NO
Amazing
I had an amazing trip with Encounter Africa Safaris and recommend it to anyone who wants to go gorilla tracking -pic-up, service, food, great staff and of course the tracking itself.
Absolutely first class, best of 4 safaris we have been on
Despite Jambo Airlines attempt to mess it up by breaking their plane at Ukanda we were able to contact the owner late on a Saturday to alter our plans. Our guide, Anthony, was excellent both as a safe driver (rare in Kenya), an on the spot repair man and finder of the big 5 and a lot more. We did the Aberdares/Samburu/Meru/Ol Pejeta safari. All was good but I would have preferred to have swapped the Aberdares for an extra day in Meru. Meru is a delight and should be visited by many more people and the Ikweta safari camp picked by Mwema was a gem. You can never promise Leopards but 3 in one day in Samburu was the pick of the holiday (excepting our daughters wedding that is!!!).
IQ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing four days safari
We took the services of Heri Africa Tours for a 4 day Safari and all I could say is that Immaculate and her crew were excellent in all aspects. The communication and organization were very efficient. Three weeks prior to our trip, everything has been sorted out and we’ve been in touch for questions which were greatly handled. Immaculate went beyond her job to provide us info on visas, vaccination, transport, accommodation, etc. We couldn’t ask for more. I personally enjoyed how the whole trip was made special by John the chef, Mike the driver/guide, and Immaculate our main contact.
The trip was affordable and way lower as compared to other tour operators we asked quote from. We expected a low quality service with the price we bargained for but we were surprised that everything has been up to standard. I highly recommend Heri Africa Tours if you want affordable yet quality tours to Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Moshu and Arusha. Thanks for organizing such an amazing trip for us.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari!
So great and so amazing! Everything, from the first contact with George until we get back the the airport (after the safari) worked very well. During the safari we had a great guide, jacob, that showed us all the big 5 in Masai Mara. Jacob was an excellent driver and he took us to places in the park that we thought no one could drive to - but he could and ge did it on a safe way! Our safari was a totally awesome experience. So happy that we booked with Right Choice! :-D
And we had a great weather as well, we was a little worried about the rainy season (april-may) but no rain come, it was dry and sunny (from e clear blue sky) every day!
One day before we started our safari Jacob also took us around in Nairobi, to visit the David Sheldrick (elefant babys) and the giraffe center. So nice of him, it feeled very safe to drive around the busy city with him.
During the safari we stayed at Ashnil mara camp and the lodge was like everything els so great.
We loved our safari! Must go back in the future! And when we go, we would definitely go with "Right Coice" again.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic trip to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience with Karumuna Safaris. We went to Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi and ended the tour with a night a Lake Bunyonyi. Richard was extremely helpful in arranging the tour to exactly what we wanted to do and helped work within our budget. Our driver Moses was great during the trip and spotted lots of animals in Queen Elizabeth that we would have otherwise missed! I would absolutely recommend using Karumuna Safaris for all of your tour needs in Uganda.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I have been traveling with Vuriva almost every year since 2001 and they are the very best!
I have traveled to Africa 25 times. I have been on safari with Vuriva 10 times since 2001. Their service and arrangements were always impeccable and best of all...dependable! Different years, I took my children and granddaughters to Tanzania. We traveled from Arusha to western Tanzania (Chimpanzees) to southern
Natl Parks (Ruaha and others) and Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro, Serengeti south (Nduti) Serengeti north (Migration) and all areas in between! My long time guide and dear friend, Waziri, sadly died last year, but Viruva's tradition of excellent service, excellent care of clients, and dependable excellent itinerary are beyond reproach. I have sent many friends to Vuriva Safaris and they all were so pleased they booked another safari.
I have stayed in camps in most of East Africa and nobody does it better than Vuriva! I look forward to my next safari in August 2017 with Vuriva.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good experience.
I think the trip was excellent. And the attention from the online guys was good until.......
It was awkward for all of us when Jimmy was informed by office - this, half-way to Queen Elizabeth Park - that I needed to pay the rest of the fee before we proceeded . However, I hadn't receive a email reminder, and as I had booked some months previously, I finally figured out that I really hadn't.
So, we had to do several bank withdrawals along the way, on separate days, in order to fix this. I expect one of the online guys forgot to send the reminder, just like I forgot I needed to pay it. (Sorry guy(s) , I'm sure neither of us did this intentionally).
