CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nickson was an amazing guide
My friend and I did a customized 11 days Safari in the north of Tanzania and it was just incredible! It went all very well, a friend had recommended the guide Nic he had been traveling with a few months earlier to us, so we contacted him and then worked out the itinerary together with Tony. He was very open and friendly and came up with a very interesting itinerary. From the moment Nic picked us up at the airport until the day he dropped us off there again, it was all perfectly well organized. The trips, the accommodations, the food, everything we saw (thanks to the sharp eyes of our guide Nic, we even managed to see the Big 5!!!), just perfect. I could not think of a better guide, he literally knows everything about wildlife in Tanzania and answered all our questions and found so many interesting things for us. We were just so happy to have him, he and his boss even came up with an amazing birthday surprise for me.
We went to Mount Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Lake Natron, Serengeti, Ngorongo Crater and Lake Manyara and this was a really, really good mix. We will remember this trip for a very long time and would not change a single thing
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent experience
We did a tour of Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. We had a fabulous time and saw lots of wildlife up close as well as birds and stunning scenery.
John was the best tour guide and an excellent and safe driver. He went out of his way to ensure we got to experience the best of each location. We were passionate about seeing and photographing the animals and birds and John managed to seek out close up sightings and allow us plenty of time to take pictures and enjoy the experiences.
We had flexibility with safari times but referred to John for his advice which always proved to be spot on and often ahead of other safari jeeps. We saw something amazing on every outing.
John was extremely courteous and accommodating and it was a pleasure to have spent our time in Tanzania under his care and guidance.
The accommodation was all very good and the staff were extremely courteous and helpful at both locations.
Overall we would be very happy to recommend this company and our tour guide
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kruger National Park by Michaël VB
Amazing experience, endless vistas, the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, large viewings of so many different species of animals in different environments, amazing!
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Botswana is a magical place
We made a trip to the Okavango Delta and Chobe. Both are magnificent places. This was an experience of a lifetime for us which we will never forget. If you go to Okavango go to a camp that provides hiking safaris. This is the best part of all.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experience
We had an excellent week in Tanzania following about 10 days on another safari in Kenya. They were very different experiences but both very enjoyable. The variety and number of wildlife seen was amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing first experience! Big five almost immediately! :-D
It was an amazing experience, with an over-the-top amazing guide for the Kruger Park part of my trip! Not only big five with lots of action and multiple times, but also pangolin and other with extinction threatened species seen up-close! the guide was not only showing us the big five, but also all other species, including birds, lizards, snails, ... It was in one word amazing, the best way to do a first time a safari and definitely giving me an appetite for many more in the future!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Reccomandable operator
We had a very good safari with Tanzania Exclusive. We booked it two months in advance and had some changes in the standard planning. Everything seemed possible. The organization went smooth and they were keen on the small details of the trip. During the trip they suddenly changed a accommodation, which was also fine, but they forgot to tell us. The reason: it was fully booked. We found that strange since we booked this trip way in advance. Nevertheless we had a good time and saw all the beauties of Northern Tanzania. Our driver, Nickson, was absolutely fantastic! Always on time, cleaning the car in between, making sure we could get as close to the animals as possible. Besides that he had a lot of knowledge about all the animals and was passionated about his job. Good driving and English speaking too. We can recommend this organization for your Safari in Tanzania and we are sure you will have a good one!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic !
We Booked a 7 day safari. everthing was well organized. The e-mail communication with Fredinah was
Perfect. Our driver Joseph is a very nice guy and a very good driver. He made the safari to a beautifull memory to remember. At the Masaai mara we saw the big 5 in one day!. The cheeta’s and leopoard next to our car. ! A Lion with a gazelle in His mouth. In Amboseli hundreds elephants crossing our way. We Made a biketour through Hells gate park between the giraffes and zebra’s. A boattour at lake Naivasha. (Extra cost). Thank you again !
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great service and availability to make last minute requests
We were in constant communication throughout the whole trip and the agency was very supportive and tried to make it happen every request we had .
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life time experience exceedi expectations for a very spoiled and seasoned traveler and nature lover.
I always wanted to go to subsaharian africa to experience safari. I had the chance to go in February this year, as I was on work related matters in Botswana. I had no idea about how it works, what are the options, tourist traps and so on. I also had a limited time to plan. My first encouter with gondwana was on Safaribookings where I was ghoing through offers and reviews. I wrote a generic and very simple and naive set of requests and sent it out to 5 tour operators. I had a fixed date for the Safari, between 31 January and 8th February. Did I mention that first contact made was on 21st January? Yes. it took only 10 days between my first contact with Mark Hathaway from Gondwana to the actual start of my safari. apparently people plan it months ahead. I had not the luxury to do so.
anyway, based on my very rudimentary perspective what I want and what I THINK I want, Mark was a perfect consultant. dont get me wrong, the other offers I received were also interesting, at least I had three final contenders. However Mark was the must responsive, quickest in responses and grasping what my wishes are and what I can have in such a short time frame. I also had the feeling like talking to a real person doing a personalized safari for me, not like being tossed a prepared safari schedule.
I gave my financial limit so we can plan more easily and Mark came up with several options, in my opinion stretching as much as possible the benefit for me. I know for sure he could have sent me to some mediocre places and have another customer in his pocket.
I to four different places, Splash camp by kwando, Lagoon by Kwando, Pangolin in Chobe, and one night at Vic Falls. everything was seamles, meticoulusly planned. The camps were faboulous. when Mark suggested one site I was not so much sure about given my preferences I have not raised before, he was responsiove and changed the offer and customized it - to my absolute satisfaction. I went during !low season! but I have not seen anything low in my experience, except of the number of people - there were times when it was just three people in the whole camp with all the activities. Or the animales, the game, I had encouters I would never dream off. Marks choices of the sites was perfect. the staff at kwando properties is super professional, friendly, and curteous. I really enjoyed every minute spent there. Pangolin in Chobe with their photographic equipment was an amazing end for the safari, before I went to the Vic Falls. Mark knew exactly what I wanted, or at least he had enough customers to help lost causes like myself who want to see as much as possible but dont know enough. I really assure you that it is worth going with gondwana, instead of the usual safaris I have seen in chobe, overcrowded cars with 9 people staring and trying to get a picture of one animal. tracking, walking safari, boat cruises, in lagoon and rivers, mokoro, all that was perfectly managed and complemented with the professional attitude of the Kwando staff either in camps or outside such as the guides or trackers. superb Job!
I would definitely recommend Mark and Gondwana Tours. And I am definitely coming back.
