US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A trip that went far beyond our expectations.
I booked a safari thru GTD in 2016. We had never traveled outside of the U.S. so my family & I were beyond excited and were set to go in 2019 but unfortunately Covid hit. We finally were able to go this past September. It was far beyond what we had anticipated or expected. No words or photos could ever capture the beauty of what we saw or the thrill of what we had the opportunity to do in South Africa. GTD made our adventure so easy and wonderful I can't say enough about the company. We stayed at Humala and Tshukudu, both were wonderful. I have to admit we were more partial to Humala, it's a HIDDEN GEM! The staff, rangers and the food were exceptional and lets not forget the ranger dog Layla. We fell in LOVE with everyone and everything and hope to go back one day soon! I've seen a few negative reviews on GTD but I have to disagree as the GTD staff took care of everything and helped ease my nerves when I had reservations or concerns. A safari thru GTD should be on everyone's bucket list.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best safari company for memorable trip experience
Me and my family were celebrating milestone birthdays and wanted to do an East African safari. Amazing Memories Safaris is the one I selected among dozens of other groups based on review. And oh they did not disappoint. From the planning stage and answering my million qs, Anne was very helpful. Curating to exactly how we wanted our itinerary to be and making sure we get the best possible deal. We did the 11 days Kenya and Tanzania Safari, mid range.
Even with few minor hiccups ( not the company’s issue but the accommodation error) everything was perfect. We really enjoyed our time and both our guides in Masai Mara (Joseph N) and Tanzania (Charles) were excellent and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately we had a different guide for amboseli (another Josef) who is suppose to be a veteran guide with the company but we felt he rushed us and was definitely tired from a previous trip. I would recommend that guides get some time off in between so they are not tired and are refreshed for new clients. It was a little disappointing after having two amazing guides on the safari prior to Amboselli.
I was a little nervous about the Tanzania part due to the earlier review on the company they contract with. But our guide in Tanzania, Charles made the trip absolutely memorable. He went above and beyond for us to have a trip of a lifetime. He was the most professional guide. I even suggested to Anne some tips that Charles offered us on the safari which she said she will incorporate on the Kenya side safaris.
From the planning, to execution everything was perfect. All the accommodations and food were amazing and exceeded my expectations. But Serengeti bush camp was our favorite. The hospitality of all the staff at the camps is what made this a really amazing experience.
The games drives were so much fun and we saw all the big 5, migration and so many animals. My only suggestion is that we did all the day game drives every day and it was a bit tiring. Even thought the itinerary suggest to choose between am/pm drives or full drive the guides did explained why a full day is best for viewing. But I still believe the clients should be given a choice or the itinerary can be more transparent and we are told that before we embark on the journey so we are prepared.
The communications from the staff at Amazing was very thorough and swift. On the last day Anne took time for all my suggestions. Very respectful and friendly staff. They also organized birthday celebrations for us at the camps which made our trip really special.
Thank you Amazing Safaris
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Heidi Pembury at Pembury was an excellent agent. Would use her again without question.
The tour arranged by Heidi at Pembury was outstanding. She interpreted our level of expectations and delivered spot on.
We could find no faults or quibbles with anything that she arranged.
Each of the places she booked for hotels, boutique inns and safara lodge exceeded our expectations and were first class.
Every detail of the trip from the transports to the day trips were professional and without worry. I would not hesitate to use
Heidi again if I travel again to South Africa. I am an experienced international traveler and what was provided on the trip
made the trip experience very memorable. The added features she provided concerning places for fine dining were valuable.
As a result the culinary experience we had in SA rivals anything we have had in Europe or North America based on quality and value.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our expectations were exceeded!
Our very first safari experience! And we were not disappointed - quite the opposite. The value for money was great. Both the organization in advance and on site went smoothly for us. We even got to know Humphrey as our contact person on site. He was always available and informed us daily about our pick-up times, which were always adhered to. The 3-day tour was super nice to start with and perfectly adequate for our taste, as the many unique impressions blow you away anyway. Simon, our safari guide, was a kind-hearted person who always catered to our needs and enriched our "game drives" with his knowledge.
