On Safari in the Mara
The Safari Partners
- Located In:
-
Canada
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- IATA, ACTA & TOPAC
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email Henry and Deb | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Victoria Falls and Botswana
Amazing and absolutely first rate.
Three nights in Elephant Camp and three nights in Xudum. Both facilities were terrific with wonderful accommodations, gourmet meals, outstanding staff and incredible nature to enjoy.
Thanks Chris and The Safaris Partners for all the preparations and arrangements that you and your team provided. Our trip went incredibly smooth and was certainly one of our best.
CA
Email Patti | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exciting South Aftican Safari!
We booked a family trip/safari to South Africa with Chris. He spent a lot of time getting our intentions and ideas right and made suggestions that were tailor made for us. A mother and three daughters traveling together - we definitely had lots of questions and concerns regarding the usual travel issues. Everything was booked and unexpectedly one of the daughters needed an emergency medical operation. Chris was away at the time, but picked up his emails, got on the situation right away and made alternate arrangements, rerouted flights etc. Three of us went and enjoyed every aspect of the trip. We are avid travelers and we have never used an agent before. I don't believe we could have done it without his expertise. The hotels offered excellent service and honestly we cannot thing of a negative. Well, one, my youngest didn't get to go ..... but we already have Chris on that one!
US
Email Linda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent trip to Namibia. Second time booking an African trip through Chris. Very pleased. Gave
First used Safari Partners several years ago to book a train trip on the Shongololo and was very pleased. I used them again to book a trip to Namibia and again, had an excellent experience. Chris made a suggestion about which trip he thought I would enjoy the most and I trusted his opinion to follow his advise. I am very glad that I did. The trip far exceeded my expectations, and I have traveled to nine different countries on the continent of Africa. I gave his name to a friend who also booked a trip with him and they too are very happy with Chris and Safari Partners. I am planning to use them again to book a trip to Ethiopia next year. I highly recommend them.
CA
Email Sherry | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Trip Of A Lifetime
We found Chris and Safari Partners online while researching new destinations and boy what luck!! Chris was very well informed and provided choices for us in terms of destinations in Africa for first timers. I wanted to plan a great vacation for my husband for a milestone birthday, I saw so many great reviews and thought to take a chance with this company. I spoke to Chris a few times, gave him my list of preferences and a few ideas of destinations and of course a price cap. He put together an amazing itinerary for us, we wanted to see Victoria Falls so we had two fantastic nights in Zimbabwe at a beautiful lodge, took a river cruise and went to a boma. Loved Victoria Falls! We then headed to Cape Town to a fantastic home away from home Blackheath lodge, our private guide took us to every sight imaginable and kept wowing us with the knowledge and destinations. We then headed to wine country with our private guide, beautiful Stellenbosch and amazing food and wine and 5 star accommodations! Next was the "piece de resistance" with four extraordinary nights in Kruger National Park...wow, wow,wow...we loved the Simbavati River Lodge and staff. Our guides were amazing, food was great and the "visitors and residents" were exceptional!! We saw the big five, and everything else imaginable. Chris well done, everything went perfectly well, no hiccups, delays, additional costs, or stress!!! Everything was handled, we simply had to relax and enjoy our vacation. This company will be our "go to" for our next African adventure for sure....thank you Chris for ensuring my husband's birthday gift was perfect.
CA
Email Andrew and Katherine | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana
Safari Partners put together a wonderful and memorable trip for us to Botswana and South Africa. The arrangements (flights, hotels, transfers, rental car, game drives, etc) went so smoothly; we never had a single hassle. Chris was always there to answer questions and take care of details. We appreciated the quick response time. Botswana was the highlight for us: so much better than we could have imagined, both in the number and variety of animals we saw, the quality of the accommodations and the friendly, sophisticated service. Katherine had never had her gluten intolerance accommodated so well! We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Safari Partners.
CA
Email Kelly Stubson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Chris and Safari Partners put together a perfectly co-ordinated and executed safari trip for us.
