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!
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.
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.
MA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly Recommended
I absolutely loved my experiences with Afrishare. I have been to Tanzania three times with them, traveling on safaris to Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, etc. I got to visit traditional Masai homes, and on safari I was lucky enough to see every animal imaginable---even a black rhino! I found the prices very reasonable, there are different price points available for both the budgeting traveler and the luxury traveler. I cannot give enough good praise for the owner of the company, Ibrah. Not only is he a wonderful host, guide, and travel expert, he is also an amazing person in that he gives back to his community. He works with underprivileged children and community leaders to improve the quality of life in Moshi. I can't wait to go back to Tanzania for the fourth time with him.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magnifique experience reaching Kilimanjaro, great customer service from Transkibo!!!
Maginifique!!! i think it was one of the greatest trips we have ever done. I am Mexican and my husband is French, so we opt for the Marangu route, because i was very scared about the cold weather and sleeping in tents, so we opt for the huts. My husband look into other agencies before choosing Transkibo, Thomas from Transkibo was very proactive responding all our questions, and i think for Rapport Quality Price, i think we made a great choice! Thomas and Abraham were there since we arrived, one of our luggage did;t arrive, so they arrange everything so our trip could start as planned and they deliver us the delayed luggage at 3700 mts!!! ;-) Also a GREAT experience thanks to our guides, i will recommend you ask for Balthazar and his assistant guide, Stevenson!!! What a blessing! they were so kind and always smiling!! Everyone from the team was great, the chef, the porters, always with a smilie.. As i told to Balthazar, the smile keeps us strong and bring us to reach the summit!!! We really enjoyed every part of it.. i can't think about anything negative, because even the difficult things.. as altittute, fatigue, toilets (!!!) it is part of the experience.. and being that close to nature and with people as the team we had, so humble and happy, makes you realize how much we missed sometimes in our " developed " countries!! Also in the way back, before leaving, Abraham and Thomas were there to guide us where to do some shopping before we head to the airport!! Anyway, any comments/questions, feel free to ask me! [email protected]
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excelent 2 days safari trip!
My girlfriend and me went to mikumi national park in The early feb. We went with Kanuth Adventures and The service was in top. We were picked up in Dar in a big safarijeep and drove for 6 hours to mikumi. After 2 hours in the park had we had almost it all, incl. Lions! The greatest experience we had en tanzania (we also went to zanzibar).. 5 Star
LK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional help to organize an amazing trip!
We chose Kilidove for our Kilimanjaro trek and safari and a stopover in Zanzibar. George was very helpful in the planning stage and promptly answered over 100 emails! thank you kilidove for an unforgettable trip!