Tailor-made safaris all over Africa
Wild Times Safaris
- Located In:
-
Netherlands
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 1989)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $750 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CW
Email Justus van der lubbe | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Disappointment
Hi Monika,
I have put off answering for several reasons ... this way I could let my disappointment sink in a bit ... I have decided to be brief.
Let me start by stating that I am personally responsible for the decision I made to accept your proposals and those of Wild Times Safaris (WTS). I paid dearly for professional advice and I could have assumed, for example, that WTS would really think along and not just want to "book", ....
Two people who are turning 60 and have traveled for 48 hours and come from the other side of the world (with Jet Lag), two night flights with four different aircraft, you advise them to take it easy and not immediately take a helicopter flight to the Victoria Falls on the day of arrival in Zambia. This is just an example.
The lodges in Zambia and Botswana were certainly very nice, the people fantastic, the food delicious etc. Gomoti was the most pleasant and that is where we saw the most animals. Duba was dark and a bit depressing. All 4 lodges were almost empty and that is perhaps the reason why we got all, read: TOO MUCH, attention. You don't get a moment to stare into space and enjoy, except from your own room where we often escape to, or there is someone next to you asking "how was your game drive" ... When the cook has been, the chambermaid comes and then the guide follows who prefers to sit at your table to talk about everything again. You didn't get a moment's rest or privacy. 4 lodges in 12 days means 5 days of traveling to and from ... packing and unpacking and you can't enjoy the lodges themselves in this way at all. WTS should have warned you about that. Followed your "money tip" advice and left 500 US$ per lodge, US$ 2,000 is excessive. The flights and all transport coordination went fine by the way.
But now Cape Town: This was a real letdown and certainly for my organizational quality feeling towards WTS. Euro 10,000 for 6 nights and your invoice confusingly states 7 days (and an earlier invoice/quote even stated 8 days instead of 7), ... Of these 7 days you travel/fly 2, so you only have 5 whole days!!! This amount NB EXCLUDING flight costs food and drinks ..... Cadogan is in a nice neighborhood but is highly overrated. Small room that didn't even have a chair in it. Delaire Graff more than beautiful but unfortunately we couldn't enjoy it much. I think WTS couldn't imagine what I consider adventurous and unique. We were driven to the fishing port of Hout Bay, a stinking dump, bare, uninviting and dumped in a canoe. No idea what you wanted to show us ... See our holiday photo attached, and yes that may be on your website. I protested to you Monika! WTS even made me take my swimming trunks, so there I was.... This can't have been serious! A lost afternoon for us, but it gets even better because WTS takes us back to Houtsbaai the next day, where we waited for I don't know how long for a boat that took us out for a quarter of an hour in dangerous weather ..... Here again, no idea why? Then, and now I'm even sadder, we go to the penguins ... Horrible and nothing that resembles natural beauty or adventure. What a waste of time and money! We go to the wine fields: Wonderful, and arrive in Delaire in the evening, ... we could hardly enjoy that the next day because we had to pack again because we were picked up at 0430 AM for transport to the airport. I mentioned this to you via app and was actually sent away with a "root in the reeds" (see attached). Not worth Euro 10,000 I think? Do I get something back?
Greetings,
Justus van der Lubbe
Curaçao
(automatic translation from Dutch)
NL
Email Godelieve Alkemade | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A lifetime experience
We had a fantastic journey through Tanzania. We visited Tarangire National Part, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Zanzibar Stone Town. We stayed in fantastic safari lodges (rooms with a view ;-) and we met the big 5, the ugly 5 and many more other animals. We were also very lucky to experience the great Serengeti wildebeest migration which was something we'll never forget. Zanzibar on the other hand felt like the 'One Thousand and One Nights' fairy tale. Everything was very well organised, for example our driver was very nice, friendly and professional. The Tanzanian people are in general welcoming and have a lot of humour. In brief expectations were exceeded.
NL
Email Henk Roskamp | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
With a lot of enthusiasm, but also a little tense, we started our safari in Kenya. How big was the contrast with the Netherlands when after 5 hours drive from Nairobi, we were deposited in Nayuki with a warm welcome by the Masai. There we experienced a wonderful walking safari. For us, immediately the highlight of the whole trip. Super organized, informative, adventurous, surprising and intimate. The first tented camp in Samburu National Park was an absolute must. Beautifully situated on the Ewaso Nyiro River where elephants cool off, you really imagine yourself in another world. The game drives gave us a good picture of the beautiful nature and impressive wildlife. The same goes for the Camp in the Masai Mara which in turn gave another fascination and where the balloon ride was a great experience. Our final stop on the coast was very relaxed. Cozy, stunning sea views and run by a very hospitable Italian couple. Overall, a fantastic journey, where everything from A to Z was arranged to perfection. Thanks for this lifetime experience for my children but not least myself.
My next ambition... Gorilla watching in Uganda...
So long, and thanks again! Roskamp family.
NL
Email Door Plantenga | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience, I can full heartedly recommend everybody to book with Wild Times!
We have just returned from an unforgettable 2 weeks holiday in Kenya: Meru, Samburu, Masai Mara and Lamu for the ultimate relaxation. Wild Times Safaris exceeded all our expectations: flawless logistics, fantastic camps, great service, very professional guides for our safaris etc etc. I would recommend Wild Times Safaris to all who are looking for a once in your life time wildlife experience, actually we can't wait to go again!
US
Email Ron and Cate Rice | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For an experience of a lifetime!
Cate and I want to thank you for making the vacation of a lifetime exceed our wildest dreams. From the time we connected in Nairobi until the time we left, our experience was exceptional. All of our needs at every camp were not only met but were taken care of with first-class quality, attention, and service.
Each leg of our journey through Kenya seemed like it could not be surpassed, yet with every new camp we went to, the new adventure exceeded our previous one.
Each new day just kept bringing on new fantastic experiences. Needless to say, this is a result of the itinerary you established for us.
Our drivers and spotters seemed to be a perfect match for us. Their expertise in meeting my photography needs was truly amazing.
Cate and I are so grateful for your incredible ability to put together exactly what we wanted in our safari and exceed our expectations at every level. From the time we landed in Nairobi we felt totally comfortable and pampered at every turn.
Of course when we return to Africa, as we will, without question you will be our choice for creating another unforgettable African experience.