SA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great price! Amazing experience!
Esther, owner, was extremely prompt and honest during email correspondence. She lined us up with a private 6 day safari in Masi Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli which was absolutely amazing even though it was the dry season. We checked off every major animal including the hard to find ones like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and rhinos thanks to our driver and guide, John. There was a bit of a mix up with our final hotel reservation in Nairobi before our departure, but Esther made a point to fix the problem so that her customers would walk away happy. Thanks so much to Esther, John (driver/guide) and Kenya Budget Safari!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tailor made safari
We arrived in Kampala, explained what we wanted to do, and all was arranged for us. Our driver, Isaac, was determined to make our trip as enjoyable as he could, and his extensive knowledge in all areas of Ugandan life, history and wildlife was extensive. Churchill safaris made our trip. Highly recommended.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Spectacular
JAMBO, Thanks Venture Africa. You made my trip to the Mara a dream come true. Thanks for the amazing time. I look forward to doing another holiday with you soon. Am now on my way back home. Kwaheri
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable safari with Expedology
The folks at Expedology put together a custom safari for me and my husband. They recommended to go to the Serengeti during February because the migration would be near the south part. We saw almost every animal you could imagine. We were budget minded so they add some cultural hikes and town visits in between the safari so it was not all driving for 7 days in a row.
The lodges and tented camps were amazing, the driver Stephan did a great job spotting animals. He must have binoculars in his eyes! It was trip of a lifetime and we will always remember this special vacation.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
I can't imagine a better trip to Africa than
My two-week trip to Zambia was thrilling and fantastic. Almost immediately upon our arrival, I saw an elephant wandering through the grounds of our lodge. I was so amazed to realize that we were located right in the middle of the wild animals’ habitat!
There were so many exciting things: the passion of the dedicated wildlife guides; a pride of lionesses stalking some cape buffalo and giving chase right in front of our jeep; stopping to watch a group of giraffes, being mesmerized by the way they move, enjoying their alert eyes and ears; watching a leopard walk right in front us, thrilled to see this beautiful, graceful, somewhat reclusive cat. I laugh every time I think of the hysterical and endearing warthogs; I was captivated by the zebra and loved looking at their stripes. I felt privileged to be a part of it all.
All this would have sufficed, but we were also introduced to local people in intimate settings – getting a chance to see how they lived their lives and start to appreciate their reality. Tom has had close contacts in Zambia for many years, which afforded us the opportunity to meet and interact with local villagers, community organizers, and local conservation activists.
This was such a deep and moving experience for me. It was enriched and heightened by sharing it so intimately with the group. We had a lot of fun together, laughed a lot and bonded closely – all enhanced, in turn, by the magnitude of what we were experiencing together.
It’s hard for me to imagine that we could have as rich and full an experience without the insights, guidance, connections and organization offered by Tom and Laura.
I treasure the fact that I took the chance on this trip. … I’ve come home feeling fulfilled, peaceful and satiated – and thinking about returning some day.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Most Magnificent Safari Experience
From the first contact to our departure for home after a most magnificent 4 week trip, the organization and communications with us have been nothing but first class.
Every enquiry sent during the planning stages was replied to within 24 hours at the most - usually within one hour.
The combination of the 3 &Beyond safari's combined with alternate style Pakmisa resort provide a good balance of safari experiences. Whilst we finished up doing 21 three to four hour safari's, we never got tired of the wonderful experiences each trip provided.
The 1 week car hire and our drive through Swaziland was another different, yet enjoyable facet of the trip.
The hotel accommodation in Jo'burg (Clico and Four Seasons) and Cape Town including the upgrades were exceptional complete with unbelievable inclusive breakfasts.
Thanks Ute for an unforgetable safari experience, provided at a very realistic price
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Impeccable Hospitality & a Warmth of Happiness
Absolutely Loved this Divine Tent Camp! The Weather was Perfect in the 80's during the day & 60's in the evening. Our Tent was Beautiful so much so that I Now want One exactly like the one we stayed in, The Staff Greeted Us & Helped us Learn some of the Native Language & Shared with Us a Few Things~ Ester the Massage Therapist, So Nice, Steven the Bartender Very Sweet & Made "my" Version of Iced Tea for Me Every Day, Edward Our Dining Waiter was very Thoughtful & Friendly & Joseph Our Game Driver had Incredible Knowledge in regards to Wildlife\Birds, & had a Great Sense of Humor. A Superb Time Here with Lots of Exciting Moments. I Helped Save a Pumba from Drowning in the Infinite Pool that Over Looks the Masai Mara & Later that Same Night was 6 inches away from a Python that I spotted too. They Titled Me" The Pumba Savior" haha Sitting on Our Back Porch Sipping on Tea watching Monkeys Play in the Trees was so Cool. Game Drives w\ Joseph were Incredibly Amazing & How Close we were to the Wild Animals~ ( Only see this on Nat Geo) & We had the Pleasure of Experiencing this right in front of Our Eyes! The Food was So Tasty, Fresh & Delicious. Sundowners & Hot Air Balloon Ride was a Special Treat. We Felt very Honored by How Well We were Taken Care of! We Loved this Place & the People so Much, We are Already planning Our Next Trip Back. We HIGHLY Recommend! :)
one company with a personal touch
My grand parents were very happy with the way the were treated by this company and recommend all elderly people to use this company.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth it! Exceeded all expectations and wouldn't change a thing!
