US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding coordination and flexibility
I was the leader and planner of 26 Firendship Force ambassadors from the Atlanta area. I chose Migration Venture Africa to organize and coordinate with me a three week adventure that covered 2300miles of Tanzania. With due diligence and communicating with at least 5 other outfits I chose this company because of superb communication skills, flexibility, positive attitude, knowledge and great human interpersonal skills. The owner of the company, Amos Lufumbilo, had great management skills and worked with me over a year on our amazing journey. We had his company do all the intracountry transportation and transfers to and from the airport. There were a couple of small snags but Amos was right on it. He assisted me in planning a philanthropy visit with Msamaria Street Children School where there was great need. The day after I arrived he took me into Moshi to buy bulk food and supplies for the orphanage and even arranged a truck to transport it there for me. The food was enough to feed the orphanage for two entire months. We also gave school supplies and toothbrushes to the children. It was such a joyful experience that left such an impression on our group. One of the first days we visited a privately owned organic coffee plantation where we observed bean to the freshest coffee ever. We particularly loved the men singing and dancing as they did the work. Next event was to hike up part of Mt Kilimanjaro which was suppose to be just a 30 minute hike but turned out to be 6.5 Miles round trip. One learns that Tanzanians interpretation of time and distance is quite different than ours. It was a narrow path going up and down. When 10 of us saw the last steep climb, we decided to stay put and sit on the river rocks and soak our feet in the cold clear water. We could see the waterfall in the distance. We had a casualty of one of our women slipping with dislocating her ankle and breaking it in three places. Amos and our tour guides were supermen in getting her down off the mountain and carrying her about a mile and a half on their backs so a motorcycle could rush her to the hospital. Amos was a hero in that he got the orthopedic surgeon to come into the hospital to care for our ambassador. He stayed with them and made sure they got back to the Mountain Inn and got them to the airport that next night. Her husband and her raved about Amos and how he handled the emergency.
Our group booked the 6 day 5 night Northern Circuit Safari where my suggestions in accommodations and tent camps were accepted. The Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, Osupuko Tented Camp Serengeti, Rhino Lodge Ngorongoro were all either satisfactory or fantastic. The Tented Camp did not serve any grilled game meats so that was a dispppointment. We had Cape buffalo and Elephants visit our camp. The game drive each day was awesome. Each park had its own personality. We did not see any rhinos. We had four safari vehicles with pop up tops where each person could see out. Our driver did not want us to stand on the seats but we did after taking our shoes off so we could see better. You get up close and amazed at the animals . The roads getting to Serengeti are horrid with sand blowing in your face and the condition of the roads. Someone with bad backs or necks should not do this adventure. It is an adventure of a lifetime. Only 9 of us did the Balloon Safari over the Serengeti which is very expensive but once in a lifetime experience. I highly recommend it. We also visited a Maasi Village and meet the people who wore colorful robes, danced and sang for us. The chiefs son told us more about the Maasi and their customs. We were allowed in their compound and were able to go inside one of the huts.
It took us two days of driving to get from Moshi to IRinga where we would stay with a Friendship Force Iringa family for 5 nights. Halfway we stayed in Morogoro at the Arc Hotel which was a good place except that the government had torn up the roads and gave us a challenging maze and gutted roads to get to it How our drivers managed to get there is extraordinary.
We met up with our Iringa Hosts. The Iringa Club ended up hiring Amos’ tour vehicles so we could be transported from place to place. Their driving skills are to be admired. We would say something was impossible and they would conquer it. We did find the Tanzanian people to be very gracious and live using just basic needs. We were requested many times to donate to a list of needs by the club, church, schools and villagers that we visited. Our group dedicated the seed money for a deep water well, 290 uniforms to the Primary age children of the school as well as a huge pile of school supplies and a piece of candy. We visited two other city type schools wher the needs were not as great but we donated at each school supplies.
Amos grew up in Iringa thus he knows the area very well and stayed in town while we were there. He even attended some of the Friendship Force events which was so gracious of him. He normally does not go along on the adventures but he went on ours. He contributed immensely to its success.
Our next and last Safari was to be at Ruaha National Park since it was close to Iringa so we could visit a park that did not have the swarms of tourists as the Northern Circuit did. It was a real treat. We did several safari drives and even a safari walk but I recommend you just stay and stare in wonder at Ruaha River Lodge which was phenomenal. Even the food was terrific. You each have a banta that overlooks the river where scores of animals roam as well as exotic birds. Elephants same right up to the sides of our porch and walked right in front of us so close that one could touch them ( we did not ). The rooms and common area are tastefully decorated with first class design. Everyone of our members would had loved to had stayed here two additional nights instead of just two since all we wanted to do was stay at the banta or common areas all day and watch the animals. There was no need to go on a drive. The accommodations were located right in the park. Do yourself a favor and stay there. You will love it!
We had another two day drive with the same stop on Morogoro on he way back to Moshi. Our home base was the Mountain Inn where we started a total 7 nights. It is okay but there are not much choices in Moshi. The rooms are simple but adequate with a bathroom that had a shower, sink, toilet and shelves. The restaurant needs great improvement since both the breakfast and dinner buffet was always cold. The staff was wonderful and did their best to assist us in any way they could. The Inn has nice gardens and a clean pool which one will enjoy. It is all secured and only about 20 minutes from downtown and about 45 minutes from the Kilimanjaro Airport.
