US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
"Seeing God's Creation Firsthand"
While on a Mission Trip with the "Eastern Team" in January 2016, our group had the opportunity to go on a safari with Masoko Tours to the Rhuaha National Preserve. Maka, Roy, Paris, were excellent guides and showed us the wonders of God's creation. I have never seen so much beauty in all my life. Seeing animals in the zoo is one thing, but to see these magnificent animals up close and personal is breathtaking. If you're looking for a great tour company to take a safari, I highly recommend Masoko Tours!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nothing better than hosting overseas friends and loving the SA experience as much as them!
I was not sure what to do with my old school friend and his wife from London, as they wanted to spent time with me as well as experience the beauty of SA. Why do I not go on a trip with them - will I be bored? Well, I should never have worried - we opted for Southern Africa Tours 15 day trip - and what an experience - I never knew that there were live Hippo's wondering the streets of St Lucia! Where else in the world can one see the big 5 and go snorkeling on the same day - Isimangeliso Wetland Park is a must for all travelers (and South Africans). I had been to Kruger before, but one day is never the same, and it is even more special when you get to share the magnificent park with close friends - it makes us proud to be South African. Our guide, Craig, was witty and regaled us with endless interesting stories during our 2 weeks - a true Tour Guide that seemed to love his "job".
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Timbavati!! What a beautiful discovery.
We had a great experience with Pembury tours. Our "fixer" Tammy was super responsive to our initial requests, and very patient and accommodating when a) we booked our plans in a very short time frame and b) had to potentially adjust said plans. The operators that took us around Cape Town were superb. And not to bury the lead, but we had a fantastic experience at Kambuka River Sands safari in South Africa. It was a boutique place run by professionals, and we loved every second. Of course we saw the big five (multiple times!) but the best part was that we thought it was truly a decadent place to stay. Thank you Tammy and the Pembury crew!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Disappointing due to poor administration and communication, could not recommend
We started our trip in Rwanda and everything was fantastic. On our last day there we were advised that our flight to Tanzania had been cancelled and instead of flying to Mwanza, we would be flying overnight and our itinerary would be reversed.
Our problems were:
Dropped off for lunch on the first day, no driver came to pick us up. Restaurant staff helped us out, and after ringing our previous guide in Rwanda and her phoning Simon, a driver came after a couple of hours, but not the one Simon had told us to expect so the uncertainty began.
We had to pay for the lunch – just after Simon had been telling us everything was included.
No revised itinerary provided (despite several requests to Simon and him promising to email it), driver did not have a copy of any itinerary and only knew our first destination, luckily we had a spare copy and were able to provide him with one. He was also unaware of the length of our trip which at 11 days was quite a long one.
Our itinerary did not work smoothly in reverse i.e. we had requested a mix of cultural activities and walks, as well as game drives. The cultural activities and walks mostly did not happen, due to the fact the driver had no knowledge of how to organise these, and the morning walk around the crater could not occur as we were now going down the crater in the morning etc.
No money on card at appropriate times for entrance to national parks, leading to delays, and a hefty fine (paid by us) when leaving the Serengeti as we had been in there illegally without having paid for the correct number of days.
Uncertainty about accommodation – one place unavailable, the roof had fallen in a month previously (supposedly) and we had not been advised. No alternative arrangements had been made, so our guide was on the phone arguing with the company. In the end, we were told a reservation had been made, but when we were arrived that was not the case. We had to pay in cash to stay there. This money was returned to us in cash the next day, but it created a lot of uncertainty about whether future accommodation would be booked or paid for.
Uncertainty about flights – would our onward flight to Zanzibar be booked, and would we have accommodation when we got there, and then would our onward flight to Johannesburg to meet our flight home be booked. We received the details on the flight the last day of our trip, despite having been requesting it from the beginning.
A stressed guide because he also did not know whether the above things would be provided and presumably whether he would be paid.
Virtually no communication from Simon (no replies to emails and only one phone call taken but the phone dropped out during the conversation!), and unable to obtain any other numbers for anyone in the “office”. This is really what made the safari so difficult as if we had had some reassurance that things would be okay, and this happened, then the trip would have been much less stressful.
