DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome
We did both Safari and Kilimanjaro with Hekima Safari. Such amazing experiences!
The Safari was 4 days in total in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. Amir was a very experienced guide making sure we got front-row seats to both leopard and lions and Kennedy was a very good driver. We saw 4/5 of the big five up close - it was amazing! The food was good, varied and we didn't miss anything. We felt safe in the big jeeps which was a big concern for us beforehand. The great experience on the safari and with Jackson made us book our Kilimanjaro trek through Hekima, too.
We did Kilimanjaro in 7 days via the Lemosho route. The guides (Tuesday and Emanuel) were very experienced and good at motivating us to go all the way to the top. We were somewhat scared of the altitude sickness and they made sure we felt safe and cared for.
Amazing crew!! The cook, the porters and our waiter were all so friendly and made sure that nothing would stand in our way to the top. We were provided quality equipment - both tents and sleeping bags which is really important in the cold environment. We were very positively surprised regarding the food - it was varied, fresh and healthy and we didn't eat the same thing twice for dinner.
You also get a wash-wash (a bowl with hot water and soap) before dinner and in the morning which made it bearable to go 7 days without a real shower..
It was an amazing experience and we sure wouldn't have reached Uhuru Peak without the whole crew.
Overall, 5/5 and would definetly book again through Hekima Safari.
- Mithuna and Maria from Denmark
DE
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Guruguru was wonderful!! Adventure
We saw Arusha, Manyara, very beautiful,
Ngorongoro was gorgeous with many encounters with the amazing wildlife. Then it was on to the Serengeti in a dream hotel. Then we stayed there 3x. Everything was to my best satisfaction!!! But I was really excited about the many animals and the balloon flight. I would love to experience that again!!!!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari
Best Safari company. We saw all the animals Afrika has to offer. The accomodation in the midrange safari is really great, you will sleep in the serengetipark between the animals. The food was also amazing! And if you book at this company you should ask for the guide Malisa. He is the best/friendly/funny guide I ever had!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Value for my money
The operator is key to detail and went an extra mile to impress me. There were parting tokens from the company.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent communication upfront, timely pick up.
Shipungo Travels wa a very reliable partner as we had to plan our trip from Kenya. Their offer was fair and they kept it valid until short notice (we wanted to wait and see how the weather in Ocavago was at the planned days). The communication upfront was excellent. We were picked up very punctually, the vehicle was in excellent condition. All was well planned. Some minor improvements in the equipment - and staff (The main guide was extremeley knowledgeable and experienced but his English language skills basic so that we could not understand a lot of the information provided. Pity!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What an adventure!
We went on a 14 day safari to Uganda primarily to see the big apes. Through a friend who is a seasoned traveler around Africa, we contcted Mandela Safari Holidays. Right from their communication, we knew we had made a right choice. Our excursion involved rhino trekking, murchison falls, chimpanzee trekking, queen elizabeth, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and lake bunyonyi. The guide Joseph was very patient, friendly and informative. We want to thank Daniel ffor arranging us such an unforgettable tour.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The tour was quite okay. The connecting agent was equally good and ready to help
We were able to tour all places as planned. We got good tour guides and assistance was always readily available.
We however recommend that when booking for a family the air tickets should not be done separately especially when children are involved.
PL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
BEST CHOICE FOR ULTIMATE SAFARI!
We had a wonderful 6 days/5 nights trip with Zamunda from Arusha to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. We were picked up by our lovely guide Ally from our Arusha hotel and had a quick stop at the Zamunda office to finalize admin and get a briefing. Then we were off to Ngorongoro.
Ally was a fabulous guide - friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable about anything we wanted to know about nature and history throughout our trip.
We spotted so many lovely animals, including the rarer ones like cheetahs and rhinos. Well, Ally spotted them as he has that skill to spot really everything.
Everything worked according to plan and was thought through and we can highly recommend Ally as a guide and Zamunda is a tour operator!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Customized Birding Photo Safari
I scheduled a five-day birding photo safari with Nature's Wonderland to take advantage of a trip I was already taking to Kenya. Joseph built a custom itinerary to help me see as many birds as possible and coordinate around the rest of my Kenya itinerary. We built an aggressive schedule and he communicated with me regularly during my planning to make sure I had the right gear in my kit and that I didn't miss any of the planning steps for visa and other travel planning.
