50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Private tailored Classic Namibian was fabulous experience and great value. Couldn't beat it!
This safari was modified after helpful suggestions to include extra days in & near Windhoek at start & end & in the middle to slow the pace. Extra costs for private arrangements surprisingly affordable, including no single supplement. All arrangements ran smoothly from airport arrival to departure ( even the 0400 airport transfer!).
Hotels, lodges, hired vehicle, excursions uniformly excellent. Great game viewing at this time of year. Our local guide Kit was a good friend & all you could wish for. Without his local knowledge we would have missed half the great sightings & possibly even chosen the wrong wines!
This is a great company to deal with, helpful, responsive, & full of good suggestions. You really need to book this type of holiday with a flexible & knowledgeable local firm to get the best. We cannot recommend them too highly.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent 4 Days
We did a 4 night safari in Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro in September. Lion King accommodated our schedule and customized a mixture of tent camping and tented campsites, and they took care of every detail. Our guide, James, provided a wonderful experience and was able to find, identify and give detailed information on both the animals and the plants, as well as cultural insights. Aside from picnic lunch, we spent most of the day in the Land Cruiser - so don't expect a lot of exercise, unless you arrange for a walk. I'd agree with others that it's best to stay inside the Serengeti and Ngorongoro parks because it's a bit of a drive to get sufficiently into the parks where the safari trails are, and once you leave the tarmac at the entrance to the park, the roads are rough.
The Serengeti Heritage Camp was close to the middle of the park, and had a wonderful view of both sunrise and sunset. Not luxurious, but very comfortable and with all the basics - more glamping than camping. All kinds of animals drifted through at night, and the camp had Maasai guards stationed throughout the night.
Would like to get back to see the parks at other times of the year.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Travel Company in Namibia!
I had the most wonderful trip in Namibia in December 2016 through Lark Journeys. Greg, the owner of the company, responded to my e-mails promptly and took care of me from start to end. I was a solo female traveler and Greg ensured that I had the safest and most comfortable trip. I arranged for airport pick-up and Greg was waiting for me at Arrivals as soon as I passed through Immigration. I had a tight schedule, but Greg ensured I got the most out of my vacation by planning everything meticulously, allowing me to relax and just absorb everything Namibia had to offer. From the airport, we stopped in Windhoek to pick up a few items we'd need on the road, then started the drive north to Agama River Camp, one of the few lodges closer to Sossusvlei. It was a 4-5 hour drive on both paved and dirt roads, and Greg did an excellent job maneuvering the van! We made a short pit stop at Solitaire, almost like a ghost town scene from a movie where I had the to take photos and stretch my legs. Once at Agama, we had sundowner drinks and dinner was served at 8pm.
We left our lodging the next day at 5am, bringing our boxed breakfasts with us to head to Sossusvlei National Park. It took about 45 minutes to get there, which is not too bad compared to the driving we did from the previous day. Sossusvlei is amazing! Greg took me to the famous sand dunes and climbed Big Daddy with me, choosing a route not many tourists know about. It was really hot and I don't think any physical training could have prepared me for it but Greg motivated me to finish the climb to the top. The views from the summit were amazing and I have never seen anything like it! From the summit of Big Daddy, we made our descent to the Deadvlei and walked some more to reach the famous dead trees we only see in pictures. Then we headed back to the park entrance to have lunch at the cafe. After lunch, we visited Sesriem Canyon, then headed back to the lodge for a much-needed rest. Dinner again was at 8pm and another opportunity for drinks and star-gazing.
The next day we headed back to Windhoek after breakfast at around 9am, choosing a scenice route quite different from the first day. We reached the city at around 1300 and had lunch, then he dropped me off at my hotel for the official end of the tour.
That was the official end. Greg and I had become great friends during my short trip, so I ended up hanging out with him and his friends during my last night in Windhoek. We went to trivia night at Chopsis and I was really impressed with the band playing fun, chill, African music. I also got to try some Namibian street food and had a great time getting to know some of Greg's accomplished friends.
You'd think only a crazy person would travel solo to Africa and get in a van with a guy you've only met through a travel website. But I took a risk on this one, because my fears were relieved after reading reviews of Lark Journeys and after hearing good things about Greg. I have travelled extensively around the world and have worked with dozens of tour guides. None has provided me with the remarkable level of service that Lark Journeys did. For this company, tourism is not just a business---it's their passion. They go above and beyond, and they truly make your travel memories last a lifetime!
Overall, the trip cost me around N$10,000 but that includes lodging, breakfast and dinner prepared by a German chef at the lodge. It also included the van, fuel, park entrance, water (a prized commodity in Namibia!) and of course, the privilege to get to know Greg, who is one of the best tour guides I've ever worked with so far. He's a very educated man and really sensitive to your needs. I'm glad I trusted my instinct and chose him to do the trip with me!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever
We were very well taken care of from the second we arrived. And our guide Aaron, you would be lucky to find one better! He knew everything and everyone, and he is a good person. We saw things that we had only dreamed about, got some killer photos and videos. This was a once in a lifetime trip for us and Aaron made it memorable, things we will never forget.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Transparent and friendly. Very sympatic guide (Shabani) and best Chef. Kind and honest Company Chief
It has been very nice with the World Tours & Safaris Company. Sympathc Guide called Shabani. He makes the Safari very special, loves it to make you enjoying the Safari. He knows well about the animals we saw. The price and the reveived Performance is very good. I would advice this Company, also because of the raliable, fair and kind Chief Richard. I made the Safari Serengeti, Lake manyara, ngorongoro, tarangire Nationalpark in 6 days and 5 nights Camp Safari.
