US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible!!
Speke Uganda Holidays was very easy to work with and they were able to accommodate my aggressive itinerary. They were always quick to respond to my questions and concerns. My guide Peter was amazing and he went out of his way to make sure that I saw as much as possible. He was very knowledgeable and I had a great time! All but one of the lodges were fabulous with all of the amenities and they were located in beautiful locations. There was one issue, but Tony the owner of company, made sure he personally took care of it.
I would highly recommend this company the are both very professional and reputable.
There was one issue with the transportation, but Tony was able to
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kilidove Tours and Safari was 5+ stars!
I used safari bookings to research and help select my safari operator and was thankful for the site. Kilidove Tours and Safari was on my shortlist and after numerous emails back and forth to George at Kilidove I knew that they were the Operator for me. He was prompt, professional, detailed in his correspondence and arranged the most memorable safari and cultural tour for me. I was looking for a mid-price safari and George arranged exactly what I was looking for. Very satisfied with the chosen accommodations of Mawe Tented Camp and Rhino Lodge, and the cultural tour George suggested and arranged after my safari was a day I'll never forget. It was the best!
As a solo female traveler it was important to me to feel comfortable and secure with the Operator I choose. I had a wonderful driver/guide in Joshua who was knowledgeable, pleasant and had an eye like a hawk. Couldn't ask for anything more and I highly recommend them and when I go back, which I will, I be contacting George at Kilidove!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful 9-day bucket list safari in Kenya
So I'm a female traveling solo and for the first time internationally. I e-mailed several tour companies asking a couple of questions about their safaris and safety being a female on her own. The first to respond was Maggie from Tekko. I did get other responses, but Maggie's e-mail really stuck out. She answered all of my questions and was very engaging. So I continued my correspondence with her. From there she helped me pick out the best safari for me and what kind of animals I wanted to see, activities I was interested, what kind of accommodations I was looking for and helped me create a safari within my budget. I researched all of the tented camps on trip advisor and was really happy with the ones she suggested. Also, having to pay for the trip internationally, I was having trouble with my bank accepting the charge. It took several days to finally get things to go through and Maggie was very patient and helped with instructions by e-mail whenever I had questions. Also what was great is when I landed in Nairobi, Maggie and Jackson were there at 10:00 at night to pick me up in a very crowded Nairobi airport and they dropped me off at a nice hotel nearby to get some rest and then Jackson was back again at 7:00 a.m. and off we went! Being a female alone in Kenya, I was very appreciative of their fantastic service.
What was really great and I didn't realize until I got there was I had my own driver and Land Cruiser to myself. I didn't have to share with any other groups. It was fantastic and so worth the money. I had read quite a few really great reviews about Jackson, one of the drivers, and was really hoping I would get him since I was by myself and I did! He was so friendly and knowledgeable. I couldn't have asked for a better guide!
Because it was a bucket list trip for me I really wanted to try and get as much in as I could, so I ended up doing 9 days, 5 parks. I might have been a little too ambitious, but ultimately it was quite an experience and I had a lot of fun. Started with Amboselli and stayed at the Kibo Safari Camp. Loved the tented camp. It was exactly what I thought it would be from my research on Trip Advisor. Got to see all of the really good animals at all of the parks. No disappointment with missing out on any animals! Going in November, the off season, there were no crowds and the camps were relatively empty. Weather was a little cloudy, but about 70 so I think it made for more animals being out and about.
Next drove 7 hours to the Ark Lodge at Aberdere National Park. Probably wouldn't do the driving from park to park again. Got quite car sick. I read about the roads being bumpy but that's an understatement. Would probably fly next time. Was only at the Ark for one night so didn't get to see much and it was very, very cold. On the way to the Ark, there was a leopard on the side of the road which made it a great experience. Got some really good pictures.
Next went to the Mt. Kenya Animal Conservancy. That was pretty cool, but it was raining so made it a quick visit. Next was Samburu National Reserve and stayed at the Samburu Ashnil Camp. That was a very nice tented camp. Loved it. Was there two nights and really enjoyed the staff and the food. Saw lots of great animals there as well.
Next was the Flamingo Hill Camp at Lake Nakuru. Was only there for one night, but really enjoyed it. And then the culmination was Maasai Mara National Reserve which did not disappoint. Was there two nights at the Osero Enrau Mara Camp. Loved it.
Next heading home stayed at Lake Naivasha for a night at the Naivasha Sopa Lodge which was quite elegant. It was so beautiful. Had a little trouble with the shower not getting hot but they changed rooms for me. On the way back to Nairobi stopped at the Giraffe Center, too. Just like the pictures on trip advisor, it was fun to be up close with the giraffes.
Fantastic bucket list trip. Lots of driving and always on the go, so not a lot of quiet time or relaxing. Next time might do just three parks, two nights each: Amboselli, Samburu and Maasai Mara!
A big thank you to Maggie and Jackson for a very memorable trip of a lifetime
~Suzanne
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
First rate Tour Company & would highly recommend !!
