US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent and efficient service
Chalo Africa was not only efficient but also very responsive and were able to handle our situation which was complicated by the fact that we were traveling with little internet access and cc payment difficulties. i highly recommend them.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Custom Safari
We booked our honeymoon 10-day Tanzania safari in Ruaha and the Serengeti through Paul Tickner, and were so glad we did! While booking, he was in constant communication about our preferences, giving us advice and a good idea of what we could expect at each camp. Once we were on our trip, we began to truly appreciate the amount of coordination required! Everything was arranged perfectly - flights, car transfers, hotels, safari camps. It all went off without a hitch!
Regarding Ruaha specifically, we found the park to be wonderful! The animals stay close to the riverbed during dry season, so it's common to see many different animals (baboons, giraffes, impala, wort hogs) all together at once, which is truly amazing. The days are hot, but not unbearable, and there aren't as many cars as you'll find in the Serengeti, so it's a more personal experience.
Could not recommend Paul or Ruaha more highly!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most Amazing Family Trip!! Excellent Service and Organization
We went on our first family safari to the Masai Mara in Kenya with our six children in late August during the peak of the wildebeest migration. Sangeeta understood our family needs and requirements and arranged an itinerary that was comfortable, kid friendly, and educational. As a result the family was able to experience Africa in a way that we never imagined. We witnessed the wildebeest migration river crossing, saw the big 5, visited a local school, went on walking and night safari tours, and much more all in just 5 days. Our tour guides were extraordinary!!! They kept the kids engaged and excited at all times. Sangeeta and the Chalo Africa team were communicating with us during the entire trip via a Whatsapp group chat to ensure that everything was always perfect. I highly recommend planning your next safari with Chalo Africa.
IE
20-35 years of age
Perfect blend of adventure and relaxation
This trip had so many iconic East African experiences, and was just so much fun. If you want to go on safari and also want to experience real Uganda, go with these guys.
I loved the mystery of going on a trip I hadn't planned myself. We received an itinerary but I purposely didn't look up anything as I wanted to the excitement of seeing genuine new things, a hard thing to achieve these days. I put my trust in Colm & Peter and they didn't disappoint. The beauty of the country and the warmth of the people surpassed all expectations. There is so much to see and do in Uganda I came home with a list of things I'll have to go back and do.
What I liked about Kennedy Safari Tours was that they were fluid and easy going. They really listened to what the group wanted in this really discreet way, and then just made it happen, they didn't miss a thing. They knew I was into birdwatching and managed to fit that in for me even though it wasn't planned. In fact if you're into birds in any way, you need to go to Uganda. Every hike or game drive we went on we encountered incredible birds, and the local guides were more than happy to identify them.
They use guides who have decades of experience and who are passionate about their parks and the animals. They're responsible, especially when bush camping and leave no trace. Much of the accommodation we used were community projects run by locals, so in this sense they are really supporting small local business, and in turn their wider communities.
What I also liked was that the guys were as excited by the wildlife and the things that we encountered as we were, so it felt like we were all enjoying the experience together. Small subtleties like that make for a more authentic experience.
The trip was so affordable. They have obviously put in the time and effort to seek out an itinerary that is affordable without having to leave anything out, whether you're a volunteer, a student or just someone who wants a rich experience that you don't have to spend a lot on. I feel like I could go again next year and it not be a big deal, with flights from Ireland being so reasonable.
It's hard to pick a highlight as I genuinely loved every day. I loved the wild and remote places like Kidepo National Park, river swimming and standing under waterfalls in Sipi Falls, also the coffee tour in Sipi Falls. Safari from a boat on the Nile in Murchison Falls NP when we saw a herd of elephants drinking along the shoreline. The stunning trek to the Ik Tribe and the whole experience of meeting the tribe was very special. Evening game drives, early morning game drives! Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and getting to spend the whole day in the rainforest. The food! ( Thank you Peter! ) All things I'll never forget.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing experience and one of the best vacations I have ever been on.
This was probably one of the best vacations that I have ever been on. Our tour was especially geared to children. I have gone on many vacations with Disney Adventures and Disney Cruises and this tour beats all of them! My kids learned about animals, the ecosystem and the culture. I highly recommended this tour to everyone.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experience of a lifetime, our every expectation was met in a professional manner by the team.
From day one, every single aspect of dealing with Wild At Heart Tours and Safaris was professional, polite and knowledgeable.
Their service was in a nutshell was infallible ( error-free, unfailing, faultless, flawless, impeccable, perfect, true, uncanny, precise, accurate, meticulous, scrupulous) This extended to every member of the team from booking, to the guide Jared and the whole tour itself.
We will be back soon !
BR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First safari, great experience!
This was our first safari and we're glad we went in a toured guide, it made the difference having someone driving, spotting and explaining about the animals. Wild Planet Safari provided us with a private tour, which was also great as we were able to stop as desired and do things in our own time. Paul was our guide and he was great, had a lot of knowledge about the animals and seemed to really love his job. Benjamin was our cook and he was also great, cooked good food and had a good eye for spotting animals. The only minor issue we had was about dietary restrictions, one person was vegetarian and the other was not, but the food was planned as if both were vegetarian... Anyhow, it was a great tour, we spotted many animals, stayed in very comfortable places inside the Kruger Park, which was excellent as we could really enjoy our time inside the park, and had good company. I highly recommend Wild Planet Safari, just be sure to double check what's included in your tour and to ensure all the tiny details as the food thing I mentioned before. It was great and now I'm hooked on safaris!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing team to help you with your Tanzania wildlife experience
The communication with David was great from Day 1 and he made sure he followed through with the plan established before hand. He was there to receive us and accommodate us in Arusha. The guides he chose for us Illazareus Benidict was amazing in his guidance and knowledge about the whole safari tour. Our cook Haridi Rashid was just out of the world. He made us home cooked meals in the middle of the Serengeti with love! Overall the tour experience was amazing in terms of price paid and the value we received. We definitely recommend David and his team to help you get an amazing experience in the Amazing country that is Tanzania!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A nice experience, good staff with good public relations. Excellent experience it was
Service is perfect, communication upto good standard.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Vacation well organized company
This trip to the East Africa was my 1st experience with Wildlife ever. Magical Retreat and Pamela were very professional but also kept the promise of giving the best quality agreed upon. It was due to the mere trust we had in each other that's how I had booked a 6Day tour for African Game drive with complimentary African Bumpy massage. We wanted a luxury trip which it was as well as had been offered good driver from Nairobi and back. Our guide and driver Livingstone Msagha was very good in sighting animals and very patient as a person. His pateince paid off as we could see the Great Migration at Maasai Mara, as he insisted to remain there for 2-3hours. Kudos to his hardwork to drive us around on such unpaved roads of safari.
I only wish if I had got better stay instead of Sopa Loadge - Maasai Mara like I was offered in Sweetwaters (Serena Camp) and Lake Nakuru - Sopa Lodge. The Maasai Mara Sopa Lodge was bit disappointment Old and after seeing the other property it dint seem as Luxury (not worth at all) . Even at Nairobi Airport I wish Pamela had few SIM card for the client during their stay to reduce the hassle of waiting at airport. We ended up buying Airtel, it had pathetic service in the Rift valley and being local there they should know better 'SafariCom' had better coverage.
The Ballon ride experience was incredible, thanks to the weather and so was the Thomson Waterfall & Lake Naivasha's (huge freshwater Lake) Boat ride as suggested by Pamela. Worth it !
Overall the safari was Awe-inspiring and it was all because of the Magical retreats & adventures Tours team work.