AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Was an wounderful fulfilling experience
Everyone was excellent, well prepared, connected and informed.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolute professionalism with a desire to have your safari be exactly what you want it to be!
Hi Sangeeta,
I can’t even express how amazing the safari that you helped put together for us was. It truly was everything that I imagined it would be, and more! I told you that I had wanted to do this forever and finally bit the bullet and was so happy that I did it. I went on this adventure as a once in a lifetime trip, and it may very well be that, but I am going to try to do everything in my power to go again! As you said yourself, it can become an obsession!!
I loved everything about the safari and Botswana! The landscape, the sky (which is huge and goes on forever), the local people that worked at the camps, the other travelers, and of course the amazing animals that we were so fortunate to see were beyond my expectations. All of the camps that you had us stay at were wonderful. All the people that worked at the camps, from the manager and guide down to the wait staff, were all so friendly, warm, inviting and really made me feel right at home. Most specifically, the managers and the guides all interacted with us and got to know us. The guides were all phenomenal. They seemed to know the answer to all our questions, never got tired of answering us and gave us so much information. At Sango camp, there were 6 of us who all wanted to see a leopard and we were hounding our guide Frank to find him. He was very good natured about it. We weren’t seeing much that am but all of a sudden he saw a leopard standing in a tree quite a distance away and we got to see this young guy up close! He went up in another tree, walked right by us and just gave us an amazing show!
Footsteps was unbelievable. I’m glad that you suggested we stay somewhere for 3 nights and I’m glad we chose that one! Sandy and I were the only guests for the entire time!! It was definitely the most rustic but wow, so fantastic. On our way from the airstrip to the camp we had to take a mokoro ride due to the high water and had a bit of an incident with a hippo. He didn’t want us to pass. Noah (our guide) and the other guy ended up bringing us back to were we started and they yelled and threw some sticks at him and he eventually moved back. At no time did either myself or Sandy feel threatened. About 10 mins before we got to camp we came over a small hill and there were 3 folks from the camp who had set up lunch for us (it was about 2 or so and I was hungry). There were 3 tables, one with food, one with drinks and one with plates, glasses and silverware. We were so surprised and amazed that they did that for just us! There was also a ton of food. The setting was beautiful, we were near a pond and if I remember there were some hippos in the water and some Impala drinking. Mpho, the manager, was just lovely! Since there was no electricity she charged some stuff for me. Noah was the most amazing guide! On our night drive we went out in search of the lions that we heard late in the afternoon and we saw 2 of the males!! They were not bothered by us in the least and weren’t aggressive. One of them was walking toward us in the road and just walked right next to the truck and by us! The second one was laying in the road so we stopped maybe 10 feet from him. He was unfazed and then started roaring 4 or 5 times, looked at us, yawned and put is head down! We guessed he tired himself out and wanted to nap!! It was just mesmerizing! The opportunity to do the walking safari was beyond words. To be walking on the same ground that all these amazing animals are walking on is inexplicable.
Chobe Bakwena lodge was quite a gem. When we got to the gate, we had trouble getting someone to open it up. After a few minutes someone did and boy were we surprised at what was in store. We were greeted with warm towels and someone to take our luggage. We were then brought into the lovely lounge are which was so homey looking and looked out on a beautiful lake. Op is an amazing manager. She made us feel right at home. She and her staff took wonderful care of us. The room was so lovely and we had a hand written note addressed to the 2 of us. Starting here was wonderful since it was a nice step down from the 5 star Ilala lodge and Chobe national park afforded us the opportunity to see so many animals!! The staff sang and danced for us at our first night of dinner and then explained what the song meant in English. Op also told a bunch of us about their culture and their ways. Truly wonderful. We also got sung to when we returned from our game drives and given those wonderful warm towels!
Going to Victoria Falls ahead of the safari was a great suggestion! The falls were so powerful and phenomenal and again, beyond words! There is only one suggestion that I would give to others that want to go white water rafting and that is there is a very steep gorge that you have to go down and then back up to do this! I am not a nervous person about doing crazy things but I was a bit nervous, especially going down. There are no railings and nothing to really hold on to, other than some trees and rocks. The ground is quite slippery b/c there is a lot of dirt and small rocks that slip under your feet! I loved it and would do it again but a heads up to folks would be suggested. The guides at wild horizons were amazing and helpful and I loved it!!
I can’t thank you enough for giving us the selections you did so that we could pick out the trip that we did! I went on trip advisor for all the lodges and gave rave reviews!
I love everything about Botswana; the people, the scenery, the landscape, the gov’t seeming to want tourism to thrive and the fact that they are the only country in Africa that has outlawed poaching makes them number 1 in my book and I will suggest Botwana to anyone that wants to go on Safari. ! hope to be back there one day and I will be in touch if/when I do!!
