SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best value and great service but please check your transfers to avoid mistakes
We went on a private tour (2pax) with Sunset Africa in early Aug 2016. We used the 12-day package as a base and customized it.
We had a good experience liaising with the company. Godfrey the manager is very prompt in replying to emails. He also was upfront about the increase in cost due to the government's increase in taxes, and his increase was reasonable because he didn't apply the 18% on the entire cost of the package, which some other companies did.
For the safari part of the itinerary, we stayed in a mix of small hotels (in the city), lodges and tented camps (fully equipped with sink, toilet bowl and shower). All the meals that were stated in the itinerary were provided and all the pickups went smoothly, with the drivers waiting for us upon arrival. We did not have any dispute with the company at any point regarding what was included and what was not.
Our guide during the safari, Benedicto (Ben) was great. He really went out of his way to make sure that we spotted the big 5 (especially the rhino which was not easy to spot), and he never tried to slack off and end the game drives early even though he was clearly tired from a long day of driving. He is also a great conversationalist and very well informed! The vehicle used is a land cruiser with a roof that can be opened.
The experience in Zanzibar was also good, though I would suggest that unless you really like beach activities, you might not need to stay for that long at the beach hotel. We also arranged a spice tour and island tour on our own with a local company without problems.
The only word of caution I have is that you need to check your travel tickets and dates very carefully because we had some mistakes with ours. We got Sunset Africa to book our domestic flights as well as ferry tickets for us, and they booked the wrong date for one of the flights. Fortunately we spotted the mistake before we left for Tanzania so they could change it. Another slight hiccup was that when we got to Zanzibar, we found that the guide there did not know he was supposed to book the ferry tickets for us, so it was lucky that we happened to check with him so he could follow up on the necessary in time.
Overall, it has been a very good experience travelling with Sunset Africa. Their strength clearly lies in the wonderful safari guides they have and in organising the safari parts of the itinerary. They are also the best value for money that I have found. I would recommend Sunset Africa for mid-range luxury at reasonable prices.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life-changing!
We cannot express adequately the extent to which we are grateful to E-Trip for this life-changing experience. Ben and Aurelie were incredible in their communications. Ben even visited us when we arrived in Arusha, and before we departed for Zanzibar (in the Airport). Our trip was custom tailored to our interests and we traveled in an amazing Safari vehicle equipped with electricity for charging our cameras and even wi-fi (when there was reception). We had a wonderful guide who was so talented, and so knowledgeable. We are glad to have some wonderful new friends. We cannot recommend them enough!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service is guaranteed even for various budgets.The staff have visited the places recommend
Excellent service and recommendations even when we changed our minds so many times there was always a ready alternative or positive suggestions. Highly recommended.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
well arranged and personal
everything was well arranged and according to our wishes, but still Swahili Paradise tours succeeded in giving us more then what we expected !
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible experience. What a country! What a guide!
From the start of our booking Sven was very helpful in adapting their pre existing tours to fit what we wanted to do and also changing hotels between budget and more luxurious to fit what we wanted at each place! He was very helpful with answering lots of questions we had from locations of game drives to practical information of visas and money. Our flight was delayed by 24 hours but, between Sven and our guide (Mugabi), they managed to adapt our tour to make sure we didn't miss anything. Mugabi was fantastic from start to finish, we couldn't have asked for a better guide. He gave us political and cultural information as we drove through different towns; was incredibly knowledgable about all of the animals; was very adaptable when we wanted to stay in certain places longer or go looking for other things; knew the locations where certain animals were frequently seen which made for some incredible game viewing; found us other restaurants to eat when the restaurants attached to our hotels were 'less desirable' and ensured we were happy and safe at all times! We will certainly be keeping in touch with him. I would (and already have!) definitely recommend Uganda and Matoke Tours to everyone. The