20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
KWSS - 10 day safari - Amazing holiday!!!
We booked this around 8 months in advance of going on the trip. We looked around for various travel agencies and Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris Ltd came out the cheapest and had a huge number of very positive reviews on here. From the beginning, Otieno (the manager and owner of KWSS) was excellent. He replied very quickly to all our queries, always putting out minds at ease. The only regret we have was not paying it all in advance and getting the extra discount.
From the moment we arrived in Kenya, we were in constant communication with Otieno as our luggage didn't arrive (it went to Ethiopia for some reason). We left this with Otieno to sort out and he did. We were picked up from the airport and dropped off at our hotel and then picked up the following morning for the start of our safari trip.
The actual tour itself was amazing. From the moment we were picked up by Benson (or driver) everything was forgotten about with our luggage. Benson is a lovely man with a great deal of knowledge about birds and animals. He was so excited every time we saw any type of animal, be it a Rhino a Dik-Dik or a Zebra. This enthusiasm really made the trip for us. Benson was an extremely good and safe driver and we were never worried whilst being driven around. The car itself was very new and although we saw many other cars breaking down on a daily basis, due to the way Benson would drive the car, we were never worried this would happen to us.
We were on a trip with another couple and it worked out very well. There was plenty of room in the car for all of us and the bags were safe in the boot. Again, some of the other vans you see were very cramped and did not look comfortable at all. In terms of the accommodation we stayed at, it was excellent and as per the itinerary. We loved the hotels, some were very luxurious and others right in the parks, they were very varied and very comfortable. We slept well and don’t have a bad word about any of the accommodation.
The only thing I would advise KWSS and Otieno is to amend the itinerary as some of the drives from park to park were longer than advertised meaning we did less or more some days. The roads aren't brilliant and I'm sure the distances are correct, but the times calculated in the itinerary are not. This didn't mean that we missed out on anything as Benson would always be happy to go on additional game drives where possible and his knowledge of the parks meant that we had a much better chance to see all the animals.
If you’re thinking of a safari trip, but think this one’s too good to be true, it’s not. It is amazing and everything went smoothly for us. Everything was very well organised and we loved the whole trip. When we go back to Kenya, we will certainly be going with KWSS.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Self-drive trip thru Namibia
Unable to find a tour that fitted our desired itinerary and the time frame, I contacted several tourist agencies and among them the Cardboard Box Travel Shop. My initial inquiry was responded by Erika of Cardboard Box Travel Shop within hours, with a wide array of options not received from other companies. Erika was on top of each question I had and she provided invaluable advice pertaining to the driving distances and lodges. Simply, she provided answers and tips just about everything I asked and beyond. Our Vouchers for the lodges were delivered promptly to our hotel along with a road map of Namibia. The roads on the map were highlighted and each lodge and attraction was clearly indicated. In addition, the package contained a pre-paid telephone SIM card in case we experienced a mechanical break-down or other emergency. All lodges (as well as the Strand Hotel in Swakopmund) were outstanding. Also, I have to mention that we arrived at Kulala Desert Lodge later than anticipated and just before the Lodge attendant was preparing to send a vehicle with a crew to search nearby roads for possibly stranded tourists. If we are to travel again in Namibia, the Cardboard Box Travel Shop will be the only Travel agency we will contact.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderfull experience
We really enjoyed our safari. The contact with the company was very good, they answer every email in almost 10 minutes. We went for a rather low-budget safari, we got a very good price and the campsite (Panoramic view camping at lake manyara) was very cosy with a magnificent view over lake manyara national park. Lunch boxes are simple, but dinner was local and very tastefull. We saw a lot of animals and our guide Abraham had a very good knowledge about the wildlife and a sharp eye.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A boyhood dream come true.
Wow!! I have travelled a lot. This was one of my top 5. We saw everything, up close and often.
RAS do the boring things, like organise the trip, exceedingly well. Speedily and efficiently.
Our guide, Jaco, what a hero! He saved our trip and went the extra mile and kilometer to make it
as enjoyable as possible. His enthusiasm was infectious, his knowledge enlightening and his company, thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you Jaco, eat well!!
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized. Knowledgeable local guide. Enjoyed it
Let's put it this way - if i have another opportunity, i will use Go Safari again.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tony Kapolondo is a fraud
We had a horrible time with this tour operator. A friend and I booked with him for our first safari, planning to see Tanzania’s wildlife in mid-luxury lodges. We also paid him upfront for a hot air balloon tour over the Serengeti.
