Zambezi river Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Cultural Vibes Travel & Tours
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $900 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email George Wagner | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Far, far exceeded our expectations, the place, the people, the food.
First, Tongesai Mtematsaka was excellent with communications and service. We couldn’t have asked for better. My questions via email were promptly answered. His English was excellent, and better. He was always on time in meeting us, coming and going. Our two hour trips from VIc Falls to the sable sands lodge, and then from the lodge to the Vic Falls airport were a highlight to our entire Africa trip. My wife and I will be discussing various aspects from the discussions with Tongesai for some time to come. By patiently answering my many questions he educated my wife and I about Zimbabwe and the region - culture, practices and assets of the people, typical family life, economy, weather, etc., and possibilities and trends into the future - all believable and detailed.
The staff and facilities at the sable sands lodge were all excellent, beginning with Michelle’s clear instructions and cautions. She was a delight. We were asked if we wanted to take a charming hut as close as we could get to the marvelous watering hole there and got it. Incredibly we were greeted by a dust-cloud from a herd of maybe 100 Cape buffalo running to the water - unbelievable! The meals prepared by So and Derik were really good, throughout. MC, our drive guide was excellent and very accommodating to all the guests in the comfortable and safe-feeling, open 4x4. We met some nice co-guests. We saw so many animals on our safari that I will not attempt to recall here. I would just say that the many watering holes in the Hwange park were impressive, As an environmentalist myself I was very impressed with the solar powered system for exploiting the aquifers, and the foresight of the authorities in developing and maintains these. I know the history going back to the 1920’s, but if there wasn’t maintainence and upgrade the animals could not continue, especially with drought effects of climate change. Finally, I must comment on the fact that our first night in our hut was spent listening to the rumblings of the elephant just outside out hut. In the morning the tracks outside our hut showed how close our visitor was. We knew then that Michelle’s cautions were serious. But then more, the second night we had a lioness spend the night outside our hut, perhaps roaring a mating call. At first light MC came by with the truck and asked if we wanted to see the lion. I shot out with my camera. What an experience!!
We hope our parting tip to the group of 16 people providing excellent service was meaningful. I will certainly recommend this trip to anyone who will hear me. What a privilege!!!
Email Mr Charles Kinnaird | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our trip to Hwange, Chobe and Vic falls was another fabulous, magical experience thanks to Tongesai
Cultural Vibes Travel and Tours has proved to be excellent in every way yet again as this is the second time we have used them. Tongesai Mtematsaka (Company Director) is very reliable, professional, knowledgeable and does everything to make your experience a trip of a lifetime. We felt that our holiday with Tongesai was much better and suited us more so than if we had booked through a larger company. His individual tailoring, personal involvement and attention to detail pays off in the smooth running of your trip. We felt completely safe with him which was important to us as we had our 7 year old grand daughter with us.
Wildlife was in abundance numerous lions, hundreds of elephant and a leopard that we had been following as it was walking through the bush eventually came down and sat on the bank beside us! After posing for a few minutes for a photo shoot it got up and walked back up the bank - couldn't believe it.
I have no hesitation in recommending the company for arranging tours in Zimbabwe, Zambia or Botswana - we will definitely be seeing him again.
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Email Jodi | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Four Day Tour of Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park
I was in South Africa for work, and wanted to spend the weekend seeing sights beyond South Africa. So I set my sights on Zimbabwe and Botswana and used Cultural Vibes Travel & Tours to book my visit. Everything was very smooth from the pre-travel communication to the actual weekend travel. Tongesai was very professional, and my tour followed the itinerary exactly, with no hiccups. The Hotel, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, felt a little worn, but that completely faded away as I sat overlooking elephants, giraffes and impalas drinking from the watering hole facing the hotel. The highlight of my trip was reading on my balcony with a family of elephants eating the brush directly below! Additional highlights of the weekend were the helicopter ride of Victoria Falls and the private tour Tongesai provided of the falls themselves. I also enjoyed walking through town and heading to Botswana to see the Chobe National Park, home of an amazing number of elephants. Thank you Tongesai for making my short visit one I will remember!
