US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Phenomenal 13-day Tanzania Safari
Our family of seven just returned from a phenomenal 13-day Tanzanian trip with Shadows of Africa over the Christmas/New Year holidays. I contacted Karen, who welcomed my questions, connected with us via Zoom, and provided fantastic presentations via email. The presentations included maps, routing, and photos of all the proposed lodges and tented camps. As it was already July and we were planning to go in December, the trip required a fair amount of logistical organization as the itinerary evolved and lodging options became unavailable. Karen handled the entire process with aplomb sending an updated itinerary with photos of the new lodge or camp.
As it turns out, we were delayed inbound to Tanzania and Karen re-arranged our first day and obtained alternative accommodations while we were enroute. The following morning, our guides Charles and Loma arrived at the lodge in two brand-new Toyota Landcruisers. Both were very experienced guides with 7-8 years’ of experience with Shadows. On the first day, the guides took us for a short orientation to the Shadows office. We were met by Ben, who reviewed the trip with us and discussed our revised itinerary, expectations, and our personal priorities. This was a very nice touch. We were then off to the Serengeti.
Throughout our journey, Loma and Charles were wonderfully kind, respectful and interested in our comfort, interests, and needs. As communication even with radios and Wi-Fi on board can be sketchy, Loma and Charles were constantly speaking with other guides along the road. Between the two, we always had a line on where the animals could be found. Both were incredibly knowledgeable about the animals, the birds and even the bugs. Having chased nature with binoculars and a camera around the globe, the most important thing has been the guides we’ve traveled with. Charles and Loma were right up there at the top and made it a fabulous, informative, fun and entertaining trip. The whole family continued to talk about how we missed them after returning to the States. I can’t say enough about Shadows and everyone we worked with.
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was perfect and amazing.
Before the tour began, they kindly came to my hotel in Arusha to explain in detail how the tour would proceed. They also provided pickup and drop-off services to and from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport, which was incredibly convenient. I think Kiota is the only company I've seen that offers transportation to your desired destination even the day after the tour ends. Landelin, who was both the driver and guide, was extremely friendly and professional, providing detailed explanations about the safari and doing his best to ensure there was no inconvenience. Ashraph, the chef who accompanied us during the tour and prepared meals, woke up early to cook and served very delicious food. I did a 2-night budget camping tour, and the tents were very spacious, allowing me to stay comfortably without major inconveniences. I was able to see all of the Big 5 animals, and the tour was truly an unforgettable experience. The value for money is also exceptional. They provided excellent service at a much more affordable price compared to other tours.
Thank you!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A quick visit with amazing experiences to friendly, beautiful Uganda
Only having 3 days to see as much as possible, I opted for 1 day of relaxing on the shore of Lake Victoria where I enjoyed the view, discovered a multitude of birds (I am a birder) and met very friendly people. The next day I puttered along the narrow channels of the Mabamba Swamps to try and find the elusive Shoebilled Stork. Sadly, it was not to be, but I saw so many other birds including a couple of lifers. This is a highly recommended outing. Yona from Shoebill Safaris then drove all the way to Budongo Forest in Murchison Nat. Park for me to go Chimpanzee tracking with a ranger. What a magic experience! After a long trek through the jungle we eventually found 28-30 chimps and got very close to one of them. Definitely an unforgettable experience but you must be fit. Before sunset we viewed the Murchison Falls and carried on to the Hornbill Lodge where I was treated like royalty. Very early the next morning I saw a pride of lions on a fresh cob kill, a leopard in the grass, many elephants, giraffes and buffalo as well as various antelopes and birds. By lunchtime I was on a cruise boat chugging along the Nile, stopping for lovely sightings of crocodiles, hippos, elephants and many birds. Late that evening due to the incredibly bad traffic conjestion I was back in Entebbe for my very early morning international flight.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic
Myself and my 18 year son were on safari in masai mara for 5 days. Blue Mountain Trekking Safaris was who we booked with.Ann was my go to for information, over 60 emails back and forward to her for information. Safari was 1st class. Stayed at Enkorok safari Lodge mid range. Was perfect, lovely and clean .welcome drinks, hot towels . Tent was 1st class and food excellent. Staff all very friendly. Our safari driver Stanley from jockey tours in nairobi was the best. So bright and cheary everyday.his knowledge was fantastic. We saw everything apart from leopard. Saw a kill with 2 cheetah on a impala. Also went to Nakuru game reserve and lake naivasha where we went on boat trip to see hippos. All in all fantastic trip we will not ferget. Perfect
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Budongo Forest by Astrid EM
It is an incredible experience to be utterly alone in a jungle! Only the ranger an I trekked for over an hour along very narrow paths, sometimes not even along a path. No sound except the odd rustling. I saw a lot of butterflies but no birds or animals until we found the troop of chimpanzees. We spent a good 45 min to an hour with them which was very special. Eventually they moved off and so did we. Unforgettable!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Mabamba Swamp by Astrid EM
Although I did not find a shoebilled stork, there are so many other birds, some of which I had never seen before. It was a wonderful morning. Peaceful and simply a beautiful experience. My guide Irene has incredible knowledge of all the birds.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Murchison Falls National Park by Astrid EM
Coming from South Africa, I have been to many other national parks. At Murchison Falls NP the scenery is quite monotonous, though the tall grass is a beautiful contrast to the sand roads. Cob, elephants and giraffes seem to dominate the wildlife scene, but I did see buffalo and some other antelope as well but no zebra. The lion kill had been close to the road but too many safari vehicles were bunched together at the site, so the lions moved off into the tall grass. Another highlight was the quick sighting of a leopard walking though the grass. The birding was very rewarding!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Nairobi National Park by Ross 18th with his Dad from scotland
Elephant orphanage a must and giraffe center. You can do a 4 hour game drive in park 1st then do elephant and giraffe. All in price Jan 2025 was £100 each inclusive of park fees ..threw get your guide website
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great guide, very knowledgeable, helped to get to know the local people and surroundings.
It was great doing business with Hooves of Africa. They streamlined and changed the trip itinerary (Gorilla trekking) to exactly what I wanted. I had the flexibility to stay longer at places I liked. Their choice of accommodation was acceptable (budget). All provided great rooms with great bedding, food and space to enjoy time. The guide and driver they provided was excellent. He knew his way around and always found the best spots. Communication with the company was good, very responsive also via phone.
The payment could have been a bit easier via credit card without extra fees.
Overall, they are very reliable, and you get what you want not what they try to sell you. Definitely would book with them again.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, Patient , efficient and responsive. Met all my travel needs & requirements spot on .
Truly amazing & excellent Botswana trip organised by Mark .I researched about 8 different companies and selected Gondwana tours .Mark understood my needs and was extremely helpful in advising the areas and lodges to go to meet my needs , and the price point was very competitive and super value for money & present me with sensible options for my Botswana tour to choose from. I asked lots of questions and did a ton of research myself and Mark was extremely patient with me & very responsive . He was straight forward & extremely professional.
Unbelievable experience.I spent 9 days in Botswana , 3 nights in Chobe Bakwena lodge , 3 nights in Mma Dinare camp & last two nights in splash camp . Fantastic organisation, very safe during the whole trip with incredible guides at all 3 camps . Best experience ever
