US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy booking, professional and courteous staff, wonderful recommendations
I heard about Southern Africa 360 through a friend and used them because I was getting very overwhelmed with planning my vacation to Cape Town. Right from the first email, Nikki was very attentive and helpful. She made sure to understand what exactly I wanted out of my vacation and made some recommendations that turned out very well! I was able to reach Nikki via text message whenever I needed to and she was very accommodating. I made the last minute decision to rent a car to drive to the safari and even though Nikki was out of town, she connected me with one of her co-workers who set me up with a rental car while I was out shopping! My group and I enjoyed our 2 days at the Aquila luxury safari cottages. The staff, food and safari tours were excellent and more than we had even hoped for. We even had the opportunity to visit the wildlife rehab center operated by the safari! Throughout out the trip, Nikki checked in with us to make sure everything was going well. If I am ever in need of their services again, I would not hesitate to use them. I highly recommend Nikki and her peers.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely recommendable!
We had a 3 day safari, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in October 2016. It was all super organized, although we booked by mail three days previously.
We were picked up early in the morning at the airport by our safari guide and were able to start directly with the safari. The lodges we agreed with Peter by mail. Depending on the budget, he offers appropriate lodges. Our recommendation: Luxury Tended Camp in the Serengeti and Sopa Lodge in Ngorongoro Crater. A bit more expensive but absolutely recommendable.
Bestday Safari is definitely recommendable, thanks again to Peter.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Do not use Tembea East Africa
Never use Tembea East Africa Safaris out if Nairobi. What should have been a once in a lifetime, carefree trip turned into a stress-filled experience as a result of the firm's poor cash management, incompetence and the deceitful customer service. In the end to continue with our trip I had to pay over $850 in additional costs to cover their admitted mistakes and they have not refunded me. From my perspective they have stolen cash. Full story below.
We recently returned from an 8 day safari tour in Kenya and Tanzania through Tembea East Africa Safaris. Throughout the planning process the owner operator Issa S was helpful and responsive. As required bY Issa we paid our deposit well in advance of our trip to secure our lodgings and park entrance reservations. Two weeks prior to our arrival we confirmed our trip and wired the final payment. Although we were met at the airport and taken to our first night's accommodations we had considerable issues with Issa as the trip progressed.
We did not have the luxury accommodation reservations in the Masai Mara park as contracted and only learned of a change while en route to an inferior substitute -AA Lodges- (our room had no hot water, the lock on door was broken, the toilet in the room didn't flush, and the pool was out of service). When I told him I was not happy with this change Issa said he would call and make reservations for us at the contracted Mara Sopa Lodge. He ultimately called and said there was nothing he could do since he called but they weren't answering their phone. Unlikely story? We ended staying two nights in the inferior lodge.
Things deteriorated further when we were at the entrance gate of Serengeti Park. Issa had failed to deposit the appropriate amount of cash required in advance and after more than 2 hours waiting at the gate for resolution, the only solution was for me to use my personal credit card and charge $400 for one days entrance. Both the guide and I reached out to Issa several times by phone but after our initial discussion where he blamed the problem on the "banks being closed on Sunday" and not that he failed to deposit the cash on time, he simply refused to pick up his phone. We missed our evening safari drive and arrived at our camp late, frazzled and $400 lighter. No money was available the next day in time to pay day two fees so we spent additional hours riding to various entry points (taking away from our safari time) and ultimately I had to pay an additional $400 in park fees. Issa sent an email apologizing and told me he would meet me at the Kenyan border upon our return with $800 in cash.
Things got worse upon leaving Serengeti to enter Ngorogoro Crater. He again delayed cash arrangements so we needed to wait at the entrance 2 hours until the transfer cleared. Unfortunately he didn't deposit the correct amount and because of the park payment system we could not use cash or credit card to make up the difference. As a result we waited another several hours at the entrance for the transfer. Because of this delay we were only able to spend 2 hours in the park (versus the 6 hours scheduled) and missed a good portion of our safari drive that day in the Crater. Everyone in our party was disappointed since this was a key part of our trip. Again, Issa refused to respond by email, text or phone in spite of the guide's and my attempt to reach him for some explanation. To add insult to injury we arrived at the Ngorogoro Farmhouse for our overnight and they couldn't find our reservations. They ultimately came back and said that reservations were only made that day so we were initially not on the list. Luckily they had accommodations.
