35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional
We had a fantastic experience with Africa Travel Waves. We started communicating with Edwina while still in the US and she was exceptional - responsive and very helpful with planning. Everything was well organized and stress-free.
Our drivers Vincent and Samuel were excellent—skilled, friendly, and very knowledgeable, which made the trip even better. The accommodations were comfortable and welcoming, with great food that our whole family enjoyed throughout the stay. We saw so many amazing animals, created wonderful memories for the kids, and truly learned a lot along the way.
An unforgettable experience—we highly recommend Africa Travel Waves
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience from beginning to end!
Great experience booking our Tanzania Safari with Brilliant. Communication with Gladys was prompt and professional throughout, even as we requested and repriced many options and changes. Was originally quoted a five day drive-in and drive-out itinerary, and was happy to hear a fly-in and drive-out itinerary could be arranged when we inquired. This cut out about 6 hours of transit for little change in the price, and was favored for our family. We booked rather late into the season so accommodations for Zanzibar were somewhat limited, but Gladys was happy to price airport transport only for this leg of the trip and we booked our own accomodations. We were mostly happy with all the lodges they selected, with our only complaints being one-off quirks (noisy tent neighbors, or low water pressure).
The safari was splendid! George was our driver and guide, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Very attentive and flexible to what we wanted to see during the trip, but beyond that had a sixth sense for where to be to catch animals up close. Saw up close numerous elephants, giraffe, zebra, even lions on multiple sightings. Many animals we were not familiar with or had even heard of, George would whip out a guidebook and show us what we were looking at. Besides just showing us the animals, he had interesting facts and trivia to share for almost everything we saw, and made for great conversation between destinations. Also stopped at a few points of interest (and voluntarily skipped a couple) while we bought local food or snapped pictures of the scenery. We also had a 6 year old who loved to stand on the seat's armrest in order to look out the car's roof, and he always drove carefully or advised her to sit down when the road got too rough.
On more than one occasion when we were at a park for a picnic lunch, George had the foresight to bring tables and chairs, and we enjoyed a meal right away while multiple other groups stood around waiting for a table. The vehicle was well stocked with refrigerated drinks and snacks and kept in great condition.
Highly recommend the crew at Brilliant for the next booking, especially Gladys in the office and George as the guide. Ask for them!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Holiday Destination
Had a wonderful time in Tanzania. Spent most of the time on Zanzibar, went on a walking tour of Stone Town, the guide was very knowledgeable and even took us through the market to do some shopping. It was both relaxing and fun. Went on a 1 day safari on the mainland, which was nice but didn't see as many animals as I had hoped to. Weather was hot and sunny, water was blue and calming when out on a boat. The local people are very kind, very helpful and very accommodating to the needs of tourists, they helped us a lot to visit all the sites and places of interest in Zanzibar. Great food especially on the East Coast. It felt very safe there both in the day and in the night.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible!! truly a once in a lifetime experience
Our safari was nothing short of incredible. We saw every animal all thanks to our guide Thadey Benny who went above and beyond for us. We started in Tarangire, lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and lake Eyasi. The Serengeti is so breathtakingly beautiful, the people are beautiful and I’ll definitely be back!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stunning vacation destination PACKED with wildlife!
We spent over a week in South Africa, and it was not nearly enough time. Getting there from the northwest US took a very long time, especially with insane flight delays, but the minute we arrived, it was amazing. We stayed in Camps Bay, Cape Town, and had an ocean view while surrounded by lush vegetation. There were loads of exotic plants and birds all around us. I highly recommend Boulders Beach, particularly on a week day, when it's less crowded, to see the penguins. I've seen penguins in the snow but never on a beach and in a wooded area, and it was so much fun. The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens were a beautiful destination, and even in winter there was a lot in bloom. The Cape of Good Hope viewpoint and lighthouse areas were also spectacular, and we saw lots of wildlife there, including wild ostriches, just roaming down the road (also elands, seals, and many birds)! Simon's Town is a charming place for walking and dining, to see the wild baboons in town, and to book a shark cage dive (water was cold, and visibility wasn't great the day we went but we still saw a ton of sharks and seals).
