50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Footslope experience was excellent. Friendly staff, well organised, fab glamping.
The whole experience was excellent. Excellent staff and communications. Loved the whole experience with Footslopes. The guide particularly was very knowledgable and attentive. The tents were so lovely and having one base for the two nights was ace also. The organisation also was spot on.
The only negative for me was the tourist hotel in Arusha and that was a couple of the staff were unfriendly, that was all. Thank you for the experience.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A trip with everlasting memories
We have just returned from our 15 day tour of Uganda which is a spectacularly beautiful country and its people are so friendly and made us feel so welcome. The service Matoke provided from the beginning of my initial inquiry was excellent thanks to Harriet and Lionel who answered my many questions promptly and co-ordinated all the activities and lodgings for our vacation. Our driver/guide Sulieman met us at the airport and was dedicated, thoughtful and conscientious throughout our trip. We felt very safe in his hands and all aspects of our trip were well timed and fun. I loved all of the safari camps/lodgings that we stayed at where the staff were attentive and welcoming and the food was always tasty. The bush dinner at Lake Albert was a lot of fun and certainly made us feel very special. Obviously our highlight was the gorilla trek in Bwindi were it took us only 1.25 hours to get to the Bweza family and we watched in awe the silver back contentedly munching on a log while a baby frolicked in the undergrowth watched lovingly by the extended family. Unfortunately we did not get to see any tree climbing lions in Ishasha but wildlife is unpredictable. I would say Murchison Falls is an absolute must - such an impressive hike with views from lots of different angles. The chimp tracking was also exciting and although the game in Uganda is not as plentiful as we saw in Botswana on a prior visit, the fabulous scenery of many varying kinds, especially in Lake Mutanda and Lake Bunyonyi area, is unequaled. Thank you Matoke for enabling us to have a worry free vacation and to see the magnificent gorillas of Bwindi, an experience we will never forget.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Safari was an Amazing Life Changing Experience!!!!
It was my aunt’s dream to go on a safari in Africa. I researched many companies and did not want a ‘cookie cutter’ safari with a ‘guaranteed window seat’. We both are thrill seekers and wanted to be up close and personal with nature and the wildlife that lived within the national parks of East Africa.
Once I spoke with Stafford, a Safari Specialist at Africa Remote Safaris, I knew that they would be one of the top 3 safari companies that we would choose to plan our custom trip of a lifetime. Stafford was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made recommendations that was tailored to the activities we wanted to do most. Along with Steve and Naphtali, they had plotted a trip that did not follow the rest of the safari enthusiast’s.
Before heading out to Amboseli we stopped at Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust in Nairobi that fostered orphan elephants and released them back into the wilderness where they belong. A MUST SEE while in Nairobi. We arrived at Amboseli NP in Kenya with our guide Paul and stayed at Kibo Camp which was our first destination. It was a bit of a drive from Nairobi to Amboseli but on safari you will do a lot of driving. The sacrifice was well worth the reward. Kibo was well beyond our expectations and I would highly recommend this accommodation if you want a real ‘Glamping’ experience but not too close to the animals that are active after dark. Friendly staff, very clean, well maintained, and is right outside the entrance to Amboseli NP. Paul our guide was very knowledgeable about the environment and would identify the animals, birds, and plants that we were seeing along the way. He was so familiar with Amboseli that he actually recommended the time and places within the park to see wildlife viewing of Elephants making their daily trek to the watering hole. We saw an abundance of elephants, cape buffalo, giraffes, hippos, the list goes on and on. He even spotted Cheetahs that were about to start hunting in the late afternoon. Paul was a pro and an excellent guide.