Surprisingly, we slept every night in a room with a private bathroom in a "lodge" instead of in a tent as we had originally thought. After the long and tiring days we were always very happy about that. The accommodations were always to our satisfaction. The food as well During the safari as well as in the evening in the lodge was always very tasty and rich.Especially the very first accommodation after arrival and pickup from the airport was one of the best accommodations of our entire stay after 14 days in Tanzania (Arusha&Zanzibar).
However, you should be aware that on a "group tour" you will be put in a car with other tourists who may have actually booked a safari with other providers. That seems to be quite normal there Consideration was given to different price categories or booked tours. However, one has the feeling that the different safari providers and least of all the guides can have little influence on this. We were therefore with the same people on 2 out of 3 days On the last day we were lucky enough to be on our own.
In Tanzania, things are different than you are used to, so you should take the motto "pole pole" to heart, as you often have to wait. Unfortunately, we had other group members whose pick-up organization was not as good as ours worked, so we often had to wait for them. However, since they booked through other providers, they also paid significantly more and finally experienced the same "safari" with us. We would therefore recommend anyone who is satisfied with middle-class accommodation to book an inexpensive safari like this one from Wildlife Oasis Tours/Cubs Expeditions. Because the experiences are unique anyway!
(automatic translation from German)
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing day with Bujuku!
The Service is Great !
The Price of my day Trip was absolutely correct!
I Had an excellent Tour Guide and the whole day was perfectly organized!
I Can recommend Bujuku without Any Doubts!
I felt very well with them!
If you visit Uganda please do it with Bujuku!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good communication and excellent value
Would recommend for good communication, service and excellent value.
I was picked up at my hotel in Vic Falls early in the morning, transferred to guide (John from Puku Safaris) at the Botswana border (Kazungula but did not get to see the bridge). I was then taken by safari vehicle on highway 18km to Chobe National Park for game drive where we saw an impala carcass that a leopard put in a tree (but no leopard), a lion pride, many elephants bathing, tusk-wrestling and playing in the river, birds, giraffes etc. Despite having done 25 safaris, I still saw and learned quite a few new things!
This was followed by a superb buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge and then drove upstream to board an 12-seat motorboat that John navigated down the Chobe river along the Botswana-Namibia border. Good guide with interesting information. We circuited the large Sedudu island, saw a large crocodile very close, some cape buffalo, hippos etc.
The only negative was that on the way back it was quite stormy which made for a rather uncomfortable ride in the safari vehicle.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Felix and Dulla rocks!
Great value for the price paid! Nice trip, cool food!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Speed Date: Kenya Edition
Kenya is a great East Africa experience. Being my first time on that side of the continent I found it’s diversity made it easy to indulge in everything. From the beautiful non tourist filled beaches in Mombasa to the vast rolling landscapes of the Maasai Mara and the nightlife of Nairobi. Whether you’re into ecotourism, cultural encounters or the highlife, there’s something for everyone. My next trip will be much more curated and quiet but if you’re a first time traveler to Kenya, I suggest try everything once, stay for a minimum of 10days then return again for what you enjoyed most.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful Safari - highly recommended
Highly recommended - we really enjoyed our 3-day Safari tour (Tarangire, Ngororo, Lake Manyara). Complete organization including some special adaptations to our needs went pretty smooth.
The communication with Daniel was fast & always helpful, even for our travel before and after the Safari he helped us to arrange us transportations for a very competitive price. In addition we did aswell the Mataruni waterfall tour from Moshi, for better experience and price arranged with TukTuk Transportation which was awesome aswell. The Safaris were an excellent wildlife viewing experience, the accomodation was wonderfull and our guide was doing a really great job.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best place I have ever been!!! Heaven
We used Safari bookings (chap named Sam took us). It was epic. THE best safari/ tour we have ever done. We were on honeymoon here (the perfect destination, has everything!) and the full day tour was incredible, the guide was so knowledgeable and passionate, we saw the Big 5 (several times!) had some very special moments inc a Leopard up a tree with a kill, and a lion kill of a giraffe...! Everyone is freindly, polite, and cant do enough for you. The tour lasted longer than we booked we were so grateful! Thank you Safari Bookings!