US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Incredible tour guide, unforgettable experiences
We spent 9 unforgettable days in Uganda, immersing ourselves in its incredible wildlife and natural beauty. The highlights of our trip were undoubtedly the tours to see the chimpanzees and gorillas. These encounters were awe-inspiring, providing us with a rare and intimate look at these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats. In addition to the primates, we also saw elephants, lions, leopards, and many other remarkable animals, making each day of our journey thrilling and memorable. We always felt safe and relaxed, allowing us to fully enjoy the experience.
What went really well:
* Eddy, our guide, was phenomenal. He was highly experienced, knowledgeable, organized, and extremely considerate. As a veteran in the industry, he remains to be enthuisatic about animals. In the park, he amazed us by spotting animals from great distances. Outside of the park, he arranged the trip seamlessly, ensuring there were no unnecessary surprises. Among the safari guides we've worked with in various countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, Eddy provided the absolute best service. We could feel his passion on this job and he always strive for excellence. I highy suggest you reach out to him if you want to explore Uganda.
* The chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking in Kibale national park and Bwindi national park are incredible. The guides are professional and caring, providing a safe and exciting experiences. We did not need to hike for a long time before seeing the gentle giants. The silverback gorillas moved towards us and sat within 20 feet, eating and resting. The experience was phenominal.
What went good:
* The itinerary provided by Ngoni was overall reasonable. We opted for the mid-range accommodations listed on the website without much customization. Their pricing is very competitive compared to other agencies offering similar tours and accommodations.
* One highlight was the Turaco Treetops lodge in Kibale National Park, which was not initially on the itinerary but was offered as a free upgrade by Ngoni. The rooms were comfortable, and the food was delicious. The nature walk offered by the hotel exceeded our expectations, allowing us to see monkeys, numerous birds, and butterflies. The Buffalo Safari Lodge near Queen Elizabeth National Park was also top-notch.
* While some other lodges we stayed at were not as fantastic, they were adequate for the price. However, the lodge at Murchison Fort was quite far from the park, and the road to it was extremely rough. I recommend working with the agency to find an alternative, even at a higher price.
At Rushaga Gorilla Camp, which is a nice lodge overall, be cautious about charging devices in your room. We were alarmed to see smoke coming from our chargers due to the lodge generating its own power because of the unstable power grid in the area.
* Above all, you pay for what you get and I believe Ngoni offer better accomodations in general compared to other agencies I communicated with. If you value comfort more, do not hesitant to discuss with the agency to find better options.
What coul've been better:
* When we booked the trip, we specifically requested the Gorilla Habituation Program (4 hours and $1500 pps) and were assured by Ngoni that everything was reserved. However, a day before the trek, we were informed that only one permit had been secured and that they were unable to obtain the second one for some reason. Our disappointment was not due to the unavailability of the permit, as we understand how difficult it is to secure. Instead, it stemmed from the fact that Ngoni initially claimed everything was booked, only to later tell us otherwise. This inconsistency broke our trust and expectations. If they had been transparent from the beginning, informing us that only one permit was secured and they were trying their best to obtain the second, we would have been more understanding. The team sincerely apologized after it happened and refund the difference between the Habituation Program and normal one hour Gorilla trekking.
* Before making the payment, Ngoni responded to my emails very promptly. However, after paying the deposit, his responses became noticeably slower on both email and WhatsApp. This wasn't a major issue for me, but I wanted to mention it in case it's something you might care about.
The tour provided by Ngoni was almost perfect and offered great value for money. If we consider it as a 10-day Uganda tour with one hour of gorilla trekking, it truly exceeded expectations. You couldn't ask for more. I still recommend Ngoni as long as you are not too picky about the communications.
While Kenya and Tanzania frequently come to mind when discussing East African safaris, and Rwanda is renowned for its gorilla tours, Uganda remains underrepresented on social media. This makes Uganda a hidden gem for safari enthusiasts. I highly recommend visiting Uganda, especially for those interested in gorilla and chimpanzee tours, for a truly unique and extraordinary safari experience.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Deo is an excellent guy, we took care of everything you need for a safari tour in Tansania.
First of all we want to say great thanks to our organisator Deo. From the beginning of our Safari tour(including welcoming us in Arusha Airport) until the last time he helped us and took care of us very well. Whatever we ask him a question he answered very kindly and quickly. If you have any questions about the tour, don't hesitate to contact with him, actually he will answer your questions before you asked him 😉
~Duration of Safari Tour~
we booked a 4-day Safari tour. It was very suitable for a great experience. We think that, 4-Day tour is the best choice, 3 days could be short and 5 days maybe too much.
