US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A WONDERFUL COMPANY FOR YOUR TRIP TO AFRICA
My wife and I experienced our first African Safari in May 2018. We are in our seventies and have traveled throughout most of the world. I guess most would consider us experienced and seasoned travelers. My wife would describe me as "not easy to please" so I do not want you, the readers of this review, to judge that everything would seem wonderful to us since this was our first safari. During forty eight years of married travel we have worked with a great number of travel agents, tour operators, guides etc. Some I remember as having done a very good job and some not. The Africa Adventure Company, however, was so outstanding in every way that I thought it important to write this review. We worked with Elena, one of their agents, who actually has family living in Africa. Our itinerary included flying into Johannesburg followed by Victoria Falls, one game camp in Ngoma near Chobe National Park , two game camps in different areas of the Okavango Delta, and ending with four days in Cape Town. Elena talked us out of several hotels we were considering and recommended less expensive ones she believed would be a better fit for us. She also helped with planning and booking the flights, itinerary, game camps, transfers, logistics etc. We could not have been more pleased. Her choices, advice and attention to detail were absolutely perfect and everything up to and including simple pick ups and transfers were flawless. My wife described the entire trip as "seamless" and we credit Elena and the Africa Adventure Company for a most outstanding and enjoyable experience.
Jim and Barbara
Boston MA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Brilliant brilliant brilliant!!!
Thanks Chad. Absolutely awesome trip. Second brilliant trip with you and really looking forward to the tiger fishing trip with you next year and many more to come. Your company is very well run, very knowledgeable staff and the service is definitely up there. Keep it up and thanks again.......
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A memorable experience.
All was well taken care of. Felt genuine concern for my whole life - safety, comfort, etc. Truly commendable care.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Last minute magic
Mary and Planet Africa Safaris was able to organize a last minute safari for our group of six. We feel very lucky to have worked with them as the experience was ease, efficient, and exactly what we were looking for. We had a few changes as well that they responded to positively and quickly. Thee magic was how they listened, made suggestions, and tailored the most perfect trip with added pressure of a tight timeline. We will be back and with an even larger group!
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy and wonderful
We had a very nice safari un Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha, bike in Gate Hell and Mount Kenya.
Nzavid was very professional so was a great experience.
We recomend it.
DK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic safari
Communication on email before booking, regarding parks, camps etc. was very good.
Save money and do not have any concerns regarding booking directly with features africa journey - Everything was so good and anything went smooth and as agreed.
Karanja met us at the airport and introduced us for the best safari guide in Africa; Danson. He was such a good driver, and even better guide, and we learned a lot about Africa, the animals, people and culture with more. Danson was joyful and friendly, always with a smile and a good sense of humor. We had such a good time.
Thanks to you all for a fantastic safari from all my family.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Repeat customer, always happy with the service.
This is the second time that I used Mwajabu. She is very attentive and will take care of every detail. If there are ever any issues, she's always available to remedy them. Highly recommend her and her team. We had an amazing Safari!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life changing experience with incredible company!
After weeks of attempting to sort out a sea of complicated and reliable travel logistics, accommodations, and experiences, I finally reached out to Afrikakukaye, and I am so grateful I did. The staff at Afikakukaye were incredibly patient and thorough, asking questions and repeatedly revising the proposed itinerary until my perfect experience was designed. As a company of LOCAL experts with first-hand knowledge, staff are ready to design personalized, varied tour experiences for all budgets. Although safari, and particularly elephants, was an essential part of my Tanzanian bucket list, I wanted a cultural component as well. In my opinion, visiting a country without interacting with its people is mistake. Afrikakukaye designed an itinerary with diverse cultural tourism components, and per my wishes, visits that allowed me to roll up my sleeves and get involved. Through my stays with the Chagga at Machame Cultural Tourism, Hadzabe, Iraqw, and Maasai,I danced, cooked, hiked, visited schools, biked, rode on motor bikes, went to market, ground coffee and corn, melted metal with a bellows, accompanied bushmen on a morning hunt, shot with bow and arrow, played billiards, and saw village natural sights to name a few, all while exchanging ideas and cultures with my hosts, but more importantly exchanged some emails with hosts who are now friends.
