NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great adventure in Uganda.
Even before our journey started everything was well organised.
The communication with Grassrootz was very well. Questions were answered mostly the same day.
We had a hard time picking the right trips, so our journey had to be changed many times which was no problem at all.
In Uganda everything was perfect.
David our guide was a nice guy who could learn us a lot about the country.
Great trips that were well organised and good lodges to sleep.
We really enjoyed our staying in Uganda thanks to Grassrootz.
Regards,
Willemien and Jacobien from Holland.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our best safari with Malengo Tours
We did a safari early November, in Selous Game Reserve. Malengo tours is a small company.
Compared to large companies, we were alone during the all safari. Bakari and Armani (our driver and our guide) were very kind. They did everything to make us happy. We were so satisfy than we have decided to make others excusions with them in zanzibar.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extraordinary Safari Experience
We booked a 6 day safari (Masai Mara/Lake Nakuro/Amboseli) in oktober at safaribookings.com for november and got an imediate answer from John Peter (African Paradise Safari). We had to transfer 60% of the amount in advance on their kenyan bank account wich took quite a time because our german bank had some problems finding the account, so I got a bit nervous. But John was very helpful and friendly and suggested to sort everything out when we'd be in Kenya. And so the money arrived just as we started our safari. John cought up with us at our hotel to organise everything, took us on a city tour and was a great assistence as our luggage got lost on the way to Kenya. He organised the transfer of the delayed luggage on 3rd day to the Masai Mara. We were really lucky to meet him.
We took part of a group of 6 people which was perfect for a safari trip in a safarivan. Our safari driver and guide was Patrick from Absolut Holiday Safari/Big Time Safari, because they are a resource sharing group. Patrick was definitely one of the highlights of our safari and you should request him if you can. He is a very warm, nice person with an excellent knowledge of the animals and the savannah. I remark on his ability because he was able to spot and land us as virgin spectators into various animal adventures and incomparable spots. So we were quite lucky and spotted the Big5 during the first 2 days in the Masai Mara. Altogether it was an excellent trip. We chose the budget option wich means small safari tents, uncomfortable beds, no constant electricity and a really close to nature experience.
All in all a once in a livetime experience!
DE
The perfect trip
We did the 5-days tour (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) with BestDay safari and it really was the perfect trip:
- The most important thing first: Peter, the owner, is not only extremely friendly but also takes care of your personal needs. Dullah, our driver, was just the nicest person and taught us a lot about Tansania and its culture. Thanks to Dullah, we saw the "Big 5" as well as so many other species. Peter and Dullah really made the trip special! Also they are both from Arusha and we would always recommend to support a local company (not the big Indian companies that don't pay the employees well).
- The lodges and tented camps were all clean, cosy and something special. The staff was always nice and the food delicious (no stomach problems).
- The parks and animals are for us Europeans just very impressive! It's a once in a lifetime trip, guys :)!
- The people in Tansania are incredibly friendly and the culture very special. We always felt safe!
- All in all, really a perfect trip with good value-for-money!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing holiday made even better with Gorilla Link Tours support!
I contacted Carol at Gorilla Link Tours to get support planning my trip to Uganda. She has just been amazing, so helpful, so friendly, and helping me to arrange my holiday exactly the way I wanted with the budget I wanted. I traveled alone and never felt any danger nor annoyance. I have learnt a lot about Uganda talking to Carol and her collaborators. We visited the Gaddafi mosque in Kampala and the Nile source in Jinja. With Carol's guidance I could try local food in local places: tilapia fish at Jinja, luwombo, matoke, posho, yam, karo... I just loved the food in Uganda! and of course I can't miss the rolex, perfect breakfast food. I then moved to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Carol had arranged for me a stay in a cool lodge where Tony took good care of me, arranging my safari and a boat tour last minute (I saw soooooo many animals!!!). I then moved to Rushaga for my gorilla tracking, for which Carol got the permit for me. I stayed in Nshongi camp, just next to the tracking departure, immersed in nature and again perfect hospitality. I am so glad I got the help of Carol for my trip: she made it perfect! very recommended!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
3-day safari in Selous
We had a wonderful stay in Selous! During our trip we stayed at the Hippo Camp and we were very well taken care of by our amazing chef from Kanuth Adventure Safaris and the staff of Hippo camp. We went on a boat safari, a full day game drive and a walking safari, all with great guides. During the boat safari we came across different kinds of birds, crocodiles, lizards, hippo's and we saw an amazing sunset. The second day we went for a full day game drive in Selous on which we were accompanied by our guide. Our awesome and most kind guide Michael, really gave his best in attempt to show us as much as possible and we saw a lot of animals! It was definitely a day we will never forget. The walking safari was also very interesting to experience with the bushman that showed us around, he is a great storyteller. Thank you Kanuth Adventure Safaris for taking us on this amazing trip and we will definitely see each other again!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience; amazing memories ..
