JDA Founders Patrick & Victoria Shah on safari
Journeys Discovering Africa
- Located In:
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United Kingdom
United States
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- Travel Trust Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $382 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Campbell & Elliott | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
JDA arranged for us the trip of a lifetime which surpassed our expectations in all aspects.
From our first contact with JDA, Patrick and his team were responsive and enthusiastic partners is creating the trip of our dreams. He listened carefully to what we wanted, gave us choices, and then arranged for a trip that went like clockwork from the moment we arrived at our first destination. He was helpful with the odd details of a trip to Africa such as trip insurance and medical shots. The wildlife we saw and the walks we took were astounding. Each camp showered us with attention and provided exciting tracking and extraordinary wildlife viewing while assuring our safety. The variety of camps Patrick booked us in gave us new and different wildlife experiences each time. The food and service at each camp were fantastic and the accommodations were extremely comfortable and better. Patrick and JDA delivered exactly what we wanted and more, and we will book with JDA again anytime we wish to travel in the African continent again.
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Email Patrick | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
well organized and given africa no glitches.
Journeys makes sure your trip is well organized with no glitches. Given the complicated transportation system of getting in and out of game parks its amazing how well organized they are. they also have a deep understanding of all where to stay and given your interests recommendations that might be slightly different that the most well known parks.
Email Deb Gilbert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our safari was a magical journey, well thought out, planned and executed! The best ever.
While we have been on a number of safari’s and thought we might be able to book this very special one ourselves, we were SO happy we didn’t try and instead received the expert guidance from this team at Journey’s Discovering Africa. They spent time getting to know us and the kind of experience we were looking for – they answered all our crazy questions (and we had many!) They provided in-depth lists of what we would need before, during and after our trip and made the entire 10-day extravaganza perfect in every way.
The entire safari was tailored exactly to our needs – finding the gorilla family perfect for us to track in Rwanda, the right dedicated drivers and guides, our timing and our budget. Our drivers and guides in both Uganda and Rwanda were knowledgeable, friendly, shared many mysteries of the bush and enlightened us with historical facts about each of the places we visited. Oh, their knowledge of wildlife and every bird we encountered was nothing less than amazing!
The team certainly provided a memorable experience for us – booking us at lodges where staff was committed to great service, right down to cleaning our boots after monkey/gorilla trekking! Our ‘glamping’ experience at Little Elephant Camp in Uganda was a sweet end to the Uganda part of our safari. The destinations and accommodations they chose for us were the best.
The part that I knew I could never pull off, they did seamlessly. Lots of little flights to catch along the way that cut our driving time by more than half. Even the flights were pleasant and another magical experience.
We barely had to do any thinking on our own at all! We are ever so grateful for all they put into making this the best safari ever!
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Email Brenda & Gordon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magical trip to Africa
From the moment we were collected from the airport until the end of our tour I can only use the word Magical because they made it that way. Our guides were amazing and catered to our every need and even our wants.
Every accomadation was top notch, every safari far exceeded our expetations and we have memories that we will cherish forever and of course thousands of photo's to show as well!
Email Sue | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The trip exceeded all expectations, it was wonderful, we loved it.
The only slight negatives were, the guide did not pick us up at Victoria Falls Hotel at 10.00am to take us to Llama Lodge, he came at 10.30am and we went straight to Vic Falls trip, so we didn't have chance to organise what we wanted to take with us. We didn't realise we were going across to Zambia for the whole day, in that we didn't know the rhino walk was in Zambia. We didn't know we were driving to Chobe, we thought we were flying, as we went via the airport. None of this mattered. The customer services were excellent throughout, especially on safari. would have liked more information from the guides about the weather changes and movement of animals, the floods, all year round.
Email rob mercer | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
a magical experience, brought back many great memories.
communications excellent trouble free planning, virtual tailor made safari, quickly organised and rectified when one of the lodges unexpectedly closed with about two weeks to go!, payment was easy booking straightforward.
