SA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the best trips I've had!
Although we decided to visit Uganda on a last minute basis, the trip worked out very well. Matoke Tours helped us make up for the last minute arrangements and bookings. We greatly enjoyed visiting the chimps (Kibale Forest), gorillas (Mutamba area), swimming and canoeing at lake Mutamba, and meeting so many friendly people along the way! I wouldn't recommend Queen Elizabeth Park (QEP) to anyone who has done a game drive in Tanzania or Kenya, as the wildlife in QEP is minimal and the savannah is quite bare.
I would recommend Matoke 100%! Make sure to rent one of their comfortable shuttles or 4x4 cars and enjoy the journey!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible
I've been lucky enough to travel with John twice now and loved both trips. First trip was from Victoria Falls down through Hwange National Park, Bulawayo and into Kruger National Park. Second trip was through Namibia across to Victoria Falls. John has this infectious love of Africa and its history. Every location we visited was because it had spectacular views or the ability to get up close for animal viewing. Absolutely incredible trip - I can't wait to go back. John is a great host full of stories and experiences and wouldnt travel to Africa without him there. John travels in small groups in air conditioned vehicles and knows his way around. Highlights for me were Africat in Namibia and Nehimba Lodge in Hwange National Park. Two spectacular locations for animal viewing.
US
Amazing African Sermon Safaris seven day safari
Just arrived back home from a 7 days trip in Kenya visiting Amboseli, Naivasha Lake, Nakuru and finally Masai Mara that was arranged by Daniel, African Sermon Safaris. It was a well-planned and coordinated safari. Everything was excellently planned to suit our requirement and price. Everything was delivered as promised and more so to our satisfaction. Ben was The Best guide any one can want to have. Very friendly, well-informed and experienced, he knew all the places in and out. He explained the day’s plan and activities before start of the safari and seemed very flexible with us. Lake Naivasha included remarkable sunset boat trip and walking and we were happy that we experienced walking alongside with Zebras, wildebeests, Giraffes and Gazelle.
Ben ensured that we saw all the Big Five, Hippos, crocodiles, hundreds of Birds and even much more than we had anticipated. Due to his safe, skillful driving and excellent network we could get a spot where we saw a pride of 12 Lions hunting, a great extent of what we often dreamed of after having watched NatGeo over several episodes. We were more surprised when Ben out of nowhere, located a lone tree where a Leopard was resting. Luckily, there were no other tourists or safari vehicles nearby and so spent over 30 minutes watching this Big Cat.
The tour was the most exciting vacation we had this far, and we thank Daniel and Ben for making it happen. We highly recommend African Sermon Safaris for your visit to Kenya!!! They are the an amazing company.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A different way to experience the magical Zambezi!
Overall our luxurious canoe experience down the Zambezi was brilliant! All the Natureway staff were extremely friendly and helpful and didn't miss a beat with such great attention to detail! We were so impressed with the professionalism and care shown by the guides when we canoed down the Zambezi as we were never put in a dangerous situation and got to truly enjoy the experience peacefully. Also, recognition must go the chef who constantly provided spectacular three course meals, cooking off his small wooden fire only – every meal was top notch! We were also lucky enough to spot a leopard in the middle of the day during our lunch break which just topped off the trip! I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone that enjoys the bush and would like a bit of adventure rowing down the Zambezi! All round a fun and memorable trip with the family!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
My wife and I just completed the most amazing trip to South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. This was in great part to the hard work of Gail Davis. Not only did Gail create an amazing itinerary that took us to Krugar Park, Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Chobe Park, but she also came to our rescue when we had a Passport issue in NYC on our way to South Africa.
I strongly recommend a trip to southern Africa, and would give the highest recommendation to Gail and Pembury Tours who are truly professional and take great care to schedule and unforgettable experience.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
The best experience ever. We were lucky enough to see a lot and found our rangers and tracker very competent
it is really called the Peal of Africa. if you need a fresh breath taking and good climate, Uganda
Uganda is really called the pearl of Africa. when it comes to weather or climate, it is really better. i had my honey moon in Uganda i went with Dauda as my guide from Augur tours and travel and i had my best honey moon trip and the best experience with Gorillas . need beautiful scenery and wildlife, just go to Kidepo Valley National Park, L. Bunyonyi and Murchison Falls National Park. if you need best tour company, just use Augur tours. visit them on www.augurtours.com or their email [email protected].
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent Trip and Superb Organization!