country is beautiful and so diverse. In our 10 day tour we got close to the chimps and followed them for around an hour in Kibale Forest. We saw about a hundred Elephants, a pride of Lions, Hyenas with babies, Waterbuck, Ugandan Kob, Buffalo, Hippos, crocodile, Baboons, Monkeys, Flamingo, Warthog, 7 different types of Eagle, Vultures and so many other types of birds (including cranes, storks ,kingfishers) in Queen Elizabeth. Would definitely recommend the cruise along the Kazinga Channel and Simba Safari Lodge was incredible and so welcoming. The best lodge we stayed in on our trip, which was no small part down to James and his staff! We saw the tree climbing lions and Leopard in the Ishasha Sector. By the River Camp was in an incredible location but we had a few issues with water and a bats nest above our bed. We got so close to the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi which was the most incredible experience ever. We spent an hour and a half with them, watching them eat and play. Would recommend paying a bit more for your hotel here though as our stay at the cheaper place was not so enjoyable because of poor food and not feeling particularly welcome. We then saw Giraffe, Eland, zebra, Topi, Impala and Bush buck in huge numbers in Lake Mburo and would definitely recommend doing the morning walking safari as we were in amongst a herd of zebra on their way to the watering hole. Rwakobo Rock where we stopped here was absolutely beautiful. Incredible views, excellent facilities and very welcoming staff. We chose to just have the basic truck and not pay for the upgrade and with their only being 4 of us in a 7 seater it meant there was space for all of us to stand up through the lifted roof. Overall, it was a once in a lifetime trip that none of us will ever forget! Thank you Matoke, Thank you Sven, thank you Mugabi and thank you Uganda!!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Gorgeous: What a wonderfull experience.
This Trip (in total 17 days) was the best of all our Safaris in different countries of Africa. Rwanda an Uganda are beautiful and lovely countries. We learned so much about the flora, fauna and people... Our guide Farouk was priceless.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Erick Muli Ngala is a LIAR! Ewamanns Safaris is a SCAM!
I participated in a 12-day Tanzania and Kenya Safari with Ewamanns Safaris (US$1250) with the Tanzania part operated by its partner Sandland Tours & Safaris. The trip was extremely memorable not because it was greatly arranged but because we witnessed how the Director of Ewamanns Safaris, Erick Muli Ngala, could make so many lies, excuses, blackmail, threats and intimidation during the trip, which were even more exciting, hilarious and eye-opening than watching animal migration. If you scroll down, you would see that I previously gave Ewamanns Safaris a five-star review for the booking process because Erick seemed to try his very best to satisfy our budget and understand our preference. Everything, including his attitude changed after payment immediately. I am here to summarise how Erick has mistreated us during the 12 days. It is a very long list but I am trying my very best to provide as many details as possible.
(1) A few days before we depart for Nairobi we confirmed with Erick on our arrival details, including flight number and terminal. Erick said that he did not know his schedule yet as he might be in Arusha instead of Nairobi on our arrival date but he would notify me the pickup details one day before our arrival. We did not receive any updates from him so we emailed him again. He assured us that he would arrange the pickup accordingly. When we arrived Nairobi airport, no one picked us up. I had to buy a phone card to call but Erick’s phone was off. Finally we were picked up 3 hours later, that means we stood in the arrival area of Nairobi Airpot for 3 hours! Some drivers of other companies were kind enough to help us make calls or find someone who might know Erick but no one knew him. Even more hilarious, we have missed the shuttle from Nairobi to Arusha and they sent a car to drive us to chase the original shuttle. We were very scared, worried and frightened during the wait and the whole ride. Erick told us he could not answer our call because his phone had no battery due to power shortage. Even if this was true, he could have used other’s phone to contact us. This was his responsibility! I have also confirmed with other drivers that no such power shortage problem has occurred. Erick then said that he has indeed messaged my friend who was already in Nairobi that I should wait in the airport for 3 hours, thinking that my friend would have notified me about the wait. How could my friend notify me when I was already on the plane?
(2) When we arrived Arusha we finally saw Erick. We were forced to change from 2 days in Serengeti to 1 day in Lake Manyara and 1 day in Serengeti. Clearly this was for saving costs. We wanted to insist on doing 2 days in Serengeti but Erick said there were no other options. Why could Eruck suddenly change something that we have mutually agreed?
