CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Benjamin Wilson and Siya Phambile have provided a wonderful, unforgettable, made-to-measure trip.
Dear Benjamin, this review is in the form of a letter to you. When we left home in Quebec, we didn’t know exactly what to expect, having never traveled in South Africa before. But from the get-go your emails in response to our many questions were always prompt, clear, complete and friendly. This gave us confidence that Siya Phambile was a good, trustworthy company and that we would be taken good care of. We were.
The 14-day expedition which Diane (59) and I (70 ) went on with you in Zulu Land was so much more than we could ever have dreamed. So full of discoveries, marvels and laughs! It is one thing to go on game drives 6 hours a day in a group, it is quite another to be accompanied at every step by a guide who is passionate about his work and so able to share his knowledge of wild animals, birds and people. AND what a good cook you are! Those wonderful omelets in the morning outside our tents were a great way to start the day.
Thanks to your caring and personal attention to every detail of this amazing trip, our experience in the African bush will remain with us forever. We thank you and Siya Phambile with all our hearts. Who knows, we might write to you again soon...
Michele
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience working with Safari Specialists!
I worked with Joanne at Safari Specialists, and everything turned out great, exceeding my expectations. My husband and I went on a safari in Botswana. Joanne offered some suggested itineraries and worked with me to tailor it to what we were looking for. She was very nice to work with, responding to all emails, questions, etc. The safari itself was nothing short of amazing! We stayed in three different places, each one better than the one before it! The number and types of animals we saw were incredible -- lions, cheetahs, elephants, wild dogs, owls, giraffes, you name it. The people who worked at the places we stayed were incredible, including the guides who have so much knowledge. I am on a special diet, and they were all very accommodating. Overall, highly recommended!
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing service and experience
We booked a 9 day tour including Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Great Migration and Tarangire with Kiliholidays early in April. Communications with Mack and his team were fluent by email and WhatsApp, patiently answering all our questions until we fully understood the options. Prices were very competitive compared to the other three agencies we compared with so we went for Kiliholidays.
The tour was perfect. We were a group of 8 in 2 Land Rovers. Drivers, Eduard and Thomas, were extremely professional, informed, patient, friendly and helpful. They spotted many animals for us and made sure we were at the right time and place for the incredible Wildebeest crossing of the Mara river.
We chose budget hotels and still they were great; staff was always very kind, rooms were clean and food was excellent. The tented camps in Serengetti were just amazing in comfort and service.
All in all, we had a great tour and we would recommend it to anyone wanting to have a Tanzanian experience.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They need to improve certain areas
I did a 7 day tour with Karumuna Safaris as solo traveller. The good points:
- The cost was much lower compared to other agencies... But be aware that you get what you pay for. They delivered, but the accommodation was quite basic most of the times, and the guide and driver quite young and unexperienced
- They managed to organize everything in a very short notice. Richard went the extra mile to make sure I did not miss a thing, even though a lot of the attractions were fully booked. I missed the chimps during the chimpanzee tracking, but it's not their fault
- Flexibility with payment methods
The bad points:
- Henry, the guide, was quite unexperienced and he lacks customer service skills. There was a constant lack of communication, he was late (90min late on one ocassion) and disaorganized quite often (not even aware of the plan for next day). I communicated with him to find a solution together and he simply did not care and became even more aloof. He even got quite arrogant, i.e. I asked him why we were stopping so often when actually we were late to reach our destination, and he said "all the stops are strictly necessary". Truth is, some of the stops were for them to buy food for their families... Should not be a problem if you communicate it in a different way.
- Driving issues: we were driving quite fast in many occasions, to the point that we run once into a bumper without braking off and I literally went flying towards the front. They were stopped by the police and got a fine (not sure why) and also the van had mechanical issues which forced us to stop to get it repaired
- Trying to save money on silly things: for example, refusing to use the A/C in the car when it was quite hot and opening windows instead (so you are breathing fumes be getting dust inside) saying that the airco consumes too much petrol, or stopping to get bananas as a snack and asking you to pay 1000 ugx out of total cost of 2000, when 7 out of the 10 bananas were eaten by the guide and the driver
I personally found the experience a bit unfortunate, because with little effort it could have been much better... But I got the impression that they did not care anymore at some point (I haven't heard again from anyone in the agency, even though I'm still around in Kampala). The trip was quite ok but those small things sometimes can make a big difference... You might think I may sound picky, but I have worked and travelled in many countries in Africa, so my standards are quite low compared to the classic Western tourist. To summarize, go for them if you are in a very low budget but if you can pay more, I recommend you look for other options
SE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Private safari in three conservatives- big five + 1 spotted, excellent lodging in the wilderness.
We had a private safari, me and my two kids, ten and fourteen. We felt safe all the time. The guide Willy was excellent- with lot of of knowledge and respect for the nature and animals he guided us through Amboseli, Nakuru lake and Masai Mara national parks. We saw loads of wild animals including the big five plus a cheeta. As a bonus we saw a lot of the country of Kenya during the long drives between conservatives. Met so many nice and friendly people. Super tent lodges - clean, fresh and well equipped and perfect service.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3-day safari; Tarangire, Ngorongo crater, Lake Manyara
We enjoyed the safari very much, and we had a great experience with Bujo Tours! Excellent services!!
NG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!!!
Upon arrival my husband and I were warmly welcomed by Paul and Janet , and with such a friendly atmosphere we had a fantastic start! The guide and tour was extremely good, very flexible (appreciate this!) and for that Motto Tours and Travel deserves a special thanks. They are such a warm personality and highly motivated guide (recommendable!).
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Newton was the best tour guide and transfer driver ever.
We had an awesome time on our trip to Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park.
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding and beyond all expectations!
Planning a tour to unknown territories is sometimes a challenge, not after having found Roam Serengeti Safaris on safaribookings.com. Reasons to go with Roam Serengeti Safaris were the great reviews and the fact that it’s a small locally owned business. Since the first contact with Mussa it was a pleasure to plan this 9 days Safari for a group of four to Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater and including some cultural activities. In his communication he is patient, straightforward and quick in answering all queries and he managed easily new arrangements when accommodations were not available.
The tour itself was amazing. Apart of the perferct organisation and excellent accomodation it was Mussas' inspiring way to make the tour something special. We always felt comfortable and safe with him. He is very experienced, high professional and incredibly knowledgeable. Additionally he has a very pleasing way to explain and tell about wildlife and nature. He was always eager for locating the best position for us to take perfect pictures. He was passionate about making our wishes come true.
I highly recommend booking with Mussa, he definitely goes the extra mile to make your journey an outstanding and unforgettable experience.
Thank you Mussa for these nine BEST DAYS!!!
EC
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience!!!
I was undecided between Tanzania and Kenya... Ever since the first minute communication with Bensons Safari with Pendo (unbelievably kind and efficient) or Benson was flawless and super fast and they convinced me about Tanzania. They arranged an amazing adventure for us in Tanzania, unforgettable game rides guided by our friend Peter, not only a professional and knowledgeable guide, but a wonderful human being, who now we call our friend!!!. My kids 17,15 and 10 managed to see all the animals in their wish list!!.
Special mention to Lahia Tented Lodge accommodations also and particularly the staff, Jesse,Eva, Joyce Ashura,James,Veronica and
Salomon... all of them made us feel pampered and special, they truly look that they love what they do and the privileged place they take care of!!. Our only regret was that our stay was too short.
I’ve always thought that an African Safari was a one and only lifetime experience but now thanks to Bensons team I know that hopefully this was only the first of many more to come ... unforgettable Tanzania!!