20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience
This was my first time in Ethiopia and first time in East Africa, and what an incredible experience it was! I arranged for a 10 day tour but to an emergency only stayed 6.
Samuel the Organiser was very helpful and attentive along the whole journey, from tailoring the itinerary pre booking up until being in country and making sure things go smoothly via WhatsApp.
My Private tour was originally to visit Lalibela, Gondar and Addis Ababa, half historical and the other half food and culture but due to the war resuming in the Tigray region I decide to remove visiting Lalibela which Samuel agreed with and changed the excursion to another location.
My time was wonderful seeing the various architecture and landscapes woven in with the Orthodox Christianity and Ethiopian culture was like visiting Rome in Africa, so much history cannot be experience in a 10 days,I most definitely have to come back.
The hotels I stayed in were nice the only issue was the shower being cold in Gondar, but the mechanic was on hand to fix it.
There is a lot I could say about my time in Ethiopia but then i would have to write a short novel. The main highlight that is worth mentioning was Samuel putting together a wonderful birthday experience for me where I had a a local family of incredible women teach me how to prepare and roast coffee for a ceremony, cook a local dish and bake Injeera, this will remain a memory I never forget and I'm thankful for.
All in all every tour guide I had was informative. The drivers were punctual and Samuel made sure I was updated with any change In my itinerary, especially with the sudden change.
My main bit of feedback is regarding my package being full board and also having excursions every day it wasn't made clear whether I had lunch and dinner included at the hotel or only on the days im not out on a tour
MY
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He’s experienced and could find me more animals in near distance
I booked the safari by myself and the tour guide is very responsive and helpful which when I am with him I feel safe and he’s experienced to find me many animals in the park and drive to real near distances.
PT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Relaxed competence and safe operation
Our guide and driver, Japheth, was warm, friendly and relaxed, and it was clear from the get-go that we were in good, competent hands.
He declared his interest and knowledge of birds early on, but none of us were into birds. By the time it was over, though, we’d learned quite a bit about the birds in Tanzania in addition to the animals, which is all we thought we’d come for.
He had a keen eye for spotting the animals and accommodated all our requests to stop and slow down or explain more. We got fantastic shots and learned so much more about them. We had many questions and he answered them all, except for one, where he admitted he didn’t know the answer (it was about a tree we wanted to know the name of) and would have to check.
Japheth was also very punctual but never made us feel we were on a tight schedule. Best life provided a pretty decent and tasty picnic lunch for each day and the lodge we were accommodated in was the best surprise of the whole trip. Pity we didn’t plan an extra day so we could enjoy the facilities and grounds.
I felt Best Life gave us good value for our money and I would definitely recommend them and Japheth. Our intitial contact was Jaqueline and Best Life in General was very responsive from the very start.
If I had any suggestions for improvement, it would only be to give customers the option of leaving earlier for the parks so we would stand more of a chance of seeing the hunt or the spoils of the big cats’ hunting expeditions.
Great trip, great memories.
BR
Professional
On time despite road issues with trailer Van is clean and comfortable. Nyiko was very professional and helpful
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice people, everyone is super friendl, maybe a little lack of communication
We had a very good experience all in all. At the beginning we were maybe kind of lost but since the availability per phone was always very good we could ask all our questions. Safari was really good, we saw a lot of animals but this tends to depend on the driver you get and how motivated they are to catch a lot of cool animal sights.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very friendly, reliable and well organized
We did 2 tours: the game drive in Kazikini as well as Mokoro boat trip. It was very easy to communicate via WhatsApp with Kay and she drove to our guesthouse on the evening before the tour to meet us in person and make sure everything is clear. Both days, everyone was on time and very friendly. On request, we got a vegan breakfast and lunch which was delicious and much appreciated. Maybe just to note that both trips are quite long with bumpy roads to and in Kazikini.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
the tour operator is very professional and kindness
Donnah and the entire team were extremely professional, and the whole trip was an unforgettable experience. We got to see everything we had hoped to see, including lions, wildebeest, leopards, and cheetahs. Our guide was incredibly patient and knowledgeable, explaining the habits and behaviors of the different animal species along the way.
I do have a few suggestions for improvement. The overall itinerary was quite exhausting, and during the journey, there were only washroom stops, with limited opportunities to get hot water. Although the vehicle had a refrigerator and bottled water, many Chinese travelers prefer drinking hot water, so it would be great if hot water could be made available.
It would also be helpful to set clearer expectations regarding the meals provided during the safari. For example, sharing photos of the safari lunch boxes before departure would allow guests to prepare accordingly, bring some of their preferred snacks or food, or request adjustments in advance.
Finally, when packing fruit for the trip, it would be better to choose options that are easy to store and preserve. Apples, for instance, travel well, whereas bananas can bruise and spoil more easily.
Overall, this trip has left me with wonderful and lasting memories. It was a truly memorable experience, and I am very grateful to Donnah and the entire team for making it so special!
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience
While Burundi is off the beaten path for most tourists, it holds undeniable potential. I recently completed a three-day tour with this company. Here are the highlights and drawbacks of my trip:
Pros:
#Exceptional Guide: David, the owner and a proud local, was an incredible guide—passionate, knowledgeable, and energetic. Traveling with a local owner makes navigating the country seamless, and he offers fantastic insider travel tips.
#Must-See Attractions: The traditional drum sanctuary is a magnificent, powerful experience. The chimpanzee trekking was another highlight; I was fortunate to spot chimps within just 10 minutes! With zero crowd and significantly lower permit fees compared to neighboring countries, it was an incredible value.
Cons:
#Hotel Miscommunications: On the day of my trek, the hotel forgot to prepare my requested packed breakfast. Furthermore, despite my itinerary including dinner, hotel staff occasionally mistakenly asked for payment.
#Infrastructure Challenges: Severe fuel shortages cause intermittent power outages lasting up to 12 hours. Refueling also occasionally delayed our daily schedule.
#Rough Road Conditions: Given the mountainous terrain and poor road maintenance, travel times between spots can be longer than expected.
Final Thoughts:
Despite these minor hiccups, Burundi is a hidden African gem with incredibly friendly locals. My guide went above and beyond to ensure my comfort, even expressing sincere apology when small issues occurred. Highly recommended for adventurous travelers!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good Value and Responsive Service
We had a very enjoyable safari with Amazing Memories Safaris and felt it offered good value for a mid-range trip. Titus was patient, offered helpful suggestions when planning the itinerary, and was very responsive throughout.
Overall, we were happy with the experience, though there were a couple of areas for improvement. Once we arrived, we found that some parts of the itinerary could have been better planned. We had also been assured that the hotels would be informed about our birthday and anniversary celebrations, but the promised arrangements did not come through.
Despite these shortcomings, we came away satisfied with the trip. A little more attention to the itinerary and follow-through on special requests would have made it even better.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice experience
Nice experience, Francis has been a good guide, 3 driving sessions in differenti moments of the day, recommended.
