CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
High Five with the Big Five of Kenya in Five Days !!!!
We had one of our best trips in recent times with Monkey Adventures!
We booked the 5 days Kenya safari, and Nyani helped us with the booking and shared information regarding all the preparation necessary. Upon arrival at Nairobi, Yvonne met us at the airport for a briefing and we were informed of the plan for the next 5 days.
Joseph was our driver and guide, and he was fantastic. Thanks to his expertise and our luck(as he says), we were able to spot each of the Big Five in the trip. He kept us entertained with his immense knowledge of the place and the witty jokes. We had a nice relaxed day at Naivasha, with the boating and the walk in the island, before heading to Nakuru. We had missed sighting the Rhino in Masai Mara, but we were delighted to see a couple of them in Nakuru National park.
The camps that were recommended to us were good, and as we expected our stay to be. Nyani had ensured that they know of my wife’s allergy to peanuts, and they had cooked dishes separately for her, without using peanuts. That was a great gesture.
We thank Monkey Adventures for a wonderful experience. Highly recommended for those who wish to have a great time in Africa!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience
We had an amazing safari experience with Suricata Safari. they arranged everything for us, transfers to and from the airport to the hotel, pickups at the beginning and end of the trip and of course all of the camping and trips through Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Everything went as smooth as it possibly could, and in just our 3 day trip we managed to find all of the big five, along with so many others. The food we were provided with for breakfast, lunch and dinner during our time was delicious and kept us going on the long days. Experienced driver stopped at all the best views and we saw so many incredible things its hard to believe it happened all in such a short space of time. They checked in with us at the end of our Safari to make sure everything had run smoothly and that everything was as we expected, which it was and more. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a Safari adventure.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful Safaris!
I have traveled with Safari Legacy on three trips! Excellent guides, accommodations, food and service throughout. Expectations always met. Allowed time for photography. Have been to Tanzania/ Kenya/ Rwanda with SL. Very pleased with the stateside process for booking. They took care of everything. Would use them again as they have been in business for over 50 years and support wildlife preservation.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Adventure with Soul of Tanzania
Our group's experience with Soul of Tanzania far exceeded expectations, from beginning to end. The flexibility and promptness provided by their customer service team was exceptional, allowing us to plan and customize our trip that met all of our requests within our budget. Steve, our guide was extremely knowledgeable about Tanzania, the culture, the animals, and the history. He provided excellent guidance and service to our group, had a great sense of humor, and navigated the tough terrain in the Tarangire, Ngorogoro Crater, and Serengeti like a true pro! We saw so many incredible animals, ate delicious (hot!) food during our game drives, and enjoyed the beautiful Tanzania landscape. The transportation pickups and transfers to and within Zanzibar towards the latter half of our trip went perfectly as well. Steve and Soul of Tanzania made our trip truly unforgettable. Highly highly recommend Soul of Tanzania as the premier safari tour operator!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly, comfortable and extraordinary!
Amazing wildlife - we saw 4 of the big 5 (no rhinos), the accommodations were at Sausage Tree Camp were the perfect blend of luxury comfort and outdoorsy - the canvas tents look rustic and allow the sense of being in the bush- while housing a beautiful queen bed and connected to a brick-and-mortar bathroom with modern plumbing! Food was incredible and the staff was so kind and friendly.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of the most beautiful experience I ever had
Like I just said, this was one of the most beautiful experience I had.
Tongesai took care of our safari from the beginning to the end.
We spent 3 days at Sable Sands in Hwange National Park.
Everyone at Sable Sands is super kind, the place is peaceful and the food is amazing and we were able to see the elephant from our room.
Unfortunately the rains season was starting and was not easy to find the animals.
I truly recommend this experience with Cultural Vibe & Travel Tour.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect Service and incredible experience - a wonderful journey
I can recommand this company, we had a experience of a lifetime from the booking to the journey - perfect!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Too many problems -- but the best guide
We booked our safari with Giltedge through Mangata Travel based on a recommendation from a friend. Things started off well and we built a terrific itinerary. Shortly after we made our deposit (which pretty much locked us in), Mangata became less responsive. As we poured over the itinerary in detail, we found several holes and contradictions. Some of our questions were answered but some were ignored. We started communicating directly with Giltedge in order to get answers.
