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African Ubuntu Safaris
- Located In:
-
Australia
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, AFTA & ATAS
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
BWKEMZNARWZATZUGZMZW
- Price Range:
- $250 to $3,000 ppper person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Sandr and Gerald Groom | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Way beyond our expectations and our Best Safari Holiday Ever!
Cuan and his team are total professionals. They understand and respect the diversity of the continent, its people and culture, and have a passion for excellence. In our 66 days in four different countries, (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia) absolutely nothing went wrong, and not a detail was overlooked. He listened to our 'brief', made suggestions, and exceeded all we had hoped for. Cuan is planning our trip to Tanzania and Kenya in 2016 and we know he will deliver another outstanding package of animals, skilled staff, beautiful accommodation and adventure for us to experience. We are African born (now live in Australia) and have been on many safaris - but this trip was The Trip of a Lifetime. We absolutely recommend Ubuntu Safaris - definitely a leader and specialist in this field. Well done Ubuntu Safaris!
Email Guy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding adventure covering Vic Falls, Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania
We (being myself, wife 2 daughters, son-in-law and brother) had a simply stunning 3½ week trip through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania covering Vic Falls (including a chopper ride over the Falls), Chobe, Okavango, Amboseli, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Zanzibar. Time was Jan 2014. The younger ones went on to climb Kilimanjaro after.
We booked through Cuan at African Ubuntu Safaris and from the start of planning 2 years before we went, he was just fantastic. We had a rough idea of what we wanted and left it to him to fill in the time and arrange it all. Over that time he tweaked and adjusted the itinerary and the end result was the most memorable trip. Nothing was too much trouble or too trivial.
Cuan recognised that there were some dollar constraints as we were a sizeable party and he took that in his stride. The quoted price included all our excursions, flights and pickups. Apart from additional expenses which Cuan outlined were excluded, his price was fixed and firm. Very comforting to know.
Accommodation was just great-some tented camps and some lodges but all were excellent, tho as requested not 5 star but certainly very comfortable and the staff were happy and sincere in their wish to give us a great experience. (Let me say 5 star is not necessary-they still see the same wildlife!) Not a complaint from anyone on the accommodation score and the meals were all brilliant, notwithstanding they were in some remote places. The organisation was first class-not a hiccup anywhere. The chosen parks all offered different slants on the African game parks and we saw the Big Five in droves plus the migration in the Serengeti was mind bogglingly impressive. Then of course we saw the myriad of other animals and birdlife. If January is the “off season” then go for it. Weather was great (lucky maybe?) and the number of people minimal, even in the Crater.
Cuan’s father Gerald met us in Joburg to store some additional climbing gear for our adult children which was wonderful. But even more wonderful was Cuan’s and his father’s concern and swift action when one of our party developed multiple blood clots in the lung after the Okavango. Gerald organised a doctor’s appointment on the evening of our return and then a specialist appointment the next day. Unfortunately that person was laid up in hospital for 5 days before they could join the rest of us 5 days after that. In that time Cuan's father and his wife visited out sick traveller and made sure all was well and he was comfortable. Cuan meanwhile arranged alternative flights so we could all be together in Zanzibar.
The whole trip went like clockwork and we all had the most wonderful experience with so many memories. Thanks to you Cuan and your parents and the team. Simply the best.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful and informative! Overall excellent service!
The tour we went on was an experience of a lifetime. It was exactly what we were after and had an incredible time.
We will certainly be coming back to African Ubuntu Safaries to organise our next African trip!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
a very professional company with exccellent planning down to the last detail.
communication was very good, all questions were answered promptly. changes to agenda were offered and planned to suit exactly what we wanted when we wanted it.
the safari itself was a breathtaking experience, the staff at each camp were faultless and eager to please. our drivers were amazing with much knowledge and an almost freakish ability to find the animals. well done all.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional service; brilliant itinerary - exactly what we asked for
African Ubuntu Safaris put together a brilliant safari/holiday itinerary for our family of four, which exceeded expectations! We really took a shot in the dark, having never been to Africa before (or not since I was a baby) or on safari. I gave Cuan, African Ubuntu in Sydney, an idea of where, when and for how much and he put together the perfect itinerary for our special family trip. We visited four very different areas of Kenya over 12 days: Amboseli, Lake Elementaita/lNakuru, Masai Mara and Malindi. We saw an amazing number of animals close up: on the two Masai community conservancies where we stayed, adjacent to Amboseli and Masai Mara National Parks, as well as in Nakuru National Park. Cuan organised a special side trip to Nakuru so that I could discover where I had been born (all those years ago!). David, our wonderful driver/guide for three days, had the unusual experience of touring Nakuru Memorial Hospital Labour Ward with us, which was a first for him as well! We had the perfect combination of driving: to Amboseli and Nakuru from Nairobi, along with internal flights to maximise our time in camp. We are also glad we took Cuan’s advice to visit Malindi, as the coast is so beautiful and so different from the savannah and the “high country”. All information needed before our trip, communication before and during the trip, airport transfers and drivers were perfect. The accommodation and of course the safaris themselves were just as we'd envisaged - comfortable, genuine and responsible. I highly recommend African Ubuntu Safaris.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
a company that saw the client' 'big picture' and then responded with right details and warmth.
