50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable camping safari in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Staff were excellent and really looked after us and made the holiday an unforgettable experience. Camping equipment was good, and the food was excellent. Had a great time, felt very safe and would recommend this adventure for anyone who wants to experience a bit more than just animal safaris in Africa.
US
11 days Kenya and Tanzania safari tour
As a group of friends, we went to a11 days Kenya@Tanzania safari tour in September. We visited Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Serengeti, Arusha and Ngorongoro.We all had a fantastic time and we all fell in love with Africa people and wildlife. I'd like to thank our drivers Leonardo and Azaria for being knowledgeable, friendly, light and happy people, big hug to our wonderful cook Jumo, especially for his soups:)) Personally I'd like to say hello to Masai boy Luka, who taught us about Masai traditions and culture and with whom we learned a Jumbo Bwana song and were singing it in the middle of the night in Masai Mara, because we were happy:))My best wishes to kids in Masai village we visited and their wonderful teacher Jackson(sorry to forgot his Masai name) Dear Peter, thanks for your hard work and effort in doing such a great job, our trip was unforgettable. I hope I can return to Africa one day and maybe clime a Kilimanjaro too:)) All the best in your mission! And I want to repeat after Azaria 'Serengeti shall never die!'
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing, memorable- made life long friends and learnt so much!
Our party spent a day with John and his business partners before Namayiana Safaris was officially launched. It was a real highlight of our 4 weeks in Africa. At that stage the tour included a fascinating trek through the Bush , explaining the significance of the flora and its use in Masai life, as well as insightful knowledge about the local wildlife, Masai history, customs and way of life. We learned so much, had a fantastic time, and made life long friends.We would love to experience the Jeep safari- knowing the knowledge, enthusiasm and energy of the Namayiana team it must be amazing. I hope we return to experience it soon
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Pure Magic!
We (couple, German, between 27 and 31) did the 5 days / 4 nights Safari with Ilmaasai. The destinations and accomdations were:
1. Tarangire National Park, rest at Fig Resort
2. Lake Manyara, rest at Fig Resort
3. Ngororo Crater, rest at Simba campsite
4. Serengeti National Park, rest at campsite
Our contacts were:
1. Loth for communications
2. Brayson as driver and mechanic
3. Osman as cook
WE HAD THE BEST TIME EVER! I will tell you my thoughts as they come out ;)
# the communications (reservation, payment issues, thousands of extra questions) with Loth worked perferctly! He always answered within little time and helped us a lot! He picked us up, took us to the hostel before the trip started and picked us up again next morning when the tour started. After the the safari he even brought us to Moshi.
# Brayson is a gentle person and a good driver and spotter for animals. He managed to show us four of the big five within 4 days (Rhinos missing due to windy conditions). We always felt safe driving around with him. He knows a lot about animals. Sometimes you have to ask him if you want to know stuff. Of course it is very exhausting for the driver to always have an eye on the road, watch out for Zebras and Gnus jumping over the street, spotting animals, answering questions... Be fair with him and he will do everything he can to make the trip special to you. You can tell that he is an experienced driver. He knew how to get the car in position for good fotos.
# Osman baffled us! How on earth he managed to serve us this awesome food in the middle of the Serengeti is beyond me. He is very friendly, helpful and a good spotter too. We miss his food!
# the accomodations at the Fig resorts are quite basic of course. Don't expect air conditions and Jacuzzis ;)
# the campsite at Ngorogoro was in good shape and a ranger kept an eye on the tent during night. Toilets and showers were okay.
# the campsite at Serengeti was okay too but worse than Ngorogoro. Toilets and showers were quite an experience. If possible you should avoid leaving the tent during the night (there were Pumbas and Hyenas close to the tents). Just be aware of the fact that you are sleeping in the wild! This is something you will never forget but be sure that this is what you want! If that sounds too cruel for you, better go to for a lodge...
# the tents were safe and closed 100%. No Mosquitos!
# only water was included. if you want Sprite, beer etc. for dinner you have to pay another 3000 TSH (= $1,50).
Things you should bring:
# toilet paper (!!!), goggles, Anti-Bite (Mosquitos and Tse-Tse-Flies ate me alive at Manyara), sun blocker, sun glasses, good camera with at least 250mm zoom, crackers for kids if you want, maybe an inlet for your sleeping bags, pants with zipper function, cap/hat, well loaded batteries for your cameras.
