IE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mixed feelings
We booked through a platform and Hilmar then contacted us directly offering other tours which we would pay for on the day of the tours. He gave us prices for them but there were many hidden costs he hadn’t warned us about, which left us unprepared
Also, unlike all the other tour operators we had, he had not made contact with us up to the night before the tour despite multiple unanswered emails, what’s apps & attempted phone calls. This left us stressed and in limbo wondering whether the tours go ahead or should we book with another company. When he did eventually make contact, he said his phone hadn’t been working, which to us is unacceptable if one is trying to run a business. I presume he should have access to another phone and/or a computer/laptop from which he could check his emails and make contact with his clients. He did make a fleeting apology but I think a small attempt at compensation for stress due to lack of contact would have been a good PR move & greatly appreciated!!
The tours were very enjoyable….the helicopter ride was amazing as was the sunset river cruise & village tour.
Lunch at the lookout cafe was lovely but again, in contrast to other companies who provided a full 3 course lunch with tea/coffee, I felt that not including even a glass of water/cup of coffee, let alone starter or desert, with lunch was rather miserable & small minded.
The transfer vehicles, apart from Hilmar’s own car, and boat for the cruise also left a lot to be desired and could do with an upgrade, in comparison to other tours transport, considering the prices tourists pay and the tips we are expected to give!
Thank you Hilmar. Overall had a lovely day but don’t think that I would recommend or book with Dream Holiday Vacations should I return to Victoria Falls
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good safari, average company.
We chose migration venture based on a limited budget, as it was one of the more reasonably priced company’s. We had a great time on Safari and made lasting memories. We will say our experience with the company was not as good as we experienced with other company’s on our trip to Tanzania. Communication when arranging the safari was difficult and slow. Replies often did not answer the questions asked, and the details were missing! They tried to charge for airport collection, when it turned out the guides were coming from Moshi all along, this was disappointing. They also tried to charge a 5% surcharge to the over all bill until challenged. We were told a very high tipping rate for the guide also. They did not ask about dietary requirements before the trip and then had to sort on the morning. If these details could be improved the experience would be better! Thanks to our guide Octavian we still had an amazing Safari seeing lots of animals in the parks! (It may be worth considering generally especially for shorter trips like ours that Lake Manyara is sadly experiencing flooding and therefore the wildlife is effected in the area).
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A memorable experience
This was the trip of a lifetime thanks not only the countryside and wildlife but to the guides, drivers and staffs who were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in any way possible. Despite some check-in issues on arrival in Johannesburg and waiting for our pickup the next day, the hotel being right next to the airport was very convenient. Our safaris and lodgings differed in locations and in atmosphere. Driving between them was a good way to get an idea of the countryside.
Overall, this was a good value for the money
Communications before the trip ( which began pre- Covid) were good even though dealing with different people for various functions over a few years time.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good trip
Nice trip, but tell the driver in the park to don't focus only in the famous big 5. For european, even a small coloured bird, strange rat , zebra, antelope, is amazing!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime South African honeymoon
The trip in general was amazing, and planning coordination and expectations were on point. The reason for 3 stars is our first accommodation after over 24hrs of travel was overbooked. There was a lot of traffic due to a Formula E event in cape town so we had to get another Uber to another accommodation across town. This type of hiccup is the exact type of issue I wanted to avoid and have a flawless honeymoon. We had a tour starting early the next morning we had to get up extra early for and drive back across town because it was too late in the evening to notify the tour company our pickup location changed. Our travel consultant Vihann had been messaging on WhatsApp and told me to let him know if there are any issues. When I reached out to him he was unresponsive. To this day he has still not responded. Even if he apologized and said there’s nothing he could do, I would’ve felt better. It shows he truly did not care about our experience once he was paid. So minus 1 star for hiccup and minus 1 for lack of communication. Rest of the experience was A+.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Khalifa was absolutely incredible we could not fault him he had buckets of info and stories to share
We chose Axis Africa as it was recommended from another group of friends. I was in contact with Lennox who was organising our trip. The safari itself was incredible and our driver Khalifa made it more special. He shared loads of information about the animals we were seeing and always had a funny anecdote to share which kept everything so interesting! Unfortunately, Lennox scheduled and charged us for a day of activities that we were unable to complete as he didn't allow for transfer time to the airport that day which was a bit disappointing. He didn't have any way to compensate for this and my last two emails to Lennox have been left unanswered.
NZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Disappointed by last minute changes and miscommunication
A wonderful safari was let down by a last minute accommodation change and miscommunication between the tour office and my guide.
I'll start with the positives. Communication with Perminus at Africa Marvel Tours was quick and easy. He was helpful with making itinerary suggestions. I was able to call via Whatsapp before I left NZ. He was quick to let me know that my guide was running late for my initial pick up - which I appreciated.
I loved my stay at Tsavo East Voi Safari Lodge - the view overlooking the plain below was MAGNIFICENT!!! I highly recommend staying there. I have never seen so many elephants before. They were everywhere!
Amboseli had incredible contrasts between the dry landscapes and marshes. Overall Amboseli seems more affected by the current drought than Tsavo East. But I have no idea what they were like before the drought, and I was still able to see many animals at both. There are lots of carcasses at Amboseli due to the drought.
My guide was mostly good. He was knowledgeable and professional and I felt very safe as a single woman.
My disappointment came when my accommodation outside Amboseli was changed the day of arrival. I was most disappointed as I was moved to accommodation that was more basic than I had expected. I communicated my disappointment to Perminus, who said his supervisor would be in touch with me. That never happened. This last minute downgrade of accommodation left a sour taste in my mouth.
The other disappointment was a miscommunication between the Tour office and my guide. My guide told me that I HAD to do a full day in the reserve as I would have had to pay for an additional entry fee, if we wanted to enter again. So I agreed, even though I would have preferred a morning and afternoon drive. Full day drives are tiring and less enjoyable. (At this point I had forgotten that my itinerary specified that I had a morning and afternoon game drive.)
At the end of that day, as we were confirming plans for the next day, my guide told me that we wouldn't be able to enter the park again on my last morning as we didn't have an entry. This time I remembered that my itinerary specified that I had a game drive that day, (and lunch in the park). I had to contact Perminus to get this cleared up and was able to have that final game drive. I wish I had done this the previous day.
Make sure that you get what is written in your itinerary!
I had my hot air balloon ride moved to another day, as the day it was scheduled was already booked. This was mildly frustrating, as I had booked this months in advance, but Tour Office only booked it a few days before. The one positive of this, was that I was able to see 5 cheetah the morning I would have been on the hot air balloon ride.
Going on a safari is a wonderful thing to do. Both Amboseli and Tsavo East are very different. The accommodation at Tsavo East, probably means I rate it more highly.
Unfortunately the accommodation downgrade, lack of follow up and miscommunications between the office and my guide, means that I would not book with Africa Marvel Tours again.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
George is fabulous! You’re in great hands with him!
George is fun! He knows everything there is to know about the animals, the flora & fauna, the people and hoe to make things happen! Knowing where the big 5 hang out is essential! ! He’s organized, knowledgeable but his personality improves every moment of every day! I’ve been on many tours, in many countries but George Killas is the best! You will love it!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Got quick replies. Could texted by WhatsApp. Guide was friendly. Office wasn‘t eas to find.
Paied USD 720.00 for 6 days (landcruiser) with the budget version. Visited Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli. Very long distances between. Also very bumpy roads. Guide (Jimmy) was friendly and helpful. But didn‘t introduce himself. Als didn‘t tell us about nice facts (countries, nationalparks,). Didn‘t ask about our wishes (animals) which we want to see. Because it was a budget trip we got simple lunch boxes. Accommodations were better than expected (AA lodget, hotel in lake nakuru and Maasai mara). It was sad that we didn‘t start in Amboseli very early with the game drive. We started at 8:30 (too late for seeing wild cats). Was sad that we didn‘t stay a long time at the place where the lions were. Saw 4 of 5 big fives. The driver/guide could be more interessted in us (aks questions of us). On the last day we finished 30 minutes earlier compared to another groupe. Afterwards we waited 30 minutes at the AA lodge in Amboseli there. I was happy that we could catch the train in Mombasa (3pm).
AR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Polite, Nice, good company
Overall the safari was good, except for the accommodation. They had told us we would be staying at enchoro camp in massai Mara, and they took us to another camp, that was of remarkable lower quality!! We were really uncomfortable there. The bathroom was all dirty, the floor of the tent too. And we had no hot water. Really disappointing and made us really mad they changed the camp without telling us. We even asked about it, and they answer it was the same, which was clearly not.