US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience on 10 day Tanzania & Zanzibar Safari
Just returned from our fifth safari (our son and daughter-in-law's first) and first with Wildebeest. Plusses: Noah at Wilderbeest did a great job in helping us plan, everything was as per itinerary, no unpleasant surprises, no nickel and diming, saw the big 5. Would absolutely recommend a private tour. Four of us (plus diver-guide Syedi) in our own landcruiser for a week, meant more flexibility to stay as long or as short each time we saw animals. This worked well as on two days it was so hot - and the amount of animals we saw so rich - that getting back to the lodge for a swim mid afternoon was perfect. Food and accommodation was good to breathtakingly superb. Have been on luxury safaris before and this was as good without all the added expense. (Only difference I noted was no exposure to game food on the menu, driving not flying to remote areas, and paying for drinks which were dirt cheap anyway). Paid a little extra to stay at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge - well worth it for the world stopping view over the caldera. Recommend visiting Olduvai Gorge in the Rift Valley (birthplace of homo sapiens). Adding Zanzibar at the end was really nice. This land safari was both very dusty and exhausting, so two days of pampered luxury at Ocean Paradise was perfect. Outstandingly, every place we stayed at left us wishing we could stay more, with the next place being even better (especially Buruge Tented Camp and Ocean Paradise). A good guide makes or breaks the safari. Our driver-guide for the safari, Syedi - was excellent, spoke good English, and with 6+ years' experience spotting game - was amazing spotting animals, including leopard, cheetah, and lion. Negatives: I insisted of staying at one site and I wish I had taken Noah's advice to upgrade elsewhere, as it led to two long days driving to where there were less animals. Recommend always answer ANY question about Africa with: "What would you recommend?" and not a preference (as they really do look out for you but culturally will defer to whatever you want). As a gay couple in a country where homosexuality is illegal, LGBT activism still in its infancy, and many staff Muslim, some places assumed we had to be brothers (so we were given twin beds - not a big deal for us after 16 years). To other gay couples - it felt safe and fine, but discretion is needed in a country where the laws against us are actively enforced. To disabled travelers - Bill injured his leg badly getting to the safari, and amazingly, either there were wheelchairs or staff just carried him anywhere he needed to go - no problem! Finally, to newbies, the anxious, and those considering this for a honeymoon: Go for it. The level of courtesy, quality, attention to detail, and care we received on this safari (and the other 4) far exceeds what you get in an American 5-star hotel. Tip: US$ worked well everywhere we went for tipping, souvenirs, etc. so no need to get lots of shillings and pay conversion fees. An amazing 15 out of 10 experience - so worth it.
IT
Awesome experience thanks to Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
I visited some of the parks in Kenya and it was beautiful beyond my imagination. Thanks to Purity (the owner) who was quick to respond to the mails, customize a trip for us and even met us prior to our tour and very punctual at that. We visited some parks like Lake Nakuru and we were lucky to spot almost all the wildlife. The services and accomodation was excellent.Our driver Ken was well conversant with the parks and very kind. Thankyou Bienvenido for making our trip memorable.I highly recommend them.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
experience was great , communication was good , guides were very helpful and experience was great
safari did live up to expectations , communication was good and guides were timely , no issues.
CO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience
Me and my husband contacted Uganda Safari Booking because it was his long-life dream to see the gorillas in Uganda. From the 5 companies we contacted, this one had the best package, but most of all, their replies were almost immediate. Justus was very responsive at all times of the day. We had many questions and suggestions and Justus was very prompt to accommodate our ideas in the short period of time we had for our trip. On our first day, we had a 10 hour drive from our hotel to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Yes this drive can be made in less time, but we loved it since we had the opportunity to stop every time we wanted, to try local food and fresh fruits, say hello to the locals and visit small markets along the way.
The second day we did the Gorilla trekking and had the amazing surprise of finding a family of about 15 gorillas, including babies and 3 silver back males. We were much closer than we expected and the team that accompanied us was very helpful, making an extra effort to get us closer and clean some branches so we could take the best pictures.
On our third day, we visited Lake Bunyonyi, where we walked around the local market, interacted with the people in the village and visited 2 schools and one local hospital. This was an incredible experience as well, since it allowed us to see and experience Uganda in a manner we did not imagine. The people, the teachers, the kids, everyone was very sweet and welcoming.
On our last day we went back to Entebbe and were dropped on time for our late afternoon flight.