Th safari itself was entirely up to expectations, we had our own driver (Davis) who was knowledgeable friendly careful and available when needed. He provided fresh fruit guidance and showed a good knowledge of birds which was one of our booking criteria. he was always punctual, the vehicle though old was comfortable reliable and clean (every day) we felt safe in his hands.
The first hotel was a rural Ugandan hotel which was not unexpectedly a bit basic, however we were expecting that and have stayed in similar hotels in the past so no great problem there. the lodges Papaya Lake Lodge, Ishasha Forest lodge and Mihingo Lodge were all excellent, food was good service superb and the location magnificent, the views at Papaya and Mihingo contrasting with the tranquility and riveside location of Ishasha Forest . The activities centred on the Lodges chimp trekking and swamp walking from Papaya, Game drives at Ishasha and drives and walks at Mihingo all met or exceeded expectations.
Papya Lodge and Mihingo to a lesser degree would trouble the disabled , although Mihingo is slightly more accessible.
Overall an excellently organised safari. The customer care was reflected in our meeting with Graco on arrival and at Ishasha and the debrief by Patrick Shah at the end.
Entirely happy would undoubtedly book with JDA a gain
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Email Michael | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Uganda Tour
Quick and pleasant communication during initial inquiry and ongoing preparation of the tailor-made tour. Thanks Peace for all the help, and Elias for telling us the history and stories of Uganda while driving us through the country. Make sure the Gorilla permits are confirmed for the agreed group(s) which was the only hick-up but wonderfully solved from fantastic Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Email David Parsons | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our trip with Journeys Discovering Africa was perfect ,everything was taken care of.
The communications between Patrick and the team from Journeys Discovering Africa was exceptional from our first email to our last good bye. We did not have to worry about anything, it was all taken care of. Our driver Robert drove well and looked after our every need . The company arranged our difficult -to -get Rwanda Air flights, and our helicopter flights which were amazing. Even on the last day when our flight home left in the evening the company drove us around showing us the sights of Kigali with lunch and hotel room to freshen up. It definitely exceeded our expectations . I would highly recommend Patrick and his team.
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Email Sandra | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari Experience!
Journeys Discovering Africa absolutely made my dreams come true! I had long wanted to travel to Africa to see the gorillas and other animals but I wasn’t sure where to even start planning such an adventure. It turns out, all I had to do was contact JDA who helped me through the process. I am eternally thankful for that. My trip to Uganda and Rwanda surpassed all of my dreams and expectations.
Through the entire planning process Grace, my tour consultant, always answered my questions quickly and kindly. She also checked on me regularly once I arrived in Africa. Had it not been for her helpfulness, I may have never actually pursued the trip.
Davis, my guide, was outstanding in every way. He was professional, a good communicator, and I am still amazed by his knowledge of Uganda/Rwanda, its landscape, animals, people, and culture. It was a joy to learn from him! He met with me every evening to review the next day’s itinerary – which helped me feel comfortable and it also elicited excitement in me for the next day’s activities! He reviewed specifically meal times, drive times, locations, activities, how to be prepared, and what to wear when going to see the gorillas, etc. I was always made to feel comfortable. As a woman travelling alone, safety was important to me. Davis always ensured that I felt safe and happy with the experience. He was the best! His demeanor really made my entire trip an optimal experience.
All I can think of since I returned home is: When can I go back to Africa?
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Email Ronald Richardson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wildlife Viewing in Botswana
Patrick at Journeys Discovering Africa arranged our 11-day Botswana Explorer trip in June, 2016. Even though working at the last minute, Patrick managed to arrange a flawless itinerary. We proceeded through arrangements without incident. Every transfer, hotel, lodge, activity, and flight performed as expected, and there were no surprises.
Especially worth noting was the quality of the Botswana game lodge experience. In all cases, these lodges provided their guests with excellent administration, staff, drivers and guides, accommodations, and meals. Besides this first class hosting experience, all the wildlife of Africa is there for you to enjoy. Our Botswana experience was excellent, and we don't hesitate to recommend Journeys Discovering Africa and Botswana as a matchless travel opportunity.