Summary:
I can strongly recommend this company. Everything was very professional. pleasant, reliable and fair. If I should come again, then I know who to call.
One last thing I'd like to add: Drivers and cooks get paid but we read in our books (unfortantely after the tour when it was too late) that you should tip them more generously than we did. Count in another $5 to $10 per person per day.
Safe travels and enjoy the ride.
Warm regards,
Sebastian
CA
So helpful for our trip of a life time.
Lots of communication prior to our trip, all questions answered. Batonka a beautiful place to stay, great breakfast to start your day! My sisters did find the single twin beds to be quite narrow, in North America twins seem to be a thing of the past, rooms have 2 double size beds. Sam, taxi driver from Zambia to Zimbabwe boarder, very knowledgeable. Emmanuel, driver & guide in Livingstone, fun and knowledgeable. Mortimer, our guide to Victoria Falls, patient and very helpful, made excellent recommendations for excursions. Only suggestion would be to reconfirm cost of extra transfers, who remembers what is in the contract?! Letting us know a taxi might be an option to consider.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great planning and with very prompt response
Tailor made Africa has planed our first Safari trip and definitely made it a very memorable experience . Clyde is very quick with response and very detailed about the planning and suggestions. This has made our planning much easier and hassle free
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well, It was a little bit disappointed
This company is based in South Africa but our trip was to Okavango, Chobe, and Victoria fall. So they subcontracted the local lodges and travel agent in Botswana and Zambia. If you're lazy traveller like me. I don't recommend this company since I didn't pay much attentions to the detail plan. Actually the 3 nights in Okavango delta with 6 times game drives were too much. Even safari guide got bored. :-(. In Chobe it was great lodge and safari. but in Vcitoria fall, the travel agency was strange. They didn't tell or provide water for 2 hour walking with 40 degree weather. We didn't know that it was walking tour. Also, each time we need to confirm the plans and car ride.
Communication with this company was difficult. When I called them, they didn't know about my itinerary and just said "we gave this to another contractor". what a surprise!!! only communication is email but sometimes we need to talk!!!
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible! Trip of a lifetime. Omari was an incredible guide. Perfect.
Excellent. Omari was the best. He knew where animals were, found them quickly, took great care of us and was very kind. The tour couldn’t have been better. Great accommodations, and I never thought I’d see so many animals! I can’t recommend this tour enough. Tanzania was perfect and in October we found ourselves right in the middle of the wildebeest migration.
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Reliable and professional
Everything was very well performed, from the first contact. Always quick response via e-mail. All information was correct. The manager really cares. The price for our tour to Mikumi was very reasonable.
The tour driver/guide was always on time and had excellent knowledge.
A very reliable tour company. I can strongly recommend Waxbill Safaris.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tanzanian trip and more!
Kathy Phinney and Fanuel Mateja of Breakdown Safaris did a wonderful job of arranging our trip to Tanzania and providing us with the trip of a lifetime. Kathy got to know us ahead of time and set up a custom trip for our group of 8 including our international flights and all of the travel during the time spent in Tanzania. She made sure we knew what to expect including a detailed itinerary. They took care of all of the details and made sure that everything worked as planned. The trip was set up to experience a large variety of animals in parks without the crowds of some of the larger parks. We had a great experience at Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park where Kathy, Fan and Rashid did a great job of finding the animals and sharing their extensive knowledge with us. We enjoyed a river safari, walking safari and many game drives. We traveled to Kigoma and took a boat to Gombe National Park where we tracked chimps where Jane Goodall studied them. This was an experience of a lifetime and one of the many highlights of our trip. We also spent time in Dar Es Salaam, Irringa and drove through many other villages and experienced what life is like in Tanzania before heading to Zanzibar where we went snorkeling, explored Stone Town and spent time at the beach. Kathy and Fan made sure every detail was covered, that we had great food and exceptional lodging and service at every place we stayed. Breakdown Safaris is a top notch safari company that I would highly recommend.