65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tiyane was personable and knowledgeable.
Our driver earlier in the week, Percy, was off, but we were sent Tiyane to drive us from our hotel in Hazyview to our Johannesburg hotel. My husband is talkative and Tiyane answered questions about his experiences, his knowledge, his interests, while asking David his opinions about things. We discussed books and movies. He was patient when we spent more time than expected at the stop...there were animals for one last glimpse.
He shared our munchies with us (we offered and it is rude to say, "no").
While we've had a few hair-raising experiences with drivers (not from SarfariLink), we felt safe with Tiyane. He even checked on us when the road got rocky or there were lots of turns. He's kind and we were glad to meet him.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Percy was very personable. He dealt with an unplanned detour with grace.
We hired SafariLink for transportation from our hotel in Johannesburg to Kruger National Park. It cost more than meeting our driver at the airport, but we felt it was worth it. Our driver, Percy was helpful and informative. He handled our multitude of bags without batting an eye! He didn't mind my talkative husband and answered his questions completely and honestly. He was also interested in where we live, why we were visiting, and how we had found South Africa so far (We had spent a week in Cape Town and a few days in Johannesburg). He really followed our lead...if David was talkative, so was Percy; if David took a break from talking to take pictures of scenery, Percy was quiet.
We loved explanations about what was happening along the route, even on the detour (there was an accident with the road not opening any time soon). As we made the U-turn to get to the detour, Percy notified other drivers along the long line of vehicles that were behind us. We thought it was great that he considered the other drivers when he was feeling a little stressed about the delay in our arrival.
We liked the stop he made for a break...it was like we were starting our safari early with zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, elands, African buffalo, and more, including the only rhinos we saw on our trip (it turned out).
Some of the roads were rough, but that wasn't Percy's fault. We always felt safe with him. We are glad Percy was our driver.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Phenomenal in every way!
I shouldn't admit this because I'm putting it out there in the world, but I ask a lot of questions!! And Alex is the most patient person I have ever met. She never got ruffled or short and was always extremely patient, kind and incredibly knowledgeable.
We booked a seventeen day trip to Tanzania and Kenya this past September.
Alex is incredibly detailed, really listens to what is important to you and addresses everything perfectly. As my needs and desires changed she rearranged the itinerary without question. If I wasn't sure about something, she always either had an answer or researched it and got back to me very quickly. Never abrupt, always very thoughtful and very generous with her time.
As for the particulars, she listened to my budget and created a phenomenal itinerary. We stayed two nights in Tarangire, two nights in Ngorongoro, three nights in the Northern Serengeti, and three nights each in two conservancies in Kenya.
Pairing the conservancies in Kenya with staying in national parks in Tanzania was perfect choice. Alex felt that staying in the parks in Tanzania as opposed to the conservancies in Kenya gave you a completely different experience. She was spot on. It just was the perfect mix and I'm so glad that we did it that way.
If we went back to Africa, Alex would absolutely be the one and only person I would book it with.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb
Anton is a star driver and guide. We have enjoyed every minute of the trip and it wouldn't be a fun without Anton. This man have a great scene of humour, extremely friendly and professional knowledge of the all Safari parks. Anton made our trip very special which we can never forget. Anton should be training all the others to his level. All the best for him in future.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant!!!!
It exceeded all my expectations this was a holiday/ safari of my dreams organised by my beautiful sons for my very special birthday 🎂
To be able to see the wildlife animals in person is just unbelievable.
From cheetah to baby elephants, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, beautiful flamingos and many more amazing animals.
Anton was the absolutely the best guide very professional, knowledgeable, kind and most of all very respectful of the group.
He was very patient and able to answer our questions with details in helping us to understand how the animals live in the wild.
He was fun to be with and maybe one day we will meet again.
Asante Santa Anton 🙏🏼
RO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
best
We had an amazing experience on our 3-day, 2-night camping safari!
Everything was well organized, and we enjoyed every moment of the adventure. The food was absolutely delicious, thanks to our fantastic chef, Samili, who prepared amazing meals throughout the trip.
A huge thank you to our incredible tour guide, Amiri! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and always made sure we had the best possible experience. Thanks to his experience and sharp eyes, we managed to spot all of the Big Five and even the Ugly Five!
Camping in the middle of nature, surrounded by wildlife, was an unforgettable experience.
Special thanks to Amiri and Samili for making these three days so memorable. We couldn’t have asked for a better team!
Highly recommended to anyone looking for an authentic safari adventure in Tanzania! 🦁🐘🦒🇹🇿
AT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Unforgettable Safari with Meru Slopes – The Experience of a Lifetime!
We had an absolutely incredible experience with Meru Slopes and could not recommend them more highly! Our six-day private safari through Tanzania was a dream come true, filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, beautiful landscapes, amazing lodges and, above all, exceptional service from the entire Meru Slopes team. It was worth every penny, and we would choose them again and again!
A huge thank you to Gift Tembo, our sales contact and the person responsible for organising our safari. Communication was incredibly easy, and he always replied super quickly. He organised everything exactly as we wished, answered all our questions and made sure every detail was taken care of. We even had the pleasure of meeting him in person before and after the safari. As a particularly lovely surprise, he arranged a special dinner for us at one of the lodges, which made our trip even more memorable.
From the airport pick-up to our final transfer back, everything worked perfectly. We always felt welcome and were treated like friends rather than just customers. This personal touch made a real difference throughout our journey.
Most important: Thank you, Robert!
Our guide, Robert, was simply fantastic! He was always friendly, cheerful, punctual and professional, and we felt completely safe with him throughout the safari. His knowledge of the animals, their behaviour and the different landscapes was impressive. He patiently answered every question we had and taught us so much along the way.
His ability to spot wildlife was extraordinary. He regularly spotted animals we would never have noticed ourselves, even when we thought there was nothing around! He always positioned the vehicle perfectly to give us the best possible views and photo opportunities while maintaining a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the animals.
Robert was also an excellent driver, confidently navigating challenging roads and tracks that we would never have imagined driving ourselves. He always gave us enough time to watch, photograph and appreciate the animals without feeling rushed, while also allowing us time to relax and enjoy the journey. We could not have asked for a better guide!
Our private safari was just for the two of us and Robert, which made the entire experience very personal and flexible. We travelled in a modified 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, perfectly suited for wildlife viewing and photography.
The vehicle was spacious, comfortable and exceptionally well equipped. We had Wi-Fi, electrical sockets, a fridge stocked with unlimited water and soft drinks, and even beer and wine if desired. The seats were very comfortable, there was plenty of room for both of us and our belongings, and we always felt safe. The vehicle really enhanced our game drives and made even the longer journeys enjoyable.
The accommodation throughout our safari was excellent, with great locations, lovely rooms, delicious food and welcoming staff. We stayed at Under the Shades Safari Lodge in Arusha, Farm of Dreams Lodge in Karatu, Signature Serengeti Luxury Tented Safari Camp in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Wild Camp inside the conservation area. We also returned to Farm of Dreams on our way back to Arusha.
Our absolute highlight was Signature Serengeti Luxury Tented Safari Camp. It was a dream come true to sit on our terrace and watch zebras grazing right in front of us. The beautiful rooms, excellent food, friendly staff and wildlife surrounding the camp both day and night made this stay truly magical.
The food at all the lodges was consistently very good, with delicious options for different tastes. The staff were always welcoming and attentive, and most of the lodges even had swimming pools where we could relax after dusty but amazing game drives.
The hot lunches provided during our game drives were another great touch. We enjoyed them at lovely picnic sites, with a selection of rice, meat and cooked vegetables. They were tasty, varied and perfect for a day out exploring the parks.
