PR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No words to describe the most amazing experience
In August 2013, we decided to visit South Africa so I started looking for help because we were going to travel with friend and I did not want to mess up anything. We were going to Africa from San Juan, Puerto Rico (Caribbean) and our friends were travelling from Sydney, Australia. Since the first contact, until the day we arrived back home from our trip (Sept, 2014) the service provided by Shelley was superb.
We have travel a lot and I can say that this was the best holiday ever! Our trip exceeded our expectations. We really appreciate Shelley’s assistance, knowledge, patience, and dedication to make this holiday a complete succeed. Every travel detail was perfectly arranged and the logistics were perfectly coordinated. All the drivers were courteous and punctual and the tours and activities were perfect. There may be people who think that South Africa is one of the easiest countries in the world to book everything yourself and tailor exactly your needs but that is not enough. I have been talking to people who visited Africa before and none of them have been able to see all that we saw.
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari and Meru-Trek
We wanted to do a 4day Safari and a 4day Mt. Meru Trek. Therefore i compared several offers and found Mike's offer to be the best - because it already included transport (from and to the airport), all meals and accomodation. Furthermore, Mike responds quickly to mails and answered all my questions in advance!
The accomodation on safari was better than expected (and even better than booked!) - tented lodges and the great Mountain View Lodge. Our chef cooked great meals in the evening and for breakfast! The lunch boxes were okay, maybe a little bit more variation would be nice. We booked a "joining group" safari and thus shared the car with 1 to 4 other people - but there is enough space in the car.
Our driver Nickson was a real expert in game drives - he stopped at the best spots for taking pictures and had a perfect sense for animals included loads of information concerning fauna and flora. After Tarangire and Ngorongoro (both breathteaking parks and incredible animals!) we had already seen the big 5! In Lake Manyara there were plenty of elephants and birds and Mike offered us to make a walking safari with an armed ranger in Arusha NP - which was also a great experience.
All in all, the safari as PERFECT!
The next day we were picked up by our cook and two porters and went to Mormella Gate in Arusha NP, where me met two other porters. Those guys carried our backpack, sleeping bags (Mike organized very warm sleeping bags for us which are very important because it gets cold), plenty of food and water. We walked with a group accompanied by an armed ranger to Miriakamba Hut on the first day. On the next day, we asceded to Saddle Hut and Little Meru. On day three, we started our summit-ascent at 1 am. The weather was perfect but it was cold! At 6am we reached the summit and watched a breathteaking sunrise next to Kilimanjaro above the clouds - wow! After this incredible moment we descended to Saddle for a snack and continued to Miriakamba. Next day down to Mormella Gate.
We were astonished at the meals - our cook Freddy did a great job. He offered us african and european cuisine with five star quality on 3500m - incredible! The huts were also better than expected.
All in all, the Trek was PERFECT too :)
The next day, Mike gave us a ride to Arusha airport and we went to Zanzibar for another week in paradise.
You can trust Mike and his team to make your safari and trek to a wonderful experience in Tanzania!
The only negative thing is the "tip-culture" we experienced all over the coutry. A tip is regarded as a fixed part of the salary and will be required for safari and trek. Although we would have tipped anyway because all guys did a great job, it's sometimes annoying when you're asked about the tip you will pay.
GR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Value, Marvelous experience
We, 2 persons, had a 5 day/4night Tarangire/Serengeti/Ngorongoro Safari with Oltumure Tours & Safaris.
Robert and his team were concetrated to cover our needs and managed to exeed our expectations! Robert always responded to the emails quickly and with clarity to the emails. Further he organised everything perfect, according to our demands and needs and his expeprience.
The guide/driver -Victor, knew many things about the ecosystem in the national Parks, about the animal habits and behaviour, and this helped not only to see the all the big 5 and to spot many animals, but to observe their behaviours -lions mating, elephants taking bath, and even to witness a lion hunt and kill (lions attacked a zebra)- wich was very interesting.
Gabriel the cook is also a marvelous cook who worked very hard in order for us to have plenty of delicious meals.
Also, the agency offered one of the best prices for the tour, so actually is the best value we found for the safari!
In conclusion, I strongly recommend this travel agency!!!
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Breathtaking experience
I first contacted Enrica of South African Dream Tours in Italy last April, in view of celebrating our Silver wedding anniversary (30 September). Unfortunately the time available was so short (only 8 days!!) so reluctantly we had to drop her first proposal (Rovos Rail journey to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe).
She promptly came up with different arrangements to our fullest satisfaction: everything was up to and beyond our expectations (Victoria Falls, Panorama Route drive and game drives at Shumbalala Lodge in South Africa). Not a single minute was wasted, service, communication and organization simply perfect.
Now back home to work, but still dreaming of it...
If you want any further details, just email me
[email protected]
and I will be most pleased to reply.
Do not cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
every time again and next the serengeti
I am a german visitor and it is easier to copy Pedro ...everything is true!!!!!
Michael has responsibility for his costums and was all the time helpfull to help us and organize our trip!!
