DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Dallago is good, but there is missing good knowledge about the location of the lodges
In the first step, Dallago was very efficient and good at organising the tour according to our wishes and locations. We were happy with the lodges they offered us. After we had made the first 30% payment for the safari, they came to the conclusion that two of the proposed lodges were fully booked. Dallago asked us to agree to change our booking to alternative lodges. We questioned the lodges as they were in different locations, but they assured us of the same conditions and we trusted them. However, one of the changes from Mara Serena Lodge to Mara Elatia Lodge was really not good because Mara Serena Lodge is inside the park and we could have started the game drive from the lodge, whereas Mara Elatia Lodge was very far from the park. So we had to drive 2 hours on a very bumpy and bad road to get there. We felt a bit betrayed. Some of the times given on our invoice also did not reflect reality, like one of our internal flights where the estimated time for the shuttle to the airstrip was very underestimated and we hardly had time for breakfast. We also had a bit stress with the payment of the remaining 70 % of the bill, because this bill only arrived to us after we requested it three weeks before our holydays started. Despite all these problems, with a good and experienced guide (David) we had a good safari and managed to see a lot of animals (the big five and all the big cats).
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Intimate knowledge of the country , professional , and a great desire to provide the best service
This was our 4th visit to Namibia and we had a wonderful 15 days visiting the Cheetah Conservation Centre , Damaraland and Twyfelfontein , the Skeleton Coast , Etosha NP , and Swakopmund .
Great Explorations provided the very best service in terms of customer information pack , briefing , personal support in terms of booking restaurants, accomodation and guided activities demonstrating their intimate knowledge of the country and tourism contacts . We always seem to have the very best positions in terms of bush chalet/tented accomodation and restaurant table reservations . The vehicle was the best we have hired in Africa and the support briefing was comprehensive in case of breakdown , punctures etc albeit we had no problems whatsoever with the vehicle [Toyota Hillux ]
This was our best trip to Namibia for wildlife with Etosha and Damaraland providing incredible sightings of everything we would have hoped for[Lions ,Cheetahs , leopards , Desert Elephants ,Black Rhino particularly at the floodlit waterholes in the National Park , and whales at Walvis Bay ]
All accomodation was booked by Great Explorations and all ranged from good to excellent . People of Namibia were as always friendly , providing great service and very often displaying amazing multi-language skills even in the remotest of places
We would fully recommend Great Explorations if you are planning a self drive visit to Namibia
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An unforgettable experience
Rose was available and reactive from the quote step to the end, always smiling and listening.
She picked us up herself at our hotel at the beginning, kept our luggages during the safari and picked us up again at the end to take us back to our hotel.
The safari itself was amazing, we had the chance to see a lot of different animals (even a rhino on the second day!).
The driver was kind and patient during the whole safari, allowing us to discover the different parks.
The car was spacious and allowed us to see everything well, thanks to the opened car roof.
The lodge accommodation could have been better but was okay for a night.
US
Lesley is a great spotter of wildlife and was very engaging.
what a nice brief but comprehensive 2 day safari with a knowledgeable guide
JP
Kind Tour Operator and Fun Safari
It was a very enjoyable safari, where I could see various animals.
I think I was able to experience more than I paid for.
The tour guide Francis was a very polite and nice person.
It's super cool
I had an unforgettable experience with Hekima Safari Tours. Their attention to detail and knowledge of the region made our trip exceptional. From the breathtaking wildlife to the comfortable lodgings, everything was perfect. Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore East Africa
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Budget customer service is what you should expect
Day 1 of the 7 day Safari with Jockey Tours my husband and I were picked up from our hotel on time where we were then taken to the head office which is downtown Nairobi, very busy and no parking. My husband told the driver (Peter) that I had medical issues with my back and then he was then pushed off to pay the remainder of the safari, leaving me at the 4x4 with our luggage. I was immediately told that one of my suitcases would not be accommodated and needed to be left behind. I was then forced to make fast decisions on my luggage and had no room for my special order pillow and my TENS machine (all needed for my medical conditions) settling on my much smaller heating pad and blister packs of medications that I absolutely needed for my back/neck issues. We then head out with Peter and the 7 others ( although all Jockey Tours advertising we read for the 7 day tour said MAXiMUM 6 ppl on tour) maybe if it was only 6 I could of brought all my needed medical equipment……..
