US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awsome tour in Tanzania (in Africa)
My wife and I signed up for this tour in Tanzania (in Africa) seven months ago, and I am glad (very satisfied) that we took this tour. which included a BBQ lunch. Was it pricey? Yes, it was, and well worth it..
Once we arrived Safari West, we were immediately greeted by the employees, given plenty of information of the tours - one was a ride on a open aired shuttle bus and the other was a walking tour through their aviary section, and to come back around 12 noon for the BBQ lunch.
our safari tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and pleasant in answering questions from all us tourists. (Wow, about 400 acres of open space on this riding tour - I am impressed.) There were plenty of giraffes, gazelles, a few hippos, a couple of ostriches and zebras, but no lions, tigers, bears (at least not in sight)...oh, my...lol. They must have a herd of cattle somewhere because that certain aroma (dung) was in the air. One drawback while on the tour was I almost wanted to "face palm" one of the tourists in our group who was constantly complaining...yikes. I don't do well around negative energy and whining. My honey-do had to calm me down.
The walking tour was through an area with different types of animals-lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo the pond area. Nestled in one of the cages was a baby fox asleep, two turtles roaming around slowly, monkeys also in their cages and I only saw one cheetah. That's okay because I don't want to be chased by any of the animals - ostriches, cheetahs, giraffes.
After the lunch, it was off to the Trading Post. I didn't buy any souvenirs, but they did have an assortment of things - games, magnets, plush animals and snakes, accessories, books. I should have bought one of those snow globes, but I didn't see them until I looked at all 60-something photos that I have taken when I arrived home...darn.
Overall, my wife and I had a great time, and I can only hope that they will have this tour again next year.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
"The trip of a lifetime was a safari with Shadows of Africa," says this cynical traveler.
Was this safari my best trip ever. This jaded, cynical, well-seasoned traveler says a resounding "absolutely!" It was in no small part due to Shadows of Africa. I'm so glad I booked it with them after researching a safari with several companies. I wanted a customized, 4 day intense experience with just a driver and me. Oh did I have one! Natasha, the owner of Shadows of Africa and Richard, the manager, planned and executed every requested detail perfectly. All went smoothly from beginning to end.
A guide-driver, can make or break a trip of this nature. I once had an adventure tour company. I know what to look for. Mine, Moody, was a gem. When we met there was an instant rapport. There was more beyond his prompt nature, extraordinary knowledge of English, flexibility and most importantly, convivial personality. Moody was a combination zoologist-environmentalist-animal lover as far as this retired anthropologist is concerned. He fielded any questions I had about my experiences in layman's language. It enabled me to mentally digest and understand all that I was seeing in the extraordinary natural world in which I was immersed. He had a sharp eye to spot the quasi-hidden animals and lead me to where they were up close. And oh, were they! I never expected to be able to see them in such away. That moved more than my intellect. It reached my soul.
We spent a night at a tented camp in the Serengeti with David, the Maasai manager. Lions, hyenas and elephants were nearby. No worry. It is safe. Here, thanks to booking this place for me, I learned more about the animals than just through seeing them. David could lecture on environmental or anthropological issues about the symbiotic relationship the Maasai have with wild animals as well as their cattle. All live in balance. How the modern world needs to learn how to do that and soon. Elst not do just the Maasai lose their culture, but the animals become extinct and we humans with them.
Thank you Shadows of Africa for helping me realize that more than ever we need to protect these creatures everywhere they still exist. You did it without preaching. It was done through showing me their world in as intimate way as possible. We destroyed their habitat. We need to expand it to save them. For now at least, those which remain are relatively safe at Lake Manyara, on the Serengeti plains and in the Ngorogoro crater. A lion and I gazed at each other at close distance in the crater while he rested. In my mind's eye he mouthed "save us."
There are safaris and there are safaris. You know with whom I'd do a repeat.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most memorable experience with Tailor Made Safaris in South-Africa!
Our trip with Tailor Made Safaris was beyond memorable! Friends told us about their great experience and everything about that was true. We send Tailor Made Safaris an e-mail with our plans. They quickly responded with a few questions about our budget, dates of traveling and preferences (what kind of wild parks and accommodations). After we filled that in, we received a very detailed offer which fitted our desires perfectly. After a week in Cape-Town (own planning), our week with Tailor Made Safaris was what we hoped for. We stayed for 3 nights in Avalon Guesthouse in St. Lucia, with a couple of day trip safaris. After that, we stayed for 2 nights in Tembe Elephant Park and 2 nights in Rhino River Reserve. Al those parks and accommodations were pretty amazing. The game drives were so good and the guides had great knowledge of all the animals. Also the service at the accommodation was perfect. We didn't want a massive touristic experience, we were more looking for an African experience. And we did get the African experience!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacular holidays with Speke Uganda Holidays in Uganda and Ruanda
First of all we want to thank Michael Jakob in Germany and Tony Mulinde in Uganda from Speke Holidays for the informative previews by phone and email to plan our individuell roundtrip through Uganda and Ruanda. We got what we paid for.
