MT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wildlife Overdose!
I spent around two weeks in Zanzibar which was a mistake. The island seems to be the place to go after a game drive / safari on the mainland. I wish I had given it a miss. Zanzibar is dirty, the shop owners in Stonetown just don't leave one alone, they have no prices on anything, you have to haggle ALL the time which is very tiring. There are some lovely handicrafts for sale in the souvenir shops but why oh why are there no prices on anything? It just makes you feel like you're constantly being ripped off.
We hired a car, you have to get a driving permit (?) which costs an extra USD 10, then police are just ready to stop you on the roads and hassle you for your documents, they lie about the speed you're doing in order to get a fine off you. It just doesn't make for a relaxing holiday. The beaches are dirty, I witnessed several hotel beach boys cleaning the hotel area of the beach on a daily basis then just wheeling down the wheelbarrow full of rubbish into the sea!! What's that about? Is there no rubbish collection in Zanzibar? The sandbanks are the same, piles of tourists over for a stopover, some including lunch, so piles of plastic are left behind along with hot charcoal. It's a dump, such a shame because it could be paradise. Zanzibar clean up your act. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The only way to swim in clean water is literally to jump off a boat into the open sea, at the snorkelling spots, which is lovely.
As for the mainland, I went on a 3 day safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro which was absolutely fantastic, especially the latter. It truly is breathtaking. We saw lions feasting on a gnu, countless zebra, hippos, flamingoes, warthogs, amazing birds, elephants, buffalo, antelope and I've no idea what else. I wish I had gone on a five day safari rather than just three.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour
I did the 3 day budget safari to Maasai Mara and had David as my guide. It was my first safari and an amazing experience. David was a great driver / guide who was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The only thing I would say that could be improved is communication- what the plan is for the day, when we will be eating etc.
The parks had an abundance of wildlife (saw many of the big 5 apart from a rhino and leopard). The vehicle was in good condition (Land Cruiser) and the accommodation was really comfortable - I wad expecting a lot worse for the budget option. The passengers of our car had been spread across 3 accommodations which where quite far apart. Due to the bad roads it took approx. 45 min. to pick up/drop off everyone. Thus, one thing I had wished for is that the people you are in an accommodation with are also the ones in your car - to avoid unnecessar in the morning and evening (loosing precious time to see the wildlife). Alternatively a meeting point just outside the national reserve could be introduced where passengers of the car could be swapped according to the tour operators/accomodations.
If you want a more detailed description, then you can read my travel blog entry for this safari: https://findpenguins.com/6jjjgruit3szw/footprint/65c92fec1d1a40-06088084
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Baraka is very funny and lovely. He made an already amazing trip more special.
Great experience, affordable price, excellent safari experience. Every service staff is warm and friendly, especially our guide Baraka, who is familiar with wildlife and brings us a detailed explanation and gives us the best travel experience.
KR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very kind, quick and punctual
My wife and I had a.good time.in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botsnawa for 2 nights and 3 days, thanks.to Afro Dawn travel service, in particular to Isabella, the 1st class tour guide. We saw the Vicotori falls from.two.different country sides and went for the Chobe river.cruise, while wrapping up helicopter tour right before departure. Every arrangement was great, except Boma dinner show with limited menu (no fruits but fruit cocktail only).
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Makes the safari fit your individual scedule: Short or long. Rough or comfy.
For a short safari (3-4 days) the living quarters is not important as we spent most time out in the bush. We never used the pool or the bar as we went out early and came back late.
Professional, helpfull and knowlegeable staff.
We picked Viva Safaris because they collect at most hotels in Joburg. - Not just from the airport.
TR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good operator, organizes everything very precisely.
It is in general a good operator, however the cars they used for safari are not comfortable.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing days with a lot of animals
Everything can be better but in a general view the safaris done were really good. All things depends around the people who do it and we feel some difference between one guide and the other that go with us. Another thing, talking about animals is the lucky that you are, and I thing that we were lucky. Thanks a lot for your work and we wish with repeating with you.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very polite
Very polite and organised tour. Our guide Jack was a gem of a person and very knowledgeable.
He was always on time waiting for us and very patient while we clicked photos
Highly recommended to go by Tazama.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Moses is an excellent guide, fun, capable, and knowledgeable about everything: best guide ever!
Axis Africa is extremely communicative. They always responded promptly to my WhatsApp messages.
They have a seamless pickup and drop off method. All participants are in the right place at the right time, and well taken care of.
We saw every animal at massai reserve!! We saw rhinos at lake nakaru!!
Lenchada eco-lodge is just okay….we lost one hour of the promised electricity, bathrooms are just clean enough but really need a deep clean.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An emotional experience!
Me and my daughter had an amazing experience. The driver, William, is not a huge talker however when questions were asked and when it was necessary he talked and explained in details.
He is a really good driver since in the park is not so easy to drive after some rainy days. He spoiled us by buying several fruits from the way to the camp to let us try them.
Apart from William, the accommodation is surrounded by wild nature — like monkeys — and there is also a nice pool.
In our room there was air conditioner which was fundamental to sleep well.
Unfortunately, it happened more times that the electricity shutdown for some hours.
None of the staff ever entered in our room to clean it.
The food was a lot and really good!
In conclusion it was a really nice experience and a very interesting one also by concluding the journey visiting the Maasai village.
Thank you so much to all of you!