35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible service
I booked my trip, which included a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, a 2-day safari in Akagera and a Kigali city tour, in 2019 for June 2020. 2 Years of COVID craziness (especially as I was living in Hong Kong, which has the most stringent and chaotic travel restrictions in the world), led to constant changes and re-bookings on my part. Throughout Frank was incredibly helpful and patient...I felt so bad about all of the chaos, but he always accommodated me.
The trip itself went perfectly - not a complaint. The accommodations and food Frank selected were terrific, and he actually provided me with more than I was expecting. My guide and driver, Claude, was also extremely knowledgeable, a great driver and a lot of fun. Both Frank and Claude were open and gave a lot of personal insight into Rwanda's sad recent history.
As a bonus, the vehicle was comfortable, and we saw everything there was to see on the safari in Akagera. I had such an amazing time that I'm planning on returning with some of my family members and would gladly use Golden Rwanda Safaris again, without hesitation.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
I had a wonderful experience with Osprey Safaris Kenya. Everything was done in a professional way and I got value for money. We learnt a lot from John Kago who was our guide as he is well informed.
I made memories with my team that will last a life time.
Thank you Osprey Safaris Kenya.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You really felt that the guides and all other staff did their best to make your safari the best.
Did a 1-day safari from Zanzibar to Selous and back, took off in the sunrise and returned late in the afternoon. Did get to see a lot of animals including elephants, Hippos, giraffes,monkeys, crocodiles, and a few different antilopes and a few more. As soon as we where in the greener areas, animals where litterly around every corner
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Magical and wouldnt be the same without Nickson
This was my first land safari and did not know what to expect. I was blown away at the logistics and organization of the entire operation. Very impressed and satisfied; would 100% rebook with these guys without hesitation. Our driver Nickson was phenomenal. Very knowledgeable, kind, funny, and personable. Couldn't imagine it with somebody else.
We saw the big 5 which was awesome. The cheetahs were hands down the best. All the food was plentiful and tasty with options for vegetarians as well. Wine provided each night.
Quality Tents provided with a sleeping mat, pillow, and sleeping bag. Never got cold but I run hot.
Vehicle holds 6/7 people with pop up roof and opening side windows.
Hot lunches provided each day even on picnics.
The locals and businesses seem to really like this operator as well because they are good to them which is a bonus.
We had bathrooms and showers each night of various quality. Some water was hot others was cold. Not always a physical sit on toilet but the flushable squat down type. Bring your own paper/wipes and soap as more places do not have them. Also bring your own towel.
The first camp last camp near Lake Maynara in Mto Wa Mbu has a small market in front of it with various drinks, alcohol, and toiletries for purchase. This is a gated area with lights, bar, and a pool.
Serengeti camp was primitive with bathrooms and showers although water pressure was low. This was the most exposed camp but there were guards up at night.
The nogorogoro camp had a restaurant and bar with shower and toilets as well. Very cold on the crater rim with fog and possible light rain so plan accordingly. Animals may wander into camp but there are armed guards. We had an elephant in ours but they peacefully deterred it.
Make sure to tip your driver and cook as they work very hard nonstop.
There was also a walking tour to a local village with native tribes and the Maconde carpenters, painters, banana and rice farms, and a banana beer/winebrewery.. I recommend this even if just to learn about the culture. Very cool
You will not go hungry or be disappointed with these guys. Ask for Nickson and Musa (spelling?) the cook
PL
Proffesional service, friendly and experienced guides, flexibility and decent portfolio
We got professional service from Criss Cross, stuff remained flexible, ready to adjust our trip as per our needs.
We decided to go for self-designed tour through Namibia - we chose the path, Criss Cross helped us with planning the best itinerary for the time we had, booking accommodation on the way, and provided professional guides. Guides were highly experienced and very friendly. Lodges chosen for the trip were good.
Criss Cross has big portfolio of tours: self-driving (they will help you with setting up itinerary, car and lodges booking (in high season you have to do it well in advance, if you've never been to Namibia it's better to check what car is suitable for the path you chose)), guided tours tailored for the customer (you choose the path, duration, and if you want to go for a 3 or 5 star trip), pre-defined tours to choose from the list.
