US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Splendid safari with gorgeous animals, great guide but mediocre lodging
We just returned from a 7-day safari with Absolute Holiday and Safaris limited to Masai Mara, Nakuru and Amboseli. . They are a resource sharing group with Big Time safaris. We were quite happy with their service. They picked us up at the airport, transferred us to Sarova Stanley and we began our safari the next day with 4 others. Our contact person, David, was quite cordial and helpful. The highlight of our safari was Patrick, our safari driver and guide. We had requested for Patrick based on testimonials on the Internet and were truly pleased. He is a warm, nice person with a solid knowledge of the animals and the savannah. I remark on his ability because he was able to spot and land us as virgin spectators into various animal adventures. That was remarkable. Altogether it was an excellent trip. We chose the budget option to experience the savannah closer. However, in hindsight, I will opt for a bit less modest accommodations next time. Our camps and tents were too primitive with loads of plumbing issues and some dreadful-looking insects as natural lodgers. We plan to opt for a less-primitive lodging experience next time.
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A delightful holiday in Uganda
We arranged a tailor made trip for the two of us with an emphasis on birds and wildlife in general. We travelled in a Toyota Land Cruiser [very comfortable] with a driver/guide and a separate bird guide on an 18 day trip visiting various national parks and reserves.
With just one exception all the accommodation was excellent; some lodges and some guesthouses/community camps etc. It proved to be a very good itinerary with a variety of habitats. Some of the roads are appalling but our driver was very experienced.
Bird-wise the trip exceeded expectations; superb views of shoebill on the first day, followed by 420+ more species. Our bird guide was very good in forests where we needed most help and we often had the help of a local bird guide as well .
Any problems we encountered were dealt with quickly and efficiently by Lydia who runs the company; she was in regular contact with our driver . We have never experienced such personal service in this respect. The guest house and lodge owned and run by Nkuringo were exceptionally good with friendly helpful staff.
Overall this was a very good trip which will live in our memories; thank you to all concerned!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A review of the Lodges and Company
My husband and I went on a 21d overland Safari with Crisscross. We were accompanied by Thinus himself. Rather than going into details about where to go, I would like to review CrissCross as well as some of the lodges we stayed at rather than Namibia itself which is a must do location for Safari.
Communication with this company and their response time is superb, especially when you consider that when Thinus is on the road, wifi is sketchy and that he may be limited in how often he could see to business. I found this company to be highly responsive and excellent in providing several options and listing suggestions. I am an avid researcher and all their suggestions were what we were looking for after. Kudos to the support staff as well as the organization that they maintain. Please understand that in Namibia, as well developed in infrastructure for an African nation it is, there are still small barriers that would make it difficult towards organization but this company overcomes this well.
A criticism I would have of the company is that during the organization part there isn't a clear idea of the amount of driving and time required in a vehicle. Distances that are covered at highway speed in developed nations take much, much longer. As such, much of my distress during our safari was the amount of time spent cooped up in a vehicle. I would have appreciated knowing in advance the approximate time it would take to journey from one destination to another. I find being stationary in a car exhausting (more so than a very active day) so would have really appreciated either a few extra days to recoup. The car is a comfortable 4x4 and was very reliable for our long journey. However, now knowing the distances that need to be covered and the very straight, unfortunately repetitious scenery (not many villages or natural sights) I think I would have changed my safari and included some flights instead.
The Lodges presented as choice were amazing. Paying more to stay at certain locations are definitely recommended. In my opinion places to "splash out" include (in order of importance): 1. Mowani camp in Dmamaraland (this is a must! I would never think of staying anywhere else and when I sleep I wish to dream of the scenery here), 2. the Premier Waterhole room in Okaukejo (too bad there wasn't room service! food here was terrible but the Waterhole is superb!), 3. Hoodia Lodge in Sossusliev (unless staying in the park which is also a nice option).
Other highly recommended lodges or trips for interest and for uniqueness: 1. Senyati (very hot rooms but a real introduction to Elephant herd behavior...did you know they line up for water? so polite); 2. Ndhovu (Hippos outside your tent...need I say more? Yes because they have a resident Hippo named Chomp who is adorable); 3. Tenting in the Okavango.
CrissCross managed to find us an outfitter (maun_backpackers.com) that did camping in the Okavango Delta (Botswana side). This was by far my favourite part of this entire safari. We're talking about real camping here, not a lodge and I loved it. I would highly recommend this over any other tour if you love to camp. Elephants, hyenas, the possibility of wild dogs, tracking a black rhino, swimming in the Okavango... all experiences that I wouldn't have thought possible unless you camp.
