CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent experience thanks to our guide and cook.
I believe NCA did a great job overall. Michael was very responsive to and of our queries. I thought our guide/driver (China) went out of his way to make sure we had a good experience and in the end it went far beyond my expectations.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Kili trek and Safari
We used Trekili for our climb up Kili and safari and couldn't recommend them highly enough- they were amazing. Our UK tour operator- Stubborn Mule- organised our trip using Trekili as the local operator.
Safari details:
After our first night staying in Planet Lodge, Arusha, we were picked up early by our safari guide/driver, Amenieli, after a lovely breakfast. The safari truck was the perfect size for us, which included 4 adults and 3 young children and all of our suitcases, hand luggage etc. It was a Toyoto Landcruiser long wheelbase, which 90% of safari companies use. After a brief stop in Arusha to pick up some Tanzanian Shillings (get them from an ATM located at the supermarket, whilst picking up a few food/drink items for your trip) we set off on our way to our Safari.
We had 6 days on the road, going to Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. We stayed at Maramboi Tented Camp for 1 night, which was amazing; Ngorongoro Farmhouse for 2 nights- very pleasant; Lake Ndutu Luxury Tented Lodge- again, amazing; and lastly Rhino Lodge- the most basic of our stays, but highly recommended.
Our guide was great. He was extremely knowledgable of all animals, the route and was really friendly. Travelling with 3 young children- aged 2, 4 & 6- he was so patient in what can be long drives during the day. Not once did he get annoyed or frustrated when the children had their occasional moans.
Overall, we could not have been happier with our safari. Our guide made sure we saw all the animals we wanted to (all of them!) including making sure our 6 year old saw the male lion she so wanted to see.
Kilimanjaro Trek:
Incredible. So much better than we could have ever imagined. I can't recommend them highly enough. It was a once in a lifetime trip which could not have been any better. My wife and I decided to the trek just the 2 of us, with no other climbers. This turned out to be a great decision and amazing to experience the climb together.
We opted for the "Alternative Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit". Again, we would highly recommend this route. It is more expensive than other routes due to the starting point and the fact that very few people go via the Northern Circuit. This was ideal as it meant we saw for climbers for the majority of our trek, which meant it was so peaceful and for large amounts of time we felt like we had the mountain to ourselves. Other routes are not nearly as peaceful.
We had 15 (!) porters just for the 2 of us, which included our guide and assistant guide. They were so friendly and kind and we would recommend all of them. They treated us like royalty the whole trek. The food was amazing everyday and simply blew us away what they could make for us up a mountain. It included lots of fresh fruit/veg and massive portions 3 meals a day. We also were treated to afternoon tea/coffee with popcorn or biscuits.
Tents were of high quality, very new and more than big enough for us. There was a large mess tent just for us and a private, flushable toilet, which we would definitely recommend paying the extra for- the long-drop toilets on the mountain aren't great!
Our guides, Mathew & Gaudence, were amazing. Ask for them by name for your trek. They were so friendly, knowledgable and were the difference in us getting to the summit. Don't be under any illusion that this is an easy trek. It's not. Summit night in particular is very difficult, mostly due to the altitude, but also the steepness, cold and length of the day. You'll start at midnight, summit around 6 am and finish your walk down about 3pm. Not for faint-hearted. Having said that, this company will do their very, very best to make sure you get to the top.
Trekili owner, Joseph, kept in touch with us the whole time making sure that our trip was going well. He was always available to contact by phone/email before and during our trip and even came to meet us the evening before our Kili trek.
Highly, highly recommended.
A memorable and well organised trip
Our advisor was knowledgeable and helpful, and was mindful of the fact that we were hoping to have high quality wildlife experiences but that we did not have an unlimited budget. She made many helpful suggestions, and was very successful in meeting our aims. I spoke to Chris at one time, and he made some helpful suggestions which we later appreciated, particularly about flying from Arusha directly to Ruaha, and not taking the Dar Express to Dar first (which was our original plan so that we might visit the Usambara Mountains, but this would not have been feasible in the time available). Ellie's planning was very thorough, and everything worked smoothly. Seems that Safarihub was a good choice !
