50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travelling is not being alone, but shared with people as passionate about travel too
Please read until the end, this guy will either become part of your experience or step outside so you have a unique experience. I feel I have to start by apologising to everyone who has looked for a Guide in South Africa to help plan a holiday of a lifetime-especially if you have chosen someone other than Matthew Grace of TheAfricanSafariGuru in the past 2 weeks, my apology stands. That’s how long it has taken me to come back to reality following a holiday involving Matt and TheAfricanSafariGuru. Another saying (in the UK) is to follow your ‘gut’ feeling. That’s what we did in booking this excellent guy, it’s been 2 weeks of still living the experience, so these comments are as fresh as though they happened yesterday. With holidays of a lifetime one can spend a fortune or be restricted to a budget (like us). Whichever way Matt’s input of experiences, contacts, knowledge of his native land and sheer personality are worth every penny, dollar rand or whatever currency you live with.
To start with Matt keeps in regular contact with you throughout the booking, whether like us you contact him months in advance or a shorter time scale. He always takes your ideas/requests/wishes into account alongside offering great ideas himself. If you’re not sure what you want, with his variety of suggestions between you, you soon develop a plan. Matt dedicates himself to that personal special service we all look for in a creative relationship.
TheAfricanSafariGuru helped with suggesting flights to fit in with our schedule’s, offered suggestions on where to stay at each point of our journey and listened to our own preferences. Take Cape Town, we looked at Matt’s suggestions of places to stay, of which he had carefully chosen of varying kinds. He had chosen hotel’s on the V & A Waterfront, self-catering apartments along the beaches, small beach hotels and Guest Houses. We also did our research and came up with our options. Matt took time to check on reviews of these places, recommending through his findings. We stayed in a guest house chosen by us, Matt took care of transport to and from the airport. He professionally respected we wanted this time on our own, contacting us only at times of priority.
A similar situation happened in choosing the Safari, now this is well in Matt’s zone. We looked around too, choosing a smaller National Park. Matt once again arranged everything, from airport pick up, Lodges to stay were recommended by him, he also offered suggestions to add to our itinerary. Hence we went on an estuary cruise to see Hippo’s and Crocs, to visit a Zulu Reserve, a Cheetah project before heading to the Safari. Matt ensured that we would be safe, accompanying us on most days, divulging his vast knowledge of areas around.
Once at the Safari, Matt left us in their capable hands, having provided us with a detailed itinerary of our 4 days on safari.
Matt has opportunities to cover every pocket, he always delivers. A great example of this, is when my son got in touch with Matt to suggest and arrange a special birthday surprise from my family. My son knew he wanted a Hot Air Balloon experience, not knowing the logistics of it. Speaking with Matt, together a place was picked taking into account where we would be on our travelling holiday. It was superb. Not only was I proud of my family for personal reasons, but Matt excelled in not only keeping a secret, but also in executing in style a very important moment for me and the family.
Likewise, I asked him to arrange a horse riding experience, again although he had not had such a request in the particular area we were staying, he checked out Harties Horse Trials. Again, a fab choice for a wonderful experience, well beyond my expectations.
I truly believe Matthew Grace of TheAfricanSafariGuru can turn ideas and suggestions into excellent beyond experience adventures. Never mind 5 stars, this is beyond scoring, he is the tops for us.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ultimate bucket list trip - Amazing Safari with Amazing Memories
After receiving quotes from other safari operators, We decided to choose Amazing Memories Safari's and I am happy to say we wasn't disappointed. We did a 2 night/3 day safari staying at the Keekorok Lodge which was a fantastic Hotel inside the Mara. We were picked up from our hotel in Nairobi by our driver/guide Dan who was very knowledgable and knew the best places to spot the big 5. We were also lucky enough to see a Cheetah hunt and kill an Impala right in front of our eyes. We also decided to include an early morning Hot Air Ballon ride over the park which was incredible. We even managed to fit in a trip to Lake Navaisha on the final day back to Nairobi. Anne impressed with her efficiency and made the whole booking process very easy, from first contact through to payment. I can highly recommend Amazing Memories Safaris.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good company to work with
Communication was excellent
Van needs a bit of maintenance
Driver/guide Bonifacio was excellent always trying his best to please
Unfortunately April is not the best month for a safari as the grass is very long and difficult to see the animals but Bonifacio managed to find them
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great. Never disappoints.
