The Wild Dog Safaris team
Wild Dog Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 1997)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, NTB & TASA
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $108 to $1,078 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Traveller | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Only go with Elias if you can!
I found from the tours I did it was very guide dependent.
If you got a good guide it was a great tour.
I think the problem I saw with the tours were :
Time management, I think some of these trips need to leave earlier and have their supermarket shopping already organized on the first day so you don't spend most of the day shopping and then when you make it to the attraction then it is rushed, especially end of day game drives.
I think in the Northern the craft market and supermarket should disappear, and the bus should go straight to Africat, and then a proper game drive through its premises should occur, before a trip to the Leopard. People fly from across the world and the 1st day experience isn't good and compares badly to the Southern tour. Otherwise drive straight to Etosha and spend more time there instead. Its way too slow and boring compared to say the Southern tour.
For eg Africat, we arrived way too late at this attraction, then we had a rushed game drive where the local guide spend 15min talking about the game park we were not going to (why not arrive earlier at this place and go on a proper game drive through the premises as it has heaps of cool animals), then spend 30min talking about 2 termite mounds while the sun keeps setting. On the way to the Leopard, there were heaps of amazing animals and they refused to stop for pics!! The leopard was a bit of a zoo attraction which was rushed and the Cheetahs were old and in bad condition. Then my top went "missing" from the game car when in the visitor centre. The camp site was way too far from where all the animals were as well.
The next day to Etosha we also arrived late and had a rushed game drive. Its was more about scoring points on animals sighting then enjoying the park.
The next thing which I thought was unprofessional, was the tour guide slept with one of the clients on the 2nd day in the tents near us!!! It was then I couldn't really take the tour seriously anymore.
Optionals were pumped hard, as they receive commission for it and 2 out of the 3 tours were really focused on it too much to the point of obsessiveness. Especially pushing high price ones, which I was not interested, in the end I just booked it myself as the guide wasn't interested in booking the one I wanted.
On 2 occasions, when lunch was in the itinerary I received no lunch at all. So I had to go buy my own lunch.
The Botswana Delta visit is a nice place, but there are not actually many animals there, its a fishing lodge. I think a better location should be selected.
I think the tour company should focus more on delivering animal and national park experiences, if it calls itself a "Safari" company, it is more of the tour company.
The HQ are very polite but I think some of the guides are bit out of control and need some management. Apparently a lot of the younger ones just pick and choose which tour they want in which would give them the most tips and optional bonuses and use excuses to cancel tours they don't like.
I think they should be doing it because that's what they love to do, and you can see that come across in certain guides clearly.
I think the best tour they offer is the Southern tour. The Northern ones need some work. I would select another route for Botswana from what I experienced sticking to the National Parks. We added a bit more of the national parks and it made that tour a bit better because we were a smaller group.
I think if some of the things didn't happen on some of these tours which I mentioned I wouldn't be as critical...
LV
Email Daiga Priede | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Really wild and unforgetable!
Our experience - ( we took 3 round trip - South, Etosha and North side)- the first round to South was the best- guides were excellent.
A great tour seeing some amazing countries with wonderful scenery and wildlife
The pre-tour comms were great; the tour lived up to expectations
NZ
Email Hazel Denise Ersoz | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Etosha 3 Day Safari
The overall experience was amazing! The tour guides were accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable.The food was amazing and the campsites offered all required facilities to a high standard.
Prior to the Safari, I was well informed, and communication from Wild Dog Safari's was excellent (even though I was in another country).
The Safari itself was an awesome experience for the first time, it is all luck dependent as to what animals you get to see,
DE
Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour with these guides was so amazing!!!
We had a really good experience with the communication with the operator. They answered every question and all employees were so nice and carefully since the first moment. Our safari guides were more than friendly and really funny. We laughed a lot and had so much fun during the 10 days. I can recommend these tour guides for your next safari tour in Namibia.
NL
Email Monique from The Netherlands | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience, proffesional & dedicated staff
First the booking-period was very pleasant and comfortable. Every question I asked Memory was quickly and satisfiable answered.
I spend 19 day's with Wild Dog Safari's and it was an experience I will never forget. I did a combination tour with three different guides and assistants. The guides were extremely dedicated to me as a guest. Nothing was to much to explain and both the guide and the camp assistant worked their butt of to cook, help with the tents and with everything they could to make our travel comfortable.
During the game drive they gave me every opportunity i needed to switch my lenses. I have a 600mm telelens and it takes some time to switch it but that was no problem. The guides went the long mile to provide opportunities to see game or other beautiful things.
We encountered two set backs. Two car breakdowns due to the bad roads in Namibie. The second costs me the visit to the minevillage and the afternoon in Swakopmund. It was compensated by paying the tours I booked the next day in Swakopmund but I lost the opportunity to by gemstones which I was really looking forward to.
During the 9 days tour to Zimbabwe the tents were packed in the bus in stead of the roof of the bus. And some guest took way more luggage with them then according to the guidelines. As a result the sleeping bags had to travel in the cabin which way decreased our space in the bus. Wich such small space in the bus the long drives are not comfortable.
But overall a very pleasant and professional organization. Trips fantastic organized and if I had to choose again I would go for Wild Dog Safaries in a second.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Solid
Everything went well, we were well looked after. All costs and fees were upfront, all queries answered. Pretty good value for what it is and will consider going with them again next time.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Adventure of a lifetime in Sossusvlei!
We had a wonderful time with Wild Dog Safaris on our recent trip to see the dunes in Sossusvlei! The tour guides were great and very informative. They were also kind and accommodating. We throughly enjoyed our group adventure into the desert. I would say the only thing I would suggest for Wild Dog is that they purchase new plates, cups, drying racks and silverware. The plates were often cracked and had stains on them which hampers the dining experience. Other than that we had a great adventure with Wild Dog.
Reply from Wild Dog Safaris
Posted on May 26, 2015Dear Tina
Its great to have your review and thanks for taking the time to post this, we really appreciate your feedback. I just wanted to follow up on the guides equipment because you are right, some of the cutlery and crockery needs replacing. We do this every year and the year is up! So all guides are having a complete review of their kit and in about 2 weeks time the new kit should be up and running. Thanks Tina and we are happy you had a good trip with us.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Value for Money
I booked my tour at quite late notice and wild dogs were great with the booking and always available for answering questions. I did the 7 day south and 7 day northern tour. Camping was great fun, there was lots of excursions and sites included in both trips. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and made the trip run smoothly. One of the groups was a size of 8 and the other a size of 14. 8 was a perfect size, but 14 felt too large. I would definitely recommend them to independent travellers, who want to explore Namibia.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Maximum miles in minimum time from Windhoek to Vic Falls
In May I joined the 9 Days Delta and Vic Falls Tour. The itinerary turned out to be well planned, the campsites were better than expected, we usually stayed on the campsite of a lodge with all the benefits like swimmingpool or sundowner bar. That was excellent. There were plentiful activities on the road, like folk performances in the San camp or nature walks in the Okavango.
I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants a good first overview in order to plan later trips. A comfortable trip - though with long, long bus rides - with very good catering. Our guides Willem and Abiud were extremely helpful and anticipated every individual need. Thanks again for being like fathers!!!
I hope Wild Dog will invest in the equipment. The overall impression was that many items were neglected or downright grubby (sorry, but that's a fact).