Kings Pool Camp - fit for a Queen!
We booked our safari through Ker & Downey and we have been super impressed with the most perfect trip! We travelled to Botswana Linyanti region and stayed at the extraordinary Kings Pool Camp. It truly felt like an exclusive game viewing experience in absolute luxury. The staff were 5* and made us feel immediately at home. Biggest tip is spending a sunrise or sunset in their incredibly picturesque pool. Food matched the incredible surroundings and one of the most magical places we have ever stayed. Really wish we there still!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A truly wonderful experience for a family holiday.
Phinda is rich in some wildlife- rhino, cheetah for instance we saw in abundance and these are both animals that are often difficult to view, but other animals proved more elusive to us, the drought at the time we were there had moved elephants further north so we saw very few. On the whole we saw a good range of wildlife and the rangers and trackers always got us close to them. Accommodation was luxurious with great attention to detail. Food was abundant and delicious. Service from all staff was first class, friendly, hospitable without being intrusive. I particularly like the ethics of this company, their commitment to conservation is evident and they also do a great job to support their zulu comunity which meant staff were happy which means guests are happy.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
13 Day Tour of Zimbabwe - a wonderful experience!
My husband and I have just done this tour and we had a wonderful time. There were four in total in our group plus the driver, Mr Gombe. The itinerary was very good - we really enjoyed visiting the school at Old Mutare Mission, the gardens at Seldom Seen in the Bvumba (with the infectiously enthusiastic Bulawesi to guide us!), and the tour of Serengeti 5 organic farm and ecotourist facility. We also had a very interesting visit to a tobacco farm. Our tour then travelled across the country to take in Great Zimbabwe, Matobo and Hwange before ending at Vic Falls. We all felt that our driver, Mr Gombe, did a fantastic job if getting us from one stop to the next on time but very safely, and he was the perfect driver - kind, thoughtful, funny and very patient with the various foibles of four foreigners! He was a star! We recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience the vitality and optimism of the Zimbabwean people, and the beautiful country as well.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream vacation...!
They said this is the trip of a lifetime...and thanks to the group at Ker and Downey it was...! Went to celebrate a 60th birthday and they designed the trip just for us...! Safari in Shamwari...saw all the Big Five along with many others including a white rhino...rode an elephant in Knysna ....did a shark dive in Gaansai Bay...and topped it all off with a wine and champagne tasting tour in the spectacular Franshook Valley....along with some memorable moments in Capetown...all thanks to Ker and Downey...and we especially liked the fact that they are there in Capetown...my son and his wife spent their honeymoon last September on a trip unique to what they wanted to do designed and executed by Ker and Downey as a result of our successful experience...! You'll be rewarded with a sense of comfort and satisfaction if you work with this company. They exceeded our expectations in communications, customer service and making this a trip of a lifetime...!
US
Kenia Budget expertise was great went to Maasai Mara, Serengeti the wildlife was excellent
A++++great tour guide I can recommend for everybody was more than excepted shall be surely return.went to Maasai Mara to Serengeti it was epic experience.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience, welcoming and helpful staff
My boyfriend and I went for a 5-day safari including Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire Park. The experience provided by Meru Treks exceeded our expectations. The manager Ibrahim suggested a very good itinerary, was very well informed and helpful. He picked us up when we arrive in Arusha and took care of our accommodation after the safari.
Our guides were very nice and approachable. Although they have been driving in the parks so many times, they still understand the first timer excitement. Thanks to them we were able to enjoy the wilderness to the fullest. The chefs were excellent as well. I have few dietary requirements and although it is not particularly easy to cook in the bush, they made sure everyone's need was met.
Regarding the flat tires that somebody mentioned in his/her review, every safari group I saw on the way face the issue. Most of the time it was our guys who were helping the others. People are friendly and safari is not meant to be a highway drive. It is bumpy, wild and full of awaiting adventures.
Meru Treks highly recommended!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable Experience with Ker & Downey Africa
We used Ker & Downey as our agent to plan our honeymoon in Africa based on the recommendation of a number of friends and they did not disappoint! They planned a 10 day itinerary exactly to our liking that had us in Cape Town, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the balance being coastal relaxation in Mauritius. Our travel coordinator planned every aspect of the trip, all the way down to dinner recommendations/reservations and all our transfers so that we able to enjoy the trip to it's fullest without being concerned with minor details. We had the trip of a lifetime and I can honestly say it would not have been possible without the expert team at Ker & Downey.
MX
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I got much more than I asked for…lucky me.
For my long awaited first African Safari, I wanted a custom, private tour, Guides knowledgeable in flora, fauna (especially birds), customs, history and geology and luxurious tented camp facilities.
Friends who had visited Africa on many occasions recommend Ecological Wilderness Adventures. They could not have been more right! Applause, bows and cheers to Ecological; experts in flora & fauna, knowledge, service, gracious upbeat attitudes, excellent equipment and comfort. I got much more than I asked for…lucky me.
To locate animals, Brian and his Guides relied on ‘reading’ the animal signs, in depth knowledge of the habitat and familiarity with the maze of back roads and water holes, past experience. These chaps know their stuff! They would willingly spend the entire day seeking unique safari experiences from a pack of wild dogs (very rare to find in Tanzania) to a full hyena den and all the species between. Brian’s ‘normal’ was to be the only safari vehicle in the area reveling in the unique and full wonder of the animals.
(A surprise to learn that many of the ‘other’ tour companies rely on constant radio contact to locate the animals. Who knew? Radio contact is a jarring, invasion of distracting foreign noise and the radio ‘tips ‘mean that masses of Safari vehicles end up at the same location, together ogling the same animals. Not the experience I visualized.)
I will add that though it was not on my priority list, the camp food was simply fabulous! Creative, fresh, eclectic flavors; certainly another grand surprise from Team Brian.
What a joy top to bottom, beginning to end. The experience of a lifetime that I sought was granted because of team Ecological Wilderness Adventures. I cannot recommend them more highly. Oh by the way, beyond the Big 5 and endless other fantastic species, we identified 215 bird species. !!!!
DE
Best Guide, wonderful camp, great organisation
Personal contact, good recommendation. Will ask them next time again .
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amaxing and unforgettable trip of a lifetime.
With no one to compare to, this being my first safari, I can only say, I don't think other companies can beat Tanzania Choice Safaris. A family owned company that cares as much for their clients safety and experiences as their own family, can only be given a 5 star rating.
Because of the excellent communication I felt I knew these people before I arrived in Tanzania. This trip was beyond expectations. The intinirary was so carefully planned to include all my requests and some suggestions that I hadn't thought about, i.e. a balloon ride over the Serengeti, which should not be missed! Our guide Kakasii was excellent. His experience (more than 14 years as a guide) made this safari so much more than I had anticipated. I saw all the animals, and experienced the Migration of the wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River that many people missed. He always seemed to know just where we should be, at just the right time to experience an a cheetah and her cubs feasting on a recent kill, lions mating, crocodiles killing a wildebeest and so much more!
The accommodations planned were all very good, the food and service in the tent lodges was great. In a couple of overnight stays we were the only guests at that lodge so we really felt special.
While there are many safari companies out there and I saw many of them, Tanzania Choice Safaris was definitely the best choice for me, and I would highly recommend them.