US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great experience with fantastic guiding
We were a bit nervous canoeing on the Zambezi River, but our guides TK, Trust, and Emmanuel made us feel welcome and at home in their wonderful country. Some of the meals we had were better than what we have in the fancy lodges and there was just a very personal feeling to the whole experience. I wouldn't pick anyone other than Natureways to guide me down the Zambezi!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing way to experience Botswana
From the first email all the way through to the end of our trip, our interactions with Ute and Roho Ya Chui have been great - fast responses and accommodating. The trip that was planned for us was seamless, all transportation, lodging and safaris were well organized and we felt welcome everywhere we went.
Ute was so great that when we first reached out to her for a quote, we mentioned we were planning our second honeymoon and she made sure to pass that along to our lodges/hosts who very graciously surprised us with romantic meals and perks - it was very considerate.
I would highly recommend booking your African safaris with Ute and Roho Ya Chui.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I am 85 lyears old wth a cane edgetravel made it possible for me to travel to Botswana alone.
Edge travel was there for me, I could call them at any time of day, and they would check up on me to ask whether I was enjoying myself. Service excellent, once while I was in Botswana and I wanted to change my reservation from one Lodge to another in a different location, they made it possible. They were well beyond my expectation as was the tour it self.
Africa is like the garden of Eden with it's beautiful sunsets, animals you've never seen before, the way a leopard moves, a giraffe at sunset sillouetted against the sky.
Edgetravel made my dream possible, and I'm going back again this October with Edgetravel.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip!!
Our family booked a tour of South Africa with Pembury Tours. We worked with Heidi who was absolutely fantastic to work with! We planned the trip over several months and Heidi suggested an itinerary for us that was perfect! She adjusted it along the way depending on our preferences. She clearly knows the area and accommodations. There was never a time when I emailed her with a question that she didn't get back to me right away. She couldn't have been more helpful!
We started in Cape Town at the Lawhill Apartments which was a great place to see Cape Town from. It was within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in the Marina. Heidi arranged all of our tours, transfers and intra-Africa air. Her suggestions for tours in Cape Town were perfect. We really enjoyed the day of wine tasting and the peninsula tour. Both are not to be missed. Everything was absolutely seamless.....top notch transfers, tours and air.
We stayed at 2 different safari lodges while in Sabi Sands. Kapama Karula was a stunning place....absolutely beautiful and the service was 5 star. We transferred to Sambambili Game lodge which was a small step below Kapama Karula in it's luxury but still a terrific place to stay.
All in all it was a terrific experience for us. We live in the US and it can be a little daunting to make decisions for a big trip like this through an agency that you aren't familiar with. I had read all the reviews for Pembury and felt pretty confident it would all be ok and it was. They did a fantastic job! Thank you, Heidi!!!
UA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Wonderful trip with Vuriva Complex and Safaris LTD.
This trip was one of a kind,with the most incredible hospitality.We were six of us on a week safari.
We visited Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro crater and Tarangire National park. All the arrangements were well organised,services were way better delivered than we expected.
We are actually planning the next visit in 2018 since we had so much fun and an amaizing time.We got to see all we hoped to see and many more,the staff members assigned were such proffessionals and very friendly.
All thanks to Vuriva complex and safaris LTD for their great services.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Couldn't have done it without Gail at Pembury Tours
I generally do not use any travel agencies or tour operators to plan trips because we kinda like figuring out things on our own where we can really experience different areas, but there is no way that we would have had such a successful trip without Gail's help. She was easy to work with from USA via email and made sure we were all set for our safari. Gail offered so much information that I would not have known (or been able to find online) to help us pick the best place for our trip. It was very easy and all set for us to have transportation to/from the airport and a perfect safari. She even asked if we have any special requests or dietary restrictions that she can inform the safari lodge (which I wouldnt have even thought about). I even researched the rates and found that it was about the same price whether I had Gail's help or not. Would definitely call them again if/when we return to South Africa. Thank you!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless organization of Once in a lifetime experience
Ute organized a fantastic 10 day trip for us - three 2-night stays in Botswana and a 4-day stay in Victoria Falls (including all the transfers). She came out as having best value (price over experience) when I requested quotes from 3 operators. She then worked with us to design customized experience that met our expectations and budget. She sent us very helpful information to help us best prepare for trip. I would recommend her gladly to anybody and would use her again if we traveled in same area.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tented 3day safari
We went on a 3 day tented safari with BMS and it was just great. We saw the big 5 and other amazing animals. Food was good and our guide Livingston had an excellent knowledge about the wildlife. Only the drive was quite long but you need to make small sacrifices if you want to see this beautiful peace of nature.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience. I'd rate it with 4.5 at least.
I booked with James on the same morning of departure, and everything we got in the safari was as he had previously explained to me. In the jeep we were 6 (plus driver and cook), and only some of us had booked thru Big Five Voyage, other travelers booked thru other companies and in the end we all got the same trip.
Both the cook and the driver/guide were very nice and professional, they deserved the tips (and probably a better salary!)
The first and only issue was a flat tire just an hour after departure, but it was quickly fixed in minutes.
To me, the only negative aspect would be the picnic lunches... Didn't enjoy them. The rest of the meals were good; I am a vegetarian and the cook always made sure that the veggie/rice/pasta portions were bigger, coz, you know what? In the end the vegetarian plates emptied faster than the meat dishes!
The overall experience was great. It is expensive for most travelers, especially budget/backpackers, but this exclusivity keeps those wonderful spaces wild, quiet and untouched. Enjoy the bargaining, too... Try to get a good price!
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience with Big Time Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania
Our experience with Big Time Safaris was simply extraordinary! We took a 9 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania and also a daytrip to Amboseli and couldn't be happier we chose them! We were well taken care of since the moment we arrived in Nairobi until the moment we left.
Everything went smoothly and according to the itinerary. The guides were punctual, kind, very knowledgeable and they made it their priority that we saw as many animals as possible; always trying to get us close to them and always looking for the best angles for pictures. John , our guide in Tanzania, was exceptionally good. He was amazing tracing the animals -thanks to him we saw the big 5- but he was also fun to talk to. We learned so much about the Masai and the wildlife in general thanks to him.
The accommodations and the food provided were both good and just as promised. Special food requests are accommodated without a problem.
If you have the opportunity to visit a Masai village, do not skip it. It's really a memorable experience. Just make sure you bring some goodies for the kids (they love candies and coloring books for example) and a little money so you can buy some of the beautiful things the Masai women make and sell over there.
Special thanks to the lovely Martha, for impeccably preparing and coordinating our whole safari to the smallest detail, and for kindly answering all of my questions and attending every request I had. Since the first time I e-mailed her she stayed in touch and within reach, even while we were on the safari, which we really appreciated.
Thanks to Geoffrey as well, who drove us within Nairobi and was always so friendly and kind to us.
I can't praise the Big Time Safaris team enough for the once in a lifetime experience they gave us. It was simply incredible!