IL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable and up to our expectations
We had this trip in mind for a long time and Maturaf was very patient and has changed the itenarary many times to fulfill our requests.
The tour guide Amani who was the driver too was excelent vey knowledgable with hawk eyes that saw all the animals from far away.
We surey recommand Regional Tours to anyone who wants to experiance a Safari tour in Tanzania.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Safari Adventure - Bucket List!
We used Encompass Africa recently to custom design our recent first ever trip to Africa. Jonathon was amazing (and patient) as we had endless questions! His responses were always extremely prompt and very informative, and it soon became apparent that his knowledge was invaluable in planning our adventure. Our trip included arriving and departing Nairobi, flights to and from Kigali and also a flight from the Serengeti and Jonathon's expert suggestions ensured that we had minimal travel time whilst still keeping within our budget.
Our trip began with a visit to Rwanda and the Virunga National Park to see the gorillas. What an absolute privilege to be able to spend time with these incredible animals! We saw a baby born the day before and had to keep reminding ourselves to take pictures as we were just standing there gobsmacked!
We then had 12 days on safari in a variety of lodges and tented camps throughout Tanzania. We saw the migration at it's finest, breathtaking scenery and an abundance of wildlife at heart-stoppingly close proximity! Our guides were incredibly knowledgeable, the camps and lodges stunning and the people softly spoken and beautiful.
As first-timers to Africa we really did not know what to expect but the bespoke tour designed with Encompass Africa absolutely exceeded all our expectations! From the moment we first enquired with this Company until after we arrived home their service, knowledge and professionalism was exemplary. We decided to choose an Australian Safari Company because it was our first visit to Africa and we hoped this would provide us with the security and peace of mind we needed and we were right! Jonathon and his team were amazing in the lead up to our adventure providing an abundance of information on medical requirements, what to pack, pictures of our guides and a step by step itinerary. Once on the ground in Africa, Encompass provide a 24/7 service with the phone number of a dedicated support person.
If you have been thinking of a holiday in Africa do not hesitate! It is truly a bucket list destination where the memories you make will last a lifetime. Do it now and do it with Encompass Africa, you will not be disappointed!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Saadani National Park by Chiara
Saadani park is not very populated: it is hard to spot lions and zebras for example. It is interesting because it is located on the coast: there are bushes, a river and the Ocean as well. Due to our lack of experience and to the lack of information from the tour operator we have chosen, this safari was very badly organized: I think that even if Saadani is a small park, there is no point to go there for less than 3 days. You have to take into consideration several elements that could overturn the original plan: for these reasons you need to take some time to enjoy the wild nature, have time for a walk and so on.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by rossella rossetto
Unfortunately because of global warming flamingos are no longer there...
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was my first, in Saadani N.P.: for sure I will organize better next time!
For my friend and I it was the first safari: we were in Zanzibar, so we decided to visit Saadani National Park(closer and smaller), even if we knew that it was not the best and most "populated" African park. Unfortunately the agency we chose was not clear about the duration of the journey from Dar Es Salaam port to the park. We had several issues with our car until we got stuck into the mud: I know people may say it is part of the adventure... however, it is not funny when you have less than 2 days.... In the end we did not make the boat safari to see crocodiles and hippos because in the morning the tide was not at the correct level...I am wondering why we did not make it in the previous afternoon then! For sure, it was very exciting for 2 Europeans to spot giraffes, monkeys and above all a big lonely elephant. We were expecting something more, especially a real guide, not only a silent driver who seems to be annoyed by us... accommodation was ok, but for a possibile future safari, I would not take selousrufijihippoadventure.com into consideration. Anyway, I think that this was just a start and that we have learnt something for next safari.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
No better place to go on safari
We booked a private guide/driver through Ruge, an independen in Arusha. The guide for us was Dixon. Dixon was the finest guide we have had and we have traveled the world. He used to be a porter for groups climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and is working to earn his degree. We chose the Ngorongo Crater as home base and that proved to be the best of all options. At this time of the year (January) the migration is only 2 hours west of the crater. Thus, you have day trip access to the crater itself (actually much better game viewing there than Serengeti), Serengeti and Lake Manyara, three distinctly different ecosystems. We chose the Ngorongo Neptune Lodge, which rates among the best 2 lodges we have stayed in worldwide. This combination proved to be the best one I can possibly imagine. We have been on previous safaris to Kruger in South Africa and Botswana. We had the luxury of our personal guide, a pop up Land Rover and a 5 star resort which was all inclusive. The total cost for 5 days and 4 nights, including pick ups and drop offs at Mt. K Airport, was $4400, or $2200 per person, a tremendous bargain for this fine adventure. We added 2 days in Nairobi, including tours of the Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary and Giraffe Center, for another $450 pp. We coordinated all this on our own, which goes to show you can pull together a customized, week long trip to Kenya and Tanzania without blowing your whole wad. We also got great fares from Kayak.com on Airline tickets.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A thrilling experience!
A thrilling experience! face-to-face with lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, zebras, giraffes, antelopes...in the wonderful scenario of Amboseli, Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru. Amboseli is a relatively small park, but with so many different landscapes, included a dry lake. Masai Mara is an evocative place, where you understand the real meaning of infinite. Our guide Steve made his best to let us see all the animals possible, and also to enjoy the different landscapes. While in Masai Mara we experienced a rainy day, but our driver was great in driving the muddy tracks and wade across small rivers. Accommodation was also great during the whole trip. An unforgettable trip!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best safari with the best safari guide
Tanzania Choice Safaris was incredible from the start - Brenda took time and energy to ensure my safari would best suit my needs. The accommodations were great, and I got to see the best of all different kinds of lodging (tented camp, lodge etc.) as well as 3 different parks. Kikasii is simply the best, and made me feel comfortable and showed me the best of all of the parks. I would highly suggest TZ Choice Safaris, and look forward to my next adventure with them!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Africa
The safaris selected by Yellow Zebra were absolutely amazing. Throughout the entire adventure we felt that we were part of a BBC documentary. We saw (up close) all of the big cats, rhinos, hippos, elephants and every antelop imaginable, along with many other unique animals (e.g. tortists, dung bettles, soldier ants, etc.). There were a lot of activities to choose from, including game drives, night drives, horseback riding and land hikes. All activities were restricted to us (two people) and seldom did we see other tourists at the major sightings. There is nothing that we can recommend for improvement.
Thank you Emma.
50-65 years of age
They were extremely helpful, available at all times, very quick to respond to avert crises faced
They have excellent communication systems and services. They more than lived up to our expectations. We have long flights and a number of connections but they were able to assist us even when we had to make abrupt changes. We had to change one flight from a one way to return at very short notice. They managed this without any hitch