I have already some plans for next trips in Namibia and neighbouring countries, next time I will also reach out to Criss Cross, because we had good experience and I have a feeling that I may rely on their advice.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Slick, high-quality, and efficient service at a very reasonable price
We first started looking at Uganda because we wanted to see the mountain gorillas, and found Achieve through a Google search. Our enquiries were responded to quickly and thoroughly by Doreen, and she showed a lot of flexibility in moving things around. We eventually decided to spend a few extra days in Uganda and go to Murchison Falls too, and Doreen added these on for us with no issues. We could not believe how reasonable their prices were in comparison to the competition. The service itself was phenomenal when we got there too. We were looked after well by Herbert in Bwindi, he was kind and friendly and made sure we saw the biggest family of gorillas! Eddie did a phenomenal job of being our driver and guide as we looked around Murchison Falls National Park, making sure we saw all four of the available big 5 in the park and then taking us to the rhino sanctuary to close it out. He was knowledgeable and clinical in the way he managed our expectations and consistently over-delivered. We stayed at Haven Lodge in Buhoma which was simply magnificent, and Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls which was good but did not feel as well-run as Haven.
We will definitely be going back to Uganda, and will not choose anyone other than Achieve to plan our next trip. They were fantastic.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lenny was amazing at organizing and planning the trip for us
We did a 3 day safari including Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire. It was excellent. Very well organised by Lenny. The accommodations were amazing (location, rooms and food) and Lenny took special efforts to take care of every detail. He was very patient and prompt in replying to help plan the trip
Great team and very friendly. Manase, our guide who drove us through the safari was lovely and gave us a lot of information about all the animals and birds.
Highly recommended
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They deliver the goods.
It took us 3 years to arrange the safari due to covid and some other unforseen circumstances. Joseph from Parrot Safaris answered every single question we had to our satisfaction. And there were a lot of questions over the three years as we heavily customised our tour. These guys are super flexible and will do whatever it takes to give you what you really want. Joseph followed our progress as we went aroound Kenya and Tanzania and made sure we were safe (not that we ever felt unsafe except next to one or two BIG elephant and lion) and happy. The tour unfolded exactly as discussed and it was DEFINITELY a bucket list experience. Their prices are very competitive and Josephs service was impeccable. Our game guides were very knowledegable and did whatever they could to show us whatever Kenya and Tanzania had to offer. A good sense of humour also went a long way.
Literally the only complaint I had was the lack of a hot shower in some of the bush camps in Kenya. Its an issue for me as i suffer from muscle spasms and a cold shower doesn't help.
Other than that I highly recommend these guys. They are legit and committed to giving their clients a truly unforgettable African experience. I guarantee that you wont go home the same person that you arrived.
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best tour ever!
I and my friends had a safari experience with Back of Africa and it definitely exceeded our expectations!
Allan - our tour organizer - is super professional, hands on, dedicated and clear in communications. So everything was amazing from the first contact till the end.
We stayed in Sarova Camp, it is like an oasis. The atmosphere, food and staff all 100/100.
I'd like to say big thank you to our tour guide George. He is amazing. We have seen all the big 5 in our first day. For the next day we asked him to get closer to giraffes and he found a place where there is no one except our jeep and like 10 giraffes!. He is not only amazing in his job but also has a great personality.
In summary, this tour is the one =)
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful, most amazing tour operator we’ve had
Our safari with Benson was truly amazing. Their communication upfront is clear and quick, with a clear itinerary, plenty of room for questions and good payment options and confirmations.
Our experience during the safari was simply great. Our guide Peter was the most friendly, attentive, knowledgable and kind person we could have wished for and the owner Benson surprised us on multiple occassions. The itinerary was very well planned, we’ve seen amazing landscapes and animals (guide Peter had a very good eye) and the hotels were very well arranged.
We’d truly like to urge you to consider choosing this locally owned provider, as the thought and effort they put in to make your safari the best is unmatched and you contribute directly to the local community. Thanks Benson and Peter, we really felt like part of the family!