We did make it to the Kenyan border the next day but Issa was not there with the money. He sent an email apologizing and said he would meet me in Nairobi at our hotel with the cash. Our last day at Amboselli went well but upon checkout there was a cash shortage and for us to leave at a reasonable time to return to Nairobi (5 hour drive) I once again had to personally charge $66. I was now owed $866.
I was obviously angry with Issa and his lack of professionalism in managing this safari trip. When we arrived at the hotel (6:30 pm) he was not there. He finally answered his phone and when I confronted him about these issues and his absence at the hotel as promised he said he would be there shortly with the cash refund and we could discuss. We waited until 8 pm and he never showed. His guide, the hotel clerk and I tried to reach him. He simply let the phone ring and then would not pick up. He eventually emailed me around 10 pm that he didn't show because I was too aggressive when I spoke to him. He guaranteed that I would be refunded the $866 by the time I returned home.
I have been home for more than a month and have received numerous emails from his finance person Damien assuring me that I will receive a refund. After reading comments on Trip Advisor (and Damien's recent silence) it is apparent that no refund is forthcoming.
I need to be fair and say that the trip was saved from total disaster because of the knowledge and professionalism of our guides, Abraham in Kenya and Dennis in Tanzania. When we were on safari rides they were excellent, answering all our questions and seemingly blessed with a sixth sense to ferret out the animals. We have no complaints on that end.
Issa is an obvious incompetent who lacks professionalism and unless I get refunded, an obvious crook as well. He never offered any sympathy, apologies and definitely compensation for the downgrade in hotel and for our time lost from our safaris because of his failure to transfer adequate funds for hotels and park fees. We planned a long time for this very costly trip and were very disappointed with our decision to go with Tembea. Do not make the same mistake.
I am glad to answer any further questions on my experience.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari tours with Hekima Safaris
Absolutely reliable company with very friendly staff, especially managing director Jackson was very helpful. We took a trip to Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP and Arusha NP for 5 days and everything ran well. Guys waited for us at the airport, we were given food and water during the whole trip and got friendly guidance through the parks. We can recommend Hekima Safaris to all visitors who want to visit beautiful Tanzania's national parks and look for a company to manage it. Looking forward to coming back in the future.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable and good value for the money w'have paid.
Me and my partner have been around, if you know what I mean. Earlier we took out our bikes for a trip in Bangladesh. W'have seen lot's of country's in Asia, but Bangladesh was an eyeopener, once again!! What a country. As you problebly know, the dutch like biking. So in 2014 we had a nice conversation with Sander van Zanten, being the owner / manager of grassrootz. The main question was wether we wanted "him" as the organiser of our trip in Oeganda. Having our first coffee, Sander gave us this feeling of "doing business with him, w'll be alright". So, 2 dutchmen took again their bikes out, this time for making a trip in Oeganda. Sander arranged a big four-wheel drive with a rooftent and of we go, soon after our arrival in Oeganda. The first 2 nights we spend in his hotel, as we had to prepare our bikes and other things. On the 3th day we went off, together with our driver Paul. As he also spoke English, there whould be lot's of nice conversations ahead, talking about the history, habits and developments in his country.
We never felt uncertain with him, being our "tourleader" during the trip.
Sometimes we took our bikes from the big Toyota landcruiser and cycled ahead.
We spent about 3 weeks in Oeganda, doing "the grand tour". W'have seen all the places of interest. Even the north part. Don't skip this part of the country, because "the kidepo national park" w'll gave you the feeling that Linvingstone must have had, lot's of time's during his expeditions. :-)
Sometimes we slept in a questhouse / hotel. Good value afcouse, but many time's we slept on the top of our car, just "somewhere". As I came back in Holland, the first thing I wanted to buy, was a rooftent for my own car, what an experience!!!!
Oeganda is facinating. I have seen allot, already and not only in Europe if
you know what I mean!!! It's people, it's country-sides, it's "easy to do things feeling", it's diversities, whauw..
So, being an experienced tarffeler, I know at what time one can speak "of good value".
Being back in Holland, I have recommended "grassrootzuganda" to my frind's. Some of them whent as well, some of them made other choices until now. There is so much to see in the world!!
The one's who dit go, never where disappointed.