Having said all that, the places we stayed were mostly great and met our requirements of a range of styles. The original itinerary was good and the animal safari part of our trip was great. We mostly got what we paid for – the accommodation and entrance fees all turned up so we could do all the scheduled game parks. Boundary Hill was a bit creepy because we were the only people staying there and there was a lot of uncertainty about what would happen next (given that it was at the beginning of our trip).
It was also a complete contrast to the fantastically organised trip in Rwanda where we were met at the airport at midnight by our driver with a copy of our itinerary. Thankfully Simon had outsourced our trip in Rwanda to another company although we had not been advised of that, and we paid for the balance of our trip there, so there were no money problem with that company not having received their money.
My take on the whole situation was that Eastco had money problems, and had to wait for new payments to come in before they could pay for the activities of people already out on safaris.
Whilst the potential was there for an outstanding experience and we did have a wonderful time, the constant worry over whether things would work out did take the shine off it. So like one of the other reviews, we had a great trip in spite of Eastco.
FR
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
well planned 3 week circuit
We were 2 couples, who wanted to explore South Africa and from our search we found Southern African Tours to be the most comprehensive and the owner, Craig Lucke to be very helpful in changing the little bit we wished to change.
Craig is an excellent guide; he loves his country, which clearly shows in his way of guiding.
He is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and a very pleasant person to be with, which is so important, when you share a car for 21 days.
He went above and beyond, what was expected from the programme, added extra without expecting extra payment and also gave the four of us time alone, when possible.
We stayed in lovely guesthouses and game lodges around the country and thoroughly enjoyed our tour.
We can heartily recommend Craig and Southern African Tours.
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable experience
We had a small budget for the safari tour, so we were looking for the most smart proposal from the tour operators. Were contacting many companies to discuss the program and to work out the best scheme how to optimize the costs and to visit all places we wanted to. The most value for money proposal was done by Nagi Tours.
After all I would definitely recommend this operator! We spent 4 wonderful days while travelling through National Parks and the atmosphere of the trip was so friendly and cool that I will remember this experience forever!! Gilbert is a perfect teller and driver and we had a chance not only to see all the beauties of a virgin nature and lots of wild rare animals, but also learned much about the manners and customs of Africa! We (group of 3 young women) felt safe, well fed, slept in cosy tents and by the end of our trip had more than 10 gigabites of photos :)
If you plan a trip of your life you should contact to Nagi Tours prefessionals, they will make your trip unforgettable! Hakuna Matata! :)
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent personalised safari, well organised and communicated
I was very happy with the service provided by Amazing Tanzania. I got quick replies to my emails with plenty of information, and a nice itenary was made and adjusted according to our wishes. Although a safari costs a lot of money I really feel that we got value for money. The safari guide that Amazing Tanzania arranged for us was very nice and professional. He really took his time to explain us a lot about (the behavior of) the animals, and gave us plenty of time (and even tips) to take pictures whenever we wanted. We spotted a great variety of animal species. I was especially impressed by the Tarangire National Park, with all it's elephants.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good Safari, bad personal treatment
I personally don't recommend this Company to make a safari. I did 4 days safari and they changed my planning because I wanted to do only 3. The person in charge of taking you to the car, get the money and arange everything treated me as if i were only money and he lied to me several times. On the other hand the safari was fine and the driver and the cook were really friendly.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing days with lewis
My friend and I had 4 amzazing days on safari with lewis. He's so helpful and he shows us so many diffrents parts of Tanzania. The beautiful landcapes of africa, the life in the small village, the religion, the massais and the culture. He look for us every day like a father. He organized everything. So we are so grateful to kwon him, he is a perfect guide.
If you want see more then just the big animals, shika tours is the perfect organisation to book your trip in Tanzania.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari!
The climb of Mount Kilimanjaro and our Safari could not have been better. I signed up for a 6 day climb of the Machame route and is was beautiful and fun. Every day of the hike is different in climate, terrain and views. On our family Safari, we went to Lake Manyara, Terengere National Parc and Ngorogoro Crater. All the guides are very positive, knowledgable and helpful. It was a trip of a life time!