SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great time in an amazing environment
The memory of my three day safari in Masai Mara will stay with me forever. It was an amazing experience to come so close to so many beautiful wild animals. We saw the big five, and so many more animals. Our guide was nice, the group was nice and we stayed at a nice camp close to Masai Mara, sleeping in comfortable beds in tents. The only thing I am a bit hesitant about, is that I think we got too close to the animals. It was absolutely not only us, but almost every other van from other companies (mostly Bonfire), that drove very close to the animals, and we were about 15-20 vans in the same spot sometimes. I later, when I got back, read that you're not supposed to be more than five vans and you're not supposed to get close than 25 metres from the animals.
I wish more companies would respect that. (as I said before, it semis almost no one doesn't). And of course I was really happy to see so many animals so close, but when for example four cheetahs surrounding a zebra were followed, and in their turn surrounded by 20 vans - it didn't feel as if it were on the animals' conditions.
But overall it was amazing to see so many animals, and our guide really did his best to find lots of them.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding Trip with first class Driver/Guide
This trip exceeded our expectations. Not only what we saw, but also, the superb service from E-Trip Africa. Our driver/guide was awesome. The owner even made time to come visit with us when we were in Arusha after our trip had finished. We were there for a couple of days following our time with E-Trip Africa. We would highly recommend this company and felt very safe and comfortable being with such a dependable company. The places we visited and the sights we saw gave us memories to last a lifetime.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Gorgeous experience! top-class organisation! very professional guide!
We took an individually tailored 9-nights guided tour for 2 persons in October 2017. We travelled along Namibia's standard "Golden Circle": Windhoek - Sossusvlei - Naukluft - the shore - Skeleton Coast - Twyfelfountein - Etosha - AfriCat Foundation - Airport. We were chronically incapable to plan the tour in advance because of uncertainty with our vacations (every time it's a battle with the boss). The tour was above expectations: we visited all iconic views of the country. Out of African Big Five we saw 4, except buffalo.
We had 3 weeks to plan only! After general Internet browsing we figured out we were too late! Namibia tour portfolios from leadings agencies were fully booked. The only company who was able to design this incredible tour at reasonable price was Blue Crane Safaris. It was not a budget tour but the price was quite fair. Ms Traudy Hagen personally was in touch with me via email. She took into account all our specific requests. Our guide, Gusto, is a professional who faithfully loves his country and knows everything about local wildlife. His is not only an educated professional but also a good driver and a good company! And very surprisingly for Africa, time management was above any compliments! Everything was in time!
I would highly recommend Blue Crane Safaris for individual or small groups travellers. I want to plan my next tour to Caprivi Strip and Victoria Falls with this company in 2 years or so.
P.S. Oysters on board the catamaran in Walvis Bay and a flute champagne after hot air ballooning in Naukluft, desert adapted elephants and the game are things you'll never forget. Blue Crane Safaris can really maximise your experience in this country.
Excellent trip with a company that cares
Excellent communications during the trip planning phase, prompt in replying to queries and requests for info. E Trip have a base in Arusha so have 'on the ground' experience. Our Bush camps and lodges were exactly as described, and the level of service during the trip was always very good. Our guide was dedicated & very keen to find us all the animals and birds we mentioned and many more besides. He looked after us and helped to make it a special trip.We counted 135 separate Lions, many of whom were cubs, 15 Cheetah, 4 Leopards, a Serval, Rhino female with calf and so many birds, Elephants, Zebra and Wildebeast etc etc as the migration was in swing. We stayed a night in Arusha followed by Tarangire, (2 nights) Lake Manyara/ Ngorogoro crater,(one night) Central Serengeti,(3 nights) Northern Serengeti (2 nights).
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service and attention to detail resulting in a memroble Trip.
Esther Omache the owner of AsaRay was such an integral part of planning for this first safari for our group of 4 couples. We had a lot of questions and we we would get responses in a matter of minutes and some times when the local time in Kenya was 11pm. Communications and Service A+
In Kenya I believe owns the vehicles and the drivers are employees of the tour company. The ones we had Fred and Sam had been with the company quite a few years. For 4 couples we were wives 2 safari vans.
The tours were excellent. Since the tours were custom designed we could make changes on the fly after meeting with the drivers the evening before. If you are going to take a once in a lifetime safari tour take the one where your and the tour operator do the planning rather than the cookie cutter tours offered by the big international tour operators.
Absolutely no hesitation in recommending AsaRay and Esther Omache to folks contemplating a safari experience.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great to work with - very accomodating.
They were very easy to work with and flexible for what we wanted. They offered a great range of choices and even the lower cost options were great. They met us on time and the driver was super. We went to South Luangwa in Zambia and had a great time. We have used them several times over a number of years and always recommend them to anyone wanting a safari - especially starting from Lilongwe.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing wildlife experience!
Ibrah and Afrishare were recommended to me by a friend, and they exceeded our expectations. Communication right away was excellent, and they are able to alter our tour to suit us, starting in Moshi, and finishing in Mwanza. Everyday we were spoiled with the abundance of animals we got to see. Our guide, Freddie, was fantastic. He knew all the spots to take us, and was excellent at spotting far away animals. He was very accommodating, and so nice! The location and facilities of the campsites were also excellent. The food was good. Every dinner was served with a delicious homemade soup, and the fresh fruit was abundant. Would definitely book with Afrishare again, and recommend it to anyone!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice and very friendly staff would recommend to friends to visit Zanzibar
Most friendly and helpful ever so a lovely and great first experience had a fabulous time and hope to be back for longer visit next time.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari!
Axis was a great Safari to take. I made the booking last minute and Lennox responded instantly and had no problem helping me get on a trip to Massai Mara.
We had a great guide in Martin and saw all of the big 5 in one day! Would recommend Axis for a trip. Would go with them again!
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good experience, recomend it.
We hired from Deepforestsafaris two itineraries, one for a hiking experience in Mount Kenya (5 days) and a safari tour , both for a mid-range budget.
The usual questions arise, payments, organization, safety and etc. and the company was always very engaging and responsive. I felt safe with their work, and that is a really important thing traveling to a place you don’t know such as Kenia.
My experience to Mt Kenia was good, and organization wise I was rather happy. Nonetheless, we had some trouble in the last day regarding the amount of hiking, that was an issue with the local guide preparations. Reparations were made but I recommend that you discuss in depth your itinerary before closing, once it can be a demanding hike.
Our safari the experience was amazing! Our safari guide, Sammy, was very friendly and great in finding and spotting animals, especially the big 5 that we were so eager to see. Whatever trouble would arise – possible in Kenia duo to bad roads, unforeseen climate and etc, he was already prepared and made it as little as possible an inconvenience in our daily routine. Great guide.
All and all, a quite good trip, and a good cost benefit for our budget!