US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worth it! Exceeded all expectations and wouldn't change a thing!
Wow we don't even know where to start with our review of East African Safari, but basically it ends with smiles and two thumbs up! Simon was beyond helpful answering our many, many questions and was also very accommodating with our requests on length of trip, and where we wanted to stay at night. We E-mailed other safari operators as well but Simon's prompt and helpful replies, in addition to their community integration and conservation efforts, is really what sold it for us. This cost is a bit higher than other operators, but as we soon found out that it is 100% WORTH IT!
Just a few quick details about our trip: 10 days Safari, starting in Mwanza with stay near Speke Bay, and then passing through Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and finally flying out from Arusha.
Our guide, Cosmos, was beyond expectations and definitely one of the reasons the trip ended up perfect for us. He met us promptly at the airport in Mwanza with a big smile and immediately shuttled us over to the Tilapia Hotel so that we could relax after being on airplanes for 20+ hours. The place even had a pool and gorgeous view of the water so we felt relaxed and ready to go the next morning! Cosmos was waiting for us right when he promised, and after chatting for a bit we knew he was going to be a great guide over the next 9 days. We were both interested in learning Swahili for the trip and so were constantly bugging him for swahili translations but he energetically answered every question we had!
One of the first big highlights that made us glad we chose EASTCO happened when our original hotel for the second day, the Speke Bay Lodge, ended up being full so instead Simon got us rooms at nearby Serenity on the Lake lodge...which was one of the nicest places we've ever stayed! Throughout the entire trip there were multiple instances like this, where things didn't go exactly as planned (for those of you you've traveled to Africa this shouldn't be a surprise) only to find that Cosmos and Simon would improvise quickly to make everything perfect for us!
Every day had a pretty standard routine, Cosmos would tell us what time to meet him, we'd drive around watching wildlife, and then spend afternoons back at the lodges. My girlfriend and I are slow eaters so a few times were a little late to meet him at the vehicle but he would just respond with a smile and the usual Tanzanian response of "No worries! Pole Pole!" Cosmos' energy, promptness, and especially knowledge of African wildlife really were incredible. He'd usually spot and identify wildlife before we could even see them! We managed to see every bit of wildlife we had planned (including rhinos and leopards) and he even managed to find something I had absolutely been dying to observe...a leopard tortoise! I can't stress that enough with Cosmos, he will go out of his way to make sure you get a chance to see what you want and he has the eyes and intuition to make it happen. At the same time, he is also very patient and would sit quietly while we sat for long periods of time just to watch a pride of lions eating or hippos bathing.
Another reason we're glad we went with EASTCO: I accidentally left my cell phone at one of the lodges which of course is always a stressful situation. However, Simon called and had the lodge actually mail the phone to himself in Arusha, after which he personally organized a driver to BRING THE PHONE down to us near Tarangire park!! We didn't have to worry at all about the entire situation because it was handled perfectly by Simon and Cosmos, and phone was delivered back safely into my hands!
Also, we had planned (and paid) to stay at the Rhino Lodge near the Ngorongoro crater because it was a more budget friendly lodge option, but on the day were supposed to head over there Cosmos got a text from Simon telling him to put us up in the Serena Wildlife Lodge instead!! For no extra cost to us! For those of you unaware, Rhino lodge is a budget lodge away from crater rim, while Serena is one of the few luxury lodges that actually sit on the rim...with an incredible view! This was a very pleasant surprise for us, and I have to be honest, that hot shower felt incredible after a dusty day in the crater.
The final days of the trip were spent in East African Safari's own lodge, the Boundary Hill Lodge (can check out our review on TripAdvisor) which also exceeded our every expectation. Reading about the history of the lodge was inspirational, basically created to help support the local communities (and indeed even 50% owned by those same communities) and an inseparable part of the Tarangire Conservation Area. One our final day Cosmos took us around souvenir shopping and even offered to help bargain with vendors if we needed the backup (a very nice offer sometimes when buying things as a traveler!).
In summary, if you want a dependable, quality, top-notch safari with a guide who is friendly and very knowledgeable...then pick East African Safari Company! Also I should mention that Simon also organized all of our airfare to other places around Tanzania. We picked them because of their integration and support of local communities and incredible work with wildlife conservation (basically the entire reason Boundary Hill Lodge was even created) but found that they also provided a better Safari trip than we could have ever hoped. Absolutely worth it!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
fabulous trip to north Namibia
Just returned from 16 day safari in north Namibia expertly led by Anthony Washford. We travelled with a small group of six and our guide and leader Ant. Brilliantly organised .Ant has a passion for Africa and Wildlife.
He is very knowledgeable and resourceful and will go out of his way to show the very best on offer. We visited very remote parts of Namibia and came across amazing wildlife and landscapes. I would highly recommend this trip.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnificent service with an incredibly thoughtful, intelligent and well informed local staff.
