Best African Honeymoon Organiser Ever (if Carlsberg made safari tour operators...)
Timbuktu excelled at everything. We spent a year planning our honeymoon in South Africa with Johnny from Timbuktu, who went out of his way to make sure the trip was prefect for us, within budget, with lots of variety at a relaxed pace. He even managed to organise a bespoke 'off menu' three day private horse riding trek into Lesotho which absolutely blew us away.
While in South Africa, Johnny and his team made sure to phone ahead to ensure everything was sorted and was ready to help us with any issue we might have, like where do we have dinner with our friends on New Years Eve? Not strictly part of our trip with Timbuktu, but Johnny did an excellent job anyway - and the restaurant was top class.
Our Safari was amazing, and Johnny made sure that we (who knew nothing about Safari) had enough time and budget to stay at Phinda, one of the top game reserves in the country. It did not fail to disappoint. We were so lucky to have Timbuktu over any other tour operator, and would recommend Johnny and his team to anyone wanting to organise a hassle free African adventure. Five stars.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had a great time
This tour was perfect for us, much more affordable then many other options we looked at and it was exactly what we were after. John was an awesome host, we had some good laughs and he was very knowledgeable. I changed the itinerary heaps of times but it was never an issue and always worked out well. They are very good with coordination and ensuring we did everything we wanted to do. It is very independent touring as well, we didn't have someone "babying" us all the time however they were always there when we needed them and organised everything fine, so it was exactly what we were looking for.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Winner comes home! and what a win!
Yes I won the seven night, eight day Ultimate African Safari with Churchill Safaris - offered in International Traveller Magazine. My daughter & I flew into Entebbe, had a great night at Papyrus Lodge then set out with our wonderful driver Ivan & another traveller Brett. The four of us off to Kibale - with lunch stop at Fort Portal & spend our 2nd night at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House. Early start to track the chimps - bit of a climb but so much fun. So many photos. Off to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive & stay at the fabulous Kasenyi Lodge. The tents were amazing & so was the food! Next day a cruise on the Kazinga Channel - elephants, hippos, crocodiles, baboons water buffalo & birds galore. Another 5 course dinner & some sleep & off to new Lake Mulehe Lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - oh what a view. Next morning the time had finally arrived - gorilla trekking. Impossible to convey this once in a life time experience. Yes we had to walk where trackers cut a path at our feet using machetes. Yes there were lots of vines - but few bugs. Yes it was so worth every step. What a memory.
The next day off to Lake Mburo National Park to stay at the Lodge & welcome rest with a game drive & another opportunity to see zebra, warthogs & so many other park dwellers.
In summary, this was a wonderful adventure, an excellent itinerary, well organised, excellent lodges, great food, water freely available at all times & friendly people all the way. I am a grandmother & nearly a septuagenarian - I have heaps of photos & so many happy memories.
I did it - why don't you?
Thank you very much Churchill Safaris
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing once in a lifetime Safari
My whole life I’ve wanted to go on a safari & African adventure Specialists Safari tour made my dream a reality. Andrew & his team went out of their way to make everything so special for us. Communication & service was incredible. We will absolutely be back... 100% recommend them!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For the past 3years I've contracted them, they've been Very professional and competent
Communication is very timely and useful. the service is commendable with a wide range of options available and communicated. The tour is well planned and lives up to expected standards
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a wonderful safari, better than we expected!
We first saw this company as a sponsor of "Nature" on PBS. The owner was available by phone in the U.S. which made communication very easy. Jessica was very caring and made sure all our questions were answered as needed. Together we designed our custom tour so that we could travel a little slower, allowing us to relax as well as time to do some bird watching. A nice mix of accommodations; surprisingly luxurious resorts, a tented cabin, and a mobile camp in Serengeti. We were offered cultural experiences, and we chose the walk through a village near Karatu and a couple of walks by different guides local to each area. Our driver and guide, Yunus, was very knowledgeable about animals and birds, and loved nature. He went the extra mile to make sure we saw all the critters we had mentioned and many more. As a driver he was always very safe. The owner, kept in touch with our guide throughout the safari, checking to make sure all was well. Finally our scenic flight from Serengeti to Arusha topped off our stay. In summary, we will always have very fond memories of our wonderful safari with Dancing Zebra.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful Safari Trip - hopefully one of many!!
