Exceeded expectations in every way
We recently completed a six-day safari with Elkan Safaris and rank it as one of the top experiences among all our travels. Following an initial email inquiry, company CEO Victor Godwin called us in the United States at his own expense to help us plan the trip. When we arrived in Arusha months later, Victor met us the evening before our safari to go over fine details and to arrange payment. We were hesitant to wire thousands of dollars from New York City without ever having met anyone from Elkan, but we really needn't have been. Business was always conducted with complete transparency and honesty, and in the end, Victor was accommodating, both of our desire to meet first and pay in person, and of several unforeseen date changes.
But the true substance of Elkan's ability to show us good time began when our private Land Cruiser pulled out of the hotel parking lot and headed west toward Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Our affable and charming guide, Julias , demonstrated encyclopedic knowledge of all plants, birds, and game we saw. In fact, I can't remember a single instance in which Julias didn't know what we were looking at. He seemed to have names and facts at the tip of his tongue at all times, and backed up his verbal seminars with reference material from various field guides he carried in the car with him. We appreciated his infectious enthusiasm and how excited he got whenever he spotted birds or animals he must have seen hundreds and hundreds of times. The truth is, the Serengeti is never the same two days in a row, and it probably never gets boring. We also enjoyed the many meals we shared together, the cultural exchanges, and learning about Tanzania from an open and good-hearted native who was eager to share his limitless love of animals, nature, and his country.
The quality of the tented camps Elkan selected for us was very high: comfortable, clean, private and luxurious with attentive staff and good food, given the remote locations. I recommend Elkan Safaris without any hesitations or criticisms. They go to great lengths to provide an exceptional safari Safaris, and I know that if you choose them, you will have as wonderful a time as we did!
Kenya Safari 2011
I had an excellent experience with Sureway Tours on my safari through the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Communication, coordination, and service were great and really added to the experience.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Exceptional Introduction To The African Continent
I had an absolutely fantastic time with Simon and my tour group both at Kruger National Park as well as en route. The service Simon and Wild Wings Safaris provides is exceptional. Thanks to Madi for recommending and acquiring great pre and post safari accommodation at Premier Hotel. Road transfers to and from Kruger were very comfortable and picturesque. Accommodation in Kruger National Park was also comfortable and very sufficient for our needs. The meals prepared by Simon were more than sufficient and of very good quality. It was a delight to be treated to something as exotic to my palate as ostrich! Simon and Robert are both exceptional guides whose knowledge of the park and the species indigenous therein are second to none. My (first) game viewing experience could not have been better! My main hope for the safari was to see the rhinoceros and I was treated to a rhino sighting almost daily including both white, and the more rare black, rhino. Simon informed me and my travel companions that we were very fortunate to see African wild dogs on only our second day of safari as they are very rare to see, especially in packs as large as that which we saw. Regretfully, the only animal we did not see this time around was the elusive cheetah. So, it looks like I will have to (gladly) return for another game viewing experience in the future.
Excellent trip for 2 adults and 3 children
The safari was perfect, the driver was friendly and informative. Paraa Lodge was fantastic in Murchison Falls. Our driver tailored the game drives based on our children. Would definitely recommend this company.
Excellent!
Richard is a fantastic guy & helped us have the most amazing experience meeting the gorillas. I Would definitely recommend to all
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What makes the difference between a good and an excellent safari?
Both of them put security first. As very occasional tourists in the bush, we have an incorrect perception of danger and a safari can quickly turn into a tragedy. So better avoid lightly trained or too confident guides that might put your life at risk without you realizing it: ask for the staff experience before signing in.
Nature gives you what it wants to, but it takes more than luck to be at the right place at the right time. Sometimes you have to go off-track. The flair and experience from your guide will make the difference if you want to see what other groups will miss. This can turn a good into an excellent safari.
This is where Naga Safari differs from the others.
Guides with a lot of experience, fully trained to capture the messages that animals are sending and to react accordingly in order to bring you to the right spot at the right time while keeping you on the safe side. Knowledgeable guides willing to share with you their experience in full openness when others just accompany you. Add a cheerful staff, a top notch service and a wonderful cooking and you have the recipe for a memorable trip.
Enjoy the bush camping experience, with them!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Adventure of my life time
I was only a Tanzanian in a group of 5, two kenyans and two germans; actualy this was my first time to Lake manyara, serengeti and ngorongoro. the transportation and accommodation was perfectly arranged, we enjoyed a safari as a family and managed to see all the animals i was dreaming to see before. hunting lions was an adventures to me, i wish i would not leave the national parks. thanks Meru mountain treks and safaris ltd, you made a history in my life..
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari tour and wonderful experience!
We had a school group of 3 families; 6 parents and 4 young kids. I'm one of parents and the coordinator handling the tour arrangement. I contacted several Safari tour companies and Jocky Tours is the best from beginning, in terms of timely communication, knowledge and price. The company representative Minneh is very professional and responsive to all my questions. We arrived in Kenya in March for a 6-day tour, from Masai Mara to Amboseli. They picked us up at the airport at midnight, and dropped off on the last night, everything went smoothly, and it was a great Safari tour, seeing all kinds of wild animals and sceneries. Both parents and kids were so happy about the whole experiences and arrangement by the tour company. Our driver/guide Steve is exceptionally good, great knowledge, easy to talk, has sense of humor too.
Although it is a budget tour company, but to our request, they booked luxury and mid-level hotels , and still the best price, tour package, and quality of service.
Overall, this is a great and reliable Safari company. I would use them again, and highly recommend them as well. Thanks!
TN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Timely and quality service.
Innocent was very clear about the itenarary with proper English and comprehensive answers. He did his best to always perform up to our expectations. Tour was classic Uganda tour but he got out of his way to make us happy.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Smooth as Silk - 3 lodges in 7 days - Kruger and SabiSands
Having once been ripped off by a tour company I always have reservations about booking through companies I don't know. Not having Pembury on TripAdvisor therefore worried me a little as I couldn't check out the reviews, good and bad.
I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Everything from selecting the accommodation to actually travelling around South Africa was just perfect. The freedom to select from a range of lodges makes you feel as if you're doing it all yourself, but without the hassle. Once in South Africa everything went like clockwork, pickup from the airport, internal flights, transfers between lodges, the lodges themselves..........everything was wonderful.
Thank you Kerry for all your hard work in putting this together and making it a most memorable experience.
p.s The wildlife sightings from all the lodges ( Simbavati, Nottens and Idube) were unbelievable! I've never seen better.