US
Exceeded Expectations -- Great Safari plus Beautiful Country
South Africa has been on our bucket list for years mainly for the safari but our trip was so much more than that. We started with Kruger and couldn't have asked to see more wild life than we did. We then traveled to Cape Town, Stellenbosch, the Garden Route and Durban. Golf was a major part of our trip and we played 3 golf courses ranked in the top 100 in the world. Great scenery throughout -- long stretches where mountains are just a few miles from the ocean. Not surprisingly, Table Mountain was a highlight in Cape Town but also enjoyed tour of Cape Point, the history of the District 6 museum, a casual seafood feast in Hout Bay, and the Waterfront. In Stellenbosch, stayed at Lanzerac which was one of the best hotels we've ever visited. Franschhoek was a scenic excursion well from there and well worth it. Enjoyed penguins and whales in Betty's Bay and Hermanus on the way to George. Detours off the main road were well worth it along the Garden Route.
We went in winter (August) so while weather was a bit cool at times, it also made for great wildlife viewing in Kruger as foliage is less full and animals converge on watering spots. We felt safe at all locations and navigation was easy (we had our own rental car from Cape Town to George).
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing!
We have visited Lake Manyara, Serengeti (2 days), Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
It was an amazing experience, worth every dollar spent.
We've seen many animals, big 5 included.
PT
Despite teething troubles at the beginning it was really really fantastic!
All in all our safari was truly fantastic and we were very impressed by the amount of wildlife we saw. However, what was not so good was that our first hotel was changed. It was supposed to be upgraded but it turned out that we had actually been downgraded to a horrible Chinese owned lodge that was still in construction. Their was a distinct smell of open sewage from our terrace. Food was like being in a self service canteen. It was a TERRIBLE start to our holiday. We complained bitterly about this to the safari operator and in the end we got better hotels in compensation. So it worked out well in the end. What we also didn't like and I think is really worth saying is that we heard of some drivers being drunk on the job and turning up late for their clients. When you have paid a lot of money and flown half way across the world then you want to have a driver who cares and is responsible. The roads in Kenya are particularly rough and you need a good and competent driver to make sure you are all safe. Our driver was competent and always on time, however, he did have a bit of an attitude problem which was very unprofessional. However, all in all it was a fantastic trip and I can't thank Mr Othiellon of Kenya Walking Survivors enough for all his organisation. He was always very co-operative and answered any email queries I had straight away.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome experience!
Awesome place to see so many animals in their natural habitat. Definitely unforgettable experience!
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It could have been better
The most important point when you book a safari is to ensure that it will be reliable. We took a 3 days safari, but it was not as well as it should.
In the description of the safari we could read the that the first day we drive to Mikumi National Park which is approximately 5 hours from Dar es Salaam. False. It was 8 hours and a half. When we arrived there was almost sunset, so we coudn't access to the park the first day. This was because the driver drove at 45 km per hour until the park. What's the catch? The three-days-access to the park was included in the total amount, so the agency (Kiliholidays Tours) saved the first day access.
Also, the car broke down the first day (problems with the refrigeration). The second day occured problems with the battery. The third day finally in Dar Es Salaam the car broke down, and we have to take other car to our hotel with a non-known driver. This driver broke down his car as well (ran out of gas), so we had to wait inside the car in the middle of the night until he came back 30 minutes later.
In summary, we had bad luck choosing the agency: we lost the enter the park the first day, and the third day we spent almost 10 hours to came back to Dar Es Salam because car breakdowns.
As something positive, we loved the park, although we didn't stay there all the time that we paid.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful to see the animals in the Garden of Eden, a true paradise on earth.
My son and I spent three nights at Basecamp Mara. Our well equipped tent stood alongside the river and from our deck we could see and hear the animals across the river which was often forded by the baboon troupe who lived in the tree opposite. The campsite was about a ten minute drive away from the entrance to the Mara and was very well laid out with paths through the many trees surrounding the tents. The dining area was lit by candles only in the evening, the food good and the staff very attentive. Nearby was the fire pit and seating area where we could socialise with other guests and sample the local culture as we were entertained by the Masai singing and dancing. We were escorted around the camp site after dark by a Masai carrying a torch and spear!
Our driver/guide collected us from Nairobi and was with us for the four days of our trip before taking us back to the airport. George was an extremely good, careful driver who was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic and good company. He planned our game drives in the Mara well and we enjoyed a 'bush breakfast' and on another day a picnic lunch watching a group of cheetahs. The wildlife was plentiful we saw herds of elephants, giraffe, buffalow, wildebeasts, hippos, and at least a thousand migrating zebra who were making the way back to the Mara River and Serengeti. The big cats were much in evidence and we saw many lion and cheetahs plus hyenas. It was wonderful to be so close to the wild life who were unconcerned by the many people gazing at them.
We chose Spirit of Kenya because we were impressed by the clear and organised way they presented their initial quote. The office staff were very helpful and arranged a wonderful tailormade safari for us and absolutely everything went beautifully.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana with Gifts of The Kalahari
A trip to the heart of the bush, made unforgettable by our guide Lucky who, tireless and very expert of places, has accompanied us in this exciting adventure. Thanks also to the Master chef Smooth, to Sugar and Jacob and to the whole team Gifts of the Kalahari. A perfect organization. Colors, scents, and sounds of Botswana will remain in our memories.
Gifts of The Kalahari is super!!!
TH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Every day in Kenya is happy and valuable.
This is our first Safari tour in Kenya.I made wright decition to choose Features Africa Journey as our tour.I pick this company because it is only few years old.The Land Crucer is new.However the driver Gerard has 14 years of experience.He really did his job well.We saw so many animals.The wheather in Kenya during August is excellent.The people in Kenya is really nice especially children .They weave at our car when we passed by. We really enjoy our Safari trip.Thank you the company and people of Kenya.We will recommend the company to our friends.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding!
We booked the 5 day Kruger Park safari. Happy to say all communications regarding booking as well as other questions were promptly answered by Christine. Accommodations were fine and meals were good. Anthony was our guide and he was great!! Every game drive was a delight as he shared so much interesting information about all the animals and birds we were seeing and we saw many! We never felt rushed and always had time to take lots of photos. Everything about this trip was wonderfully memorable!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Service that was above and beyond!
We had an unforgettable experience on our safari in no small part to our incredible guide, Kareem. His combination of knowledge of the animals and area along with his attention to detail for customer service was beyond reproach. The entire staff was exemplary and worked tirelessly to make our stay the absolute best it could be. I was incredibly grateful and impressed by the efforts Donna and her crew made to reunite us with our luggage that missed our international connection, having it reach us in the Serengeti in less than a half a day after finally arriving in Africa. I was thoroughly impressed by the entire organization and would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone.
