NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A amazing personal safari with i Dream of Africa
My boyfriend and I (both 29) were looking for a private guided tour where we could create our own itinerary. After doing some research, we found "I Dream of Africa" www.idreamofafrica.com through reviews on the internet. I Dream of Africa is a local Arusha based company, so you support a local company.
We corresponded through email (more than 50 J) and by thelephone with Christopher. Together we created a custom safari. Christopher, was our guide and driver throughout the 7 day safari, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. He shared much knowledge about the wildlife and environment. And he was always on the lookout for animals. Christopher knew how to approach the animals. Besided that, Christopher knows a lot about Tanzania and the economic and political issues in the country.
We experienced a lot of advantage of a private tour, such as:
- you can stay in one spot as long as you want.
- You don’t have a tidy schedule.
- You really experienced the wild life if you stay on the public campsite.
- During lunch and dinner you have time to discuss about things.
We stayed on the local camp sites in a tent. The facility are basic but very clean and the food prepared through the cook was very good, fresh and healthy. It was sublime to be out in the middle of nowhere listening to lions and elephants. They where only several hundred feet away. One time early in the morning there was a big family of 20 elephants just 100 meter in front of a camp site. It was amazing. We felt very safe and Christopher is really looking afther you.
We really recommend "I Dream of Africa" If you are looking for a interesting and personal safari. You will have a amazing experience with Christopher.
It was amazing to me and nice ,wish to be back soon.
Wildlife was excellent we found many migration.it was a little rain and sunny which was good .accommodation was good to sleep in the tent inside the bush.transport was excellent by mwema safaris they gave us a good land cruiser with tour guide we visited everywhere in massai mara we thank for that.
Game Diversity
I have already been several times to Africa and always try to include Kwando or Linyanti areas to visit. This year it was a Lagoon Camp in Kwando Concession. Due to the combination of savanna, woodland and swamps you will be able to see a huge diversity of animals. It is one of places where you can see lions, leopards and cheetahs. And even the same day! And to crown it all a pack of wild dogs! The huge herds of buffalos are staying in this area as well attracting nomadic (without a pride) lions. The breeding herds of elephants crossing the Kwando river just beside your tent so you can watch them during the midday break. Diversity of animals just incredible. The two lodges (Lebala and Lagoon) of Kwando Safaris are very comfortable and have very professional and friendly stuff. What differs Kwando Safaris from other camps is the atmosphere! Plenty of jokes, traditional music and sincere people. You feel absolutely relaxed. I've been in both camps and can recommend the both of them. During my second safari (now I am planning sixth) I met one guy for whom it was already 16th safari and I asked him what is the best. And he answered: "That is it. Kwando Safaris is the best. Lebala is the best." But my favourite was Kwando Little Kwara (in Kwara Concession) and now I think it is Kwano Lagoon. So, it's up on you what you will choose. But with all those camps you will definitely choose the game!!
CN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding Safari, Outstanding Driver/Guide, Outstanding Service
~ I've been on four safaris with Jocky Tours, in August, 2011 and January, 2013 and April, 2014 and August, 2014. All were arranged by Ms. Minneh Wangare with careful attention to detail. Mine's patience and consideration made the entire safari planning process comfortable and efficient. All of the safaris were outstanding, thanks to the skills of guide/driver Anthony Gitau. He knows how to spot animals and makes it possible to take world-class photographs. The Big Five and numerous other species were seen. Jocky Tours provides great service and great safaris. Contact Minneh for details, as she'll help you in every way possible.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Family trip to Ngorongoro
Tasneem was very prompt and pleasant in our communications to set up the trip. I also had to call while we were already on the trip for a few emergencies, and Zulfikar was extremely helpful over the phone. I would highly recommend working with Karibu again.
LB
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was a very good experience, I very much enjoyed the services provided.
Communication and services were very good. Timely pick-ups, drivers really consider the needs of the tourists along the way, the place we stayed at was clean and the food was good. The safari trips were very enjoyable.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent Experience | Budget Safari
Fransisca at Nature Responsible Safari organized a 5 star safari trip for us at a 2 star price. Not only was the safari and accommodation PERFECT, but the best part (speaking as a seasoned budget traveler) was that she took care of every last detail. No bus transfers or haggling about prices with the lodge - literally everything was set-up in advance, without a hitch. Her staff also took excellent care of us on the road, catering to my ridiculous food allergies and requests to stop and take photos every other minute! I highly recommend NRSC for all travelers!
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari
We (two friends) used World Tours and Safaris in November for a 6 days safari (Tarangire- Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro). Having consulted different websites and reviews, we decided to contact WTS. Richard came quickly back and gave the most economical package according to our demands, exactly as we wanted.
He always responded quickly to our messages and provided clear explanations.
Richard is a trustful man who keeps his word: we supposed to share the safari with two travellers. They did not arrive on time but this fact has not changed our safari program or the price previously agreed.
Our guide Aaron was gentle driver, he had good knowledge of animals and landscape and found always the best places to spot the animals. The food was abundant and delicious thanks to our cook Gady.
We had a fantastic safari and we keep excellent memories thanks to the good organisation and the commitment of the team. THANK YOU!
35-50 years of age
My Highest Recommendations
Instinct Safaris, namely Niels, made it possible for me and my girlfriend to hike the Mt. Nyiragongo volcano in DRC about a week ago. I understand the park has just reopened, so I am glad how smoothly visa approval and all important bookings went. After visiting DRC from Rwanda, we further connected to Uganda (Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi National Park, and Kibale National Park) for more wildlife and a second mountain gorilla track. Our guide was helpful and knowledgeable throughout :-) We recommend this company and if we travel to the region again, they are certainly the agency we will go with.
Markus
Very bad experience with Elkan Safaris
After paying upfront for a certain itinerary, the manager of the company (and I believe in fact sole employee as well) tried to change the itinerary and duration of the trip without any logic explanation
upon arrival at Serengeti Gate, we learnt that the funds to pay permits where not available. Of course, the operator lied to us saying that this was due to a system failure and ask if we could do the "favor" of paying for the entrance again and get a refund from him after finishing the safari. After 3 hours assessing options at the very gate (and subsequently wasting the time that was scheduled for safari that day), we have decided to pay only for one day, without any certainty that the day after the operator would not be coming up with the same request
thanks to the manager of the driver (a subcontractor), we could finish our safari without major incidents, apart from the inconvenience of having to turn up every single day (of a total of 5) to the offices to extend the permit as the moneys we had paid in advance were never deposited as they should have been
back to Arusha, the manager of Elkan Safaris tried even not to pay the money he owed us and we had to threaten him with reporting to the police to get our money back, which we finally did some 3 hours before going back to our homeland
I am not wasting my time trying to sort out whether all this behaviour was ill-intentioned or simply careless, all I can say is that I strongly recommend avoiding the services of this tour operator if you want to save yourselves some headaches