He is the best
First I enjoyed alot with Goldfinch since the have good communication skills so far I can recommend the driver FRANK he had the best cooperation and the funniest stories and good company where he had good language to us in whatever thing we asked for assistance he helped of all really enjoyed his company.Also I liked the lunch box with variety of eating items😅😊
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My life-long dream holiday came true!
We had an amazingly perfect time on the 8-Day Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon Tour & Greater Kruger National Park Safari with Mmilo Tours. The communication, service and reliability were all excellent. Highlights were:
• We got to spend time with the extremely knowledgeable and lovely Patrick Sylvester and saw some amazing things.
• The very comfortable room (with the biggest bathroom ever!) in Dar Amane Guesthouse.
• The wonderful experience in Moholoholo Forest Camp, where the accommodation was beautiful (in the forest with the sounds of nature), the food amazing and time with Malcom the guide on the bush walk was something very special.
• The Mjejane River Lodge and everything about it (accommodation, guide Lookie, the food, the animals roaming around) was a perfect end to a wonderful trip full of memories.
Thank you!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful trip for Grandparents and 9 yr old Grandson
All in all it was a fabulous vacation. Everything went off without any complications or issues. Flights and car transfers all very good.
Lodges
Kariega: Beautiful lodge in beautiful setting. Staff was good. Guide Monde was great. Game viewing excellent. Room excellent. Lodge was very cold because of weather. We just dressed warm. Missed one day of safari because of rain storm. Nothing to do at lodge but use internet. No board games to play or things for kids to do. They did have stuffed animals in their shop so we bought a couple for our Grandson and he ended up playing with them. Food was good for adults. Did not think this place was set up for kids. Would not recommend to children under 12. Definitely recommend for adults. Great sightings here!
Shamwari: Excellent lodge with spectacular rooms. This is lodge is a "Must" if you have kids. Setting and game viewing not as good as Kariega but still very good. This lodge was EXCEPTIONAL from rooms, to guide - Sam, to staff, to food (the Chef is amazing) and things to do. We were highly impressed. Everyone was so friendly and seemed to enjoy working there. It is a kids heaven and the staff was just great with our Grandson and the other kids. This was definitely a winner! We can't say enough good about this lodge. Grandson wants to go back once a month.
Hog Hollow: Great location for activities. Staff were very good and so was food. Not much to do at lodge. Rooms were outdated and had funky smell. No shampoo or hair conditioner. We had our best weather here 82 F. We went to the Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Wild Cat Sanctuary, Reptile Sanctuary, beaches and Plettenberg. Our Grandson had a blast at all of these places and so did we. It was his first time at the beach and he couldn't get enough of it. Our drive/guide Irma was very helpful and was super nice. Recommend the area but not Hog Hollow. After staying at the other places it was not up to par. Would have preferred a more updated place or something on the beach. But we survived and had so much fun!
Victoria & Alfred: How could we beat this place in Cape Town. I don't think it would be possible. Beautiful rooms and views. Delicious food. Great (BEST) location. Highly recommend.
Monique did such a wonderful job on creating our vacation and we appreciate all of the work she put into it. We will have life-long memories from this trip. Our Grandson was excited to start everyday because of the constant new experiences. It was a 10!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip was arranged just right, allowing us to fully experience the warmth of Africa
Communication: You can use your phone's built-in app or Alipay to purchase data, or you can use a local SIM card (get one right after you get off the plane).
Service: Service in many parts of Africa is much better than in China, so don't skimp on your spending.
Value for money: For $1,100, you can experience things you wouldn't even dream of in China.
Reliability: The tour group's Land Cruiser provides a great day of sightseeing, and you'll likely encounter plenty of antelope and monkeys near the accommodation. However, be careful not to wander around late at night.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari led by dedicated experienced local business
We went on a family safari with Longway and it was an incredible experience. Personal communication from start to finish, felt totally in safe hands and could ask all the questions we needed. Itinerary adjusted to suit us and then totally taken care of. Amazing quality accommodation - fantastically luxurious given our surroundings and met at start and end by Ann. Then the actual safari - Abu was a fantastic guide and wildlife spotter who knew exactly where to go and could spot things while driving that we missed even with binoculars. He was able to educate us about all the wildlife we saw and could fill us in on learning about Tanzania too. He was also very patient and accommodating and friendly to our three teens. I got quotes from a bunch of people but very quickly honed in on Longway and we are so glad we did. 100% recommend.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari with John and Baraka – Wildlife, Nature, and Magic Nights
A huge thanks to John and Baraka from Serengeti Smile for giving us an unforgettable safari. John’s driving skills, sharp eye for wildlife, and deep knowledge of the parks, combined with Baraka’s seamless organization, made the trip perfect from start to finish. We explored Tarangire, Serengeti, Northern Serengeti, and Ngorongoro before ending in Zanzibar, spotting the Big Five as well as hyenas, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, elephants, and countless other animals. The camps inside the parks were a highlight – comfortable, welcoming, with excellent food and the magical experience of sleeping surrounded by nature.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly Organized Safari – Big Five and So Much More!
