IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I doubt it could have been much better than how Chalo Africa planned it for us
I happened to come across Chalo Africa's website when I was on Google researching for a South African honeymoon. I contacted them just out of curiosity, but it turned out to be the best decision I took.
Sangeeta got in touch with me immediately, and helped me plan a perfect itinerary. She had immense knowledge about every place that she suggested and with that kind of insight, it becomes quite easy to choose what you want and what you don't want in your itinerary.
I had done a bit of research myself previously, and therefore bombarded her with a lot of doubts and questions. And she answered them all very satisfactorily. The planning went so smoothly that my trip for January 2015 was booked by June 30, 2014. The other tour operators that I had contacted didn't have packages for tours in December 2014 / January 2015 till the last week of August 2014.
The implementation bit was just as smooth as planning had been. I had been recommended Phinda Private Game Reserve for the safari part of my tour by the Chalo Africa team, and it was worth every penny I spent of the whole trip. Sangeeta and Smita had intimated the staff at Phinda Vlei Lodge that my wife and I are both vegetarians, and we didn't face any problems on that front. They also knew that we were honeymooners, and thus we were treated to a lovely candlelight dinner on the patio by the private pool of our cottage on our first evening. It was pure luxury in the jungle.
The game viewing was also excellent. We saw four of the Big Five, with only the leopard eluding us. In fact, when we arrived, our safari vehicle was due to leave for its afternoon game drive at the same time. However, since we had been traveling for the last 18 hours or so, we opted out of that drive. As luck would have it, that vehicle saw a leopard on that drive but none on the next seven drives of which we were a part. Had we not been so tired (read: lazy) that evening, we would have seen all of the Big Five.
The non-safari part of our honeymoon had also been perfectly planned by Chalo Africa, and it went off seamlessly. All our transfer vehicles were ready on the time as stated. The accommodations were all as we had expected them to be. And Sangeeta and Smita were in touch with us throughout the tour to see how we were doing.
The best part about Chalo Africa is that with Smita in India and Sangeeta in the USA, at least one of them is reachable 24x7. And they not only have the knowledge of the places to visit, but also of most of the accommodations they suggest. A first person's opinion can be a big aid in planning a trip.
On the day I returned to India, I spoke with Smita and told her that my wife and I also have Kenya & Tanzania on our bucket list. Someday, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, when I do sit down to plan that trip, that is the first phone call I'll make.
NO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Marvelous trip to South Africa.
All thanks to Monika at the Safari Source putting together an 18-day round trip in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Most of the time we traveled four people together, with a program very well balanced between building knowledge about towns and game areas, and relaxing leisure in well-chosen accommodation. It was especially nice to see how smooth everything worked with pre booked transport and guiding. We will not hesitate to recommend the Safari Source for helping you to plan and assist in getting memories for life from the African continent
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable trip to Uganda
Uganda is a great destination which not too many people know of. The varity of views and wildlife is incredible.
But what makes it so unique for us and made this trip so enjoyable is the way Ugandan welcome visitors, always with a smile and kind attitude. And this is exactly what made our experience with Mamaland Safaries so great. Because like all Ugandans, the team members of Mamaland became our friends in no time. Is there any better way to travel than with a local friend??
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For a great time and a good safari i would gladly book once again with grassroots company.
The safari was great, we were lucky enough to see a lot of animals .The water fall,and the tracking was over filling. The guide was really sweet and friendly. All the time asking ihow we are. Food was just like a 5 star resturant. Although we though we are going to have normal rooms, but at the end we had just camps it was still ok. The place how they set it up, was like a picture, full of trees. In the wild, but everything up to standard.
So in total we were very happy with everything we had. I would recomaned this company over and over again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional, friendly and knowlegable tour guide. Rowly made us feel like part of the family!
Rowly went the extra mile and was flexible when we wanted to go off the beaten path. Good value for money and I would highly recommend this tour. 5 stars :)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very efficient, friendly and professional - highly recommended
We are highly experienced travellers, but this was our first time in Africa so we booked through Encompass and really loved every day of our safari. Jono was very efficient and we found we were looked after really well. We would certainly recommend Encompass to our friends and family.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
If I had one operator to choose it would be Paul.
Paul was my driver who took me to Tandala Tent Camp near Ruaha National Park. I found Paul extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the region we were driving through. He knew about the people, their way of life, and if something came up that he thought was interesting or you thought was interesting he would stop to make sure you understood whatever it was that you wanted to see. Twice on our trip he stopped to show us interesting wildlife along the way. And his knowledge of birds astounded me. Be it sound or live bird he knew what it was. His love of helping to protect the wildlife of Africa is to be commended. When I decide to go back I will contact Paul to help me with my safari. He told me before I left to go home that he would make sure things would be arranged with whatever I needed. I would recommend Paul services to anyone that wanted to have a fabulous time on safari in Africa. As a matter of fact, I have told some of my friends that if they ever decide to go on safari that I have someone they should contact. That person would be Paul Tickner.
SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
excellent service
my safari was very well orgnized. attention to details and very good fare. the communication and replying to my questions was very quick! Excellent all my children were very happy.
thank you.
PL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
competent and friendly care while watching the best places in Namibia
Jeżeli do Namibii to koniecznie z Wild Wind Safari. Philip zorganizował dla naszej 7 osobowej grupy fantastyczną wyprawę , taką jaka sobie wymarzyliśmy. Spaliśmy w domkach i pod namiotami, jedliśmy w restauracjach i grilowaliśmy przy ognisku (oczywiście dziczyznę !). Wszędzie było nam cudownie: miejsca bardzo ciekawe, a noclegi jak w "Pożegnaniu z Afryką". Nigdy nie zapomnę "spektaklu" wschodu słońca odsłaniającego piękne rude wydmy koło Sossuvlai , czy też wodospadu Epupa, potężnego i zadziwiającego kolorami o zachodzie, rewelacja! W Etosha Parku widzieliśmy dosłownie wszystkie gatunki zwierząt: lwy , nosorożce, gepardy itd i to dzięki doświadczeniu Philipa , który widział i słyszał wszystko. Jeszcze raz szczerze polecam wyjazd z Philipem.On kocha to co robi , kocha kraj , w którym mieszka i chce się tym podzielić i dlatego to wyprawa była tak udana.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Zanzibar
We just returned from a week's stay in North Zanzibar (Nungwi), we stayed at the Z hotel. We enjoyed every minute of our stay and I even managed to start my PADI course, the restaurant Saruche serves delicious food and the roof top cocktail bar is out of this world. Wish we could have stayed longer, well there is always a next time.