Peter and the 7 tourists continue onto the roughest road I have ever been on while driven in a 30plus year old 4x4 Land Cruiser that the seat my husband and I sat in had metal springs which was felt through the worn out padding, my lap belt buckle would only 1-10 times properly latch and the truck had no shocks anywhere on the vehicle as we witnessed the driver on 3 occasions pull over in an attempt to fix the back shocks that completely broke and were dragging. We then proceeded to the night safari at Masai Mara park were during the drive thru the park, Peter who was told about my medical issues managed to hit a bump so hard that it bounced me out of my seat to the floor of the truck where I hit my left hip. Finally making our way to the tent camp, we noticed Peter to be constantly on his cellphone talking to various callers like mama and luv as I was sitting directly behind him and could see which were work and others that clearly weren’t. I only bring this up because on the drive back to the camp he almost had a head on collision with a motorcyclist, narrowly missing a fatal collision and this was the first day. Day 2 I had to miss the village walk to rest my bruised hip and sore back, I could go on about numerous other things but I want to focus on the main issues. It only got worse from here and we left the safari on the morning of day 3 after another hideous road was taken as a “short cut “ as Peter described to us because the tarmac was too long to take. This was only revealed after yet again he was reminded of my back issues and that we were done. He tried at first to say the roads to Amboseli were bad but then when he realized we were serious about leaving the tour he then tried to convince us that the roads would be that bad. Fool me once and I was in so much pain that we knew I was done. After staying in bed from the time we were dropped at 1100 until the next morning at 0630 and still unable to walk without bawling, my husband was told we would have to pay $85 USD to take us back to Nairobi to pick up our suitcase then go to a hotel that we also had to pay out of pocket since all the office offered us was a “sorry”. When we got to the hotel we went to pay with a $50 that Peter had given us that morning for a park fee he supposedly had issues getting into and my husband being nice volunteered to put on his credit card and then given cash from Peter instead. The driver (Daniel) hired by Peter and supposedly associated with Jockey Tours said he would not take that specific and only $50USD we had as he didn’t think the bank would take it…. Like I said just bad customer service on every level.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Greenfire lodge Safari booked via the Kruger Safari Co.
Exceptional communication and management of our booking with a wonderful safari lodge recommended. All details provided via email and WhatsApp. Great experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very friendly and knowledgeable and passionate about their work, township and people.
We went on the traditional village experience and our guide, Harrison, was very knowledgeable, well spoken and passionate about his work and how he can assist the local families and his community. The tour was a real eye opener to the harsh lifestyle for these families under current conditions and yet they were very obliging and warmly welcoming us in to their family home.
We would strongly recommend and advocate this tour in your visit to Victoria Falls as a way to directly assist those in real need.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5+ Stars for The GoTouchDown team for outstanding service from start to finish!!!
Back in the fall of 2023 my wife and I were discussing travel plans for 2025 to celebrate birthday and anniversary milestones and shared our thoughts with Lucia at GoTouchDown and when she suggested traveling to South Africa for Safari she drew our interest immediately. The more information she provided, the more we loved the idea and so we decided not to wait until 2025 and booked for the first two weeks of August. Lucia and her team were very thorough in planning and preparing us for our trip.
We spent 3 days in the Waterberg Biosphere area at the Royal Morubisi and saying this it was a 5 star resort is an understatement. A beautiful resort, excellent and friendly staff, outstanding food, and terrific morning and afternoon safaris.
After the Watersberg Biosphere area, we travelled north to the Kruger NP area and stayed at the Tshukudu Game Lodge. Again excellent staff, great morning and evening safari's and a full day at Kruger National Park.
After the Kruger NP area we had three days at Victoria Falls. If you have not seen Victoria Falls, it is breathtaking and a must see. We also had a full day at Chobe National Park which started out with a boat ride on the Chobe River and then a safari tour in the park. Lots of elephants, hippos, giraffes, just to name a few.
Anyone who is thinking about a safari trip, my recommendation is to do it AND book with GoTouchDown!!!
