US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime!
My husband and I and another couple had the opportunity to visit Tanzania and go in the safari last February. I love to travel and see other cultures and places. I have to say this was the most phenomenal trip I've ever been on. Our trip was booked through Mawe African Ventures. This was my first safari and I was a bit apprehensive getting this all set up. Our travel guide Raffy made this a seamless experience everything from the booking to being picked up at the airport was perfect. As far as a safari, you could not imagine how many animals we saw. I saw more animals than I thought could be possible. The accommodations were spectacular. Everything from high-end hotels to beautiful tent lodges out in the Serengeti. The first tent lodge we stayed at I had two giraffes walk right in front of me as I sat in the porch. unbelievable! We also could hear the lions roaring at night in the distance. The food at the establishments were like 5 star restaurants. Even when we got to have picnics out on the plains with the zebras, walking around us. The staff.
At the accommodations are unbelievably gracious. I love to talk to about their experiences living out in the Serengeti. Raffy's expertise with the animals and his country was unbelievable. He knew so much about the animals and their environment. His vehicle "Simba" was very comfortable and his Is driving skills were exceptional.
We were there for 12 days. We would get up early in the morning before the other drivers got out. We would bring our breakfast and see the animals in the early light. It was surreal! We saw a Mama lion with her cubs eating a fresh killed zebra. We saw a mama cheetah teaching her children how to track down dinner. In the Ngorongoro Crater we even saw a newly born wildebeest. Raffy was very conscientious of the animal's safety and and well-being. He approached them at a safe distance. Close enough, so we could see them but not interfere with their behavior.
I brought some school supplies and toys for children. I asked Raffy if we could drop them off at a appropriate place. He found this wonderful Montessori school where we got to visit the children and the teachers. It was probably one of my favorite experiences. The children were so excited about their learning. And it was very interesting talking to the teachers about their education and their experiences teaching.
Our trip went by so quickly. It was unbelievable all the things we saw. Just remember to bring your camera. But remember to sit back and enjoy the experience.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guide. So enjoyable to be around. He even speaks Lion!
Raffy’s attention to your every want and need is outstanding. He loves his job, the birds, animals and his country; and it shows.H His knowledge of the birds and animals was phenomenal. He can mimic many of the birds. He will stop “Simba” his trusty four wheel drive. Pull up an app with the birds call and description. He can pick out animals at a distance while driving and stop to show you. It took us a minute from the stopped vehicle to find what he had seen while navigating the muddy road and shemos.
In the evenings he would have dinner with us, answering all of our questions. Few other guides eat with their clients. We really felt like he was part of the family. We call and write to him frequently.
A person in our party needed some prescription drugs. Raffy called back to Arusha and had them delivered the next day by aircraft. When out driving, he knows all the other guides. Even though they speak Swahili, you can tell they respect him and ask him for information on where the animals are. He helped two other jeeps out of the mud, yet never came close to getting stuck himself.
Food was outstanding in the evenings. Most days we took a breakfast or lunch and left the camp at sunrise. Then Raffy would find an open spot, do a security check. Then set up a table and chairs so we could eat a huge breakfast. Just a real treat to experience. But the experience would not be the same without Raffy smiling and laughing.
PK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari Experience
Had a great 5 day safari with them. They accommodated and customised every detail for us. Even they added a tour to Lake Naivasha on our request which was not even included in our package initially. Naomi and Jake were always there to make our experience even better.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very professional and friendly
The safari was so amaizing, the team is so friendly and ready to give a helping hand at any time.The guide was so professional and so friendly to everyone in our group.
All in all the hospitality we received was awesome.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
They were very professional
I booked a trip with Go Touch Down Travel for a Kruger safari and Victoria Falls tour. Angie and her staff were very professional. The accommodations provided were top notch. Meals were well prepared and tasty. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. I gave them a four-star rating as part of the safari required me to take a flight to one of the safari locations, however only a last-minute observation prevented me from being left at the location after the safari. The flight did not include a return. This return flight became an additional expense. Notwithstanding the return flight mix up, I would recommend Go Touch Down Travel to others.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I had the best time in Kenya!
I did the 5 days Masai Mara budget tour with Jimmy as our driver and guide.
Everyone in our jeep felt safe with Jimmy as our driver expertly navigating the rough rocky/muddy roads with mad skills. He was always checking up on me, and being a female solo traveller I find that to be really thoughtful.
The highlights were that we saw some Nat Geo worthy scenes in real life and some animals came real close to the jeep which was just incredible to watch. Definitely pay a little more to visit the Maasai village and learn about the Maasai tribe.
Whilst the food and accommodation was really simple and basic, it’s really good value for money in terms of the experience gained and friendships forged.
The trip was nothing short of incredible and would definitely recommend it to my friends and family that are interested in going on a safari.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional, Friendly, and Highly Experienced
We booked a 10 day private safari with Ecovic Tours and would highly recommend them! Both the tour consultant, Vincent, and our tour guide, Samuel, were professional and made sure our trip was comfortable and memorable. We visited Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo National Park which was quite a bit of driving but enjoyable getting to see the diverse landscape of Uganda. We really enjoyed eating our meals with our tour guide where we could plan out the day ahead and get to know them personally. Our guide recommended we get to Murchison Falls - Tangi gate right when it opens which meant a very early wake up for us. We listened to their advice, which resulted in us seeing big five on our first day on safari which was incredibly lucky!
DE
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Benson Safaris is the best Tour operator, for the best price you get the best quality.
At first we thought that is was quite much for a three day Safari with the Ngorongoro Kreta and Serengeti but as soon as we reached the Serengeti we knew that is was definetly worth it. You will have this kind of experience only one time in your life. Everything was perfekt, from the pick up to the drive with Lunch boxes to the drope off on the third day. We are so delighted about Benson himself and his stuff because everybody is so kind and heartwarming. It made you really feel comfortable. It was my second time with Benson Safaris and I will do it a third time again this year because I just love it.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best company to get you safely up the Kili!!
Our experience with Inno Africa was perfect from the start! Really easy and clear in communication and were always helpful with solutions and thinking along with us. From pick up to drop off we always felt we were in the perfect hands.
Communication, service, value for money, guides, porters and chef, the whole trip was literally perfect. We loved the positive vibe, experience and support of our guides (Angelo & Roland, 10/10!!!!) every single moment.
Even though the porters mostly just spoke Swahili they made us feel as part of a team the whole trip.
Two tips if you read this as a traveller:
- learn some Swahili, everyone loves it so this will make your trip even better!
- Inno Africa also does safaris, we only found out after we already booked our safari. Otherwise would 100% have booked with Inno!
Asante sana to everyone who made the trip unforgettable ♥️
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An exciting Africa Adventure
We used Good Earth Tours to book our trip to Tanzania and South Africa, and I would highly recommend them. They made everything extremely simple, they had excellent communication. Narry could not have planned a better trip. We simply gave him our travel dates, preferences on level and type of accommodations, and a budget and he took care of the rest! We were given very detailed itineraries with all the information we could possibly need.
The vehicles were of high quality, and the guides drove us extremely safely. We stayed in both lodges and tented camps, all of which were very clean, great meals and great locations!
We had a fantastic experience and would wholeheartedly recommend Good Earth Tours!