US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip.
I went on a camping safari which Safari Star Tours (SST) arranged for me. Roger from SST, was helpful and informative when planning the trip. Our guide and cook were superb! It met my expectations and then some!
DE
Unforgettable Experience in my life so far
The services were excellent. I loved all the staff of venture Africa. Your hospitality is wonderful. Kenya is a beautiful country
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Africa Adventure - Triple A Rating!!!
This adventure was our first to Africa - and it certainly will not be our last. Our accommodation was first class and the food was simply delightful (we all put on a few kilos :)). We were impressed with the hospitality of all our hosts and receptionists.
Our tour guides with Ilios Travel were just the best. We'd like to put a big plug in for Walter: prompt, courteous, caring, informative and, a lot of laughs. The guides who took us on the one day excursions - including the National Parks - were all delightful and informative. We'd like to compliment Megan who handled the situation extremely competently when, on three separate occasions, we were charged by bull elephants. I'd do that again coz it was nature at its raw best. Our guides ensured that we were well catered for at all the attractions and their professionalism coupled with their sense of humour ensured that we had "the best of times at all times!"
We wanted an excursion that combined excursions into nature, a taste of some of the local cultures and, a feel for the complex history of the Rainbow Nation. We got all of this and more. Our tour began with a half day in the Apartheid Museum and a half day through Soweto (we could easily have had a full day for each) and ended with two relaxing days at Victoria Falls. These were two great bookends for our Awesome Africa Adventure which included some historic stops on our way to Swaziland, breathtaking glimpses of magnificent landscapes and, exhilarating encounters with "the big five" in the Kruger National Park and again in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in Zululand. Our drive from Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) through the Garden Route to Capetown was dotted with memorable stops at the Cango Caves, Oudsthoorn, Knysna and Stellenbosch. We just loved being blown off the southern-most tip of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope. Of course, we encountered the shadow of all humanity in our visit to Robben Island. Our visit through the Langa Township in Capetown helped us to appreciate our good fortune as Aussies!
Encompass Africa kept track of us from the moment we landed at Jo'burg. Their South African Representative helped us with a particularly difficult; she was respectful and attentive! Bravo!
We so enjoyed our tour we are planning our next excursion for '17
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
Thanks to Noah and his awesome team!! This trip was far beyond what we expected. From the accommodations to the guides, it was a great experience! I highly recommend Wildebeest Safaris.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arrangements were all completed as advertised, guides were knowledgeable and professional.
I was an attendee of the tour and not the planner, however, all arrangements were as advertised. Some of the distances were further in time than we expected, not an issue but should be more accurate. Many of the hotels did not take credit cards either due to web, electricity or knowledge base of employees.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
7 Day Kruger National Park Safari - tent camping
If you are here at this site reviewing "reviews", then you were just like us when we were doing our "homework" before decisions were made to invest in such an amazing experience. If you are wanting a simple, very enjoyable camping safari experience... LOOK NO FURTHER. Armadillo Overland Safari & Adventure Tours is owned and run by the owners, Chris and Nicky. Excellent communication from start to finish. They take great pride in their company and the service that they are providing to their guests, no detail was too small or too large.
We did a 7 day safari tour - tent camping, having stayed at one private resort camping site facility and three different SANS Park camping locations within Kruger National Park.
All the camping sites were well set up, having all amenities.. hot and cold running water with lit bathrooms and shower facilities, swimming pools too.. as we affectionately referred to: "glamping". The meals were very good, being cooked at the campsite after a fun day of safari driving. Chris is an amazing cook!!! Chris will be sure to discuss the options clearly with you about the various camping facilities.. as in our case, we chose a more rustic camping experience for our last night, it was awesome. Simply put... Chris is there for your experience.
And of course... Chris's specialized safari truck..."Truck Norris". You will not be disappointed with what this truck can do. It sits much higher in elevation than most other vehicles that are common within the park. And as a result, you have an unobstructed view when it truly matters. As you can imagine, when a pride of lions have been located, well it attracts many onlookers who are all jostling for position to get the best view. With Chris's truck, no problems, you will have the view you want. Not to mention, Chris does not shy away from driving his truck into all the locations and authorized off shoot roads that typically take you along the river beds where most wildlife is likely to be seen. To top it all off, Chris has an amazing amount of bush and wildlife knowledge, and he never grew tired of the unending questions being asked of him. We learned so much. It was an amazing trip, Thank you to Chris for making it so. Paul and Trena.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome! My experince was better than I had expected by 10 times. It exceeded my wildest dreams.
I had heard extreme stories about these kinds of trips, both good and bad. My experience on this adventure was first class. From the minute we met, it exceeded my expectations. Awesome!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Budget Safari
I had read mixed reviews about the service but after experiencing it for myself, I have to say, it's been great. First off, Martha, the company's rep, was VERY responsive. Not once did she not respond to my emails/questions. When I got there, there was someone waiting for me at the airport. The only snafu we experienced was the van broke down on our way to Masai Mara. However, within an hour, it was fixed. This is something that will happen so I can't fault them for it.
The driver on the entire safari was great... he was also very responsive and knew what he was talking about.
The cost was very reasonable for a budget traveler too, was def. within my budget.
They are also giving me a ride to the airport tonight and again, were very professional throughout the whole experience.
Thanks again for an awesome experience. Will def. recommend to others coming to Kenya.
Asanti!!!
Tony
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
an unforgettable experience. highly reccomended.
The decision in choosing the right operator was an easy one. When compiling quotes prior to our trip I found Alphonce very responsive, accomodating, and always willing to go out of his way in meeting our requirements. Communication with him was very informative and all our questions were duly answered giving us peace of mind ahead of our trip. We had commited to a 6 day Kilimanjaro tour on the Machame route. Understanderbly we were nervous having never visited these parts of Africa or had much experience in treking, but with the meticulous planning and seemingly smooth logistics we found ourselves very relaxed and optimistic about the journey ahead. The Climb itself was tough, but the guides we had were great, you spend a lot of time with them throughout the trek. Their insightful knoweledge and motivation help a great deal in accomplishing the task. They really encourage every step of the way and promote a great level of morale from the outset. The porters too are fantastic and you really appreaciate the job they do in what most people would regard as very challenging conditions. The accomodation was basic but more than adequate, before and after the climb. Throughout the trip there was no shortage of food and water, which was of a good standard, we were looked after very well right up until the transfer back to the airport. All in all with the help of Alphonce and Abakombe Tours we were able to achieve our goal. I would have no hesiation in reccomended their services.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Susan completely took all the stress and complications of planning a holiday away from us.
The trip was fantastic. Everything ran incredibly smoothly and was very well organised. Once the trip began and we were met at the airport with our detailed itinerary and vouchers and we were never left wondering what was going to happen next. The choice of accommodations were outstanding and we had wonderful experiences at each and every hotel/lodge that we stayed at.
Thank you Susan for planning such a wonderful holiday.