US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great customized trip to Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Kruger and Cape Town for 3 adults
Excellent service from Heidi, working around our travel dates to build an itinerary (including activities) in Johannesburg (1 night), Victoria Falls (3 nights), safari (2 nights Sabi Sands, 2 nights Timbavati), and Cape Town (6 nights). Very helpful to have a single point of contact when planning the trip, as well as for any questions during the trip. We had a couple of minor requests during our trip - everything was handles promptly and very well.
The first night (Johannesburg) was also due to the flight schedule, but that turned out to be a good thing. Pre-arranged tour of the city and Soweto was quite interesting, and it helped recover from the jet lag. We stayed at an airport hotel (City Lodge) - very convenient for the flight to Livingstone next morning.
Flying into/out of Livingstone for Victoria Falls was fine, but unfortunately Zambia/Zimbabwe ran out of the Kaza Univisa stickers, so we had to get a bunch of separate visas for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana at each border crossing. Nice view of the falls from the right hand side of the plane on approach to Livingstone. Good day trip to Chobe for a river/land safari. Very nice hotel (Ilala Lodge). Water flow in Zambezi during the dry season is quite low, but that make it possible to swim in the Devil's Pool.
We had an extra night in Nelspruit between Victoria Falls and safari due to our flight schedule. Try to avoid doing this if your schedule allows it - there is nothing to do there.
Safari was definitely the highlight of the trip, and it was nice to visit two different game reserves. Transfer was timed perfectly so we didn't miss any game drives. Both lodges (Elephant Sands and Simbavati River Lodge) were very good.
Stayed in a serviced 2 bedroom apartment (Lawhill) at V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Again, good pre-arranged tours - city tour, Cape Point, wine country. If you have a couple of days on your own, you can go to the Botanical Garden (great free walking tours with volunteer guides at 10 am, 11 am, and 2 pm), Table Mountain (as soon as the weather is good), and the Old Biscuit Mill (excellent food market on Saturdays). You don't need a guide for any of this, taxis are easy to find and there is also Uber. If you want to have a nice dinner in Franschhoek after the wine country tour, you need to make a reservation weeks (if not months) in advance. Totally worth it. We went to Ryan's Kitchen, there are a couple of other restaurants that are similar.
Again, great trip and great service from Pembury Tours! Thank you , Heidi!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bucket List, African Safari. Check.
It had been on my bucket list to go on Safari! Thanks to Kathy Phinney, one of the owners, that desire to check it off my bucket list, came to reality. Kathy and her husband Fan have a Safari company and I had a group of 8 people that have traveled together in various places on cycling adventures. This wasn't a cycling trip, but it was done with 4 couples that travel together very well. Kathy and Fan customized a trip for a group of 8. Breakdown Safaris coordinated all the details. A task that i could not imagine doing my self.
The variety of activities was incredible. We had beach time, safari vehicle game drives, a walking safari, boat safari, chimp tracking and even snorkeling in Zanzabar. While not like staying at the Regency hotel in an American city, the lodging was an incredible experience. In the Selous Game Reserve we stayed in a mud hut, romantically lit with paraffin lamps, and a four poster bed. The water was kept hot for us "westerners" via a wood fire underneath a water tank. Meanwhile, on the deck, you could hear the hippos in the river below. In Selous game reserve, we also did a boat safari. seeing a huge variety of animals you don't see on land. In Ruaha, we stayed in a stone cottage. During the night a lion and an elephant were having a little"tiff" just a few hundred yards away. Not quite like any experience we have ever had!
Breakdown Safaris did some amazing coordination to get us across the country and over to Gombe Stream National Park where Jane Goodall did her research on the chimps. We stayed in "tents" there, with bathrooms, hot showers, lights, and again a beautiful 4 poster bed. Through the work of the awesome guides we hung out with about 30 chimps for about an hour. It was a pretty strenuous hike to get to were the chimps were that day.
Overall, we saw a huge collection of animals, largely due to the knowledge of our guides, Fan, Rashid, and Kathy. They work hard to understand where the animals might be that day for an incredible viewing experience.
After several days of on land Safari, we ventured over to Zanzabar and Stonetown. The Safari continued with "Safari Blue" where we got to snorkel and see a different variety of animal life and sample a wide variety of foods.
The food through out the trip was amazing. Sometimes, like in Selous Game Reserve, it was all prepared with wood fire. We never had a had a "bad" meal through out the trip.
I would sincerely recommend Breakdown Safaris to coordinate your Safari trip
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bestday more like best-holi-day!