After a few days in Cape Town, we flew over to Kruger National Park and spent three nights at Ivory Wilderness (5/5 stars; accommodation was romantic and food was delicious) in the Klaserie Game Reserve and WOW -- we saw a ton of animals within 2 minutes of leaving Hoedspruit airport. On the drive to our lodge, we saw zebra, elephants, giraffes, dwarf mongooses, impalas, hornbills, and many other birds. On our game drives the next few days we saw all the big five several times over, plus a ton of other species of mammals and birds. (Fortunately we avoided snakes entirely as it was winter!) I loved how the guides were very respectful of the wildlife and regulations in the reserve, like no more than 2 safari vehicles at an animal sighting at the same time, which gave the animals more space and gave us a more private/special wildlife viewing experience. Doing a couple morning and evening game drives let us see a wider variety of animals and behaviors. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and informative and really made the whole experience incredibly memorable and special.
I wish we had had more time to explore and hike and enjoy more of South Africa, and I would go back in a heartbeat. Don't let the distance or worries about language barriers deter you -- it's worth the trip!
CH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Maasai Mara is a breathtaking place where endless savannahs, unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Visiting the Maasai Mara was an unforgettable experience. The vast scenery of endless golden plains, dotted with acacia trees and framed by dramatic skies, feels almost unreal. The absolute highlight was witnessing the incredible wildlife — from lions resting in the shade to elephants crossing the savannah, and even the famous wildebeest migration, which is a spectacle of nature unlike anything else. The guides were not only knowledgeable but also very attentive to safety, which made me feel comfortable at all times, even when we were just a few metres away from big cats. What impressed me most was the balance between adventure and security — the park allows you to feel close to nature while still being in good hands. Overall, the Maasai Mara is a place I would recommend to anyone looking for breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable encounters, and a safe, well-guided safari experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Mikumi National Park by Heather
Didn't see as many animals as expected, expected to see herds of different animals but that was not the case.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
Our 7-day safari in the breathtaking Serengeti was an unforgettable experience, and a significant part of that was due to our incredible guide, Shafino. His professionalism and extensive knowledge truly set him apart. With 25 years in the industry, Shafino's expertise in identifying plants and animals is unparalleled; he is the go-to guide for many other professionals seeking tips on where to find wildlife.
One of the most important aspects of a safari that many don't consider is the off-road driving. The routes through the Serengeti often take you away from the paved paths, and this is where Shafino's skills as a driver really shine. We witnessed several other vehicles struggling in difficult terrains, but thanks to Shafino’s remarkable driving abilities, we never once felt at risk of getting stuck. This level of competence allowed us to spend more time enjoying the sights rather than worrying about getting stranded.
Shafino is not just a great guide; he embodies the complete safari experience. His passion for wildlife and the Serengeti is infectious, making our adventure not just about viewing animals but also about understanding the entire ecosystem. If you're planning a safari, Shafino is undoubtedly the guide you want on your side. Highly recommend!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely amazing!!!
What a breathtaking trip organized by Mardi. Talk about a dream vacation.
Mardi was beyond fantastic!!
She organized a two week itinerary for us through Namibia staying in the best lodges.
Namibia experience was far beyond anything we had dreamt of.
Thank you so much Mardi!!!
We are already excited to plan our next trip with you..this time in Botswana 😊
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly Amazing
We just came back from a 4-day Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari tour offered by the Amazing Memories Safaries Tour. I did the background research on safaribookings.com, checked the reviews and government licensing, and I sent inquiries to my top 4 picks, Titus from Amazing Memories was one of the first two to reply. I ultimately chose Amazing Memories because of Titus’s detailed and professionally presented quote. During the planning process Titus was very responsive and informative. His clear and professional communication made me feel I was dealing with a legit business. I made the 25% deposit via their website. On the morning of the tour, Titus and his college met us at our hotel lobby promptly, gave us a brief of the daily activity of the tour and collect the rest 75% cost, at exactly the amount originally agreed upon. Then they handed us over to our driver guide John, who drove us from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara. We are very happy with John’s service, he is quiet but informative, he pointed out and told us about the wild animals we encountered. He was always helpful and courteous. We only missed leopard out of the big five, and we saw the great migration of the wildebeests, plus many other amazing creatures. John always (amazingly) positioned the jeep so we could have a clear view of and get up close to the animals even at the times there were several other tours around. For two days he took us to Safaries from 6:30am to 6:30pm. On the last day as our flight was late in the evening, he gave us a short city tour back in Nairobi and even took us shopping for coffee at the local market. He dropped us off at the airport around 7:30pm. We couldn’t be more grateful for his dedication. All in all, we are very happy with Amazing Memories Safaries, we would absolutely recommend it to any one and wouldn’t hesitate to utilize its service again.