Next we crossed over from Kenya to Tanzania and meet our guide Hamza. There were little bumps along the way with immigration and customs, but Hamza was determined to get us to Ngorongoro Crater and to Serena Lodge before the park gates closed at 6 pm. I mentioned that I wanted to do some Tanzanite shopping and Hamza knew the perfect place to stop. The Cultural Heritage in Arusha is a jewelry store that offered the high quality of stones I was looking for. I found the perfect tanzinite pendant that was Tiffany & Co. quality. It had a deep saturation of Blue/Purple and I was very pleased with my purchase. Our first night in Serena we were fortunate to see a bull elephant grazing on vegetation as we were walking back to our room after dinner. He was browsing along the tree line snapping limbs like they were twigs. We watched in awe for about an hour and felt very safe even though the elephant was only about 10 feet away. Hamza was one of the best guides on our tour when he insisted that he could smell the wild life and I believe he does have a sixth sense. While in the Ngorongoro there was again an abundance of wildlife, but nothing could prepare us for what Hamza lead us to that day. We actually witnessed a pride of 5 juvenile male lions, stalk, hunt, and take down a cape buffalo. Something that not too many guides get to experience let alone the visitors that spend much less time in this area of the world. We captured the event on video which was the center of discussion back at the lodge as well as throughout the rest of our safari. The expression on the faces of those who watch showed a multitude of emotion, even from the Massi that watched the video were captivated. Serena is another lovely place, clean, comfortable, and had a very joyful and helpful staff. Each night for dinner they offered an authentic African dish for and entertainment of Maasi dancing and Africa Stilt dancing. Another perfect selection by Africa Remote Safaris.
On our way to the Serengeti Hamza stopped off at a Maasi village and their greeting of song and dance brought tears to my eyes. In Serengeti NP we stayed at Mbugani Camps which was a newer migration camp and I was please to spend more time with Hamza as the guides and guests shared breakfast and dinner together. It was nice to recall the excitement and activities of the day over dinner and then plan the next game drive at breakfast. Mbugani was another good pick as the wildlife was free to roam throughout the camp and you need to follow camp policy by having an escort after dark. The staff (Mary, Constantini, Samuel, etc.) were absolutely wonderful, hospitable, and warm. We especially loved the lunch under the Acacia Tree…. Truly elegant…. not to mention my first taste of Konyagi…. TUM! By this time I knew that Hamza did in fact have a sense for wildlife and the Serengeti bush. We saw so many lions one day that we lost count after 25, including a pride of two large females with 8 small cubs and 2 older cubs. The next day we caught a glimpse of the pride and the cubs feeding on a wildebeest that was harvested just hours before we arrived at the site. What happened next I will never forget, a group of cubs walked casually over to the stream and began drinking. They lined up shoulder to shoulder as they drank and was literally 10 feet from our vehicle. National Geographic’s… eat your heart out! During dinner I showed Hamza a photo from Amboseli where we were surrounded on all sides by a herd of cattle as we were exiting the park. He replied that cattle are domestic and the migration is wild, but he would do his best to put us in the middle of the wandering herds. The next morning Hamza put us right in the middle of the migration…. Wildebeest and zebra by the thousands! They were all around us heading in the same general direction as far as the eye could see. My aunt and I were sad to leave the Serengeti and will never be the same for the experience that we shared. We both thank Hamza for divulging his knowledge, making us feel safe, being courteous, and making this segment of our trip a memory that will last a lifetime.
One plane… two plane… and we land in Zanzibar where Suleiman met us at the airport and whisked us to Pongwe Beach Resort. If you are going on safari in East Africa you must go to Zanzibar or your trip will be incomplete. Again, impeccable accommodations that far exceeded our expectations. Not our first choice, but we were not disappointed. I slept like a baby (Lala Fofoo) in this serene and inviting resort. Suleiman was a very humble man that was extremely knowledgeable and proud of his homeland and was eager to show us the areas of interest. We fished with locals in a dhow and was captivated by the tour at Big Body with Tatata Spice Farm. As we passed by Suleiman’s village he asked if we would like to meet his family and we accepted. He gave us a quick tour of the village and introduced us to his wife, watoto nieces and nephews, and Baba Mdogo his Uncle, as well as his mom who we chatted with for a while before we were off to our next destination. It was an unforgettable experience and we are very grateful for his hospitality. One note... stear clear of Zanzibar Watersports in Nungwi... not worth the money we spent there. Masudi was our guide in Stone Town and I have only one suggestion… just visit stone town…. don’t stay there. Don’t get me wrong…. Stone Town is a MUST SEE location. Masudi showed us all there was to see in Stone Town, the market and historical sites, Prison Island and land tortuous…. some of them almost 200 years old. I thank him for his smile, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the ancient town and its history.
