65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Almost a Perfect Trip
I contacted Boundless Africa Journeys to set up a trip for three adult couples. We all communicated with Annette who was very prompt with replies and help. She handled all of our communications professionally. We were all quite hesitant to send deposits half way around the world, but everything worked out smoothly, as hoped. We did the 12-Day Kenya/Tanzania Safari, but we also wanted to add time in another park. The next day Annette sent us a new itinerary--all taken care of. She and our guide met us at the airport (they did a lot of waiting around for us) and shuttled us to our Nairobi hotel. We stayed an extra day in Nairobi to take advantage of Annette's free tour to see the baby elephants and feed the giraffes.
Our lodges, tents, food, and guides were terrific. As were our 4-wheel drive Land Rovers. We had our own vehicle and guide. We felt safe at all times while on safari. We also felt safe in the tents and followed the advise of the operators very closely! We loved the tents with the animals outside; quite luxurious. The lodging was so great and comfortable that on some days we asked our guides for shorter safaris so we could lounge about in the lodges. We saw a ton of animals every day and every day yielded something spectacular. The guides (Enoch and Lawrence) really went all out to show us the best of the parks we visited. They were very knowledgeable about the area and animals (and knew where to find them).
The border crossings were quite time consuming and the online visa applications were tedious and frustrating. A lot of time was spent waiting at park entrances, but as they say in Swahili (I think), "Pole, pole." Slowly, slowly.
This trip would have been absolutely excellent had Annette not forgotten to pay for two of the park entrance fees in Tanzania. We had to pay $1300 by credit card and it was a another time consuming process. We felt lucky to be able to enter the parks since it's standard to prepay. We also had to pay higher fees than Annette could have gotten by prepaying. Entrance to all the parks was part of our itinerary. So we expected Annette to reimburse us 100% of what we paid. AND SHE DID, but it took a month and a lot of anxiety on our part! It was an oversight on her part. It happens. It worked out just fine over all, and I would not hesitate to work with Annette and Boundless Africa Journeys for my next trip to Africa.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magnificent service!
I can't thank enough Janet who went to the moon and back for making our tour to fit our wishes! We did only over night tour at Masai Mara because of our tight budget and schedule. We had lots of questions and our plans kept on changing and still Janet could answer for all our requests and questions. She even arranged our bus from Kisumu to Kampala after our tour and drive with us from Nairobi to Kisumu to be sure we will reach there safe! And this all and more was with very reasonable and student friendly price.
Two days safari was too short, so if you are thinking about booking safari I recommend to book at least three days! And we sincerely recommend you to book your safari from Javiva, for Janet customers are like family and she treats customers with love and patience.
Thank you Janet for all you did for us!
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari in Africa with the best operator
We have finished our safari,We booked a 4 day safari in Kenya (Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara). The booking process was smooth, they answered the emails very quickly, adjusting to our requests. I must recommend paul the owner and the driver guide Harrison were the best people to work with. We had a great time in Lake Nakuru and even more in Maasai Mara where we were able to see the big five and more. I definitely recommend Africa Starpal Tours $ Safaris and I would choose them again if I go back to Kenya.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Value for 1-day Trip from Pretoria
Perfect and reliable pickup and dropoff in Pretoria
Have seen big4 of 5 in Pilanesberg, plus many more animals
Guides and Drivers were excellent
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Smooth and enjoyable
Communication with the team was seamless and smooth; they are very responsive and shared all the relevant details to ensure a great experience overall. Got to meet some lovely fellow travelers as well on the group safari. Would be very happy to use them again!
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
100% satisfied; cared for, informed, inspired and wanting to return
Joseph is top notch! He is a wonderful guide, providing and attending to all of the clients with information, great humor, kindness! He goes out of his way to see that the needs of his group are met in a gentle and effective way. He is a skillful listener. He is extremely trustworthy in all of the very facets of his being an excellent leader in Uganda. Highly recommended. I have arrived home a different person with enriching memories. Thank you so much!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything worked out fine
Communication and service was great. Safari accomodations were ok. Price / performance ratio very good.
