk with Pendo which answered every question straight away, created a custom safari trip for our budget and was really easy and cool to talk with. Big up for Pendo for making this that easy.
When it comes to the actual safari, we had as our driver, Laban, and truly he was exceptional. He was more than welcoming, easy to talk with, always on time and really knowledgable about all parks and routes. With his expertise we saw more than most people: lions, multiple cheetahs, leopard and even a rhino ! Every lunch we had, he prepared a romantic table and we felt like we were at the restaurant. I can truly recommend Laban as your guide, you will not be disappointed.
Overall, amazing experience at Gosheni, from booking to the actual safaris, don’t hesitate and go with them!
Jeremy and Levana, french honeymooners
KR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Another Great Safari to Tanzania
In August 2021, we were able to make a long anticipated and COVID delayed trip to Tanzania. The trip was originally schedule to be last year and 8 persons. Due to various travel restrictions both in the home countries as well as Africa, I finally was able to return to Tanzania with my adult daughter. I had visited in 2009 with my wife and wanted to return but it took 12 years to return after 6 other safaris in other South and East African countries. My first trip we used Stacy and her team at Duma and they did a tremendous job so we reached out again. Stacy was able to put together a well priced safari covering 12 days in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Central/Northern Serengeti, and finishing up in Ruaha. Unfortunately, due to COViD it was delayed but Stacy was always responsive to help us return. There was probably over 100 emails from various members of our party over the next 12 months covering the safari and COViD protocols, etc. The Duma team was always responsive. In fact, Duma was able to make changes and find better options as some of the originally booked camps had ceased operating temporarily. We ended up with significantly upgraded lodges/camps due to Stacy’s knowledge and diligence.
Now on to the actual safari. Our guide/driver was Isack who we used previously. He has many years of experience and is a Gold level guide and very knowledgeable and friendly. We started with 3 days in Tarangire at the Lemala Mpingo Ridge lodge. We were one of the few visitors so most of the sightings were just me and my daughter. We saw lions every day, leopards two our of three days (albeit it a bit far away for pictures), and even cheetahs. Of course, we saw numerous elephants that Taragire is famous for along with herd after herd of zebra and others. We even came across a porcupine in the middle of the day which was unusual. We stayed at the Sopa Lodge on the rim and closest to the entrance. Due to its size, some safari goes avoid it but the lodge was great and the food was the best we had at any of the lodges.
Ngorongoro was like last time amazing. Other than not having good luck with the Rhinos (they were too far away) it was wonderful. I have been on 8 African safaris to date but this is the first time we were able to watch a kill (lion hunting zebra) from start to finish. We watched as the lioness slowly and patiently crept to zebra, as the zebra not aware of the lion and turning directly toward her, and the sudden burst of speed to take the zebra down in 3 seconds and then finish the kill.
The Serengeti also provided great game viewing including numerous leopard and lion sightings including young cubs of both. Cheetah were also sighted but again a bit far away for the best photos. We witnessed a river crossing (by ourselves) within 30 minutes of arriving at the Mara river Northern Serengeti. Isack had a hunch based on his years of experience and went to a different area than the other vehicles. Turned out a herd of probably 2,500 wildebeest came to the river and quickly crossed without the normal back and forth that can sometimes take hours. We also saw another 3 crossings in the next day or so. Finally, finished up with a Serengeti Balloon ride a dawn. My daughter had this on her bucket list but I always did not go myself as I wasn’t sure the price was worth it. Turned out it was well worth it and an amazing time and lots of fun.
After finishing up the Northern Circuit, we flew directly from the Northern Serengeti to Ruaha. We stayed at the Jabali Ridge Lodge and it was amazing. Due to a low number of visitors, they gave my daughter her own room and they did a great job making sure we were well taken care of. The food, guiding and services was top notch. The camp manager was so friendly and helpful. Ruaha is a wild gem of a park and glad we went. While I was hoping to see wild dogs, they were too far away to go looking for. We did, however, had great sightings of most everything else including a prolonged fight between a leopard and baboons in the tree. Quite fascinating watching them go back and forth.
