DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect family Safari
Tanzania and the northern circuit are great. Lot of wildlife, nice people and an ever changing scenery. We found mild weather, great lodges and good food. Roads are everything from completely new to terrible. Expect no more than 30 kph average after entering ngorongoro area. Guiding was great und reliable, we always felt safe and well taken care of.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing seeing so many animals up close - did not expect such long drive times to different reserves
Used Kenya Walking Survivors Safaris - chose a modified 10 day safari rather than the 12 day mid-priced, also upgraded to Luxury accommodations, and they were very accommodating - I did not recall an airport pickup - so I paid for transportation from another company - both were there even at 11:00pm. Used our tour company - Zachery - he told us he was with us for our 10 Day Safari. Dropped us off at hotel and told to be ready at 7:00 sharp - he would be there and ready, please be on time. I had to email our tour company at 7:25, because no one was there - about 5 minutes later another driver/guide was there, AL - I explained that Zachery was our guide - he made calls and said he was.
Started to Tsavo East - a little into the drive, stopped for about 90 minutes in a very dirty gas station where we believe he was trying to get money into his account, said needed a car charger for his cell. Another stop about an 1 1\2 later for what we were told as a potty stop - went used and wanted to leave - found Al eating and had to wait. Couple hours later stopped at a restaurant for lunch, we refused, well below our standards and supposed to eat at our 1st lodge, per itinerary. Got to 1st lodge after 8 hours - problems with reservations - had lunch and then were told we were being refused, tour company had not paid - went on a game drive on way to new lodge - really nice, lots of animals - got to lodge, standards well below that of the original one in our itinerary. No hot water, food very basic - lodge very rustic, but very clean and we could view many animals, up close. I did receive an email from tour company that Zachery was on way - was sent replying to my email at 7:30am - I do not understand how we ended up with Al.
Day 2 - Itinerary - not followed - did 2 game drives and did see lots of animals - missed Via Aruba Dam on itinerary.
Day 3 again Itinerary not followed - very long day 7am start - went to Mzima Springs, saw Hippos and Crocodiles, then to Rhino Sanctuary, struck out seeing either Rhinos or Leopards - got to lodge 6:30pm in Tsavo West. One of 2 guests at this very rustic lodge, did not get the expected Luxury upgrade - no hot water again- food very basic.
Day 4 early start to Amboseli - lunch at very nice Sopa Lodge, checked in - rested before afternoon game drive, lots of animals. There was a personal stop for our guide to get money - about 45 minutes while we sat in van with up to 30 kids surrounding our van begging for money - we were extremely uncomfortable and told him
Day 5 morning game drive - really nice. Lunch at lodge then a visit, without guide- extra cost, to a Maasai Tribal Village - very enjoyable.
Day 6 very early morning start on way to Lake Naivasha - another very long drive for late lunch at the Sopa Lodge - an extremely nice resort/lodge - many animals walking around. Afternoon game drive at Hell Gate - not many animals, but did see the Geo Thermo Power Plant.
Our favorite accommodations - many animals wandering around grounds - Hippos wandering around at night - really cool - food was fantastic.
Day 7 - a day at "Crescent Island Sanctuary" - supposed to be an included, guided tour - charged $60 for tour - Al was our guide, but there was no tour - just walked for about an hour seeing animals and birds. Did not see or do anything per our itinerary - again supposed to be included, but charged $60.
Day 8 - very early start to Maasai Mara - another very long drive - late lunch at Azure Mara Haven - a Tented Camp, then a late afternoon game drive - lots of animals. Dinner, family style, no choices - food OK at best - had a nice tribal show during dinner.
Day 9 - Very early start - 5:30 for a Hot Air Balloon ride then outside breakfast - highly recommend - really nice and fun. After a morning game drive with the balloon operator - our guide did not show up at meeting place - so he took us to try and see Leopards - no luck - but did see lots of animals. After many attempts to contact Al - he was going to take us back to hotel but Al finally contacted him for a meeting place - continued drive with Al to border of Kenya and Tanzania - had box lunch and continued game drive - lots of Lions this day.
Day 10 - After breakfast - anther extremely long drive back to Nairobi - I paid for box lunches for all because would not eat at the restaurant Al chose - finally in Nairobi, dinner at 6 at a very nice restaurant - Al instructed waitress to give me bill - no problem - then to Airport.
There were many personal stops for our guide. Many of the roads taken were very questionable. The seat-belts were not working in van.
Al was very knowledgeable about the animals and birds - really enjoyed listening to him. Also, he ate every meal with us - the only guide to do so.
We are still very puzzled by the confusion regarding guides and the non payment of the original lodge. The original lodge was very nice and we ended up at a far inferior lodge - not the Luxury upgrade that we paid for.
All in all we really enjoyed our tour.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing Up-Close-And-Personal Experience with Habituated Lemurs
The Palmarium Reserve was a truly amazing experience! Surrounded by lemurs - and I mean surrounded! - there were ample photographic opportunities! The Black and White Ruffed lemurs, the Crowned Lemurs, the Hybrid Lemurs and the Black Lemur were all frequently around the dining area, and the Indri wasn't far off! There were also other creatures such as chameleons and frogs. I had the opportunity to explore the area myself, and also to travel around with a very helpful guide, who found the lemurs for me (recommended). My only disappointment was the fact that the lemurs were baited (with banana) - this meant EXCELLENT photographic opportunities but not entirely wild (in my opinion). I would recommend 2-3 days stay at Palmarium.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Steven Levenson
Saw a lot of Lions and many animals - fun Balloon ride
FI
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly patient and professional guides
Safari was great, driver toik the time and effort to locate and find animals, gave the group ample time to admire them and answered question professionally. Staff at office were efficient and polite, transfers worked. Overall a very pleasant experience.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience
With the exception of some challenges with the Capetown guide on the last day of our visit to the city, every portion of our booking experience and the two week tour in South Africa exceeded our expectations.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very accommodating
These guys are very helpful. My holiday was of to a bad start but they helped me to make it to our lodge in order to have a great safari. The communication was prompt and clear.
The tour/safari, even though a bit early in the season, was superb with a guide who was both friendly and knowledgeable.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Experience
This was a trip of a lifetime! I would highly recommend anyone to go on this vacation! :)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tour guide n operator review
A very experienced and knowledgeable tour guide Hannington did an amazing job of managing our trip and guiding us as required and working with us to meet our changing requirements given that we were a large group.
The vehicle was decent but could benefit from some investment as we did have a low battery situation once and the vehicle needed to be pushed...part of the adventure but need not have to happen...
Hannington has great personality and is very easy to get along with and is very sensitive to people's moods and adjusting the tempo accordingly. Very important to have good EQ.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We had an amazing experience from Kigali to Kivu to Bwindi national park
Our guide who drove us to kivu, Kennedy was good. Then our 2nd guide Hannington took us from Kivu to Mwindi Uganda. He was very knowledgeable calm and helpful always.
We really enjoyed our gorilla trekking experience