US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well planned fantastic safari exceeding all of our expectations
Jessica at Dancing Safari's was fantastic to work with in planning our 4 week trip to Africa. My wife and I, along with another couple, have been trying to plan a trip to Africa for over 3 years. The 4 of us are all experienced travelers in our early to mid 70's who travel 4 to 5 months per year and have travelled extensively all over the world. In recent years we have done Antartica, Manchu Picchu, Galapagos, Brazil, Peru, Turkey, Europe and many other places and are not easily impressed. This trip exceeded all of our expectations and is now our #1 all time trip. We have traveled many times together and have never had problems planning a trip ourselves, however we found planning a trip to Africa to be very difficult on our own. First came trying to figure out: what countries to visit, then when to go (to both see the most, avoid bad weather and avoid the bugs), what types of camps to select, how long to spend at each safari camp, how to travel between camps and how to arrange the entire process with minimum wasted days. We tried working with several travel agents at agencies like AAA and other packaged tours advertising on travel sites like Travelzoo, and other companies packaging small tour groups.
Over the past two years we went to the Los Angeles Travel Show where we conferred with various tour operators. Finally we met Jessica at her both in early 2018. We also met with several other tour operators. After exchanging emails with several of these safari tour operators it was clear that Jessica was both the most responsive and knowledgeable and really worked at understanding what we wanted. Whereas other operators tried to steer us towards their own product Jessica worked at finding something that met our desired experience and budget. Although we wound up spending more that we originally budgeted, we had a truly unforgettable experience.
We selected a trip which included 8 days in Tanzania, 8 days in Kenya, 4 days in Botswana, 2 days in Zimbabwe, and 6 days in Cape Town (our friends didn't join the last 8 days). This length trip required extensive coordination amongst over 10 different lodges and arranging both the the air transportation and all the ground transfers. This included over 22 flights. During the planning stage Jessica provided frequent updates and was meticulous in ensuring that everything was planned correctly. The result was a seamless trip where everything went exactly as planned. We were met at every airport with staff who were always on-time and waiting for us. Luggage was handled for us. Unlike other tours planned by organizations like Tauck and Micato, we had a private tour for the four of us (not on first part in Tanzania where we had 4 others on the private charter airplane, but for Kenya we had the whole airplane to ourselves). Our safari tour vehicles were Toyota Land Cruisers or Land Rovers. Although most operators we saw operating out to the same lodges packed their vehicles with 6 to 9 people, we never had more than the 4 of us. The lodges we stayed at in Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana were all 5* quality. The food, service and staff were outstanding.
The safaris were incredible. By the end of the second day we had seen all the big 5 and so much more. Each new camp kept building on the experience.Out game drive guides were extremely knowledgeable and very accommodating. We were worried that spending over 3 weeks on safari would be too much and repetitive. Not so. Each location was unique and memorable.
As for cost, although it was a very expensive trip, when we compared what we paid with others who went on similar itineraries (Tauck and Micato) , we paid considerably less and got a lot more. Overall we would give Jessica and Dancing Zebra our highest recommendation. Although we went high-end I am sure Jessica would also do a great job for those wanting a lower budget trip.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I had such a fun and memorabl experience!
They are highly responsive, service delivery is on point and the animals in the parks are so beautiful!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly and exceptional service
I was met by the owner Mary Kalikawe at Daresalaam airport where my team and I spent the first 2 days. She personally flew with us to Bukoba where we had a memorable cultural immersion tour I will remember for a lifetime! Lake Victoria has the best vies and the cleanest sand beach in the Maruku area.
I loved the warmth of the people in Bukoba, My team loved everything and will definitely plan a trip back soon!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Trip Was Perfect.
Tongesai was so helpful the entire time we were planning our trip so we had high expectations and he even exceeded those. He planned out every day for us perfectly and was very timely and professional the entire time.
He was able to set up our safari, tour of the falls and tour of the devil's pool so everything was set up for us when we got there. We stayed in Zambia and he was able to provide us with seamless transfers across the border multiple times per day.
