under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about South Africa by Laura T
I think South Africa is the only place you will experience such wide range of animal species as well as such beautiful scenery.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This safari trip more than met our expectations
My husband and I travelled with Thinus for the two week trip in a 4 WD vehicle, starting in Windhoek, visiting the Erindi Private Game Reserve, Etosha National Park, the Kavango Region, the Caprivi Strip, and Chobe National Park. We also visited the San Bushmen which was a very moving experience and one we would highly recommend. We saw large numbers of game, both huge herds of the many antelopes (springbok, impala, kudu etc), wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, elephants, and smaller family groups of hippos, giraffes and wild dogs. We also saw all these animals up close and personal at the waterholes. The highlights were seeing 2 cheetahs, 2 sightings of leopards and 6 different sightings of lions, including 3 small lion cubs. We loved it all, especially the luxury tented accommodation which we opted for on a couple of occasions. The whole trip was very well organised and ran smoothly without any problems. Thinus was an attentive guide and very well informed, not only about wildlife, but about Namibia in general. We would very much recommend this safari company.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience!
My 6 friends and I used Marianne Birrel Safaris to plan our tour. We wanted a customized tour to avoid the huge crowds and giant lodges in the National Parks and Marianne gave us several options from which to choose. We stayed at small yet excellent game lodges in private reserves with extremely knowledgeable and accommodating guides and trackers. The lodge in Victoria falls was gorgeous, as was the B&B in Capetown.
Marianne was with us every step of the way in planning and even gave instructions about whom to wire transfer payment and reservations at the various places. She even checked up on the success of the transfer. As for making flight reservations, she paid attention to flight times and advised us which flights to choose, and even gave detailed instructions on how to work the airline's website!
Marianne was available at all times by phone or email during the entire trip to help with any problems that might crop up, and even arranged a small refund in cash when I inadvertently overpaid one of the lodges.
Our overall experience was awesome and we would all recommend Marianne Birrell Safaris and of course will use her the next time we go!
US
Experience level: first safari
Experience of a lifetime!
What an amazing experience! I did a 5-day safari with my girlfriend through Ngorongoro, Manyara and Serengeti back in March and it was unreal. I also added on the balloon tour, Masai village visit and an additional 5 nights in Zanzibar at Amaan Bungalows.
I'll start off with our arrival into Kilimanjaro Airport. We had some issues getting our passport at the airport (entirely our faults). Prior to traveling to Tanzania, we had spent several months outside of the US so did not have US Dollars to pay for the passport fee. Shouldn't have been a big deal, as they have an ATM at the airport, however, the ATM was not working. So, this left us stuck at the airport with no way out. Once our guide from It Started in Africa arrived at the airport, we explained our predicament. The guide, along with another staff-member, made plans to transfer money and pick up the cash we needed for our passport fees at a nearby bank. I don't know what we would have done without them! They were extremely nice and couldn't have been more helpful throughout the whole ordeal. Africa travel tip: Always have US Dollars, don't expect ATMs to work even at major international airports.
On to the safari! What an awesome 5 days! We ended up doing a private camping safari, as a group safari was not available when we went. Our guide and cook were both great. Upon arrival, we mentioned that we were interested in trying more of the local food and they both made arrangements to pick up additional food on our drive from Arusha. They even stopped at a Masai village to pick up fresh goat for us! Our guide was very knowledgeable and experienced. He was able to answer all questions that we had and really made the trip what it was. 5 days was plenty of time for us. It was great to get to see the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Manyara in such a short time. Manyara is very small and won't take long at all, however, it's a great starting point for the safari. Serengeti is obviously the main attraction and will not disappoint. We went to Ngorongoro on our final day and it was also amazing. You'll see a lot of the same animals, plus Rhino if you are lucky. However, you'll be able to get much closer to the animals in the crater as opposed to Serengeti. That was the real plus to me! Also, we would definitely camp again. All of the campsites have nice facilities and the experience of sleeping outside under the stars in the Serengeti is something you don't want to miss.
