The Chalo Africa Inc Team
Chalo Africa
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- ATTA & APTA
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $1,600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Sushila | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent attention to detail - every request handled with infinite care!
This was our very first safari - 5 of us - and we decided to combine it with a Kili-climbing effort. Our research started 6 months before our intended trip and Chalo Africa handled our zillion questions with patience and detail. How many routes are there to Kili - which route is the best option for novices - day-time summit or night-time - temperature ranges on top of Kili - gear checklist - menu options for vegetarians - sampler safari for first timers etc. Each question/concern/apprehension was dealt with promptly and with unfailing politeness.
Our kili team was with Shah tours - and we have not come across a harder-working and more professional set of porters and guides - not to mention the one cook who catered to our every whim with a cheerful smile on his face - salad, french fries, rice, vegetable stews, omelettes, pasta and marinara - you name it - we had it on Kili. Eventually, 2 out of our group succumbed to altitude sickness and had to return before summit day. Chalo team made sure that they made it back to ground zero safely and followed up on their health status the next 3 days. I, on the other hand, will maintain until the end of my Life - that had it not been for the strong and supporting hand of Augustine - our tireless Kili guide & our two summit porters - would've never made it to Gilman's Point - the very first peak. We ran out of time to get to Uhuru - guess that'll have to wait another year.
Our safari experience was incredible. We covered the major parks in Tanzania in 5 days - Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorogoro. Our guide Fadhili Miya - incredibly knowledgeable about every subject under the sun. He was our very own Google/Wikipedia combination and tirelessly educated us on everything from the big 5 to local politics, the Masai people, economic stability, cuisine - there is nothing that the man does not know.
Our very first day - we saw a black Mamba cross our path - Fadhili said in all his years he has seen just one other time. The third day, Fadhili spotted a mamma cheetah with 2 cubs and decided at one glance that they were hungry and on the move for food. That if we followed them for a little while, we would be able to witness them hunting. Sure enough - we carefully stalked the mom and her babies for a little over an hour just as they themselves stalked a herd of unsuspecting gazelles - until at the very end - even though I was closely following every move of mamma Cheetah, she was so darn fast - that it was over in a flash. Just as well - because I was saddened for the gazelle herd even though I understood that the Cheetahs had to eat. We were literally parked 15 feet away from the Cheetahs while they scrunched and slurped their way through lunch - but they were very refined and couth. There were no gory blood and guts sight - and we went home that evening awed at Fadhili's instincts and grateful for that very rare opportunity to witness something so uniquely untamed and wildly beautiful.
Our "tents" and lodges were beautiful and given the surroundings - lakes, forests etc. - surprisingly mosquito-free. And the food - SPECTACULAR!!! There was a buffet in all but one place - sumptuous salads, bread rolls, fresh fruits, vegetables grilled to perfection, chicken & beef for the carnivores, dessert table with cheesecake, chocolate cake, custards et al. The pineapples here are the sweetest I have had anywhere in the world. And a bar with an assortment of great wines and other alcohols/cocktails.
Today is my last day in Africa - we moved on from Tanzania to Nairobi - Kenya. I am already feeling sad at the thought of leaving - but hope to be back again someday. Thank you Chalo - for an amazing journey and for opening up a whole new world for us. Asante sana!!! :-)
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Email Girija | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent attempt to details
Hi Chalo Africa team, we all returned from our memorable trip to South Africa. I am very impressed with all your local team members. I was a little nervous traveling with all the kids but all the places we stayed were kid friendly. The trip was organized well with attention to details. The location at Camps Bay village was unbeatable. So was the hospitality at Tau game lodge. Our guide Damion was kind enough to take all the kids on a kids safari drive. All in all a memorable time for our family. Thank you for your help organizing this trip.
Email Tonu B. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Designing thoughtful, customized, responsible travel itineraries
I travelled to the Masaai Mara with my parents and husband this past summer. Chalo Africa provided us with an excellent recommendation of the camp in the Mara and designed our safari itinerary with thoughtful precision. The camp they chose - Speke's Camp, turned out be fantastic. They were beautifully designed, comfortable, and provided excellent hospitality. They were also very respectful of the animals and the reserve, and provided a car per group, ensuring we had our privacy throughout the trip. Chalo Africa selected this camp with care and provided competitive rates even during a very busy season in the Mara (during the great migration). They provided reading lists before our trip, packing check lists, and ensured that the planning was done to the last detail. We had a fantastic time, and highly recommend their services!
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Email Jyoti | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible
We have just now come back after an incredible trip to Kenya. It was a trip of a lifetime.
After checking with multiple operators we went with Chalo Africa.
They were very helpful in building the right itinerary tailored to our requirements, providing all the information needed to plan & prepare for the travel. It was great interacting with Smita - she was always prompt & reachable for all our queries. All the arrangements were perfect. Being vegetarians we were anxious on the food aspect. But Chalo Africa handled it perfectly. We never faced any issues. Imagine having a picnic in the middle of an open African grassland with poha, chilla, rajma-chawal, roti-sabji, along with the regular fare! It was fabulous!!
The quality of any safari trip depends most on the guides you get to go with. We had some excellent guides with whom we could experience the wild life of Amboseli & Masai Mara - up & cose, especially the big cats & elephants. They were very knowledgeable and ensured we had the best experience.
Overall it was a great trip. Thank you !
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Email Rupa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent trip, fantastic service and exceptionally organized
It was an optional pleasure to work with Chalo Africa to plan our family reunion and trip to Africa this summer. After contacting a few different travel agencies we proceeded with them as they provided the most efficient highly personalized and organize trip for our group at a very reasonable cost. They’re always had prompt and friendly service and responded to every request we had made. All details were taken care of. They even provided delicious yummy snacks for a safari rides and accommodated all personal food requests and organized a very special birthday celebration I would highly recommend this to a company to anyone visiting Africa
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Email Maureen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
We were very pleased with the tour, all arrangements worked out perfectly
We loved our safari experience. All of the accommodations were varied and gave us a great variety of experiences. All of the staff at all facilities were outstanding, all transfers were prompt and well organized. Tour operators and guide were outstanding
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Email Vikram Ghanekar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exceptional Service from Chalo Africa
Sangeeta from Chalo Africa helped in planning and executing a memorable trip to Kenya for me. The trip was tailored to my budget, my requirements (the species that I wanted to see) and comfort. They also had a Whats app group for my trip in case I had to communicate with them urgently. All in all, the trip was a grand success. I would not hesitate to recommend Chalo Africa as your tour operator for your trip to Africa.
Email Harin & Lakmali Panambalana | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Zambian Safari 2019
Our first Safari in Zambia. Chalk Africa planned and organised every detail of an excellent Safari covering a stay of 04 nights in South Luanga and Lower Zambezi - respectively. All the internal travel, lodge bookings, Safari Interests were catered for in a professional and courteous manner - no request to difficult or bothersome. A pleasure to deal with all members of Chalo Africa with their invaluable input making for a memorable trip.
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Email Raghav Bihani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfectly planned recognising needs and tastes of the customer.
The information about the safari, parks and lodges is very good. They are able to customise as needed and provide good inputs. They ensure that travel is seamless and book with reputable agencies so that there are no hassles.
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Email Ranjita | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very niche!
Wonderful planning and execution! Camp recommended (Spekes Camp) was excellent. Can never forget the nocturnal visit of the elephant, wild buffalo and hyena!
Can also forgive Kenya Airlines for always being late!