50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfection from Pembury
I initially contacted 4 safari operators to discuss outline itinerary and estimated costs. Pembury were the most efficient and friendly in responding. Kerry was our travel advisor and we found her to be excellent. Kerry was professional with a good sense of humour. Kerry was able to provide a lot of suggestions and was a fountain of knowledge. We subsequently booked with Pembury and did not regret it for a single second. We were able to book our own flights and co-ordinate with Kerry on arrival times etc. The airport/hotel transfers were punctual with friendly drivers. Organised tours went off without a hitch and again the drivers/guides were excellent. Arathusa Lodge was the safari lodge we stayed at and it was superb. at Victoria Falls we stayed at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort which was excellent. This was our first visit to South Africa and Zambia, with the main reason being to do a safari. Given the excellent service and professionalism provided By Kerry and Pembury Tours we are already talking about a return visit to Afica for another safari. Pembury will be our first call. Highly recommended.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masai tour
ACZ safari arranged me the tour to Masai which was cheapest among competitors . Arrangement was very decent for the price they have offered for both accommodation and food . What i liked most was their prompt reply for all the queries raised from me for the Masai trip . Food was very tasty . Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about places and very nice who took to all the places and also made us to see the big beast river crossing . But could not see all Big fives missed leopard and rhinos . Still i felt the trip was good . Looking for another Masai tour with ACZ safari.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Quick, efficient and funny
I had a day between work to organize a day-safari and Tomodachi/Jospeh was the most reactive and helpful.
He organized me a top day tour to beautiful Tarangire NP in less than a day. With the driver Chedi (or Chéri, as I like to call him), I also had a funny tour as Lonely privilged guest. Chedi was bringing most of the guiding skills and Joseph joined for a top day). Trustworthy and flexible for payment, this was well appreciated.
I recommend the agency, but better book a bit in advance than me.
HK
very wonderful safari experience from easy travel! your 1st choice in Tanzania!
I must say that Easy Travel is the best Safari company I have ever met, very reliable, well organized, customer oriented and professional. From my 1st email inquires, Ms. Mwanaidi replied me very fast and explained our questions very patient in details. she helped us planned the trip, even though we only have 4 days, we went to three parks and saw most of the animals with wonderful accommodation. Our guide and driver, Mr. Gerald, he is nice, professional and really really really good at finding animals. We had a great time with him . We feel really happy and lucky that we choose Easy Travel and we recommend it as your 1st choice of travel organizer in Tanzania!
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
fantastic Solo Tanzania Safari
This a review for the 6D Economical Tanzania Safari. Please note the reviews for each of the lodgings is mentioned in trip advisor separately. This review is purely for the tour.
I booked a 5n/6D safari with Dusty Roads and travelled in September. I had searched for safari options on Safari bookings and this one instantly took my attention. It had a detailed description of the itinerary and it accepted solo travelers. I thought the package was great values especially when I later noticed that this would be a private tour.
Booking was easy and Dusty’s responded to my emails/ questions in a timely manner.
From the moment I arrived in Tanzania I felt instantly welcome. I was picked up and presented with a small welcome gift. The driver was knowledgeable and chatted to me on the way to the first hotel. Shortly after I arrived at the hotel, my driver for the trip the next day was introduced to me. And we agreed a time for pick up the next morning.
First stay – Green mountain lodge – comfortable ( see trip advisor for separate review)
Dusty’s prides its self on putting the customer first so they are quite flexible with times you wish to leave in the morning (I suggest leaving early to ensure max time to see the animals- they prefer the cooler mornings). We left the next morning at 7am. My driver for the next 5 days was Ray, who was superb. On the way to first NP Ray chatted to me, he is very knowledgeable about the culture, animals and plants that you see along the way. He would point out things to me and explain things, as well as answer questions that I had asked. Thought-out the trip there was not much Ray didn’t know the answer to. Tangaire NP was fantastic for Elephant, giraffes and smaller wildlife. We stopped for lunch at a beautiful picnic spot above the river and watched the elephants. After several exciting hours we headed to our next hotel.
Eileen’s Tree Inn was superb (see trip advisor for separate review).
From here we left early the next day and headed to the Serengeti NP. On the way we were meant to see the Ngorroro crater View point but it was very cloudy, however Ray promised me we would see it a few days later on the way back… well worth the stop!!. As we had left early, we arrived at the Serengeti early which meant we had max viewing time. The Serengeti did not disappoint, seeing Cheetahs, Leopard (rare to see), lions, lots of elephants, hippos and so much more. Ray was very knowledgeable about which routes to take through the park (some of the quieter routes) . He also knew some of the territories of the leopards cheetahs etc, which is bonus (however Ray can never promise he will find these animals, he will certainly try his hardest)
I could go on… but thought-out the trip driving through the park, Ray took a slower approach compared to the other drivers, many speed by kicking up dust and reducing the chances of seeing things, plus makes the roads ( and you) when they overtake very dusty!!!, this was not Ray’s approach and instead often spotted things much quicker… I would say slower is better in the parks.
The Car was always filled with plenty of water which you can just help yourself to. Every day you are provided with a packed lunch, some days far more that perhaps you want. Some days the food can be repetitive ( and sometimes interesting in what they fill the sandwiches with etc ) but you can just each what you want.
In the Serengeti we stayed at Agenai Tented Camp- Basic but comfortable (see trip advisor for separate review)
Our last but one day was in ngorroro crater, an opportunity to see the Rhino, sadly I never did get to see them, but the crater is an amazing place. And worth a day to see animals you would not perhaps see elsewhere. as promised we stopped at the view point as we left.
