NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Discovering eastern part of Uganda
In June 2013 my wife Yvette and I traveled with Grassrootz Adventures through Uganda. We had been in Uganda earlier on several occasions, also because I'm running a foundation called the Astrid Uganda Foundation. That's why I already visited the beautiful parts of Uganda most people start with, like Murchison Falls, QENP, the gorillas and the chimps, but never before I went to Kidepo en the Karamajong area. Grassrootz composed for us a tailormade trip to our project in Lira and from there to Kidepo, Kotido and Mbale and did they a marvelous job. Nice places to stay, a fabulous driver and game tracker and a very warm welcome to Anke Volders'place in Kotido.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good operator with a few improvement areas
Most of the service from this new operator was good. Response was very fast especially before I paid deposit. Price was nearly the lowest among similar rated operators. Staffs were all helpful and nice. We did the safari as we planned to.
Only a few minor improvements:
1, The operator guaranteed in-car wifi for both Kenya and Tanzania trips. In reality we never had in-car wifi in either of the trips.
2, Operator wrote 1L bottled water offered to each of us. In Kenya there was no water offered. We took bottled water from lodge or bought with price of 3 USD/bottle on the drive way. Tanzania driver offered plenty of water.
3, On our last day, we moved from Lake Manyara to Kilimanjaro Airport hotel. Our driver's home is in Arusha. Apparently he just wanted to finished the job and go home. So what happened was he told us the drive will take 5-6 hours, and asked us to leave Lake Manyara early to arrive Kilimanjaro airport hotel before getting dark. We trusted him and did so. It turned out that the drive was 2 hours, and we spent entire afternoon + evening in a basic airport hotel for nothing. We could have stayed in Lake Manyara for that half day, which is much nicer.
4, Our operator refused to send me all the hotel booking vouchers, even after I paid deposit 4 months ahead of time. Luckily nothing went wrong with hotel booking. But honestly I don't understand it.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience for our first time
It was a very special part of our journey to south africa. My girlfriend and I did a 4 day safari in the Kruger NP and the Panorama Route. We had not that luck with the weather but we saw the big five and a lot of other animals. Our guide Jaco was excellent, he has a huge knowledge about the animals and the nature and he had a answer of each our questions. The back office and the communication was brilliant, they satisfied all our whishes before and during our trip.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best vacation ever. We saw everything.
We had a great time on our safari. Our guide, Anthony Sillo, was the best. He was very helpful to get us into the best position for great pictures, and we got plenty of them. One night when lions came into our camp, he and the men working at the camp guarded our tent the remainder of the night. We were so thankful. We will recommend It Started In Africa to everyone who asks about a safari. Again, we had the best vacation ever!!!
Carl and Pam Rider
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Steve
The abundance of animals and the scenic beauty were beyond compare. The highlight was a night drive watching a pack of hyenas chasing a herd of wildebeests and zebras. The hyenas screaming and hundreds of reflective eyes darting in every direction created an energy and image that i can't describe.
We didn't tire of seeing so many beautiful lions ever day from the several prides. We spent hours taking pics of lions and cheetahs. The big cats were so beautiful and so photogenic.
I would go back to Masai Mara in a heart beat.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great animal viewing from the hotel, but disappointing game drives
Sitting at the restaurant/bar at our lodge, we could spend all day watching animals come and go from the watering hole. This was the highlight of our visit in this park. Our drives were very disappointing with brush so dense, that animal sightings were rare. We booked Tsavo west in hopes of seeing Mount Kilimanjaro and seeing Rhinos. We didn't see either. I would plan extra time in the Masai Mara instead of Tsavo West.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Kenya by Steve
I've been to 5 camps in 4 ecosystems throughout Africa. Masai Mara was spectacular and a must go to place. Our camp Ngare Serian was stunning and the game drives were exciting every day with an abundance of wildlife, and scenic beauty
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized, a lot of fun and an unforgettable experience
Twaha was the perfect tour guide for us - we went on safari in Queen Elizabeth NP for four days and we'd like to repeat the trip exactly like it was. Twaha is a nice and funny guy, he is very well organized and he knows a lot about the animals and plants in the park and especially where and when to find them. The accomodation alone was great and unforgettable. We felt safe and comfortable all of the time and enjoyed the safari trip a lot! :-)
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing safari
unbelievable experience worth any price. all beautifully organized. I saw all the animals that live in the park mikumi
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Honeymoon Feedback
The Safari was simply amazing on all levels !!
We would not have changed anything ... although at a push knowing what I know now I may have opted for an alternate hotel for the last night.