IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best you can ask for
We chose Savannah Explorers as our safari operator in Tanzania. That was a great decision in all aspects!!!
First, Roberto the manager is a nice man. He is very responsible and taking the whole thing seriously. From the beginning, he gave us a very detailed plan and quickly answered with all the information we needed. We could feel he is much more serious then few more safari operators we tried to talk with. The price was also better.
The Safari experience was magical!
We had a privet great guide named Mdoe that was also our driver. Mdoe was amazing, very kind and profesional, we saw many animals from all kinds thanks to him and he could answer any question. He was also a very good driver, we felt safe.
All the accommodation we were in were very good. Actually we were even surprise from the very good level and great service. Part of the time we slept in tents that were very beautifull inside with privet bathroom.
We can sum up and say that strongly recommend Savannah Explorers as safari operator.There was not even one bad thing to say about them.
Savannah Explorers is the best you could find, dont think twice!
And have fun in your safari!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
ETrip gets ALL my Africa business - They are the BEST
Ben and Aurelie, Aurelie especially this time, put together a superb itinerary for me from start to finish for Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania (my second time there). ETrip knew me and my preferences from a previous trip in 2013 and did a terrific job of putting a smorgasbord of options from rafting the Nile to horsebackriding to gorilla and chimp tracking, and a return to do a longer camel ride with Mkuru Camel Safaris. Their guides speak excellent English, worked extremely hard to ensure that I got everything I paid for and that I enjoyed my trip. Alex, my Ugandan guide, took matters into his own hands when I got seriously ill and couldn't gorilla trek on the day I was scheduled. He worked diligently to make sure that I was able to go the next day- that's the kind of dedication that I truly appreciate.
Both Ben and Aurelie stay in very close touch during the planning process. One of the things I love about working with them is that they ask for a budget number and your days in country. They do their best to stay inside your number, but you also have to be realistic when you have desires, preferences and a lot of time to fill. I ask a lot of them and I also give a little when they send me their numbers back, and we end up with something I can't say no to. I also appreciate that they give me tipping guidelines so that I come prepared.
As for the tour itself, this was my fifth trip to Africa, so I'm no stranger to many of the challenges and issues of African travel. My expectations are very realistic, and I do a lot of reading in advance. Its important to balance what ETrip does for you with your own research and commitment to being open to new cultures and experiences so that when you run into bumps that inevitably happen, you aren't disappointed.
Aurelie was very open to my requests for less expensive places to stay, and also made sure I had a nice hotel waiting for me when I really needed one after a long time in the bush. There were times I think I can handle more time in a tent than I think I can and they plug in a nice place, and invariably I love them for putting me into a place with a fine bathroom and good food. They listen carefully, respond quickly, and after that it's up to us to make the most of our experiences.
This time I tracked gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys. I was also provided multiple opportunities to do village visits which were rich experiences in understanding the culture, language, and interaction of people/forests in the areas I visited. In some cases these ended up being as emotionally valuable as seeing the gorillas and chimps.
Visit a masai village for one day
Hi,
I had an inspiring and humbling time in a Masai village with my husband. We just returned from a conference in Nairobi and had one day to spare and ISIA took us to a masai village for a daytrip. We asked for something not very touristic, a bit out of the beaten track and that's what we got. We learned a huge amount of stuff from the village leader, we understood how they got food, made medicine, healed the wounded, avoid lions and things like that. It is such a wonderful experience to see these people living with so little, having to walk miles to get water, while at home we just waste so many liters just washing our teeth. This is something I recommend to everyone who has the opportunity to do it and change their perspective over life a little bit.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well planned budget Safari holiday
We were recommended by a friend to book our Safari with Safarihub and after initially speaking with Zuzana I was convinced to book with them, the knowledge she had and price she offered sounded like a great deal. The recommendation of national parks and lodges (within our budget) was spot on and we were prepared for what to expect, I am glad we were informed on how much to tip the driver and guides. It was a great relaxed and stress free holiday and I saw everything I wanted.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
I have nothing but rave reviews for our guide and co-owner of viewpoint adventures, Idi. Very knowledgeable, always upbeat.. Flexible, all about doing what we wanted to do. Saw lots of all the big 5... Went during birthing season, loved all the babies. Wasn't as dusty as dry season, but be prepared for lots of dust!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
They made my Dream Wedding come true
Susan and Luke are two of the most incredible people we have met. Even tho they are not wedding coordinators they helped with every aspect of our wedding in a very very remote area, Bumi Hills in Kariba, Zimbabwe. At the time we where living in Buenos Aries organizing for Americans, British, South African and Zimbabwean friends and Family to come share our special day. We could never have done it without Susan! she was my rock and every person who came to the wedding still talks about how wonderful a time and how amazing Vayeni was. We recommend them to everyone we meet who wants to Travel!
Thanks for everything Vayeni and thank you for making our Dream Wedding come true.
Heather and Matt
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent holiday to Uganda
For years on top of our list, visiting the Gorillas in their natural habitat. But the only problem, we cant go on a trip longer than a week. Matoke tours perfectly understood our problem and made a custom holiday for us.
With just a few keywords, Chimps, Gorillas and Nagamba Island, they made a beautifull trip for us. Before we left we received all the information and our schedule for the week. On the airport our driver was waiting for us and took us to our overnight stay just 10 minutes from the airport.
A perfect trip with great accomodations, lovely staff and good food. The Chimp and Gorillas gives you goosebumps allover. A perfect gift on our daytrip to the gorillas we've met 2 groups of gorillas. It's incredible to be so cloose to this beautifull animals. Also we see lot's of other wildlife.
We had the most lovely time in Uganda and recommend everybody to go and see for themselfs.
Thanks to Matoke Tours a once in a lifetime journey.
SMART SERVICES
Enjoyed the safari with the utmost pleasure.......
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very enjoyable trip with a well thought out mix of activities.
We booked the 5 day Kruger Park, Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge and Panorama trip for lat February 2015. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We saw as expected, many different animals (and a great many impala) on a number of game drives. Our guides were very knowledgeable and informative. Accommodation was to a high standard as were the meals. The panoramic views in the Drakensberg mountains were spectacular.
NZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Memorable experience
My girlfriend and I found Backpackers Safaris friendly and very congenial. Our tour guide Anthony and the cooker Ben were very instructive and helpful. The hotels were clean, comfortable and served hot breakfast within our limited budget. We had seen what we expected to see in Africa. We will certainly recommend this tour to our friends.(: