PT
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not as great as the first time
Returned to Tanzania after 18 years hoping to recapture the magic. Not quite. The first time was during the Great Migration and it was glorious. Huge herds with hungry predators picking them off. This time in June it rained both days in the Serengeti, there were no real herds, and I didn't see a single kill. It didn't help that my tent was leaky or that our guide was more interested in yelling at other drivers and on his phone than being a guide. The overloaded vehicle didn't help nor did the fact that he seemed uncertain who he was supposed to take on which tour.
Also getting into and out of my Airbnb in the center of Arusha was an adventure in itself because of the awful roads, one of which was blocked, forcing us to reverse a long way.
The one highlight was Zanzibar. I stayed in Kiwengwa at The Kichwa House, a locally-owned place, for three glorious nights. The beach was gorgeous, the locals friendly, the food great.
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good but Unprofessional & Disrespectful
I joined the group as a solo female traveler. Day 1 as we waited for the others, the tour guide asked if I had a bf & that if I moved to Tanzania he would marry me because I’m so beautiful etc. On the last day, the others had to leave early so I was alone with the tour guide. He kept pressing me if I had a bf & said foreign women come to Africa to have sex with African men. He also asked me if my bf & I like to have fun & have sex.
The tour guide also kept watching YouTube videos out loud as we observed animals. It was annoying. I loved the safari but I was extremely uncomfortable with the guide.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Arva Abbas
If you have done the Masai Mara reserve and see wildlife sighting to heart content then Lake Nakuru may not be as exciting. For us the plus point was we missed sighting Rhinos in MM and lake Nakuru gave us the oppurtunity to easily sight the Albino Rhinos
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arranged relatively smoothly
The safari and lodge were excellent. I would highly recommend Umkumbe Lodge. The tour company staff lacked attention to detail and customer care (forgetting to send vouchers among othe things). The itinerary I was given before the trip was slightly off by 30 min here and there and things weren't well communicated all the time. However, overall we had an amazing experience and everything worked out!
US
Experience level: first safari
Driver was the tour guide and he was great!
Game drives were reduced from promised package, informed upon arrival to Nairobi and after full payment. Vehicles were not in best conditition, owner was rude and arrogant as communicated. Radio in vehicles was not working, however driver was well experienced to talk to other drivers and show us animals.
Lodges were great and Kenya safari is a lifetime experience overall.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Image travel have a good tour guide John.
The company changed the schedule one day before the tour. I need to stay in different hotel or camp site with my friends. But John is a professional tour guide and driver. He give us a good experience to explore the Kenya life. He is so funny and informative. I am very recommended John as your tour guide on your safari trip in Kenya!
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Image travel have good tour guide john
This company suddenly changed my hotel and route of my journal. However, thanks to our professional and funny tour guide john, i enjoyed this safari trip. He is very helpful and imformative. He also shared a lot during the long drive between parks. We would love to find him again for next game drive.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Under average accommodation arrangement
The company have some messy arrangement on accommodation, and change or cancel the accommodation on last minutes.
Actually I enjoy the safari tour with the excellent tourist guide - John, who is knowledgeable and funny guide, and the driving skill is excellent. During the whole trip, he is willing to share his information to us , I really enjoy with the tourist guide.
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).