Experience level: over 5 safaris
Designed a perfect schedule to fit our itinerary and in two days saw masses of animals.
Excellent. Our guide was experienced and brilliant at locating and then spotting animals no matter how well camouflaged.
MY
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and spectacular view of animals and landscape
Wilson the best! My family and I did enjoy very much along the trip. Thank you and hope to see you again!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Better than the First
This was our second safari with Eastco we had our first safari with this company in May 2014.
That trip was excellent but this, our second safari was better.
After only one safari you love everything, wildlife, guide, lodges and camps. I guess seeing your first lion in the wild will make any trip seem perfect.
My wife and I again stayed at Boundary Hill Lodge in Tarangire, and the view was perfect, this stay was better than last time, some of the little things you look for were perfect. hot water, a new camp manager, food superb.
After Tarangire we went to Ngorongoro and stayed at the wildlife lodge, we liked the view from a previous visit, so decided to stay again. We were not disappointed. One night here was enough as we were keen to get to the Serengeti again. Our first Serengeti camp was at Ndutu, we spend three nights here and followed the wildebeest. They were everywhere, calves and lions, jackals and vultures. Hyenas of course. The tented camp was clean well set up with really decent food. It is nice to sit around the campfire at night and talk about the days events.
After Ndutu we went to Seronera Valley and stayed 2 nights there in another tented camp. It was quiet except for the lions at night. Both these camps are perfect for a safari.
We flew back to Arusha from Seronera and it then spent a night there on our own.
The next day we met David the new manager of Eastco before we went to Kilimanjaro airport. Meeting David was one of the best parts of the trip, he was born in Tanzania but had only been managing Eastco since Janurary this year. I guess it was because of him that we noticed the little things were better than last time. Communications between him and us before the trip and even after we arrived home could not have been better.
All in all it was a perfect safari and I would recommend Eastco to any potential safari goer.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing up close encounters with all the wildlife in Kruger
The wildlife was spectacular and very exciting to discover during our game drives and bush walk. We had excellent luck and a managed to see the big five, plus many more animals during our two days at Kruger.
The weather was great and the temperatures were hot, hitting close to 40C when we arrived at Kruger.
Our room was clean, simple, and comfortable. The air conditioner worked well and kept us cool during the day.
Food offered at the Kruger restaurant was good, but the meals our guide cooked for us were far better, and much healthier!
Our guide was phenomenal and taught us many things along the way from Joburg to Kruger, along the Panorama route. He was extremely knowledgeable, very kind and a pleasure to talk with.
Our guides van was also very spacious and comfortable.
The most exciting part of the trip was when our guide offered a small detour on our way out of the park. We ended up waiting around at Panic Lake for ahout 20 minutes when suddenly a Jaguar appeared from the treed and began stalking a Waterbuck. She kept up on a fallen tree to strike, but quickly backed down when she realized the buck was far too big.
Overall we had an excellent time and have no complaints. We would certainly use our guide Jaco, and our tour company, Red Africa Safaris again.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
6 stars out of 5 stars to Pembury Tours
I would give 6 stars to Pembury Tours if I could.
Our agent, Tammy, was clearly working behind the scenes throughout our trip to ensure that we were safe and well. No matter how small the issue, one quick email and it was resolved in a matter of minutes/hours. We felt as if she worked solely for us! She organized perfect accommodations and safari properties for us. It was obvious that she took everything we told her during our planning stages and applied it to her trip framework, allowing us to get everything we were hoping for out of our trip to Africa, and MORE!
At every turn, we were met by thoughtful guides, prompt transportation, and the kind of first-class service that we've never experienced, and now can't seem to live without. In Cape Town and Johannesburg, we loved being linked up with private tour guides, both native to South Africa. The guides gave us extraordinary overviews of the history and culture of South Africa and personal accounts of the ongoing struggles present today (water crisis, political and racial issues, etc.) When an excursion issue arose on our trip to Victoria Falls, we seemingly exhausted all avenues dealing with the local groups and agents. All it took was one phone call to Tammy and we received a refund from the cancelled excursion and booked on another. That trip, swimming the Angel/Devil’s Pool in Zambia, was a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
But ultimately, the safaris were the pinnacle of our experience. The food, drinks and accommodations (oh, the accomodations!!!!) were all extraordinary. Our safari guides at both Sabi and Muchenji will be legends in our lives forever, as they both clearly took pleasure in showing every animal they could imagine, from the elusive leopards and cheetahs in Kruger, to herds and herds of zebras, elephants, and giraffes in Chobe. From surprise champagne night drives and walking safaris, to riverboat lunches on the hippo banks and a private romantic evening dinner (rose petals and private butler included!!!), we will genuinely remember forever as a highlight of our lives.