Thanks a lot
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful time, which will be remembered forever!
We went by Bus from Dar Es Salaam to Arusha/Tengeru. There we were picked up from Kaaya at a petrol station and taken to Peace Matunda. At the Evening we were warmly welcomed, got a excellent dinner and a very comfortable, warm bed at the guest house.
The next day we started at 8:00 am to our 4-day Safari (Ngorongro-Krater and Serengenti Nationalpark). It couldn´t have been a day shorter. We saw every day a lots of animals very closed to us and we saw fantastic sunrises and sunsets. We slept in the Nationalpark. Our tent was extraordinarily comfortable and very warm (we could have saved the many sweaters). At morning we got a rich breakfast consisting of fried eggs, pancakes, fruits, toast, coffee, juice and tea. For Lunch we got a main dish (e.g. pizza or pasta) and for evening a 3 course menu from the finest. At this point a great praise to our chef. Our Guide Gasper has always ensured that we had a super view for watching the animals. He knows a lot of the animals and about their habitat. We felt each time cared for and we loved it to cruise with the jeep at the roads.
After our Safari we couldn´t let it take and spent the day at the Peace Matunda School. A day that will remain forever in a beautiful memory. we watched at the classroom, corrected the english exercise und spoke with a lots children. They told us about their dream job, where they are from, which is the favorite subject and a many other things. Most of them walked after school to home the other live at the orphange.
We still think of this day and yearning us back. A great praise for the crew which created this wonderful, peaceful place for kids und orphans.
All the best
Katharina and Nicole
RO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3 days safari
Hello everybody.
I was in September in a 3-day safari, organized by Back to Africa, and I want to tell you that everything was well organized and what we discussed on email actually happened. Use the services of this company with confidence!
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding experience!
Hello! I am now in Mozambique after finishing an amazing safari in Tanzania! I got married 2 weeks ago and my wife and I decided we wanted to do a safari in tanzania, a friend of mine recomended 'soul of tanzania', we decided to go with it and we could not be happier! They booked us a 6 days safari: ngorongoro crater, central serengeti and northen serengeti. We saw how beautiful the landscape and the wildlife of the crater is, the lions attacking a poor lonely gnu in the serengeti and the great migration crossing the mara river!! The service, the experience, the landscapes, our guide Nico, everything was absolutely perfect! Oh! Did i mention they serve hot lunches and cold white wine instead of the usual lunch boxes? Highly recommended.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A good experience to climb Uhuru Peak and make a safari with Capello Adventures
To climb Kilimanjaro was a really good experience for us. The guides and porters were very friendly and nice. The cooker made a very good meal. we recommend doing this experience with them. All the service and the price are very great.
The safari was spectacular. We had only 3 days and we visited 3 different national parks, one each day. The parks were wonderful. The Lodge during the safari is good and the meals were delicious.J
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Mozambique- Sept 2017
Zambezi Organized a trip for 14 of us that was highly customized and included differentiated itineraries to meet the needs of the group. Our group travels together frequently, so there were a lot of individual "wants" that the members agreed upon for this Safari. Schedules were met, we were consistently picked up and delivered on time. Accommodations were specific to our activities, and well appointed. Staff and Guides at each of the sites were attentive to our varied needs, and extremely knowledgable regarding the Safari drives. Travel vehicles were comfortable and offered each rider ample opportunity to get "that perfect photo". The Zambezi staff was fabulous in arranging a very special Safari at the following locations: Swaziland: Hawane Resort is an older facility but met out needs, and Richard, the manager went out of his way to see that things we wanted to do were arranged. We even attended the Reed Dance and saw the King of Swaziland. The Hawane staff was welcoming and service was excellent. South Africa: Shindzela Tented camp: I can't say enough about the fabulous experience we had here. We saw 4 of the big 5 on out first drive, and the birders were ecstatic with the morning drives. The camp is small (16 beds), so we had the entire facility and staff to ourselves for 4 days. We loved this experience. Service was excellent, food was excellent, and game drives were excellent. Sabi Sands Resort: Again, an excellent experience. Here, there were leopards "up close and personal", and a fabulous opportunity to photo a mother lion and 3 cubs. Big 5, definitely. Service was excellent, rooms were excellent, staff was excellent. Both Shindzela and Sabi Sands offered bush coffee and sundowner experiences. The game viewing was excellent at both locations. After Sabi Sands, the group split up, smaller groups enjoyed Victoria Falls, Vilanculos (Mozambique) and Pilanesberg National Park. My experience at Victoria Falls was excellent, as was the 4 days spent in Vilanculos. Again, accommodations, services and staff were excellent. Zambezi did a great job for us!