NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Custom made, easy, value for money. Great Safari :D !
During my stay in Kenya I came in contact with Travel For Change. I had a face to face conversation with Martha and we discussed my ideas and the possibilities. I had various ideas for a safari but also wanted to be gentle on the budget. Within a few days I received an offer I liked in my e-mail: a 4 day Safari in Tsavo West National Park and Amboseli National Park for 3 persons. I took my parents with me.
The best things were the private driver and the accommodation Travel for Change chose for us. With the private driver and 4 days to spend we really had the time to explore and go our own way. The driver was very kind and knew all about the different animals we came across. He also tried his best to find as many animals as possible.
The accommodation was very well chosen. We got to experience both a Safari Lodge (Ngulia Lodge in Tsavo NP) and a Tented Camp (Kibo Safari Camp just outside Amboseli NP). Personally I liked the tented Camp, Kibo, the most because camping felt more adventurous while it was still very comfortable.
To wrap up: My safari was one custom made but planning that was surprisingly easy with this operator. And good value for money, Nice and skilful driver and nice accommodations.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolute Holiday Safaris do know their territory, and their birds and animals.
It was a pleasure to do the safari with Asolute Holiday Safaris.
The booking of the hotels took some back and forth-ing and while responses were very prompt it did require constant input from us. We were fortunate to know friends who had been on a safari before and could guide us.
The vehicle was slight disappointing. We expected much better for the price considering the fact that we had booked the high end luxury tour. The guide was loud but good natured, and once we understood each other the holiday was good.
The biggest negative however, was being told how much to tip (which was exorbitant, by every standard), and not on the basis of the overall experience. We gave what we felt was very fair, even generous, but the guide's annoyance at this was not at all pleasant. Sadly it was not a happy end to a good safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and very knowledgable guide
Apart from being one hour late for pick up at hotel, it was a marvelous experience. We were well looked after.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best deal ever!
I was a bit skeptical at first about traveling with an agency I had never used before but from the moment I landed in Kenya, I knew I had made the right choice. Everything went super smoothly and I felt a bit nostalgic leaving a week later. I was meant to write this just after my trip but work happened! Thank you, Travel for Change. I hope to use your services again soon.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Second time around and just as spectacular!
We just completed another safari with eastco in march. for something different we decided to some walking safaris so visited tarangire, arusha national park and mkomazi. Not being our first trip to tanzania, we were looking for something a bit different and ask simon to prepare a safari which combined walking and some culture.
the walk at tarangire started near lemoti village on the masai steppes and we walked west towards the tarangire conservation area, bush camping each night. although very wet! it was also a great time to visit as there was lots of wildlife around, wildebeest and zebras after the first day, a couple of nights with lions grunting and roaring, and even elephants as we got closer to tarangire.
this was a very different experience, the two days were very much a immersion in masai culture, we saw them bring the herds into the boma in the evening, brendan tried the blood and curdled milk mixture and we sat around a camp fire with some of the elders and children till late.
as we walked the next day we say the children collecting water from puddles beside the road, a rich reddish brown colour! our guide loi said it was better than walking 10 kms to fetch water!!
each afternoon loi and costa, our cook, decided when we should stop and set up camp. this consisted of loi and brian cutting the grass and clearing as space, setting up the tents while costa was preparing dinner.
the last two days walking was a bit exciting, with long grass we heard before we saw any of the wildlife. coming across massive elephant prints deep in the mud, and also the large paw of a male lion along the wet sand of the track.
the last night of the tarangire walk was at naitolia camp, luxury after four nights camping in the bush. Massive bed draped in net, outdoor toilet with a view and shower. it was the last night here when we heard the lions rumbling and growling. it seemed so close but was told the next day most likely a couple of kilometers away.
we then went to arusha national park for two nights at hatari lodge. fantastic views across the plains to kilimanjaro one afternoon after a storm. walking on the slopes of mt meru for half a day with a park ranger, buffalo and giraffe, bush duiker and colobus monkeys.
the next part of our adventure took us to mkomazi national park. we had decided to do a a full day walk here, from one camp to another with the park rangers, and the guide wilson and costa packed up the camp and met us that afternoon at a new campsite. scenery here was so dramatic, mkomazi is surrounded by mountains and with the black thunderclouds, a late morning rainbow it was so spectacular. the guide musa (I think) was very informative, we saw tracks of a puff adder in the sand, hyena and jackals. we also saw a large herd of eland in the distance, warily keeping their distance with a couple of oryx mixed in.
after two nights camping in mkomazi, we climbed up the pare mountains to tona lodge. Perched on the edge of the mountain overlooking mkomazi and kenya. brilliant location. food and service was a bit so so! We spent two nights here and walked through the local villages along steep and winding roads. every building seemed to cling to the edge of the mountain slope.
We drove back to kilimanjaro the next day, and a day room at Panone Motel near kilimanjaro.we said our goodbyes to wilson, costa and brian, and had hot showers before transferring to kia for our flight home.
Second trip with eastco, totally different to our first wildlife extravaganza but just as rewarding.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Restful breakaway
We enjoyed the stay at Nkambeni Tented Lodge, the outside showers are amazing. The GPS coordinates on google maps are incorrect so we end up asking surrounding people for guidance.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic!!! Got to see so many animals and our driver Jackson was amazing!
My partner and I arranged to do our safari while still in Australia and even though we weren't in Africa yet David was very very helpful with all our questions even if they weren't about the safari itself! The hotel we stayed in the night before arranged by David was very nice too! All in all we were very sad to finish the tour and can't wait to come back and visit!!
TH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable 14 day Best of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho (Craigs Fav)
Communication was quick and effective.
We experienced everything we wished for. A fantastic Guide, nothing was too much effort, outstanding knowledge and great food.
The Drakensberg mountains was our favorite highlight of the tour and we loved the Kruger Park.
I would highly recommend Southern African Tours, for their skill and expertise.
We will definately book our next holiday with them.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour, excellent guide
My wife and I have traveled to a lot of different countries, but this excursion is by far our favorite. Obviously, going to Kruger Park is great, but what made it extraordinary was our guide Rhys. Rhys has a deep understanding of the animals and is extremely passionate about them and his job. Because of this, we were able to see a lot more than the other tours. He has an incredible eye to spot animals that are far away, then have an understanding of where they are going. This is how we were able to watch two Cheetahs walk 5 feet in front of our car. It was amazing. I cannot say enough great things about Rhys and his company. I would highly advise to not do a group tour on these trips. The personal attention we got was incredible. He actually cooked for us the whole trip, and he's not too shabby with the grill (braai). It was great. Thanks Rhys.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris