50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once-in-a-lifetime at Motswiri Lodge in Madikwe Reserve
Our Safari-With-Us trip and experience was fantastic! Your driver was on time, very friendly and a safe driver. Motswiri Lodge exceeded our expectations in comfort and service. The meals and room were great, and the animals made several visits to the on-site water hole.
The safari rides were exceptional--in three rides we got to see all the big five, had great weather, and just enjoyed everything.
Our experience was once-in-a-lifetime.
We will recommend you to anyone who asks!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kruger/Victoria Falls/Chobe safari
We used Compass Odyssey to book our 11 day safari in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana and they were outstanding to work with. Within a day of sending an inquiry, Darren had responded with some initial thoughts and got to work putting together a draft itinerary. African safaris are not cheap and we had a budget, which Darren worked with to get us an incredible experience. We worked back and forth with Darren for several weeks narrowing hotel choices to fit our price range and include the experiences we wanted. After getting an itinerary in place, we decided to split time in Kruger at two different places and Darren quickly rearranged lodging so that we could experience different parts of the park.
The lodging options available to Compass Odyssey are excellent and we were able to have very different experiences at all four of our locations. While we chose more budget oriented options, Darren placed us in excellent accommodations that put us right in the middle of greater Kruger. He also chose accommodations that were run by great people that treated us like family. Where else in the world would someone make you a patriotic cake for July 4th (we are from the US)? Several of the lodge owners knew Darren personally and it became clear he had done a lot of leg work to get us the best experience to fit within our budget.
The safari itself was great and we saw every animal we set out to see. I recommend staying in different parts of Kruger or visiting several different parks because the terrain and animal viewing differs and it maximizes your chances of seeing everything. Food was excellent, accommodations were very safe and staff took good care of us. An African safari had been our dream for years and we it was even better than we had imagined.
My wife and I travel a lot, but this was our first time in Africa and the first time I had ever prepaid for an entire trip (other than a cruise). I was nervous about putting everything into the hands of someone I had never met on the other side of the and Darren was very patient with my questions and nervousness. Having completed a trip planned by Compass Odyssey I can say in complete confidence that you have nothing to worry about. Compass Odyssey will have all the details planned out from lodging to transportation. Darren is based in Cape Town, which we did not visit, so we did not get to meet him personally. On our next trip we plan to visit Cape Town/Namibia and go on one of the tours Darren personally leads.
I definitely recommend using Compass Odyssey for booking a safari in South Africa and surrounding counties.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organized with a personal touch
We booked our two week safari and beach tour oof Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar with Africa Mc. Flash. We had a fair idea of what we wanted to do, so we sent our outline to Peter and he did the rest. Everything was handled very professionally, our safari drivers were great, the choice of hotels were perfect and we got to do what we had planned for our tour. Despite short time, we saw all of the animals that anyone could want to see on safari, and we had a great relax in two different resorts on Zanzibar. I would recommend Africa Mc. Flash to anyone, although not as slick as some of the bigger operators, we got the presonal touch, which was much appreciated. All in all, top grade!
PT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excelente!
Great trip through West Africa: Kenya, Tanzania and a small tour of the gorillas in Rwanda. All organized by It Started in Africa with an unprecedented service excellence. All the logistics were handled according to our plans and save one or another small detail, nothing failed. We could not be happier. The highlight was the Tanzania where we visit the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar.
P.S. I'm using google translator to translate my text Portuguese to English
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome stay in Arusha
I recommend Face of Africa Adventures to anyone looking for a serious and affordable tour operator in Arusha for a safari or for any other fun activities in the region. We had some days to spend in Arusha after our Safari, and they made sure we enjoy every moment during our stay there, we went hiking in national parks, swimming in some beautiful hots prings and admiring some of the most amazing waterfalls of the region. Thank you FOAA for the wonderful time in Arusha, and thank you Hamadi, our guide, for your kindness, hospitality and patience, you have made our stay in Arusha the highlight of our trip in Tanzania and we hope to come back soon to climb Kilimanjaro with you. For travellers to Tanzania, don't hesitate to contact FOAA if you want to have the best of your time there.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We saw a lot of wild animals and visited diferent countries; s.africa,botswana,zimbabwe and zambia.
