ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari
From the minute one to the end the company has made it very easy, both in transport, accommodation, visits ... Above all we have seen the Big Five, among other spectacular scenes of the Savannah, thanks to the intuition and experience of our driver and guide, Nicolás. The charming accommodations, exceeded our expectations. Many thanks to the Seven by Far team, we recommend it 100%.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good bookings and tour guides but need to be more professional
We booked our first African safari with Wildebeest. Noah and Samuel were the point of contacts. They are very knowledgeable on the safaris and hotels. Kamande our safari guide was extremely cordial and experienced. We had a very good safari viewing. Kamande ensured that we were able to see all the animals and really put effort that we got the best views. However I feel the team can be more forthcoming. Our trip was fantastic because we had literally done all the research ourselves, right from the day wise plan on basis of what we saw on different websites. Wildebeest mostly helped us with the hotel and safari booking deals. They weren't very forthcoming on recommending what is best for us- many times I had to ask them multiple times if they, as locals, thought this was the best way to do the tour. We spent an entire day at Naivasha not knowing that the tour gets over in an hour!
We had asked the team to do our bookings for Mombasa as well, and they misplaced our train bookings which meant we lost almost an entire day waiting to travel (since there are only 2 trains everyday). I think they could have been more helpful on that. So I would recommend you go with them only if you are absolutely sure of what you want. Don't rely on them to guide you
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded expectations
In late October, Early November, my wife and I took the 16 day package which included time in Cape Town, Kruger National Park in South Africa and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
The ultimate experience of the tour was in Kruger where we saw a multitude of animals. Our first request was to see wild dogs. In five minutes we were observing a pack of wild dogs. We later saw a juvenile leopard that had downed an antelope but before he could eat it a hyena stole his meal. Undaunted he caught a duiker and went up a tree to safely eat his meal. In two days we saw the big five. If it is photos of animals you want you can’t get closer and in a better position for these pictures.
We met some great people from Georgia and Virginia who were our Jeep mates. A more compatible group could not have been found. Our guide and tracker had excellent skills in following animals and were very knowledgeable. Their positive and friendly nature added to the pleasure of the trip. All aspects of this trip were excellent. I would highly recommend this trip for animal lovers and anyone concerned about the planet.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good experience and a helpful operator
We booked a 9-day safari through Twinkle Star. James is very helpful, we communicated a lot before the trip. He tried his best to help us.
The driver in Tanzania is incredible. He is responsible and knowledgable. He explained the culture of Tanzanian and the characters of different animals in the trip. We saw migration for four times in three days. We also saw Lion, Chita, Leopard ......the driver always search for a good area for us to take photo. For the accommodation, I highly recommend Chaka Extra Camp. The staffs are very nice. The food, environment and camp are perfect.
For Kenya, our driver, Robert, did a very bad job. His car broke down. We could not go to safari with him. We joint another group in the end. Also, his car broke down again on the day we have to go back to airport. Without the help of James and other African, we afraid we may not catch our flight. James sent another driver to take us immediately. However, Robert tried to lie to us telling us that his car was okay.
Thank you, James.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari with Wonderful People...Book with Tanzania Roadside!
Booking a safari is scary! Paul responded to us quickly and communicated with us about our requests and planned out our trip even better then we could have. Very detailed itinerary was emailed to us for our approval and everything was handled by Paul. Doing a bank transfer is crazy scary but this company is very trustworthy and reliable. We had an amazing time, our guide Philemon was so great. He was patient, funny and protective of us throughout our safari. We ate dinner with him and talked about life and safari and it was so nice to meet such a great person on the other side of the world, we are still in touch with him even after the trip. Never once did we feel unsafe in Africa - in fact we were sad when it was time to head to Zanzibar at the end of safari - we didn't want to leave Philemon. Except for the black Rhino we saw the big five and it was unbelievable. Elephants right next to the truck, the cheetah jumped on our hood and the lioness scratched her nails on our tire! Zanzibar was beautiful we stayed at Warere resort, small place but great service, wonderful people and accommodations. We specifically wanted a small resort without crowds and that's exactly what we got. Be sure to visit Stone Town and Prison Island to see the tortoises they are so sweet and love attention. While relaxing in Zanzibar at Nungwi Beach we swam with sea turtles and all I can say is it is unbelievable. All the locals are so friendly and helpful, we live in Tennessee and our state is one of the friendliest but the people of Tanzania are so wonderful. This safari was a trip of a lifetime and it did not disappoint, all due to Paul and his employees making this trip unforgettable for us. Book with Tanzania Roadside you will not be disappointed!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Etosha National Park by Julia
Fantastic wildlife day; no local life though.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Namib-Naukluft National Park by Flitz
Beautiful dunes
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Astonishing scenery, a well-organised burgeoning tourist industry, and lovely, LOVELY people.