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Email Mr Ole Moll | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service, meeting the needs of the customer
Tongasai from Cultural vibes Travel & tours did pick us up personally in Budlawayo and drove us to the Nwange Lodge for over night stay.After the game the next day , he did drive us to Vic falls. On the way we discussed potential events in Vic falls. Tonagesai did suggest a lot of good events and helped us book these events even though we did arrive late . He also picked us up at the lodge in Vic falls the next day and drove us to the vic falls and back. Very good service
Email Mr Charles Kinnaird | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Efficient, thoughtful, professional, excellent and helpful
Just home from a wonderful holiday at the Victoria Falls. Our holiday was arranged by Tongesai Mutematsaka of Cultural Vibes Travel and Tours based in Zimbabwe. The trip was superb. We stayed at Victoria Falls Safari Lodges and our last night at the Victoria Falls hotel. Our accommodation was very comfortable and overlooked a water hole frequented by bushbuck, impala, warthogs, monkeys and baboons. The cuisine was excellent and staff extremely helpful and friendly.
Our driver and guide John Matumbura (he runs The Cyclonic Tours) was knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and made our visit a delightful occasion. Tongesai himself ensured that everything ran smoothly. Every excursion, visit or activity was first rate. Any questions or worries that we had were immediately dealt with and resolved.
We would highly recommend Tongesai and his company Cultural Vibes Travel and Tours (www.cultural-vibes.com) to anyone wanting a perfect experience in the Victoria Falls area.
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Email Joann Fuentes | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our experience with Cultural Vibes Travel & Tours was exciting, amazing, delightful and memorable!
Booking the safari at Miombo Safari Camp with Cultural Vibes Travel & Tours was easy and they answer all our questions thoroughly and in a timely fashion. We communicated through email, payment was easy too through email. There was no availability for the Hwange safari camp on the dates we requested but Mr. Tongesai managed to find us another safari camp, Miombo, which was a delightful place whilst honoring the rates offered at their website. Mr. Tongesai made sure we were picked up and driven to the camp, accompanying us on the 2-hour trip and later receiving us back at our hotel. Miombo's accommodations, the tent, was like camping with glamour. It was spacious with 2 comfortable single beds and charming decoration. The ensuite bathroom felt like we were in the woods but protected and with the comforts of a good hotel. The hot water in the shower was not working but Mr. Bernard, Miombo's host, made sure it was fixed by the time we came back from the afternoon game drive. The tent was right in front of a water hole, which depending on the season, would have received the visit of elephants. We didn't see any animals there but one night a leopard came to our camp. Unfortunately, we didn't see it as we slept safely under the watch of night guards. They also made sure we were escorted back and forth during the night between our tent and the common area. Mr. Bernard served delicious meals in the beautiful open common area viewing the forest and sometimes with a visit of monkeys. The dessert was always delicious! At night we had a bonfire to huddle to, and one of the nights we were treated with local barbecue and a dance. Everything was a delight. The game drivers are also a delight with their stories, knowledge and funny jokes, Nigel and Mr. B are amazing hosts, making sure everyone is comfortable and going out there to find the great animals and birds for us. The game drives in Hwange were amazing! We saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeasts, buffalos, impalas, koudos, warthogs, crocodiles, hippos, amazing birds! We missed the lions and leopards by minutes but it was okay. Makes us want to come back again. The sunset drive was also a delight with Nigel, including a stop for a snack. Our driver back to the hotel was also a great delight with his incredible stories and knowledge. I learned so much about the animals in these 3 days. The tour has lived up to our expectations and more! Mr. Tongesai also took care of our requests for a Sunset Cruise and an Elephant Ride as soon as we reached the hotel. Less than half an hour, Mr. Tongesai arranged us to be picked up to go to a Sunset Cruise on the evening we arrived from the safari. The cruise was a delight, the sunset on the Zambezi river was amazing and the service on board was great, great food and beverages, Zambezi beer of course! The Elephant Ride arranged by Mr. Tongesai was also an amazing adventure I will never ever forget. Riding my elephant Detema with the driver Tunzi was amazing, against the sunrise backdrop, amazing colours in the sky. The lady that accompanied us taking pictures, she did such a great jobs, I love my pictures on the elephant! The feeding and petting the elephants after the ride was another amazing experience! These elephants are such a delight, sucking fiercely the food in our hands! I simply loved it! Then they served us a delicious breakfast while watching our beautiful pictures on the elephant. I learned so much about elephants with my driver. Everything in this place, this tour, the people and the animals, is amazing, unbelievable, unforgettable! I love Vic Falls, Hwange, Zimbabwe! I hope to come back and I will definitely tell all my friends that they have to have this experience in their bucket list. And it is easy, just reach out to Mr. Tongesai and Cultural Vibes, they will take great good care of you! You will love them! We thank Mr. Tongesai and everyone at Cultural Vibes, Miombo Safari Camp, Sunset Cruise, Elephant Ride, who made us have the time of our life!
