US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything we'd hoped for!
We did a 5-Day Private Kenyan Safari with Jocky which included Masai Mara, Nakuru, Navaisha, and Amboseli. The tour was for my teenage son and myself. This was our first trip to Africa.
I chose Jocky based on the reviews - and I am so glad I did! They were excellent to work with in the planning stage, answering all my questions. No problems or concerns on that end!
Our guide was James Gichina, and he was EXCELLENT! We saw the Big 5 and everything else we wanted to see! James always managed to get us "front row seats" to all the action and animals - he was very intent on making sure we were satisfied at every turn. I have no idea how he was able to manage the parks/reserves so well, but he knows those places like the back of his hand. Sometimes he would instinctively lead us to where animals were hiding, and other times he would get a tip on the radio and speed up to get us right into the spots where animals were spotted by others. James was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions.
All 3 lodging sites exceeded my expectations - Enkorok Tented Camp, Nakuru Lodge, Amboseli Sopa. The staff at each location was absolutely lovely and the food was fantastic each night.
The safari jeep was clean and just as we imagined. Plenty of water available.
I HIGHLY recommend Jocky (and James Gichina!) to anyone looking for a wonderful safari experience in Kenya!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
My bucket list trip.
This was an amazing once in a life time trip. The lodging was excellent. But our guide Solomon was the BEST! He made sure we saw everything we wanted to see, he laughed at my dumb jokes, he was a joy to spend our 5 day Safari with! Thank you Solomon for making this a dream come true for me! You’re the best ever!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
10-star experience!!!!!!!!!!
We had 9 safari days in Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire that went beyond our dreams and expectations. Everyday, we saw so many different animals, birds and plants. Our guide and naturalist, Abisai Mbasha, went above and beyond to make our experience very memorable. Everyday, he impressed us with his knowledge of the flora and fauna. He has an amazing eye and ability to identify animals such as a cheetah in the grass to small bird species. He was also funny and joyful which made the long distances and bumpy roads go easily. He always answered our questions thoughtfully and was very kind to our child. In addition to amazing pictures and memories, we left our safari knowing a lot more about nature and culture in Tanzania, and a deeper appreciation and respect for all the guides who work so hard to have all travelers have a good experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda - Awesome!
What an amazing experience! Eddie picked me up early from Rwanda and we travelled to Bwindi National Park in Uganda to see the Gorillas. He was a friendly and helpful guide who was very attentive when driving. Eddie was very informative, showing great enthusiasm and knowledge of Uganda. He was keen to stop and take photos and made it a fabulous experience! I did the short trek and found the mountain Gorillas after only 20 minutes. I was relieved as the terrain was very steep and the ground was unstable in areas, slippery with foliage and there had been no rain in a month. Our group saw 3 Gorillas. A Silverback, mother and it’s baby. Sat within 2 meters of the large Silverback and it was just majestic to be so close!! Highly recommend Birchall Expeditions for any tour needs.
KR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good supporter for fantastic tour.
Make good package for our needs. Also well arranged each hotel and tour program.
Valuable time with the price for our holiday in africa.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fair to Average
I booked 8 months in advance (group join option) with stated goal to spend as much time as possible with the migration. The itinerary indicated 1 day in the Crater and 3 days in the Serengeti including one entire day with the migration (large wildebeest herd) and at the river looking for crossings.
Unfortunately this did not occur primarily due to the driver. Room/board was good and the first two days went according to schedule. I was put in a Avocet Tanzania Safaris group (the 6 passengers had each booked with several different agencies and mixed together --this is apparently common in Tanzania). We had a very good visit to Tangamire NP. One passenger left and a young boy who did not speak english joined us presumably as a cook. He and the driver were always speaking Swahili so we got minimal information. Loud ranger station static over the 2-way seemed always on and prevented music from being played.
On the 3rd day we found the large herd early in the morning , an incredible sight. But after 20 minutes, almost as if the job was completed, the driver took us across the Grumeti where we spent another hour then told us they are not crossing today so we crossed back and despite request to return, we never saw the herd again. The rest of the day was spent driving at high speed chasing ranger reports of cats which we had already seen quite a few of (but no chases/kills). At dinner I found out other vehicles had seen groups of wildebeast crossing the river. The fourth day was spent chasing more cats.
My second complaint is that each time I stood up to take a photo, the vehicle would take off fast knocking me down. It would be nice to get a warning like "leaving in 10 seconds". The fifth day was at the crater. We spent only 3 hours and I was told that the 4 other passengers were on a 5-day safari so he was taking them to the airport. I was left at campsite near Lake Manyara for 18 hours without a guide. On the sixth day I had my own guide for Lake Manyara NP and then to the airport.