In addition to life-changing cultural tourism, Afrikakuaye designed a variety of national park visits in northern Tanzania so that we could enjoy Tanzania's natural beauty -- Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, and Tarangire National Park. Here's where our guide Shaffie enters the scene. Shaffie is incredible -- patient, knowledgeable, humorous, experienced, attentive. We had hours and hours of conversation about all aspects of life in Tanzania and America. While navigating unbelievable driving conditions, he explained tribal life, education, life in general, answered questions and managed to spot wildlife that eluded several other sets of eyes. He went to incredible lengths to ensure we saw the Big 5, especially the elephants for I told him I wouldn't go home unless I did (thank you Tarangire National Park -- the pachyderm jackpot!), and DOZENS of other mammals, fauna, flora, and habitats. Actually, Shaffie entered the experience as our personal guide right from the beginning. He tirelessly interacted with additional guides, translated, confirmed reservations and accommodations, ordered meals, registered at national parks, took photos, and I am sure all manner of other things we weren't aware of. He did it all with a smile (and I'm sure he was exhausted) and incredible efficiency. In addition to all the aforementioned admirable qualities of Shaffie (and I'm sure they apply to the other Afrikakukaye guides as well), he was notably kind. In just one example, while we were enjoying our picnic lunch in the bush one afternoon, some local folks passed by. Shaffie offered some of his lunch, which was quickly and happily received. We quickly followed his example. As if this isn't enough, each morning the jeep was spotless -- cleaned and well-stocked for the next adventure.
Clearly, Afrikakukaye is a socially minded company. This became evident through many conversations with staff, but worth noting is the company's recommendation of Shanga Shanga. Instead of going to touristy souvenir shops, Afrikakukaye recommended Shanga Shanga, and that did not disappoint either. The project features the SKILLED works of Tanzanians with various physical challenges. Some crafts are jewelry, blown glass products, woven blankets, etc. Several pieces made it home with me, and I am so happy I can connect the piece with the actual artists whom I met that day.
I cannot recommend Afrikakukaye enough. If you want a memorable, personalized, life-changing experience, and want to SUPPORT A LOCAL, SOCIALLY COMMITTED COMPANY travel to Tanzania with Afrikakukaye. Afrikakukaye will shrink your world and change your life.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had an absolutely amazing time in Tanzania with Donald, our guide from Migada Adventures.
Our guide Donald from Migada Adventures was very easy to communicate with. He spoke perfect English. He was very knowledgeable about the area we traveled and all the animals, and was always extremely considerate and polite. He explained a lot about our surroundings as we traveled around Tanzania and in the two National Parks we visited. The safaris was amazing. I can't wait to come back again. Tanzania is a beautiful country and the people there were so happy and friendly.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well organized and professional
It was our first safari, we were looking for a local company to organize our trip and Northern circuit was an excellent choice! Michael was answering all of our questions quickly and everything turned out the way he'd said. For a reasonable price we visited four national parks, our driver and guide (Livingstone) was a real professional - he knew a lot about animals and always tried to look for their hideout, not to mention he could spot them easily even without binoculars. Our chef (SweetBart) always prepared delicious meal, he tried to customize the menu to our group. The Land cruiser was comfortable and the tents for sleeping were also all right. Livingstone and SweetBart speak very well English, therefore it was easy to communicate with them. Both of them are very friendly and easy going, it was really pleasant to chat with them during the day or in the evenings. After the safari, Michael drove us personally to the airport, he truly cares about the clients and you can see he has a lot of passion for what he does. I would recommend this company to everyone who looks for a well organized safari for a good price and high quality service!! :)