CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
a very good operator
when you choose and pay online an operator for your travels and holidays,you never know what you can find in the reality, also if the reviews on tripadvisor are the best ones....this time we met a very good,professional one.The driver was not young, so very careful in the savana,not a race but a long,well planned walk...the hotel proposed were good or simply beautiful.The general organization precise and well managed. In few words, someone you can trust
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
3 days in Bwindi Nationa park
I went for the safari trekking with Encounter Safaris, as they were the first to reply my mails and the most accurate (on internet, I've found that price are not differing a lot between operators).
Me and the other guest, Ana, had the beautiful travel across the south part of the country. Our cicerone was Joseph, which is a very good driver and extremely funny! He also knows a lot about safaris and we spent our time together happily talking about everything.
We spent out two nights in the budget Broadbill Camp, which is very ok considering to be in the middle of the jungle: I was able to receive calls and call my office :( . The food vas very good as my fresh Club Beer, always available (you have to pay it apart).
We were lucky to quickly find the gorilla, after only 1 hr walking.
I won't tell you if the experience worth the price and effort related to do this safari but it was, for me, something that I wanted to do from long time and finally did. You will have what you ask: Gorillas in their natural environment.
Take care that the area can be very cold!
At the beginning I was supposed to go alone, and previously paid a full amount for a single person travel.
Fortunately Chris has been able to match me with another guest (Ciao Ana!),so that I had the full refund of the difference single traveler - group traveler. Thumbs Up for Counter Safaris!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The perfect African horse riding holiday: fantastic landscapes, horses, crew and logistics
The landscapes are varied and stunning. The horses are simply fantastic. The crew is amazing, they take great care of both horses and guests, always with a smile. The holiday has a very personal feel while being very well run. It is the perfect mix of camping and comfort (good food, drinks, comfortable beds/stretchers, bush showers). The safaris offer some of the best riding worldwide. The rides are challenging and as such will please the guests seeking an active holiday. Yet, thanks to the great crew, horses and logistics, the holiday can also be one of the most relaxing one.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best safari ever. Mawalla is just excellent guide. Highly recommend
The perfect tour. Everything on time. Clear communication. Friendship atmosphere. Love it
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing honeymoon! Can't thank Alexandra enough
Alexandra at Extraordinary Africa organised the holiday of a lifetime for us for our belated honeymoon in March 2016. Everything from start to finish was faultless; from the advice she gave us about where to go, tailored to our needs and requests, right through to the quality of the accommodation. We were provided with a detailed itinerary, there were transfers and welcome parties whenever we needed it, and it was reassuring to know Alex was always on the end of the phone, had we needed her. Our safari lodge, Notten's was superb and exceeded our expectations. We saw amazing game, (seeing all of the Big 5 except the elusive cheetah), the hospitality was second to none and the food was delicious. We then had a quick stop off in J-Burg at a smart airport hotel before our transfer to Mauritius. We then stayed in luxury at Lux Belle Mare, again with fantastic food, a great beach, free water sports all day and a lovely relaxing atmosphere. We can't thank Alexandra enough for organising our honeymoon and would recommend the company to anyone thinking of travelling to Africa!
Experience level: first safari
If seeing the big five and their various cousins is your goal, this is certainly the place.
Amboseli embodies much of what we think about Kenya: scenic land, kind and attentive people, good food at the Serena hotel, and exciting views of many of the animals of Africa, moving freely and naturally on their own land. (Views of Killimonjaro just add to the delight.) Our guide was a splendid endless source of information and humor (he referred to us as a "cocktail of characters"). Yes, the roads are dirt, bumpy and sometimes rutted. So? If you want paved roads, go to the zoo. Paved roads would just tempt people to zip by too fast to see what is at the Park. The way guides from competing companies cooperate on animal sighting ("hyena in its den" "wildebeasts on the move" "giraffes moving to their night stay" etc. makes the visit even richer. The Serena was very comfortable and in just the right spot.
MY
Small but very interesting birding and wildlife destination
Wild life was plentiful and within easy reach . Birding was very good
Experience level: first safari
Review about Kenya by mac
They call them the big five for a reason, and Kenya has them all. People were kind and helpful
NL
Tanzanian adventure
We had a fabulous return to Africa (our first visit for almost 40 years!). We were recommended to Safarihub by friends living in Tanzania and were very impressed with the service provided. James provided us with a great deal of information and if he couldn't answer a question he said so!
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome first safari with Benson Safaris
I had randomly picked about five six safari operators and fired off emails inquiring about tour we wanted to do. Within couple of hours Benson responded with details of the safari they offered. As we were party of four living in three different continent, Benson was extremely patient as we coordinated the details of our safari.
We were met at the airport by Sara and Zablon and transferred to our lodge. Sara answered questions that we had regarding the safari. Ringo our guide/driver/mechanic was fun and knowledgeable. Our accommodation throughout the safari was excellent. I highly recommend Kati Kati tented camp experience. If you love being in serene and tranquil place and feeling of being close to nature than Kati is for you. Seeing a hyeana prowling through the camp and waking to the calls of zebra in the morning is an experience. The staff at all the accommodations was polite and helpful. The soups made by the chefs are something to brag about. We were lucky to see lion drinking water, zebras, hippos, elephants, giraffes and herds of zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles. seeing Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater makes you realize this natural habitats are wonderful places on this earth.
Before travelling I had asked Benson about what types of clothing to take and he recommended taking warmer clothes for the evening and early morning was helpful. The lodges and camp catered to our vegetarian meals very well. In fact the lunch packs contained varied and more than enough food for each person.
Tips: Binoculars and zoom lenses for camera a must. Both my husband and niece found that they needed eve higher range zoom lenses for their camera then what they had. If you like to run and plan to do that then do inquire if the lodges are situated in area where you can do that. Our lodge in Arusha was up on hill with a road that was not finished and not suitable for running. If you wish to walk and explore the area then like my husband befriend one of the staff at the accommodation who will show you around. My husband enjoyed walking almost 8 kilometer around Arusha with a young hospitality trainee at the lodge.
Note: if like me you are interested in helping out any charitable organizations while you are in Arusha or other area it is best to inquire ahead and find out what they need. We had taken pens, crayons, books and paper that we were able to give to a orphanage that had actually come with a van full of kids to the crater. Also most of this lodges are associated with local NGOs and can provide opportunity to visit the schools, orphanages etc to see how they function. Lastly do visit Benson's Facebook page as that is how I discovered that Benson himself is involved in teaching soccer to the children around Arusha.
I know we had a lifetime of experience with Benson's and would not hesitate to recommend them or use the again in the future.