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful place, wonderful people, wonderful time
Had a wonderful relaxing time surrounded by nature. Accommodation well appointed, clean and comfortable with all necessities provided and then some. Tours arranged by the lodge were well organized and informative. Owners personally involved with the day to day running of the lodge ensures a personal touch. Can't wait to go back.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great time in Uganda and Rwanda
I had an amazing time on my recent trip to Rwanda and Uganda with Matoke tours. My guide - Musa - was so great. He was flexible, patient and very knowledgeable. He was always willing to pull over so I could take picture or stop to look at a bird and figure out what species it was. It was so nice to not have to worry about driving from one place to the next, or book the permits or figure out which hotels to stay at. All the hotels they booked were really nice as well. I am always a little reluctant to book an entire itinerary before I leave because I like to leave a little room for flexibility. But I was really happy with all the activities Matoke had set up for us and it didn't feel like we were too stuck to a schedule. Highly recommended. I would definitely book with them again if I get the opportunity to go back to East Africa.
NG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a stress free phenomenal encounter.
Acheche was polite,prompt and updated me constantly.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Namibian safari- journey through a wildlife wonderland!
Our African Big 5 Safaris trip to Namibia and South Africa was an amazing experience. The organisation of our trip was first rate from the incredibly varied itinerary, allowing us to sample a range of different regions throughout Namibia from the beautiful vast Etosha Pan to the stunning landscapes of Damaraland, the harshness of the Skeleton Coast, the desert landscape of the Sossusvlei, the wild Fish River Canyon and finally the beautiful remote Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park; to service provided by the tour operator. The communication line was always open- both before and during our trip- and our wishes were catered for very well. I wanted to see meerkats and an excursion to see the Meerkat Foundation was organised and on the itinerary from the outset.This was an amazing experience - one I will not forget. All travel arrangements during the tour - airline tickets, safari vehicles - were efficiently organised. We were met on arrival in Windhoek so there was no hanging around wondering and waiting, it was straight into our safari. The accommodation organised for us could not be faulted. It was extremely comfortable and there were no hitches at all. Likewise the food was well organised and any personal requirements - vegetarian etc were well catered for. The game drives were an absolute highlight. Lourens' knowledge of the African wildlife was excellent and provided a good insight into understanding the countryside. His photographic expertise also meant that there were plenty of opportunities to get those wonderful precious shots of the game to keep as memories of the trip. Having someone who understands Africa so well as African Big 5 Safaris means that you will have memories to last a lifetime. There were many different types of activities offered to us so you didn't feel like you were doing the same thing every day. So if you love wildlife, the wild African landscape and want a memorable safari experience African Big 5 Safaris are the way to go.
DK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Remote and Beautiful Botswana
We are a family of 7 and we have dreamed of touring Botswana for many years. Only now did we get the chance to visit this amazing wildlife..
We chose Safari Lifestyles as they answered all of our questions very well and honestly... We thought we would like to go to lodges but we realised this would be too expensive. Safari Lifestyles suggested a private camping safari for just our family...
We were not so sure what to expect but Roger gave us much information and made sure we were very comfortable...
We stayed in very wild areas and no one else was with us for the whole trip. Our guide and food were really better than we expected and there was not one animal we didnt see.. including lions close to camp at night.... I didn't sleep that evening but we were very safe.. We are from Denmark and this was a real adventure for us.
This was the best holiday we have ever had and it was our first safari....
We would say that Safari Lifestyles is very good and listened to what we wanted and helped us with everything... Roger even came out to see us for one evening for dinner in his own car.
Wonderful.
Saw the big 5
Showed up to Africa hoping to see the big 5. My guide managed to show me the big 5, including the leopard which is apparently quite elusive. Nothing more I can ask for really.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our best family holiday
We spent a week with Rob, the first 4 days in Chobe and the rest in Meno a Kwena. He was an excellent guide and was very good company and kept us entertained and occupied throughout our stay. He was excellent with our children who were then 13,14 and 15.
The camping in Chobe was very memorable and we saw all the big 5 bar a rhino, which we saw at Meno a Kwena.
I would thoroughly recommend it as a holiday - cheap it isn't, but Botswana is expensive, and you get a lot of space to yourself, no minibuses driving in a convoy chasing game.