HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mind-blowing experience provided by Natureway Safaris
Having traveled extensively, it becomes more and more difficult to still find the WOW-factor. I also didn't know what to expect when I boarded the plane from Hong Kong to meet my friend from NY in Zimbabwe for what turns out to be an unforgettable, mind blowing adventure.
First stop in Zimbabwe was Victoria Falls to run the marathon there and then we transferred in our own little jet (aka a 4-seater Cessna) to Mana Pools National Park. We were picked up from the airstrip by Natureway's guide Craig and team leader Elijah; the welcome committee at the camp was assisted by a young elephant bull nibbling on tree leaves.
We were blown away by the beauty of nature - the escarpment side by side with the grand Zambezi river, being home and playing ground for manifold and rich wildlife.
Natureway's team provided excellent and very personal, friendly and attentive service, topped by the extreme wealth of knowledge of our two guides Craig and Elijah about the fauna & flora at Mana Pools National Park. I loved every minute of canoeing down the river and being on the educative and exciting walking safaris.
Living in a hectic, fast paced and always connected city, the moments of pure silence on the river and the encounters with wildlife were providing the long missed feeling of being connected to Mother Earth and feeling grounded again.
Simply superb! One of the best holidays in a long time ... I will miss the nightly Hippo symphony, I will miss Mama Africa!
Thank you, Natureways Safari, for providing this experience and for having such a passionate and professional team! You more than exceeded expectations ....!! Keep up the good work.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing travel agency!
Before I came to Nakuru I had not booked anything and only knew in my mind what I wanted to see. I went to Pega Tours and they arranged all my requests for me and gave me a really good price! I stayed at Peters( The boss) House which was really a Nice place with great traditionel Kenyan dinner! Can only recommend Pega Tours for their fantastic services and smoothness to make it all happen so easily!
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They never sent me detailed info of my trip. I had to claim dinners and sunset safari :(
The Outlook Safaris made the transfers and there were always on time. We also stayed one night near the airpot. I like the accommodation and the food. The Hippo Hollow hotel was nice also and the Kurt Safari Co was great with good guides.
The only problem was Kruger Park Travel. We had to continually write asking for times of our trip because they never sent us detailed information. We also had to claim dinners, they are already paid and the hotel did not know it. They tried to give us a safari day instead of one morning and one afternoon . And it's not the same! in the heat of the day they are not animals.
We had to argue a lot with Kylie and got to give us a night safari on the last day ... but the information never came, we spend four days asking the guides and the staff if they knew what we had to do that day. I would never hire this agency.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoyed the experience in Kenya!
Mike was great from the beginning, he replied to all my queries very patiently and in a very friendly manner. We took a 12 days Safari covering Kenya and Tanzania. The Kenya safari operated by Mike was a really great experience! We had travelled with Joseph and Stanley (Stano). Both were great guides.. Stano had amazing eyes, he could spot an animal when no one could see it. They both had amazing knowledge about the parks and animals, and made our experience really great! Thanks everyone!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by princetontigeruk
You have to be in Ngorongoro on the right day to experience all the wildlife that prospers there. Sometimes you can be just unlucky. But the crater is an amazing sight - it is so vast that you cannot see it all properly in one go. It is worth going but be prepared to have an "off" day.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Elephants and baobabs galore - there was something to see every minute we were out on the road.
Wildlife - to see herds and herds of elephants - and a mix of sizes within each herd - is truly magnificent. Tarangire is the place to see elephants, especially after calving season. We went in December and had two game drives - one in the late afternoon and one in the early morning. The early morning one was better as the elephants were all seeking shade in the afternoon sun and so did not venture near the roads. (Cars are not allowed to leave the roads). There were many highlights but one was something you don't even think of looking for: two dung beetles rolling their ball of dung. Another was a dancing crane. Maybe it wasn't dancing but it was moving so gracefully and elegantly it was like a dance.
Parts of the park were flooded after the heavy rains of November and early December but the accessible areas were very varied in terrain and scenery. It is not a very big park and you can see parts that will already feel familiar on your second drive.
We stayed at the Tarangire Lodge within the National Park - it is a simple but beautiful lodge with a huge outdoor seating area overlooking the river. It is on a hill and so you can see for miles around. Come equipped with binoculars of course. Good food even for vegetarians. This lodge is not as big as some so there was a cosy feeling in the dining room.