Overall, a great safari experience again and made even better by the hard work and creativity of Stacy and the Duma team to make it all work without a hitch. Thank you.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional African Experience
Axis is the best tour company to go with when doing an African safari. Excellent communication with Lenox when booking the trip. Always so fast when replying to my many questions.
We had a very friendly and knowledgeable guide in Khalifa. He was amazing. His knowledge of the Masai Mara was incredible. He managed to get us as close as possible to lots of animals. We also managed to see the big five. Khalifa arranged everything for us throughout the entire trip including our PCR to leave Kenya. We were very impressed with him.
Our 5 days in Africa was brilliant. This trip is great value for money and you should definitely book with Lennox and axis for a truly memorable experience. Highly recommend.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We’ve been to Africa on Safaris 3 times, this was the best. Hands down.
I’ve been to Tanzania twice and Uganda once. Not that I am a pro, but I am not new to Safari. I see why they call the delta the holy grail of Africa.
Kingfisher coordinated with a local guide (Pilot) who also has a camp assistant and a Chef. Every time I’ve been to Africa, something I’ve eaten has given me stomach problems except this time. It was amazing! We went from Oct 4 - Oct 16. It was hot, but not much different than what we deal with at home.
We grew a great rapport with the chef and assistant. I love to cook, so the chef and I would trade recipe secrets! She sent me home with one of her recipes! BEST souvenir ever!
Pilot was friendly and knowledgeable which is incredibly important to me. I know a lot about animals and expect to continue learning from the guides. This was definitely a case where the guide knew more, and it was so good. Pilot even let me hang on to his books along the way so I could study them and try to spot them. We got into games where he would quiz me on the birds and I just had so much fun with it!
I was stunned at the wildlife we saw. From wild dogs chasing an impala through our camp, to my “private” hippo (only hippo near camp, I just said he was my private hippo) to wild cats, civets and leopard cubs!! I’ve learned you need to be patient on safari, go on animal time. We tracked all kinds of animals and it paid off each time! I got to learn prints myself!
Here are my sightings:
Oct 6
• Leopard (cubs!)
• Lions (cubs!!)
• Elephant
• Giraffe
• Impala
• Kudu
• Gnu
Oct 7
• Yellow billed stork
• Lions
• Elephant
• Giraffe
• Kori bustard
• Cheetah
• Steenbock
• Impala
• Kudu
• Gnu
• Dik dik
• Bat eared Fox
• Warthogs + hoglets
Oct 8
• Giraffe
• Leopard
• Impala
• Kudu
• Eland
• Gnu
• Steenbocks
• Kori bustard
• Wildcat (!!!)
• African Civet (!!!)
• Dwarf mongoose
• Elephant
• Lions
• Lilac breasted roller
• Great horn bill
• Red billed horn bill
• Yellow billed horn bill
• Maribou stork
• Black back jackal
Oct 9
• Giraffe
• Tawny eagle
• Kudu
• Impala
• Black backed jackal
• Elephants
• Lions (cubs!!)
• Warthogs + hoglets
• Gnu
• Kori bustard
• Steenbock
• Swallow tail bee eater
• Black chested ffeagle
• Tsessaby
• Steenbock
• Zebra
• Dwarf mongoose
• Tree squirrel
• Maribou stork
• Slender mongoose
• White face ducks (whistling ducks)
• Waterbucks
• White egret
• Hippos
• Lechwe
• Nile crocodile
• Black breasted kingfisher
• Water Buffalo
• Porcupine
• Scrub Hare
• Honey badger
• Reed buck
• White tailed mongoose
Oct 10
• Hippo
• Elephant
• Giraffe (babies!)
• Water Buffalo
• White backed vulture
• Impala
• Squaker heron
• Jesus bird
• Fish eagle
• Swainsons Francolin
• Double banded sandgrouse
• Yellow billed kite
• Kudu
• Lions (cubs!!)
• Baboons
• Common Reedbock
• Roan antelope
• Porcupine
• Zebra
• Yellow eye eagle
• Scrub hare
Oct 11
• Hippo
• Giraffe
• Elephant
• Warthogs
• Leopards (fighting!!!)