We have travelled to 6 continents and over 100 countries; this was the most spectacular service and experience we’ve ever had, period. Thank You Pembury!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful tour company and experience in East Africa!
I received quotes from several tour companies but decided to go with Africa Tours Adventure for several reasons: 1) They gave the most comprehensive itinerary of all the tour companies. They even included additional activities like community and nature walks that the other tours companies did not offer 2) Their selection of hotels was the best compared to similarly-cost itineraries 3) Nicholas is extremely flexible and accommodating; he really worked with us to create an itinerary that best fit our interests. Furthermore, he offered suggestions and insights that we did not consider which really added to our experience. While on the tour, we could not have asked for a better guide. Rogers was extremely patient with us and went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. He made sure that our 7 day trek was seamless. And also with his animal luck, we saw everything we wanted to see and then some (except for the leopard, but that's expected). I would definitely recommend Africa Tours Adventure to my friends and family!
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very friendly stuff, focused on customer happiness
We have been in contact with Richard - gave us great recommendation and tips. Richard helped us to organize safari. We really appreciate his advices he gave us. He was focused on our interest and us to be satisfied. And we really were happy that we got in contact with Richard (very quickly responded on emails and got in touch by phone). Thanks! We enjoyed it and without your advice we would have experienced it!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safarihub-first class
Please see my Trip Advisor review (long). Overall- excellent. Have recommended to many already.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari trip of a lifetime at Porini Lion Camp
I've recently returned from a 3 night stay at Porini Lion Camp, booked through Gamewatchers Safari. From reading reviews and following Gamewatchers and Porini Lion camp on instagram and facebook, its fair to say I had high expectations. These expectations were outstripped in every way possible, making for the most magical, memorable trip of a lifetime.
From setting foot in Nairobi, every single aspect of organisation was excellent. This kicked off with the initial meet and greet by Denis at the airport, which was friendly, welcoming and informative. He delivered us to our overnight accommodation before leaving us with clear timings for collection the following morning.
We were then taken to Wilson airport where again our Gamewatchers representative checked us in for our internal flights which ran smoothly and to time. We were then met at the airstrip by the Porini guide and driver and our safari adventure began.
I cannot fault the level of service, attention to detail and efficiency of the entire gamewatchers team from start to finish and would not hesitate to recommend them.
As for Porini Lion camp - the safari experience provided by Porini is exceptional - being based in the conservancy and being guided under the expert eyes of our masai driver and spotter, Little John and Lenny, we felt at one with the animals we observed. There was no crowding of vehicles such as can be experienced in the main reserve, and their knowledge of the animals and ecosystem made for fascinating game drives, at the end of which I felt that I'd not only seen more animals than I could have dreamed of, but that I understood more about them too.
The tented accommodation is excellent and the attention to detail outstanding. Such as hot water bottles awaiting you after a delicious 3 course dinner. Likewise, falling asleep to the sounds of nature outside your tent, to being gently woken for the morning game drive with the delivery of fresh coffee, hot chocolate and a jug of warm water to wash with. The bucket shower system feel like a true luxury after a long mornings game drive, likewise the delicious lunch that follows.
If you're keen to see a huge variety and number of animals in a short space of time, but in the way that nature intended - then Porini Lion camp is an absolute must. It ticks every single box - I cannot recommend it highly enough. My only concern is that too many people will read this and there won't be a tent left for me when I return next year!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
True pros made for an extraordinary trip
Tanzania Choice has been in business for 15 years. They know what they are doing, every step of the way. We didn't encounter *anything* that they didn't have a (good!) answer for. It is locally owned and operated and it is clear that they *love* their work and they love sharing the land and the parks with you. Our guide -- business owner, Kakasii -- was an extraordinary source of information and always cheerful and optimistic. He can find animals everywhere! He spotted a leopard, up in a tree, in the shade, probably 200 yards awhile while driving past. I couldn't find the leopard without binoculars! He can tell you the name of a bird that just flew by that I barely glimpsed. We overheard other groups talking in the evening about what they'd seen and done that day and we'd always seen more and had better experiences. He just *knows* these parks and these animals. He and Brenda -- his wife and co-owner -- excel at what they do and take a huge amount of professional pride in their work. I can't say enough good things about them and about the experience.
