US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable Experience
Our first impression of booking with Budget Safari was one of ease. We looked at various competing safari services, email a few and got back responses between 1-10 days. Budget Safaris was almost immediate and with the perfect customer service you expect when you are about to spend a decent amount of money on vacation. Esther personally handled all the communication and asked questions regarding our expectation of how we wanted to experience the safari. We shared with her the options we considered, 1) group safari 2) Semi Private and 3) Private Safari. We also were looking at 7-8 full days in the bush, and most other companies that we entertained only had fix dates of scheduled departures. After a series of emails, we agreed on our experience, Private Safari for two, detailed itinerary with names of the lodges we would stay and cost.
Upon our arrival into Kenya, Henry our driver, met us at the terminal in our safari vehicle, preceded to meet Esther, and we headed out to our first lodge. Upon meeting Esther, she suggested a couple last minute deals and upgrades to our lodges based on availability, which given the extra cost of 200 dollars, we considered it a bargain for the entirety of our stay in Kenya.
In terms of our Driver Henry, there are not enough nice words to describe the added experience his conversations gave our Safari. He shared his experiences regarding the Safari, Animal Behavior, Photography, Culture, Masai Tribes, etc… each hour we had was an experience in itself. During our game drives, he accommodated our schedule to depart a little earlier or a bit later depending on weather, our scheduled meals and animal sightings in the area. I would recommend him and would gladly repeat the experience with him.
The lodges were first class, as mentioned above, we did a small upgrade and got better amenities, great lodges, and all you can eat buffets that are shy of a nice restaurant in any big US city, Lots of variety, including local food, Indian, Chinese and American.
Overall, I would rate this and 11 out of 10 if I could. Esther and her team made this an unforgettable experience for my wife and I.
Thanks again.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Crater is indeed one of the wonder of the world and spending just a day is not enough.
It is one of the most amazing, natural and scenic experience I have had. We had taken the services from Leopard tours and they are indeed the most professional touring company i have come across. Fantastic experience!!!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Sabi Sabi Game Reserve by Beenie Photography
Absolutely stellar, stunning, incredible location. I never thought that one could become bored by leopards. They are so plentiful that this practically occurred. You go to South Africa for the wildlife. You would be doing yourself a disservice not to visit Sabi Sands.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Balule Nature Reserve by Beenie Photography
This was the lesser of our two stays. The overall density of wildlife was less in Balule than in Sabi Sands. That being said, we actually had our best sighting of our trip during our final drive at Gomo Gomo. A mother leopard and her cub walked right out in front of the vehicle, not more than 10 meters away.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Best Honeymoon Imaginable
My husband and I spent two weeks in the Greater Kruger area while on honeymoon. We spent six days at Gomo Gomo and six days at Arathusa. Overall, our experience was amazing. The vast array of species left us in awe. In fact, on multiple occasions we experienced the Big Five in a single game drive.
Having stayed in the area during winter, we were able to avoid the pestering bugs and the bush that hides the wildlife. I would highly recommend this time of year. At each of the locations we enjoyed our guides and our accommodations. While Arathusa was certainly a more polished destination, you certainly pay for it. That being said, it was a better all around experience--in terms of food, guides, and scenery. Their watering hole was absolutely superb.
If I would make one change to our trip it would be our decision to drive from the OR Tambo to the park. Being from America, driving on the other side of the road was a difficult transition for my husband. Taking this stress out of the vacation would have been wise.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about South Africa by Beenie Photography
For all the same reasons listed above. It is a wonderful location. Being such a large country, two weeks was hardly enough to experience its beauty. I look forward to a return trip.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
kruger
i enjoyed kruger park.
i have visited etosha park in namibia and think it much better for night time activitiies as the lighted waterholes allow so much better game viewing than is available in kruger at night
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful and Once-in-a-Lifetime experience!
