EE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our trip to Masai Mara, Amboseli and Mount Kenya
We were recommended Big Time by a local friend and in short - we are quite happy with the choice.
They helped us with hotels in Nairobi, took us to a very very nice trip to Masai Mara (do climb the hills there with some Masai guides, it's very nice if you don't leve it to the middle of the day, better temperature in the morning), took us to Naivasha lake, from there we went to Amboseli and Mount Kenya. We were very happy with both the drivers snf guides we got assigned during our trip and also happy with their help in Nairobi (one of our companions needed a bit medical help).
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely Amazing in Every Way
Encompass Africa is the only travel agency that I would recommend with no reservations whatsoever. They were truly amazing in every regard. The trip they organised for us, still remains our best holiday ever.
We dealt mainly with Danica but also had some discussions with Jonathon and the service they both provided far outlived our expectations. When we begun our discussions, we were not really sure of exactly which countries we wanted to visit but Danica was only too happy to discuss different options and send us some ideas. I can still remember that first phone call with Danica and the thing that really stood out was the feeling that at last I had found someone who knew what they were talking about and who had actually visited the countries and camps that she was recommending so could tell me what they were really like.
It took us a lot of phone calls and emails before we decided on what we wanted to do. Here again, we got outstanding service. Not once did we feel rushed or pressured by Danica. Danica (and Jonathon) were exceptional in responding in a timely manner and they always got back to us when they said they would (sometimes it was even before the time they had promised).
We finally decided on a 7 week holiday and did a self-drive in South Africa, visited Victoria Falls, then did safaris in Botswana (including a houseboat), Kenya and Tanzania and finished with a trek with the gorillas in Rwanda.
Our trip was perfect, just the right mix of experiences. There is no doubt that it was because of Danica's and Jonathon's knowledge of Africa that we had such an amazing holiday. The order we did the trip in was perfect.
When we were planning this holiday we believed it would be a once off experience. However, we had such a fantastic time that we are certainly planning to do further safaris and there is no question about who we will book with - it will be straight to Encompass Africa.
I believe that the main reason why Encompass Africa plan such amazing holidays to Africa is because of the their own love of the countries. When talking to them their passion was really evident and it was obvious that they really wanted us to enjoy the holiday and come to love Africa as they do.
Well done Danica and Jonathon and we look forward to planning our next holiday to Africa with you.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome Budget Safari!
I was on a trip to Kenya with my girlfriend and decided to go the budget route. We booked it through Baboon Safari and the experience was simply amazing. Dennis and his team were very professional and took care of all the travelers with utmost respect and care. Dennis was very flexible and accommodating with the needs we had. He has a vast network of tour guides that he can help set up people to accommodate their individual needs. Although not knowing what to expect we trusted him and his group of drivers and guides to educate and show us about Africa (Kenya and Tanzania).
We were picked up from our friends house in Nairobi. Due to my personal travel constraints I wasn’t able to review and sign the contract earlier but Dennis and his driver Lawrence picked us early in the morning and while in route to the office signed the contract ($1100) for 9 day safari. We drove a Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 with a flexible open top (for game viewing) to Masai mara the first day and went on an evening game drive. It was a transforming experience and we saw four out of the big five on the first evening. The road to Masai Mara takes you across the great rift valley and it was a humbling experience. The second day was Masai Mara as well and we did morning/evening game drives as well. Went to the Mara river, got stuck in the rain, ate brown bag lunches, bonded with our safari mates, hung out with Masai people etc. All in all, Kenya was an awesome experience with our driver Lawrence. He was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Africa, animals and the preservation of the environment. In addition, we felt safe with him. That was very important to us.
The second leg of the trip took us to Tanzania (TZ) which was a inter country travel bus that Dennis put us in. It’s not a glamorous bus and we have to deal with the situation. Crossing the TZ border was an experience in itself but if you are open minded and follow the pact you will have little to no trouble. Just be patient and be firm on your answers. Once arrival in Arusha we were greeted by Abraham (Baboon subcontractors). We went on our TZ adventure of Ngorongoro crater, Lake Manyara and Serengeti. We were a little disappointed that the itinerary got changed without consulting us and were taken to Lake Manyara instead of two days in Ngorongoro. Nevertheless, the safari was awesome and we were in the care of Max (guide/driver) and Alifa (chef). They both took great pride in their profession and taught us about Africa and wildlife as much as possible. We did sleep in pop-up tents at nights and ate whatever delicious meals Alifa prepared for us. During our trip to Serengeti, we saw the leopard and thus finished all of the big five.
Upon our return to Nairobi, Dennis took exceptional care of us. We had planned our own adventure to see rest of Kenyan coast and he stayed with us until we were assured of our next leg of the vacation (bus). He also accommodated us upon our return to Nairobi from our travels and gave us a ride to the airport as well. All in all, Dennis and his team did a fantastic job to make our vacation as safe and memorable as possible. Thank you for all your help and kindness and we will never forget our African adventure!