Thanks again for everything Sangeeta.
I will send pictures soon as well but wanted to get this to you!~
Lori
IL
unforgettable safari!
We chose Zohar African safaris after a lot of research due to the owners (Lilian) excellent knowledge and attention to details... and she is really nice :)
Lilian plans your private safari tailored to your desires and budget. She answered our questions quickly and clearly, and understood our preferences perfectly.
Our guide, David Dexter was great! He knows the parks and the animals behavior very well, which allowed us to see a lot of animals and witness many special moments.
Lilian worked within our budget and really made sure we got the most out of it. We Wouldn't had changed anything in the plan, The trip was amazing!
Thanks again Lilian :)
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I think it was 1998 when I first travelled with Gorilkla Tours. And I keep coming back.
As I visit Uganda since 1992 I usually tell Virgo which route I want to take and at which lodges I want to stay and how much time I have. Out of this Virgp creates a tailor made safari. And as my brother told me last year, just when you think it can' not get any better then Virgo has arranged something special. A boat alone for yourself were nobody stands in front of your camera and where you have all the time in the world. The most important person of a safari is the driver, he is more of a manager and with Ronald Ssempewa you are taken care of. And even driving he sees everything first, fom Lion to northern carmie bee-eater. The cars are new and with the roof up your camera is free to swing around. Summary: accomodation, driver, management, price, and of course the people of Uganda, very good and very friendly. Goralla tracking you can do in Rwanda or Uganda, Virgo is getting you the permits and everything you need to know .
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant, hospitable and memorable experience
We had a hospitable and brilliant experience. The communication from the office was good, updated us on booking progress and all was needed of us. All we did was to pay our fees and they did the rest for us without any hiccups. We just carried our bags and went to enjoy our holiday. Perfect warm weather and hospitable staff at the hotel ready to host us. We are also glad that the honeymoon packages were affordable.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A partner to walk with.
Good communication and living to our expectations.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A truly exciting, unforgettable, 3 week adventure from Cape Town to Zimbabwe and a slice of Botswana
Friends put us on to To Escape To after a highly successful holiday in Kenya. Our communication with the To Escape To team in Cape Town initially from the UK and later from within South Africa was a synch. It soon became apparent that the team had a really broad understanding of the African continent and further afield. Their advice and help was always very quickly available.
To Escape To's interpretation of our rough ideas and their subsequent choice of venues, accommodation and events was perfect. We wanted to see some of the highlights of South Africa, from Cape Town to Kwazulu Natal plus a few days at the Victoria Falls. Our finalised itinerary also took in the Cape winelands; the Garden Route; Drakensberg mountains; Kwazulu game reserves; Indian Ocean beaches and three days in Zimbabwe and Botswana. A gentle start leading up to a crescendo at the Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park.
Our absolute favourite was the 'andBeyond' Phinda Private Game Reserve. An extraordinary organisation, sophisticated and professional, but with the most wonderful genuine welcome. We instantly felt like one of the family. On arrival we were introduced to our ranger and tracker who immediately took us on an introductory safari, the precursor to morning and evening safaris for the next three days. We saw four of the 'big five' - the leopard eluded us, but we did see cheetah and cubs - and many other animals and birds. Each couple had their own spacious lodge with a plunge pool shared with elephants which came to drink during dry spells. Nyala and wart hogs sheltered in the shade, and from predators, beneath our lodge - just magic.
After visiting the awesome Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and staying in the equally wonderful Ilala Lodge, we snatched a day in Botswana's Chobe game park. Getting really close up to elephants, a herd of touchy male water buffalos, and huge hippos vying for territory and mating rights, from a very small boat was incredibly exciting. Then there were the other favourites: giraffes, wart hogs, zebras, wildebeest and the antelopes. Between Phinda and Chobe we encountered a huge diversity of animals and birds, the majority of the 29 animals and 74 birds we recorded on our three week stay.
All these wonderful opportunities were put together by To Escape To's gifted team
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
awesome
the best in the market, their service are excellent; we look forward to another trip
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Pius is the best guide ever! Amazing safari
Everything five stars. Amazing lunches in the wild, we had this amazing guide called Pius who could magically feel where the animals would be. Really nice car. All the big5 and even a hunt. Only 4 days safari and we saw everything. Magical experience. Communication was top notch too.
The best park is Serengeti, than Ngorongoro. Tarangire so so but beautiful. Cheers
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent arrangement and flexibility from bookings, the tour itself and teh game drive!
It was an experience to remember having been facilitated by Thornbird Tours and I look forward to the next tour. I can confidently recommend Thornbird Tours as they understand the Holiday requirements that can suit anyone, just give them your requirement and your expected spend, then they will do the rest and return you to where they picked you up.