It was then back to Eileens tree Inn for the final night.
The final day was super early as we were heading off to see the Bushman tribe, certainly worth a visit and get to see how some people still live… amazing. Finally it was time to head home… sad.
I was not particularly interesting in stopping at loads of Gifts shops which Ray understood, ie: I was not forced to go in to gifts shops that you see along the roads, like some tour companies do. (Also another benefit of travelling in a private tour) . It was only on the last day that I asked to see if we could stop (buying trinkets was not apriority of mine this time). Again respecting wat the customer wants
Over all I was truly happy with this trip and the service I received, as a single female solo traveler I felt I was well looked after and the service 2nd to none. I met a couple of the other drivers and again I would say the same about them, welcoming friendly, knowledgeable. I would recommend dusty to any friend who was looking for a trip to Tanzania.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 days safari tour - foot slopes
This safari tour was perfect. All begin with the online discussion on the web page, where you can gain all information you need before spending the money. The you are picked up from the airport by the owner (included) and taken to the hotel in the middle of the arusha where you sleep night before and night after the safari tour (both nights included). In the morning the guide takes you directly from the hotel. We have made 3 dayes safari with tarangire, ngorongoro crater and lake manyara. The guide in the jeep is communicative and educated to answer all questions.We had the budget version with the sleep in the tents in the camp between the parks (with swimming pool), which was very nice and we liked the "family" dinner with the other safari guests (like 10 people).
I would definitelly reccoment this company becouse of the very reasonable price and mainly the personal approach of all the staf, who really try to you enjoy the safari.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, easy to navigate and loads of relevant information
Booked with Stephen and spoke with him on the phone. He was very helpful and was patient as I emailed him numerous times. The 3 days in Masai Mara was fantastic although next time I would spend another day there. We had private safari at a great camp and the guide was excellent. The whole trip was exceptional value compared to other companies who quoted a lot more!
Excellent service and staff make the trip worthwhile.
My wife and I were looking for a reliable tour company to do a five day safari in Kenya, and it's here on Safari bookings where we settled for Bushtop Safaris. Though it did not have quite a number of reviews and ratings, we chose to take the risk and go ahead with the booking. To our astonishment Denis, whom we believe is the owner, emerged to be of great help and excellent service; he promptly replied to our emails /questions sufficiently even during odd hours. Upon arrival at Nairobi Airport, our driver was on time and ready to pick us up. The lodge was exceptional and the food served was beyond our expectations. Tonny, our driver, was quite experienced and was very good in spotting animals hence we saw the big five with little difficulties and in addition he was a great person to be around. Thanks a lot Denis, I highly recommend Bushtop Safaris for anyone planning to tour Kenya.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Smooth organisation, relaxing stay and great experience
The organisation in advance was very easy and took not so much time. The communication via email was quick and really friendly. My expectations from the package that I booked were exceeded...it was even way better than I thought :)
The safaritour itself in the Selous River Camp was amazing, the mudhut was so nice and the staff was all the time friendly and helpful!
I can absoluetly recommend that organisation.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3 day trip to Murchison Falls + Chimp Trekking + Rhino Sanctuary
Godwin at Yala Safaris has been an absolute pleasure to work with. As someone who has travelled across several countries, from rural to city locales, my experience with Godwin has been one of the best! My trip was a little unconventional. I had requested a quote for this trip only 2 days in advance of when I wanted to go. Godwin notified me that he fortunately was already taking 2 people so I was able to get a lower price as I was joining a group vs. paying a much higher price going as a solo traveller from Kampala up to the Falls. I notified him that I would have a friend who would join me for the Murchison Falls activities only (she was living in Northern Ugana) and that she would "piece meal" her trip together, but regardless, asked him to book her rooms where I was staying in the Falls Park. Most other tour operators I talked to wanted to charge my friend the same price they were charging me, even though she would not be using their transportation from Kampala to and from the Falls, would not be doing the Rhino Sanctuary, etc, so I was surprised by how helpful Godwin was to her for no cost. On the morning of our trip, Godwin notified me that the two others in my group had cancelled late the night before, but as not to disappoint or frustrate me day of, he let me know the group discount he quoted me initially would remain. He felt it wasn't fair to change the plan on pricing the morning of which I thought was so nice. My trip ultimately ended up being a solo trip (with my friend joining for the Falls activities), but I really enjoyed all my time with Godwin. He has many things to talk about. As we were both interested in agriculture, we spent much time talking about that! His most notable quality when it comes to touring is his flexibility and his honesty. Given the last minute plans of many travellers, Godwin and Yala Tours have gracefully managed to be flexible with bookings and cancellations (given that you as a traveller did not ask him to book a super detailed and expensive/luxury trip that he seriously cannot cancel without losing a lot of money). To be able to be flexible with his customers, this demonstrates that he has a great relationship with many vendors - the park sites, restaurants, and hotels. Additionally, he is very honest. At no point did I ever feel like Godwin was ripping me off. He will provide a quote based on the trip you are looking to have. Personally, I had requested a budget-mid level tour since I knew travelling solo or in a smaller group is more expensive anyway, but I know that he has also planned luxury tours. Other tour operators I talked to were quite passive aggressive or would almost guilt trip me about negotiating, but Godwin never did this. Additionally, when I got back to Kampala, he helped me organize an afternoon tour of Kampala City via boda boda and helped me arrange my taxi for a fair price to Entebbe airport. I will definitely be coming back to Uganda and will be using Godwin and Yala Safari's Services upon my return! Highly, highly recommend!