The wildlife and scenery was amazing. There are so many miles of absolutely nothing. Elsewhere in Africa, if you need to go behind a bush, you will find 50 children waiting for you. In Namibia, you'll be lucky to find a bush! But if you do, there will not be 50 children. There won't be anyone. You can stand on top of a hill and see the road for 200 miles, in an almost straight line - with nothing. No village, hut, pylon. Nothing!
We did compact game drives with knowledgeable guides. The scenery from desert to dunes to game park with pans and rock art thrown in - is incredible.
As reasonably experienced travellers in East and West Africa, this was our first trip to southern Africa. I had expected to feel quite intrepid.
Far from it: we stayed almost entirely in Gondwana group hotels, with other B&B in Windhoek and one non-Gondwana tented camp on our itinerary. All were amazing - so varied and interesting, each in their own right. This is not chain-hotel experience. We don't normally do 5*, so perhaps I don't really know how to rate this, but it was way above what we would normally expect to do elsewhere in either Europe or Africa.
By way of example: I wished that I had started a "view from the loo" photo collection early on. From quirky bathroom fittings at Kalahari Anib Lodge (towel rail and loo roll holder all made of copper pipe) to an al fresco toilet experience at the Spitzkoppe tented camp, with the loo roll tucked into the stonewall; to sand dunes, passing rhino and oryx, viewed over our own private plunge pool and a pink fridge at the Desert Grace near Sossusvlei. (Please, PLEASE - if you go to Desert Grace, stop at the view point on the road in. It is well worth clamber up the rock!) ... Elsewhere - towel origami in shape of elephants; chocolates on the pillows ... I could go on.
Special mention: our game driver, Ronald, at Etosha, said we would be out for about 6 hours - but he knew where the animals might be, found them, spent the extra time, and delivered us home after 12 hours. He must have been exhausted, and had it all to do again the next day. But we were happy. And Etosha Safari Camp is just lovely, with its live music, idiosyncratic furniture, and relaxed atmosphere.
Above all, we never felt threatened anywhere. Wandering round Windhoek and Swakopmund was the closest we came to normal life - we didn't see local village life at all, I'm afraid. But everybody we met and talked to, even in the towns, was so very, very friendly and welcoming.
A small point: we would have appreciated better guidance on tyre pressures for different roads - the car hire company simply gave us the wrong figures!
Thank you, Namibia.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
For some time constrait and because I amo not exactly an animal enthusiast, we chose a 4 day option that brought us also to visit the Blyde river canyon. I was not exactly impressed by the canyon ( save for the alpine vibes of some bits), notable exception Burke's Luck Potholes; that place is just beautiful. Getting to see the canyon from below during a boat trip on the dam was great and added another dimension to the experience and you get to see hippos wich is a great plus. We spent 2 nights in Kruger, did an evening bush walk, 2 mornign drives and an evening one and were extremely lucky, managed to see all of the big 5 plus dozens of other animals including some bidrs of the most astonishing colours. The landscape is varied although during winter it can appear a little boring because of the lack of green grass and leaves on the trees, everything looks pretty much dead even if it is not. Obviously under this conditons animal sightings are easier because grass and trees do not offer cover. Weather was perfect, sunshine, pretty hot but totally bearable, nights are very cold, like wishing you had your ski gear with you.Morning drives are especially chilly and on one occasion no blankets were found in the vehicle used, it could be a smart move to take one of the extra blankets found in your accommodation. We stayed in Skukuza camp in the self-catering rondavels, basic accommodation but with everything you needed, beds comfortable, you get towels and soap. Kitchen and fridge is actually on the little porch, must be carefull with the monkeys always on teh look out for unattended food. each rondavel also has its own barbecue. No 'street light' in the camp so remmebr to have with you a torch or head lamp. Did not have time to explore the whole camp, heard there was a pool but did not see it. Second camp was berg en dal, beatiful place, we stayed in a self catering 'cottage' a lovely red brick building with a very large patio. Bathroom on the very small side when compared to the rest of the accommodation ( bathroom was small in skukuza as well but it was proportionate to the room). The camp sits along a river but it was totally dry, In the wet season it must be spectacular, there is a trail that runs around the camp and borders the river, I guess that the right time one can see a lot of animals there. It is to be noted that some of the big cats sightings all happened very close to this camp, even leopard.
Rangers varied a lot from the very knowledgable and engaging to the one who was merely a driver but on average we were happy because after a while everyone tells you the same stories, so you do not miss being given the same information over and over again.
The guide we had was incredible, he knew million of things about animals and nature in general, we definitely learned more from him than anyone else. He also had a sort of super sight, ho could spot animals and birds we hardly saw ^_^ The whole safari was very well planned and we were extremely happy the service of red Africa Safari.