While on temporary assignment in Zambia with my employer, I took the opportunity to visit Livingstone. My company highly recommended Luciano Tours & Travel for all local activities, saying it was the only service provider they used in Livingstone. The reasons for the high praise were immediately evident. Their service was prompt and courteous with extraordinary attention to detail, but even more impressive to me was that the Luciano Tours & Travel associates were all local with an impressive wealth of knowledge and an apparent pride for their home. They made my experience worry free and unforgettable. Many thanks!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A day that didn’t start as planned but turned out to be a great day
In my two weeks of vacation in South Africa, I’ve done a tour with Outlook twice to the Kruger Park (couldn’t get enough of the park). As it happend to be, I was on the same tour as the previouse lady who wrote a review (Sossi). And I must say that in my perspective things were not so bad as her’s. I just asked our driver about the delay in the pick up time. Turned out that there were people who were suppose to be at the reception of there hotel (next to the airport) for the pick up but somehow had decided to go to the airport and wait there. So the driver had to go look for them and that takes time.
Yes it’s a long drive to the Kruger Park form Johannesburg, about 6 hours (not 8 or 9). And we did stop twice during the transfer. To make up a bit for the lost time, on the first stop it was decided that it would be only a short stop to buy some food and use the toilet. Reason for this was that if we didn’t do that, everybody would miss the night game drive in the Kruger park. But somebody didn’t listen to the driver and went to sit in the restaurant and ordered fresh baked waffels. Nobody knew this so it took us 20 minuts to find this lady and continue our ride. Thanks to our driver we all made it in time to go on that wonderfull evening game drive.
After that we had a lovely dinner made by the chef at the camp and had a wonderful end of a day that didn’t start as planned but turned out to be a great day.
The first stay as well as the second stay was wonderful. Just love the Kruger Park, the food of the chefs and the great guides. Thanks for everything FJ, Jarryd, Johannes, Moss, Thami, Senzeni and Bright.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very caring tourarrangement
Hi, it was great to have this tour with encounter africa for 3 days to the mountain gorillas .
Already during booking correspondence and also along the actual trip they cared excellently and very considerate with much flexibility. Great !!
Their consideration includes also the animals we are visiting and the sourroundig, the local people. I enjoyed it thouroughly.
Well trained staff. Thanks a lot !
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They are outstanding tour operators committed to turn each of their customers moments into memories.
Lejon safaris have a qualified team able to communicate with any kind of nationalities , not forgetting their excellent customer care and service.
Their taste for safari choice and location is indesputably incredible which makes the whole experience unforgettable. Their services goes beyond expectations and obviously its a far beyond value for money.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Safari Experience in Southern Tanzania.
We had Davis as our driver/guide for our safaris to Mikumi, Selous and Ruaha in 2009 and 2012. He is an exceptionally good guide and driver, and is willing to go just that bit further to make the safari a wonderful experience. He is Wahehe, so southern Tanzania is his homeland. His long experience guiding in the parks of the southern circuit gives him an intimate knowledge of the area and the animals. He is friendly and very accommodating which is essential when you are spending a couple of weeks together in the bush. Above all, I feel confident and secure with him and I look forward to our next safari.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good experience and value
We did 4 days/3 nights in the Serengeti and the Crater. Richard's business is operationally excellent. He is quick to communicate with customers before and during the visit. The company does what it says it will do, sticking to a tight schedule to pack in as much as possible in 4 days. I never worried he would run away with our money or that we would be unsafe while on the safari. I know for many other folks with other tour groups we overheard or talked with in camps at night, this is not always the case. We got what we expected with Richard and that isn't always the case. Our guide Frank didn't detract from the experience, but he didn't add much either. He didn't share a lot about the animals with us - I think because he didn't speak English that well more than not knowing anything. We also had some long drives without a ton of expectations-setting in terms of time in the car and broader plan. That said, Frank knew what he was looking for once in the crater and Serengeti and we often found ourselves watching animals at the right time and place. That stuff doesn't happen entirely accidentally. The food is really good and there is plenty. Sokafour (I'm sure I'm spelling his name incorrectly) was kind and both he and Frank extremely hard working in terms of keeping us fed, setting up camp and driving us around. The trucks are a little old and don't have plugs for camera batteries, an important thing to note. Overall a really good experience that met expectations, but fell a little short in terms of being great. For the cost though, it was an excellent value. You might be best to read up on some of the animals before you head out on the safari.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing adventure in Kenya!
With such a short amount of time in the country, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to get the full breath of Kenya’s natural attractions. But East Africa Wild planned a flawless itinerary, allowing us to see every blockbuster animal and a variety of landscapes in just 5 days. Each camp we stayed at had its own personality and boutique feel. Our safari guide was competent and very knowledgeable. Overall it was an amazing adventure!
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good
We did a 9 days Safari tour with World Tours and Safaris Tanzania and the experience has been very good.
Richard and his staff were very friendly and welcoming.
Our driver and guide Frank has been excellent at spotting animals and really knew the routes very well. We saw many animals and the scenery was excellent.
The food was plentiful and the taste was okay. It did take some time getting used to but it was not bad at all.
Overall, the experience has been very good and we would not hesitate to work with Richard again on future visits.