SG
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A holiday in Botswana and Cape Town to rave about
The best thing I did for our safari was ... to work with Kathi Simon! I have not used a tour operator for any holiday for more than a decade and thought I could organise our safari on my own. After spending hours late into the night researching online, struggling with flight connections and even contacting game lodges directly, I made the wise decision to go with Kathi, who was recommended by a friend.
Kathi's brief was not an easy one - a short trip of (only) 2 nights in Cape Town and 5 days on safari; first-timers on safari who wanted to see everything; budget constraints. She tackled all this in a professional manner, and even saved us money! Kathi was always patient and prompt with all my questions, nudging me gently in the appropriate direction in my planning, making great suggestions and reassuring me about my choices, all based on her vast experience and insight.
Our guide Rhys had the unenviable task of fulfilling our wish list for our single day in Cape Town.....which he more than delivered. Using his immense local knowledge (of traffic, especially!), Rhys made tweaks to our initial plan, packed our day in, and has whetted our desire to return to Cape Town.
Camp Kalahari exceeded all our expectations - it set the mark so high (as our first safari destination) that we wondered what Machaba Camp could offer, as an ‘upgrade’ to Camp Kalahari. Machaba Camp was newer and larger in all aspects, yet the hospitality and warmth of the staff still shone through. Food at Machaba Camp was great, but Camp Kalahari was even better.
The animals turned up in force during the green season. The Makgadikgadi salt pans had loads of zebra, their resident meerkats, lions etc etc, while Khwai River had hippos, elephants, lions, impala, lechwe etc etc. A leopard sighting appeared elusive, but Mmatsebe and her near-adult cub finally turned up..... up in a tree with an impala, in our last hour there! Lionesses 'visited' during our sundowner and got mock-charged by hippos. Our vehicle got stuck in an aardvark hole while off-roading tracking a lion, and separately, we got stuck in (yet) another hole and needed a tow, while surrounded by wild dogs and hyenas at a zebra kill. All this was amazing, but learning from and watching our guides Jonah and Kitso do the job they love, with skill and sensitivity to the environment, made for an unforgettable trip.
Can't wait to return to Africa, and when we do, I will start off by contacting Kathi at African Welcome Safaris! A well-deserved 5 stars!
SA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic, Amazing & Adventurous! Axis Safari Africa is the King of Kenya’s Safaris!
Axis Safari Africa delivered what it promised. Everything was smooth, fun & went as planned.
Lennox, the tour agent was very professional and he always replied to my messages and concerns and gave excellent advises all the time. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet him on my first day in Nairobi. I will definitely recommend him to my friends.
Johny the safari bus guide was great. He did everything so we could see all the big 5 and so many other animals. He is an excellent guide, safari knowledgeable and safe driver too.
Vincent picked me up from the airport and back, showed me the city and transported me to many interesting sites in Nairobi. He helped me buy Kenyan shirts from downtown Nairobi. He knows the city very very well. I felt safe.
Joseph took me to the hotel and back as well as to the Carnivore restaurant. Very polite and had a great attitude and personality.
This adventurous safari trip to Kenya was incredible and remarkable. I thank Axis Safari Africa, Lennox, Johny, Vincent and Joseph for making this Safari trip such as success.
Dr. Bill Fayed
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
bumpy road
On the whole, this was a decent experience.
We weren't aware the road into Masai Mara was so incredibly bumpy, and with two small children and a pensioner on board, this was information that should have been passed on to us from the start as a matter of courtesy. The car itself was very loud and the windows were quite shaky, which of course was magnified during the bumpier parts of the journey.
There was a question about money and residency status that was problematic, but eventually resolved after a few talks on the phone.
Our stay at the eco-center was pleasant, the people were friendly, and the food was lovely.
Our driver was kind and knowledgable.
Because we had two young children with us, the morning outing on the 3rd day was scrapped.
Unless a different van was available, I don't think we would ride with Safariline again.
