20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The director was very efficient and up to task. Very fast in giving feedbacks. He was cost effective
Efficient and effective. He kept checking on our comfortability.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful once in a lifetime experience thanks to Big Time Safari
We booked a three days budget in Masai Mara via Big Time Safari, and from the beginning we have been well taken in charge by the team.
Concerning the services, the driver took us at our house and took to us to Masai Mara, he was very niceand compliant. The food served -typical kenyan meals- was excellent and illimited. The accomodation was peaceful and comfortable.
The safari itself was amazing!
They took charge of everything (even water bottle) and offered us ourbest experience so far, we totally recommend them!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful unforgettable ten days in Kenya and Tanzania arranged for us by Noah and his amazing team.
We thoroughly enjoyed our safari. Should we go on another safari in East Africa we will most definitely use Wildebeest Safaris again. Noah planned the safari with us from the start. He communicated with us all the detail. When we arrived he was at the hotel to welcome us personally. Our guides Jeff (in Kenya) and Humphrey (in Tanzania) assisted us and tried to ensure that all our expectations were met. They were flexible and so helpful. The accommodation, safari vehicles were up to standard. We were well looked after.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tony is an experienced guide who knew how to flush out felines many times
Tony and his staff are kind and discreet people. The camp is functional, clean and the food is tasty (a lot spicy though!). Tony doing photo, knows how to place the vehicle in order to have the right light, the right profile. It is an asset for photos! He knows how to hunt animals which allowed us to live beautiful scenes with lions, cheetahs, cheetahs etc ... And another asset, Tony is respectful of nature and wildlife.
Excellent service
The best experience ever; If you are looking for fun; laughter and the best ever knowledge grasping tour ever then I highly recommend Nqaba Township and Safari tours. Thanks to Mr. Lonwabo Danster; I had the best time ever.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable trip
Best tracker guide ever meet , Best price/quality tent camp & services Tony cut himself in 4 to satisfied us . He is the best tracker I ever meet( this is my 14 Safari ) price/quality is unbeatable
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I will defenatly come back for honeymoon!!!! sooo beautiful Safari tour, I will never forget ;)
I've been on a three-day safari. It's 4 days on the homepage, but before and after the tour, i've been able to get around the hotel and it's really easy to stay here.
The web page says that the cost of the hotel is the customer's expense, but the company pays it all. It's a great place to stay.
I didn't stay at the hotel because I had to go to Moshi on the day I returned from the tour, but they drove me to Moshi.
The staff were very friendly and helpful,,, and the safari guide was a zoologist. I didn't know the animals, so i was able to study them. I'm going back for my honeymoon! thank you
+ Before you leave for the tour, we recommend that you go to the mart at the meeting point for beer and snacks. I don't want to be hungry on safari.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
What a disappointment!!!!
I booked through African Budget Safari and they contracted with Land and Lakes Safaris ( L&L) in Malawi. I had a good experience with African Budget Safari. I would use them again in a heartbeat. But I would never use Land and Lakes again.
We had one major issue occurred 3 days into our 7 day tour. We are seasoned travelers having visited over 140 countries and we often travel up to 4 months a year. The major issue we encountered was unique but strange things happen while traveling. We had driven from Malawi to Zambia and arrived at Thornicroft Lodge ( which is wonderful). After checking emails we received 2 of significance. One from African Budget Safari saying that our tour might get screwed up because of civil unrest and demonstrations which were expected to block flights out of Malawi the following week including the day of our departure. An email from the US State Department strongly suggested not flying in or out that week. This major event was beyond anyone’s control, which we understand, but what we don’t understand is why Land and Lakes did nothing to assist us in making alternative arrangements.
I asked our guide, Eric, to check into the situation at dinner that night. He was already aware of the situation but seemed nonplussed. I asked him to follow up with the L&L home office and get back to me after our game drive the next morning.
I also sent the email from the state department to the (L&L) home office saying we may need to change our itinerary to fly out of Lusaka, Zambia instead of Llongwe 4 days later ( airport closures were suppose to start the day before our departure). We were flying on to Uganda so we could not afford to be delayed 3 extra days.