The paved roads in Tanzania are also challenging since there are no traffic lights. They use high speed bumps to slow traffic down which are jarring. Bring a cotton kerchief to cover your face when on the sand roads.
I highly recommend Amos and his staff. They were all gentlemen and professional. We enjoyed making friends with them that we will treasure for a lifetime. The company exceeded our expectations.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I loved my trip with Safpol Sararis, I had a wonderful time.
Excellent experience, the hotels, transportation, tour leaders, and the overall tour was awesome. Everything was extremely organized and I would definitely highly recommend this tour to others.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Close up with rhinos
We were staying in Zimbabwe at the Victoria Falls and Savannah Safaris came to the border station to pick us up and take us on this tour. They made us feel very safe and the three hours of walking in the bush passed quickly with sightings of buck and giraffes until we finally found a group of rhinos, including a mum and her calf. Fresh muffins by the Zambezi river at sunset finished the afternoon. We we're thrilled that they dropped us right back at the Zimbabwean border crossing as it was very dark at the end.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience
We used cape of good hope tours for 2 separate bookings- the one day cape point and 4 day garden route tour. Our tour guide (Anthea) was friendly, entertaining and very informative. She made the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable and interesting (we also convinced her to join us on the Bloukrans bungy). Can't recommend cape of good hope tours, and Anthea in particular, highly enough.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No doubt - choose Tanzania Explorer
A once in a lifetime experience, and Tanzania Explorer were the one to make it come true.
We had 2 days in Dar es Salam, and stayed in their house 30min north of the city centre. It was a really nice house, amd the staff are the best
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Was part of Friendship Force group, which included safari and separate trip to Iringa.
The safari part of the trip was outstanding. The Ruaha NP was rather bland after the excitement of the earlier parks (Serengeti, Ngorogoro, Manyara, etc.) The only real negative was the Arc Hotel in Morogoro. The hotel itself was very nice, but getting to it from the main road was extremely laborious and time consuming, especially when we were travel-weary to say the least. Certainly there could have been something more convenient. Overall, Amos and his team did an outstanding job of coordinating the trip. Thank you!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
Amazing Experience
Last Mouth I went with my Friends for a 8 day round trip through Uganda, Rwanda and Congo with Hakuna Matata Safaris and the whole journey was beyond expectations.We booked a private tour to Climb Nyiragongo Volcano, gorilla track and chimpanzees. Everything was perfect for us. Communication in advance was good, our driver knew all the important places, additional info about the country and about the animals. We really enjoyed travelling with Hakuna Matata Company! During the trip everything was arranged perfectas well ( good hotels, good food etc).The Gorilla Trekking was an absolute highlight but also the other places impressed with the variety of landscapes and wildlife. There is nothing to complain about!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful attention after a trip ending injury.
Unfortunately my wife broke her ankle on the third day of our trip and we missed the safari portion. Amos, our trip leader summoned help to evacuate her via dirt bike and car to the local hospital. She was x-rayed , diagnosed correctly, put in a splint and released for a return home. One of their staff drove us to the airport for our return to the US. They did everything they could to help us make the best of a tough situation. I would highly recommend their customer care and sensitivity.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
you get wat they promis
it was a lifetime experience al this friendly people the safaritrip and the hotels a very nice
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderfull trip to South Africa
** UPDATE 23 OCTOBER 2017:
In addition to the review written on12th October, we would like to add that we have now heard from Shamwari and Native escapes who investigated the matter of our complaint very thoroughly and professionally, and the matter has now been resolved to our satisfaction. Really appreciate the time spent and effort made by both Native escapes and Shamwari safaris to investigate our complaint, and compensate us adequately. Very happy with the whole experience with Native escapes.
** ORIGINAL REVIEW
We went on a trip to South Africa, arranged by Native Escapes , and were very happy with the experience. Sharon Who advised us and arranged the whole trip, was very helpful and tailored the itinerary to our requirements. We visited Victoria fall, Cape Town, self drove along the garden route from Cape Town to Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg bay, and Shamwari safari lodge, and finally to Port Elizabeth for our return flight. All the hotels/guesthouses were of a good standard and everyone was very helpful and friendly.
There was a slight mix up with directions , but the lady (name not known)at La Fontaine Franshoek was very helpful in redirecting us , and Gail the owner of La Fontaine guest house in Hermanus was very helpful and resolved the issue promptly by contacting Native escapes and their ground staff. Sharon was very apologetic about the mix up and made up to us .Everything went according to plan apart from that and we had a fantastic experience at all the guesthouses. The Shamwari safari experience was fantastic too. Lovely Lodge, yummy food and very entertaining and knowledgeable Ranger (Jonathan).
Just a word of caution about personal possessions though. I was a bit complacent and trusted the closed environment so was not extra careful with my belongings,and left my handbag unattended while I went for a shower after massage treatment at Shamwari and after that I left it at the poolside by mistake. The bag was recovered quickly but some cash was taken out of it. We reported it immediately, but as it was our last day there, it was not possible for them to investigate . We reported it to Sharon on our return, who was helpful and did contact Shamwari who promised to investigate the matter. We returned on 23rd sept,Still waiting for their reply.