Finally, I would like to recommend Thinus as a guide. He is an excellent source of information for history as well as provides a unique view and opinion on the Apartheid movement that I had not considered before. I did initially have an issue with Thinus smoking while we were on game drives, but after letting him know of this, he desisted. It would have been nice if he opted first not to smoke around us nonsmokers rather than needing me to bring this to his attention. In addition, please be aware that your guide is with you the entire time, even for meals. If you're looking for a romantic holiday or special time with your significant other to reconnect, you may want to tell your guide. We asked to have several dinners by ourselves just to give us time to spend together as a couple. A suggestion I have for the company is to clarify expectations with your guests regarding smoking and meals at the start of the tour. It would have made some uncomfortable situations less of an issue.
The strengths of this company lies in its organization as well as ability to provide guests with a variety of tour options at various price points. I would recommend CrissCross Namibia.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice Safari with adventure
Tour Starts perfectly. Were picked up in Time at the Airport. Lokal Guide stayed with us in the first day in Arusha. Especially the Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater I can recommend. We saw everything we expected. With Adventure feeling in the Serengeti Campside at Night. But felt all the time Safe during the Safari. We had to built up our tents by ourself that could be arranged a little bit better organzied. Our cooke called Isa was so friendliy and meals were realy perfect! Many thanks to Isa.
Accomondation in Karatu was Panorama Inn Hotel. Nice accomondation but take care of your belongings and money. The staff in the hotel grapped some money from us.
The coffee plantation we also stayed one Night was perfekt. Here we felt totaly Save and everything especially the meals are great. I can realy recommend this Location and I would prefer to stay longer there if possible.
The cultural part of our tour was one the one side a good experiance (hunting with the Hadzabe) in the other side it felt a little bit artificial meeting Masai people. No need to do that!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
perfect 5 days safari with experienced driver, guide and cook
The communication with Mega Adventures was very good. The office is experienced and is flexible with finding a custom fit safari experience. We had a good safari trip, the guide/driver was very helpful and looked for the best spots every day. The diners were basic but good. Regarding the settings (we had a camp safari) the cook delivered good food en service. We enjoyed the trip! Felt like genuine.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable service, great driver
We hired a bus that took us through Nairobi, Arusha and Mombasa for a charity drive we had planned.
Having our own private bus made the trip MUCH easier and much more comfortable.
The driver, Patrick, was fabulous and really looked out for the crew.
There were some minor mechanical issues with the bus and the company arranged [an albeit smaller] replacement vehicle quite quickly
Overall a great experience
All want you can wish for in a safari!
Easy booking, good hotelsuggestions, excellent game-drives! We really got some great experienced, exitement and fun that we didn't expect!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Mildred Theunisz
It is a natural wonder, but we found that the wildlife was less overwhelming than in Serengeti and Tarangire. We spotted a rhino far away. But hey, we can tick the box of the Big 5. Certainly a wonder that you want to visit. But one day is enough.
AT
20-35 years of age
Excellent, but beware of details
Kenya is incredible! No matter with which tour operator, airline or travel agency you go there you should be satisfied. You can have beach holiday, city trips, wildlife viewing, climbing mountains - all of it in just two weeks time. Regarding our trip to Masai Mara with Kenya Tour Budget Safari, which was supposed to be wildlife viewing tour. Definitely to be recommended, but with some observations. Why you should choose this or similar company which uses minivans for safari inside the national parks (Masai Mara and Nakuru) - because the roots are the same for everybody - you view the same animals and use the same infrastructure. There is really no sense to pay two or three times more just for riding a jeep. The majority of drivers are experienced and know where and when to go. If financial aspect is not important for you then you can choose a flight on a small plane from Nairobi. Thus you will avoid the quite bumpy road.
What was not ok in our trip: you pay not too much, therefore you live two nights in a tented camp just outside the Masai Mara national park. A real tent would be fine for me, yet the owners of the camp have decided to use (in their opinion) improved tents - with the shower and toilet inside the the tent! Each tent is for several people, so unless you are a group of close friends or a family, it becomes really uncomfortable. And there is no alternative - like a common shower or toilet somewhere else in the camp. The shower is with cold water only, but if you are in good health it should not make problems.
Next negative point - all flamingos from lake Nakuru have left, yet the organizers did not inform us about it. And finally - the small business of the tour drivers - "optional" boat safari in lake Naiwasha. One hour for 30 USD :) In the beginning nobody wants to go there, because there is nothing to see except malaria mosquitoes. However the driver speaks with everyone individually and says that all the group wants to go to Naiwasha. And of course you are expected to join the group. So, speak among yourselves and beware of such practices.
In general - I want back to Kenya!
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thoughtful organizers
I was on a 3 day safari to Murchison Falls with some problems along the way that they solved in the best way . I got to enjoy the wildlife and can recommend them for a safari .