35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Only go with Elias if you can!
I found from the tours I did it was very guide dependent.
If you got a good guide it was a great tour.
I think the problem I saw with the tours were :
Time management, I think some of these trips need to leave earlier and have their supermarket shopping already organized on the first day so you don't spend most of the day shopping and then when you make it to the attraction then it is rushed, especially end of day game drives.
I think in the Northern the craft market and supermarket should disappear, and the bus should go straight to Africat, and then a proper game drive through its premises should occur, before a trip to the Leopard. People fly from across the world and the 1st day experience isn't good and compares badly to the Southern tour. Otherwise drive straight to Etosha and spend more time there instead. Its way too slow and boring compared to say the Southern tour.
For eg Africat, we arrived way too late at this attraction, then we had a rushed game drive where the local guide spend 15min talking about the game park we were not going to (why not arrive earlier at this place and go on a proper game drive through the premises as it has heaps of cool animals), then spend 30min talking about 2 termite mounds while the sun keeps setting. On the way to the Leopard, there were heaps of amazing animals and they refused to stop for pics!! The leopard was a bit of a zoo attraction which was rushed and the Cheetahs were old and in bad condition. Then my top went "missing" from the game car when in the visitor centre. The camp site was way too far from where all the animals were as well.
The next day to Etosha we also arrived late and had a rushed game drive. Its was more about scoring points on animals sighting then enjoying the park.
The next thing which I thought was unprofessional, was the tour guide slept with one of the clients on the 2nd day in the tents near us!!! It was then I couldn't really take the tour seriously anymore.
Optionals were pumped hard, as they receive commission for it and 2 out of the 3 tours were really focused on it too much to the point of obsessiveness. Especially pushing high price ones, which I was not interested, in the end I just booked it myself as the guide wasn't interested in booking the one I wanted.
On 2 occasions, when lunch was in the itinerary I received no lunch at all. So I had to go buy my own lunch.
The Botswana Delta visit is a nice place, but there are not actually many animals there, its a fishing lodge. I think a better location should be selected.
I think the tour company should focus more on delivering animal and national park experiences, if it calls itself a "Safari" company, it is more of the tour company.
The HQ are very polite but I think some of the guides are bit out of control and need some management. Apparently a lot of the younger ones just pick and choose which tour they want in which would give them the most tips and optional bonuses and use excuses to cancel tours they don't like.
I think they should be doing it because that's what they love to do, and you can see that come across in certain guides clearly.
I think the best tour they offer is the Southern tour. The Northern ones need some work. I would select another route for Botswana from what I experienced sticking to the National Parks. We added a bit more of the national parks and it made that tour a bit better because we were a smaller group.
I think if some of the things didn't happen on some of these tours which I mentioned I wouldn't be as critical...
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a great orgenized Safari with very good guides
Our Safari included 6 days in Kenya and Tanzania. John is very helpfull and quick to answer.
We had two Safari guides (Kenya and Tanzania) both were very experienced and knowlagable,
with well spoken english.
We chose to stay in tented lodges selected by CTC-John, just outside the reservations. It didn't matter at all, because once you in the car, animals are all around and the fun begins. and the lodeges were good and clean.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip in Kenya
We booked a private Kenya tour with KWSS and had a great time there last month. Our driver/guide Ken was absolutely great! He took good care of us and showed us as much as possible. Mr Otieno was very patient and he arranged really nice accommodations and itinerary for us. We visited Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria and Masai Mara and each place is just beautiful. We recommend KWSS if you want a quality yet affordable trip.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a wonderful trip!
Concluded our trip in a simple word: "perfect"! It's not easy to choose a safari company from so many of them, but Lucy won our trust with her friendly manner. Our skillful driver Simon, was very experienced and patience, we spent a pleasure 6 days with him. Serene safari is definitely recommended, they will provide you an impressive and unforgettable safari trip, just like us.
US
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very Great Experience
The tour guide and driver were very friendly and willing to answer any questions we had. Whenever we had a problem, it was resolved quickly and they accommodated all our needs. The car was comfortable and the camp sites were very enjoyable. Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely want to do it again .
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Flexible and easy to work with! Excellent service!
My family did an amazing 3 days-2 nights tour of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro national parks. We really appreciated that Love and Dove worked hard to answer all our concerns and to work within our budget. The guides were very friendly, professional and definitely made the trip a pleasure too. Happy that our children got to learn so much about the region! I will definitely travel with Love and Dove on my next safari!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Serengeti / Zanzibar Honeymoon
Alym was terrific to work with - he was able to accommodate our budget while also ensuring that we received great value for our money. In terms of the safari, the tour operator that he setup for us was knowledgeable, friendly, and an excellent driver! We saw just about every animal that the Serengeti has to offer (including the wildebeest crossing the Mara river and a lion hunt/kill). In terms of the resort, Blue Bay was spectacular - it was clean and beautifully appointed. Our expectations were entirely surpassed and we couldn't have been happier with our decision to work with Alym!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Thornybush Game Reserve by Kanikoski
N'Kaya Lodge on the Thornybush Game Reserve gave us an informative, up-close game experience that we could not have matched on a self-drive safari. Our wildlife sightings were magnificent, encompassing every animal that we hoped to see. We couldn't have asked for more.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Balule Nature Reserve by Kanikoski
As far as our game sightings at Balule were concerned, the elephants topped the bill. We had some very close, very powerful experiences with the beautiful animals on the reserve.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent introduction to South African wildlife
We visited the Kruger National Park with a guide, as part of a more extensive South African safari holiday. Our experience at the Kruger set us up very nicely for the rest of our trip, as it provided us with a relatively 'soft' start in viewing the animals and birdlife from the safety and comfort of an air-conditioned car. Our game sightings were excellent, with up-to-date local information points helping us to make and photograph some wonderful wildlife encounters. Beyond the 'big five', much of the pleasure was in time spent close-up with 'common' animals such as zebras, and although I'm not a 'birder' as such, we were also guided into spotting a varied selection of colourful and fascinating birdlife. The Kruger National Park may not be sufficient for a whole safari holiday, but it is definitely an excellent way to get accustomed to some of the wildlife you may see elsewhere in South Africa.