SA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceed Expectations
The service was exceptional from the very beginning. I got prompt response after initial contact and all subsequent correspondence were very cordial, helpful, prompt and professional. The safari itself was lots of fun and we had an enlightened patient guide and cautious driver in one person, Mr Omari. He was very experience and competent with good awareness of the local cultures, the various animals and the environment. Accommodations in all three locations were perfect with good food to boost. We were a family of 5 and the children had a blast. Beacon took care of all logistics from the moment we exited the airport to departure out AF Nairobi.
MA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
friendly people, and peacefulness
friendly people, and peacefulness. Tanzania has a more sustainable model for Safari and is not blindly going after mass tourism market - thankfully !
we decided to retake the same safari with Mercury Tours again
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari tour Amboseli and Tsabo
We were a group of 5 who decided to go on a 3-day safari tour. Everything went as expected and I must also say that sometimes even better than that! The lodges were great, both the installations and the food, and we got everthing explained by our guide during the safari. A great experience that I can truly recommend!!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our six day safari was the most incredible and memorable trip of our lives.
We just returned from a six day safari that included Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. From the beginning, "It Started in Africa " was responsive to all my emails, answered all my questions and the prices were reasonable. Our guide, Joel, was the best. He was knowledgeable, patient and friendly. He met us at the airport and was with us the entire safari. We saw the big 5 but more than that we saw wonderful scenes such as a small elephant nursing, lionesses hunting, cheetahs stalking and much more. Joel was willing to go further into the parks away from the majority of the vehicles so that we could experience these incredible scenes. The roads are bumpy and dusty but in spite of that Joel made any discomfort worth it.
Our accommodations were great. Very comfortable with fabulous views.
Each day surpassed the previous day. Cannot say enough about the friendliness of everyone I dealt with at the company. Best trip of our lives!!
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
well orginized, professionls
Did 7 days safaris with them, then went to Zanzibar for 3 days relax, nice and unforgetable experience. I recommend it......
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
very good service on short notice
We stayed in Nairobi for a couple of days and decided very spontaneously to go on a safari to Maasai Mara. After a little googeling we found Esther's agency and called her in the evening to find out, if we could go on a safari within the next two days. Esthers reply was positive and she sent us all the info immediately.
The safari was very well organised (as described on the website) and we had a terrific time in the Mara. We saw the big five and lots of other animals and have had a great time at the camp.
We shared the car with a nice international group of seven people and spent a good time with our driver Paul. He's great fun and seems to know everything about Mara roads and animals.
We happily recommend Esthers service, Pauls driving skills and the budget safaris with Esthers agency.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome trip
Charles Mpanda and Tanganyika Ancient Routes were fabulous from start to finish. During planning they listened to our ideas and desires and helped plan and coordinate a great trip. Charles and all the drivers were kind, patient, fun, and very knowledgeable. We had an awesome trip!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana safari adventure for three generations
Nadine:
We had a wonderful trip! Your selection of camps was spot-on. The private reserves permitted superb game viewing opportunities. The safari was all we could hope for and more!
In every instance the accommodations were clean and comfortable. The food was very good. The camp staffs were welcoming and gracious.
Our favorite camps were the Kwai Sango Safari Camp and the Kwando Kwara Camp. In part this was due to the outstanding game viewing. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Doesn't get much better than that!
Frank and Tom were terrific guides. They were incredibly knowledgeable about the animals, birds, and plants. They were both very personable and helped us all to better appreciate the wonders of Africa. They both went out of their way to make safari a fun and educational experience for our eight year old grandson.
Thank you so much for helping to create a lifetime experience & shared memories for all five of us!
HK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoyable!
Communication during the planning phase was excellent. Less than a 12-hour turnaround time (allowing for time zone differences). Instructions on pick-up location, what to pack, what to wear, etc was all very detailed. All the drivers we had were pleasant to deal with and confident regarding what they had to deliver. Professional yet friendly.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best trip we ever made
The trip was very well organized. Our driver/guide was taking very good care of us, showing us the best spots, communicating with rangers and other guides to make every safari succesfull (we saw a leopard in Queen Elizabeth National Park which is really difficult!!). We had a lot to see and do in our 12 days tour and we are glad for ervery minute. In the mid time of our trip Matoke even called to ask if there is anything else they could do for us. Before our trip started we hoped to see the wildlife, especially the gorillas, but the reality was even better.