FR
Unmatched price and first class service delivery
What can say, Swift Travel organised the trip of a lifetime without any hitches and at a price we could not match elsewhere. We booked flight only to Nairobi and were picked up from the airport and taken straight on Safari by Joseph in our own Safari Jeep. We passed many buses/Jeeps with 6 or even 7 passengers and stuffed with luggage. Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli (our favourite), Mount Kenya, Treetops (least favourite), Samburu, Lake Nakuru and The masai mara- (we missed the migration as it was late this Year but saw loads of other wildlife) then flying down to the beach for a few days- what a trip, but without Joseph we would have missed so much!
Again, a huge thanks to Peter and crew for organising it all.... even taking us back to the airport for our sad return. We would recommend these professional people to everyone thinking of holidaying in Kenya.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacular short safari in Kenya
Lake Nakuru National Park is a stunning destination, and the park I've enjoyed most in Africa. It is compact but brimming with wildlife, especially zebras, rhinos, giraffes, waterbucks, baboons, and many species of birds. It is located in the Rift Valley, on the coast of a large soda lake surrounded by hills. The park is only about a 2.5 hours drive from Nairobi, which makes it possible to visit it as a day trip from the capital. The drive over is spectacular. Soon after leaving the city one soon arrives at the escarpments leading down to the Rift Valley. We had lunch at a lodge in the park, which was fantastic. Highly recommended!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire Trip
I just got back from a private safari with the East African Safari & Touring Company (EASTCO) based out of Arusha, Tanzania. As a seasoned backpacker who has traveled to well over twenty-something countries, I must say that I have found this trip to be one of my most extraordinary.
Before my trip, I spent a great amount of time researching safari/tour companies and exploring many travel options. First and foremost, I was looking for a company that was respectful of the environment as well as the Tanzanian communities & people who work for them. It was also important for me to have opportunities to meet and interact with the locals. And as a woman traveling alone, I wanted to feel safe and comfortable with my driver and cook.
I decided to go with EASTCO for many reasons. I really liked that they are a local company invested in preserving the cultural integrity and well being of surrounding communities. I was also impressed with owner Simon King, who has worked with neighboring Maasai villages to create opportunities for collaborative partnerships, dramatically decreasing poaching practices within a conservation area just outside of Tarangire National Park.
After making my decision, however, it was nothing less than a true leap of faith when I wired off my hefty triple-zero deposit to a bank in Australia. I worried that I might be in for a scam or that I should have chosen a company who has an office in the US. My concerns, however, ended as soon as I traveled to Arusha, met Simon, and planned out the final details of my safari. At the end of my six-day stay that encompassed the Nogorongoro Crater, the Serengeti, and Tarangire National Park, I was so happy that I had chosen to go with EASTCO.
This was my first safari. Therefore, I cannot compare EASTCO with other companies except to share with you the things that I appreciated the most about my experience. First of all, Charles, my driver and guide, taught me the art of observing animals. He also helped me to refine my eyesight and learn how to observe the amazing, yet obscure eco-systems of East Africa. Charles could spot the tiniest of things and share a depth of knowledge about everything we saw. He also somehow knew where we might find animals, and most of the time we were the sole spectators, as we did not travel in caravans with other tourists. Charles also knew where to position the truck when we did have a crowd of people. One day we saw a family of thirteen elephants. He anticipated their crossing, maneuvering our vehicle to the perfect place where the animals, one by one walked right in front of our truck. After crossing, Charles predicted their path and drove to a point where we could see them walking a perfect line into the horizon. It was a magnificent moment! My cook, Michael was a wonderful travel mate as well. He always kept me laughing and cooked up amazing meals. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with both of these gentlemen and felt as if I was saying goodbye to two dear friends when my safari ended.
Lastly, I really enjoyed most of the places that I stayed at. The first campsite, Simba was my least favorite. It was a beautiful location but was quite crowded, thus creating a disgusting bathroom scene thanks to the many tourists who did not know how to use squat toilets. Also due to the crowds, people became very territorial of their eating spaces. I was so grateful that Michael had staked out a good spot for me early, so I did not have to participate in all of the drama. My Serengeti experience, however was remote and peaceful. The campsite was full of wildlife. Teams of Mongoose would run wildly about in packs. A family of baboons would make their daily rituals, playing around my tent during the day and climbing a nearby tree at night. Cape Bull grazed within sight of my tent, and one day an enormous elephant wandered onto the grounds to eat the garbage out of the community trashcan. My last night on safari was spent at Boundary Hill Lodge, an upscale yet rustic lodge that enables views of wildlife from every angle of your suite and boasts a private bathtub on the balcony that overlooks Tarangire National Park.
