IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Most Memorable Time Of Our Life
I and my wife were stunned with the African beauty we encountered in Tanzania. The guys of Hola Africa were very nice and hospitable. Stay with us from arrival to departure. The nice food, best accommodation, superb gem viewing, awesome beach breaks at Tanzanian coast and the live of calve birthing, wow, were awesome. Visiting to locals and purchasing the local products from market was fabulous. If ever we revisit Africa we would love to book Hola. We loved our two week safari. It surpassed our expectations in every way.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The two Safari Lodges package was a great finale to our South African experience.
Booking with an overseas Travel Agency causes some concern as to the legitimacy of the operation.
In this respect I can recommend African Savanna Travel as providing a secure and most efficient service.
The personal attention (by email) and prompt action was most appreciated.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome safari
First of all, let me apologize for the delay in writing this review. The service provided by Africa Flash Mc Tours was incredible! Peter stayed in touch with us during the whole trip, making sure we were okay. We chose to do 2 safaris with because their prices are extremely cheap compared to other companies, even though we were afraid this would be a scam or mean average service but that was not the case at all! Their guides and drivers have a lot of knowledge and try their best to make your safari an memorable trip! We would definitely choose them again!
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good in communication but bad in service
It is quite unfortunate that I have to be the first (an only) one to be writing such a review.
My wife and I booked two tours (Kilimanjaro day trek and Ngorongoro crater day trip) in Tanzania through them. The man in-charge, Muksin, was extremely cordial - answered my innumerous queries via e-mail before we landed in Tanzania and made me feel comfortable about the whole trip. He also came a day before the Kili trek and briefed me about both trips.
However, our actual experience during the tours was far from this experience.
1. Kili trek - The guide, Nikolas (I think that's what his name was), was completely detached - seemed more like a person who's carrying our lunch packets. Moreover, he did smell strongly of alcohol - not sure whether he had it that morning or the previous night. No real 'guidance' or information about the park or the flora/fauna was provided by him. The lunch packet had stale chicken and funny-tasting yoghurt in it.
2. Ngorongoro crater - This experience was much worse that the previous one. I specifically asked whether there were group tours available with them and they said yes. However, it seemed more like they were partnering with some other local tour guys who had their separate bookings and pooling us together into the same vehicle. At the outset itself, the information provided was wrong. We were told that we will be 4 people for the safari. It turned out that there were 6. The vehicles provided were rickety and the guides/drivers seemed to care least about it. At one point there were 7 people (a cook sitting on an ice box) in the vehicle and the whole vehicle was completely cramped.
I have rated 3 stars just for the initial communication part and because I would like to believe that the Ngorongoro trip was handled by other tour guys. Else I would've rated you even lower.
I accept that we were provided a competitive rate for our trips but we would not expect a highly reputed tour agency like you to be compromising on the quality. There is a difference in providing 'less' and 'bad quality'. For example, you can provide less number of items (of good quality) in the lunch packet but you should not provide bad quality stuff.
Another piece of advise - If you do not have a group tour available, please be honest about it. Else, if you depend on other local operators to organise/manage your customers' trips and they end up like ours, it would only tarnish your reputation.
Thanks
Vipin
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We did the lot! Well planned and well delivered Safari experience!
We were greeted at Entebbe airport and from there we knew that we were going to be in safe hands with our guide Moses. We travelled across 5 of the National Parks over 12 days, which was a lot of travelling but totally worth it. We started our Safari at Murchison National Park, enjoyed all of the wildlife including seeing the stunning falls and a Leopard! We then travelled South to Kibale Forest, due to a unavoidable diversion the journey took longer than originally planned so we arrived in the dark at Chimps Nest which wasn't ideal as the showers were outside but the food was great and had good conversation with other guests that evening so just one of those things. The next day we did the Chimp trekking in to the forest and it was so incredible to see a whole family of Chimpanzees come down from the trees and join us. We then travelled further south again and stopped at Queen Elizabeth National Park, from the lodge we stayed at we could see and hear the Hippo in the river below. In this National Park we finally were able to see the King of the Cats a pair of Lions and then separately in Ishasha a Lioness climbing in a tree! Our next stop was Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the hospitality of staff here at Trekkers Tavern was so wonderful and it truly was the highlight of the trip to see Gorillas and spend over an hour with a group of 12 of them. It was a real moment in life to treasure. Our final National Park that we went to was Lake Mburu National Park were we were nearly scared by a cheeky monkey trying to jump in to the car (fortunately only nearly!) It was also lovely that we were able to stop for a while to see some friends of our in Lukaya on our way back towards Kampala. We also managed to then have a day trip to Jinja which was nice to see including one of the sources of the Nile!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Expectations superseded!