~Accomodation~
We stayed first night in a lodge, that was okay, other two days we stayed in a tent at camping site, we should say that camping site organisations was not so good, usually they don't have enough hot water to take a shower and don't have enough charging slots for our mobile devices. But this part is the under control of camping sites.
~Driver and Cook~
On the other hand we had a great driver and a very talented cook :) food was also very tasty and traditional.
Everyone should have this experience at least once in a life. You will have amazing memories at the end of this trip. We suggest you to take a professional photo machine to take great pictures of wild animals.
Strongly suggest to everyone Goldfinch Adventures to feel this amazing experience 👍💪
Kind regards from Refik and Ümran
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical Safari with Adventure Makers!
We had a wonderful, magical safari adventure with Adventure Makers Tanzania! Stephen, the owner, was also our safari guide and we felt so lucky to have him on the journey with us- he was kind-hearted, humorous and incredibly knowledgeable about the wildlife. We had a six star experience, taking in the Big 5! All Accommodations were lovely and very comfortable and Stephen was immediately responsive to any of our requests or suggestions. With so many foreign owned safari companies in Tanzania, we felt grateful to be able to choose a Tanzanian owned business and support the local economy.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Greatest adventure, incredible AND responsible guide
Moses and his team were phenomenal. This is the trip of a lifetime and every step (literally) was perfect because of this team. I think the factor that people don't take into account is safety on this trip. While not technical, it would be easy to get hurt. Guiding us on this incredible journey AND ensuring that the safety of my family was always foremost importance demonstrated how excellent Moses is.
I would highly recommend him and his team without any hesitation.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Economical but very comfortable safari! Unique experience!
From booking with the operator Wayne, to returning to my home they were attentive and offered the best service. The accommodation was incredible! Dinner and breakfast with diverse options and very friendly staff, with the exception of some who always seemed tired! The chalet facilities are very comfortable, new towels, adequate bedding and heaters in the rooms. The experience was really worth it! Thank you for your attention!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dream Honeymoon with Cape Town Tours
Our honeymoon in Cape Town, arranged by Cape Town Tours, was an absolute dream! Every detail was perfectly planned, making our trip unforgettable. We started with a visit to Table Mountain for breathtaking views and stunning photos. Our guide was knowledgeable and ensured we had a romantic and enjoyable time.
We explored the V&A Waterfront, enjoyed delicious local cuisine, and went on a magical sunset cruise. The scenic drive along the Cape Peninsula, with stops at Boulders Beach and Cape Point, was captivating. Our guide's passion and expertise added to the experience.
The highlight was our wine-tasting tour in the Cape Winelands, visiting beautiful vineyards in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The romantic ambiance and personalized service made us feel incredibly special. Cape Town Tours exceeded our expectations, providing exceptional service and unforgettable moments. We highly recommend them for a magical honeymoon in Cape Town!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Impeccable and so knowledgeable
We have booked four times with the Luxury Safari company.. every time, the team pulls together the perfect itinerary based on our initial ideas. The ideas are expanded upon, and we end up with wonderful trips.
We have just returned from a magical trip, to Tanzania. where The Luxury Safari found us the two VERY best spots in the country… Jabali Ridge and Fanjove.
Another bonus, is that they are ALWAYS on hand to answer questions or make suggestions, seemingly 24/7. They’re the best in the business.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional attention to detail and the most exceptional holiday we have ever had!
We travelled to South Africa and to Zimbabwe for 3 weeks. Every moment of the luxurious trip was perfectly executed with personal attention to detail such as full airport transfers with excellent luxurious accomodation.The itinerary was just superb and we are much travelled but found this trip was simply our best trip ever!
Always available even whilst travelling to answer any of our enquiries Gail is an exceptionally good travel agent who spends an enormous amount of time creating your perfect holiday.
Thank you again for our best holiday ever!
Very best wishes
Mark and Martin
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Customer friendly
We had a great safari. Well planned iternary. Excellent stay. Great food. Knowledgable driver. Overall value for money
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised, responds quickly to questions and excellent safari
I would recommend kaylan safaris to others. Victor replied promptly back to my queries up until the day we left and he welcomed us at our hotel on the first day to introduce our guide. We had an excellent guide in Olemantu- he had great local knowledge and showed us amazing things over the 5 days and looked after our family well. I would highly recommend a land cruiser rather than a minivan - as it can do more ‘off roading’.