The whole roundtrip was very well organized, well prepared and we had memorable holidays. Our guide was well trained and friendly and our car was under perfect conditions.
Many thanks again to Jakob, Tony and to our guide Hamidu.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great enthusiasm - and a great safari
Had a great safari with Northern Circuit in July 2014, four-day budget-tour starting i Arusha. The driver-guide (Dennis) and gave us a very good experience, he found almost all the animals and he put a lot of effort into talking with other drivers he met, about finding the animals. We saw them A LOT of lions, elepants, cheeta, buffalo, etc. (except the rhino), which is much more than I expected from the four-days budget-safari we went on. AND the driver-guide knew a lot about life in Serengeti, Ngorongoro and about animal and plants. The tents were ok and the food was really fine.
I will most definately recommend Northern Cirquit!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Safari one could possibly imagine!
We spent a fantastic 5 day trip booked with BestDay Safaris from the 21st July to the 25th of July 2014. Even in the first phase of organising, Peter (the Managing Director) was extremely helpful with recommendations, with pictures and with answers to all of our questions, and there were a lot of them.
The Safari was done in Cooperation with a Company called Arunga Expedition who provided the car. The group was organised perfectly to our needs (4 young people). The driver Sadi and the cook Osman were the two most welcoming, cheerful and helpful guys one could hope for on such a trip. Osman's food was fantastic, he was even fulfilling our wishes and Sadi showed us EVERYTHING. Including the big five, which is not easy to see. On the last day in Ngorongoro Crater we were lucky enough to see two animal chases. Organisation was superb, car was amazing, food fantastic and price great. Peter was even kind enough to take us back to our hotel (which was outside of Arusha).
I can only recommend this company, it will be an amazing trip!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very attentive to our needs, always on time, safe drivers
We have used Frate Tours on mission trips to Kenya (2012) and Tanzania (2014). Both assignments required the drivers to be with us 24/7. Francis, Nelson, and David were always professional, safe, dependable, and knowledgeable of the areas and peoples we were visiting. In 2012, they took us on a tour of the Masai Mara village and Serenghetti. They have provided all one could expect or require of tour guides. They became part of our team and interacted well will all team members. I would highly recommend their services to anyone seeking tour services.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania is the best place to see large numbers of large, African animals
Our safari was great! We were met at each airport as expected and all the logistics were done correctly. The accommodations and food were excellent. The weather couldn't have been better. I highly recommend Bushbuck Safaris. Our driver/guide, Usiah Mlyuka, was fantastic. He has a great eye and spotted a lot of game. We saw all of the big 5, lots of lions, elephants, and buffalo, 4 leopards, a rhino and a cheetah. In addition, lots of hippos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, hyenas, and jackals. What was really interesting was watching animals interact in their natural environments. We got to see a pair of crowned cranes and a pair of ostriches go through their mating dances, and we watched a bull buffalo drive off a pair of female lions that were threatening his herd. The herds of wildebeests in the Ngorongoro crater were amazing. Stops at the visitor center at Olduvai Gorge and a Masai village were very interesting.
The one thing that I would change in our itinerary was the first night in Arusha. We arrived early enough that we could have driven straight to Lake Manyara and had an extra day of game viewing or could have shortened the trip by one day.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Masi Mara and the Lakes
I have take dozen's of African Safari's over the years and could not have been more pleased with the service and value of Right Choice Tours. I would use them again in a heart beat.
LK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Seven By Far Travel is well experience and professional safari organizer
First Class Service We booked the "family safari" upon recommendation from our friends here in Sri Lanka. Thank you for your effort that made us very delighted with our very first safari in Africa. There was always something new and exciting everyday for us and the children as well. New things each day. The safari was neither too short or too long. Just ideal and what we wanted. Internal flights worked like clock work and farewell dinner at Carnivore Restaurant was superb. We hope to return again to Africa one day in the future and visit Tanzania to see the Ngorongoro Crater. I feel that we were really well looked after and felt very safe in your excellent vehicles.. We will highly recommend your company. thanks to sylvester and the YOUNG ENERGETIC TEAM