Our trip had been organised through Shah Tours in Moshi as we did a package for Kilimanjaro, Tarangire and Ngorongoro. The safari car was quite good with the open roof but these seem to be standard with most companies that provide such game drives. The guide could have been better but again there are so many local national park guides that are well informed. The drive from Moshi via Arusha to Tarangire was remarkable too - you see so many Masai dressed in the most colourful cloth and little children splashing about in the water.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Tanzania by princetontigeruk
The Tanzanians are very welcoming people - they are genuinely nice and make you want to explore the beautiful country. And there is so much to explore - from Jane Goodall's sanctuary to the highest free standing mountain in the world (Mount Kili). My father used to take us to Tanzania every year from Kenya when we were children growing up - only now do I appreciate the beauty and why......
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari with a very good driver and cook
Last June 2016 I went on a 6-day Safari with my boyfriend. Before booking with Northern Circuit Adventures we wrote to 3 different agencies. Northern Circuit seemed like the best option (regarding price and what they offered) and the owner (Mike) was very quick to respond to our questions. Communication by email prior to departure was excellent and once we arrived at the airport there was someone waiting for us who drove us in about 1,5hours to our hotel. Mike even called us when we were in the cab to make sure everything was okay, a very thoughtful gesture. He also welcomed us at our hotel and explained what we could expect in the days ahead.
Mike's staff is excellent. We were with 3 people in the jeep + our driver/guide and sometimes our cook. Our guide 'Manu' knew literally everything there is about animals and told us a lot about wildlife, the national parks and life in Tanzania in general. He really knows the area very well. We saw so many lions, elephants, zebra's hippo's etc. It was an amazing experience, really. Manu speaks very good English, although sometimes I got the feeling he did not quite understand us, but it was no mayor inconvenience. He is really friendly and an excellent guide. The cook is also very good. Beforehand I didn't expect much of the Tanzanian food, but I was really surprised by the delicious meals he prepared for us during our safari. Very tasty with a lot of herbs. For breakfast we could always expect fresh fruits and pancakes. The cook doesn't speak english very well so we didn't really get to know him, but it was no problem.
The safari was really one of the most beautiful experiences I've ever had. Seeing the animals from that close is really special. I absolutely loved Serengeti national park and am glad we stayed for a few days there. Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongro were also impressive but Serengeti was my absolute favourite.
All in all, I highly recommend going with Northern Circuit Adventures. They are truly professionals that can add an extra feel to the whole experience. Mike, and the rest of the team, thank you!!
Best,
Laura & Raoul
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari
Just came back from the 3 day Masai Mara safari and had a wonderful time! Quite a long (and bumpy) ride from Nairobibt it is well worth it! We had Cyrus as a driver/guide throughout the trip and, trust me, he is the absolute best!!!! We saw the Big 5 on the full day. The camping was quite luxiurious as you had a queen size bed, a hot shower and sitting toilet. Food was great also amazing. The trip was a total success thanks to Cyrus's patience and amazing multiple talents.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Vacation Thanks to Ute and Roho Ya Chui
An African Safari has been one of our dream vacations and after extensive research we came across an itinerary by Roho Ya Chui that sounded wonderful which was a 14-day Tanzania & Zanzibar vacation. Ute was our booking agent and was highly responsive from the beginning to all our questions, concerns, etc. She takes care of everything including booking the hotels/lodges and all the transfers. She also provided flight information so that we could easily book the flights. During our vacation that we just completed, everything and I mean everything went smoothly. There was always someone there to pick us up from airports, lodges, etc. We always felt safe along the way. All of the lodge bookings (tented camp sites & beach stay) were amazing. We cannot say enough kind words about the African people who work at these tented camp sites and lodges. Everyone is so hospitable and kind and they will all go out of their way to take care of you to assure you have the time of your life! If we do another Safari (and I hope we do), I would definitely book through Ute again.
One last thing, Ute booked us in the Next Paradise Boutique Resort in Zanzibar for our beach portion of the stay. This place is amazing, especially if you are looking for a quiet - relaxing place to reflect back and recover from a busy Safari. The food is amazing and the people are amazing. It is a small 20 room resort and I am so happy that Ute selected this place for us.