TH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hands down, one of the most memorable trips in my life!
I decided to take my parents to South Africa during a long holiday (and for mom's birthday) but I got only about 2 weeks before the flight to actually plan the whole trip. I was reading a lot of reviews and found a couple tour operators that sound reliable. I was skeptical at first that African Welcome Safaris only got positive reviews but I thought why not. I told Kathi my very brief plans and told her places we would like to visit. Kathi was very responsive and informative. She sent me a quotation within the next day. We discussed and revised the itinerary almost everyday until probably two days before the flight. I really appreciate her being very patient with our requests. We knew almost nothing about South Africa and my parents were concerned and paranoid about many issues but Kathi was very comforting and she assured we will be having an amazing time (and she was right!). We spent the first day in Jo'burg, 2 days in Kruger National Park, and 4 days in Cape Town. We did a private tour for the whole trip and our tour guides were knowledgable and funny which made the trip so fun. We were able to do things at our own pace and that's very important as my parents are quite old. My parents asked me at one point if we could stay longer and perhaps change the flight but unfortunately, we couldn't.
During our time there, Kathi was still keeping in touch with us. Whenever we had a question, she would answer as soon as she could. She kept us informed about everything eg. airlines strikes so we had to do online check-in before going to the airport etc. This trip really was soooo amazing! I cannot wait to go back - especially safari! We stayed at Inyati in Sabi Sand Game Reserve and it was really lovely. The staff was friendly and so helpful. Our ranger was Omega and our tracker was Rodger. We got to see the Big5 plus a Cheetah within 24 hours!!!!! They also pick the best spots to do a small picnic. We were by the river across from 3 giraffes. It was so surreal. Our last night was even better - they stopped the open 4-wheel drive in the middle of the river. We could see the Milky Way above us and there were lots of fireflies flying around. I can't even explain my feelings at that moment.
We cannot thank Kathi and African Welcome Safaris enough for putting together this super awesome trip.
Seriously, you won't regret choosing African Welcome Safaris.
We will definitely go back again and will add Botswana in our plan.
Advice: Check with your safari lodge about their morning game drive time. We missed our last morning game drive because we had to leave for the airport before the game drive usually ends. Also try to check with the hotels about breakfast when you have to leave earlier than their normal breakfast time. Some will prepare you a take-away breakfast box so you can have it in the car or at the airport.
FR
The best day out imaginable.
I booked a one day Safari literally a couple of days in advance. Our driver arrived promptly at our hotel in Johannesburg and was really informative on our journey to the park. Fabulous lunch then several hours safari. We actually saw the big five thanks to the knowledge of the guide who new where the game were to be found. I cannot recommend more highly this day trip and great value too.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The experience was so amazing and wonderfull - we will keep it in our hearts forever!!!
From our point of view the safari was performed very professionally and enthusiastically!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Pilanesberg Safari
We only had time for 1 day safari and we chose Pilanesberg day trip with moafrika tours.we left johannesburg around 6am and had a fantastic day.we saw 4 out big 5.we took the option with open drive which is a definite must.Moafrika tours were very quick to respond and we went with this company because 2 different hotels in Johannesburg also both recommended them as well as great reviews on trip advisor.we were very happy with the overall experience and service we got from both moafrika tours and Safari bookings.would definately recommend.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Trip to Ngorongoro Crater
We were absolutely and fully satisfied with the service. Our son, living in Arusha, made the arrangements. We had two nights in a very satisfactory but not over-the-top Tanzanian-owned and managed tourist hotel in Karatu town, a day tour of Ngorongoro, and transport from Karutu to, in, and from the park. The package was very affordable despite the reputation for Tanzanian park tours being expensive, and Kudu Lodge was everything we could have needed.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well planned tour
I and my wife took a 4 days safari to Kenya. We searched for a tour operator which we could use and we came across Flotish Tours & Travel. We requested them to send us a quotation and Titus sent us a very well planned itinerary and the cost. We took like 1 week discussing with my wife and we decided to use them. We did our full payment to them without any doubt after seeing some nice reviews in their wall. On our arrival dates, we meet Flotish Tours driver waiting for us at the airport. He took us to the hotel where we were booked and slept there. The next day, we meet Titus early in the morning waiting for us to say hi before we go to Masai mara. The trip to Masai Mara was very wonderful. We enjoyed everything till we started regretting why we booked only 4 days and not more. Thank you a lot Flotish Tours for the wonderful job you did to us.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great and trustworthy staff and keeping the promise to a great experience,you can't regret.
We had a 3 day tour with Trip Advisor Safaris and everything was great as promised by the manager Kariuki. He made sure we boarded the company tour van on time and we had all the supplies we needed like water... The journey to Maasai Mara was great and the driver would stop at different sceneries for photo shoot e.g great rift valley view point and at rest stops. They have great deals and all the expenses during the trip were covered including food,camps... ,it was the best experience overall. The manager called us everyday to make sure were comfortable and secure. They had a variety of food,African rich cultural food including Kenyan and different European dishes. Our guide and driver had great knowledge enabling us to see so much wildlife beyond expectation.It was beautiful,so real and the weather was great. It was my second trip with my boyfriend to Africa, Kenya and am looking forward to going back soon with trip advisor safari,they made it a dream come true for us.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
inspirational experience spending the day with a knowlegable & incredible individual
I didn't realize how much the guide could make or break the experience. Stephen "made" the experience.
He made it unforgettable! It was not just seeing the animals, it was learning about the culture, history, politics, and true heart of the country. He also let me take pictures with his camera when my camera battery ran out... who does that??? I cannot say enough about Stephen as a guide. However... another impressive and unexpected (yet pleasant) surprise was that the breakfast & lunch which was included in the price was not minimal tea/bread and sandwiches that I have received on other 'all-inclusive' tours. We had choices of real, tasty & well prepared food. Stephen's knowledge, kindness, openness, and thoughtfulness made the trip unforgettable, and assured that we will be repeat customers!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Etosha National Park by Anant
Etosha National Park is fantastic - we spent 13 hours driving ourselves through the park from sunrise to sundown, saw all kinds of amazing animals, at a total price of roughly $10 US.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An extraordinary experience
For our one year anniversary, we were thinking about potential trips we could take from the States. We had settled on South Africa, when one of our well-traveled friends suggested that we consider Namibia. We Google Image-d it; as soon as we saw pictures of Deadvlei, we knew we had to go there.
We went during the "rainy" season (I put it in quotes because the area has been experiencing a multiyear drought; most of the riverbeds we saw were dry). This is the low point for tourism, which worked to our advantage; during high season, the dunes are apparently crawling with tourists.
The gvt does an exception job maintaining the park - they are clearly well-prepared for tourists. We went on a guided tour from our lodge. The park is enormous - we went at daybreak, and spent a few hours driving straight into the park. We stopped at one of the massive dunes and took 45 minutes to climb up and down it. You must try it - that experience was so fun! Dune sand is unlike any sand you're used to - it's not coarse at all, it's like silk. I highly recommend bringing a waterproof container with you and taking some sand with you, you'll want to bring some home with you. (Also, go up the dunes barefoot in the morning when the sand is cool, and run down them - it's a lot of fun!).
The Deadvlei was breathtaking - just as spectacular in person, a photographer's dream. And much bigger than one expects from photos!
Overall, visually stunning, and a unique experience. So glad we chose Namibia!