(3) Be careful that every itinerary Erick sends to you can be misrepresentation. Our itinerary clearly stated that there would be one evening plus one morning game drive in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and visit to Olduvai Gorge Museum. We did not do any of these and was already back to the campsite at 3pm, with nothing to do till 8pm for dinner. We complained to Sandland Tours and they said it was Erick’s problem in not updating the itinerary. We complained to Erick and Erick said it was Sandland’s fault as Tanzania’s people always lie. He said that he has changed operators in Tanzania for 3 times already and none was good. He said he would not cooperate with Sandland Tours anymore.
(4) On the day when we should depart from Arusha back to Kenya side, Erick told us that we would be picked up at 7:00-7:30am. We were finally picked up at 10:30am by a taxi to Sandland’s office, then were transferred by a taxi to a local bus station, then were sent onto an overloading cramped van heading for the border. Sandland said it was Erick’ fault and Erick said that Sandland has forgotten to pick us up. During the wait, we were very worried as we could not contact Erick. Fortunately, the staff at Zawadi House Lodge in Arusha were kind enough to make calls for us. After we passed through immigration on our own, we again did not see Erick and the driver. A driver from another safari company was kind enough to call Erick for us and Erick said he should arrive in 30 minutes. He again blamed the shuttle for not contacting him about our arrival time. We finally waited for another 2 hours. He stretched his arms, laughed and pretended he was innocent when we met. Later on, we heard from Paul the driver that he has indeed arrived at the office in the early morning ready to drive to the border to pick us up but it was Erick who delayed everything in the office. Moreover, Paul told us that when we called Erick it was impossible to arrive in 30 minutes and Erick lied.
(5) Erick told us that it would take at least 13 hours to drive from Namanga border to Amboseli National Park when it should indeed take only 2 hours at most. He lied to us that the roads there were bad. We asked the driver of another company and he told us that the road has always been good for that part and Erick was just trying to save a day of park entrance and game drive fee.
(6) This is the highlight: on the last day a dinner at Carnivore Restaurant should be included. Erick said, “We need to make new agreement. We cannot include Carnivore Restaurant and your airport transfer tomorrow because I have no money left. All my money is finished. So what do you want to do? You want to sell me? You can write me bad reviews but I have no money. It is time for you to help me as I have helped you guys enough.” Finally we bargained and got the Carnivore dinner as originally agreed, but we reluctantly had to pay our transportation to the airport.
(7) There are many other problems that I cannot even list them all here - we paid for 5 day park entrance fee but we only went into the parks for 4 days so he saved 1 day park fee (US$80) for himself; for the full-day game drive in Masai Mara, we finished at 3:30pm with nothing to do afterwards; Erick did not pay drivers for sufficient water and we had no water on the last day; etc.
Yes, it is clear that Ewamanns Safaris offers the cheapest price. For US$1250 only, I got exposed to not only animals, but the dark side of human nature. If you still want an adventure with Ewamanns Safaris, be prepared: (i) Nothing will be on time; (ii) Don’t care about contractual agreements; (iii) You would not understand Erick’s English in email; (iv) You don’t need a watch. Your concept of time and Erick’s concept of time should be very different.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding s service with excellent staff n competitive prices
From pick up to drop off and everything in between was amazing. Peter our operator and another Peter our guide were both very helpful n went extra mile to ensure our family gets the best out of the day
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A happy time with Migada Adventures!
We created a beautiful memory together, our tour guide Kombo and our driver Santos are both nice! Santos can always found us the animals, amazing! They both care about us! Mike, the CEO invited us to a traditional African meal, delicious! In fact, I've been framing about Tanzania and Kombo and Santos since I left. Miss all of them already! I'm actually planning to be in Tanzania again with Migada Adventures, see you soon guys!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Abosulutely Brilliant
From the very first day to the last day this trip was magical . Patrick ,the tour operator and Big John ,the driver were just fantastic ,nothing was too much trouble, both were extremely friendly and knowledgeable .The accommodation was excellent ,the game drives, just brilliant .We saw the big 5 and a whole heap more .We are already booking our next safari with Patrick and John as I text, for September 2017 , cant wait .Patrick and John ....... thanks again .You the best .