This was an incredible experience! I provided Maggie the dates we wanted to go, and she coordinated a detailed itinerary that exceeded all expectations! They even changed their schedule to meet me earlier due to my early plane arrival!
Our driver, Anwar, was incredible. We had a great time in the vehicle with Anwar, and learned a lot while seeing the animals in their habitat. I can't thank these two enough for the experience, highly recommend!
FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Ruaha National Park by Rudiger Schultz
I had in the Ruaha the best accommodation, the Mwagusi lodge inside the Park with a astonishingly, luxury service.
FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Mahale Mountains National Park by Rudiger Schultz
The Park is excellent as is its wildlife and nature. The standard accommodation there is not overwhelming but all in all I rate the price-quality-relation as satisfying.
FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A lot of nerves needed
This is merely a Review about Gombe Track & Safari, The Mahale Nationalpark, their guiding and accommodation as well as the Coast View Resort Hotel in Kigoma.
I was picked up in Dar from my hotel early in the morning and in time and brought to the airport. My flight with Tanzania Air was also very good and smooth. I arrived on the schedule in Kigoma where a car from the Gombe Track and Safari was waiting for. In addition to a driver, a cook was provided, who served me in Mahale very well. The car was in a bad shape and not suitable for the rough road of 107 km which I mentioned already on our way to the park. But we made it. After an exhausting trip, lasting 6 hours we reached the village from where a boat trip was organized. This speedboat hacked me through the waves so that my back was badly aching for hours after my arrival. However the most pleasant moments I had in Mahale although my driver from the Gombe Safari company had sent the boat to pick me up again for my return one day to early. We however got that settled well and I could stay as it was planned for 4 days enjoying the jungle and the Chimps I had paid for.
The boat came on the 23rd of January to pick me up again. It was late because of the rough waves on lake Tanganyika. The driver had been sleeping in his car overnight because he came one day too early. It was exactly the same car as on the trip to Mahale. This time happened what I had been expecting during our first trip. The car broke because of electrical problems after 35 km in the middle of nowhere on a hot and dusty road in the wilderness. Some Daladala busses dropped by until it got dark. I urged the driver several times to get into contact with Joshua, the manager of the company, several times. Joshua came to pick us up at 9 pm when it was already dark and brought us to Kigoma, where we arrived at 00:30, totally exhausted, dirty and sweaty at the booked hotel (Kigoma Coast View Resort) which has a 4 Star reputation. The receptionist, a girl had already fell asleep but opened us the door and has let me in into my room. Dirty as I was I wanted to get a cold shower but noticed, that there was no water in the hotel. The shower could not be used, the toilet not be flushed until the next morning from 7:45 am to 8:20 am, when the hotel manager allowed to put on the pump, which delivered the water into the rooms. So I had to sleep dirty and sweaty as I was in my sheets, getting no sleep at all. After taking my shower in the morning I waited to be picked up by Joshua and demanded to see the idiot of manager of that hotel and made clear that this kind of treatment of guest is not only unacceptable but a crime to the paying customer. He apologized but didn't give my money back which would have been the only acceptable way to proceed. I have been regularly in Tanzania for 7 years as a voluntary pediatrician and seen a lot of inconvenience but never have been in a situation like this. This hotel should be put onto a black list for avoiding damage to other customers. Also Gombe Safaris should have offered a compensation for all the problems with the car and for booking this hotel. I was offered a lunch on the day I left. I am sorry to say that but I have the impression after many years being in Afrika that companies which are running under local, african personnel and not able to offer proper level of service and endanger their customers. The next time I am taking a Safari I will make sure who is running the company. This should be a warning to every tourist coming from Europe or the States or Australia to pick their services carefully, avoiding local companies.