US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A life changing adventure that more than lived up to our expectations!
This was an excellent safari from the initial pick up at the airport to the final drop off. Everything was professional and well done. Our safari guides, Gabi and Guido were excellent; they were so insightful, so helpful in everything we did from driving to areas where we witnessed the animals in their natural habitat to capturing the moments first hand of lions stalking/killing their prey, to finding the cheetah mother and her 3 cubs. We would have missed/passed by an incredible close up of a large leopard in a tree without our guide picking up the visual cue. This truly was a remarkable adventure, one of those life experiences that changes how you look and interact with nature forever into the future - BUT all because of the guides incredible knowledge, insight to animal behavior and personal interest to share their world with us. My wife and I have travelled the world, been a part of many adventures, but this ranks in the top five and I truly give the credit to our professional, knowledgeable, and FUN guides. We and our safari group enjoyed all the time we spent with them.
So to recount- the guides were excellent, the vehicles we used were excellent with great viewing, the hotels we stayed at were excellent, and some of them were in the middle of the game reserve, so animals surrounded us ( how cool is that), and lastly, the food was excellent- fresh, nice choices, and great wine- all in the middle of nowhere. I don't know how they do it but they deliver it all and far exceeded our expectations.
BD
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A lifetime experience
This was my first safari. It was a 3 days safari at Masai Mara. It was really a great experience. everything was nicely planned. The guide was also very experienced. Specially Mr devid and his team was simply awesome. Their friendly attitude made the tour more memorable.
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Dream Safari
My friends and I had spent some time in Bagamoyo before spontaneously deciding to do a safari. A friend of mine recommended Vic Consult Tours & Safaris to conduct the tour.
He helped us book the flight (fasjet) from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, we arrived at night at Mwanza Airport into a rather intimidating bus station and were relieved to be met by Vic Consult Tours & Safaris staff who immediately took care of us and our bags and whisked us off to a comfortable hotel. The safari was planned to begin early the next morning and I was desperate for Internet access to sort out flights which could not wait until after our three day trip.
I mentioned this to Victor, the owner of Vic Consult Tours & Safaris, and so the next morning Victor came to the hotel at about 6:00 a.m. with his personal laptop to make sure that I could get onto the internet before he waved us off on our trip. Now that is going out of your way for your customers.
The trip itself was incredible, especially the Ngorongoro Crater. However, I would imagine that whichever of the various possible itineraries you can choose, and parks you can visit, they will be spectacular. Our driver, Joctavian, was super and things were done at our pace while still keeping to a set schedule which allowed us to fit everything in, and the chef was very talented - I certainly didn't expect such good food from a basic camping safari! The tents themselves were actually very comfortable and we didn't have to lift a finger, everything was done for us. Victor, Paul, and the chef made the trip incredibly special and personal. We all felt very safe at all times and would go back at the drop of a hat. I will certainly never forget it!
Stefano
Taipei.
The safari was an unforgettable experience.
We went to Tanzania in september 2014, booked by Matoke Tours.
It was a Fly in safari, we flew to Dar es Salaam, and then flying to Selous Game reserve, and after 3 days we flew to Ruaha.
We did this safari in the south of Tanzania to avoid to much tourism.
The safari was very good organized by Matoke Tours. In Selous River Camp we slept in a mud hut which was a nice experience, the food was very good, and the Guides had good knowledge about the animals and the park itself. The weather was good, and the tse tse flies where not to much of a bother
In the park (Selous Game reserve) itself we saw much wildlife, especially a great number of giraffes. The best safari we had in the park was the boat safari, for i am a birding man and on the river where all sorts of birds. And in the lake area there where countless very large crocodiles.
In Ruaha National Park, we stayed at Tandala Tented Camp. The tents in this camp stood on platforms, around 2 metres high. In the camp was a waterhole, and all night long there where Elephants coming to drink.
This made the stay in this camp a very special occasion. Also the food was very good, and the guides experienced.