We were so impressed and highly recommend Cultural Vibes!
CA
Dirty tent. Vehicle breakdowns. Terrible ending.
I went on a 5-day safari with Bobby Tours. Price was comparable. It's run by Bobby's son Kassim who appeared nice at first but turned out to be an arrogant pr*ck. The tent isn't the canvas ones like the other outfitters. It's a big "Costco" one with holes and has that bad old tent smell. Their main campsite is run down and only one shower works and it's pretty bug infested (though I find that interesting). The vehicle broke down several times too. Anyway, we finished the 5 day safari early because Lake Manyara is an easy 2 hours on the way back. I asked Kassim if we could do a day trip to see Kilimanjaro in a car on the 5th day instead, paying for the extra fuel costs. Instead of politely declining or offering an arrangement at an extra price, he just YELLED (RAGED) at my girlfriend and I on the phone. I asked him if there was a bus to Moshi, only an hour away. He then told me he didn't know - ironic since he's a tour agent that advertises Kilimanjaro treks - and that getting there would cost $100 in a taxi of van one way. Fortunately, my Airbnb host saved the day and took us to Moshi for free, and I hopped on a bus back for $2. In short, Kassim ruined our trip of a lifetime. Once he gets your money, you're useless to him. Don't give business to this entitled brat and avoid Bobby Tours.
I went on a 5-day safari with Bobby Tours. Price was comparable to others. It's run by Bobby's son Kassim who appeared nice at first but turned out to be an arrogant pr*ck. The tent isn't the canvas ones like the other outfitters. It's a big "Costco" one with holes and has that bad old tent smell. Their main campsite is run down and only one shower works and it's pretty bug infested (though I find that interesting).
The vehicle broke down several times too. Anyway, we finished the 5 day safari early because Lake Manyara was an easy 2 hours on the way back (probably worth skipping if you're going to Serengeti). I asked Kassim if we could do a day trip to see Kilimanjaro in a car on the 5th day instead, paying for the extra fuel costs. Instead of politely declining or offering an arrangement at an extra price, he just YELLED (RAGED) at my girlfriend and I on the phone.
I then asked Kassim if there was a bus to Moshi, only an hour away. He then told me he didn't know - ironic since he's a tour agent that advertises Kilimanjaro treks - and that getting there would cost $100 in a taxi of van one way. Fortunately, my Airbnb host saved the day and took us to Moshi for free, and I hopped on a bus back for only $2.
In short, Kassim ruined our trip of a lifetime. Once he gets your money, you're useless to him. Don't give business to this entitled brat and avoid Bobby Tours.
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most peaceful place to visit and the fascinanting that I had been in my life
Fortunately exceeded our expectations, the wildlife is amazing, see every animal in the nature is beautiful.
The weather was good, we have sunny days and rainy as well, the recommendations about the clothing provided by the website was perfect. The food was excellent, our congratulations for the kitchen staff, we enjoyed every meal at the Safari.
Tremisana Lodge is better than the Treehouse lodge, due to the cabins are more comfortable than threehouse but anyway are fine we think the bathroom of the treehouse is an item to improve.
The transportation was good, the drivers as well. All the guides and the Staff at the logdes was excellent. Everybody was always available to help us or anybody else, we felt really good, everybody was kind to all the people at the lodges, great work from them is the best hightlight of the Safari due to they make you feel comfortable all the time, and is what makes special the place and your experience at the Safari, my congratulations to all of them, keep working in that way!
brilliant trip
Amazing wildlife & people. Our safari was budget but very good value for money
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Appalling service
4 Day budget camping safari. Ok I must say our desire to visit Ngorongoro has been fulfilled, We have seen the big 5. But not thanks to Bobby tours, Its a magical place and getting there is all you need.
We are hardcore backpackers and not fuzzy at all. We have traveled around Africa quite extensively using some really bad and uncomfortable buses.
Our safari trip was actually kind of treat as we were not relying on Public transport.
The car came to pick us up from our lodge in Arusha, First impression is that the car was quite old which again it was ok with us as It was a treat compare to what we had before. But so we thought!
