PE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I have been to several safaris in Africa and so far this one with AVS was the best.
Excellent. Everything was according to the program. Our guide, Farouk, was the best guide I have had in Africa. AVS (Farouk) has thought all the small detalles.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Safari!!
East africa exotic safaris organized an awesome safari for my family of 6 - for 6 nights. Raphael set us up with a great driver (Anthony) and a great route. The accommodations we stayed at were exactly what we were hoping for (very well reviewed "glamping" tented camps) and the itinerary suggested was very straight forward and inclusive of everything. The itinerary was also specific on exactly where we were staying rather than some companies quotes of ____resort___"or similar". Oh yeah - it was also about 1/2 the price of other quotes we received
Raphael was very adaptable to changes and great to work with via email.
Highly recommended!!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Daniella Dustin
The scenery was drop dead gorgeous however, there were too many cars in the crater and it made it look like a zoo.
US
Review about Tarangire National Park by Ronnie
We stayed at the Tarangire Safari Lodge--It was our favorite place to watch the animals at the river and around the tents. In addition the food was the best of all of the camps and lodges on our trip. The variety of animals as well as the trees made for interesting photography, One experience in particular deserves recognition. As we sat watching a lone of elephants cross the road, one suddenly turned and charged the vehicle and sunk both tusks into the grillwork. Our guide reacted immediately, powering into the elephant, thereby causing it to disengage. His expert actions surely avoided what might have been a disaster; we are deeply indebted to him.
US
Review about Serengeti National Park by Ronnie
It was here that we saw cheetahs, as well as lions hunting but our most memorable site was watching two giraffes boxing in slow motion with their heads! The Katikati Camp was very nice in all respects. Amusing having the elephant right outside our tent door and not an inconvenience that he broke the plumbing. I especially enjoyed seeing the hyena's eyes while being walked back from dinner.
Our final sunset in the Serengeti displayed extraordinary God's Rays. Many of the animals had already migrated so the numbers were down, but there was a variety and they were easy to spot with the low grass.
US
Lions right alongside the vehicle! What a thrill!
Ngorongoro Crater
The crater is an outstanding place to see lions, hippos, a rhino. A great day! We saw several prides of lions next to the vehicle!
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. Beautiful room and lodge. Loved the choir at dinner. The dinner and breakfast food was good - lunch was poor. Although there was a Snickers bar in my specially-prepared box lunch labeled "No Peanuts," it didn't contain much nutrition: chips, a cookie, a wedge of cheese food, a cracker, and a slice of meat. These "box lunches" were uniformly poor throughout the tripNgorongoro Crater
Oldupai Gorge was worth a stop.
Our stop at the Maasai village was embarrassing.
What a joke. It is obvious that the people don't want you there and are doing it for the money. When you come in to start your tour - the tribe guide introduced himself as the chief's son and limited or choice of trinkets for purchase to his family's alone. He steered us away from any of the other 20 or so displays. The tribe members look very unhappy and back in the schoolroom, little 3-5 year olds are sitting at desks with little workbooks – containing multiplication tables - in front of them. One little girl was crying. On the blackboard is the alphabet and numbers and after the children recite in English they request a donation. The only good thing was that I was able to take photos of the people
If you’re going to be in a safari vehicle day after day traveling on rough roads, with biting flies and massive amounts of dust, a pleasant Guide with expert driving skills is appreciated. In locating wildlife, a sharp-eyed Guide is essential. In learning about the wildlife, a knowledgable Guide is welcome. And in consistently placing the vehicle in the best position among an untold number of others, in order to get the best photograph, a skillful driver is mandatory. Samson was expert in all these things, plus he was accommodating and possessed fine sense of humor.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Super and Outstanding
I do not think I have to praise the northern national parks. Everyone is well aware of its beauty. I probably googled Tanzania for a month straight before I landed there and I must say a computer screen can not encompass the beauty.
Most people may praise the wildlife, but my review will praise the courteous people. We began our trip by flying into Nairobi and then into Kilimanjaro International Airport and we had lots of issues at the start of our trip in Kenya. But once we arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport our fate turned. Our guide was extremely friendly and knew exactly what he was doing. The people were all very friendly and offered to help us whenever we looked lost. During our safari, the guides, security guards, hotel receptionist, room service were all extremely helpful.
US
Review about Tanzania by Ronnie
Our trip to Tanzania was everything I had hoped f or and more. Since it was just my husband and myself in an individualized tour, we were able to stop and spend exactly the amount of time we wanted with each animal and we always had a good view. Besides the animals we learned about several of the different tribes. It was our morning with the Wahadzabi bushmen that really blew us away! We went on a hunt with them and watched them get stoned, dig up roots, cook and eat the roots, get stoned again and also shoot arrows. Besides knives, this group has no material things. They were a very happy group and their mood was contagious and the life was fascinating!
In all three tribes the young children had draining eyes, flies all over their faces, and lots of mucous from their nose. That was really difficult to see as an RN and a mother.
NG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Experience...Great Value...
Awesome...Awesome...Awesome, was hosting friends in Kenya who had attended my wedding, and we decided to do a safari. Had 'googled' and contacted quite a number of safari tour companies. From the 1st call to BBS there was a clear distinction..
- They were professionals, had a clear itinerary for the safari that fitted into the number of days we wanted and the budget...spot on..great value
- The tour drivers/guides were courteous & very knowledgeable, the camp was decent
I look forward to visiting again, hoping I catch the wildebeest migration in 2016
I've recommended 2 friends to BBS and they've all had positive reviews and comment.
CL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everybody should see Tanzania
Ours was a complex trip. We spent a few days in Zanzibar, continued with a Safari and ended in Bukoba, on the western shores of the Victoria lake where we had to be by a given date. It Started in Africa, our company of choice, provided support all along the trip helping with logistics, making hotels, camps and flight reservations and making sure we got from one place to the other on time, especially to Mwanza at the end of the Safari where we boarded a small plane to Bukoba. But the highlight of this adventure was the Safari itself, including Manyara, Ngorongoro and south and central Serengeti. The accommodations were great, but I suspect that at the end of the day it is the choice of the guides that is the most important component in a Safari. And both Freddy Isangya and Jackson Mbise are great professionals, providing linguistic help and knowing where to go, how to spot surprising places and animals, and finding something exciting every day. Thanks also to Joao for constant communications and helping us plan and coordinate the entire trip. Marcia and I returned to Chile with an understanding of Tanzania and its remarkable natural beauties, and even some basic Swahili. And of course thousands of pictures and videos of places and abundant fauna from lions to elephants to gazelles . It was better than we imagined. Highly recommended.