CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An Unforgettable Gorilla Trekking Adventure with Safari 2 Gorilla Tours - 10/10 (4 days from Kigali
Our Guide:
Aron was an incredible guide, driver and just generally a cool person to spend time with. He was attentive, communicative, generous, warm, and enhanced the trip in so many subtle ways.
The Tour:
Nothing can truly prepare you for the moment you lock eyes with a 400-pound silverback gorilla in the Ugandan rainforest. It’s an experience so profound, so moving, that words barely do it justice. The sheer size, the gentle demeanor, and the unspoken connection between us are unparalleled. This moment alone makes the journey worthwhile, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of these magnificent creatures.
The Drive:
The drive between Rwanda and Uganda revealed the region's heart through its landscapes and people. The beauty of locals gracefully balancing baskets of food and heavy wood on their heads while cycling and walking vast distances daily, was a profound testament to the vibrant life here. Each stop along the way added a deeply human element to our adventure.
Add it to your bucket list and make it happen!! One of the most incredible wildlife experiences that our planet offers.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely knowledgeable, polite, and respectful.
Our guide was so respectful and helpful. He did everything he could to ensure our trip was unforgettable. He was on time and did everything and we asked of him. He was very safe and was such a gentleman.
HU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experiencing the Best of nature
It was a four day long tour. The accomodation a were really good. We stayed in lodges. The food was alsó very nice. And the gide (Fred) super knowledgable and friendly.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Massi Mara to Nakuru to Amboseli
The tour was well organised with the transport vehicle and drivers being excellent. We did the ballon ride in Ambesolie which is a must. Champagne breakfast to go with it in the bush was a real treat.
Remember if you are travelling around, these distances can result in long hours being spent in the land cruiser.
If you can afford an upgrade in accommodation go for it, as the food in the budget camps can be disappointing. Otherwise this is great value for money.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touchdown Tours is a great tour operator!
I can't say enough about Go Touchdown! Great company! I added a day in Johannesburg before my 8 day Cape Town Tour. They booked all my flights for me and my hotel in Johannesburg and a tour. The Go Touchdown staff was very helpful with questions and concerns I had.
I stayed at City Lodge at O.R. Tambo Airport. Very convenient. Great hotel. Friendly staff! It's right in the airport!
I took the Soweto Tour in Johannesburg and enjoyed it. I learned a lot. Went to Nelson Mandela's house. It is very small.
Cape Town is beautiful! Had great weather! The cruise along Langebaan Lagoon was wonderful. We had a beautiful sunny day for it. Learned about fossils at the West Coast Fossil Park. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre was very educational. We even got to cook a piece of Spring Bok on an open fire! We went to Table Mountain. The views from there are incredible! Loved the ride up to the top. The floor in the car rotates so everyone can get the same view! Saw the penguins and seals! Cape Point Lighthouse was great. Great views from there as well. We also went to Cape of Good Hope. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has some great shopping. The Watershed is a local place where individuals can sell their jewelry, clothing and other items! On our last full day in Cape Town, we did 2 wine tastings. The wine is great! I bought a bottle! The dinner at Gold Restaurant was incredible! Each course was delicious!
The hotels we stayed at were great. Very friendly staff. The manager at Shark Bay could not have been more accommodating! My only issue was that my bed at Stillness Manor creaked when I got up from it. Being a beach girl, I loved the location of Belle Maroc Blouberg! Right on the beach!
