35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great organisation that is as he says flexible. Do remember you are in Africa!
Booked this trip for my father and I and not having the time to do research I trusted Kenya Walking to do it all for me.
A couple of changes I would recommend - break up your trip don't do a 10 day safari - you'll get bored even if you love animals!
- Mara is by far the best though Amboselli and Tsavo East and West does have it's advantages.
.....Different terrain and animals
Overall quite good - there was a couple of issues that Otenio sorted. A couple of horrible situations that weren't fixed immediately though a rebate was sorted. (although it wasn't the cash we were after)
We overall had an great experience and although I was extremely hesitant even to the point I was worried no one would be there to pick us up and my deposit would go astray. They were professional and dealing with the team was amazing.
I wish I could give it excellent though there is a few things that did affect the trip on a short term basis. Including some of the accomodation. Very similar to the comments I read before going on this trip... A couple of things to sort out OT and you'll have a great trip
For Zanzi bar travellers - DO NOT STAY AT DHOW INN!!!!
They stole my dad's Prada perfume, some cash - a neighbours gold necklace and I still haven't had a rebate or anything of the sort - still waiting to hear back on this one from both Paco - the owner at Dhow Inn and OT if you can do anything?
Just ruined the last bit of our holiday.
Finally DO the Gorilla Trek I was worried it wasn't worth the cash... It was! Enjoy folk - So much more to do, though 3 weeks in Africa was amazing!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best organized trip that my well-traveled family has ever experienced.
I've had the good fortune of traveling many times to most continents over the last 50 years. I use travel consultants about 1/2 of the time and plan trips myself the other half. I had never been on a safari before and chose Ker & Downey based on the recommendation of a friend of my daughter who also came on the trip. Our group had 5 family members. I would be happy to expound on the trip in detail if anyone would like to know more. However, Ker & Downey Africa (Terri-Ann Sholtz in particular) planned and organized perhaps the best trip of our lives. Every means of travel was timely, efficient and above expectations. The drivers/pilots/escorts were uniformly courteous, knowledgeable, on time, and conscious of any special needs we had. The lodges and hotels were also above expectations. With respect to the lodges, the hosts/hostesses were similarly knowledgeable, caring, and meticulous. Every lodge and hotel had rooms, amenities, wifi and other features exactly as described by K & D. In addition, the food and drink provided at the lodges was superb. Our trip was 2 weeks in length with half being at safari lodges and half being in other parts of South Africa. We received substantial information from K & D about both legs of the trip that made our experience fulfilling, predictable and very gratifying. Almost all of our interaction was with Ms. Scholtz. She planned and caused to be executed a flawless plan. I would recommend her and K & D to anyone, no matter what the age, size of group, or area of interests. Both Terri-Ann and K & D are very special service providers.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
Catherine I know this is late coming but I just wanted to let you know what a fantastic time we had on our trip.
Everything went off very very smoothly – the organisation was wonderful.
Our driver, James was absolutely fabulous – his knowledge that he shared with us on safari was the best.
I did not realise until we got home the precautions- he quietly took without explanation so we were not aware - to keep us safe.
Everything you did and James did was amazing. Many, many thanks
This is coming from one person who did not want to go at all!!
Absolutely loved it, felt safe at all times.
Thank you all so much.
Lyn and Peter Sparks.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
back in 1995, my experience with Goliath camping to Mana Pools was as extraordinary back then as it
Back in October 1995, my friend,Terry,and I had an unforgettable experience with Goliath! Am thrilled to see that you 're still going strong....and better than ever! I'll never forget our guides Michael and Joshua, and their kindness and competence. Stretch, when you personally drove Terry from Harare ( after her late arrival) to meet up with the rest of our group, we wanted you to come work with us at Delta Airlines! How I wish that I could afford to go on another safari with Goliath. Blessings and love to you all!!
US
Most of the game was at the watring holes.
We did not see as much game driving around as we saw in other parks. possibly because Zimbabwe allows hunting. However, at the watering holes there was a large concentration of animals and birds. There were some rock outcroppings that added variety to the scenery, which for the most part was dry and flat. The accommodations were especially nice at Kashawe Camp, probably the best out of the four camps we visited. The food was very good, and we had nice sunny weather with cool nights. Our guides were excellent, very friendly and very knowledgeable. The people at the camp and the guides certainly make a visit to this camp a valuable experience..
US
Review about Zimbabwe by Jean.
It seemed harder to find animals as we were driving around. We did see a lot at the two watering holes we went to.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding guide in Simon who really made the safari a brilliant experience for us all
The accommodation was exceptional! Paul really listened to what we wanted and delivered. Simon, our brilliant guide was friendly, knowledgeable and sooo patient. He knew exactly where to go and what we would find interesting. Given we were give adults of varying ages from 18 to 53, it was not an easy task to please us all but Pam Tours did so in spades.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good Safari but improvable services
We were picked up at the hotel as agreed. However after cash payment we never received a receipt. Further they don´t accept dollar notes issued before 2006. This must be informed before.
The Safari itself went fine and we had luck and could see lots of animals in a short period of time. Actually the full day safari has been finished at 16:00, as there was nothing else to see. So we were left at the lodges until next day for the trip back.
The back journey was a bit stressed, as our schedule was very tight. They picked us 40 minutes too late in the morning. However the guide took time to do some shopping on the route (3 times, for fruits and even an alive chicken, for the chicken we had to wait in the car ca. 20 minutes). Then the car´s clutch was broken and we took lunch, while the other car was coming to pick us up. We were brought to a restaurant with the meals on a box. We were asked by the waiter to pay for a single juice 10.000 Shillings (10 USD) the guides instead of stop the cheating situation, just made fun of us and we had to complain by ourselves, so we got back 6 USD.
We changed the car and kept driving to Dar es Salaam. We were informed that the remained trip to Dar es Salaam was 1,5 hours, but it was 3 and really rushing (we almost crashed with another car in Dar). Finally and running we got the Ferry at the very last minute. I consider too much time has been wasted during the morning so we had this unneeded stress.
The lunch was both days the same, cold fried chips and chicken with a sausage and an boiled egg, all to the eaten with the hands.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnificent Megafauna
We had only six days to experience a the most exotic wildlife spectacle on Earth -- the Serengeti of Africa -- and we needed a tour company that would help us make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We chose Shadows of Africa because they were easily the most responsive of the many tour companies to our email inquiries, they offered us many options, and we felt more secure sending a large payment to an office inside the US. We booked our ticket to Arusha and Shadows of Africa arranged the rest. Our budget allowed a mix of mid-range and high-range sleeping options, and they were all exactly as advertised (no surprises is nice). The tour ran on schedule, but there was also plenty of latitude to make some last minute changes. Our tour guide spoke good English and was very knowledgeable about the travel logistics and the ecology of this amazing ecosystem. We were quite pleased with the experience and am comfortable recommending Shadows of Africa to host your experience.
NL
An excellent trip true South Afrika, tailor made by Safaris!
We had a perfect organized holiday in the south of South Africa. The communication true the web was perfect, clear and quick. Before our leave we received a travelbook with all the details, a mobile phone for the communication and a GPS. During the trip we could contact Safaris with our questions. Overall we had a perfect organized holiday without cares!