Joseph met me at the airport upon arrival (at 11 pm) and dropped me at my hotel for the night. I planned an extra day in Nairobi to allow me to adjust to the time difference (highly recommended) and Joseph took the opportunity to show me the Nairobi Nature Museum and brief me on the birds we would see on the trip. This proved extremely helpful (the museum has over 900 taxidermied specimens) as I was not very familiar with the birds of Kenya before my arrival - we would refer back to these specimens often.
Getting out onto the safari, I was very impressed with Joseph's knowledge of the birds and wildlife in Kenya - there was not a single question from me that he could not answer with great detail and extensive background on the subject. We visited several wildlife reserves at Lake Naivasha, Lake Baringo, and Lake Nakuru with excellent lodgings at each. I was expecting rustic lodges for this journey, but each place we stayed was a high quality accommodation that even my picky wife would have been happy to stay in.
Joseph also stopped at some of his "secret" birding locations, where we saw some hard to find birds - including some that exist in very few other places. All told, Joseph got me out into the field, seeing wildlife up close in great numbers (at one point, so many new birds that we could hardly keep up counting the new species). He also focused (no pun intended) on not just seeing the animal, but also making sure you could get in the right position to get the best possible photograph to capture a studio quality memory of the experience.
Overall, I was extremely happy with my work with Joseph from start to finish. Working with a naturalist who understands, not just the big game, but the birds and other wildlife as well, made this a truly memorable experience for me. Doing the birding safari, where I could hike the trails, hills, and savanna rather than only view from a Land Rover (which we did plenty of as well) was an added treat.
I should also add that Joseph's concern for my safety and security on this trip was even greater than my own - traveling with him was like getting to hang out with your older brother who knew everything and wanted to make sure you stayed safe while you followed him around. I consider Joseph one of my new great friends, and will definitely ask him to help me plan my next trip to Kenya when I hope to bring my wife along for the experience.
I could not recommend Nature's Wonderland Safaris highly enough for the outstanding service, superior knowledge, and excellent pricing compared to the big-name travel companies. My only regret is that I didn't schedule more time - each of the places we visited could have been a week's stay on their own, to fully explore the birds and big game there.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Gorillas were an amazing experience! Would do it all again!
TRIP PLANNING & BOOKING
Our coordinator was great to work with and very responsive to our needs. We had a short fixed window to work within and wanted to do a lot, in which they were very accommodating. We received a highly customized experience, even accommodating last minute changes we introduced. In the end, we received a detailed itinerary was a plan for an exciting adventure.
TRIP DETAILS
It was 3 days in Uganda - river, chimps, tribe, and gorillas.
- Chimp Trekking Forest: Kalinzu Forest
- Gorilla Trekking Forest: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Boat Ride: Kazinga channel
- Hotel 1: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Hotel 2: Mutanda Lake Resort
- Tribe: Pygmies (Echuya Batwa)
Both hotels were great, but fell in love with Mutanda!
THE RIVER EXCURSION
We started with a boat ride, touring herds of hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, lizards, and birds among other river dwelling creatures. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. While not the highlight of the entire experience, it was fun seeing giant reptiles and albino buffalo, as well as learning about ‘loser’ buffalo, removed from the herd.
CHIMP TRACKING
The hike through the forest may have been more exciting than the chimps themselves. We went during the winter when the chimps stay at the top of the trees for warmth, so we weren’t able to get close to the chimps, rather watch them walk along the tree traps and sleep. Highly recommend going during the summer when they come down to the ground for the cooler temperatures and you get better viewings.
GORILLA TRACKING
By far the highlight of the whole trip. We were able to see the gorilla family after 1.5 hours of walking, which is considered quick. We got up close to the gorillas and took lots of pictures. It felt shockingly safe, despite their huge size. Watching the baby gorilla play with grass and spin around was another little highlight.
THE GUIDE
Our guide was super friendly and very helpful. He was a source of information, and helped with things like exchanging money and covering when out of cash. A very joyful individual to be around. More than helpful and very flexible with our random requests. Thank you, Amanya!
TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
- Bring lots of cash and small bills for tips
- Bug spray
- High socks for ants that like to bite
- Prepare for rain, mud, and slippery ground