DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome destination with beautiful Wildlife.
We were 4 days camping in Etosha with a private guide. The guide was good and the wildlife was beautiful. We were lucky to see lots of animals very close (e.g. 50+ elephants at a waterhole and a leopard next to the car) and always felt safe. I would always recommend a guided tour as the guides know at what time to be certain places to see the animals you want to get.
The camping part of the tour was not that good (which was organized by an organization for us).We were staying just outside the park in a camp which was quite good. Unfortunately our sleeping bags were to thin so that we were freezing at night. Additionally the food was really ‘basic’ (packet soup, backed beans, packet salat etc.) so that we ended up buying a bigger lunches by ourself at the camp when stoping there for a break at noon. We only got a ‘normal’ car (not a 4x4) to drive around the park. A 4x4 is not absolutely necessary, but I would recommend it because is a lot for comfortable (with luggage and camping gear we needed to squeeze in) and there are some places we had to skip as you need a 4x4 to get there.
To sum it up I would give 5 stars to the wildlife and the park itself. The overall impression for us was only diminished by the not properly organized camping experience.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Driver, guide and cook were excellent. ATC cut our guide loose 2 days early and the trip fell apart.
What started out as the trip of a lifetime ended in frustration. Our safe wasn't emptied and car keys were left behind. No big deal right? Drop them in snail mail and take care of your customer who spent thousands on the trip. Months went by and finally a rude email arrived saying that they wouldn't send me my keys. Such a small gesture left a really bad taste in my mouth. Once they get your money, they're done with you.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arranged for us a walk and helicopter tour of Victoria Falls, cruise on the Zambzi River and a safar
The tours themselves were great, however we were unprepared for the realities. No one told us to bring flashlights,towels and soap for our camping trip. We were not prepared for the primitive nature of our camping. We expected glamping and got a bed on the ground with a very thin foam and very shallow pit toilets. While we enjoyed the safari vey much we would not have chosen that type of accommodation. Better preparation for travellers is essential.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well, It was a little bit disappointed
This company is based in South Africa but our trip was to Okavango, Chobe, and Victoria fall. So they subcontracted the local lodges and travel agent in Botswana and Zambia. If you're lazy traveller like me. I don't recommend this company since I didn't pay much attentions to the detail plan. Actually the 3 nights in Okavango delta with 6 times game drives were too much. Even safari guide got bored. :-(. In Chobe it was great lodge and safari. but in Vcitoria fall, the travel agency was strange. They didn't tell or provide water for 2 hour walking with 40 degree weather. We didn't know that it was walking tour. Also, each time we need to confirm the plans and car ride.
Communication with this company was difficult. When I called them, they didn't know about my itinerary and just said "we gave this to another contractor". what a surprise!!! only communication is email but sometimes we need to talk!!!
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good agency, poor driver
This was the second time we went to Kenya with Aardwolf. Just like the first time we had a good contact with Esther. The itinerary was custom made. All the accomodations where great. The accomodation in Tsavo west (voyager ziwani) was also great, but to far from the gamedrive surrounding. This time we had David as a driver. From the ten drivers we have had in Africa, this was the worst. He didn't seem to like it and did as less as possible (this was the opposite of our other driver James of this company in 2016). Also he didn't know his way at all. When the itinerary says full day game drive, David makes it a half day. He only drives on the main roads foreward and back and never takes the gamedrive loops there are. There was every day a discussion about the itinerary. So when you book with this company make sure everything in the itinerary is very clear and make sure you don't get David as a driver. They have better drivers and you will have a good trip with Aardwolf.
Good safari experience slightly damaged at the end
+Good contact with safari organiser prior to the safari who gave us plenty of useful information and answered promptly all the questions
+Good organisation during the safari, in line with the description
+ We were shown a great deal of game during the safari, good skills of the driver
-Our driver Richard was not extremely talkative, he could improve by speaking more about what we see during the safari and adding his own stories, experiences.
- The trunk of our minivan broke when we returned to Nairobi after the safari (it may happen to everyone) and although it was agreed that all the participants will be transported to their hotels within the agreed price for the entire safari, the driver stopped the van by the market in Nairobi and told everyone that they will be transported to their hotels by taxi for which they will need to pay themselves(!) - finally after a bit of discussion we did not have to pay, however it left us with a bit of a sour feeling - this behaviour is clearly not professional and in case of fault, it is still company responsibility to provide services which were agreed a priori
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about Chobe National Park by Larry W
The park is being eaten alive by too many elephants.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tsavo West National Park by Dan McCoy
Tsavo West was huge but didn't seem to have as much wildlife as Tsavo East. We did a lot of driving and probably only saw a third as much wildlife. Still a beautiful place though.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Experience was great, but payment was an issue
The communications from the staff was excellent, the service was good and the trip lived up to our expectations. However, we expected to pay by credit card, but when we got to the lodge, they expected cash. They demanded that we use all our cash to pay for accommodation, so we did not have money left for tips and buying any mementos. The transport and permits were paid in advance, which was not an issue. We were not informed in advance that there won't be credit card facilities available.
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Double price for avarage service
The tour was ok, THEY put me with people from other tours and combine all of us. When I Sent to camp and talk with other I learnt I pains double price. So my advise choose your camp and organize with them.