We chose Manna Expeditions Ltd, as Peter Mapinda had been the valued guide for friends of ours, before setting up his own company and we wanted to support his new venture. He came highly recommended.
Peter was in contact by email regularly to discuss accommodation, game park preferences and the itinerary.
From initial enquiries, to dropping us back to the airport, the service was personal and exceptional.
We booked our own flights and Manna Expeditions booked everything else.
Our flight arrival date and time changed more than once and an extra hotel night booking was duly booked. An extra safari was also offered due to our early arrival.
We were a party of 6 -me, my husband, our 2 sons, 1 daughter-in-law and a future (hopefully) daughter-in-law. This is the 4th safari my husband and I have experienced, but the 1st for the other 4. Nobody was disappointed. It was the best so far for me!
The jeep was roomy, clean and ran well. There was a large fridge which housed plenty of water, beers and wine.
Our days were very full and not a moment was wasted. Peter expertly spotted animals which appeared hidden or far away for our novice eyes to notice. He was very keen to impart his expert knowledge on us and appreciated the many questions which were thrown at him.
Peter arranged a bush dinner for us one evening and surprised us with an anniversary cake, which was a lovely personal touch.
We stayed 2 nights in the Lake Duluti Serena Lodge in Arusha, 2 nights in the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, 3 nights in Serengeti Serena, 1 night in the Lake Maseki Tented Lodge and our final night was spent in the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge. The settings for all of the accommodation were superb, with amazing views. Our favourite was the tented lodge, which was luxurious and very different. Staff in all of them were friendly and attentive, especially in the tented lodge.
Our safaris were in Arusha, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks and Ndutu area. We saw everything, and more than, we had hoped to see, including a cheetah taking a kill up into a tree for her cub, lions, hyenas, cheetah and vultures feeding, many babies, including lion, elephant, zebra and baboon. And, of course, the migration! An amazing sight!
We visited a Masai village, where we were entertained and educated into the traditional lives of the Masai.
Peter is very supportive of Tanzanian people and their future and took us to visit an orphanage in Arusha and a small village and school on the shore of Lake Victoria. Here we were taken fishing by some of the villagers, which was a wonderful experience.
There were so many highlights for us all, but my personal highlight was watching the sun rise over the Serengeti from a hot air balloon.
Every evening, before dinner, Peter would meet with us and we would have a briefing for the following day. Nothing was set in stone and we felt that our opinions and requirements were valued and considered.
I would not hesitate to recommend Manna Expeditons Ltd to anyone who wants a personal itinerary, with a friendly, experienced, knowledgeable guide.
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent! We will be back!
From the beginning he cared for us, he went to look for us at the airport and then he took us to eat something because it rained a lot. During the safari, which was incredible, he was in permanent contact with us in case we needed anything. In fact, we booked a hotel for the return, since we did not have anything booked, and we took the bus tickets to Nairobi, in case they run out. Today we are still in touch. We will definitely be back! Thanks a lot Buhembo!
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
We had the best experience ever. Was a bit lost in which company to use so sent few emails for some of the ones on this web and Robert replied very quickly giving us all details. Anthony our guide, driver and now friend was simply amazing. Always on time or even earlier, very patient during the game drive made us to see rhino on the 2 days of our safari and we got the Big 5 thanks to him. The leopard was about 400m when I saw it, but I said, Antony, there is something there. He said, is a leopard. Was very exciting. Anthony has an eagle eye, best guide in Kenya. Our trip was very pleasant and exciting with the "hunt" for animals. Elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hyena, cheetahs and Leopard. We can't be happier with Beacon and Anthony. thanks a lot, we will come back and go for Beacon and Anthony for sure.
A wonderfull 5-day Safari to three different places seeing plenty of animals at close range.
We were very satisfied with our 5-day Safari. Massai Mara was definitely the highlight. The Nakuru park was a worthwhile addition as well as the Hell's Gate Gorge in Naivasha. The 45 minutes boat trip on lake Naivasha however was not worth the additional costs of 20 USD per person.
Accommodation and food was fine. Our guide was very knowledgeable on wildlife , culture, an excellent driver and a very pleasant person.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One of the most fantastic safaris we have been on
If you want to take children on the 1st safari or even on a 2nd, then you can not beat the company called Drumbeat. As grandparents we have experienced many safaris in Africa and we wanted to take our 4 grandchildren on their 1st experience of Africa and safari. Well you can not beat this company, they were truly fantastic, guide Lisa outstanding, the 4 g'children had the very best experience we could have given them. They are now in love with this experience and we hope will follow in our footsteps for a love of Africa. Safe, secure and a very stable country. If you wish to experience safari with or without children then please use and feel safe with Drumbeat.