CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip of a lifetime from start to finish!
Our initial correspondence with Levis and the subsequent planning and fine tuning of our vacation went so smoothly; we were able to include many different places and activities and our trip was built just for us. Levis was available for all of our questions and responded promptly each time. Thank you! We had a variety of accommodations in both Kenya and Tanzania and each one had its own charm. The staff at every lodge, inn or tented camp were superb - the rooms were very comfortable and the meals always very good. The main attraction of course were the amazing safaris we experienced in Kenya and Tanzania. We had the best driver/guides around - Charles in Kenya and Amani in Tanzania. Both are so knowledgeable and freely shared so many facts about the wildlife, birdlife, plant life that surrounded us. We could not believe that each day was better than the last. These two men did their best to give us the ultimate trip and we most certainly had it. We always felt safe and looked after in both countries. We saw the Big 5, and twice saw rhinos and leopards! How incredible is that? We even saw zebras and wildebeest migrating over the Mara River. My description of our 13 days is "mindblowing". Thank you so much, Hallmark for a trip of a lifetime!
Magical with upmost professionalism
Our trip started with the upmost professionalism when we were greeted by our driver Ronald at Kigali airport. Ronald turned out to be fantastically professional, warm, insightful and very fun to spend our three days with and he kept the whole process running very smoothly.
We then drovee from here up through Rwanda and across to the Virunga mountains in Uganda - we stayed nearby at the magical Chameleon Hill hotel which overlooks the beautiful lake Mutanda.
The gorilla experience was as magical as we hoped it would be. Ronald was also very helpful in organising a mountain biking and coffee plantation experience on our last day. He enabled us to customise this experience and reduce it down from the half day activity to a few hours which enabled us to still catch our evening flight.
Once again thank you to Matoke tours, from start to finish the communication and overall execution was five star. I encourage any reader of this review to visit the Ugandan countryside as it is simply stunning and full of amazing people
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hallmark gave us a "Trip of a Lifetime" experience.
Right from day one, the pick up at the airport in Nairobi, our Hallmark experience was incredible. Levis had planned an amazing tour for us of Kenya and Tanzania, hitting all the spectacular "must see" national parks of these two countries. This was, without a doubt, our trip of a lifetime, it exceeded our expectations in every way. Our two drivers, Charles in Kenya, and Amani, in Tanzania were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, polite and made our trip the most unbelievable adventure of our lives. They were so attentive, patient, and willing to please our every whim and desire, stopping whenever we asked for that "yet another" spectacular picture of one of so many beautiful animals, always educating us on facts about the animals. Our accommodations were amazing, from high end to more adventurous, (but comfortable) tents, sharing the open spaces with the animals. We always felt safe, protected and very cared for by everyone, lovely people wherever we stayed. I would highly recommend Hallmark Travel Planners, (and I already have), to our friends and family and anyone else wishing to travel to East Africa. I hope that I can return in a few years and have Levis book my next adventure. Kenya and Tanzania have left a mark on my heart, and now I hope to see a little more of Africa in the coming years.
Thank you Levis, Charles, Amani and Hallmark!
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome Experience
Justus was very flexible with my booking, through the process of booking I made many changes and he provide with a friendly and helpful service offering alternative solutions. Excellent service and would higly recommend.
Jimmy my guide was friendly and helpful during my 5 day trip.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable experience
Everything was amazing and well organised during the tour and safari.
Communications between the company and us was extremely good with quick and regular responses.
The whole experience definetly lived up to expectations.
The lodge was out of this world and the food was amazing.
The tour guides were very friendly and showed great knowledge and care.
Highly recommend using Faustin tour and travel for your tour guides and safari's.
US
Our two day safari was wonderful! We saw many animals in their natural environments.
The safari company was very accommodating! We were pleased with the overnight accommodations as the meals. We saw many, many animals.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
This is one of Africa's iconic game parks
Etosha is one of Southern Africa's iconic game parks. Namibia is a very safe country to visit, the main tarred roads are good although the dirt roads need caution and preferably a four wheel drive. The wildlife is easy to see with a good selection of mammals, the bird life is exceptional so it is worth self driving around the park and taking one's time to look at them all. There are excellent bird books and apps for smart phones to help identify them all. The landscape is generally flat and arid with very little dense vegetation making game viewing easy. The southern hemisphere spring around September is a good time to visit, the weather is warm during the day and the nights are cool, it rarely rains at this time of the year. Accomodation is good, clean and comfortable with a choice of camping and various levels of chalet depending on the budget. It does need to be booked well in advance as it is a very popular destination. The camps all have WiFi and cell phone coverage. The main camps serve barbecues and buffet food which is freshly prepared and good quality. Food allergies and sensitivities can be catered for. A choice of game meats is available with South African wines and local beers. The camps have well maintained swimming pools for cooling off in the afternoons. The staff are all friendly and helpful, and the guides are knowlegeable if you choose to go on night drives etc. The highlight for me was the birding, 132 species seen in 14 days and some award winning photos to bring back!
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very beautiful and special place.
Safari experience in Tanzania is very unique and different from everything I have experienced so far. Wildlife is great, landscapes are magnificent. We slept in camps and didn't really know what we are getting into, so we ended up in kamps with no mobile service and electricity without previous warning. But the scenery in the morning was worth it.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Namibia by Matt OZW
Namibia is a safe country to visit and contains a variety of stunning scenery from desert and sand dunes at Sossusvlei, mountains, coastal towns with old German colonial architecture such as Swakopmund, great game reserves like Etosha and Daan Viljoen and others. Bird life is exceptional as are the animals. It is sparsely populated and the people are friendly.
US
A great visit!
We lucked out with the early Spring weather and a full moon, even a bit of smoke to glorify the dawn ride sunrises; and the Tydon safari crew were enthusiastic and helpful to a T.... Bouquets to Liesl for her off-roading and the pile of hyena cubs! We got up close with so many species! Thank you.