We also appreciated the thoughtful extras, including complimentary SIM cards for our safari. These little details demonstrate how much effort Meru Slopes puts into making the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Our itinerary took us through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro National Park and Lake Manyara National Park. Each destination had its own character, scenery and wildlife, making every day different and beautiful in its own way.
Of course, wildlife is unpredictable, and no safari company can guarantee specific animal sightings. Nevertheless, we were incredibly lucky and experienced encounters we will remember for the rest of our lives!
Among our highlights were:
- Lion families with tiny cubs eating and playing right beside our vehicle.
- Beautiful leopards resting in trees with their prey.
- Cheetahs walking incredibly close to us.
Elephant families drinking right in front of us.
- Both black and white rhinos.
- Vast herds of wildebeest, zebras and buffalo.
- Huge groups of hippos relaxing together in the water.
- Giraffes surprisingly close to our vehicle and gazelles crossing the tracks all around us.
We were fortunate enough to see all of the Big Five and even the Ugly Five multiple times. Every day brought new surprises, and Robert's incredible spotting skills helped us make the most of every opportunity.
We believe Meru Slopes offers outstanding value for money. The organisation, personal attention, knowledgeable guide, comfortable vehicle, quality accommodation, delicious food and thoughtful extras all contributed to an exceptional experience. Everything felt well organised, without ever losing the personal touch that made the trip so special.
Most importantly, Gift, Robert and the entire Meru Slopes family genuinely cared about making our safari the best possible experience. We always felt looked after, safe and welcome.
Our final verdict: Highly recommended!
This safari was truly an experience of a lifetime. We came home with unforgettable memories, incredible photographs and a much deeper appreciation for Tanzania's wildlife and landscapes.
A heartfelt thank you to Gift, Robert and the entire Meru Slopes team for making our dream safari a reality. You exceeded our expectations in every way!
If you are considering a safari in Tanzania, we wholeheartedly recommend Meru Slopes. You will be in excellent hands. We would choose them again and again and again!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great guide, seamless travel, regular communication - highly recommend!
We had an amazing time on our first ever safari!
The service throughout was excellent, including good communication during booking and in the lead up to our arrival. Beyond the Plains arranged collection from the airport hotel, internal flights, a hot air balloon safari, and accommodation for us and it all went brilliantly.
We spent 4 days in the Masai Mara, staying at Mara Maisha Camp, where our lodge was very spacious and well equipped, and nothing was too much for the attentive staff.
The safari itself was unforgettable, with a huge thank you to our guide, Ken. Ken was really knowledgeable, had a great sense of humour, and made sure we got to see everything we wanted to and more. He definitely went the extra mile.
This was our first safari and we’ll be sure to use Beyond the Plains again next time!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Philip was the Best very disciplined and always happy
What a wonderful experience with Axis! Philip was such a delight to work with. He was warm, patient, professional, and incredibly attentive to our needs. From ensuring everything was running smoothly to making sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves, he went out of his way to make the experience special.
I particularly loved his friendly nature and the way he made everything feel effortless. There was never a dull moment, and his knowledge, courtesy, and positive attitude made a real difference. It is always refreshing to meet someone who takes genuine pride in their work and treats clients with such respect and kindness.
I would gladly choose Axis again and recommend their services to anyone looking for a memorable experience. Philip, thank you for making our time so enjoyable. You certainly know how to make your clients feel valued!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Phillip was the best.
My experience with Axis was absolutely fantastic! From the very beginning, Philip made sure everything was well organized, comfortable, and enjoyable. He was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready with a helping hand or a good conversation. What I appreciated most was his patience and attention to detail. Nothing felt rushed, and he made sure we enjoyed every moment of the experience.
Philip has a great personality and knows how to make people feel welcome. By the end of the experience, it felt less like dealing with a company and more like spending time with someone who genuinely cares about his clients. If you are looking for excellent service, good company, and an experience worth remembering, I would highly recommend Axis. Keep up the great work, Philip!