From the time we were picked up at the airport to the time we were dropped back, we had an amazing experience. The car was in good condition, the driver was very experienced, the resorts were very nice, the food was ample and delicious.
We had a fantastic time!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome experience
I preface this review with the fact that this is the first and only safari I have taken, so I have no other frame of reference with regards to safari service. However, it is difficult to imagine better service than we received.
I am Canadian and was in South Africa on business in October/November 2016. My colleague and I researched various companies and chose Armadillo because of the good reviews and the advertised unique truck they offered. It is truly rare when already high expectations are exceeded in every possible way. We were taken on this experience by Morris, a guide employed by the owners, Kris and Nicky.
The only other spiral galaxy besides our own that can be seen with the naked eye is the Andromeda Galaxy. It takes approximately 2.5 million light years for its light to reach Earth. Even if I contemplated for this amount of time, I could not come up with one way in which Morris could have been a better. He was a fantastic guide, cook, driver, and general resource for everything. He literally worked non-stop 13-15 hours a day to make our safari experience the best it could be, even to the point of us asking him to take a break. He knew the name of every plant, animal, bird, and tree imaginable along with the anatomy, habits, and pretty much anything else we asked. As a spotter, he could spot the smallest animal in the tallest grass, all while driving. Many times we needed to strain 2-3 minutes to discover what he had seen. It was truly uncanny. We have also never seen anyone who can stop at a rest area and within 15 minutes have prepared a full, hot breakfast. He catered to our every need. For example, my colleague mentioned that she may need to buy a new suitcase as the zipper on one of hers had completely broken. The evening we went out on our night drive, when we returned, it was mysteriously fixed. Morris is truly one of a kind.
The vehicle was amazing and lived up to its billing. Kris, the owner, certainly has a unique talent as he custom built it. It was kind of cool to be stared at every time we pulled into a parking lot. We gladly gave tours of the truck to a few people, as if we ourselves had anything to do with creating this work of art. There is a fridge, electrical outlets to charge all your devices, a coffee machine, a mini bar, and the floors open up to reveal ice boxes for any beverages you may wish. I'm not sure how many other safaris end the day watching animals while sipping a pop or beer in the comfort of a truck which allows an incredible view of everything. The wifi offered in the truck was also very important, as wifi in the park is otherwise pretty much non-existent.
Suffice it to say we appreciated our experience. Based on my experience, you can't go wrong with this company.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
WHAT an experience!
Because we knew where we wanted to go, where we wanted to stay(and not) Innocent arranged all our wishes and we had such a good time!
Our driver, Raymond, best driver in Uganda, I Think, showed and arranged all experiences so we could only enjoy and be surprised by all the beautyfull people, animals and vegetation in your Pearl of Africa, thank you so much!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
2nd canoe trip in as many years--both fantastic
Last year was the Mopane canoe and this year I did a private 3-night trip with the Shoreline itinerary, but camping on the islands. Outstanding combo. Guides Norman and Manu were excellent and we saw probably 150 elephants on the trip, plus many other mammals and birds. The day I spent in Natureways camp before leaving on the canoe trip was rewarding. We saw animals from the vehicle and on foot.
The trip was booked through Doug Macdonald because the bulk of my Mana Pools trip was with him. I appreciated this unusual hybrid trip being made available to me.