When we got back from the game drive the next morning our guide had no suggestions for what to do, no alternatives, and the home office took until 12:30 to speak to me and say basically “ we know this is serious but you are on your own. You either follow the itinerary and see what happens or you lose what you have already paid plus all costs and inconveniences and changes in hotels, flights and transportation are your responsibility. File with your insurance.”
This was not about insurance! This was about being in a remote place with very spotty internet, trying to book lodges, book a new flight, change an existing flight and arrange transportation! Thank goodness for Thornicroft Lodge ( Nadia and Dylan). They could not accommodate us but they called another lodge and got us a room. They loaned me their phone to call South African Air. They helped me book a flight from the local airport to Lusaka. Are you getting the picture? They did everything over 5 hours that Land and Lakes,which had better phones and constant internet at the home office, should have done. We understand it was our financial responsibility and we will deal with the insurance when we get home but where was Land and Lakes, our tour company?
Why no suggestion such as stay one more night nearby and your guide will drive you to Lusaka and see sights along the way? It is no further than Lake Malawi. Or suggest another itinerary of sights within Zambia? Again Thornicroft got info on driving to Lusaka $80 US pp versus flying $300pp so all the options were provided by them and not Land and Lakes.
Our guide was not allowed to accompany us into the game park and he had meals with us but otherwise was unoccupied. After we reworked our schedule, he informed us he was going back to LLongwe.
I asked our guide what would have happen if we had followed the original itinerary and the airports did shut down - would his company have left us to our own devices? His answer was of course not. So why did they leave us to our own devices in a remote location ? Malawi has been experiencing turmoil since the election in May and I believe any responsible tour company would have an emergency plan in place to assist when problem occurs. If not, they have the resources and should have offered to rework our schedule, at our cost, and see us safely on out way,
As I am writing this it is still a day away from the planned demonstrations and for Malawi’s sake I hope they do not happen. But whatever occurs, safety is first and and L & L let us down on that
front.
IN
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful, awesome experience
We booked a 9 day customised tour with Spirit of Kenya after seeing the reviews. We covered both countries Kenya and Tanzania with Masai mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kake Nakuru. Venessa interacted with us through 80 mails answering all our queries for 3 months . They have various packages including full board accommodation s, vehicles with professional drivers cum guides. The accommodation s were top class. They gave us everything they promised. The drivers did their best to show us the big five and many more. Cheetahs, rhino, a Chas and a kill. What else could we ask for!! Alex and Ali our guides were through professional and we wish them well!
Amazing experience and wonderful memories! Highly recommended!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful and the best of our nine safaris.
This was our 9th safari, most with Encompass Africa, and the best in all aspects.
Sable Camp, Mala Mala, South Africa for 4 nights. Wildlife included wild dog packs, wild dogs interacting with a male leopard, mega lion pride of 17, male leopard and hyena fighting over a carcus, lots of elephants. Land Rovers have a door behind the driver for easy access. Never seen this before. Ranger Ryan outstanding as were all the staff, food and lodge facilities. Only minus was vehicle did not have a canopy.
Four nights at Splash Camp, Botswana - saw two large wild dogs packs with pups. Wildlife included cheetahs, lots of elephants, buffaloes and sable. Great sunsets and reflections in the water. Can have a helicopter flight from the camp over the Delta. Excellent food.
Three nights at San Camp, in the salt pans of Botswana. A WOW camp in the setting and as if you were in the camps of East Africa in the 1930's. BUT very comfortable. Solar hot water, Solar lights in classic white tents with all mod cons. Dinner by kerosine lights (very romantic). Outstanding food. Meerkats that are happy to forage around you and sit on your head or shoulder if you sit down! They get a better view of raptors to warn the others. Lions interacting with a herd of zebras and wildebeest at a water hole.
All transfers at Jo’burg and Maun were organised and VERY effective.
Looking forward to our 10th safari and with Encompass Africa!