US
Everything was just what we wanted in a safari and everyone had a great time.
We wanted a guided, private 14 day safari for six adults that showed us all of Kruger National Park from north to south, and also included the Panorama Route. Wild Planet Safari far exceeded our expectations in providing this.
Our guide, Eric, was excellent, and we saw so much more wildlife than we ever expected to see because of his knowledge, experience, and skill. He knew all the best places for seeing wildlife, and even though we spent almost two weeks in Kruger and saw many animals multiple times, their situations and behaviors were always different, so it never got boring. We learned so much from Eric about the behaviors of wildlife in the park that we would be comfortable driving through there on our own now, although if we did we would still hire Wild Planet Safari for part of it, because you can’t beat having a knowledgeable guide with you. We were also impressed that Eric was helpful to tourists that asked him questions about sightings, just as he did with the other guides. Because of his knowledge we always felt safe with him; and he showed this even before we entered the park when we encountered the road blocked by people protesting. He pulled over well before the crowd, talked to other motorists coming from there about what was going on and the best route to avoid the protest, and only after having adequate information did we proceed.
One big reason we chose Wild Planet Safari was they provide a cook, and since we wanted to eat what the locals eat, we thought this would be a good option. Our cook, Hope, provided that perfectly, and we really enjoyed having him with us. We also have one person who has to be very careful about what he eats due to weakened immunity, and having Hope as our cook, he never had any concerns. Hope not only provided delicious meals, but he also shared South African cooking tips with our amateur cooks, along with talking about what life in South Africa is like. When telling people about our trip, the great meals provided by Hope are always brought up, along with his stories of dealing with monkeys and baboons trying to steal food while he’s cooking.
We wanted to stay at the camps inside Kruger, in rooms with beds, and again Wild Planet Safari was a perfect fit for us. Two places we stayed at outside of the park were very nice cottages, and all the single room cabins in the park were wonderful. Although park accommodations aren’t fancy, they are all unique, comfortable, roomy, and they always had a private bath and a refrigerator or small kitchen. It was fascinating to see the differences between American national park facilities and South African, and we even walked through a campground and saw that most African RVs and travel trailers have their kitchens attached on the outside under awnings, which considering the monkey problems was very surprising.
The vehicle was perfect for 6 people. With 3 rows of 3 seats everyone had a window seat and an empty seat between for coats and bags. Even between camps, with our 5 carry-on suitcases under the back seats and one large suitcase on a back seat, we still had plenty of window seats for wildlife viewing. The provided blankets were wonderful. Even though we had warm jackets, layers, and hats for an open-air vehicle, even at the slow speed limits in the park it is surprisingly cold, especially at dawn.
We also got to meet the owner, Ryan, and his young son when they resupplied us midway on our trip and joined us for meals, and again when he cooked for us on our last night. We had a great time listening to his stories over meals, just like we did on the rest of the trip with Eric and Hope. We only wish that Thale, Ryan’s wife, could of joined us, but she was out of the country. I always enjoyed talking with her via e-mails. She did a great job working with us, making all the arrangements, and even dealing with our almost missed first day due to a five hour flight delay.
Thank you Eric, Hope, Thale, and Ryan for making our trip to Kruger full of such wonderful memories.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience
We had a great experience with Antonio Safaris. Great communication, great custom itinerary, and amazing guides.
Anthony was our tour guide for Masai Mara and Lake Naivasha & "Rhino" was our guide for Ol Pejeta. They are both knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic about sharing their passion for their country and the beautiful animals and people that live in it. The company was very responsive with us and recommended great locations within budget. Transparency and honesty is something else we appreciated from this company. We recommend them to any viewers and family and friends as well! ASANTE SANA!
US
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
US
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!
US
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!
US
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 😊
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
He is the perfect safari guide—knowledgeable, funny, adaptable, and genuinely passionate.
We had the absolute dream experience with our safari guide, Mbwana. From start to finish, everything was seamless and worry-free. His knowledge of the animals and the land was unmatched, and his passion for wildlife was truly inspiring. He has a gift for making the experience both educational and incredibly fun, with just the right balance of insight, humor, and hospitality.
His flexibility and willingness to adapt the trip to our interests impressed us most, ensuring we got the most out of every moment. He genuinely cares about his clients and goes above and beyond to ensure the experience is comfortable, engaging, and unforgettable. Thanks to him, we never had a single concern.
We would love to go again and cannot recommend him highly enough to anyone considering a safari. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure made perfect by Mbwana.
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lovely anniversary safari
We had a lovely time on this safari tour, Nickson arranged a tailored made package for our anniversary and Lu as game-ride guide was great throughout the three days, providing us with great information and insight to the parks, animals and local area.
Would highly recommend this team and company!
RU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
fun off-road riding
everything is fine and beautiful. but there is a lot of dust in the park and it is better to take medical masks with you
CO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari Experience
The safari experience was amazing! Michael was a great guide, everything was well organized and taken care of. The hotels were comfortable with beautiful views, the car was very comfortable and all food was delicious.
During the drives we’ve seen all animals we hoped and much more!
An unforgettable experience!
