AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely marvelous time & great experiences thanks to Pamela & Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours
Our family holiday to Kenya was a 5-star experience to say the least. The professionalism of Pamela and Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours organized an absolutely marvelous experience for us! Our driver picked us from the airport and drove us to all destinations safely and professionally. By providing insights known only to locals we were able to understand more about the destinations as well as the culture of Kenya. Accommodation booked by Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours was without question the best, with great food, amenities and services. Safaris couldn’t have been organized better as we have had the most amazing experiences with lions practically resting next to our van!! And our driver knew where exactly to find all of the big-5 and beyond!! From Amboseli to Nakuru and Masai Mara our trip was full of highlights and great memories! Thank you Pamela and Magical Retreats & Adventures Tours :)
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
2 beautiful trips in western Uganda
They organized 2 trips for me. One in Rwenzori mountains with an overnight in a mountain village, and another one in Queen Elizabeth park and around.
Both times they took the time to customize entirely the trip according to my wishes, in a very friendly and understanding manner.
I never felt like just another tourist as everything was done in a personal and helpful way.
Was never packed with a bunch of tourists and got to discover isolated places.
Drivers and guides were very friendly and educated and spoke great english.
I just wish I had more time to discover Uganda with them, and I mean it.
Plus, they remained VERY helpful during the rest of my trip without them, with advices and organization help, and did everything for me to recover the mastercard I lost hundreds of miles away after that I had my trips with them. Amazing.
Enjoy your visits.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Best of Botswana
At the end of a 5 week trip to Namibia and Botswana we booked an 8 day mobile safari with Kalahari Skies of Maun, Botswana.
We visited Nxai, Moremi and Khwai and travelled at a very leisurely pace.
Guide Gideon and chefs/camp assistants Mateo and Baeti made this a memorable trip.
We were amazed at what could be cooked on a camp fire – moussakas, pizza, the best vegetarian curry ever tasted, bread – to name just a few. The service was efficient, friendly and attentive.
Gideon appears to have “binocular eyes”, he spotted birds and animals that we had to use our binoculars for. His tracking is excellent and he is calm and unhurried on game drives and very knowledgeable about fauna and flora. He accommodated our interest in birds and landscapes and would do his best to find the most suitable position for photography.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the bush with this wonderful team.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenneth, a real find, responded quickly to each communication and quickly understood our desires.
Massai Mara and Nairobi Adventure
Excellent visit tailor made by Kenneth. Massai Mara with hard working Chris, guide/driver, produced leopard, lion, 5 cheeta brothers,a black rhino, elephants, giraffes, antelope relatives, beautiful birds. Interesting cultural visit with Massai people. In Nairobi visit to HIV+ women producing income for themselves through craft production and to sound studio for disadvantaged youth to record their music and launch into music world. Also excellent Art Gallery at National Museum and Karen Blixen home. Kenneth was completely responsive in planning all aspects. He listened, suggested and found what we wanted to see. Highly recommended. Met all expectations.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A friend for life
I travelled to Uganda last september in order to supervise the construction of a school in a rural area and decided to take advantage of my stay in the country to go on a couple of safaris with my boyfriend. I am a very organized person, so, even though I didn't know the country at all, I decided to design my own safaris from home in Spain. First, I had to choose the company I would hire. Of course, I wanted a local company, so I checked some Ugandan websites and read some good reviews about Mamaland and Tony (he owns the company with his wife Anna). Without hesitation, I got in contact with them and they organized two safaris, just for the two of us, exactly the way I wanted, even though I was super specific about the fact that they should drop us in some rural village in the middle of nowhere.
Our first guide was Tony, "the bird-lover", who can always spot a lion sleeping on the grass, no matter how far he is. He's super patient and basically knows everything about both animals (particularly, birds) and Uganda by heart (although he also organizes safaris in other countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania or Congo). He's also the nicest person ever and really funny (or, at least, that's what he thinks [take that, Tony!]). Oh, and he has the best taste in music. So, if you travel with him, you'll surely have a great time. Besides, he's a really good guy. After our first safari, I had a slight problem. Going back to Kampala from the rural village where Tony had dropped us, the matatu (a minibus for around 14 people) driver decided to stop the vehicle somewhere in the city, tell us to get off and drive away with our suitcase. Don't suffer for us, my boyfriend immediately jumped on a boda-boda (motorbike-taxi) Tom-Cruise style and chased him until he got it back ("Oh, I hadn't realized, sorry!" OF COURSE NOT...). The thing is that we had no idea where we where or how to get back to Jinja, our final destination. So... WE WENT TO TONY'S HOUSE. Really, we just took another boda-boda and appeared at Tony's door like... "Hello, Tony. Um... WE NEED HELP". And he helped us. He took us to the centre of Kampala and showed us the way. So... I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR THAT.
Our second guide was Richard, "serenity man". Tony got sick on our first safari during our visit to the gorillas and has actually stayed sick for a really long time afterwards (sorry for that!), so he couldn't accompany us on our second safari. However, Richard did, and he was also great. Richard is sooo knowledgeable and sooo calm; he really makes you feel there is nothing in this world he doesn't know or have completely under control (even when flocks of tse-tse flies try to eat you alive). Also, if you travel with Richard, you will have the most amazing conversations, besides an amazing time.
That said, Tony has for sure become a friend who I know will be there for life, so... travel with Mamaland and enjoy The Pearl of Africa to the fullest! And if you want an additional reason, take this one: supporting Ugandan local businesses supports Uganda.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Safari Experience to Murchison Falls National Park
Very uncomplicated communication via WhatsApp. Great service. Good accomodation and food. The Safari itself was a blast. We've seen a lion family with 4 lion babys, a leopard, elephants, buffalos, lots of giraffes ... all from close distance. Joseph was a great driver and guide.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent, most helpful and patient tour operator
From the very first minute, the booking process through to the end of the safari, especially Peter and Jackson they were amazing. They catered for our every need since our safari was customised to our liking. They were very patient during the game drives Jackson our guide was most patient and took time to explain and went out of his way to show us.
If I were to go again I would not hesitate to book with Bestday Safaris and would recommend them to anyone.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life changing experience
The focus is indeed set on a very good path. I did a one day Safari and the experience was just incredible. It was my very first one and Nelson did a beautiful job with the organisation. There were just two days from the idea of going until jumping into the landcruiser but everything went smooth and turned out awesome. Quick and easy but I also felt treated very respectfully and honestly. Food, Lodge, Driver everything was perfect and I have nothing to complain.
The Lionsgate Hostel, from where it all started, is a place which opens and connects worlds. Volunteers, travellers, tourists and locals all come together and create a unique experience. Places like this and people like Nelson make you look into the future with a wide smile. It was definitly not my last Safari with Focus in Africa and I can recommend it with all my heart.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
I would like to say Thank you to Kerry. She did an excellent job in organizing to my our trip a lifetime experience.
Did not have any problem with our trip to Africa. If you are looking for a travel agent I would highly recommend Kerry. She quickly to answer all our questions. We had an amazing time. Most especially interaction with the elephants is so far the BEST.
Crusty and Kate could not have been helpful and they arranged a first class trip
The trip more than lived up to our expectations.
Compass Odyssey arranged everything for us and what we received was first class at an affordable price.
The providers that they used for accommodation and safari's were excellent and certainly knew their stuff.
They were readily available and most helpful.
In summing up a great holiday that was stress free from ours as a customer point of view.