There is so much more to mention that I could write a book…. And I just might.
I would like to thank Stafford, Steve, Napthalie, Paul, Hamza, Suleiman, and Masudi for making our fabulous safari more than just a vacation. All of you were responsible in some way…. changing our eyes and the way we see, our minds and the way we think, and touching us and bringing out emotions we never knew before. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you and hope that we can return someday, and that others have an opportunity to experience what Africa Remote Safaris made a reality for my aunt and I.
Asante Sana,
Mary and Sandra
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a lifetime
Regional Tours and Safaris was stellar throughout the entire process. Maturaf, Omar, and the entire supporting staff were amazing. We received prompt correspondence regarding our itinerary. Maturaf went above and beyond to accommodate us with our special requests. We were even able to book a late tour while in Zanzibar and it exceeded our expectations. Everyone that we had dealings with was friendly, professional and made us feel extremely welcome. We have so many wonderful memories and incredible stories to tell. From start to finish, the whole process was top notch. We would do it again in a heart beat!
US
Outstanding!
My husband and I scheduled a 10 day safari vacation and the ladies at The Safari Source couldn't have done a better job! They provided wonderful suggestions of safari camps and itinerary items that we had not considered plus they paid attention to our budget restrictions. The result was a wonderful vacation!!! All of our transfers and reservations worked perfectly. Thank you Safari Source.
BR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding experience
We stayed at Skukuza camp in company of Outlook Safaris. I do not have words to describe our experience during range drives, accommodations and Outlook Safari services. They are really prepared and organized to offer best experience during your visit, since transfer from airport to Skukuza everything were made by professionals. Breakfast, branch, dinner, game drives, animals information etc., were perfect.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ngorongoro is the best wild life safari.....very gud weather and wild life experience is great ....
wild life experience is great .......scenery is beautiful .......weather is very gud and cook.....food was gud also .....we book the whole package with 7 wonders travels .....there vehicle ,transportation,food,guide,lodge accomodation.....everthing was perfect ....and very reasonable rate ....all must book safaris with them .....
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Connie863
We stayed in 2 Eco-camps and loved it. They were small with only the 11 of us and the guides were great and very knowledgeable.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great photo safari at Lake Nakuru National Park
As this was our first stop on our trip to Kenya we did not know what to expect. The accommodations at Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge were comfortable and food delicious. We were greeted after each game drive with warm, wet facecloths as we arrived at the lodge. As the nights were cool we found hot water bottles in the bed to warm it up. A surprise the first night but nice to crawl into a warmed bed on a cool evening. The guides were wonderful and very knowledgeable. We did two game drives a day (sun rise and later afternoon) and there was always something new to see. Seeing white and black rhinos was amazing along with lions, baboons, hippos, and many other animals. The weather was just right with 20-23 C in the day and evenings around 10-12 C. My kind of temperatures. As it was a photo safari our guides knew where to go for the best shots. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and definitely would recommend it to others.
PT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a journey!
Me and my partner did a 12 days safari tour with it started in Africa covering both the north parks (serengeti, ngorongoro, manyara and tarangire) but also the south parks (Selous and ruaha). We did the north part overland with it started, with the best driver and guide in the world Patrick, and then they organized us flights from serengeti to ruaha, Selous and back to dar Es salaam, this time the game drives organized by the hotels.
I think the experience is more rewarding if you don't fly from park to park because you have the same guide every day, private game drives and all so you create a bound with your guide and he already knows your interests and everything. It was an amazing journey and we almost cried in the Serengeti when entering the Cessna aircraft out of the park when we had to say goodbye to Patrick. He did really make the experience extraordinary. The southern part of our tour was incredible too as we stayed in beautiful lodges from essential destinations.
Communication and logistics were top notch and I really have nothing to complain, on the contrary. We already made our decision to visit Kenya next year. A safari can really change your perception about the world.