Email Rob Hunt | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
extremely professional
We can not thank Cultural Vibes enough for organizing our tour for us in such short notice (4 days before we arrived in Zimbabwe) Tongasai is very professional and easy to get along with the tour he arranged was second to none the Ivory lodge is just amazing there is nothing they haven't thought about to make your stay perfect from the unbelievable food to the wonderful game drives (special mention to Patrick he is just the greatest) and then onto vic falls where Tongasai guided us around and shared his knowledge wonderfully then onto Chobe where we had a great morning game drive then a nice lunch and a small boat ride on the river which was the highlight of the day all in all it couldn't have been better organized thank you so much
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Email Wouter Steenbergen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Such a great experience, highly recommended
We went on a 3 day safari, and even though Tongesai did not lead it himself, I want to highly recommend his services.
Our group consisted of just my family; my wife, children (9, 13, 14), and me.
Tongesai acted as the agent, coordinating with the organization in Botswana that ran the actual tour. He met us several days in advance, and had informed us of some critical information (like make sure to bring birth certificates for the kids) well in advance.
On the first day of the Safari, he came to pick us up, and drove us to the border, where he coordinated a smooth hand over to the Botswana organization.
The guide from our safari was so good! ‘Cobra’ grew up in the bush, and if shows. He was frequently coordinating with, and showing other tour guides where to find the best big game sightings. We saw so many animals, including lions, hippos, tons of elephants and giraffes, and too many other animals to name.
The meals were also great! Cobra and Tongesai had contracted with ‘chef K’ for catered breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp. All meals were great.
And the camp itself was organized above my expectations. Very nice tents, raised cots, plenty warm, tables, chairs and napkins at every meal!
All in all, the experience was pretty unforgettable. It’s not a cheap experience, but based on our trip I can highly recommend Tongesai’s services!
Email Melanie Whitmore | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, nice man on the transfers
Great service, value for money, friendly & efficient, from booking right through to the experience, would highly recommend
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Email Kyle | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
In great hands
We booked a full day tour with Tongesai at Cultural Vibes based on reviews I'd read here. It was a great decision. He worked with us to develop the itinerary we wanted (walk the bridge, tour vic falls park, see some of downtown, go to a local village, nice dinner) and executed perfectly. Having him with us took all stress out of the details and logistics (we never would have bought a bridge crossing visa without him there to navigate the lines and system) but most importantly, he's a nice guy with a huge heart. He speaks English perfectly and connected well with my kids. I felt great supporting a local business and everytime we passed a big vanful of tourists I was happy we'd made this decision.
We had some possible challenges with our incoming flights and he was in good communication and clearly was going to do whatever it takes. Good thing my daughter doesn't read tripadvisor because she'd kill me, but she unexpectedly needed a bathroom on short notice (the challenges of traveling!) and Tongesai smoothly worked in a stop back at our hotel. that's a small example but indicative of his whole service model- he is there for you and tries his hardest to do what you want in the best way possible. I never felt like he was watching the clock or mailing it in, and likely went over what he was expecting time-wise.
book with confidence!