We had the most memorable time and have promised to come back for a reunion! or some day in the future when we have kids! We went as a group of four friends (in our 20's - we were't the honeymooner type) who have traveled a lot of the world together. Our safari is definitely one of the best trips we've been on!
Bestday Safaris seemed almost too good to be true when comparing it to other tour operators but it has to be said everything was above board and much better than some experiences which we had heard about.
We did a private four day safari visiting Tarangire National Park on day one, Serengeti on day 2 and 3 and Ngorongoro Crater on day 4. The accommodation type was lodges and tented camping and it was all fit for a princess! The tents had more mirrors than an ordinary hotel room! There was no compromise made to comfort to be able to fall asleep to the sound of a lions purr. The food in all the over-night accommodation was delicious and there was no fear of being left hungry.
Hats off to our safari driver - Louis - he was a true gentleman,was full of knowledge (especially about the wildlife) and looked after us very well! He really made our trip and sang along with our songs and even taught us some Swahili! Asante sana!!
Peter the managing director was extremely professional and made the effort to meet us before and after the trip to ensure our satisfaction!
https://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowUserReviews-g297913-d8682454-r536247639-Bestday_Safaris-Arusha_Arusha_Region.html#
HR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Trip to Kakamega Forest
I extremely love the birds and butterflies. Last year, a close friend referred a trip to Kakamega. Kakamega is the best place if you want to experience the iconic scenery of birds and butterflies. This region is the home to 330 species of birds and 400 species of butterflies. I was getting amazed with these amazing birds. Special thanks to Samuel, who arranged everything about the trip! This was the most pleasant experience of my life!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good value for money.
The communicantion was smooth and the service was good. The trip went smooth without any major issues.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful experience with Benson and his team
I travelled this august for three weeks in a long journey that touched numerous parks and cities of Tanzania, from Dar Es Salaam, across Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha, Sumbawanga, Katavi, Mahale Mountains, Mwanza, Serengeti, Natron, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Arusha exclusively by land (not airplane).
The route had long stages, which were managed efficiently and on time.
Benson is an exquisite person, always smiling and very helpful.
He came to welcome us when we arrived at Dar es Salaam Airport (at 3.40 a.m.!) and even when we departed from Arusha three weeks later.
The guides George and Paul were available and attentive to our needs, always with kindness and helpfulness.
George also speaks Italian, in a good and understandable way. He is available to explain the behavior of animals seen during safari.
The team of the chefs always prepared delicious meals (I will never forget the goodness of the soups!) and the tents were always ready to use when we arrived after every full day of transfer, since they always came before us to the destination of each stage (and left every stage after us).
The tents were always clean and provided with camp-beds and blankets.
I definitely recommend this tour operator for your safaris!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Encounter Africa made my gorilla trekking trip to Uganda even better
From first email to being dropped off, Encounter Africa Safaris was absolutely wonderful, and worth every shilling. Chris was extremely responsive throughout booking, always responding clearly and promptly to make me comfortable, despite my many questions. Tolbert picked me up right on time at the airport, and was the best guide! We talked and laughed and had a good time while driving, his English is flawless, making it fun to spend time together. By the end I like to think that we are friends, and I'll miss him helping me to remember to repack all my things!
Every tour booking was up to expectations, and Tolbert took care of every transaction, often calling head to double check operators were available and I was confirmed. Beyond the normal politeness and expectations of everything going smoothly, it really seemed that Tolbert's position as a friend to and respected member of the communities we visited benefitted me. Small favors here and there with things like timing and special menu items (chapati beats rice every time) seemed to come our way because of Tolbert.
I can't thank Encounter enough for making this trip perfect with no more effort on my part than a few emails and making my flight.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful,obliging
All staff & drivers most helpful & know the area & historyof Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. It was an excellent holiday
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A most memorable trip exceeding all expectations!
I travelled for the first time in my life to Africa. I used the services of Kate and Darren at Compass Odyssey based on the recommendation of a family member. I went to JoBurg, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kruger, and Cape Town. Every single aspect of my trip went flawlessly. I was always met at the airports by a driver or a guide as soon as I got off the plane. The accommodations chosen were just great, activities planned in the cities were most interesting, and of course the safaris were spectacular. A big recommendation goes out for the Senalala Luxury Safari Resort in Kruger and also the Dinare Camp in Botswana. Wonderful accommodations and hosts made for a great stay, and some wonderful viewing of all of the animals. Dealing with Kate and Darren is a pure delight and you make your safari with the fullest confidence.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great
My overall experience was amazing.. just the way they treat you from when you call to when you actually go tour. Great customer service, great people. Can't wait to tour again next summer. Just a side note for anyone planning a tour, Kenya is such a beautiful country