We had high expectations of our trip to Zimbabwe and Botswana. Our trip exceeded those expectations on every level. From my initial contact with Chris, relaying to him what we wanted to do, to his recommended itinerary and to our face to face meeting, where he answered all questions, the process was perfect.
We stayed in four lodges, with two of them being remote, fly-in, bush camps. The places were exactly as pictured (no brochure shock), but what could not have been relayed prior to our arrival, was the warmth, friendliness and happiness of the staff that ran and worked in the lodges. The food in all locations was fantastic. Because each of the lodges, (other than the Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls), was small, we got to know our fellow travellers and the staff on more than just a superficial level. The guides and trackers were highly knowledgeable and accommodating, always trying to get us the best views and positions for their photo happy clients. The managers and guides even ate meals with the guests, which further enhanced our stay as we got to find out about their lives and families.
The animal sightings were off the charts. The skill of the trackers and guides to actually track the big cats, and to lead us to them was fascinating. Tracking a leopard for an hour was exciting and fun.
There were so many aspects of the trip that fantastic, that there is no way to relay them all to any prospective client. I would just have to say, that we would not hesitate to recommend Safari Partners to anyone contemplating an African adventure. We will be contacting Chris in the future to help us book further trips to one of the most truly beautiful and friendliest places on the planet. Thanks Chris and Safari Partners for making us such happy clients!
CA
Email Cindy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Canadian Tour Company, professional & thorough
We found the Safari Partners using google- not many Canadian safari companies out there. I was a little apprehensive at first- since i didn't see very many reviews online. Well, Chris was beyond patient with me- answering my (many) questions and changing dates when needed. Emails were answered regularly, all paperwork was in order and everything went smoothly. From the airline they chose (safarilinks) to setting us up at Encounter Mara- it was beyond expectation. The camp itself was amazing- food, the service, the guides- we couldn't have ask for anything better. Chris & Staff... thanks for helping us make memories to last a lifetime!
CA
Email Don | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Safari Partners were amazing from our first contact until we had completed our trip!
A safari trip is costly and for many is a once in a lifetime trip. Researching safari companies can be overwhelming. There are many and they offer many options. I can save you some time and grief - contact The Safari Partners from Vancouver, Canada! My wife and I recently completed a "Gorillas, Game, and Beaches" trip with The Safari Partners to East Africa. Right from our initial e-mails to Chris Ronneseth at The Safari Partners everything was handled in a very professional manner. Chris patiently responded to all of our concerns in a respectful and informative manner, often only minutes after we sent the e-mail.
While we were in Africa everything went as planned. All of the companies that The Safari Partners use in Africa are top notch. The guides and drivers went out of their way to ensure that we had the best experience possible. We saw the big five in our first day in the Maasai Mara. The accommodations and meals were amazing. We had high expectations for our trip and it surpassed them in every way!
We had a flight from Kigali to Nairobi on Super Bowl Sunday. Our flight was cancelled and I e-mailed Chris from the Kigali airport. He responded in minutes, reassured us, and contacted the folks in Nairobi to let them know our situation. When we arrived in Nairobi several hours later, Chris had arranged everything and our trip was right back on track. Incredible!
We have no hesitation in recommending The Safari Partners!
CA
Email Paul | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded expectations
Safari partners genuinely designed a tour that matched my needs. They clearly understood my expectations , wants , and concerns.
Travelling with a family of 6 including 4 Young children had me somewhat concerned about safety . Never once did I feel uncomfortable .
The safari itself was exceptional , I think In large part because the location and lodging matched our needs.
The best part of the trip was the interaction with local people and tribes . Again, professionaly managed .
CA
Email Travis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal Organising!
Chris helped plan our honeymoon that included a 10 day trip in Joburg, and Zambia that included Livingston (Victoria Falls), Lower Zambezi, and South Luangwa. Excellent itinerary and we saw all the animals we wanted and it was the luxury vacation that we were looking for. He had chosen the best operators among the variety of camps offered and we were well prepped for the trip. Highly recommend Chris and Safari Partners!