50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical experience
I have just returned from a 8 day safari taking in Tararangire, Lake Manyana, Ngorongoro Crater and the awesome Serengeti. The experience was amazing. Tomodachi arranged a tailor made package for a group of four. They never complained about our numerous changes in requirements. Joseph and our driver/guide Livin were punctual and arrangements went like clock work including individuals joining and leaving the group at different times and getting them to and from flights. The accommodation was far better than expected and Livin was a great companion and guide. Even though it was out of season he managed to get us close to all the Big Five as well as taking us on shopping trips. It was an adventure difficult to put into words. The migration next! Big thanks.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was an amazing experience!
It was an amazing experience! My first interaction with anyone from the company was with Loy and I couldn't have met a more welcoming and nicer man than him. I can't say enough nice things about him.
Our driver Michael not only is one of the most patient people as he waited for us to see everything we wanted to see and never driving off too early, but he is incredibly skilled at being able to spot animals far away. For example, he was able to spot a leopard in a tree that no one else would've known was there but after he pointed out the leopard, we were all able to see it.
Our cook was also fabulous (and I'm a very hard person to feed because there are so many foods I don't like) and he worked really hard at making our culinary experiences good. It Started In Africa truly gave us an amazing experience and a wonderful vacation. Thank you!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding trip with exceptional safari operator: Ecological Wilderness Adventures
Preparations for the trip were easy, with detailed itinerary and of what to take with us. The company is an outstanding touring company and its tent camps are first class. The safari drivers were fun and experienced naturalists. Ready to stop, start, and stay as long as we wished. The entire staff was always friendly, helpful, and professional. And the food was delicious. The trip plan was great as it enabled us to see some cultural areas and many more animals and birds than I expected. All accommodations were tops. And the breaks before and after the trip, at a lovely hotel, were much appreciated. I would do the same trip again in a year or two if I weren't so old (80) and so far away !!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful professional informative experience
They have a quick response time during reservations and the lead up to the safari.
The guide is very punctual, professional and informative. The support staff are friendly, helpful and go beyond the call of duty to ensure the clients have a comfortable trip.
The guide has good skills in tracking and animal behavior assessment.
Overall a very good safari experience.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The three week photo safari was beyond expectations.
Brian Mengoriki has pulled together a staff of the most personable, knowledgeable and accommodating people one could hope for. Every day, from sunrise until we tucked-in at night, we were entertained, educated and shown things beyond our expectations. With humor and great patience the driver/guides introduced us to myriad bird and animal species. They gave context to the setting of the animals and then the time to watch their interactions and behavior. We were educated about not only the ecological setting of the wildlife but also the social context of this setting through our introduction to several tribes. The camp staff warmly welcomed us back to camp after each enjoyable day and then spoiled us with warm showers, personable conversation, and wonderful meals. We could not have asked for more. Our only disappointment was that of leaving.
Susan and Ron Dearborn
Alaska
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent guides, amazing animals, delicious meals and comfortable accommodations.
My expectations for this safari were high and Ecological Wilderness Adventures certainly met and easily exceeded those expectations. Brian Mengoriki and his guides (Gerald, Martin and Kappia) were knowledgeable about the birds and wildlife and excellent at finding and showing them to us. Moreover, they were charming and a delight to be with. In none of our wildlife viewing and cultural visits were we ever rushed to leave what we were watching and to go somewhere else. All the accommodations were excellent—the tent camps were amazing and comfortable and the staff who took care of us were very friendly and helpful. The food and service were marvelous. Every day was a wonderful adventure—we never knew what we might get to see! I didn't want to trip to be over and would love to go again!
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
a once in a lifetime experience
Have wanted to go on an African safari for a long time, am really pleased we chose to go with Masihambe. Our Guide was excellent, very knowledgable, helpful & friendly, as were all the different Guides & people involved in each place we stayed in, we stayed in a variety of accommodation from tents to luxury Lodges, great value for money, good food, & good company, & great animal viewing. Exceeded all our expectations. Keep up the good work Jude & Anna at Masihambe!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was awesome!