When we arrived, we were a bit surprised at the status of the car, as we expected a more modern vehicle. The next morning, we were told that we will not be staying in the lodges we planned to stay in according to our itinerary; instead he booked us sub-par lodges for less money, including a two night stay in a tented camp outside Serengeti instead of Serena and Lobo as we originally paid him. He also informed us that the hot air balloon, which we paid USD 550 each for, is not likely to happen. His excuse was that since we changed flights by arriving a day earlier (we informed him of the change 2.5 weeks before our departure, and paid him in full a week prior to that) then it made the accommodations and balloon tour very difficult. Prior to our departure, however, he told me that all the bookings for hotels are done, implying it was based on the original itinerary.
We later discovered that there were no bookings. The first place we were to stay in instead of Flamingo Lodge was not paid for and so we ended up staying in a tiny room with problems with hot water and wifi. Tony did not answer me when I asked him that night on the reason why our ‘big room’ was booked already, even though he supposedly confirmed the bookings beforehand. After that, we moved to Serengeti where Tony told us the tented camp we’d be staying in would be “luxury”. We ended up staying in a tent with no hot water, and no wifi, either. We had serious issues that day, as he told us one thing and gave us something completely opposite. We paid Tony good money expecting a service and accommodation based on what we agreed, but that has not been provided.
All his excuses turned out to be false. On the night before we were supposed to go to Rhino Lodge for Ngorongoro, the driver informed us that Tony told him we’re staying in Karatu, instead. He also told him that we’ll do a short drive in Ngorongoro on our way out of Serengeti stating that there is no availability in Rhino Lodge. At this point we were sick of his lies, so we contacted Rhino Lodge ourselves and found there’s a room available. We informed him of this, and lo and behold, Kapolondo miraculously ‘found’ availability and booked a room for us.
Before we move on to the rest of the tale, before our departure, my friend found a balloon company in Serengeti and contacted them regarding Kapolondo booking. We were informed that there’s no booking in that name. Tony told us he booked with a different company. At the time, we trusted him, unfortunately. When we arrived in Serengeti, we contacted the other balloon operator (there are only two), and they informed by phone and email that there are no booking under Kapolondo name. Tony told us, bizarrely, that he booked under a different name.
His lies continued and he wanted to charge us for the last night in Mvuli lodge, even though it was already included in the itinerary, and he tried to get out of arranging us transfers to the airport. After talking to him, he finally relented and agreed to give us what we already paid him to do. There was no booking, and he had to transfer money after we talked to him.
Tony decided not to hold himself to any of the agreed upon itinerary we paid him to do, and instead he wanted to keep our money to himself without regards to our agreement or the fact that we honored our part and paid him in full well in advance. He claimed he will provide copies of vouchers on the original itinerary, including the supposed balloon tour when we arrived in Arusha, but that turned out to be another lie as we didn’t even see him on our last day. He is a fraud and you should avoid him at all costs.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply the Best
First off, I did a lot of searching finding a place that would help me plan something with budget in mind, yet still quality. Look no further. Gavin is absolutely the best. He took the time to carefully put together a 2 week stay in southern Africa which included Victoria Falls, Chobe, Kruger and Capetown. He planned all of the hotels, activities, plane trips, transportation and of course the safari which is also run by Wild Wings. Simon was the safari guide, and you couldn't find somebody funnier, more knowledgeable, helpful and a great cook!! The other tour operators used by Wild Wings were top notch also. I highly recommend contacting Gavin and seeing what he can put together for you if you are planning a southern or central trip to Africa.
MX
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!!!!
Everything its amazing!!! we spend a lot of time with Big time's services, actually all our time in Africa… was with them, an awesome experience, all the drives, the cookers and the office guys was very very friendly with us.
All the time they had a lot of attentions with us and try to get us the best time there… actually they help us with personal stuffs!! Was our Kenyan family
Thanks big time!!! been honor of you name, was a Big time in this trip (safari) ;) see you soon!!!
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
kenya and tanzania august 2016
wonderful experience......excellent and professional drive/guide.......a fantastic safari in two paradise...
lodge and tendet camp.......fantastic....
thanks for all
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Personal & Highly Responsive Service
We booked a self drive touring trip to Malawi. Native Escapes designed a well balanced itinerary that perfectly matched our requirements - and were responsive to changes that we wanted to make after. Simon's attention to detail and rapid response times were brilliant - and all done in a caring and effective way. Everything worked really well and we had an awesome holiday that fully matched our hopes. The lodges were just what we wanted - varying from good to absolutely superb. I will use them again without hesitation for future Africa trips.