US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful and memorable Safari
I would like to admit, this was one of my most memorable trips so far.I just completed a 10 day solo photography trip to Nakuru,Naivasha,Mara,Serengeti,Ngorongoro,Lake Manyara and Amboseli.
Special thanks to Noah Kuti of Wildebeest Safaris who made the arrangements for me. They are very professional and took care of all my requirements. The guides Ken ,Ayub and Denise allocated to me were very patient and cheerful . They knew the parks and the game very well and helped me in getting good pictures. I also opted for local food with my guides in a few places on the way. It was very nice and tasty. The accomodations selected for me were good for most of my trip. The hotel in Mara(Mara Serena) is very good and luxurious.Though I would have preferred a more centrally located hotel in Mara considering my need to stay more inside the park.The hotel in Lake Manyara(Manyara Serena) is not a good choice. Their service is very lousy and run down.I would prefer another hotel over Manyara Serena. Since I stayed for just one night, it was ok for me.
Overall it was a great trip for me. I would definitely recommend Wildebeest Safaris to any one who wants their own customized itinerary. And last but not the least, special thanks to Noah Kuti who made this possible for me.l would always want to travel with them again.
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
1 day gorilla trek in Rwanda
We did a 1 day gorilla trek with a city tour of Kigali and the Genocide Memorial the day before the trek. Everything was very well organised and our driver showed a lot of knowledge about the area, which he shared with us during the trip. All communication with the office before travelling was fast and to the point and everything went smoothly when we arrived in Rwanda.
The gorilla trek was an absolutely amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone. We got so close to them that we could have reached out and touched them if allowed. The big silverback passed us by at a distance of 2 meters, it was such a fantastic experience!
Rwanda is a very nice country to visit, very lush and beautiful with hills everywhere. The visit to the genocide memorial was a humbling and special experience and you can’t tell that this country went through hell only 20 years ago. I will recommend a visit to the country and especially seeing the gorillas to everyone.
OM
Title:3 days trip between 18th.20th 2015.A big five is what top cream tour safari deserve our trip.
We made calls making for arrangedment before we could got to their office.it was one of the best costomer care we received .The service was top quality the tenders r respectful and very friendly.They are doing a good job and they will go far with their services offer.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A hassle free budget safari with an excellent guide and without compromising the quality.
Swahili Paradise Tours and Safaris comprise of a very professional, knowledgable, energetic team who not only want the best for their customers, but also respect the wildlife. Our guide, Ziki, was exceptionally good at being at the right place in the right time, enabling us to maximise our safari experience in the very minimal time of 3days/ 2nights we had in the Serengeti - Ngorongoro area. We were able to see most of the animals in the region, including the big five in spite of the short duration. In spite of a budget safari, the quality of the tents and the sleeping bags were beyond expectations as they allow you to pick your own bags. Be sure to pick ones that are not damp. Ziki promptly answered our questions and patiently explained and freely shared his knowledge of the wildlife and the environment. Alidi, our cook, prepared amazing meals for us and even went an extra mile to cook vegetarian food for me. Timely wholesome quality meals were provided throughout the safari. Ziki even made calls and ensured we were dropped off at the right place with the right people to carry forward our next journey to climb the Lengai.
To sum up, i strongly recommend Swahili Paradise Tours and Safaris for a budget safari, and in particular Ziki and Alidi. They were very accommodating in spite of our last minute booking and ensured we had a memorable stay in Tanzania.
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience!!!
We booked the safari with Face of africa adventures and everything went well! we did 4 days/3nigths on a budget safari.
before going everything was correctly organized via email and whatsapp. the replys were very quickly.
We loved our guide Abdula, was a father to us! And Gideon, what an excellent cooker! he did everything with one grill. the food was very good, very "continental", a lots of food, actually! we saw a lot of animals, Abdula explain everything to us and add a lot of patient. We recomend to everyone! In the end, Hamadi, the company owner, went with us to a local restaurant in Arusha and we tried a lot of typical food. Want to go back! Thank you for everything!!! :)
LU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
rip off
To be clear: the rating is for the tour operator only. Botswana is a fantastic country for Safaris, just don't go with this gangster. He made me pay for 7 days but the tour turned out only to last for 5 and a half. The time spent on all our game drives combined during this time was less than that of serious companies on a single day.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
miscommunication with a single traveler
So first of all, I have been on 2 other safaris. This wasn't my first.
So to begin, I chose ACZ because of their good reviews. Also, John was very communicative and helpful before I went. He answered all of my questions in a timely manner and seemed professional. I traveled as a single so I was nervous about this but John eased my fears.
I was supposed to stay at the Lenchada camp with the group but there was a mix up. I assumed John would have put me in a single since he knew I was traveling as a single. He did not. I didn't want to share a tent with strangers. It wasn't clear in our communication beforehand that I would be made to share a tent with strangers. In fact, they wanted to put me in a tent with 3 other people! No. I didn't realize this would be like a hostel. So they sent me to another camp where I spent a night in a single. But it wasn't a good situation since I was separated from the group. I think John should have admitted his error (instead he argued with me about it) and arranged for a single at the correct camp. He didn't. The next day our driver told me I'd have to stay in the other camp alone again- and I got very upset. Finally, they let me stay at the correct camp but I had to share at tent. I was so tired of arguing I agreed to it. This all left me very disappointed, though. What bad customer service!
Our driver was below average as well. On my other safaris the drivers engaged with us, told us lots of facts about the animals, and were very friendly. This driver only spoke to us when we asked him direct questions. He seemed bored. We got minimal information out of him about anything. While driving he never gave us an itinerary, didn't say when we'd stop to use the toilets, eat, etc. We would just stop and then he'd tell us what was going on. Some advanced notice would have been good. He also talked on his phone constantly while driving and this felt very unsafe, especially on the roads in Kenya. He was good, however, at bringing us to see the animals. He gets 4 stars for that. But his attitude was definitely below average.
The food at the Lenchada camp was good and the place as a good deal for the price. I would stay there again. The highlight of the trip were the other members of my safari.
Single travelers- make sure you are clear about what you are paying for.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fabulous , I must say
Pros - A fantastic experience . The whole interaction with Pamela starting from initial stages till the very end and even now has been wonderful. She was very patient in answering all our queries and understanding our requirement. Our driver Peter was very professional and handled his job exceptionally well. He was outstanding in driving us through the forest and help us spotting the wildlife.
Cons - We weren't happy about the hotel that was booked in lake Nakuru . I guess it was called Chester. The condition of the vehicle can be improved or the existing vehicles should be replaced with better ones consider the terrian in the forest and also enroute.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable Safari
We travelled four days with James to Lake Manyara Nationalpark, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. It was a fantastic trip. We were very lucky that we could seen the big five. James is a really good guide - he noticed the shy animals in their hiding places, where most of the other guides passed.
He was really attentive and he always stopped for every picture. Thanks a lot. Always a pleasure.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enthousiastic and nice gide. She knows a lot and te trip was complete. I really enjoyed
Good communication, in real and quick respond from mail. I really enjoyed the safari! Bella knows a lot and did everything to make it a great safari