65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phinda Rock Lodge and transfers
Our package was organised by Adelle Bell, she was very professional and extremely helpful.
1> Transfer from Richards Bay to Phinda Rock Lodge: Safe and friendly driver, excellent service.
2> Phinda Rock Lodge: Fantastic, will definitely will recommend, Everything was excellent, The Safaris, the accommodation, the food and the special bush dinner. *****
3> Transfer to Durban Airport: Safe and friendly driver, excellent service.
4> Transfer Cape Town Airport to City Lodge V&A: The service was very good but terribly over priced when compared to the cost of a Taxi in Cape Town, the cost of that short ride was nearly as expensive as the accommodation and breakfast at the hotel.
5> City Lodge V&A: Hotel was nice but their restaurant only server snack type food for evening dinner and there are no other restaurants within a short walk.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great agency, memorable safari
I would recommend It Started in Africa to anyone. Really efficient in helping us book it - Joao in the office was knowledgeable and very prompt. A well-chosen route - 4 days/3 nights, visiting Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater. We stayed at Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, then Ang'ata tented camps in both the Serengeti and the Crater rim - all were excellent. Great food and service, plus very comfortable rooms (or tents)
Our guide (David) was a legend, really enjoyed our time with him. Patiently answered all of my wife's sometimes quite bizarre questions - very impressive!
Overall, It Started in Africa were excellent. Will never forget our first safari, thank you for the memories!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
Monique did an outstanding job in helping us plan this complicated African adventure.
All of the plans were executed with no problems at all far exceeding our expectations.
It made for a most relaxing and exciting trip as we were confident that the trip would proceed smoothly.
She selected excellent tour guides and activities at all levels of participation that were a great fit for our group.
We highly recommend Monique and her colleagues.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Brilliant Guides and excellent support
I am a 66 year old solo traveller, happy to "rough it" for a while if the experience justifies. Having spent 4 days on safari in Kenya booked through another company, I then found myself passed onto the very capable hands of Richard Kilonzo and his team in Tanzania. After a night's rest in Arusha, I travelled to Lake Manyara with the charming Mateas Chuwa, where we got up close and almost too personal with an old bull elephant. Exhilarating. The next day Richard's brother Steven arrived to drive & guide for the onward journey to Serengeti, the Ngorongoro crater and Tarangire National Park. Steven's eyesight is uncanny, his knowledge of game and birds extensive, and his sense of humour delightful. After a brilliant 3 days it was back to Arusha, where once again Richard ironed out a last minute breakdown in communication with minimal fuss. If you are looking to see a lot of African fauna, on a limited budget and happy to accept the occasional limitations in comfort which that - and travel in Africa - entails, then this is definitely for you.
US
Amazing Experience
We had an awesome experience with Wildebeest Safaris. I would highly recommend booking with them! Before the trip our emails were answered promptly and in detail. Everything that was promised on the itinerary was delivered-we were even upgraded on two camps. There were no hidden fees once we arrived. Everything was taken care of from transfers to and from the airports, food and lodging.
We visited Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and finished off with Zanzibar. The land in Africa is far more beautiful than we ever imagined. We were in constant awe of the landscape. Plus, the animals! We saw lions, black and white rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, thousands of zebra and wildebeest, hundreds of giraffes, plus so much more.
We found the guides to be very knowledgeable and friendly. We were never put in an environment in which we felt unsafe. They knew an extensive amount about the animals and interacted well during the game drives. They each spoke fluent English and were able to educate us on local customs, traditions and people as well as local wildlife.
I found the camps were always great and the workers very friendly. The food was always fantastic, the hospitality was amazing, and I felt very safe at each stop. With this being my first time in Africa, I will look back fondly on the places we stayed and our experiences at each tented camp and lodge.
Truly a once in a lifetime type of experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the amazing Experience I had...it was a great one. Everything was planned early in advance
It was very good. The communication was good and things were well communicated. Services were amazing and I was satisfied
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Everything was ideal start to finish
I feel very lucky to have found Kevin and Leslie and Experience Uganda! First Kevin immediately responded to my request to book a trip on very short notice. He suggested we talk on the phone so that he could get a perfect sense of exactly what would work for me. After calling me the next morning, Kevin had everything lined up for me within 24 hours. With only two weeks notice for my trip, he was able to secure my permits and flights without issue. He was responsive and professional the whole time.
I stayed at Karibu Guest House where Kevin and Leslie and their staff greeted myself with open arms and even arranged to have my friends come for dinner and a shower during their layover. The guest house is lovely and could not be a more perfect retreat in Entebbe. I then flew to Bwindi where I stayed at Buhoma Lodge which could not be more charming. Service and food was incredible at both locations!
Overall everything not only went perfectly smoothly, but Kevin and Leslie could not have made me feel more welcome, taken care of and happy!
I highly recommend Experience Uganda!!!!! I would give them 6 stars if I could.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
Everything was over expectations; guide, service, safari and accommodations! We are so happy that we went on safari with Hazina!
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service, competent guide
I did a 7 day Machame hike up Kilimanjaro and successfully climbed the mountain thanks to Tai Travellers. The email communication from the beggining was clear and responses were quick. They took care of me from the moment of my arrival to the time I left. Everything was exactly as we agreed in itinerary. No hidden costs and no unwanted surprises. They are very helpful and proffesional. I was satisfied and I would warmly recommend them to anyone thinking of doing the trek.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellence beyond expectation
I just spent an excellent 4 night safari with Moriti Safaris in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Shaun is an excellent host and his knowledge of nature is really out of this world. What really impressed me was his ability to track (and then find) the animals. The lodge he used was also excellent with very good facilities. I would definitely recommend his services to anybody. Well done Shaun, keep up the good work.