Of course, I will return to see another migration but unsure if at Serengeti or Masai Mara.
GR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable memories
Our company chose Safari Bookings with Lark Journeys to organize our 16-day self-drive safari. I highly recommend Namibia as a travel destination. The overall experience, natural beauty, wildlife, local culture, and accommodations were all exceptional.
I captured remarkable photographs and encountered extraordinary desert-adapted animals.
Claire and Gregory from Lark Journeys provided invaluable assistance and expertise throughout the planning and execution of our safari.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Namibia is a country of natural beauty and beautiful, friendly people
I loved my trip to Namibia, from the ease of my arrival at the airport to getting my 4x4 car rental and then driving on the other side of the road, everything went well for me. I felt very safe. I planned a 4-day self-drive trip to Sossusvlei. It was magical with wonderful sunny days and cool nights with big starry skies. I stayed the first night at Little Sossus Lodge and the next two at Sossus Dune Lodge because it was located inside the park gates; this way I could access the park before sunrise and an hour after sunset providing me with enough time for some great photo opportunities at Deadvlei or climbing dunes. The staff at the lodges, the park staff, and the locals I met along the way were all very nice and made me feel welcome. I liked the independence of driving on my own. There were plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities along the road as well. Next, I booked a 4-day safari to Etosha leaving from Windhoek with a pickup and drop off at my hotel. What a great trip. I had a personal driver to take me to Etosha and look after everything while I was there. Etosha was a mix of sitting by a water hole and game driving. The amount and diversity of wildlife around the waterhole were incredible, I particularly liked it when a herd of elephants or rhinos would visit. That was it, short but sweet.
I look forward to my next trip to explore more of Namibia with my friends.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
This was a trip of a lifetime.
AS ADVERTISED! A SAFARI OF A LIFETIME!
What a wonderful experience from start to finish including the pick-up at the Tambo airport bus terminal and the drop off at our hotel door four days later! Quite a ride to Kruger through the mountains and orange groves. We had no real idea about how far or how long (over 7 hours) it would take having booked everything on line. Suggest others might consider flying from Johannesburg. But the scenery was beautiful, the van comfortable, and the driver excellent.
We arrived at the HoyoHoyo lodging and were off on a game drive 30 minutes later! Our guide for the entire experience, Marc Jenkins, was outstanding. Knowledgeable, considerate and personable! We saw the big five and so many more.
We loved the daily schedule: Three hour game drive at dawn with breakfast after, and another drive as the sun set followed by dinner. It got a bit chilly as it was winter, but blankets, ponchos and even hot water bottles were provided. There was a break during each drive with cocoa or coffee with snacks in the morning and wine or soft drinks, again with snacks in the evening to watch the sun set often with animals cruising by. Just amazing.
HoyoHoyo was incredible. The accommodations in six individual hut-like structures, each a with king-size bed, stone tub, towel service whenever you departed, loads of hot water, even a bedtime story bookmark were fantastic. And then there was the food! Menus were provided for lunch and dinner with plenty of delicious (and often exotic) choices. The wine was excellent. My favorite meal was breakfast. Across from the outdoor dining area was a watering hole. The first night a leopard dropped by. But breakfast visitors were the best—elephant families, herds of impala, baboons galore, and on and on! But probably, the most significant factor of all was the friendliness of the HoyoHoyo staff—everyone had a smile and a word to say. They even knew everyone’s name.
I cannot say enough about this entire adventure. We booked it with crossed fingers from halfway around the world, Honolulu. I would recommend Wayne and The Kruger Safari Company without any hesitation. Wayne was quick to respond to my questions, kept us informed, and certainly planned the trip of a life time for us. Mahalo nui loa and aloha!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely awe inspiring!
Kenya - Our driver (Charles with BuyMore Adventures) asked us “do you know why it is called a game drive? It’s because sometimes you see the animals and sometimes you dont!” From day 1 we were winners. We got lucky enough to see the “Big 5” in our first 3 days. Every day was better than the one before. We almost got charged by an elephant (he wasn’t all that serious), told off by a black rhino (he was serious), saw a “Tusker” in Amboseli (tusks almost touching the ground). We were too early for the migration but the animals were starting to gather and the difference between day 1 and day 8 was truly amazing. The scenery varies from wide open spaces to almost woodsy, some was lush/green and other areas more desert like. Everyone was so very nice and we loved going to Samburu village and meeting everyone. We also got some really beautiful bead work. Take some candies for the local children who wave to you as you drive by. Before you close your suitcase - take half of the stuff out and leave it. It was our 1st visit to Kenya - but it wont be our last!
