50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Expected more
I selected Thompson Safari for a Kilimanjaro Lemosho route summit, largely because some colleagues recommended them. All said- I would recommend considering other more reasonable alternatives. For sure, their team got us to the top, but the pre-event US based staff was lackluster at best. Delayed - if ever- responses that fell so short as to make me search the web for answers rather than engage them. Great in-country staff but clearly there were others, higher energy, and as it turns out far more reasonable for the same outcome.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari with Viva Safaris
My partner and I booked the 6 day Viva Safari over late December/New year and had a brilliant time. The team at the accommodation and the various guides are all lovely and it was fantastic just being told where to be and when. The itinerary is action packed, and we were pretty tired by the end, but we had a fabulous time. The game drives around Tresmana is really special, and it is great that it is where you stay for your first night (or multiple if you book it). There are a lot of early starts and long days so it is nice to commute a bit less between the parks for the various activities. We stayed at Katakani for the rest of our nights and there was a lot more commuting between the parks/accommodation, which can be a bit tiring after a long day in the heat.
Over our six days we saw all of the Big 5 between Tresmana and Kruger parks. We did two days full day safari at Kruger, which seemed like a lot at first but every day is different there and we had Victor as our safari guide and he was excellent at finding the animals in their natural environment. You need to be prepared to be patient with some of the animals, we waited for a cheetah sighting for around 20-25 minutes while it dozed, obscured under a tree, but it was worth the wait and that is part of the fun.
The staff at Tresmana lodge are really lovely and friendly and accommodating. It is a good set up, the rooms are basic but nice and comfortable with everything you need. They have a great meals area where you can relax and see animals passing by at the waterhole while you eat. Smiley the guide is good fun, and the night drive and bush braai are a fantastic way to start your time there, also a good way to meet the other travelers in a relaxed environment. The night drive is really exciting as most of the prey animals hunt at night so we actually saw a lioness in action which was brilliant.
We only stayed the first night at Tresmana and then we moved to Katakani for the remainder of our stay, which is the more high end accommodation. That was really special. The cabin's are really impressive and the aircon makes a huge difference over the summer period. The ladies there were also wonderful, food was always delicious and plentiful and they were great with dietaries etc. There was a bit less of a "vibe" at Katakani vs Tresmana or the tree house, however that may have been due to the timing of when we were there as it was a bit quieter over the new years days.
Overall we really enjoyed our time with Viva Safari. Communication in the lead up and throughout the trip was great. The south African hospitality is amazing and seeing the animals in their natural environment going about their day is so special. I would have stayed longer and would have loved to do another night drive. My only critic (and i am splitting hairs), would be just a bit more down time, we were on the go constantly and it would have been nice to have a bit more time to just relax a bit and enjoy the cabin a bit more and the pool etc but otherwise loved it.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari! Excellent Guide!
I selected and compared several safaris companies at very first, like one month before departure. After reviewing the itinerary and comparing the price and accommodation and etc. , I decided to choose Beacon. I did make a wise decision.
Robert always replied me quickly and answered my questions clearly and thoroughly. He provided me a quite good price compared with other companies.
Daniel was chosen to be our 6-day tour's guide and we were very lucky to have Daniel to be our guide. He is quite kind, friendly, enthusiastic and professional. During 6 days, he tried his best to let us to see many many animals, including big five! Especially at Masai Mara, he drove over 50km to Masai Triangle for taking us to see leopard, which is very very rare. Also he would like to hear what we want to do and try to make our trip flexible. Many thanks to Daniel and he gave us a wonderful Kenyan Safari tour. I definitely recommend him to be your Safari guide.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Out of this world !
We are very thankful for a wonderful and safe Safari ! Judith from Kojuu, is very helpful, prompt and professional !
Right from the booking, airport pickup and to the final drop off, everything was lovely with a healthy dose of adventure !
William Tata, our Guide is wonderful, experienced and treated us with care! Picnic lunches on game drives, driving an extra mile so we could witness the beautiful African cats, he made sure we had an unforgettable trip!
Tanzania is beautiful! The vegetation, the animals and birds, the terrain and of course the people. Must visit and if you do, with Kojuu !
Thank you, team Kojuu ! You guys rock !
Twiga, Simba and Tembo
❤️
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari must to do!
Beautiful scenery, amazing wildlife, preserve, villages people are true, honnest and very kind. Out of tourismes I recommand.
