QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experienced, professional and flexible. A perfect first safari experience in Kenya!
Joseph was the only tour operator to reach out on what’s app from when we requested quotations and immediately provided helpful information and answered our questions (first time safari goers). Johnson our driver was extremely friendly and experienced, and was able to help with anything. The safaris were excellent, and Johnson somehow managed to always get within a few feet of the animals for us. The days were jam packed and every day was different, from boat rides to game drives and even visits to the local tribe villages. Mufasa was organised, safe and professional and Johnson made sure of this. 100% recommend these guys.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely first class personal service.
Our trip to South Africa and Mauritius was tailor made for us by African Welcome Safaris (AWS had been recommended to us by colleagues who had previously used AWS). At the start of planning, we discussed the type/style of hotels we like to stay in, the type of safari we'd like to do. AWS gave us suggestions as to 'on the ground tours' we could do. From there, a personalised draft itinerary was created and agreed with us.
So - what was it like? Absolutely fabulous. AWS got it 'spot on' with the hotels, the private guided tours, the safari and the Mauritius 'unwind' part at the end. The other great thing was that we were regularly communicated with by WhatsApp during our trip to check everything was okay and going to plan. Any questions etc were immediately resolved.
What did we do? Our trip started with 6 nights in Cape Town. We stayed on the V&A Waterfront and had a number of private tours organised by AWS - including Stellenbosch and Cape Point. We then flew across to Johannesburg and then onto Madikwe for a 3 night safari. The lodge 'blew us away' as did all of the game viewing. After that, we returned to J'Burg and spent a night there (AWS organised a Soweto tour and a visit to the Apartheid museum for us). After that, we flew to Mauritius for 5 nights. Like I say, an absolutely splendid trip - we'd go so far as to say our best ever family holiday (we were travelling with kids of 11 and 13). We wouldn't hesitate to recommend AWS!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari experience!
Great first safari experience with Lenchada safaris and Andrew as our guide! He was super knowledgeable about the things we saw on our drive when we asked him questions. If you want to know something, just ask him!
The first day evening drive was my personal favorite. Throughout the trip, we saw tons of animals - elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, impalas, leopard, lions, cheetahs, hippos, and more! It’s important to remember that we’re in nature and it’s impossible to predict what animals you’ll see, so be nice to your guide and enjoy the ride through nature, regardless if you see big 5 or not :)
Lenchada camp was wonderful! Helen took care of us and helped us get hot water running when we had trouble - she was such a joy to chat with! The food at the camp was delicious and simple. Lots of beans/lentils and rice. Tented camps had an adjoining shower and bathroom.
Tiny cons (to be expected for a budget safari, not a big issue at all) : The packed lunch on the second day left a bit to be desired so I’d recommend bringing some extra food if you get hungry. Our safari vehicle had definitely seen better days, but it didn’t impact our trip too much.
Overall, would highly recommend this safari for budget travelers - it was WAY better than I expected and we had an unforgettable experience.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great budget safari
Great budget safari! We really enjoyed our time at Lenchada camp. The tents were nicer than expected with a shower and bathroom connected :D The people working there were kind and helped us whenever we had a problem. Breakfast and dinner was delicious! Lunch as a vegetarian was small (bread and fruit) so bring some extra snacks and water. And remind the guide to bring water if it’s included in your package!
Andrew was a good guide, if you have questions about the names of animals/birds, just ask him. We saw so many elephants, giraffes, and all the big cats! Our jeep was a bit of an older car, but for a budget safari you can’t expect too much. We still enjoyed standing with the roof off and seeing all the nature! Great safari :D thanks Alex for helping us organize everything!
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Großartige Tour mit einem Super Guide !
Our guide Thimothy spotted all the animals and small colourful birds We were lucky enough to see over 20 lions in one day. He was a good and safe driver. In advance we had a great consultation with Dirk, who put together a great package according to our wishes. And at a great price. The package included the safari through all national parks, Lake Natron and we were comfortably brought to Lushoto. All at an unbeatable price!
