20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
amazing home away from home.
The blue ocean family at Arusha are kind, hospitable and very helpful. Mama is always trying to make us feel more comfortable. Lydia makes awesome food, her cooking is super nice. James is always available to take you places.... and when you return Shaky and Luck are there to receive you at the gate.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Despicable. Taken double our money.
Falcon safaris are appalling. We booked with them months before we left for Zim. Whilst we were away, we received an email saying that they had not received our money. We then had to pay for another room in a different hotel so they would hold a room for us. They have offered no help in tracing the money, despite or bank being able to trace exactly where it has gone. They have offered us no help whatsoever. In addition, their tour operators tried to sell us mor experiences in our pick up from the airport - clearly trying to make more money from us. We have been changed double for our holiday and no one from this company will contact us. Absolutely shocking.
Do not use them.
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Last minute trip
My trip was organized at quite short notice (3weeks). Due to good interaction and precise discussion I had a very very satisfying trip with good accomodations! Thanks Darren.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best
I trust them for the best Safari in uganda.keep up the good work
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable trip to Kenya
After researching many local safari companies we settled on Gametrackers because they provided a very detailed itinerary which had incorporated all the places we wanted to visit in Kenya. The response from Judy who helped us organise everything was very quick. We had to modify one of the dates which meant adjusting other accommodation but that was also done without hassle and very quickly. The payment went smoothly and we received acknowledgment of receipt and everything was conveniently done online.
We spent 4 days in Masai Mara, 3 days at Lake Naivasha and another 4 days in Amboseli which in hindsight was two days too long and we should perhaps have travelled to Tsavo for two days. We saw 4 of the big 5. The leopard eluded us being nocturnal.
We were picked up from our accommodation in Nairobi on time to take us to the airport for our flight to Masai Mara. There we were met by our guide/driver, George, who would spend the next 12 days with us. On the way to the Sopa Lodge, we were already being introduced to zebras, wildebeests, giraffes. Everyday on safari we experienced something new and George had a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife (especially birds), habitat and a network that enabled us to find sleeping lions in the bush and cheetahs who were hiding.
The drives between the parks were long and dusty but George took us from A to B, B to C etc without any problems despite heavy single lane traffic along Mombasa Rd. Off the road, George joined us on a hike in Crater Lake and also a bike ride at Hell's Gate and all the while sharing his knowledge with us about the animals we saw and the landscape. In our group of three, we had an elderly lady in our group and George took good care of her when we were negotiating some slippery slopes.
The customer service was exceptional at all the lodges that was arranged for us. The lodges were clean and comfortable and all the meals were buffet style for most of the three meals.
I would highly recommend Gametrackers to anyone who was planning their first trip to Africa if you want peace of mind. We had the best time and the safaris exceeded all our expectations. The 12 days went by very quickly and we ended the trip with more knowledge about Kenya, its super friendly people, wildlife conservation. Kenya left me with this intangible feeling of freedom that is hard to describe in words but it can only be experienced having been there. We said farewell to George with a heavy heart but I think it will not be the first and only time we visit Kenya. Asante Asante to Gametrackers for such a memorable heartfelt African experience.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Holiday of a lifetime executed perfectly!
Myself and my girlfriend decided we wanted to go to Kenya on Safari so began the task of assessing companies and itineraries.
From the off Dan was incredibly attentive to our requirements. We found other companies to be very short with minimal time for our changing ideas. Dan on the other hand went above and beyond to help us organise our safari adventure and was happy to guide/assist us on our (embarrassingly) constant mind changing with regards to what we wanted to do.
It became clear very quickly that Transtrek were the company we wanted to use.
Everything was organised specifically how we wanted it to be. The amount of days in certain places, activities etc.
I had high expectations of the holiday before I left and they were blown out of the water............ It was literally 3 flawless weeks of pure beauty and enjoyment! Everything came together perfectly without a single mishap.
Each and every lodge/camp we stayed at was breathtaking. The surrounding nature was mind blowing, the hospitality and friendliness of every member of staff a true pleasure to behold.
We went to Amboseli, Tsavo west/east, Lake Nakuru/Navaisha & Masai mara. Each area with its own landscapes, identity and plethora of wildlife.
I went on this holiday thinking it was a once in a lifetime adventure but I know for certain I will go back and do it all again at some point as it was the best holiday I've ever had.
Special thanks to Tony our guide who was easy going, kind hearted, understanding, organised, more knowledgeable than an encyclopedia on location and wildlife, and just a lovely jack the lad to be around... he very quickly became a massive part of the enjoyment of our holiday.
To sum up....Holiday 10/10, Transtrek/Dan 10/10, Tony our guide 10/10, lodges/camps 10/10, wildlife 10/10.
Thank you Transtrek for giving us the experience we had. It will never ever be forgotten!!
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dens Safaris: avoid at all costs!!
This is an honest and complete overview of my encounters during my trip with Dens Safaris in Zambia from Sept. 1-16, 2017, which I hope will provide a meaningful insight into the practices of this company for future clients.