Well, it is actually indescribable. Looking back on our trip and sharing our photos with friends is fun but much work awaits us, i.e. going through 4000 photos and two hours of film but that flashback should be fun. I have to cram a digital series on SA for Fotoclub Schijndel into four minutes for a promotional film course.
We will not hesitate to recommend Tailor Made Safaris to anyone.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For the fourth time in South Africa with Tailor Made Safaris and, as always, great!
The Big-3 from Rooi - for the fourth time in South Africa with Tailor Made Safaris and, as always, great!
This year we came back for the fourth time to Tailor Made Safaris and we chose KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, finishing off in Kruger.
We started in Pongola in a lodge with a very nice view. Here we enjoyed rhino tracking on foot, which was very impressive!
Then Hluhluwe - iMfolozi in an unfenced camp. During the braai on our first evening we were visited by a hyaena and on the second night, a bushpig. Exciting! We saw our first wild dogs, as well as buffalo, lions, many birds, rhinos, elephants and more.
We couldn’t leave out a few days in St Lucia. There we enjoyed a boat ride, horse riding, good food and a drink once in a while. Of course we were very curious about the famous Sushi Safari. Well..... it did not disappoint. Highly recommended! We went on our first night drive and what an experience in itself with a great driver who saw everything in the dark.
Then on to Mkhuze and beautiful accommodation. At the waterhole we enjoyed the coming and going of many different animals. This is never boring.
And then Tembe.... nice and luxurious. We stayed in tents in the park and had been warned of the elephant iSilo who occasionally broke through the fence to visit the camp and yes, on the last night we heard a lot of noise and there he was! He then walked through the gate back into the reserve. This was a beautiful gift.
Furthermore, we had Ndumo Game Reserve and Mlilwane, Swaziland still on the programme. Ndumo with its many birds and Mlilwane with its great markets.
Finally, Kruger National Park. We had seen most of the Big 5, with only the leopard remaining missing in action. That had to happen in Kruger. On both of the last two days we managed to see leopard, both times lying on a tree branch. The second time it even had prey!
We were happy to have seen the Big 5 again.
This holiday was great. We saw a lot and also enjoyed good food and a drink once in a while!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent and Affordable
My fiancé and I thought it would be sensible of us to travel and tour our neighboring country Uganda since we had planned for a budgeted fun trip. Uganda has distinctive attraction for tourists’ destination that rises out of the multiplicity of its game stock and its untouched scenic beauty. Just like my home country Kenya, Uganda offers substantial natural resources for tourism with a variety of ecosystems, landscapes, culture and climate but in a somehow unique approach.
We searched for tour company services that will escort us through the entire trip. At first we had thought we had thought it would be impossible to get a tour company that will cater for us throughout, so we had already budgeted on paying different tour companies. Luckily to our surprise, we came across Pole Pole Safaris on our online search, and we could not believe our eyes to see their affordable prices for their services and all they were actually offering with it.
Without hesitation, we made our booking and called their offices in Kampala for assurance. We were catered for with a soft spoken and courteous gentleman who was able to talk us more on what more was in that package. A week later we were picked from Entebbe International Airport by a four wheel tour car from Pole Pole Safaris and the driver was very conversant and approachable who took us to the hotel and he promised he will be there the next day at whatever time we wanted so as we can begin our visit in this beautiful country.
Pole Pole management contacted us through the hotel to make sure of our safe arrival and to know what exact time we want to be picked from the hotel. To our surprise, we were informed that we could travel to more tourists destinations than what were had thought. The package that we had paid for which it was quite affordable when compared to what we could have paid to other tours company for the same kind of service could cater for all tourist destinations in Uganda.
Apart from Game viewing and white water rafting which before was our main tourists’ activities that we had aimed for; we were able to enjoy other activities such as sport fishing, mountaineering, primate tracking and bird watching. We were able to extend our holiday by three more days for the reason that our planned budget could cater for more. We couldn’t finish viewing all this amazing country had to offer. However, our plan is to visit my other surrounding countries using Pole Pole Safaris services that to my knowledge they also operate in these countries. These other countries I ought to visit are Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Congo, where coming to think of it am also not done with touring my own lovely country Kenya.