50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A great experience
We had decided to do a guided private tour having read about the testing driving conditions on our route from Kasane to Maun. And despite having driven quite a lot around SA, Namibia and Mozambique I am glad we left it to the experts both for driving and spotting. And of course the remoter single group use bush camps are often only available to mobile safari operators.
The contact made via the Old Bridge Backpackers site was always prompt and dealt with in a professional manner. It was clear what we were expecting, what they planned to deliver, and what is would cost and all this worked exactly as agreed. We always opt for private tours as you never know what your accompanying guests will be like, whether it would be a first safari group who want to tick off the big5 or a more experienced group who want to spend more quality time on less sightings. At their prices, a private tour was within a good price range.
The tents were dome tents equipped with camp beds and matresses. A good size for the short amount of time you will spend in them. The drop toilet was as expected as was the bucket shower arrangement. You are going to be at bush camps after all, it’s what being in remoter parts is all about. And we were on single use camp sites, so only our tent and the one for our guides for miles around. We really didn’t see other people while at camps and only heard the sounds of the wild. And seeing the camp, just the Land Rover, trailer, a couple of tents and the table set up by the fire for dinner was delightful.
The only issue with the sites was the remoteness. At Savuti the site was about 10km from Savuti camp ground. Great that we were not near any other campers but the best game seemed nearer the camp area so we spent some time getting to there each day. Similarly for Moremi the camp site was at Second Bridge not Xini. The better wildlife was around Xini and we did have to spend an hour of our game drives moving towards that area and back again. If we traded the time spent to get to game in exchange from not being on a site with groups of campers I’d certainly agree with that. But there were private camp sites at Xini if not Savuti so this would have been better.
Letabo was a very good driver/guide of long experience went out of his way to find leopard several times, multiple lion with roan and sable and excellent elephant. The highlight was the pride of lions, six grown females with five cubs near xini which we enjoyed by ourselves for quite some time, the benefit of not having to accommodate other peoples wishes. And always informative as a guide and good company with chats over dinner.
Cook Chichero ( or similar sorry ) made great food always tasty mid day meals of salad base and three course dinners all made over the open fire including soup starters, fresh bread, wow the pork chops even peach cake for dessert one evening and really good all round food.
Overall in five days we have had better game volumes and sightings elsewhere. But for the sheer experience of being self sufficient in the bush and sitting under the stars with the sounds of the night for company it just can’t be done anywhere else.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Terrible experience with no accountability - Never pay in advance
This is a perfect example of an operator who will not care about you, once the money is in his pocket. I booked a 3 day plan for Ngorongoro, manyara and Tarangire.
As part of the safari, my requirement was to take night shots and early morning shots at the crater rim of Ngorongoro crater. For which I was carrying a tripod and other equipment. I booked through Mercury and specifically asked them over email, whether there is night stay at the crater rim, to which he responded YES.
When I actually reached Arusha, I was told about some other contact person (apparently from a 'sister' company). The jeep i got in was a shared jeep & they told me there is no crater night stay and it is only for people who go INTO Serengeti. The contact person Mr Loy in Arusha just forced me to go saying that he will make sure he talks to the agency and gets this sorted. (i didn't really have a choice, given that i had already made half the payment in advance)
When i was in Tarangire on the first day, and trying to call / message, all i heard was Mr Loy in Arusha blaming Mr Ndamungu in Mercury and vice versa.
It was such a depressing situation for me as a tourist, that i finally gave up.
In case you decide to book with them, please be advised that even if they commit to something, it might not happen. And they will ask you to be "flexible"
CA
Fantastic introduction to africa
To begin my extended trip through Southern Africa I signed up for the 4 day Kruger Park tented safari. I was very glad Viva safari was able to accommodate my last minute change of pick up places when my flight was delayed by 24 hours. The night drive and broma was special and I learnt so much from the knowledgable guides about animal behaviour and how to identify them by their dung and tracks on the early morning bush walk. The wonderful accommodation, food and service at Katekani camp was greatly appreciated after a dusty day viewing wildlife. Thanks for a great safari
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Cape Town/Kruger Park Tour
We have just completed a fantastic tour of Cape Town and Kruger Park that was organized by Wild Wings Safaris. What impressed four of us were a superb organization of every aspect of the trip by Gavin (Tour Consultant of Wild Wings Safaris) , the quality of guides (Caz of African Experience, Frank of Wild Wings Safari, Darryn of Senalala Lodge, who are all exceptionally knowledgeable and professional) and superb sub-contractors (African Experience, Gap Transfers, Schoermans Transfers) as well as the choice of accommodation.
Since everything was seamlessly organized, the only thing we needed to do was to enjoy beautiful Cape Town, delicious food and wine, wonderful Kruger Park and its animals and birds. We just immensed ourselves in South Africa.
Cradle of Mankind Tour
Easy on-line booking. Punctual and informative gude and a suitable lunch venue
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Life changing experience!
When it was suggested that I go on holiday to South Africa, my initial thoughts were...hmmmm I'm not sure that's somewhere I've ever thought about visiting, but why not!? At first I didn't really have any expectations on the trip and was just really looking forward to the break away. However then Dream Team Adventures started giving me options of what we could do when out there and the plans started to form, my excitement started to build as the plans progressed and by the time it was time to go I was super excited. I had a fortnight out there and it was the best holiday I have had. When arriving in Cape Town I was met by the team at the airport. I was taken to 5* accommodation to freshen up before we went on a trip out to Robben Island, which was a fantastic experience (even the boat trip to the island and back, the view was spectacular). We finished my first day with a meal at the Victoria Albert Waterfront, what a buzzing place! From Cape Town we traveled to Great Brak River, on the way there were Zebra and Elephants in the 'fields', bit of a change from the usual cows and sheep of Scotland. Great Brak River was great, Ilita Lodge was lovely and the staff were more than helpful, here we went to Cango Caves, visited some special places and rode on the back of an Ostrich!!! But my by far the best experience of my life, walked with Lions, absolutely specatular! From here we moved on to Knysna, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, could be one of my favourite places in the world. Then the final leg of my trip was back in Cape Town, Table Mountain, Aquariums, Boulders Beach where you share the beach with the Penguins, drives round the beautiful coast! There is too much to mention. My trip was first class! Completely exceeded expectations. The team at Dream Team Adventures were a delight!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari!!
PaperJet couldn't have been any better! The communication was fantastic! The service was brilliant! The whole trip and experience was amazing!! Highly recommend using PaperJet!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
In-depth knowledge, locally based and fantastic guide.
My friend and I had an incredible two week trip to Tanzania this September. The itinerary was perfectly tailored and organised by Paul Tickner Safaris, who use local knowledge to ensure your trip will be a truly enjoyable experience. Highly recommend Paul as a private guide, you will have a lot of fun and I still can't believe his skills at spotting wildlife so well from a distance or through the bush and picking up on tracks! There are a lot of companies and agents in the safari market - Paul Tickner Safaris stands out from the crowd.
NO
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Value for money
Our 6 day safari covering Maasai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli turned out to be a success. In a low Budget, we got excellent service, a friendly and experienced driver and guide, good and safe Food. And of course - and a lot of breathtaking scenery and animal experience in this beautiful country. We also visited Naivasha, a lake that was really worth spending some time.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fun tour
Godfrey takes pride in the work he does and ensures he caters to our needs. Lots of fun; games at night and lots of information about the places we visit during the day. Would highly recommend African Traits as a personable, reliable and honest company who cares about you.