My itinerary was arranged and paid for back in December 2016. Initial e-mail conversations with Denver Mbewe, the owner of the company, went smooth but further questions a couple weeks before my flight to Zambia went largely unanswered. These were critical questions related to the visa requirements, malaria pills etc. I sent a few e-mails and even a message on their Facebook, which was read but never answered. The only reply I received was that I was going to be picked up at the airport and someone would be waiting with a sign with my name on it.
My personal driver and guide in South Luangwa was an unexperienced young guy aged 24 (the youngest guide in the whole national park) who was clearly not used to dealing with customers. On the second day, I was told by him to repay my park fees for my entire stay at South Luangwa, totalling $250, which I already paid in advance 10 months ago as part of my all-inclusive package. I did not receive a satisfying answer on the phone by the office manager as to why this happened, but decided to go ahead and pay in order not to waste too much time.
I was driven around the park in an old safari vehicle which had issues with the engine radiator, which repeatedly overheated. Over the course of 4 days we used up to 3 different cars, all of mediocre at best quality. To make matters worse, my guide did not even have a radio with him on any of the days he guided me and also forgot to pack water and a cooler box during many days.
On the day of transfer from the Mfuwe to Nsefu sector of the park, my guide informed me that he was going to pick up a friend of his. I was not provided with any explanation who this person was and why he was joining me on my private safari. I assumed he just wanted to catch a ride from Mfuwe to Nsefu and we were going to drop him off once we arrived in Nsefu. Upon arrival in another bush camp, it became apparent that my guide was not at all familiar with the Nsefu sector, which is why he took this guy with us, although also he had to admit he was only partly familiar with that part of the park. During one of the game drives, he thought it to be a good idea to throw some large branches at a baby crocodile (twice) so it would move and I could get a better picture of the animal. I immediately told him that this was unacceptable.
Citing obvious safety hazards, the owner of the bush camp rightfully decided to send my guide back home. She also shared with me some stories about other Dens Safaris customers she had received in the past months who were anything but happy. She herself was only briefed about my arrival a couple days before, and thought I was self-driving to the park. She then kindly proposed me to use one of their guides who was a qualified professional South Luangwa guide. The difference in the quality of guiding was stark: the number of sightings went up and I felt much safer given his possession of a radio and plentiful water and food supplies. Because of the last minute change in plans, I had to join another photographer during most of my game drives in Nsefu, and I also had to give up on all day game drives as the other guests at the bush camp paid for morning and evening game drives. Therefore, I did not get what I paid for, which was strictly a private trip consisting entirely of full day game drives.
After my stay in South Luangwa, I flew to Lusaka for a transfer to the Lower Zambezi national park. After waiting for half an hour, Denver and his office manager picked me up and drove me towards Kiambi lodge. I repeated the issues and concerns I had been facing throughout my trip, which I also e-mailed to him a couple days before. Denver acknowledged that mistakes were made but did not come up with a proposal for compensation and left me at Kiambi without communicating how he would work this out in time before my departure back home.
In Lower Zambezi I stayed at the Munyemeshi River Lodge, a self-catering lodge were I seem to have been the only guest. The lodge was under renovation and there was hardly any staff around let alone any convenient amenities: no bar, no restaurant. My first room did not have warm water in the shower, and in fact there was hardly any water coming out of the shower head. I then had to go to another room where the shower was leaking. I stayed here during the second day with two other disgruntled Dens Safaris guests, who did the full two-day canoe tour. I dropped out after half an hour during the first day as I did not feel comfortable nor safe in the water which was infested with hippos and crocodiles. The couple mentioned to me that they had to find another guide the day after given that the first one was to drunk to wake up in the morning, which confirmed my belief once again that my safety had indeed been at risk.
During the first day game drive I was driven around by a guy who was clearly not a professional guide. His command of English was poor, he hardly spotted anything and was unable to answer my questions about the wildlife. What was worse is that he stepped on the gas and increased the speed of the safari vehicle when there were elephants blocking the road. The elephants were clearly in distress and some of them initiated mock charges at us. This happened at least three or four times and I told the driver this was unacceptable and unprofessional but he didn’t care to listen. When animals associate humans with danger, this will lead to fatalities and the end of the tourism industry in Zambia.
I decided that I could not tolerate any further risk and stayed at the lodge during my last day, although another full day game drive was on the itinerary. By then I was sick and tired of the unprofessional and dangerous treatment I had received and thus had to end my trip disillusioned and disheartened.
In summary, Dens Safaris makes you pay premium prices for subpar guidance using the cheapest people they can find, which has severe implications for your wellbeing and general safety. Therefore, DO NOT book with this company and spread this message as much as possible to prevent future malpractices.
Sammy Six
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service.
Very satisfactory. Can recommend them and will use them again for future bookings.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cumplen y exceden las expectativas de los huéspedes
If you are looking for a number one tour service provider, they are perfect for you because they meet and exceed guests expectations
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime, incredible adventure!
The Timbuktu team are friendly, responsive and highly-knowledgeable. I love the look and feel of the online platform and enjoyed having control over the planning of our trip, safe in the knowledge that I had the experts for support. The trip itself was sensational, an absolutely unparalleled experience during which we were well looked after at every step. It will be hard to ever do a trip that incredible again!