Now to the add-ons that we did. The hot air balloon was well worth the extra cost! Our pilot was super friendly and knowledgeable. Seeing the sunrise from the balloon really offered a different experience that you can't get from the ground. We didn't see a ton of wildlife, but the view of the sunrise was what made it worth it. You'll also get a champagne toast and excellent breakfast after landing.
We also did the Masai Village visit. I didn't find this overly impressive, probably because I had spent 2 months living in an African village in Ghana prior to the trip. The whole ordeal just felt too touristy for me, as it should I suppose. For people who have not been to Africa or have not experience life in an African village then I'm sure you would enjoy it.
We finished off our tour of Tanzania with 5 nights in Zanzibar. Let me preface this by saying we are not huge beach fans. Not sure why we thought it was a good idea to spend 5 nights there! Amaan Bungelows are very nice for the price. The beach is nice, but be prepared to fight off the throngs of people trying to sell you stuff. They will follow you every where on the beach and even yell at you while you are enjoying your meal from the nice covered patio at Amaan. I am usually pretty good at ignoring these people, politely telling them I am not interested and moving on. However, they probably annoyed me more here than they have anywhere else I have traveled. There are a lot of nice activities to do while you are in Zanzibar though, like diving, snorkeling, spice tours, etc. We did not take advantage of any of the activities as we were towards the end of our African travels and were on a tight budget so I can't speak to the quality of them. It also rained every day while we were in Zanzibar. It was never a complete washout, but still it rained a lot. You may want to watch the season that you are going. I probably wouldn't go in rainy season. As far as It Started in Africa is concerned though, we had a pleasant experience with our driver who transported us between the airport in Zanzibar and Amaan Bungelows.
I hope this helps folks who are looking to travel to Tanzania. I would love to go back one day and will definitely look to It Started in Africa when I do. Overall, it was an amazing experience that everyone should do at some point in their lives. Welcome to adventure!
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
unbeatable services
I have done trips with many travel companies some big others but wecam safaris stands out if the rest. I will recomend wecam safaris to anyone outsode there wishing to have a nice safari and you dont have the time to organise. They will do everything on your behalf. Taking every detail of your tour and requirement with the seriousness it deserves. I was particulary impressed bybthe teams hospitality and understanding. Kudos mercy and the entire wecam crew
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Guiding at its best
I have now been on safari with Paul Tickner Safaris several times. I keep coming back because of the "off the beaten track" trips into rarely visited areas of Tanzania, especially Ruaha National Park. Paul is an incredibly talented guide and his knowledge of conservation, wildlife and of the culture is unequaled in Tanzania. Highlights of our trips include hearing a leopard while on a foot safari, hundreds of species of birds (identified by Paul) and great photography in the early morning and evenings. Highly recommended!
An excellent itinerary,great accommodation and someone to meet us at all stages.
Would not have changed a thing about our trip. Loved each stage. Some amazing accommodation. Highly recommended!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
16 day northern circuit, Selous and Zanzibar
Absolutely brilliant ! .William was very knowledgable and excellent to deal with, answering all my questions in a timely manner which made us feel so comfortable booking from Australia. Was also very accommodating with all the alterations we requested to fit our ever changing plans. Accommodation at African Tulip (Arusha), Maramboi ( Tarangire), Kati Kati (Serengeti), Sopa Ngorogoro, Lake Manze Camp (Selous) and Z hotel (Zanzibar) were all excellent and highly recommended. Thanks to Raymond our guide in Ngorogoro/Serengeti/Tarangire, you were fantastic and made our trip extremely enjoyable and memorable. Great job Bramwel Safaris.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstandingly organised tour of a great destination (Namibia)
Everything ATI organised for my tour of Namibia (Windhoek, Soussevlai, Swakopmund, Etosha) was excellent:
- always responsive in communications
- delivered exactly what I asked (at short notice too)
- very trustworthy
- very understanding of my needs (which incorporated a high degree of safety and comfort)
- overall a great experience
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An amazing experience
between the amazing natural parks, the personalised food and the very comfortable accommodation, the only worries after making payment is spotting the big 5. it was 3 days of no worries and great service, for a reasonable price.