65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent tour operator and guides with all arrangements carried out smoothly and efficiently.
We took the eleven-day Kenyan/Tanzanian Safari, and it was indeed the most wonderful experience of my life. I went with my 11-year old grandson. Bienvenido Kenya Tour and Safaris took care of us throughout the trip. Transport showed up when expected, our guides were excellent - particularly Patrick in Kenya - and the arrangements were exactly as planned.
We saw an enormous number of animals - all the big five - as well as many other species. We also got very close to numerous lions, elephants and other creatures. It was an extremely thrilling experience.
Accommodation ranged from good to very basic. Be prepared to rough it occasionally! There was also quite a bit more driving involved that I had anticipated.
For those considering this safari, the more research you do up front the better! I would have liked a bit more information about accommodation options, as well as a bit more guidance on what to bring, what not to bring, etc. In the end we just took very small bags, with only three changes of clothes, binoculars (a must!), guide book, cellphone and a warm jacket as nights can get chilly. This all proved to be more than adequate, and having small, light bags was a bonus, as we were constantly moving from one place to another. We were advised to bring "safari style" clothes, but that was not necessary! Also, take a small towel - some of the camps do NOT provide towels and cold showers with no way of drying off is not all that pleasant.
I would highly recommend Bienvenido Tours. Good value, no hidden extras and Purity is very responsive and helpful.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A class act! Go Touch Down provided an experience that far surpassed our expectations.
This was our first trip to Africa to celebrate our anniversary. We decided on the 10-day signature tour (option B) because it had safari's as well as a few days in Capetown. Our first stop was a safari camp called Humala in the Songimvelo Game Preserve. This was the most remote of the three places we stayed but the accommodations were 5-star! Our bungalow had a thatch roof with tent sides on a raised platform overlooking the river. It was furnished very comfortably, and we really enjoyed the outdoor shower. The staff was very attentive, and the chef was amazing. The morning and evening safaris were amazing but much different (and cooler temperatures) than we expected. Humala is in the mountains and not the huge flat lands you normally associate with African Safari's. The wildlife was everywhere, and I captured some amazing images. Though there are no predators in this area there was no shortage of zeba's, giraffe, wildebeest, hippos, and every species of antelope. As an award-winning wildlife photographer, I was very impressed by this location. The evening Sundowners (cocktails in the bush) were a great way to end each day. At the dance performance were we unexpectedly brough up to do a special anniversary dance with the performers. An experience that was just over the top.
After a long drive with several stops along the way to view/photograph the amazing scenery of the panorama route we arrived at Tshukudu, a private game lodge. Here the rooms were more like traditional hotel rooms but larger and very well furnished. When we arrived, our bed was covered in flower petals and chocolates, with a pair of heart shaped swans made from our towels, another anniversary surprise! The staff was great, and the meals tended to be buffet style which is a plus for a big eater like myself. Breakfast and lunch were served on the patio, but the dinners were served fire side in the Boma. This was a very beautiful and romantic setting. The game drives here were very different than at Humala. Here the land was flatter, and there was very dense brush. One our first game drive we saw a pair of lions, a small pack of elephants, and a mother and calf rhinoceros all within the first 30 minutes! Our guide was quick to point out that this was not a typical day, but it was an experience I will never forget. We saw 4 of the big five, only the elusive leopard was missed.
From Tshukudu we did a full day trip to Kruger National Park. It was 105 degrees that day and much of the wildlife was hiding or hanging out at the water hole. Don't get me wrong we saw plenty, and I captured some wonderful images. For me the highlights of Kruger were the Birds and Vervet monkeys. We saw two endangered birds that even our guide had never seen before. The saddle-billed stork and the Southern Ground Hornbill, this was very exciting. I also was able to photograph a Twany & Brown Snake Eagle within a few minutes of each other. There were several great small birds like the lilac-breasted roller and the little bee eater. A vervet monkey posed in a tree for us while its little ones were running all over. It was wonderful to watch the little ones play and occasionally stop and pose for a portrait.
At this point the safari part of our tour ended and we caught a flight (included) to Capetown. I highly recommend staying at the Belle Maroc, a little boutique hotel right on the beach. It's a very contemporary design that is decorated in comfortable Moracin. There are many little cozy areas to relax but the bar top overlooking the water was the place to be, even when it was cold. Because its small, the menu and bar selection were limited but the food was wonderful. We really enjoyed the open kitchen where we could watch the chef prepare our meals. I only wish the tour schedule allowed for some down time so we could have enjoyed the amenities. Our Capetown itinerary was packed and kept us busy from morning to night. Seal Island and World of Birds were nice but touristy. Cable mountain, and cape point were beautiful. We spent a full day in the wine country visiting wineries for tastings and pairings followed by lunch and shopping. The finally was going to Gold Dinner Theater later that night. The dinner was a 14-course tasting menu with dishes from around Africa. There were even comical drum lessons and a wonderful show.