They plan your holiday as you instruct them to do.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
800$ gone.
In January 2017 I paid 800$ for a Safari, I didn't even go to.
David guaranteed me, personally/on the phone and via Email, that I would receive my refund 100% via Paypal.
Still haven't seen my money.
Parents d $800 for 8 tickets cost of which Are $33 each
Do not use this agent. Please google all bad reviews. He over charged us for tickets and three weeks later had still not purchased them. We told him we needed copies of tickets when we flew into Dar to price we had an exit. He said his Pay pal account was in dr so had no money and was trying the get it from other sources. Totally unprofessional.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly arranged safari to Samburu, giving me the adventure I always dreamed about
Lorna Safaris provided me with detailed and correct information regarding different options for my safari when I first contacted them. They always replied to my many inquiries via mail promptly, making me feel that they were seriously interested in giving me the safari I was looking for. They also continously updated me when they had to make minor changes in terms of the route and lodging. Lorna Safaris arranged my whole stay in Kenya (1 week at Diani beach, 3 days in Nairobi and a 4day safari to Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru national park and Samburu/Buffalo Springs/Shaba national reserve) and all parts of the arrangement worked perfectly: transfers to my hotels, the choice of hotels, the driver/guide in Nairobi and during my safari etc. I was especially impressed by the fact that everything was so well prepared and organized. The time allocated for travel on the road, game-driving in the parks, relaxing at the hotel etc. was very well balanced. Lorna Safaris even made sure that there was enough time and flexibility for me to do and see what I wanted. For example, when I wanted to see a bit of the landscape outside of Samburu national reserve, the driver/guide happily made room for that. And when passing a river during that detour, we saw that a camel herder was watering his many camels. The driver then made a stop and arranged so that we could talk to the herder and I was even offered fresh camel milk! In my case, I was not looking for the cheapest Safari option possible, but rather a special experience for a reasonable price. And Lorna Safaris really lived up to that expectation!
US
Simba Africa Expeditions delivered as advertised - a clean, safe, enjoyable and memorable experience
We traveled on the two-day chimpanzee tracking tour in Rwanda. Simba Africa Expeditions was very responsive, communicated clearly and effectively, and were very helpful in ensuring that our booking was complete. The accommodations near Nyungwe were absolutely wonderful on the top of a hill with great views and good food, although the timing of the tour didn't allow us much opportunity to enjoy the hotel. The chimpanzee tracking was very fun and the scenery was beautiful. The food stop for lunch on both days was not very good. This is the area where they can improve the most.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing tours combined with excellent service
I had booked both gorilla trekking and climbing the volcano, and can recommend both of these once in a lifetime experiences. The tours were professionally organized, I received clear and detailed offers and from the beginning Adili, Ubuntu's founder, was available to answer all the questions I had. Crossing the border from Rwanda and on Congo's side all arrangements were done so that I felt that I was being taken care of and in many cases Adili was personally guiding me between the two treks. The tour guide Roger is very knowledgeable and speaks perfect English, which is a great plus as many have stronger French. The both tours exceeded my expectations and are just something that you have to experience yourself as you can't describe the feeling when you have walked in a forest and then suddenly two young gorillas appear but continue their play, or having climbed up the volcano the whole day and then reaching the top to find a sizzling and foggy view straight from the Lord of the Rings movies.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Eastern Vacations organised our company retreat to Diani South Coast. They are friendly efficient.
Oh , they are the very best. Our trip was flawless. Somehow they are able to think about everything in advance. I highly recommend them.