When we landed in Africa and met with the local Giltedge representative, he was working with an outdated itinerary. The next morning, we met our guide/driver and discovered that his itinerary did not fully match ours. For example, at our first stop - Lake Manyara National Park - we had purchased four game drives, but he was only given passes for two. Not a good start.
From our first contact with Mangata, our #1 priority for our trip was to experience the great migration of wildebeest and other animals. Having never been to Africa, we relied on the experience claimed by Mangata and their partner, Giltedge Africa. Mangata placed us at a lodge in central Serengeti. When we met our guide/driver at the beginning of the trip at Kilimanjaro airport and reviewed the itinerary, he told us that regardless of how much or little rain there was, the migration is NEVER in central Serengeti in August. He offered to take us to the Masai Mara, but that would entail an 11-hour round trip on terrible roads just to fight the crowds to spend a brief time to see just a small part of the migration. I didn't think it was worth it. But thanks to our great guide, we had a wonderful week in Tanzania where we saw everything there is to see, except for the migration -- for which I will always resent Mangata and Giltedge.
After our safari, our plan was to go from the Serengeti to Uganda for gorilla trekking. It seemed the most direct way was to fly from Seronera to Entebbe. But Mangata told us that such flights don't exist. So Mangata routed us from Seronera to Kilimanjaro, then to Nairobi, and then to Entebbe - all in one day. About 2 weeks before our trip I noticed we were not yet given our tickets for the first leg to Kilimanjaro. (Note: this is something I believe the travel agent should have caught.) I asked for the tickets. When they finally came, it showed an additional stop in Arusha. This didn't seem to bother our travel agent. But four flights in one day seems excessive to us. One slip-up and we could miss a connection. Since we had expensive gorilla trekking permits for a specific day, we could not afford any problems. After we complained, miraculously we were booked on a flight from Seronera to Entebbe. Mangata and Giltedge said they were"calling in a favor" to get this flight. But once in Africa we learned that this is a regularly scheduled daily flight! This entire run-around was totally avoidable and caused a lot of unnecessary angst for us.
Apparently, Mangata does not have the experience claimed and adequate attention to detail needed to arrange a trip like this. We will not be booking through them again.
The biggest positive by far, though -- and for which we are thankful to Giltedge -- was our guide/driver, Meshack Godson from Arusha. He must be the best guide in all of Tanzania! His knowledge and instincts were top notch. And I learned quite a bit of Swahili from him. What we realized is that no matter how much you plan your safari, your guide is truly the key to it all. And we lucked out big time with Meshack!!!
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very welcoming and full of great surprises.
We loved the reception, location and accommodation on point. Safari was perfect with real effort to find us all the animals we wanted to see, driver full of knowledge and willing to show us the best of Kruger Park. Amazing food and we got a beautiful singing performance from the staff, we had the best time.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The perfect Tanzanian getaway from a trustworthy, local company. Choose Popote!
I chose Popote Africa Adventures for my Kilimanjaro climb after hearing great reviews, and I couldn’t have had a more accommodating service on the safari. My driver, Bea’tus, was trustworthy, professional and more than helpful in providing me with the best views and sights in both Tarangerie and Serengeti National Park. He provided unique details along the way about the wildlife, plants and Tanzanian culture, had a very good sense of humor, and let me stop and look at my favorite animal (the lion - which he found two for me!) for as long as I liked.
The lodging with Popote was also stunning. One of my lodges was actually a tented lodge within Serengeti National Park. The staff were extraordinarily friendly, and the lodge was eloquently decorated with tribal prints and had full-functioning faucets so it felt just like a hotel room. I should add that I requested to upgrade from camping safari to the lodge option last minute with Popote, and Redeem and Sabino, the Popote managers, were very helpful and friendly every step of the way.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Popote staff for letting me see my favorite animals and getting me to the top of Kilimanjaro at 22 y/o!!! Pole pole!
