AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything it was wonderfull. The guide, the schedule, the hotel, the food!!
Everything worked very well!! John (the guide) was lovely. Peter was very helpful in all details. We loved our tour. It was one of the best experience We already have.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A cut above the rest.
I spent 2 months in Tanzania and Zanzibar and did a lot of research before I settled on Nyika. If you want luxury and a lazy boy chair to sit in all
the while chasing the crowd of Jeeps who all are mindless tour operators chasing the big cats and game then this is not for you. If you want a
true African experience with a small company who know the terrain and you are off on your own on the Serengeti . This is the only way to see the
Serengeti ! Believe me , do not go to a large Safari operation as you will be stuck chasing Jeeps all day. Nyika operators have a mind of their own.
It is total magic to be on your own on the Serengeti . It is a once in a lifetime experience , do it right and use Nyika out of Arusha , Tanzania .
Arusha is awesome , amazing people , stunning musical scene and simple and fresh cuisine . Anthony Fagan ...Vancouver , Canada.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely brilliant from start to finish!
From the second Stephen picked me up at my hotel I wanted for nothing. The 9 hour drive was comfortable, he answered all my silly questions and we had a good laugh.
Whilst at the lodge, again he was there for all my needs and transportation and communications with the lodge.
The lodge was fantastic too and the service second to none.
Lovely 3 course meal on both nights.
After my amazing day seeing the gorillas, the next morning I decided to go straight to the airport and not stay in a hotel in Kampala as planned.
Stephen was not only fine with me changing my plans but did everything he possibly could to get me there in time. I made it. He genuinely cared for my well being and enjoyment throughout the whole trip.
Thankyou so very much Stephen.
You are the best.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Many good things and a big negative
-We stayed with the owner of the tour, John, in his Masai house in the Olalaimuitek village for 3 nights which was in total a cheap and different/nice experience like living one of them wihout electricity and water in nature. As we arrived there at night, we had some problems with the driver who dropped us, John was very nice and calming us. The bed was very comfortable but without a mosquito net. The food prepared at home was delicious. One day we climbed up to the hill with his brother, he was a nice person. There were lots of children in the village, we and they were very happy to meet, play with them and take photos together.
-So about the safari, we planned initially a 2 full day safari tour. Since the price John offered us was good, we decided to do it with him. He doesn''t have his own 4x4, so it is kinda getting let from another person. On the first day we had a driver which was ok. And on the second day the actual owner of the car was driver. John was practically a guide there in the car on both days. Safari itself was nice, they were trying to find animals and going near and waiting for us to take photos. But here comes the big NEGATIVE on the second day. They told us that we will go to the 'deep parts of the park to see cheetas which we couldnt see on first day. What practically happened was, we went to another gate (Sekenani) after half an hour drive, instead of the nearest one (Olalaimuitek). The owner of the car told us that he is also working and living near that gate. So he knew a way to enter the park without passing through the gate, went basically though the quarters and didn´t pay 160 dollars in total, which they took from us to pay to the enterance. When we asked about it, they told that there was a line at the gate and they would pay it when going out. When we left the park after 3 hours through the same path, we asked again about the tickets. Then they -mostly the driver- started to find some excuses and lies about it. It was so irritating that we insisted on to get the tickets. Finally when they understood that we won't give up, they decided to drop us home and told that they are going to the other gate to bring us tickets. We wanted to go together, but the driver told us that 'it is forbidden for us to stay outside at that hour'' and refused. It was 7 pm and the gates were closed. Of course they couldt get any ticket and it was anyway not possible to get it for an early hour. So they found solution in buying us a new ticket on the next day with the money which we gave them before. In that way we had a free enterance for the third day which was actually good for us. But we payed them for the third day for the car again, so they profitted anyway. It was extremely irritating to feel that they are trying to fool us so cheap (and also their own community and villages, since a part of the money goes to them when you pay normal enterance on the gate).