All Lodges were top!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Matoke Tours is the most professional, customer-oriented, value-for-money tour operator, I have met
I had my friend from Germany coming to Uganda with her 2 teenage daughters and I booked a 7-days tour with Matoke Tours for us, based on the Value-for-money Tour advertised on the Website. As the girls are under 15 years of age, we couldn't do the gorilla tracking, but Pleunie was excellent in offering tailor-made alternatives. Her recommended options for accommodation were also superb. We went to Kibale Forest for chimp tracking, Queen Elisabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. It has been a wonderful trip and even though I have visited Uganda's National Parks many times before, self-organised and self-driving, this trip has been the most wonderful experience, due to such professional service and excellent choice of accommodation by Pleunie (we had asked for mid-range and they turned out to be exactly what we wished for at a price we could afford).
I am sure that Pleunie did a lot more behind the scenes, but what I would like to thank her most for, is for giving us Jacob as our guide, driver, councillor, scientist, entertainer, ….
He is the best guide I have ever experienced. He advocated for us at the lodges and UWA, he managed so well to deal with teenage, sometimes stubborn girls, being able to balance our interest in an exclusive wildlife experience with the interests of two 12 and 14 years old girls.
Jacob has a wealth of experience and knowledge about wildlife and conservation, if he doesn’t know he says so and asks others, and most of all, I have never felt as safe with a driver, as I have felt with him.
He has certainly made this safari the most enjoyable and rewarding trip, especially for me, as I know differently. But also my visitors loved him and valued him so so much.
All in all, I can recommend Matoke Tours highly, for their Professionalism and Skill in matching people with what suits them best.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome tour with an amazing guide!
How’s a perfect safari ? It’s not easy to tell but this operator offers the perfect package! The tour guide was amazing, the operator was very helpful in advance and during the safari. We saw a lot of animals, the food en route was always perfect and the lodges were handpicked !
IL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Will book more travel with Tanzania Roadside during our next time in the country, without hesitation
We did two full-day private safari trips to Ngorongoro crater and Arusha National Park. The trips were arranged at a very short notice, and the rates that Tanzania Roadside Expedition offered were in line, or lower, than the competition. That, combined with very favorable reviews, convinced us to choose Tanzania Roadside.
The trips were wonderful: all sightings promised in the itinerary documents sent to us beforehand materialized in full, despite the travel being in a low (rainy) season. We very much appreciated the service and company of our guide/driver Ezekiel. He is experienced and knowledgeable (being a college graduate in a related discipline), and a warm and fun person. The Toyota Land Cruiser was comfortable, and the provided binoculars enhanced the experience.
As said in the title, we would not hesitate to book other trip when the opportunity arises, and would definitely recommend Tanzania Roadside Expeditions to others.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional Service
Fortune our tour operator from Forche Tours made our holiday arrangements smooth and well organised, communication with Fortune was very good he returned our calls and emails promptly everything was organised via emails and phone. Fortune made all our bookings for hotels excursions and transportation. When we arrived in Zimbabwe our vehicle was waiting to take us to the hotel Fortune made all the bookings for our party of 6 people our first evening we went to the Boma Restaurant to experience the local food and culture, the next day we went to Victoria Falls and had a Helicopter ride well worth doing, on the evening we went on the sunset dinner cruise on the river absolutely beautiful, other tours included Safaris in Botswana and enjoying the locals restaurants like The Look Out Restaurant in Zimbabwe was amazing. We crossed over the border to Zambia for the steam train experience if you want to do the train make sure to have the 5 course meal. Be prepared to pay for the visas when your in Africa Forche Tours made sure it went smoothly and the mini buses were waiting for us the other side of the border to continue the tours. Overall we had a fantastic holiday that was good value for money thanks to Fortune and his team.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go Touch Down-The tour company you want it to be. A Big, Huge Success!
We went in September 2021, everything opened up from Covid, and just before it closed again. Now travel looks a lot better.
We had the best vacation. I loved going to South Africa and Go Touch Down did not disappoint us. We stayed at the Humala River Lodge. Our guide took us on early morning and evening safari. We saw a herd of elephants, zebras, giraffes, kudu, wildebeest, hippos. Took our first hot air balloon ride, buffet breakfast included. No worries there, our driver picked us up at the airport. Took us to each destination. They do small groups 6 people max. We flew to Cape Town, stayed at Belle Marco. What a fabulous view of Table Mtn., right on the waters edge. Went to the vineyards, saw fields of canola, baboons, lovely drive. Went to the waterfront out to see seal island. Had dinner at the seafood restaurant. Ate too much, you pick what you want at the restaurants. Everything was wonderful, it was the definitely the "Trip of a Lifetime ". I could go on forever about it. Now they've changed the itinerary this year to include Krueger and Humala. You will love Go Touch Down .
