US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great care when I needed it
I didn't know anything about Speke Holidays when I ended up traveling with them. I booked my tour through Timbuktu Travel, and Speke was their local partner, to whom they assigned me for the actual guide and details of the trip. But I want to review Speke itself because I think it's important to know what a company does when things don't go well, in addition to when they do.
For the first few days, I had a wonderful time on my tour with Speke. My guide was named Innocent, and we got along great and he took such good care of me that I had to make him promise to stop buying me things unless he'd let me pay for them! Otherwise I kept finding that when I mentioned that I liked fresh fruit, a trio of pineapples found their way into the van at an open-air market before I even had the chance to try and buy my own.
Then I got sick three days into my tour, from swallowing a few drops of bad water in the shower. Nobody's fault but my own. I didn't want to miss the things that mattered most to me on the tour, so I soldiered on... unable to eat most things available to me, and spending most of the driving time asleep in my seat from a side effect of the anti-nausea medicine I was taking.
Innocent couldn't have taken better care of me if I had been his own mother. I don't know what he said to the staff at Kibale Forest, but where most travelers were assigned in groups of six, I got not only a hired porter but my own private ranger assigned to me so that we could go at a pace I could handle. She found us chimpanzees almost right away, so I got to see them without having to walk far. Innocent was waiting for us when I staggered out of the forest and took me back in hand.
He found me a small-town medical clinic, but they didn't give me the one thing I really needed -- antibiotics. I don't know whether that was a mistaken choice on the doctor's part, or just that the clinic didn't have them available. I soldiered on, determined to see the gorillas at Bwindi no matter what it took.
It took a whole gang of porters and a thing that looked like a cross between a stretcher and a sedan chair, but I was carried up the mountain and back down again. The way to was terrifying and the way down was excruciatingly painful, but the gorillas were worth every moment of it all, and the guys Innocent hired to take care of me kept me safe every step of the way.
By the time we got back to the lodge after the trip into Bwindi, I was crying in pain and I hadn't been able to eat anything significant in six days. I had finally done the one thing I was determined not to miss. I decided that it was time to stop gutting it out, and get back to good medical care as swiftly as possible. So I asked Innocent the next morning what was the quickest way to get me back to Kampala.
Well, I found out!! I spoke to Tony, the head of Speke, on the phone briefly; then he arranged to have a plane held on the tarmac for me while Innocent got me and my things scooped up and raced me to the airstrip. He sent me off with a minimum of baggage, and followed by road with the rest of my things. I was in a Kampala hospital only six hours after I asked for help getting there, and settled in an Entebbe hotel that same evening, after a starter dose of antibiotics and a lot of IV fluids, already feeling much better.
From there, I recovered pretty quickly. Innocent and I even managed to do a few gentle activities in Entebbe during my last day or two in Uganda, like the behind the scenes tour at the zoo which allowed me to pet a friendly shoebill stork and throw fruit to the chimpanzees on their island.
But what's most important to me is the help that Speke got me when I needed it most -- both ensuring that even through my illness I could still see the chimpanzees and gorillas I came for, and then getting me back to medical care swiftly and effectively once I was willing to go get it.
Innocent and Tony did more than give me a good vacation. They handled a major medical crisis and kept me safe. I'm truly grateful, and I can't recommend them highly enough.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing driver for an amazing safari tour
We spent several days with Shafik (best driver ever) who was a remarkable driver: we always felt safe with him, and we also appreciated his good mood and his sympathy. we recommend him!
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable, kind, and knowledgeable!
We had an absolutely amazing experience with Epic Africa Adventure. Daniel was communicative, reliable, and very supportive, and he provided us with a perfect safari experience. The route, guide, and chef were all wonderful, and we saw so many amazing animals every single day!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Highly professional
I was mostly happy about the timely communication and advice which was given accordingly to ensure that the itinerary was tailored to our needs and budget. We entered Uganda via the Cyanika border where we were met our guide who was also our driver. During our 5-day trip in Uganda, The guide demonstrated a perfect command of wildlife information. Although this having been my 2nd trip in Uganda , The guide ensured that there was always something new to learn. The private trip Uganda team: you guys are fantastic.
DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience with an amazing guide
My wife and I had an unforgettable 5-day safari tour, and it was all thanks to our lovely guide, Lordigald, and African Big Cats. Upon our arrival to Arusha, we met up with Emanuel and were thouroughly briefed before departure.
In the past my wife always been very hesitant about going on a safari tour due to safety concerns, but my wife can honestly say that she felt very safe and secure throughout the whole trip, and she cannot wait to give my future children the same experience. By that time, I truly hope that African Big Cats and Lordigald, who has been the most wonderful and dedicated tour guide, will be available to give us another experience of a lifetime.
Thank you so much for an incredible adventure.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
magic experience
We have a very Good experience with Serengueti Wakanda Everything that they indicate in their tour was like that, good guides, good food, I recommend it 100%
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
It was my 1st time in Africa and was excited to visit amboseli Kenya,masai mara,,Lake nakuru and Lake naivasha
The 5 days safari started in nairobi and Paul the tour driver was very welcoming and experienced
We were a group of 5 in the van and we saw leopard, cheetah,rhino and lion. too much Buffalos
At amboseli we saw lots of elephants
I love kenamoti tours experience from picks at jkia to the entire trip
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Highly reliable professional tour operator.
The Communication was in good time regarding the trip details. The off-road vehicle was clean and the driver kept time. The safari happened as planned. It was a memorable experience.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great for solo budget backpackers
I did the 4 day safari february 9-12 although the stated itinerary changed right from the beginning I still got to do everything in the itinerary, I was passed around a bit with other safaris but they were all great. As my guides I got Bonifas and Patrick which were just great. I saw everything: Leopards, Cheetahs, Elephants, Lions, Rinos white and black, Giraffes, Hippos, Hyenas, Zeebras, Savanah Cat, and a ton of different antelopes and birds. They get you right up close to the animals too, everything and more that I wanted to see. The weather if February was good, it rained a bit but only at night and was bright and sunny for all the game drives and the savanna was a nice green.
The food and accommodation was ok to good, better than I was expecting for the budget I was on.
They even dropped me off at Lake Naivasha instead of Nairobi so that I could do Hells Gate on my own, if you do this you can camp on the lake at one of the camps, I camped at Fisherman's Camp, from there it's about 5k to the entrance of Hells Gate.
One of the changes they did was that instead of starting in the Masai Mara I first did Lake Nakuru and if you can manage it this way it's great because it builds up to the Mara which is by far the best part of the safari
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent organization
Tanzania Specialist listened to our expectations and desires, and everything was exactly what they promised: timing, hotels and lodges, private guide. And everyone was ready to be with us whatever happens: for example, we had a mechanical problem on our Land Rover and it got repaired in less than 1,5 hour in the middle of Serengeti… we hesitated for a long time before deciding Tanzania specialist would be our travel agent, and we are really happy we chose them.