If you have to decide, whether you should go to Oeganda as well, don't have any doubts about the quality of the program and the integrity of the management. It's all oke.
If you want any further information, just send an email: c.bovenberg@gmail.com
Maybe I am not able to answer your questions instantly. If so, I'am probably on my bicycle somewhere.
After all, that's what the Dutch do, cycling around -:).
Jozef / Holland / the Netherlands.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing company with amazing people
It was a long and arduous process to choose a safari company for my Kili climb and Migration Safari. I ended up with Gosheni and they turned out to be one of the best companies and experiences I have ever had since I embarked 6 years ago on traveling the world. Peter Robert was amazing to work with and meticulously put together an itinerary and team that far exceeded my expectations. The Kilimanjaro climb team was amazing, from the porters, to the chef to the guides. They helped me get to 17000 ft. before I succumbed to severe altitude sickness, damn you living at sea level!!! The team genuinely cared and it showed in everything they did for me. On the safari portion, the driver, vehicle and service were all 5 stars. Every day of the safari the driver setup a table in the Serengeti that offered, sodas, coffee, tea, wine, etc. None of the other vehicles did this, and the ones that tried did not compare. With so much completion you must do extras to standout and Gosheni did, I felt so spoiled the entire trip and although our driver was nervous about me seeing the crossing he delivered 2x. One crossing lasted almost 45 minutes, the other drivers were going nuts saying how awesome it was, and if they were excited you know it was not an average crossing. I will not soon forget my experience in this amazing country and Gosheni made everything so worry-free and easy. Save yourself the $$$ and give Peter Robert a chance, you will not be disappointed. His companies motto is not advertising nonsense it is so true, expect the unexpected
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari --> Capetown --> Wine Country --> Plett
With substantial thanks to Nikki & the SA360 team, my wife and I had the trip of a lifetime to South Africa, and will be going back in the near future without a doubt.
We started with 4 days and 3 nights in Krueger National Park at Lukimbe Safari Lodge- the suite was huge, beautiful, intimate, and the food and staff were just as satisfying.
Capetown was the second, where we stayed in Camps Bay and had a blast in both Camps Bay and central Capetown where we hoofed it over 20 miles in 3 days, always finding new neighborhoods and sites to check out. I was surprised at house cosmopolitan Capetown is, perhaps not on the level of New York or London, but quite similar .to our home city of Philadelphia. In renting an auto we were also able to make a very simple day trip to the southern most point of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, and also spent quality time with penguins at Boulder Beach!
For the third leg we spent 3 magical days in wine country, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. With Nikki's guidance, we spent a bit of extra money per night to stay at La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek during our wine touring and this vintage French boutique became our single favorite hotel stay of our lives (Stay here, stay here, stay here).
For the final leg of our two week journey we headed Northeast towards Plett where we visited several coastal towns and were able to partake in some absolute world-class hiking loops. As it was December and the beginning of holiday season, we were fortunate to meet and mingle with many South Africans travelling to Plettburg Bay for end of year festivities and holidays.
Amazing amazing trip and - Eat ALL of the Springbock and all of the meats and veggies... goodness, I want to go back just writing this!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superior Communication!
I first contacted Clare in April to help me plan a Kenyan safari. From the very beginning, she was extremely responsive, helpful and friendly. My partner had been extremely picky so Clare and I corresponded, I would say, almost 100 times via email to create the perfect itinerary. Throughout the whole process, Clare showed the utmost patience and was sincere in her desire to create the perfect trip for us. Unfortunately, we had to cancel last minute due to an unexpected personal matter and Clare continued to show compassion and understanding throughout the cancellation process. When we are ready to reschedule the trip, I will definitely be contacting Clare. She is a true pleasure to work with!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A home away from our home!
The journey to Uganda was our first big trip outside from Europe. We flew with Emirates from Frankfurt via Dubai to Entebbe. We were 8 people on our trip, family and friends :)
At the airport we were picked up by Didan (the chief from Loving Hearts Helping Hands), Crystal (his lovely wife) and Stanley (another driver). We also met Monica from Sweden, who was also set to spend about 4 weeks at the wonderful Lake Bunyonyi.
A long drive to Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi lay before us. It’s important not to drive in the dark, so we made a half way stop in a motel and continued the drive on the next day as we had arrived at the airport in the late afternoon.