Review about Savuti Channel by bonsaisai
serene and breathtaking in the wet season, still a lot of animals and birds to see
Review about Chobe River by bonsaisai
serene and breathtaking in the wet season
First time doing safari and I'll be sure to return
Most guide books advise you to go in the dry season to see a lot of wildlife. I did my first safari ever in February in the middle of the wet season. On the morning of my drive, it was overcast, cold, and drizzling. It had rained a lot the night before. I would never have thought of going on a safari while shivering in my jacket. To my surprise, the sky cleared up in the afternoon and there were still a lot to see: giraffes, baboons, elephants, warthogs, impalas, buffaloes, etc. And to my extreme delight, even a painted African wild dog. The only thing missing from the game drive are the predators. The boat cruise on the Chobe waterfront was relaxing and exciting at the same time. We saw an elephant swimming out to an island in the middle of the channel, many hippos and crocs, and plenty of birds.
So what did I miss when doing safari in the wet season? Animals are not as numerous and concentrated but there are no crowds. More importantly, with plenty of water to drink and grass to eat, the animals are not stressed; they're not fighting for their survival. The lush vegetation is beautiful and pleasing. The cool and comfortable weather (at mid day) more than makes up for seeing fewer animals. The deep blue sky reflects on the serene water of the Chobe River like a painting. What a great place to be for the animals! And for humans, too!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
lifetime experience
Excellent and well informed guide. Great vehicle. Guide was photo enthusiast and helped us with the best angles. He managed to show us the big5. Fantastic vacation in Kenya.
An unforgettable trip
In June 2014 my family and I had the best vacation ever. Our very cheerful and helpful driver/guide, Davis, took us to places more fascinating and beautiful than the other. For one week we went game watching in Selous, safariing in Mikumi, and hiking in the rainforrest in Udzungwa Mountains. Though the places were absolutely breathtaking, the people we met along the way made the trip even more special and we could not have asked for a better guide than Davis to show us the wonderful country of Tanzania. It was very inspiring to meet someone who truly loves he´s job as much as Davis seems to do. Every day her met met us with a huge smile and a joke up his sleeve! Tanzania is a beautiful country with beautiful nature and people, and we will definitely be back one day - but only if we can have Davis with us too!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very enjoyable safari!
We (2 students, couple) were looking for a Safari in Northern Tanzania and collected several offers as we were looking for budget options. SunnySafaris made the best offer together with some good recommendations on e.g. Tripadvisor. Therefore we decided for a 3day/2nights camping safari with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire NP starting from Arusha. Prior we had a very good email communication with Masha, and all our questions were answered. In the morning on the first day we were picked up by Paul, our guide, accompanied by our cook.
We were lucky to be the only ones on the trip, so we had the huge car for us, which turnded out to be great to move around during gamedrives and to have a real 360° view. Also, we could stop where and for how long we wanted. By midday we reached the Tarosero camp near Lake Manyara where our cook prepared a great lunch. After that we startet the gamedrive in Lake Manyara NP till the evening. Then evening - sleeping in good tents - we were surprisingly tired. Next morning we got up early, after breakfast we left to Ngorogoro. There we spend the day, lunchbox during the day, good dinner again and the next morning we packed everything leaving to Tarangire NP, in the afternoon leaving back to Arusha, where we got dropped off at our accomodation, even though it was a bit outside of Arusha and difficult to find.
Negative aspects:
- Prior to the safari we asked for the option to buy additional water because the provided 1 l per day is not sufficient. It was told to us that we will stop at a cheap supermarket for that and do not need to worry. However, this "cheap" supermarket was designed especially for Safari-Tours and was not cheap at all (water in the village near the camp was cheaper).
- The driver/guide stopped twice at some kind of souvenir shops where we were forced to spend time while he went for a coffee.
- The guides/cooks eat seperately at the camp - they cook local food (e.g. Ugali) prepared on a nice fire place. It would be a nice option to also be part of that.
- On the last day we really need to stress that we would like to spend as long as possible in Tangire NP, as our guide wanted to leave to Arusha.
Positive aspects:
- Guide and cook were very friendly.
- We saw amazingly many animals (from the big 5 we did not see rhinos) and the guide gave us an introduction for all the different species. He also knew good spots for animals and pointed out many things for us.
- The camp was very luxurious for a tented safari - there are good bathrooms - and power supply to charge cameras, mobile phones was available. Very secure feeling within the camp.
- The food in the camp was made of 3 course menus - we got catered with a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian option as ordered before. The food was very nice, the lunchboxes were okay as well.
- The three parks are very different in their topography, fauna and flora. We enjoyed that a lot and felt that this Safari really gave us an amazing insight in the wildlife in Northern Tanzania.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent guide
I have had the opportunity to go on safari with Greg as my guide on 2 different visits, and both times found him to be an excellent guide, a wealth of knowledge on so many aspects of the African 'outback' and he is great company! He makes his guests a priority, and adapts his game drives to make sure you get the most out of your drives, to see the widest range of wildlife, and is attentive to photographers in helping find the best angles. His knowledge of animal behaviour had me feeling very safe and secure in all encounters, and I can say I have so many incredible sights on Greg's game drives! I would highly recommend his tours.