35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and Personable operators, compass are Fantastic!
It is no wonder that Darren and Kate have so many 5 star reviews. After contacting 4 tour operators, compass Odyssey stood out from the others by a mile. They were prompt, professional, and personable, and I could tell that they genuinely got a kick out of organising safari's and making sure their clients have a great trip.
My trip from Johannessburg to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana was planned to perfection and I didn't need to worry about a thing. The guides and lodges selected by Compass were amazing and their local knowledge was invaluable.
Following my safari, Darren stayed in touch with me during my remaining 2 weeks in Africa and offered me great advice on locations for me to see, and contacts of his for places for me to stay, the service offered by compass went far and beyond my expectations. These guys really are the best.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari in Krüger Park - what a great experience
We were taken excellent care during our safari in Krüger Park in January 2017 - from first meeting at airport in Johannesburg till return at same spot! Adrian and Lunghi were great guides with enormous competence, wonderful chefs and good company. They took care of exactly everything so that we could enjoy of our safari for 100 %. Booking, arrangements, accommodation etc were professionally organized by Thale. We are so happy that we chose Wild Planet Safari and recommend it warmly! And all Scandinavians: Thale är norska!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly local operator, excellent itineraries
Regional (Maturaf) is based in Zanzibar and they use a trusted selection of guides and lodges for the safaris. We only used them to put together a safari package for us but they can also arrange travel and accommodation in Zanzibar. The safari itself was excellent - our guide Emmanuel was knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and took good care of us. Regional uses lodges from the Tanganyika Wilderness Camps group which were all beautiful venues, highly recommended! Communication is generally good but at times they are slow in responding, best way to get in touch seems to be via Skype. Maturaf was very helpful when we had a problem with picking up our ferry tickets in Zanzibar and went out of his way to deliver them to us in person, plus giving us a few useful local tips! Overall, you can rely on Regional for a fantastic safari experience.
CA
Uganda filming trip
I filmed in Uganda for 2 weeks in December of 2015. All of our needs from logistics, to guides, to accommodation were taken care of by the Silverback Travel Company staff. Our film production was a huge success due to all the small details that they took care of and the high level of professionalism they showed to ensure we had all the necessary resources to help our job run smoothly. Their guides were very knowledgable about the country itself, the wildlife and the culture. I would definitely recommend them for safaris and tourist activities as well as for professional services like film production and professional photographers.
SI
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Looking for a special East African safari?
Looking for a special East African safari?
Having been to East Africa before, we knew what we wanted to see and do. Hallmark Travel Planners had an existing program that could be modified to meet our desires. Working with Mr. Omondi via e-mail was pleasant and hassle-free and we did indeed experience the trip of a lifetime.
Hallmark Travel Planners utilizes experienced driver/guides knowledgeable in the wildlife, geography, people and cultures, of their respective areas. These guides treat you with consideration and respect and are anxious to ensure your safari is pleasant and fruitful. You want to stop in the middle of the road to take a picture and they will stop in the middle of the road while you get that perfect shot. You want to see a specific animal, they will find it for you, often “up close and personal”.
The accommodations selected for us ranged from an isolated tent camp to unbelievable African luxury with each location providing a unique atmosphere enhancing our safari experience. There were no bad choices, nothing second best. We thoroughly enjoyed each and every location.
We highly recommend Hallmark Travel Planners to anyone contemplating a trip to East Africa.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Customer service I've ever experienced!
Ben was terrific! It was easy to book and every detail was handled perfectly. We went on safari in Tanzania and then to Zanzibar for beach and relaxation. In between, I left my pillow at a hotel and Ben went and picked it up from the hotel and met us at the airport so I would have it for flights home. Who would go out of their way like that? Our safari guide was the best part of our trip. He was excited, and interesting. The "tent" on safari made me feel like I was Meryl Streep in out of Africa because it was so luxurious. If you are planning a trip to Africa and want a personalized, well organized trip look no further! Going with our children ages 14yrs and 17yrs, safety was important too and I felt like eTrip Africa took care of us!
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Murchison falls national park - 4 days
Everything is perfect. I was really impressed with Godwin who is our guide. He has always made a effort to make good experience for us.
Also, The staff of park side lodge were very kind, and food service was awesome. There were nothing to complain. I have so much enjoyed my trip with many animals, because od Godwin and your company.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an awesome experience!
Everything was great, i highly recommend axis africa safaris! The driver (Evans) was veey helpful, efficient and very great to spot the animals!
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent organisation
My wife and I had a really great time at our 3 day safari to Masai Mara. We had quite a few problems with our flight to Nairobi being cancelled, and Edwina put a really tremendous effort in accommodating all the changes that appeared as a result. Since our luggage has been misplaced by an airline company, she even took care and get it for us from the airport while we were at the safari. At the end, safari was organised perfectly and we saw almost all the possible animals that are to see in Masai Mara (even Leopard!). We stayed in a nice, clean camp, food that was prepared for us was also excellent.
I would also like to mention Tom, our driver, who was really kind and always in a good humor and is also very knowledgeable, not just about Masai Mara and animals but Kenya in general, which was a great plus for me.
I will definitely use this operator next time when I'm Kenya and would definitely recommend it to anyone.
MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Scam Tour Operator (works close with Arusha Police Department)
My wife and I were booked a 5 day Safari Tour with Felix Kisamo (owner of Unison Safari) from January 1 2017 to January 6 2017.
To everyone reading this reviews "Do not book Unison Safaris" for any reason, is a dangerous tour company runned by a man called Felix Kisamo who works close with the local police department of Arusha to get away with his scams.
He will offer very good prices and promise you the time of your life but once you book with him he starts a "game" of lies asking always for more money.
We were scared for our lives as he picked us up from the airport (he didn't had money even to pay for the gasoline of the car he was driving us with) he told us he had lost all of our money because he kept it at his office which he said was robbed, we demanded him to go straight to the police and the detained him and explained that he has been doing this type of scams for quite some time (the police told us he was not robbed) and that he is full of personal debts and is spending the turists money who book with him to pay them but by doing so he doesn't fulfill what he agrees with tourist as a tour operator (accomodation, guided, park fees, etc.). We spend a whole day at the police station as they tried to make him pay us all the money we had previously paid him (around $3,500 USD) and were only able to get $1,000 USD out of him (after he went with family members collecting money to pay us back), so we had to book with another tour operator having lost $2,500 USD.
We have nothing to gain by writing this other than helping future tourists from being scammed by Mr. Felix, we were also told that many positive reviews you see of him are part of the "scam" as he arranges with people to write them for him to lure more tourist to his scams.