The drive was long, but never boring. The first impressions of Uganda, the landscape, the cities and the people, along with the different smells were very fascinating for us. During the drive we saw zebras, cows and many other sorts of animals in the wild. We also stopped at a pineapple plantation. Since then we know that pineapples do not grow on trees. :D
On our trip we wanted to get to know the country and the people, and as well our sponsored child Melia. Melia goes to elementary school at the orphanage of Loving Hearts Helping Hands which Loving Hearts Uganda founded. Since February 2016 we had been supporting Melia.
Didan and Crystal founded this Loving Hearts Uganda which operates the tours, the school, and a hotel: Bunyonyi View Gorilla Packers with the aim of helping care for and educate orphan and needy children in the community.
First I would like to report about our accommodation Bunyonyi View Gorilla Packers.
Our hosts Didan and Crystal: They are very kind and attentive hosts. For them it’s very important that you feel good and comfortable. A big thank you for the organisation and the support of our trip. You both do a wonderful job.
Staff: The staff is funny, casual and very attentive. Thank you Ellia, Bosco, Junior and all the other wonderful staff, which made our stay unforgettable.
Rooms: Our room was small, but very clean, simple but decorated lovely. There was everything you needed. The bathrooms have Europeans toilets. The view over the lake is breathtakingly beautiful.
Food/Catering: We had full board… Breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food always was fantastic, tasty and lovely and appealing presented. A big praise to the chefs!
Bar: It is very comfortable to sit in the evenings with African music at the bar. It even has wifi.
Climate at the time of travel: Mostly it was between 23 and 28 degrees. It could happen that it rains 2-3 hours a day, then it gets colder. But on some days it did not rain at all.
Activities during the journey
School visit: The days at school were wonderful. The children are so grateful and so happy. We were greeted with dancing, singing and many hugs. It was very emotional. We brought some donations. Before visiting we had raised money for the Primary 7 classroom. The construction of a classroom began immediately upon our arrival. The community helped. The cohesion and the courage of the people to life is wonderful. Some of the visitors from our group gave lessons, while others were playing with the children. The joy of the children should be experienced once by everyone.
Safari to Queen Elizabeth: With our 3 sponsored children we drove to the Queen Elizabeth Park. It was nice to see the landscape and the animals (elephants, baboons, zebras, hippos, a lion ...). The children's reactions were very emotional and heart-warming. We had a lot of fun and have/got lots of new impressions.
Boat ride on Kazinga Channel: The boat trip was very interesting. We learned many things about the life of the animals and the landscape.
Boat ride on lake Bunyonyi: On the last day we took children from the school to a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. While these children live close to the lake they had never been driven by a boat before. It was very exciting for the kids!
For us adults it was very nice to get to know the lake from a different perspective. There are more than 200 bird species on the lake. The lake has 29 islands, each with its own history. It was very interesting :)
Baptism of Melia: Our sponsored child: Melia had been abandoned in a field and taken in by a family who then brought her to Loving Hearts Uganda. We decided to a baptism party for when we visited to officially become her Godparents and to let this sweet child know she will always have a family with us. The baptism of Melia was one of the most memorable moments on this holiday. The baptism ceremony in the church was colourful, loud, cheerful. A ceremony in Germany is unimaginable. It was a lot of fun.
Afterwards the party took place at the school. There were certainly 400 people there. Everyone was invited, a cow was slaughtered, all were satisfied.
There were two cakes for all the guests. A moderator led through the program. It was danced, laughed, sung ... It is unimaginable if you did not take part yourself.
The last evening with our sponsored children: At the last evening our children were staying with us in Bunyonyi View Gorilla Packers. There was a barbecue and tilapia fish, as well as lots of other delicious things to eat. We had a nice and fun evening with the kids. At which some children fell asleep. It was very sad to know that we had to go the next day.
Conclusion: Visit Uganda !!!!! Learn to know and love the wonderful and open-minded people and the beautiful landscape. Take some of the joy of life and satisfaction of the Ugandan people home. And then come back ...
We will be back, to Didan, Crystal and our children. We have gained a lot in our lives! A home away from our home!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great couple of days
I went with a group on an excellent overnight stay at a safari park whilst in Tanzania. Organisationwas of the highest standard and it was excellent value for money.
We went out both the evening and the following morning and we're lucky to see all the animals, in fact in the morning we saw them all in the same place. It was magical.