First game drive and everything was fine, lots of Elephants at Lake Manyara NP.
We were told that we will visit a Masai Village inside Ngorongoro Area and will cost us 20USD when we booked the tour. Our driver claiming that we were short on time suggested we should visit a Masai Village near lake Manyara NP which was also near our first camp site. We agreed to do that but we were asked to pay 50USD instead which seemed that it was including a commission to whoever was taking us there and we were not impressed by the village at all as it seemed like a tourist trap. By that time we gave all of our cash we had on us as who needs cash in the bush anyway.
The camping site was in a nice forest area. However the tent we were given had a broken zip and lots of holes. It could not close properly but again as naive were we did not mind much. The camping site was fenced and other than few harmless monkeys they were no big animals around.
The second day we proceeded to Serengeti National park. A long dirt track driving! Here I realise how bad idea was to ride an old worn car. Dust was unbearable. There was no escape from it as it was simply coming inside the car because the roof could not seal properly. I discovered that the plastic that seals the roof was worn and almost totally gone. There was simply no way to keep the dust out. We had to endure hours of driving with hazardous dust which basically went everywhere on our clothes, cameras, phones you name it.
When we arrived at our Serengeti Camp we found out from other people on similar tours with us from other companies that they simply closed the windows and had no dust at all.
The night was really scary. Our faulty tent could easily let a Hyena to get inside our tent as the Camp was not fenced and wild animals where actually freely roaming around our tent.
After we finished with Serengeti and on our final night after a filthy dusty day again the tent was useless against cold weather as our last camp was high up on the Crater Rim of Ngorongoro.
ThereThereThe last day just before were dropped back to our lodge we had to drop our Chef first who was making our meals through the tour. We were asked to give some tips and we kindly gave him around 3-4USD as much as we had on us as were in the bush for few days. Our driver went furious saying that the guy was crying because he went home with out making any money as he was relying on tips and we should give him a minimum of 10USD which was what you must give to the Chef. The same story followed when were dropped back tour our lodge, the same story for the stupid tourists and that we must give 20USD of tips to the driver. We had paid our tour in full well in Advance and a Price tag on tips made us to feel really stupid.
We found out later from some other local guides there that they are actually getting a decent salary for African Standards and they should never asked us that question.
After we came back home I send an email explaining the situation to their office but they never got back to us
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Adventure made easy with Speke Uganda Holidays
This was our second time using Speke Uganda Holidays and once again they did not disappoint. We typically don't use tour operators when we travel, except when doing wildlife/safari tours. But we were greeted at the airport by our guide and he made sure we had everything we needed from that point until our tour was complete. The safari tour was fantastic and we learned a lot about the culture and history of Uganda from Husein. He anticipated our needs and stopped along the way to pick up local delicacies for us to try - fruits, grasshoppers, etc. And the accommodations selected by Speke were top-notch. We fell in love with the country on this trip. We'd recommend the company to anyone traveling to Uganda.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trustworthy and reliable safari operator
We chose Top Cream Tours and Safaris because we had best communication with them at the stage of planning and cost estimation. They provided us with all information by email almost
immediately. We could choose the National Parks we wanted to visit and the standard of accomodation.
The rest was very simple – everything was just as we set in plan.
Friendly and fluently English speaking driver – Mr David – was patiently waiting for us at the airport. All hotels and nature attraction were exactly according to our plan.
We saw amazing landscapes and animals of Amboseli, Nakuru, Elementaita and Masai Mara. We had great fun at Nyeri River rafting. Mr David drove almost 2000 km always having for us good mood and patiens for our questions. Only rhinoceros kept long distance from us so we couldn’t look into their eyes – naughty rhinos!
On the way to following Parks, cars always stops at souvenirs shops witch are actually 3-5 times more expensive than regular shops in Nairobi or Mombasa, however you are not obligated to buy absolutely anything and there are clean free toilets. So let them stop there!
We spent one week on the safari and all got healthy and happy back home.
We are very contented with service of Top Cream Tours and Safaris and we highly reccomend it.