In the park itself there where very much and big elephants, also we also a great number of lions, and two times we saw a leopard. The number of wildlife is much greater than in Selous, and this park is much wilder.
After these safari we flew to Zanzibar for three days at the beach.
The conclusion is that this safari trip had everything what we expected and more. The trip was very good organized by Matoke, and i would recommend them for those who would go to Africa for a safari trip.
Jan and Yvonne van Kessel
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A great Safari
Me and my friends went on a Masai Mara Safari with ISIA in February 2015. The price was ok, above average if you consider all tour operators but below average if you only count the reputable ones. Joao was very fast in accommodation ou requests. Staff was great and the experience was incredible. We used Royal Mara camp.
NL
Flash (I will be) Back
My first trip to Africa I booked with Flash and was really a life time experience. Magda, Edward and their staff are very professional and make you feel real welcome. They proved nothing is to much in helping you. There quick intervention when I experienced some health problems in the bush was outstanding. Things were fixed in no time and the safari could continue.
Thanks to the experienced and very professional guide Adam I had a perfect time in the Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire Parks.
Flash selects only the best lodges. Also the tented lodges were perfect.
Sleeping in a tent surrounded by wildebeest and zebra’s and hearing a lion roaring close by is so freaking exiting!
The pictures I took are beautiful and I enjoy looking at them and Photoshopping them but new plans are made to go back to Tanzania. And my tour operator definitely will be Flash Safaris and Photography !
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travel is my and my wife's life, and this was the best trip we have ever taken..
Let me start by saying everything was blew away our expectations.. The communication, the fortitude, knowledge and care with Planet Africa Safari's was unbelievable.. I spoke to so many companies and they truely stood out from the first skype call I had. After speaking with Willow, she truly understood what my wife and I wanted our trip to be like, and it was not very generic. Every suggestion she made was spot on, she really got our vibe and simply nailed it. They even were able to make a camp (Manyara Ranch) stay open a few extra days so we could do horse back safari, talk about above and beyond. I would recommend everyone work with Planet Africa Safaris, it is a super enjoyable, informative, intimate, friendly and most importantly, not "touristy" experience, in a very pre fab / cookie cutter itinerary, touristy world of safari booking.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Kalahari experience!
Anthony Washford is simply the best. He can spot the most elusive of animals or birds, he is at one with the bush and he is incredibly fun too. What a great trip camping and viewing wildlife on walkabouts in the Kalahari desert, and touring the Okavanga Delta by Mokoro canoe. The experience is one I will never forget and one I would love to repeat one day soon!
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic journey to nature
We did Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara in 3 days. I would consider switching Lake Manyara and Tarangire during the dry season because the lake was almost fully dried and not much animals. Animals were interesting but I really enjoyed the landscape part as well.
The overall safari experience was better than I expected. We had Philimon as our driver and guide and he was very helpful and caring. Jordan and Iris are the owners of the company and they were very quick to reply and provided a very good service overall.
Quick tips:
- I realized safety is the most important thing, so pick a good tour like Serengeti Adventures and stay at nice hotels
- We stayed at Serena lodges, all hotels are located at very very good places, they are all good but Serena Ngorongoro was fantastic. Check the place of your hotel because I saw hotels at awful locations
- When you are in search of safari, do not give to much details to tour operators, one of the other tour operator came to the airport to get me even though I said I will not use their service and they almost tried to kidnap
- The roads are really really bad, make sure you are resilient to hours of bumpy journey, my mother got sick
- Do not forget suncream and insecticide
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An awesome adventure!
Awesome adventure, thrill and excitement of a lifetime might best describe our experience with Tropical Valley Safaris. From the very moment we booked our trip to the parting words of good bye, Tropical Valley made our trip exceptional in every way. The service and every detail of our trip were thought out for the sole purpose of making our holiday memorable. Thank you Tropical Valley for making us feel special as we journeyed across the plains of Kenya. You're the best!