The safari Vic Falls and Chobe 7 day tour was amazing and wonderful.We enjoyed it very much.We saw a lot of wild animals and took very good photos.The lodges and the meals were excellent.
In the future, a good idea would be to leave Southafrica (the first leg) a bit earlier to arrive at Khama Rhino Sanctuary before sunset in order to see the animals with daylight.
Thanks to Andre and his collegues for the quick and good organization.We will recommend this tour to our friends.
NE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kapolondo is a swindler, he took our money for a luxury safari, but we had budget and unsafe safari
We bought a luxury safari, especially because we travelled with a 9 month baby. We needed security and comfort.
But, instead, we had to stay in budget lodge (We paid 4720 USD per person). When we told him we were angry, he did nothing. During all the safari, he didn't respect his contract, he never informs us in advance of change. If he was correct, if an hotel is full, he could inform us and propose us another choice, with eventually another price. We saw Kapolondo himself at the beginning of the tour and he did'nt inform us of the change, even for the first night. He is coward. He made on our back about 100 to 500 USD by night for 4 nights he made a change.
Worst the car wasn't safe, a wire caught fire, we had to stop in emergency but there was not hand brake, we had to run to stop the car with a stone and to put out the fire. We travelled with a 9-month baby...
At the end of the trip, we asked him for an amical settlement. He accepted it and asked us to send an email. we did it, but he never answers.
He didn't organise our trip, the guide didn't know the program. We had to wait 2 hours before entering Segerenti park (while the other cars waiting 30 minutes) because he didn't book the hotel the day before. We did not visit some part of the program.
He didn't inform us that we have 5% visa charge before we paid. But, it's a legal obligation, he must inform the customer before the payment! He didn’t inform us that we have to paid for the luggage for each internal flight, about 100 USD more for the 3 flights.
We will file a complaint against him in court.
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly an adventure of a lifetime.
We booked a trip with Anda after reading some wonderful reviews. Turns out it was the best decision we had ever made. The three blessed ladies of Anda were ever so helpful in planning our trip and made sure to cater to our every need. We were greeted with hospitality that was well beyond our expectations.
Our guide, Six (yes that's his name) picked us up from the airport and drove us through the entire 7 day journey. He was extremely patient and knowledgeable from his numerous (he said thousands) trips to Serengeti. We were treated to breathtaking views of wildlife and culture everyday. From lions, to gazelles, right into the middle of a large herd of migrating wildebeest.
I kid not when i say there were wilderness as far as the eye could see.
Accommodations were extremely well chosen. We felt very safe and were very comfortable right up to the last day.
If I were to travel to tanzania again, I would definitely choose Anda again. (:
Safari with Davis!
Booked a safari with Intrepid , which was handled by Davis.
Great guide, good companion & a really nice chap .
We plan to go back in 2017 directly with Davis this time.
I Recommend him 100% + !!
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
One of the highlights of our Tanzanian holiday!
This was the best place we stayed at during our 2 week trip to Tanzania, and we stayed at some great places! We were made to feel part of the family, from the first hour! It felt like all the activities on the farm were focused on the animals and us. After being shown around, and "introduced" to the rescued animals, we simply participated in what was going on there. The horse riding was lovely, and they took perfect care of our 9 year old daughter who had never ridden before - she is hooked! There were so many activities to do: highlights for us were the bat cave in the canyon, and Tom the tortoise on the neighbouring farm (and the hike back!). Nothing we asked was too much trouble, the service was perfect. We had all our meals with the our hosts, Eli and Laszlo, and the other guests, and the food was magnificent - the best we had anywhere in Tanzania! Meal times were very social with lots of entertaining stories and insights. I cannot recommend Makoa Farm highly enough, it will be the first place we go back to on our next trip to Tanzania.