35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari was totally awesome and Wildroots were very professional.
We had a brilliant time on safari. The service was excellent from booking to the end of safari review meeting. Matthew couldn't have been more helpful. We went to Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. All different and all amazing. Our driver was very knowledgable and looked after us really well. It was excellent value for money and memories have been made.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trustworthy, organized, affordable - a great experience!
My wife and I had a fabulous experience with Open Africa Safaris! It was nerve wracking to arrange a trip like this without the help of an experienced travel agency. With seemingly hundreds of safari organizers to choose from, it was quite time consuming to narrow down the companies based on our desired itinerary, trip cost, and of course a company that appeared organized and trustworthy. Let me save you time – look no further, go with Open Africa Safaris!
Open Africa Safaris was willing to customize our trip in most any way, from budget to mid-range to luxury, from a few days to many days, from safari only to inclusion of a side trip to the beaches of Zanzibar. We were not up for a “budget” trip – sleeping in tents and sleeping bags was ok when we were younger, but we want nice, clean beds now. Luxury trips seem horribly overpriced to me – you can spend thousands of extra dollars for what I think would be marginally better lodging, and maybe pampered hot lunches with beer and wine – not at all worth it in my opinion. The mid-range trip suggested to us seemed just right, with my exact desired itinerary, and the price was great, compared to many others I had checked.
I exchanged about 20 emails with our contact at Open Africa Safaris (John). I asked MANY questions, asked for references, questioned just about everything I could think of. He responded timely (not immediately, but always in a very reasonable amount of time), politely and patiently. But in the end, I still had to trust a fairly small company to deliver on their promises. A deposit was needed, and full payment was required about 30 days before our adventure. Would they deliver? Could this be a scam? I continued to be nervous literally until I was met at the airport after getting off the plane in Tanzania. But they were there just as promised, and everything went great for the next 7 days, all the way through taking us to the airport to leave!
The lodging choices they selected for us were wonderful! The hotel in Arusha City was older and not in perfect repair, but it was still clean, with good and very tasty dinner options, a nice pool, pretty grounds – and this was the “worst” of our lodging. The other places we stayed were wonderful, including the luxury “tented camp” in the middle of the Serengeti, which was a marvelous experience! All the facilities were clean, available showers ranged from good to great, there was wifi available in all places (ok, not high speed but who cares?), and we were always able to charge our electronics. The dinners were definitely better than I expected, and wine and beer were available for purchase if desired. We had available hot breakfast options each day. The lodging staffs were always very attentive. We felt safe everywhere. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for more.
Our tour guide, Simon, was excellent! His heavily accented English was still quite good, and he did a great job navigating the parks to give us the best possible animal viewing. Animals were very plentiful to see, and we had close up encounters with many – lions, elephants, giraffes, cape buffalo, and more. The only Big 5 animal we didn’t see up close (and I mean very close) was a rhino, of which we only saw one, and that was at a distance…oh well. Simon had binoculars available to use, which was quite nice. The box lunches while on game drives were plenty adequate (generally chicken, fruit, bread, a cookie or two, juice, water) though not fantastic.
All in all, the trip was everything I could have hoped for, and Open Africa Safaris was just great! Many thanks to them for making this “bucket list” trip a major success!
RU
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was the greate safaries with excelent drivers and nicr safary cars
Everything was very higher than expexted. We spent very interesting time wigh RightCoisr team
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Really good
It was good service. The guides had good knowledge about the animals and the naturen. They listened to our requests. The safari was fantastic!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing trip of our lives.
Clive did an amazing job for us. We started out at a wonderful hotel in Cape Town - Table Bay Hotel. We had a wonderful guide for the day (Lynne Abrahams). All the transfers worked perfectly and we started our safari in Tanda Tula. The tented camp was wonderful. Forman was our guide and he told us everything about all the animals.
We then went to Chitwa Chitwa which was incredible. There are no words for the wonderful lodge - we stayed in the Chitwa House - thanks to Clive. The safaris and animal sitings were unbelievable. We will remember this trip for the rest of our lives and are hoping to come back. Armond was our guide and was so knowledgeable. The food was wonderful and we were served like royalty.
Hoping to come back soon. We left our hearts in South Africa.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Namibia - 3 Day Desert Safari
We did the 3 day desert Safari. Had a fantastic time - this is certainly an experience not to miss. The guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. The food was good. As someone who hates camping, I found this part of the trip tolerable. Shower block was clean.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable safari with breathtaking impressions
We were traveling with James 3.5 days. We saw almost all big, ugly, and smallfive. James took time to tell us interesting facts about flora and fauna. Every extra stop for photos was no problem. One quickly felt that he had a special feeling for the animals' stay. We saw animals, which other guides with their tour overlooked. For example, a cheetah family with four little ones.
The organization of the camps and also the meals read impeccably.
I would recommend James at any time, unconditionally.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great!
We had three lovely days on safari, everything was organised perfectly well, the drivers did their best to show as as many animals as possible. If I go on safari again I will always choose "right choice"!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great views, sighting, location, everything is taking care off by Bella and her team!
Bella organized a 3 day trip to queen Elizabeth for me and another volunteer. We could tell what we wanted to do in those 3 days (schedule is flexible). You pay a bit more then some other Tour operators but thats definately worth it. Everything is included, food, water, soda's, even snacks were bought. The accomodation was fully booked so another location was arranged, other issues were solved immediately.
We had a nice driver, stopped where ever we wanted a picture of the amazing view, saw several lions, 2 shoebills (gamba stamp is a must see!) and stunning sunsets. It was a great relaxing weekend away from Kampala!
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect Safari with excellent food guided by outstanding Eddie
We, a Couple from Austria, 45y, went to Botswana with Kalahari Skies in November 2016 and December 2013.
The travel was organized perfectly including pick-ups and transfers.
The tents were clean and noble, they had a toilet inside and built up and down by the crew whenever needed.
Coming back after Safari we had a bonfire with sundowners every evening and especially the dinners (Thank you Manu!) were outstanding.
Most impressive of all was going out for Safari with Eddie: this guy knows every animal on this planet and his background knowledge is outstanding.
We were going to ZA, Tanzania and Namibia for several times and had a lot of safaris, but travelling with Kalahari Skies is something really Special!!