I would definitely recommend a trip with Safari Bookings
But it was solved and I definitely would recommend the trip.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari experience met bucket list expectations
We travelled March 1 - 15 2017 with Go Touch Down, one week in Capetown and one week on the Johannesburg tour which included 3 days safari at Kapama River Lodge. Our stay in Capetown met more than our expectations from the one bedroom apartment to the "Gordon Ramsay" meals to our efficient guide. The only bump in the road was our two day stay at Dunkeld Estates prior to our safari. We travelled as a group of 4 and had booked the trip in 2015. Upon arrival we were told that they were overbooked and that we would have to stay in a Fisherman's Cabin 10 min walk away from our friends who were put in a guest suite. When I questioned the manager why we were separated from our friends when the booking was placed in 2015 she told me room assignment did not have anything to do with when the reservation was made, and that it was not her problem. What we found in the cabin was one hanger in the closet, a front door that would not latch, to keep it closed one had to lock it, no safe, television that did not work, and no phone to call someone for assistance so we had to walk the 10 min back to reception to get someone, no lighting at night to walk back to the cabin all the while hoping that we were able to spot the horse dung that had been deposited along the way. Service in the restaurant very slow. We were the only table for all 3 meals we had there, and dinner took 2 hours to complete. Our friend who was in a guest suite found what looked like potato bugs walking on the bathroom floor both nights of our stay. I sent a letter to the C.O.O. of Go Touch Down 4 weeks ago outlining my experience and to date no reply and at this point do not expect one.
I found Go Touch Down in Oakville to be more than accommodating and organized. I would recommend travelling with them for the Capetown tour, but as Dunkeld Estates is owned and operated by Go Touch Down
avoid the Johannesburg tour, and book with someone else. The safari portion at Kapana River Lodge was outstanding . It provided excellent accommodations and the thrill of seeing 4 of the 5 Big Five up close and personal. Never did I expect to have a male lion walk right passed the safari vehicle or a giraffe standing two feet away.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience!
Went on a combined gorilla trek and Safari with Encounter Africa Safaris. Had an amazing time, excellent lodges to spend the evenings and nights, great food. Our guide (Patrick) was wonderful, he taught us so much about the local wildlife and even knew to attract a passing Hyena by mimicking its cries. We even did an extra little game drive on our way back because the permit still was active for some hours. One of the best experiences i've had in my life.
IE
At Amboseli where Kilimanjaro and elephants greet you
We drove straight from Nairobi Airport on the highway towards Mombasa, which I guess should be one of the best-developed roads in Kenya. From the branch at a small town of Emali to the entrance of Amboseli National Park we noticed a gentle glide along with our vehicle, which is partly new asphalt, a pleasure.
Over the whole area, the majestic Kilimanjaro with its snowy summit peak sits on the Tanzanian side and I always asked myself the question "Will I be lucky to see the Kilimanjaro free of clouds – fingers crossed?"
My mood increased noticeably when we arrived at the outstanding Ol Tukai Lodge. Quickly I was checked into my room. I didn’t think it was such beautiful, even though I had heard only good things about this lodge. There were precious woods everywhere, dark leather, well-kept lawn and the entire lodge is located in a small forest ... in the middle of nowhere inside of the game park.
The idea of using ecotourism to lure travelers into the country while practicing a gentle approach to the environment is very important. This principle is also implemented here in Ol Tukai Lodge. The entire power is generated from solar energy and is therefore, available only at certain times. Only local materials were used for the construction of this hotel facilities, and the local population is included in the running and operation of the lodge.
However, it does not mean that this would entail great deprivation, on the contrary. It is more like a luxury camping for spoiled city-dwellers who are looking for the pure nature experience and don’t want to miss the comforts of urban life. Whether you need that certain luxury everyone should decide for themselves.
Armed with my camera in the evening across the beautiful garden, my eyes fell more by chance to the horizon of my left - and, yes miracles do happen, the Kilimanjaro summit now looks out of the clouds. More, I quickly get some more wide-angle lens and spend the next couple of minutes with photographing this mighty mountain. What an amazing sight!
Africa is the sensual experience that I have always been dreaming of and no doubt I experienced it here - the sparkling stars of Africa, a flickering campfire, the sounds of drumming elephants can be very romantic.
Safari is a good experience, a good trip in Kenya and I can promise you the wonderful trip through Kenya goes on, hopefully, would make a return trip.
A big thank you for the cooperation with African Sermon Safaris tour operator, with whose able planning I was able to discover Amboseli which I write about here. If you would like to watch the elephants and see Kilimanjaro, you should head out to Amboseli National Park, a place that won my appreciation of nature. Consider traveling with this company which is an exceptional choice offering such a great experience.