Serengeti and Ngorongoron
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Marvellous Kenya
My recent trip to Kenya was an unforgettable adventure filled with diverse landscapes, rich wildlife, and warm hospitality. From the vast savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the breathtaking views of Mount Kenya, every moment offered a new and awe-inspiring experience. The wildlife safaris surpassed my expectations, allowing me to witness the iconic Big Five in their natural habitat. The local culture and traditions shared by the Maasai people added a unique and authentic touch to my journey. The accommodations were comfortable, and the delicious Kenyan cuisine further enhanced the overall experience. Kenya truly left an indelible mark on my heart, making it a destination I would eagerly recommend to fellow travelers seeking both adventure and cultural immersion.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A safari and beach adventure
We enjoyed our honeymoon in Tanzania. We opted for a 13 days safari and beach trip. We did 6 days on safari and the rest at Nungwi Beach in Zanzibar. Nungwi is a popular beach - we would go somewhere quieter if we could do it over. Loved our trip!
NG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable, resourceful, friendly and engaging
I would highly recommend to anyone who is visiting for the first time, Destination Connect made what would have probably been an okay trip at best, a fun and engaging one
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing African Adventure!
My wife and I talked about going to Africa over 25 years ago. It was one of those "what do you want to do before we have kids"? conversations. Well, life happens, and we never did it. For our 25th anniversary, I wanted surprise her and my now 13 year old son with a trip of a lifetime. I fly a lot so the airfare wasn't a problem, but I needed an expert to help me sort out all the differing opinions, provide local guidance and knowledge, and generally help me focus on what was important and what sounded good on paper but likely wouldn't be worth doing.
I stumbled on Bush2City through this web site, and feel like I struck gold. I was a total over-planning, paranoid pain in the ass , but Maliwaza Kazimoto could not have been more pleasant, patient and knowledgeable. She helped rework the trip 10 times, literally, to accommodate our flights, limitations and requests. She asked the right questions to help refine what we really needed to do, and gave us multiple options and costs so I could make informed decisions.
The camps that she recommended were amazing. We use the word 'tent', but it's not what you think. They are tents with zippers, but that's only so you get closer to the animals and nature. I'm not sure I've ever slept that well, even when a hippo woke us up eating his midnight snack 20 feet from where we were sleeping. Maliwaza suggested that we bring earplugs so we didn't get disturbed, but the sound of crickets and frogs at night touch something very deep inside us, and we all felt incredibly comfortable and relaxed. In fact the only disappointing camp was the 'fancy' one that she picked for us, a cabin instead of a tent. After over a week in the bush, we felt somehow isolated and slightly sad by the cabin. I was much happier the next night when we were able to watch zebras 10 feet from our tent, and sip coffee while watching them graze and play. The staff at the camps are amazing. The smiles and level of care is better than anything I've experienced anywhere in the world. These are genuinely nice people who want you to love their country, and it shows.
The guides that work with Maliwaza are top notch. We had Charles for a few days in Maasai Mara, and he was skilled at finding the animals, friendly and a good driver. He asked my son what he really wanted to see and said "OK, tomorrow is Cheetah day". We saw 4! It's not a zoo, but Charles knew where to look, was tireless in his efforts, and we really saw a ton of wildlife before flying out on a soggy early morning for Serengeti. Charles had to reroute due to closed roads, and he was a Superman in navigating those treacherous roads and finding the right airstrip.
We were met after our flight by Aziz. Aziz works directly with Maliwaza, and is a total rock star. Polite, skilled in driving and knowledge of the area, and a smooth operator. He helped us navigate not only the roads, but also gave us guidance on what to pay, how to work with locals, and had a charming personality and a quick sense of humor. We were genuinely disappointed on those nights when he was not able to join us for dinner. We really felt like Aziz cared about us, and worked his ass off to finally get us the final 'Big 5', the rhino in Ngorongoro. That was an impossible feat, but he did it. We had daily rain that turned the roads into sticky muck, but we saved one couple who lost a wheel, 2 different turtles who undoubtedly would have been speed bumps, and offered assistance any time he could. We got ourselves stuck but Aziz took off his shoes, jumped out and got us pulled out within minutes. I'm sure a lot of that good will from the other drivers was because he had helped them too.
Even after we left for home, Maliwaza and Aziz texted to make sure we made our flight and arrived him safely. They didn't have to , but it sure felt nice.
I'm not sure when or if we'll be able to come back, but I know 100% who I'll use if we do. I know there are a lot of outstanding tour operators, but I felt that the value at B2C is top notch and worth ever penny I spent. Can't ask for more than that.
35-50 years of age
Wonderful Safari
Horizon Hues adventure took me to the incredible Maasai Mara and the serene Lake Naivasha. From the breathtaking wildlife in Maasai Mara to the tranquil beauty of Lake Naivasha, every moment was a new discovery. The stay at Mara Serena Safari Lodge felt like being in the heart of the wild, and the boat ride on Lake Naivasha was a peaceful escape.
Henry in particular made the planning smooth and showed much experience and knowledge. Thank you Henry. Horizon Hues made these destinations more than just places on a map – they became unforgettable experiences. If you're thinking Kenya, think Horizon Hues for a trip that turns destinations into lifelong memories.