US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thrilling Trip for Young and Old!
While planning a 3-month multi-country trip with my granddaughter, beginning in January, I felt at a loss at where to begin to find a wildlife safari to kick off our trip. Turning to TripAdvisor, I began to read top reviews for Shadows of Africa, so decided to contact them first, expecting to wait a few days for an answer as it was a weekend. The response came within hours from Stacy (in California) and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship! From then on, all questions and concerns were addressed almost immediately.
Our timing was critical as we needed to be at our first volunteer program within a certain time frame, I wanted to arrive two days early to reduce jet lag, and I wanted to know what would happen after we arrived at an unfamiliar airport. I needn’t have been concerned about any of these things. Stacy assured me that everything could be handled nicely, and she was so right! She made arrangements for us at a clean, comfortable hotel, an airport pickup and drop-off, and made provisions for our extra luggage while we would be on safari. Knowing all that beforehand eliminated a lot of potential travel stress.
As we were checking into the hotel after a morning arrival, we met not only Richard, who would be our guide/driver, but also Natasha, the owner of Shadows of Africa. What a wonderful and personal welcome! We headed to our room shortly after for some much-needed sleep. Richard would be meeting us the following morning for a day tour of Arusha. Stacy had mentioned a possible visit to an orphanage that the company supports, but we hadn’t expected to have the extra day of attention. Richard gave us time at a museum, then strolled the streets of Arusha with us so that we could get a feel for local activity. Even though it took him an hour and a half to drive home, due to Arusha traffic, he wanted us to have a full day. The day included a visit, not only to the orphanage, but also to Natasha’s home for another visit with her. She assured us that we could keep our extra luggage there, which helped us immensely. We felt we were in the hands of friends more than a commercial outfit.
From the time we met Richard, through our day tour, then our 4-day safari, I constantly peppered Richard with questions, not only about the parks, but about life, customs, behaviors, current events, and even personal opinions. Richard always responded graciously, even when felt I was being a nuisance and apologized. Our days were full of wonder as we saw all the beautiful animals, even being within a stone’s toss of 27 elephants crossing in front of us and stared in awe at two magnificent male lions within whispering distance. We saw everything we could have possibly seen. But just as important to me was the chance to exchange thoughts and opinions with Richard, an outstanding host (guide/driver)! The only negative note to the experience was that Godi, our cook, thought we didn’t like his cooking. We could never convince him that our appetites couldn’t handle his overly-generous portions of wonderfully-prepared food.
I have already recommended Shadows of Africa to one of the volunteers at our next destination, and I will continue to do so, every chance I get.
FR
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
a perfect immersion in the real world of safari
a 10 days camping in the parks of Botswana, sleeping in a tent in the middle of the wild, with a good team ready to cope with any situation, and we saw so many animals then. we have been in many different types of safaris since and it remains our best souvenir.
IN
Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience in short time
People were friendly , helpfull. It was a good clean experience with room for improvement.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional experience!
I was lucky enough to be able to find Zazu Tours to experience the Tarangire National Park, The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Ol DuPai Gorge. Even with the great deal of excitement I had for this trip, I was completely taken away by the natural beauty I experienced during this trip. Further to this, the variety of terrains from the jurassic park like rainforest of the Ngorongoro crater to the vast planes of the Serengeti, made me feel like I had visited four different worlds in the period of 4 days and completely revolutionized the my depth of understanding for the beauty you could see in Tanzania.
The guides did a fantastic job of bringing us to a variety of different landscapes and showcasing many different animals. Not only did they provide extensive knowledge of the animals and scenery we were seeing but also how the Tanzanian culture linked to these animals. Having gone on a couple safaris in East Africa since then I've found no one better at this. For anyone considering a safari in East Africa I would highly suggest Zazu Tours to experience the immense beauty of Tanzania!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best adventure ever!
On our way back from a wonderful 2-week adventure in Peru with friends in October 2013, we started talking about our next trip. Going on safari in Africa was high on the list - someday. Three months later we got a call from our friends and the planning began in earnest. After perusing the websites of a few of the hundreds of safari tour operators in Tanzania, we selected Ecological Wilderness Adventures - and it was the best choice we could have made! From the first email to owner Brian Meng'oriki to the final farewell at Kilimanjaro airport, it was a travel dream come true. Not only were Brian and his staff prompt and professional in all of our communications, they were a real pleasure to work with - and as enthusiastic about our trip as we were! We sent them a wish list of the eight wildlife parks we wanted to visit (including the remote and off-the-beaten-path Lake Natron) and various cultural activities we'd like to experience. Brian and Baraka created a 2-week itinerary that fulfilled our wish list - and more. The pre-trip conversations with Ken (the US/Canada contact) were invaluable; he graciously answered our million questions and shared his own trip experiences with EWA.