We had an amazing safari with Serengeti Smile, visiting Tarangire, Serengeti, Northern Serengeti, and Ngorongoro before relaxing in Zanzibar. Our guide John was outstanding – an excellent driver, incredibly skilled at spotting wildlife, and navigating the parks with ease. Thanks to him, we saw the Big Five plus countless zebras, giraffes, elephants, and many more animals. The camps in the parks were fantastic, with delicious food and the unforgettable experience of sleeping in the heart of nature. Special thanks to Baraka for the flawless organization – together they made this a trip of a lifetime.
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The peace of Zanzibar and the adventure of the Serengeti together.
We had two kids, me and my wife. The first two days in Zanzibar were really relaxing. The kids played on the beach, my wife and I went diving. Then the real adventure began - Serengeti Safari! The guide showed us the lion, elephant, giraffe, and giant crocodile in one day. The view of the wildebeest crossing the river is unforgettable. All in all, a very nice trip.
EC
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best experience ever!
This really was an amazing experience. Our tour guide Amus, was so helpful and attentive. He was always trying to make this the best experience from the beginning to the end. We had an amazing time at Masai Mara and we saw so many animals thanks to Amus who went above and beyond and did the best so that we would have the best experience. I cannot recommend Axis enough.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very nice Safari: do it!
We did a 5-day safari. Overall the trip was really really great.
Accomodation 1 was good; People working were correct, nothing more.
Food was ok.
Accomodation nr 2 (tentcamp) was superb.
The people working there were extremely friendly and genuine; we had immediately a great contact with them. We loved them.
Food was good, service also excellent.
Tents were very very nice, clean; excellent view, beautifull setting. At nights hearing the hyena’s and other animals is very nice. Would have loved to stay longer. Stayed 2 nights.
Accomodation nr 3 was also superb. Really nothing wrong with this place; almost like a 5 star hotel. Now we are no retired people and there were a lot old rich people, so we connected best with nr 2, the tent. Those people there were real in their warmth, but still it was nice after a long trip to end the safari in such nice place.
Very good food also and lovely view from the terrace.
The Safari.
Mousa our driver is a great person and a very good driver. He’s also a knowledgable guide and has good eyes for spottjng animals.
He is funny, he gives you the feeling you’re safe and he drives more peacefully than most other drivers which is good if you wanna see things.
He never takes risks.
The car is old but it is a beast; it never let us down compared to many other cars we saw; a bit of luck you must have too.
Something mostly our daughter missed was wifi onboard. More modern cars have.
The roads are hell but part of the journey. Still I have to make one strong suggestion about the planning; going on day 3 all the way to north Serengeti and back in one day is to far; its 12 hours driving, you spent only 2 hours there; we did not go, especially after the very long days befor.
I would say for going north its better to go one day, stay and come back the next day. (So 6 days total)
Not only is that better for the tourists but also for the driver; I know people from Tanzania are touch and Mousa is mentally extremely strong and focussed, but there is a limit to what you can expect from a driver.
We spent that day with a morning safari and relaxing in the afternoon and that was for Mousa also a good thing.
(Also Nice he was eating together with us in nr 2; I never like it when people who work for us are in other accomodation or don’t get the same food; i do understand but it was in nr 2 pleasant to have him with us)
One suggestion: Give the driver a map and let him in the morning go through the program with the tourists; it is nice to have a bit of a schedule for the day (that is probably a bit european but especcialy with a kid on board, sometimes its good to know how long riders will be)
There were some small things that Mousa did not know, like that the massaï village was included in this trip so no extra payment was needed; but that is just for you to include better in his briefing and it was no big problem. We went and it was very interesting to see their difficult life.
Ofcourse after the visit they take you to tablet made of histamine with souvenirzaak; bargain a fair bit but do realise that a few dollars don’t change your life but helpt them to sustain.
I do understand that with so many safari’s and many drivers, briefing is complicated; overall Anitha from golden Trips Safaris did great.
The first park was very nice; felt like we needed more time there but the journey after the visit is long so I understood.
The walking safari was fun and i could have walked hours more but again i understand the schedule.
The guards were friendly and armed for our safety which makes it thrilling.
The Serengeti is extremely beautifull and not to be missed. People who only visit Ngorongorocrater miss a huge part of Tanzania’s rough nature.
We saw many lions, a few close as 2 meter, one hunting; we saw cheeta’s, a leopard, Servals (which is very rare), hyena’s and all the other more common big and small animals like hippo’s, elephants, giraffe, monkeys etc.
Also so many birds and different eagles and vultures.
It was hard to top that and when we were in Ngorongoro only the amount of animals and the migration of the wildebeasts made it more different; also flamingo’s and the schemert is great; but Serengeti was the TOP.
Unlucky we were with Rhino’s; we did not see them. But that’s part of the game.
The communication and work of Golden is superb;
It was excellent.
Anitha always reacts fast, friendly and proffesional at all my questions.
I was a bit worried about getting the flighttickets to Arusha in time but it worked out perfect.
Tip: its normal to get them the day befor leaving and in pdf; it takes away stress for europeans to know this cos we are used to plan long ahead.
Overall a truly memorable trip in an amazingly beautyfull country.
Would I book throughout Gold Safari’s again?
The answer is a fully YES.
I am very gratefull that we could have this experience and it was worth every minute and every euro!
Thank you so much Anitha, Mousa and al the others for your hard work.
Thank you also Mousa for all your giving.
Thank you people of Tanzania for all your love and taking care of us!
Respect.
Eric Bal
Netherlands.