• Impala
• Kudu
• Baboons
• Topi
• Water Buffalo
• Lions
• Saddle ebill stork
• Tsessaby
• Red lechwa
• fish eagle (with a fish)
• Nile crocodile
• Grey heron
• Warthogs
• Spring bill stork
• Ibis
• White face ducks
• Stalker heron
• Cattle egret
• White egret
• Barn owl?
• Waterbocks
• Scrub hare
Oct 12
• Hippo
• Giraffe
• Tsessaby
• Impala
• Ground hornbill
• Owls (Caesar’s owl?)
• WILD DOGS
• Elephants
• Fish eagle
• Water Buffalo
• Kudu
• Warthogs
• Nile crocodile
• Sable antelope
• Steenbocks
• Gray heron
• Pelicans
• White egret
• Gnu
• Yellow billed stork
• Spoonbill stork
• Black faced vervet monkeys
• Water bucks
• Scrub hare
Oct 13
• WILD DOGS
• hippo
• Waterbock
• Commerant
• African darter
• Fish eagle
• African jicana (Jesus bird)
• Pied kingfisher
• FROGS
• Impala
• Kudu
• Giraffe
• Brown billed roller
• Warthogs
• Baboons
• Pygmy geese
• Zebra
• Red lechwe
• Gray heron
• White heron
• Cattle egret
• Water Buffalo
• Black backed jackal
Oct 14
• Impala
• Warthogs
• Waterbucks
• Red lechwe
• Giraffe
• Hippo
• Zebra
• Black backed jackal
• Hyena
• Gnu
• Topi
• Tsseaby
• Lions (eating baby elephant
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Every Detail Tended To
What an amazing trip. My husband and I had been planning to visit Africa for several years. Finally all the pieces fell into place when our good friend Marv introduced us to Paul Tickner. And then things came together. Well, until Covid. But even then, Paul kept the plan together and answered all our questions leading up to when we could finally make it to Tanzania. We are so thankful for his knowledge and attention to detail. He has forged relationships with the most wonderful people and places. We knew this would be the trip of a lifetime, but this exceeded all expectations. Can't imagine working with anyone else, as we definitely plan to go back.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kingfisher Safaris' mobile safari offering is a fun, affordable way to see Botswana wildlife
My girlfriend and I toured Botswana's northern wilderness areas for 12 days on a mobile safari with Kingfisher Safaris. We visited the Savuti area of Chobe National Park as well as the Khwai Concession and Moremi Game Reserve of the Okavango Delta. We saw a plethora of animals both large and small, but a handful of notable ones were elephants, leopards, lions, wild dogs, and cheetahs. Spacious tents, comfortable bedding, and tasty meals were provided. Safari guide Pilot Manga and his colleagues went above and beyond to tailor each day to our preferences.
If you're looking to see Botswana without blowing the budget, I'd highly suggest a mobile safari with Kingfisher Safaris.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
Everything went super and correspondence was quick and efficient . Our guide for our safari was Apollo who was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us a time of our life .
HR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magnificent Kenya and Tanzania experience
WOW, what an experience! From initial ideas for the itinerary right till the 'Goodbye coffee' in Arusha Coffee House each detail was perfectly planned and executed by Vincent. This was our second trip to Africa so we contacted Vimat Safaris directly on a good recommendation from our guide Karato (who was with us on the first trip also) and the entire planning stage went perfectly. This time we decided to combine Kenya and Tanzania in a single 11-day trip with hope to see the crossings and some rarer animals which we didn't get enough the first time around.