From the moment we stepped off the airplane in Kilimanjaro and were met by the welcoming smiles of Brian and Sammy, our guide for the trip, until we were dropped off at the airport two weeks later with farewell gifts in hand, all we had to do was enjoy the incredible journey we had embarked upon. Every meal, every accomodation, every park entrance, and every cultural activity were taken care of by EWA, as well as some serendipitous side trips provided by Sammy. The delicious food, the comfortable tented camps, and the genuine hospitality we received at every venue - we couldn't have wished for better.
But the highlight of any safari is the wildlife! Lions and leopards, zebras and wildebeest (aka gnus!), baboons and monkeys, giraffes and antelopes, warthogs and hippos, cape buffalo and elephants, jackals and hyenas, and the birds! Flamingos, crowned cranes, ostriches, storks, vultures, eagles, francolins, bustards, plovers, bee-eaters, hornbills, weavers, and my favorite - the lilac-breasted roller. But the highlight of our many wildlife encounters was sharing the road with a black rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater. We had spied him in the distance most of the day (looking like a hump of rock in the grass) and had just about given up hope of a close-up view, when he stood and headed our way (Sammy had stopped the vehicle between the rhino and the stream). He casually sauntered across the road right in front of us! Cameras clicking like mad, we watched him until he disappeared in the grass.
I could go on and on, but the bottom line is - you will have the trip of a lifetime going on safari with Ecological Wilderness Adventures. Brian and his team have the experience, the expertise, and, most importantly, the enthusiam to ensure an unsurpassed travel adventure! Asante sana, EWA!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Prices and the Personal Touch
I have used Waymark Safaris several times for my Nairobi arrangements, the latest being in August and September, 2014. The service they provide is outstanding and their prices are considerably less than other local outfitters I've seen. On the safari (booked by a safari planner in the US), my roommate got sick and was airlifted to the Nairobi Hospital for a week. The company whose camp we were at handled the initial arrangements, but, with only one person in Nairobi, they weren't able to be her advocate after a couple of days. That's when I called Kennedy at Waymark and asked if he could help. He wasn't in Nairobi, but his wife Val and another lady in their office stepped in and made sure that everything went smoothly for my roommate. When she checked out of the hospital, they set up hotel arrangements and transport for her so that she could rejoin our group on the last day for our Nairobi tour. They didn't have to do any of this, since they weren't the outfitters for the actual safari, but their care, compassion and competency were invaluable. And this wasn't the first time! On a safari in 2007, my sister became ill from the malaria meds. When we arrived in Nairobi several hours before our flight home, Kennedy found a place for her to rest and took her to a pharmacy to ensure that she had the meds she needed to help her get home. If you want great personal service from your Kenya outfitter, you can't beat Waymark Safaris!
FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Arrangements worked as was promised.
The driver was very experienced and served us well. He came to pick us half an hour earlier than the time agreed - not so common in Kenya! We saw good variety of animals although the flocks were much smaller than the previous time we visited Mara (about 20 years ago!). The accomodation was ok and the food excellent.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
it is a wonderful adventure!
Communications, service, living up was was perfect. Everything organised on the very good level. David, ouer guide was wonderful. We felt freely, and at the same time under protection our guide.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
It was everything I was expecting and more. Literally everything was nicer/cleaner/better than I was expecting. Mark Cahill, the managing director, was very friendly and easy to talk to about any questions regarding the trip. He customized several details of the trip to accommodate our wishes and travel needs. The trip went very smoothly. If you want a hassle free way to see one of the most incredible places in the world, choose Odyssey Safaris!
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professionalism and Hospitality
As someone who loves to travel all over the world, Tanzania has probably been the one that was the greatest surprise, full of excitement, hospitality, amazing nature and wildlife and an out of the beaten track feeling.
I can't say much about It Started in Africa except that they provide me with the best experience in my life in terms of traveling. The Serengeti is something EVERYONE should visit in their lifetime, and go as soon as possible, it may be very different in the future. Needless to say, I had a smooth tour, with a fantastic guide who seem to had bionic eyes :) I did not expect to see so many wildlife like I did. Congratulations, will definitely come back one day.