Communications were excellent & prompt before arrival in South Africa & whilst we we there leading up to the tours we knew exactly when the pickup would be - prompt, knowledgable, friendly & efficient.
Boma Dinner was a great & enjoyable experience & in our opinion a "must do" - as was the full day Chobe Tour.
Driver & transport faultless & saw many animals up close though we had already been spoilt with vast numbers of animals in the Mara the week before. Many thanks to the office & to the drivers/guides for excellent service. Will recommend to anyone we know coming your way.
Super safari experience
From pick up to drop back in Johannesburg we were looked after by the superb team from Wild Planet Safari. We had a mix of camping and in a bungalow and moved from North Kruger to exit via the middle of Kruger. Our guides were extremely knowledgable and entertaining and were super cooks. We were lucky to see many of the animals but unfortunately not the rhinos. We were lucky to come across a pack of wild dogs with a kill early one morning. The elephants while fascinating and lovely to watch in their family groups, did not get my sympathy (as much as they should) because I felt they cause so much damage to the vegatation. That said we have many many beautiful pictures of the animals and scenery - the different vegetation areas, the river, the sun rises and the sunsets.
Moving around in the habitat of all these wild animals - and for the most part they do not object - was a privilege. You feel as though you are in another world and this was my best holiday ever. I came home so relaxed - was it something to do with being so close to animals who are truely living at one with nature.
Thank you to everybody in South Africa who is responsible for maintaining and protecting this part of our world.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Sabi Sabi Game Reserve by Alan Bishop
We saw the big five and even two packs of wild dog. The vehicles are in radio contact so as soon as something interesting is spotted, everyone can make their way there to see. The accommodation was also far more luxurious than in Kruger and the food was infinitely better.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kruger National Park by Alan Bishop
South Africa's game parks are not known for scenic beauty and that's not why you go. There is a lot of wildlife and although we saw herds of elephant, we did not see any predators at all. Unless the animals are close to the roads, you don't see them and being such a vast area, we did not see much variety. We only stayed in the south of the park at Berg-en-dal and the centre and north may be different.
35-50 years of age
Wonderful wilderness
We loved Namibia, it was so remote in places we felt like we had the country to ourselves on the road and it has not been spoilt yet by tourism. The wildlife in Etosha was great, we had some lovely sightings. The campsites could be improved (some staff were a bit rude and toilet paper kept running out!) but the sites were lovely. The weather was lovely and warm with some rain overnight. Sussouvlei was amazing, Ive never seen a landscape like it and we loved the long drives through the remote mountain passes. We already miss this beautiful country.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compare Kruger Park with Sabi Sand (Private game reserve) I would only go private in future.
The game reserves were excellent and showcase Africa's unique wildlife. Spent 2 days in Kruger and 2 days in Sabi Sand. There was more game in Kruger but a greater variety in Sabi Sand. I would only go to a private game reserve in future. Accommodation and food were far better in the private reserve as well. Weather was mixed - cold at first but much hotter later. We also visited Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo airport has to be the worst international airport in the world. There are no signs anywhere to assist you in checking in and we had to go to the domestic terminal to check in for an international flight to Zimbabwe. Compare this with King Shaka in Durban where for every flight, the check-in desk is shown on a very large information board. We also visited Cape Town. Trying to go up Table Mountain as individuals is almost impossible. There was a queue which took 3 hours to get onto the cable car and another queue that took another 3 hours just to buy a ticket. We gave up eventually. Same issue with trying to go to Robben Island. Unless you are prepared to pay an exorbitant amount for a private tour, you can't get on a boat. Again, we had to give up. The V&A Waterfront is well advertised but in the end is only a shopping centre with some restaurants - quite disappointing. For an Australian, the prices in South Africa seem very cheap and it's a good place to go for a holiday once. Not enough different things to do to keep returning though but I would recommend it to anyone who has never been.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You are in excellent hands with Yellow Zebra
Thank you Yellow Zebra (Emma) for sharing your knowledge and answering all of our questions, listening to our preferences and helping us to make the all important decisions on planning our trip to South Africa. We deeply appreciate your expertise at putting together our trip, from having someone to help us through the logistics of immigration, to packing lists and suggestions on how much to tip when we were there. We felt extremely comfortable with the detailed itinerary and support you provided. Everything went smoothly from our arrival in Johannesburg, to our arrival and departure from Mala Mala.
During our trip we had the opportunity to speak to many other travelers and after hearing of some of the problems they encountered we were especially happy to have used Yellow Zebra and felt very lucky to have your assistance with all of the details.
Our safari at Mala Mala exceeded our expectations in all respects. The style and warmth of this establishment is unparalleled .
It is a beautiful camp with accommodations that are truly extraordinary The game drives are incredible.
We were not prepared for the true beauty, hospitality and attention to detail at Mala Mala. You get the sense that everyone is really paying attention to you and your interests, to help create the most wonderful stay.
It was sad to say farewell, but we smile when we think of the amazing experiences we had and hopefully will have the good fortune to return.