I cannot say enough about A&A Gorilla Tours. I had no idea what to expect on our trip, other than hoping we would get a special time viewing the gorillas in Bwindi. Our driver was Vicent, and he was fantastic! He used to work with the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, so he knows a ton about the wildlife in Uganda. I never expected a nine hour drive to be so wonderful and enjoyable. He pointed out all kinds of birds, and taught us about local foods and delicacies. Once we got to Queen Elizabeth National Park, he stopped as much as we could muster to ask for, and then some. It took us an extra 2 hours to get to Bwindi, because we wanted to stop so much, because we saw so much amazing wildlife. He knew everything about every animal. We saw elephants, baboons, birds, and all kinds of four legged animals in the deer and buffalo families. And that was just the drive! Once we got to Bwindi, we stayed in a charming community lodge in a glorified tent...let's call it glamping, but nothing fancy. It was a permanent tent attached to a concrete bathroom. It was peaceful and we faced the forest so all we could hear at night was the river below. It was so lovely. And the gorilla trek! What a wonderful experience! We took the longer and more difficult path and saw the Habinyanja family (a family of 17), and we had 5 others in our group, not including our guards and guides. Everyone was so kind, and so knowledgable. It was during rainy season, and yet once we came upon the family, the clouds parted and the sun shone the entire hour we were there. The entire family laid out in the open by a creek, and they spent the entire time grooming one another, swinging from trees...the big guy (silverback) spent time holding one of his babies, and then moved over to his favorite mate and groomed her. We even got to see him discipline one of his juveniles who was fighting with a baby. The entire experience was amazing! I am so thankful for this experience, as it is one of those things you will probably only do once in a lifetime. I highly recommend it to everyone who can get a chance to go. You will never regret spending the money after it is all said and done.
BE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari experience!
We went on a 5 days safari in Tanzania in September.
Instead of booking the trip with a travel agency, we did some research ourselves.
We chose out of more than 10 safari company’s and booked ours with Bestday Safaris.
It was the best choice we could have ever made because we had the most amazing experience with Bestday Safaris.
All the information about our trip, timing, prices, loges,… we received in advance from Peter Charles, the Managing Director of Bestday Safaris.
During the 5 days we spend in Tanzania, we visited Tarangire park, Serengeti and the
Ngorongoro crater.
When we arrived at the airport (4 hours later than planned due to several delays) our driver Goddy was still waiting for us. He welcomed us with “Hakuna Matata” and we knew immediately we were in good hands!
The first day also Peter welcomed us at our hotel and ran through the weekly schedule as we agreed upon before.
Tarangire was the first park we visited. Just entering the park, the animals were already there. But Goddy explained to us that this park was just the appetizer. And in fact it was!
The real experience was Serengeti, an immense surface with beautiful panorama’s. It was amazing to spot the more rare animals but also to see how many of some hurdles are actually there.
On our last day we went into the Ngorongoro crater. Unfortunately we didn’t see any rhino’s, but the view itself was amazing, especially from the top into the crater.
I must say we were very lucky to have such a wonderful driver and guide, Goddy. His knowledge about all the animals and his patience is remarkable. He is friendly, funny, wise, patient, professional and humble. Really a good person himself!
We were happy about the accommodations Bestday Safaris recommended as well.
The accommodation in Kati Kati tented camp was the most amazing experience. Being in the middle of the animals habitat. One to remember!
The food and accommodations were in general very good and Goddy joined us during dinner and breakfast, a good way to get to know each other a little bit better.
We really had an amazing vacation!
We liked it so much that we want to come back!
And for sure, we will again book out trip with Bestday Safaris!
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awsome and exciting experience
By far the experience lived to my expectations. The communication was rather timely and precise, the rendezvous at all points were clearly instructed. The many activities and scenery locations they had in store made bonding with new people so much easier and in an exciting and unforgetable way... What amaizing experience. The next time am visiting Kenya, am definitly looking forward to newer greater heights of adventure with you.
Thank you Adventure Three Sixty.