As with any trip, I am sure that if I thought hard enough I could pick apart my safari and find some things that could have been better. However, I know that nothing is perfect, and these minor flaws are insignificant and would be dwarfed by the incredible things that I experienced each and every day on my safari. It was a trip of a lifetime, I was living the dream, and I feel so fortunate to have traveled to this part of the world and to have met so many amazing people, both through EASTCO and the other places that I visited.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wild and "free" like animals should be
The Kruger National park s facilities was as clean as it could be, staff in shops and restaurants friendly and helpful, accommodation was clean and safe. The drive and animals as safe as they could be. Truly sad about the Rhinos being pouched and killed and that would be my only concern, they obviously need more game rangers to protect the animals
BR
Amazing experience
I spent two weeks in Tanzania, doing Kilimanjaro, Safari (Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti) and Zanzibar. Tomodachi was our choice for the entire trip and we couldn't be more satisfied. The team is amazing and we received wonderful care. It was great to get to know more about Tanzanian and African culture talking to the guides and to Joseph himself. Special kudos to the Kilimanjaro Guides Imanuel, Hebron and William, besides the kind porter Fuso. Unforgettable experience!
DE
A perfect stay in the bush - only a three hours drive away from Johannesburg
Pilanesberg National Park and the adjacent Black Rhino Private Game Reserve are located around the extinct Pilanesberg vulcano ca. 150 km NW of Johannesburg. The area is Malaria free. Due to an elevation of +/- 1000m the nights in winter can be quite chilly while the days in summer can be as hot as 35°C or even more.
Unlike many other South African parks Pilanesberg is a piece of "man made" nature: It was founded in 1979 on former farmland, so more than 7000 animals from other parks like Kruger NP had to be relocated to (re-)populate the area. Since then, these animal population has been left on it's own.
The main park can be explored either by self-drive or on guided tours. In Black Rhino Private Game Reserve private cars are only allowed to access the lodges - all game drives are guided tours organized by the respective lodge. While the game drives from Black Rhino are allowed to enter the national park, no visitors "from outside" are allowed to enter Black Rhino.
Since 2011 my spouse and I have visited Black Rhino Private Game Reserve 5 times. We stayed at two different lodges that are quite similar compared in service: Both offer good quality meals, spacious bungalows and a small pool. Two game drives per day are already included in the room price.
The game drives are done with small cars (max. 10 people per car). All 4 different guides on our meanwhile 29 game drives did an excellent job: They tried to find as many different animals as possible, with the focus not only on the "Big Five". They stayed as long near the animals as the guests wanted (very good for photography!). There was no "rush from one animal to the next" like we already experienced at some of the smaller game lodges in the Western Cape, which (in comparison to a national park) are more like small zoos where the predators live in separate fenced areas.
...o.k. if the animals don't cooperate, even the best ranger can't do anything! After all one should not forget that the animals of a national park (although they might be used to the cars) are still wild: The grazers keep in the bush to hide from their predators and the predators hide themself to better approach their prey. Large animals like elephants, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe or even white rhinos are quite easy to find in the grassy areas - but don't expect to be so lucky that you'll see a lion, a hyaena, a black rhino or even a leopard on your first visit! On most of your game drives you'll most likely see only the "usual suspects".
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We are 4 italians, we rent ed a 4x4 Toyota with driver to go to Turkana Lake
In line with what we agreed, the Car was in good conditions , eVery day washed by a very good driver, Who was speacking a Very Good English
ID
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Out of the ordinary
Having never been on a safari, I was apprehensive at first. However safarihub provided an excellent experience for me and my family. From the lodges to the safari experience, I couldn't have asked for more
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Ivan VanDon
Oooooh,Ngorongoro we saw more than we expect.The place is very beauty especial around the crater it has the good view. We also saw a lion hunt a wildebeest live with our eyes.Ngorongoro has the best place for camping we do camp at Ngorongoro with our tents we have never experience that on my entire life. We also ranked that because we saw a massai with their cows within Ngorongoro area and they were not afraid of any dangerous animals. I have real enjoy camping within the park and some monkeys came at our tents.
MY
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fast, straightforward and competitively priced
We found the company through other recommendations and it lived up to its review. The company was prompt in replies, helpful in some descriptions and efficient in assistance. The guide assigned to us was excellent, very experienced and trustworthy. Ask for Peter Pendaeli if you need a great guide!