Marianne Birrell, founder of MB Safaris.
Marianne Birrell Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2001)
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
We went to Africa on our honeymoon and Marianne really did make it the trip of a lifetime! Through every step of the planning she was thorough, helpful and organised. She listened to what we liked doing and what we wanted out of the trip and made some fantastic suggestions. She was so enthusiastic, answered all our questions and sent through a lot of really helpful information.
The trip itself ran extremely smoothly. Everything was well organised and really easy on our part. We went to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The lodges were fantastic and the whole trip was better than we could have imagined.
We can't thank Marianne enough for all she did and are so glad we decided to book through her. We would definitely use her again and will recommend her to all our friends and family.
MY
Email John | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A truly great African Spectacular with supberb itinerary and wildlife sightings
Out of five tour operators we contacted, Marianne Birrell Safaris responses stood out from the others due to their detailed itineraries and suggestions. Marianne personally was involved in advising us and getting the best value for our budget. The holiday itself in Cape Town, Sabi Sands, Victoria Falls, Chobe and Okavango was overall above our expectations and all the logistics and transfers went smoothly. Our only issue was at the tented camp at Moremi Crossing which had low water problems and staff which didn't meet the high standard of the other lodges. Southern Africa can be daunting but Marianne passed on tips and additional tour suggestions right up to our departure date, and came back promptly to all our questions. We would definitely use Marianne again for other tours and have passed on a recommendation already to our family and friends.
US
Email Susan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
From the start to the finish Marianne listened to our wants and delivered! It is sometimes frightening to know who to trust when planning such a large trip via Internet. Each step of the way, though, everything was done exactly when she said it would be and how she said it would be. Wonderful experience and cannot say enough about how responsive and caring Marianne is. I would highly recommend her and hope to be fortunate enough to have her plan another trip for me.
DE
Email Michael and Patrizia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great advice, great adventure
our safari experience was wonderful, and Marianne helped us to make it possible, giving us great advice on the lodge, activities, travel, health, timing ... She even helped us sorting out our international money transfer (no small feat when money gets trapped between banks). At our lodge, the Ngala ranger-tracker team of Mike and Fanny was amazingly professional and competent. We learnt and viewed so much for such a short period of time. Highly recommended!
CA
Email Dale | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical safari experience from beginning to end; everything well thought out and executed.
I cannot use enough superlatives to describe the perfection of our mother/daughter trip Marianne designed for us! She thought of every detail ensuring both our comfort and safety. The accommodation and food throughout all lodges and guest houses I would rate as a 10 and the people at each location were thoughtful and certainly aimed to please their guests. Our mail concern, being two women travelling alone, were the transfers between our many destinations and they all went smoothly as Marianne saw to that. She was professional and friendly in all our dealings and countless emails offering us suggestions and options to choose from within our budget. The safari lodges she chose for us were beautiful and comfortably appointed and their drivers and trackers ensured we saw eveything possible. Our trip was the dream of a life time and we owe it all to Marianne's careful and meticulous planning. We had a dream and she made it happen!
US
Email Heather | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Custom Safari Adventure
Was referred to Marianne by a friend in the States. She was excellent. I have planned trips for my friends before and we are always looking for something out of the ordinary that would not be found on regular tours or searching the internet. Marianne was very familiar with the countries in Africa and the various Safari lodges and arranged a tour around our interests. She spent months narrowing down the choices with the result being a once in a lifetime experience that was well within our budget. She knew what was important to spend money on and what was not. In coordinating the trip the fact that I lived in the United States and Marianne was in South Africa was not a problem. Excellent all around.
Wonderful time in Africa!
We had great time in Africa last year, we still talk about it all of the time and constantly pull out the pictures to re-live the experience! Having never been to Africa before, we really appreciated Mariannes help with deciding on the best itinerary, picking lodging, and making all of the sometimes complicated intracontinental trael arrangements. I would definately recommend her services to anyone wanting a great trip to Africa.
NL
Email Richard van Aken | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a great holidays we had !
In 2013 we decided to go on holidays to South Africa and came in contact with Marianne. She helped us sorting out various B&B and hotel accommodations in South Africa and at every address we discovered a different atmosphere but always exceeded our expectations. We travelled from Capetown along the coast to Kruger and the icing of the cake was our last resort. The game resort that Marianne arranged for us was absolutely great and we have gained such great memeories that I am sure that one day we will come back. And if such day comes I will immediately contact her again to be surprised about new undiscovered locations.
Whenever you go to South Africa and you would like to spent time in locations with a unique atmospere and you want to be sure to see the best of the wild life do not hesitate but contact Marianne Birrell.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience!
My 6 friends and I used Marianne Birrel Safaris to plan our tour. We wanted a customized tour to avoid the huge crowds and giant lodges in the National Parks and Marianne gave us several options from which to choose. We stayed at small yet excellent game lodges in private reserves with extremely knowledgeable and accommodating guides and trackers. The lodge in Victoria falls was gorgeous, as was the B&B in Capetown.
Marianne was with us every step of the way in planning and even gave instructions about whom to wire transfer payment and reservations at the various places. She even checked up on the success of the transfer. As for making flight reservations, she paid attention to flight times and advised us which flights to choose, and even gave detailed instructions on how to work the airline's website!
Marianne was available at all times by phone or email during the entire trip to help with any problems that might crop up, and even arranged a small refund in cash when I inadvertently overpaid one of the lodges.
Our overall experience was awesome and we would all recommend Marianne Birrell Safaris and of course will use her the next time we go!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Experience Start to Finish
Marianne Birrell Safaris was recommended to us by a friend who is a travel agent. I had already contacted several potential tour companies online and been a bit frustrated by the communications and offerings, but Marianne was a breath of fresh air: efficient, responsive, always pleasant. She was respectful of our budget, offered us a variety of great options and was supportive of any independent arrangements we also made. She sent us to wonderful B&Bs, arranged a rental car, recommended road trip routes and sites to visit, gave us very important advice about travelling in South Africa, and, based on the time of year and weather, booked us into the Kariega Game Reserve, which proved to be a fantastic experience. All of the arrangements went perfectly. Marianne also made herself available at any time while we were in South Africa in the event we needed any assistance or advice. She kindly offered to meet us for a coffee and is delightful. All around a terrific travel experience.