Cuan, and African Ubuntu Safaries, were an amazing team to deal with. Very willing to listen and to respond to queries, Cuan 'got it' at the initial contact with the company and then structured the trip with wisdom and common sense. For example, we started off with stays in Namibia (Desert Homestead Lodge and its desert landscapes) and ended up in Botswana at Pom Pom Camp with its waterways. We also stayed at Onguma Bush Camp, Victoria Falls Hotel, and Chobe Safari Lodge. The wildlife in each location was extraordinary, just extraordinary. The staff everywhere we stayed (with the exception of Chobe Safari Lodge) were extremely friendly, welcoming and warm, and the folk who took us on safari were exceptional (including those at Chobe Safari Lodge) in every facet of the experience. African Ubuntu would've been aware of the 'style/modus operandi' of each camp operator and thereby ensured the main focus of our trip - to see wildlife - was achieved. I cannot sign off without mentioning the fact that when we arrived in Johannesburg, we were met by Cuan's parents who presented us with a beautiful book about the wildlife of Africa. This was a lovely, welcoming gesture that gave our visit to fascinating Africa a very warm and personalised touch. Would I use African Ubuntu Safaris again? Without a doubt! Would I recommend African Ubuntu Safaris above all others? Again, without a doubt! Would I recommend a trip to Africa? There is absolutely no doubt!
Email Aveen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Africa Ubuntu (aka Cuan) has sent us on two amazing African adventures so far!
When planning adventures of a lifetime it is important to have a travel agent, who listens, explains why what you want to do will not work, advises what will work, and brings the African adventure to reality and within budget guidelines! Cuan is that travel agent. In 2013, he sent us to Kruger Park/Timbavati, Panorama Route, Vic Falls, Chobe NP, and Okavango Delta saw the Big 5 in the first day and a half; the whole trip was amazing beyond all expectations. Last year we were sent to Nairobi NP, Amboseli NP, Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, and Selous NP and for somewhere different Stone Town. We were a bit apprehensive about going back to Africa so soon after our first amazing adventure, we should not have worried, as this adventure was very different: landscape, animals and once again amazing beyond all expectations. So if an African adventure is on your bucket list, to ensure you have the best experience ever put yourself in the safe hands of African Ubuntu .
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
We gave Cuan a budget and a time frame and he sent us on the trip of a lifetime. We were away for a day short of three (3) weeks. If you were to say what was the high-light of the trip, we'd have to say "every minute between landing at O.R. Tambo Airport, Johannesburg on day one and leaving O.R. Tambo Airport on day 20".
During our trip, we continued to to receive helpful advice via e-mail: e.g. When in Cape Town - Us: "Don't feel like going up Table Mountain today, too tired, maybe tomorrow". Cuan: "Go now! Weather tomorrow is not encouraging". So we went and saw a spectacular sunset. The next day the mountain was closed.
The safaris were fantastic. During a night safari, we got so close to a leopard that we could have patted it (not recommended). At no time did we feel in danger. The trackers and the guides were exceptional.
Add to this the Battlefields (Boer War and Zulu Wars), the bigcat rescue place and Victoria Falls and you've just begun to hear about the "high-lights".
We cannot speak too highly of Cuan and African Ubuntu Safaris.
Anyone contemplating a trip to Africa should first call Cuan McLaren.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised trip and experience of a lifetime
Ubuntu were recommended to us and they did not disappoint. They recommended and put together an itinerary of 3 different safari lodges and tented camps in South Africa and Botswana as well as the Victoria Falls hotel in Zimbabwe. All were unique and spectacular with their own natural features and interaction with animal life. Ubuntu staff were responsible for various internal ground transfers for accommodation and side trips, all reliably running according to schedule.
Thanks Ubuntu for making this trip a sensational experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A company focused on providing exactly what their customers want with marvelous attention to detail
We have traveled with African Ubuntu twice now and are already planning our third and fourth trips in the coming years. As a former travel agent, I wanted a travel specialist who would fulfill all our needs by listening to us and giving us our holiday with their expertise. We tried several other operators before discovering African Ubuntu Safaris and would never go anywhere else. Every question we've asked has been answered with facts and details that have been accurate and clearly explained. Our occasional concerns have been allayed and options offered to allow us to make a final informed decision and in each case the private safari we have created with African Ubuntu's assistance has exceeded our expectations, offered life-long memories and left us yearning to return again. We could not recommend African Ubuntu Safaris more and without hesitation to anyone looking for a personalised, wondrous experience.
Average User Rating
Rating Breakdown
- 5 star 193
- 4 star 3
- 3 star 0
- 2 star 0
- 1 star 0
Disclaimer
- All corporate and/or tour info is provided by African Ubuntu Safaris, not SafariBookings
- The tours offered by African Ubuntu Safaris are subject to their terms & conditions