Thank you
"3 day Safari Tarangire, Ngorondoro and L.Manyaraimage description
Was a great 3 days experience of our 1st Safari ever. I recomend this agency if you want to do a Safari with best price quality. The Director, Michael was very very nice since 1st contact by Safaribookings and manage a Safari on dates and places that we wont. He picked us up on Airport, leave us on Hotel that was include on price (Very nice hotel, clean and friendly) and every time he was making sure that everthing was ok with us. Then on next day our guide and motorist (Denis) picked us up on hotel and the adventure started. We learned many things about the country and animals with Denis. We stayed on a campsite out of the parks, where the managers were very friendly also. we were on fullboard meals and the cook on campsite was very good. Taragire has many Elephants, Ngorondoro is amanzing (a place to see the Big 5) and lake Manyara is also nice but we couldnt saw the tree climbing lions on that day. We loved this Safari. Next time we will go to Serengeti.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful - Everything was impeccable!
Our first trip to Africa held great excitement and anticipation for us. We love travel and had expected that Africa would be wonderful and once done we would happily move on to explore different parts of the world. What we never expected was that Africa would become a passion! The fact that we are looking forward to our 3rd trip in a few months is a testament to the wonders of Africa and the exceptional work of our travel specialist – Michael Haines. Had it not been for Michael Haines’ advice, we would certainly have followed the standard tours – had an acceptable experience and never returned. Thankfully, with his counsel, we opted for a more’ authentic’ experience and have never looked back. Our experiences have included Capetown’s coastline, South Africa’s world famous vineyards, the breathtaking unspoiled beauty of Botswana, Rwanda with its remarkable mountain gorillas, the magnificence of Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River and the wide open plains of Kenya.
We are value conscious travelers and Michael helped us decide where we would get the greatest value for our money – and he was right every time. We have been very, very pleased with the locations and accommodation each time. The companies Michael collaborates with are professional and have always taken outstanding care of us – whether on simple transfers or more complicated arrangements. We have never left a location feeling that we wished we had not gone or even had wished we had stayed longer (or not as long).
Finally, and perhaps just as important as our personal experiences, we have recommended Michael Haines to many of our friends in Canada and the USA. Michael Haines has organized brilliant trips for our friends – who have become mesmerized by Africa as well! This just does not happen by accident. Well designed, well organized and well executed travel looks easy but it’s not! Michael makes it look easy, makes it feels effortless and wondrous - that could not happen were it not for his expert level knowledge of the country, his commitment to his clients and his passion for introducing the wonders of Africa to others!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Top Notch Guided Tours
Tanzania Expeditions is the only way to climb Kilimanjaro. Their custom tailored, personalized service is top notch. They exceed expectations in providing a safe, fun and successful climb to the summit. Highly recommend.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A superb tour operator!
The first time I have organised and booked a holiday through a tour operator not based in the UK. Following excellent reviews on Trip Advisor, I contacted Wild Wings Safris as the standard South African safari/ Cape Town tours offered a limited safari experience, or were way above our budget limit. (We being four retired ladies.) From the start, I was really impressed with the advice and speed of replies to my emails from Madi at Wild Wings.With her enthusiasm and knowledge of both Cape Town and Kruger National Park, we had the most amazing holiday - truly a holiday of a life time. Our accomodation, guides, itinery were all wonderful. I never expected that we would get to stay in Timbavati, a private reserve, next to Kruger, and drive off road into the bush to watch lions next to the vehicle, a leopard and her cub from a dry river bed and many, many more amazing experiences. Have no hesitation in using Wild Wings - I just wish they could plan all my holidays!
An amazing, undescribable and exceptionally well-organised safari in North Tanzania !
We made a 11-days group safari to Northern Tanzania followed by one week in Zanzibar, with Matoke Tours from 11 till 30th of September 2014.
To resume this experience in a few words ?
An amazing, undescribable , wonderful and exceptionally well-organised trip !
Everything was perfectly arranged: a very good driver/guide Elias, comfortable and “good-memories-creating” special accommodations, unique game drives, very tasteful food and a very good 4x4 jeep.
We were very lucky during the game drives, with special thanks to our professional driver/guide Elias. We witnessed the following special situations during the safari:
· A couple of dating lions (oh yes) !
· A real catch: 4 female lions prepaired and attacked a group of buffels: they catched the little one…
· 2 fighting giraffes 5 meters away from our vehicle
· A female lion, carrying her 3 weeks old baby in her mouth, only 2 meters from our vehicle.
· 5 leopards, one crossing the “road” only 3 meters before our jeep
· A Serval Cat
· A group of elephants, enjoying themselves in a very small mudd pool a few meters away from the 4x4.
· A Rhino (although being very very far away)
· A thunderstorm on the Serengetti, early in the evening. This was an amazing show of colors from sun, rain, dust, ….
We travelled together with 2 other Belgian couples and this was a very nice experience.
We can strongly recomment Matoke Tours for travelling to Tanzania. From the beginning of our contacts and demands for information, till the end of the booking process, as well as just before departure, they were extremely well organised and replied within 24 hours (mostly within 4 hours) on all of your eventual questions. They provided honest, realistic and to the point information. If you have special requests, they take them into consideration wherever possible.