Wow we don't even know where to start with our review of East African Safari, but basically it ends with smiles and two thumbs up! Simon was beyond helpful answering our many, many questions and was also very accommodating with our requests on length of trip, and where we wanted to stay at night. We E-mailed other safari operators as well but Simon's prompt and helpful replies, in addition to their community integration and conservation efforts, is really what sold it for us. This cost is a bit higher than other operators, but as we soon found out that it is 100% WORTH IT!
Just a few quick details about our trip: 10 days Safari, starting in Mwanza with stay near Speke Bay, and then passing through Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and finally flying out from Arusha.
Our guide, Cosmos, was beyond expectations and definitely one of the reasons the trip ended up perfect for us. He met us promptly at the airport in Mwanza with a big smile and immediately shuttled us over to the Tilapia Hotel so that we could relax after being on airplanes for 20+ hours. The place even had a pool and gorgeous view of the water so we felt relaxed and ready to go the next morning! Cosmos was waiting for us right when he promised, and after chatting for a bit we knew he was going to be a great guide over the next 9 days. We were both interested in learning Swahili for the trip and so were constantly bugging him for swahili translations but he energetically answered every question we had!
One of the first big highlights that made us glad we chose EASTCO happened when our original hotel for the second day, the Speke Bay Lodge, ended up being full so instead Simon got us rooms at nearby Serenity on the Lake lodge...which was one of the nicest places we've ever stayed! Throughout the entire trip there were multiple instances like this, where things didn't go exactly as planned (for those of you you've traveled to Africa this shouldn't be a surprise) only to find that Cosmos and Simon would improvise quickly to make everything perfect for us!
Every day had a pretty standard routine, Cosmos would tell us what time to meet him, we'd drive around watching wildlife, and then spend afternoons back at the lodges. My girlfriend and I are slow eaters so a few times were a little late to meet him at the vehicle but he would just respond with a smile and the usual Tanzanian response of "No worries! Pole Pole!" Cosmos' energy, promptness, and especially knowledge of African wildlife really were incredible. He'd usually spot and identify wildlife before we could even see them! We managed to see every bit of wildlife we had planned (including rhinos and leopards) and he even managed to find something I had absolutely been dying to observe...a leopard tortoise! I can't stress that enough with Cosmos, he will go out of his way to make sure you get a chance to see what you want and he has the eyes and intuition to make it happen. At the same time, he is also very patient and would sit quietly while we sat for long periods of time just to watch a pride of lions eating or hippos bathing.
Another reason we're glad we went with EASTCO: I accidentally left my cell phone at one of the lodges which of course is always a stressful situation. However, Simon called and had the lodge actually mail the phone to himself in Arusha, after which he personally organized a driver to BRING THE PHONE down to us near Tarangire park!! We didn't have to worry at all about the entire situation because it was handled perfectly by Simon and Cosmos, and phone was delivered back safely into my hands!
Also, we had planned (and paid) to stay at the Rhino Lodge near the Ngorongoro crater because it was a more budget friendly lodge option, but on the day were supposed to head over there Cosmos got a text from Simon telling him to put us up in the Serena Wildlife Lodge instead!! For no extra cost to us! For those of you unaware, Rhino lodge is a budget lodge away from crater rim, while Serena is one of the few luxury lodges that actually sit on the rim...with an incredible view! This was a very pleasant surprise for us, and I have to be honest, that hot shower felt incredible after a dusty day in the crater.
The final days of the trip were spent in East African Safari's own lodge, the Boundary Hill Lodge (can check out our review on TripAdvisor) which also exceeded our every expectation. Reading about the history of the lodge was inspirational, basically created to help support the local communities (and indeed even 50% owned by those same communities) and an inseparable part of the Tarangire Conservation Area. One our final day Cosmos took us around souvenir shopping and even offered to help bargain with vendors if we needed the backup (a very nice offer sometimes when buying things as a traveler!).
In summary, if you want a dependable, quality, top-notch safari with a guide who is friendly and very knowledgeable...then pick East African Safari Company! Also I should mention that Simon also organized all of our airfare to other places around Tanzania. We picked them because of their integration and support of local communities and incredible work with wildlife conservation (basically the entire reason Boundary Hill Lodge was even created) but found that they also provided a better Safari trip than we could have ever hoped. Absolutely worth it!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
fabulous trip to north Namibia
Just returned from 16 day safari in north Namibia expertly led by Anthony Washford. We travelled with a small group of six and our guide and leader Ant. Brilliantly organised .Ant has a passion for Africa and Wildlife.
He is very knowledgeable and resourceful and will go out of his way to show the very best on offer. We visited very remote parts of Namibia and came across amazing wildlife and landscapes. I would highly recommend this trip.