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall smooth experience
We booked Wildebeest Safaris after a lot of research and after talking to many different agents. Main differentiation was that they were able to arrange the camp that we specifically asked for (Entim) and the price was competitive. Also, before the trip we asked a lot of questions to Noah (the owner) and he responded to all of them with the requested assurances. We asked for a good guide and he allotted Dennis to us. We asked for unlimited Water and he agreed and he allowed us to pay balance on arrival instead of all advance (we initially asked for some payment at end of the trip which he refused)
We stayed at 2 days at Lake Nakuru (Flamingo Hill) and 5 days at Masai Mara (Entim Camp). Flamingo hill camp was very good whereas Entim was excellent. Stay at Entim was incidentless but the stay had Flamingo had a problem when we were leaving as there was some dispute between Wildebeest and Flamingo and they held us hostage till Noah went to their office and offered himself as hostage instead. It was probably a past payment dispute and we lost 2 hours while they were talking to each other. The good thing was Noah rushed to their office early morning so that we could be released and leave for our onward journey. Flamingo offered us a bottle of wine as a compensation for the inconvenience so it was good gesture on their part. So all in all it wasn't a very unpleasant experience and some glitches are a part of every trip.
Dennis was a great person to have as the guide. He was very patient, is vastly experienced with Masai Mara area, is a safe driver and is a fun person to talk to. He answered all our questions in relation to the forest or the animals and whenever he spotted an animal he knew which one it was. He also showed us the animal in his book which he carries with himself describing the animal and interesting facts about it. That helped in better understanding what I was seeing infront of my eyes. He also agreed to wait when we wanted to at a particular spot and was not forceful to leave unless it was dark and time to get back to the camp (we waiting 5 hours for the five Cheetah brothers to wake up from their sleep and he was waiting without cribbing). Even if we barely had little time left, he ensured we atleast got 5 mins with an animal sighting so that we dont go back disappointed. He was constantly calling his network of people on phone to ask for right places to visit and he wouldnt tell us what was there till we reached to create excitement and element of surprise. Probably just his style. We took bathroom breaks whenever we needed and ate packed lunch at whatever time we wanted. Even if we wanted to eat in the car, he didn't insist otherwise. He was very good with spotting animals from a far distance and he spotted some really good lions which anyone would have easily missed. Another good thing was that he was a keen photographer himself (we went there mainly to shoot) and hence he understood if we wanted some specific angles and took the efforts required for us to get the right shot. He was happy to take the car in any position we asked so that we could take satisfying pictures. He was always ready to leave on time and got us back only when it was time to leave. It was only once in Nakuru that he ended the Safari at 4pm instead of 6.30pm as he wanted to get his car fixed which should have been done before we arrived in Kenya so we lost about 2 hours there. But largely my experience with Dennis (as well as Wildebeest Safari) was a pleasant one and I recommend them to others as well.
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
our first trip to namibia
Namibia for the first time, there should nothing go wrong. Therefore, we have asked different travel agencies for information. Impala Tours gave us the best information overall. We gave them our desired route and Andre gave us the first proposal for the lodges of our roundtrip in German! He also offered us a suitable jeep, because we wanted to drive ourselves. After some more exchange, we booked the tour with him.
The journey could begin. Andre picked us up at the airport, gave us the keys for the jeep and escorted us to the first hotel. At this time, he told us that there are some changes in the tour, which we did not like at the beginning. But these changes were very well thought out. At the tour, there was a perfect mix between deluxe and basic camping lodges, just as we wanted. Every lodge was special with his own flair.
If we had any questions, Andre was always available and could quickly help us. So, if you want to travel to Namibia ask Impala Tours, one of the best agencies to book a custom tour. We can only recommend Impala Tours and we will definitely come back to Namibia with support from Andre.
NL
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a beautifull journey in Tanzania and the safari made it complete. I would do it over again!
The communication and service at the safari were very good the guide helped us a lot