Kenya side of the trip was handled by Vimats partner, Asili Adventures, who warmly welcomed us (Thanks Monica!) and introduced us to our Kenyan guide, Martin. From the beginning we started checking off our wish list items by visiting Lake Nakuru with intention to see rhinos and our first encounter happened straight away as we entered the park! We stayed at wonderful Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge whose staff was exceptionally warm and welcoming. Next day we had a short game drive in Nakuru with another sighting of rhino family with a calf and a special treat of a leopard resting in a misticaly lit forest. After Nakuru we departed for Masaai Mara where we stayed at Enkorok tented camp surrounded by beautiful nature and friendly staff. Even a short evening game drive produced some beautiful sightings combined with a stunning sunset. Following day we had the whole day scheduled for Mara game drives and hoping to see the crossings and it paid off. Along with sightings of lions, cheetahs, giraffes and countless birds (we recorded around 120 species in total on our trip) on who Martin was very well informed and helped us with determination, we witnessed our first crossing and it was stunning!
Following day was mostly spent on transition from Kenya to Tanzania where we said 'goodbye' to Martin and 'hello' to our friend Karato who was our guide for the rest of the trip. Our next destination was northern Serengeti and route took us through Isebania border crossing and over the northwestern part of Tanzania where Karato showed us many cultural sights while on route. Travelling in pandemic time had its uncertainties so our intended destination, KatiKati camp wasn't able to accommodate us, but Vincent took care of everything and we were treated with an upgrade to Mara Mara Tented Lodge with stunning views and fun and uplifting staff. Northern circuit of Serengeti brought us, among other animals and birds, another 2 crossings and witnessing a lioness hunt. Next day we started our way towards central Serengeti where northern bush was replaced by endless yellow grasslands where we took some iconic Africa pictures of lion cubs, elephants under umbrella trees and cheetah family on the hunt. Staying the second time in Serengeti Serena Lodge, we were treated with a 'welcome back' cake and a hearty song from the staff. Serengeti portion of the trip ended with a mandatory visit to Naabi Hill where we took some breathtaking images of the endless plains and continued onwards to Ngorongoro crater and Ngorongoro Serena with a second 'welcome back' cake that day! After a half day game drive in the crater we started for Tarangire national park and settled for the night in Tarangire Safari Lodge with #awesomeview of Tarangire river which offers non stop game sightings. Our last day we spent on game drive through Tarangire where the scenery was dominated by giant baobab trees which, in combination with abundant wildlife, provided us with magnificent photos.
In total we crossed 3000km, took 3000 photos and experienced uncountable sightings. Both Martin and Karato answered all of our questions, explained everything we wanted to know and were a perfect trip companions that helped us forge memories for life. Finishing this trip of a lifetime, Vincent met us in Arusha Coffee House for a final 'goodbye' where we shared our experiences with him with some nice Tanzanian coffee.
We cannot express enough our gratitude to Vincent, Karato and Martin for making this trip a possibility in these uncertain times!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Maja, Marjanca & Matija
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wow, wow, wow!
Our trip to Zambia and South Africa was incredible! The team at Ker & Downey was amazing! They took care of every single detail. They were very easy to work with, answering all the questions we had, and jumping on zoom calls when we needed to. They checked in with us during our vacation to make sure everything was going well. I can’t recommend them enough - we felt totally pampered while we were in Africa. In particular, a big thank you to Sarah Morris, who put our amazing adventure together (not once, but 4 different times due to COVID), and Peter Pittendrigh, who had to do last minute hotel negotiations/tour changes, arranged for all of our required COVID tests, and made sure we were met at the airports. The team arranged for an early birthday at each of our destinations, which made the trip even more special. And Sarah took time to meet us in-person in Cape Town. The team at Ker & Downey made this a trip of a lifetime for us!
LV
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Be careful with this company
It's very sad because previously travelling with Karumuna (we did it three times) had no big problems. This time, however, the unpleasantness overcame everything. A number of services were not paid. So we had to pay for a second time in several places for accommodation and food. There were also no paid hikes for chimpanzees and gorillas. The owner of the Karumuna kept promising that the money issues would settle. Right away. An hour later. Two hours later. Tomorrow. Even now that we are already returning home, it is still promising that the money will be returned. We don't believe it anymore. It is a great pity that the visions of many travelers of the beautiful country, Uganda- Pearl of Africa, have been ruined.It's not exactly a clear reason why our money was missing. The most unpleasant, though, are the empty promises. I now i will travel Uganda again. Becose of very beauty and nice country and friendly people. But not with Karumuna. Never.