I booked a 10 day Uganda adventure through 'Experience Uganda' to include chimp trekking, safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 2 days or gorilla trekking. I had a personal guide for the whole trip who was attentive, knowledgeable, personable and fun! The accommodations were fantastic even on a mid level budget and the travel cruiser was comfortable, clean and had AC. From the moment I stepped off the plane in Uganda to my departing flight I was treated as a priority with this company and could not have asked for a more well organized and meticulously planned out adventure that included everything I requested at very reasonable price. I cannot recommend this company highly enough!! You will NOT be disappointed!!
IL
5 day safari experience
This is the first time for us to be on a safari trip. We slept the first 2 nights nights in the very basic, but comfortable shalet we had ordered in Skukuza, the "capital" of the Kruger National park. The crew took very well care of the group (about 20 people). The late breakfast (9 am. after the morning drive)and dinner (7.30 pm after the afternoon drive) were delicious. Before leaving Skukuza on the jeep at 6.30 am. we had just coffee and something small to eat.
Like for all partipants of our group, this was our first safari and we were fascinated each time we spotted an animal. The driver stopped each time someone called out which animal was there to see. He would explain about the animals lives and tell us interesting facts. Each time we encounterd an other jeep, the drivers would exchange information about which direction to drive to find certain animals, that we had not yet seen.
On the first day we started immediately after we arrived at 3 pm. with an afternoon ride till almost sun down.
We had been picked up from our hotel in Johannesburg at 7am. and were supposed to arrive in the Kruger national park at 2 pm. but we arrived 1 hour later.
We regret to have missed the "meet and greet" session, ment in the itinerary, for the start of our stay. Therefore we had no idea what we were going to do or where the different facilities were located. We could have used more general information and we felt a bit lost on the first day.
Altogether we had a wonderful time at the Kruger park and we saw and photographed many wild animals in their natural surroundings.
On the third day after breakfast we were picked up and driven to our next destination: Kapama private safari.
The luxury of the Southern Camp at Kapama was a complete surprise to us. We had no idea that such beautiful hotels do exist on safari grounds.
Except for the 5 stars accomodation and meals, also the drives on the open jeeps were more luxurious. For example, after 2 hours driving, the ranger stopped the car in a safe, open area and we were allowed to get off the jeep. A small table was set up with drinks and snacks and we could strech our legs for 10 minutes, walk around and enjoy the view from ground level, before continuing with the drive. After dark we continued for an hour and with a flash light we could see different animals, like hippos or an owl.
Besides those jeeps, no other cars are alowed to be driven through Kapama. The many driveways are unpaved and go criss-cross through the area. You can get closer to the animals than in the Kruger park, where you stay on the paved road and have to use more the binoculars. There we sometimes were waiting in line, like in the regular traffic, to get to a point where something interesting could be watched.
There has been a draught for over two years. The safari looks very dried out with not much green on the trees. It is hard to find grass and only under dry riverbeds there is some moist ground. An artificial lake is formed by a dam. Small lakes have dried up and when there is some water in a stream it is filled with islands that normally are covered with water.
It is easy to see what is going on from long distances through the dried bush without leaves. That is the only good thing about it. Piles of grass had been dumped on the dried out soil so the buffalos, zebra's, rhinos, etc. would not starve. The carnivores could take care of their own food since there are great numbers of small deer-like animals, who multiply fast.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A Good Camping Experience
The communication we had with Denver was excellent. He was always quick to respond to emails and provided accurate information. He had great knowledge of national parks and attractions in Zambia and provided good recommendations when requested. We had a great team for our camping trip: driver, cook and company representative. The latter was always very concerned for our safety and made sure to make our trip as comfortable as possible. The crew was very friendly and made us feel welcome. While on the trip, my husband developed an infection in his leg and the staff, concerned for his health, took us to the hospital where he was treated, upon our return to Lusaka. They stayed with us the whole time while he waited at the clinic. Members of the team did call us on several occasions to check up on him while we were in Zambia. I would make a few recommendations, however, It would be an improvement to have cots, as sleeping on the hard ground was hard on the back. Also, carry extra blankets as on some evenings it got chilly. Understandably, they already had a fully loaded van; they were talking about adding trailers to their fleet for added storage. One area of concern was security of our luggage and backpacks. We initially stored our things in the van, but then the driver had to leave for another engagement and we had to leave our things in our tent. Unfortunately, upon returning to Lusaka I found that my unopened bottle of Jack Daniels that I bought at the airport duty free shop was missing. When I told the representative, he was very apologetic; but still not a good way to end the trip for me. Overall, we were satisfied with our experience with Densafaris.