Our tour guide Jonathan is one of, if not the best, tour guide I ever had! He was always on time or even early. He is very knowledgeable and is a proud native of Cape Town! He recommended a great restaurant at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for fish! I had the King Clip and it did not disappoint! He was also very helpful when taking me to Cape Town International Airport for my flight home.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome, exhilarating, unforgettable, experience of a lifetime
We had the most incredible experience with Balu Travel. We booked a 4-day 3-night tour with stops in Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mari. We stay at the Ziwa Bush Lodge (awesome) and the Enkorok Mara (awesome, too). We did a few add ons like the hot air balloon and village tour. Everything was excellent. But what really made it beyond incredible was our tour guide, David. He made sure we enjoyed every minute. From his warm greeting at our hotel, to friendly conversation during the tour, to the hug and high five goodbye at the airport drop off, we could not have asked for anyone better. And let me tell you - his knowledge of the parks is amazing. He knows the animals, the terrain, the culture, and everything else about the area. We learned so much from him. He is engaging, friendly, knowledgeable, and just an all around pleasant person. Ask for David. You will be very happy you did. To summarize everything, I offer that everything is thoroughly organized up front (by Morris) and exceptionally well done along the way. Morris even showed up for a bit a short ways from the airport enroute to drop off to visit with us and to say farewell. That was an unexpected and thoughtful touch. We really could go on and on. We can’t say enough great things about this incredible experience. It was exciting. It was exhilarating. It was unique. It was educational. It was relaxing. It was thought provoking. It was unforgettable. Simply put, it was the experience of a lifetime. And, best of all, we made a good friend in David along the way. Thank you, Balu and Morris for everything. And a special thank you to David, who, to us, is so much more than a tour guide.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He is so energetic, he puts the Tour on another Level!!!
It was an absolut pleasure! Great day , with lots of animals.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable
Eddie was amazing and his energy was so positive and enthusiastic. He really made us enjoy an entire safari day with him and he went out his way to make us see all the animals
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent budget tour!
As a solo woman traveler, I was very picky when selecting my safari and ended up going with Super Eagles because of the great price for the Kenya/Tanzania combo safari and the great reviews. Like other reviewers have noted, Bildad was extremely professional and helpful in planning the safari and communication was clear and prompt both during and before my trip.
The safaris in both countries were incredible. Rhino in Kenya and Mike in Tanzania were both amazing guides! We had long days in the car and they were both such pros - we saw all of the big five and so much more. We did SO many game drives, I felt like I 100% got my money's worth there.
The cars were comfortable and well-maintained and it was nice to meet fellow travelers on the shared safari in Tanzania. It actually ended up being just me in Kenya so I got a private safari for a few days! The lodging I had was two nights camping, two nights glamping and two nights hotel in Arusha. Camping among wild lions was unforgettable, and the glamping camp Nyati in Kenya was very nice. The food was all included and was very good African home cooking. A few nights I was able to buy local beer, which was cool!
Logistics were overall good, especially Bildad arranging someone local to help me at the land border crossing both times. It was super smooth however please note they didn't take card for the Tanzania visa - only cash ($100 if you're American) so have that with you. This part is always the most nerve-wracking solo but everyone I encountered was helpful and make me feel comfortable, which I appreciate.
A few notes of feedback that don't take away from my high rating:
- It might be helpful to have some kind of FAQ material to give once people book to know what to pack and what to expect. For example, my safari truck in Tanzania couldn't accommodate large bags and luckily I didn't bring one, but I almost did.
- A few times, transportation was quite late or not what I expected. I had to give one driver directions to my hotel and another was two hours late and told me he didn't know I was going to the airport. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but traveling alone I like to feel confident in my transport.
- I asked Bildad about bringing USD vs. local currency and he said USD was fine along with my credit card. Everywhere in Kenya took card, but in Tanzania, I wished I had changed some shillings. I ended up getting my hotel to give me like $20 worth. It's much cheaper to buy things in cash in shillings and fewer places take card. Tips in USD were fine (tip well!!!) except for the guy who helped me across the border at Namanga asked for shillings, which I didn't have, so he took USD.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome, Awesome!
Second trip with Pembury & Gail Davis, Representative. A
Trip was perfect; everything I asked for & more. Lodging/food were great. Game drives were fantastic. Saw all Big Five, lots of other animals, and loads of birds.
Gail addressed all our wants/needs & then some. Hoping to go back soon & will definitely go with Pembury/Gail. Highly recommend.