-Again about the stay, the only negative thing for the home stay was that, people who were preparing the food were waiting in front of us and looking at us while we were eating. They were telling us that they would eat after us but at the same time were telling that all the food on the table belongs to us. So we didnt feel comfortable to finish the food of course. Sometimes the food was big enough for mayn people but sometimes not. Tried to solve the problem with communication but it was not very succesful. But i am repeating again, the food was very delicious and another plus for it, that they prepared all without a tap and practically any kitchen, incredible! Maybe this feedback can be helpful for them to make it better.
-So for the home stay i'd give 5 stars. For that issue on safari 1 star despite the good things. In total 3 stars. I am sorry for that, since i know that John is actually a warmhearted person but I hope this will not happen to anyone again in that way.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was an awful experience. They lie and steal your money.
Awful!!!The owner is a crook and the tour guide a liar.
BH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was a trip of a lifetime for our family!
Makasa was very professional and quick in all transactions. We had to tweek our dates several times and they were quick and happy to comply. Our driver was great! Kalebi became part of our family during our twelve days in Tanzania. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about the animals! He truly seemed to love his job! All of our accommodations were better than we even expected. From our initial pick up at the airport, safari days, hotel accommodations, driver, drop off at airport at the end- every detail was well thought out and planned.
NP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great company and amazing guide
My wife, best friend and I booked an 7 night private safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara with Landside Adventure. We had an amazing time and would HIGHLY recommend this company. Specifically, our tour guide Solomon made a great trip into one we will never forget.
Planning: Booking a safari tour in Africa there is a lot harder than your standard vacation. There seem to be close to a hundred or more tour companies and unfortunately bad actors among them. We almost decided to cancel our entire trip because we had such a bad experience wiring money to another fraudulent company before finding Landside Adventure. Maxon at Roy Safaris was great to work with. Prompt, friendly and gave us helpful suggestions in preparing our itinerary. We are also amateur photographers, so she made sure we had the right equipment in our vehicle and a guide knowledgeable for this type of trip. We priced the same semi-luxury itinerary with several other companies and Landside Adventure was the most competitive.
Safari: I'm in my late 30s and being on safari for me brought back the excitement I felt being a kid in Disney. We were the first ones out of the camp and the last ones back in every day. Every morning we felt excited about the adventure our guide Tory would take us on that day. He was not only an expert at spotting animals, but also in knowing their behaviors and anticipating their movements. He helped us set up countless epic shots with his understanding of light and shooting angles. His passion for nature was evident and his knowledge of the country, parks and wildlife was impeccable. Most importantly he was always an absolute pleasure to be around. We considered ourselves supremely lucky to have drawn him.
Thank you Maxon and thank you Landside Adventure! Hope to be back as soon as possible!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!
My husband and I traveled from the USA to CapeTown, Kruger (for Safari) and Zambia (for Victoria Falls) for our first African adventure! Lizette did a fantastic job of listening to what we wanted to do, making suggestions of other things we should include and planning the most efficient route for us. The whole trip was perfect- we had transfers to and from all the airports, fantastic accommodations, wonderful guides at all the locations (Robin George was the best- he was our guide in Cape Town)! Safari is amazing- we did see the Big 5, and enjoyed the sundowner celebrations every evening :) We felt safe and well informed and we really enjoyed our trip- all thanks to Lizette! We will definitely be returning to Africa!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful experience
A wonderful experience. Thanks to the team for such an enjoyable tour! Will be back again for sure.
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This company is a SCAM!! BEWARE!!
I did a 15-day tour booked with this company (they also call themselves Cheno Travel Safari Tours sometimes) ant it was just terrible!! They did not follow the schedule, didn´ t put us in the accomodations we were planned to stay. We never had water or lunch during our trips (but we paid for it!). It was just a big mess and we had to argue the whole way of our trip, until a point on the 10th day where our driver just abandoned us in our hotel in the Nxai Pans and never returned. We had to figure out a way to keep our trip by ourselves and they never refund us or made anything easier for us. We are still in touch with the Botswana Ministry of Tourism and the police as well to put these guys out of the market forever! If you don´t believe me, just ask for pictures of their cars and their tourism licenses before booking anything. All tour company cars in Botswana must have the logo of the company on the car door. Just ask to see what they have... We rode on an old honda fit without a/c... you just don´ t wanna any of this in your vacations!