US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very well organized company.
Honored to have been travelling with this wonderful company. you will get the best of the best in the tour industry.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent organisation and value for money.
I have used Great Horizon Trails in both 2013 and 2014 to take groups to work with a school in Matayos, Western Kenya. I wanted a reliable organisation and Great Horizon were recommended to me by the Deputy at Imprezza Academy. On both occasions the Safari parts of the tours proved to be excellent in terms of finding game and interesting situations. We had visits to Hells Gate, Nakuru and in 2014 Masaii Mara. Clearly the latter was most impressive with the Gnu crossing the crocodile river, a lion pride hunting and excellent elephant encounters.
We were looking for excellent value for money and Great Horizon on both trips provided cooked meals at each of the safari locations. Breakfasts, lunches and evening meals were amazing when you considered the facilities available to the cook.
If you are looking for luxury then Great Horizon is probably not for you BUT if you want a well organised, trouble free and exciting holiday including safaris then Great Horizon would be hard to beat.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A very professional and serious organisation
In September 2014 we made the most amazing trip to Eest Africa. Our journey started in Rwanda, where we met our guide Frank. He would take us our first part of the adventure, visiting the Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda.
We have done our share of travelling, but never we have met a guide with the social skills, way to solve a problem with a great sense of humor and making you feel at ease as Frank can.
He showed us some amazing scenery along the way. Although our main goal were the Gorillas,he managed to make time to visit a market, let us walk through a village or a nice part of nature.
And all the photo stops of scenery, birds and monkey's....
The 3 Gorilla Trackings were well organized, and Frank made sure we visited a good group. Stayed with us untill he was sure we were taken care of and was there when we came back.
We had beautiful sighings, every tracking was different. So, a big compliment to Matoke; it was very interesting to see the Gorillas in different habitats.
After this first part we went to Dar es Salaam for the Safari in the South of Tanzania.
Adrian was our guide who would take us through Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
A big and comfortabel safari truck provided us with lots of space and possibility to photograph and observe.
Although the amount of animals is probably not as abundant as in the north, the scenery in the south is spectacular. And when you find wildlife which is rare, threatened of just not easy to see, you feel the luckiest person alive!
Matoke made a very good program for us. They understood our wishes and made an itererary which was alternate. And it did not only work on paper, the actual trip was everything they said it would be.
They recommend excellent lodges and campsites, with experienced staff. The most beautifull locations, which you don't want to leave...
So, very good contacts before and good experience during the trip. Also a good follow up afterwards from Matoke, to find out if all went as expected.
In my opinion; a very professional and serious organisation.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect trip
From the first contact to the last - 'It Started in Africa' proved to be a fantastic company. Dixon - the guide was fantastic and our 6 day safari was nothing short of spectacular.
I can't imagine the trip being any better......
Customer service is amazing: before, during and after our trip...
Thank you to all involved.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organised, helpful and friendly.
I contacted Matoke Tours who very quickly helped me organise a week of touring parts of Uganda. It was a wonderful experience. I feel that I had made full use of the time available. Our driver was extremely helpful and considerate and indeed good company. All in all, a great experience - thank you.
Scenic and Serene Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park, one of the SAN parks is best for the scenic beauty, wildlife, birds and should not be missed if you are in South Africa. It is easily reachable. Food, accommodation and other traveler requirements are available at the nearby town Thabazimbi. You can spend 2+ days inside the park to fully enjoy the beauty of this park. The accommodation inside the park is very good and one should stay and enjoy the nature and wildlife. It is having rough roads that would test your driving skills as well. Wild lifes that are spotted during the visit include Giraffe, Rhinoceros, Impalas, Zebras, Ostriches, Vultures etc., The memorable scenic places include the drive on Mbidi road and the site of the valley, while driving down from the top Lenong Viewing point.
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
I had a perfect safari through Tarangire National Park, everything was well prepared. Two very friendly and helpful guides, made that trip perfect. I had been deep impressed. Weather had been fantastic, the guides tried to show as much animals as possible and I often think back to that trip
Review about Queen Elizabeth National Park by Kent MacElwee
We drove through Queen Elizabeth between National Parks and really could not believe the wildlife. I wish we had more time there. We met people who camped there, who really loved their experience.
Review about Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by Kent MacElwee
Amazing hike, through volcano terrain, to try and locate the very rare Golden Monkeys. We found them, in amidst the bamboo forest.. really amazing..! Also, a must see, for fans or rare primates, volcano hikes, beautiful terrain.
Review about Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by Kent MacElwee
The hardest hike I have ever done-- beating through thorns and dense bush, it took us 4 hours to find the gorillas -- wow, it was worth it. Incredible to see them lounging and foraging and eating and sleeping. A mother and tiny baby, a silverback, a few females, another competing male. So docile, in general.. Really incredible.