DK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
Our driver Moses was always right on time and extremely motivated while driving us all throughout the park to find animals. this great service made our experience unforgettable. Thank you.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent service from this young and up and coming Company
Communications with Sylvester right from the start were prompt, professional and he listened to what we wanted from our safari. We were very impressed with him. All accommodations were excellent and of a very high standard. Our driver/guide Nicholas was a friendly and knowledgable companion and his driving skills were excellent. Perhaps the vehicles could do with an upgrade but maybe I say this because we are both almost 70 years old and perhaps felt the bumpy roads more than younger people would! All in all we were happy with Seven by Far and felt we got good value for what we paid.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Interesting tour guides
It's quite amazing and since it was my first time am hoping to be served again by Yala safaris Uganda.
JP
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good service
They arrenged of my plan as I wanted.
The answer to the question can also be trusted quickly.
US
Wonderful adventure
Great communication and excellent service. Our driver was on time and friendly, and we made it to/from the park without any issues. The Gorilla trek was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We found ourselves deep in the bush surrounded by 36 gorillas snacking on plants and playing all around us. To be fair to the other companies though the trek itself is independent of Katona tours (though covered in the price of course). Highly recommend!
BR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Kenya
We have been in January that is a dry season with good view of animals. However the high season is from July to October to see the great migrations in Masai Mara. Much more people in that time, of course. Out prefered parks were Masai Mara and Amboseli. Tsavo is beautiful and the elephants get red because of the red soil. safari Lodges are very good, some luxury. Always go with a guide. Do not try to self drive - you can get lost very easy and fall down in holes or breaches. Guides have radios and talk to each other telling where are the animals. They know where they can drive and will take you to places you will not find by yourself. Go and enjoy!
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautiful environment, wildlife and very kind people
This was the voyage of our Dreams. It startend a Year ago with the planning. I had the luck to get in contact with Desiree de Ridder from Afroriginal. She helpt me and gave us advise to book with them the safari of our Dreams. We are with 7 personnes. We were picked up from the AirPort bij Fay and Steward, our guids and drivers for the next week. We started in Arusha with the Arusha National Park. really relaxed to get used to the Cars erachter and how everything works. the kanoe safari was great and we spotted Rhinos in the water.
The next day we went to Lake Manyara National Park. We stayed in the Wayo Green Camp. It was like a fairy tale. Your meal under the stars with the Buffalo 15 meters away looking at you. We have seen a lot of animals and we had there also a night game drive. We slept in tents, it was fantastic. The food was delicious.
We had 2 landcruisers with Fay and Steward as drivers and guides. They told us a lot about the Parks and wildlife. Special story's about animals and the Masai. They are very nice to travel with.
After the Lake Manyara National Park we went to the Southern Serengeti. It was a beautiful drive we saw Masai villages, and at the end of the day the first Lion. We slept in the Ndutu Kati Tented Camp. A camp with a beautiful vieuw. Everything was perfectly arranged. The next day we went to the Central Serengeti . IT was amazing to see the migration. Thousends of animals, zebra's wildbeests. We saw a leopard in a tree, cheeta mom with 4 childeren. To much to tell.
We slept in a Kati Kati Tented Camp at night a ostrich, hyena and elephant visited the campsite.
We drove the next day to the ngorongoro Lodge, saw on the way a lot of animals. And had to say farewell to the Serengeti. We left early in the morning to descend into the Crater. It was special to see how green it was here.
The silence. I think it looks like the garden of Eden. Very impressive.
In the afternoon we drove to our accommodation Tloma Mountain Lodge. We had a Nice time at the pool .
The next day we had to take the plane from Arusha to Zanizibar, say good bye to Fay and Steward and Thanks them for the impressive journey. It was a journey of a lifetime.
we stayed a day in Stone Town also very Nice to see, we slept in the Coffeeshouse house. really good hotel and service. The next day we had a cab to our beach boutique resort Mwezi. On the Way we had a spicetour, we enjoyed it. The Mwezi boutique resort is fantastic. We had per couple a beach house to our disposal, looking out over the sea and swimmingpool. We booked half board the food was very good. The service also.
Desiree understood perfectly what we wanted and expected from this holyday. Thanks again.