It is also good to know that in Tanzania, Matoke Tours works together with Easy Travel. Just take a look at the rating of Easy Travel on Tripadvisor: they are number 2 in safari’s in Tanzania ! In case of problems onsite, you can also trust on them.
Something very professional too was the debriefing at the end of the safari at the Easy Travel office in Arusha.
If you have plans to go on safari, don’t hesitate and get in contact with Matoke Tours !
You won’t be disappointed ….
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding driver, great food, good accommodation
We are a young couple from Germany and booked an 11-day budget safari: Samburu- Naivasha- Masai Mara- Nakuru- Amboseli- Tsavo W- Tsavo E.
We picked Terminal Tours because we found reviews convincing and the communication was very transparent and easy while the price was reasonable.
I am writing this because it is very complicated to plan a safari from home and prices are crazy.
Finally, we are very happy with the trip and would book with Terminal Tours again. We had a lot of fun with the entire crew and enjoyed some amazing game drives, although we did not see this freaking leopard!
BOOKING
The initial communication happened completely via email with Nelson. We agreed on an itinerary and agreed that we will pay in cash at arrival after the airport pick-up. We liked the transparancy, all accommodations were named so we could google them. It was very clear how the route is set up, where we have meals and when the game drives are scheduled.
After arrival, we settled the payment with Debbie.
DRIVER
Sam is awesome. He is a very experienced driver and guide. He knows his wildlife as he knows his roads (every single bump of them- and there are lots). Without him, we would have been lost and probably dead. Driving in the parks is something between a skill and an art form - which he masters very well.
Moreover, he is a great guy and easy to talk to. This sympathy is important when you hang out for 11 days.
CAR
It is the standard pop-up roof safari van that almost every company uses. It is no 4x4, but we got everywhere -on and off road. We got stuck a couple of times, but that is inevitable on a safari. Either another safari driver helped out or we got creative. The car has no wifi which turned out to be a blessing - real holiday without email access.
FOOD
Sometimes food was prepared by our chef Kyoko. The food was simply great. Unfortunately, he raised the bar for the food in the hotels. Sometimes Kyoko went back to Nairobi and we had hotel food which usually could not match the Kyoko-standard.
SAFETY
As said above, Sam knows his business. At no time, I was scared that we get into an accident (although traffic and the condition of the roads in Kenya are a nightmare) or that an animal attacks us. On the other side, I am not really in charge for the worrying part in this relationship. If there is anything to worry, it is exogenous and no one would be better to face it than Sam. On the road between Amboseli and Tsavo we were escorted by an armed man for protection.
SAMBURU
Is a very nice park that many skip because it is far away. It has a different landscape and wildlife than the following parks. We found it very worh visiting. The samburu villiage is also nice, but the clearly overcharge (do some bargaining). The accommodation was the Steto Guesthouse (this was the only unknown in the itinerary as it only said "at umoja camp" which a women's village around there). It is an African budget hotel, not great but alright.
NAIVASHA
We did a little detour to the Thompson falls. They are nice, but ain't no Niagara or Iguazú. In retrospective, we would have skipped it and taken an early morning game drive at Samburu instead.
At Lake Naivasha we only did a boat tour where we saw some birds and hippos. It is nice, but clearly not the highlight of the trip. If you like to see hippos, you have better opportunities at Mara and Amboseli. However, doing a boat tour is a welcome change to sitting in the car.
The Tapeh Guesthouse has a very nice garden and looks nice from outside. The room was not as nice, but acceptable.
MASAI MARA
Masai Mara is absolutely great for game viewing. There has been said so much about it already. It's all true, great place.
We missed the crossing of the river, because we were waiting for another herd of wildebeests to cross at another spot. We only got to see the last few of the herd. They rarely cross the river at all, you are very lucky when you see it.
The Mara Sidai camp is also an outstanding camp. The Masai there are kinda business-minded.
NAKURU
We were a little disappointed, because the lake was flooded and for this reason only few flamingos were present. Apparently, they go somewhere else then. Ask before you go. However, we saw the only two rhinos of our trip which was nice.
The golden palace is a little tacky, but nice and comfy.
AMBOSELI
Great park for seeing huge herds of huge elephants! Also the setting with Mount Kilimanjaro is awesome.
Kimana camp is a good choice. One morning an elephant was right next to our tent.
TSAVO WEST
It's very different to the other parks. It is very bushy and thus game viewing is almost impossible. We did not see rhinos, even in the fenced rhino sanctuary.
But we liked the red soil and the baobab trees. Mzima springs is nice.
The Rhino valley lodge is simply amazing. An alltime favorite. Great room, great service, AMAZING view! They have a waterhole where you can see elephants right from your room or the restaurant. They even have light at night!
TSAVO EAST
Game viewing is a little better than in Tsavo West. We had quite a good game drive with huge red elephants taking a bath, lions and cheetahs.
The Nzomeni Lion Hill Lodge is also excellent with a superb view.
After the trip, Debbie helped us in trying to resolve an issue with another driver and hosted us at her home for free.
All in all, great trip - we would do it again: Outstanding driver, great food, good accommodation. Thanks a lot!