Overall, i would definitely recommend this company and this experience. Justus was friendly, helpful, accommodating, prompt to answer our emails and suggest the best options given our short trip. The hotels we stayed at (mid-range) and the safari car made the experience even more enjoyable. If you are considering a visit to Uganda, do not hesitate to contact this company.
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an Experience?
My tour started in Kampala and ended in Kigali. We begun with Kibale National Park for chimpanzee habituation experience! We had a greatime with Chimps in their natural environment.
We continued to Queen Elisabeth national park. I was so amazed to see the tree climbing lions along side many other animals. The boat cruise on kazinga channel is so amazing, sailing with hippos haha... It's a must do.
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi and volcanoes national Parks was the highlight of this safari. Everything is well organized in both gorilla parks. The registration at the headquarters, the briefing of the rangers, the walk through the foggy jungle is very exciting and adventurous. Luckily the park staff let the gorillas move freely in the forest. But meeting them is a very exciting moment: they are so close, so big, so peaceful ... and the babies are soooo cute, a must do in Africa. The trip was well planned, my tour driver / guide was excellent, the car was superb, air conditioned, comfortable with popup roof for perfect game viewing experience.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience
After doing a lot of research, we selected northern circuit adventures. Then we came in contact with Michael, the main person who interacted with us about the tour and the payments. Hotel in Arusha was average , as the water pressure was very less. Keeping all that aside, we had a great time and had an excellent guide "Dominique" who educated us on the wild life and the cultures.
I would totally recommend using this tour company as its trust worthy and dedicated staff to arranged what you have paid for.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excelent service, client oriented, Intek took care of everything and I just show up!
As a working person, I appreciated the fact that Intek designed a special program for me and my family, following my request. All the communicatios were by email, making it very easy. I did several safaries with Intek, the gorilas, Murchison National Park, a full Tanzania- Kenya tour and Kidepo National Park in Uganda. The most long and perfectly executed was the tour in Tanzania, where Intek took care of flights, permits, cars, guides, meals and Hotels. Everything was planned in a master way with an excellent guide in Tanzania, that made our vacations just perfect. Normally I like to plan my own vacations and book the hotels myself, with Intek I trust them to do that for me and the results were just amazing
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
bad beginning, very good ending!
We went on a safari trip in northern Tanzania with 4 people (2 couples). The first days were disappointing, during booking we asked for an experienced guide, our expectations were high... We had a guide who got lost in Tarangire NP, he didn’t know the lodge where to take us, he had no binoculars with him, did not use radiocommunications with other guides... He was not an experienced guide. We waited for a while and gave him the benefit of the doubt, but it soon became clear that this guide could not give us the holiday we had in mind. The fourth day at noon I called the Matoke emergency number (easy travel) and told about our problem, then everything went very quickly. A new guide was arranged and within 2 hours Benedict was waiting for us at the gate of the Serengeti. We brought our baggage to another jeep, formalities were taken care of, this was of course a difficult time for our previous guide.
We ventured further with Benedict to Serengeti, to Mara river, Ngorogorocrater ... The safaris were great, Benedict really has eagle eyes, knows the area inside out and knows how to avoid the crowds, he’s very attentive and knows the tricks of the trade. Picnic lunch with wine ticks on the savanna, an excellent guide who showed us the real Africa and gave us dream moments. We are sorry that our trip had a bad start, but despite that we still had a great vacation. The manager of easy travel was sincerely concerned and we met him in the last lodge. We had a quiet and friendly conversation with him, providing clarity about the poor start of our vacation.
We continued our trip to Zanzibar for the next 3 days, upon arrival in Stone Town there was no one to pick us up, Matoke had apparently forgotten to inform the hotel that our flight was early, according to the hotel manager. We were not overwhelmed by Stone Town, the Indian ocean was very nice, we hired bikes, went snorkeling, but there was not much more to do in Zanzibar for us. After the great safaris, this part of our vacation was anticlimactic for us. Our heart is in the real Africa, the savannah and wildlife.
We are already planning our next trip, perhaps with easy travel. They have solved our problem quickly and efficiently and we now know where we can find the best guide: Benedict!
Thanks for everything! and hopefully see you soon!
Brigitte and Serge De Wolf
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional
We were on a 8 day safari trip, which was great. This was in may, and we were in camping . Our guide was very professional, so we got to see the big five . The food was really good too, thanks to our chef who cooked us breakfast lunch and dinner every day. We can truly Mercury Safari limited.
SG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Kilimanjaro experience!
Luis was one of our guides when we climbed Kilimanjaro. It was an exhilarating experience. One that I will never forget. The trek is safe and the food is good. The safari that followed after we completed our climb was awesome too!