The guides were all very knowledgeable and made it a fun experience. The small group size, 6 per van, was perfect, and we made some new lifelong friends from Australia. Even when a second van was following us to the same locations the group size was still limited to 12. The restaurant's they took us to were all top of the line and everything was included except our bar tab.
Go Touch Down Tours even arranged for us to spend a few extra days after the tour. They arranged our return flight to Johannesburg, hotel/airport transfers, and a guide who took us to the extra adventures we added. The only downside to this whole experience was the vans used to transport us around. While they were comfortable, we did have one break down and leave us stranded at cape point. We were finally able to drive it to the nearest town and find a bar to hang out in until a replacement could be found, made the best of it! In Capetown the air conditioning in the van was not working.
Booking our trip and working with the office staff was really easy. they assisted us with getting our trip insurance and professionally answered hundreds of questions. I highly recommend using go Touch down Tours if you plan to visit South Africa. Ours was the trip of a lifetime!
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good value and amazing trip !
A dream!!! We had a dream stay with Emanuel our guide for 5 days / 4 nights.
We had the chance to see many animals thanks to Emanuel's experience! The lodges were great (tip: the kubukubu in Seregenti Park was amazing) and the food was delicious throughout our trip.
It was our first safari and we only want to book a next one with African Big Cats Safari !
Asante sana Emanuel for these beautiful memories! We hope to see you soon!
Marine & Robin
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent- Castro is the best Driver
It was always a dream for me to visit the Masai Mara and Karibu made it easy and affordable.
I was pleased with the accommodations and always felt safe.
I highly recommend this tour company and will tell everyone that is coming to Kenya to book. Castro is an excellent driver and tour guide.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience
We had a really great time! The safari was very special and just like we hoped it to be. The communication with the operator was so easy and fast, they always responded so quick and were extremely flexible with all our wishes before and during our trip. We can definitely recommend this operator!
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic Safari
My husband & I , did a 7 day safari, Ann was always available for all my endless questions, our driver/guide Frank was very knowledgeable, extremely patient & nothing was too much trouble. The organisation was excellent, food, accommodation & our trip exceeded our expectations
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
He is an amazing tour guild!
Wanderlust Safaris ensured that our transfers were smooth. There were on time and the guide was very patient , friendly and accommodating as he took us around Victoria Falls. Victoria falls is a great holiday destination. I reccomend wanderlust safaris if you intend to visit Victoria Falls. You wont regret it. Special Shout out to Leon!!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
One of the best trips we have ever done!
The Safari tour was one of the best trips we have ever done! Our tour guide, Eliud, made the trip. It was because of him that we saw pretty much every animal multiple times ( e.g. Lions, Chettahs, Leopards, Hyenas.. etc) and he brought a great energy. Joseph was also very easy to deal with and made organsing the trip seamless. We did a 5 day safari to Lake Naivasha (Sawela lodge), Lake Nakuru (The Cliff) and Masai Mara (Kichwa Tembo) which worked out well for us. We went to Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha which was incredible as it was a walking tour and so you get very close to the animals and you see lots of Hippos on the boat over. Lake Nkururu is cool because of the amazing landscape and getting to see the Rhinos. However, the best part was the Masai Mara and in particular staying at Kichwa Tembo. Hands down one of the best hotels we have stayed at. Seeing the animals in the Masai was just out of this world. I couldn't recommend this trip enough!!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great tour with Peak Cruise Safaris, highly recommended!
We booked a 4-day tour with Peak Cruise Safaris and loved every part of it. Communication with the organization was easy and quick and they were very flexible in incorporating our last minute wishes. Amos was our tour guide and he went above and beyond to provide us with the best experience possible. We had a fun, diverse tour, with great accommodation.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Shikwaru and the guides Rock and Tebogo provided a fabulous tailormade safari in Botswana
Federica at Shikwaru was very easy easy to communicate with, prompt with replies to questions and she organised a fantastic trip for the two of us, tailormade to our needs, with a drop of at the Namibian border after 10 unforgettable nights in the bush, and as it was so exclusive it was very good value for money. The guide team of Rock and Tebogo were excellent, we were very well taken care off, with great food, camping equipment (we loved the bush shower and toilet, and very comfortable camp beds. We always felt very safe and informed. The range of wildlife that we saw was phenomenal, from the elephants to the mongoose to the termites! Our lead guides were extremely knowledgeable and skilled, as were the additional guides in Okavango, on the Chobe river trip and at Planet Baobab. We wouldn't hesitate in recommending Shikwaru Adventures for a safari trip.
