AI
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An Unforgettable Adventure: A Great Safari with Walking Stick Travel & Tours
I recently had the pleasure of embarking on an extraordinary safari experience with Walking Stick Travel & Tours and its owner Phillimon, and it surpassed all my expectations. From the moment we set foot in the Okavango Delta to the final days of our camping expedition, every aspect of the journey was meticulously planned and flawlessly executed. The communication leading up to the safari was very good.
The first leg of our adventure saw us spending two nights on a captivating island nestled within the Okavango Delta. The experience was truly magical, as we immersed ourselves in the untouched beauty of this natural wonderland. Our guides led us on exhilarating hikes, introducing us to the diverse flora and fauna of the region. The proximity to wildlife was awe-inspiring, offering rare and intimate encounters with creatures great and small. Whether it was observing a majestic elephant strolling through the vegetation or marveling at the grace of a grazing giraffe, each encounter left us in a state of sheer wonder.
The journey continued with four nights of camping in multiple locations, adding a sense of adventure and exploration to our safari. The safari drives were nothing short of extraordinary. Our knowledgeable guides took us on thrilling excursions, navigating through the vast wilderness in search of elusive wildlife. From majestic lions and stealthy leopards to herds of graceful antelopes and dazzling birds in flight, the sheer abundance of wildlife sightings left us breathless.
One cannot talk about this safari without mentioning the incredible culinary experiences provided by our chef Dix. The food served throughout the trip was delicious, diverse, and skillfully prepared. Despite the remote locations, Dix managed to create delectable dishes that satisfied our palates and energized us for the adventures ahead. Moreover, the thoughtful provision of ice-cold beverages added an extra touch of luxury and refreshment to our safari, ensuring our comfort even in the heart of the wilderness.
The guides and staff were exceptional in every way. Their passion for the natural world and commitment to providing an unforgettable experience were evident in their every action. They shared their extensive knowledge with enthusiasm, making the safari not only an adventure but also an educational journey that deepened our appreciation for the delicate ecosystems we explored.
In conclusion, my safari experience with Walking Stick Travel & Tours was simply outstanding. The combination of the enchanting Okavango Delta, thrilling wildlife encounters, sumptuous cuisine, and attentive service made for an unforgettable journey. If you're seeking an adventure that will leave you in awe of nature's splendor, I highly recommend embarking on a safari with Walking Stick Travel & Tours. They are true experts in creating unforgettable memories in the heart of the African wilderness.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Knowledgeable and accommodating
I had hiked Mt Kilimanjaro a week prior and had thoughts about hiking Mt. Meru. I took a day or two to explore, pricing, timing, accommodation etc. Eventually I selected Joseph with Safari Bookings. He got me through the entire process. We were ready to hike the next day.
A car picked me up at my lodging. We also picked up the cook and the porter and started our first day of summit the same day.
Not only was Mt. Meru a phenomenal experience, Joseph took me through the park afterward since we had extra time to view the park game.
Joseph was a wonderful guide and I would recommend to any future inquirers.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience and service provided, one of the best life experiences ever!
We had the BEST time!!! The experience was wonderful. Our guide was amazing! We were able to see and experience so much that Tanzania has to offer. African Traits took special care of every detail, we were so happy with our choice!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ben is Simply the Best Tour Guide
We had 11 days and 10 nights trip with Ben and he's simply amazing. We want to thank Ben for the wonderful experience and memory. We will defenitely book a trip with Ben again when my kids grow older. Here are things we appreciate Ben the most.
1> Very warm, friendly and welcoming.
2> Very socialable - Ben's like a celebrity in Kenya and often time we met someone in the park or on the street and they recognize Ben and say hi to him. This is very helpful as it helps Ben find what he's looking for and knowledge sharing is one of the key to sucess in the safari adventure.
4> Strong passion and love with animals, and very knowlegeable with 20 years of expreince
- Ben got two thick animal dictionaries in his car and it seems he memorized everything in it. He could answer all animal's habit, personality and he could notice animals from distance with just one glance.
5> An exellent driver
- Ben knew his car very well
- Ben knew when to bypass a car and when not to
- Ben spent very little energy on driving so he could spend more energy on helping us finding animals
- Ben understood when to speed up and when to slow down, when to swich gears and when to switch from 2 to 4 wheels drive to safely and effieicntly take us to the destination or doing the game drive.
6> Strong animal finder - Ben knew animals habit very well and he used his network and experinece to trace animals down. We understood meeting animals require some luck, but Ben's finding skill is still very impressive that he understood where to target, which araes having higher chance to see animals vs which areas having lower chance, so Ben can target better.
7> Funny with a sense of humor
8> Ben had very good prioritization skill and understood what matters the most. Ben understood what we need then trying his best tohelp than just offering whatever he had. E.g. Ben knew some animals are very easy to see again so we don't need to spend too much time, and others are very hard to see again so he will help us get the best spot to see them.
9> Very honest and open and receptive to suggestions and feedback.
10> Overall Ben is a very expeirenced tour guide with deep passion and love on safari animals. We were lucky to meet with Ben and we felt in a safe, reliable, relaxed yet efficienty enviroment. Thanks Ben again for the wonderful memories!
BR
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
WE DID THE 14 DAY EAST AFRICA SAFARI AND IT WAS EXCELLENT. WE LIKED THE DRIVERS, CARS IT AND HOTELS.
WE LIKED VERY MUCH OUR 14 DAY EAST AFRICA SAFARI. THE TRIP WAS IN JUNE AND JULY, 2023. THE DRIVERS WERE VERY KIND
AND WORKED VERY WELL DURING THE GAMES. WE SAW ALL KIND OF ANIMALS AND IT WAS EXCITING. WE APPRECIATED THE HOTELS AND FOOD. THE CARS, TOYOTA LAND CRUISER, WERE VERY RESISTANTS. THE ORGANIZATION DID BY SYLVERTER WERE REALLY GOOD. WE RECOMMEND THE SEVEN BY FAR FOR A GOOD SAFARI.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above and Beyond: Bianca and Craig, My Unforgettable Heroes
Southern African Tours, was chosen by my tour organizer to guide the 14 of us through the captivating sites of Cape Town for the first five days of our 16- day journey. Each of the first three days I spent with Craig as our guide was an extraordinary adventure. He was extremely knowledgeable, flexible, and charismatic. However, fate took an unfortunate turn on the fourth day when I encountered a debilitating accident, rendering me unable to continue the remainder of our scheduled trip. As the tour group carried on without me, leaving Cape Town and me behind, a sense of abandonment overwhelmed me, leaving me unsure of how to navigate this unforeseen predicament.
In the midst of my despair, an unexpected beacon of hope emerged: Bianca and Craig, the epitome of compassion and care. They embraced me as though I were kin, tending to my every need with unwavering devotion. Bianca took charge and swiftly contacted my travel insurance company, leaving no stone unturned to ensure my well-being. She arranged for medical visits, holding my hand throughout the process, and accompanied me on a gentle stroll to the pharmacy, making certain I lacked nothing. Sensing my discomfort, they orchestrated a seamless transition to a charming boutique hotel near their home, surpassing any expectations I held. Bianca even did my laundry!! She rescheduled my return flight and arranged for a wheelchair. She and Craig drove me to the airport, sparing no effort to guarantee a smooth journey back home.
In this ever-chaotic world, where selflessness often feels scarce, Bianca and Craig shone as beacons of hope, guiding me through the darkest moments of my trip. Their actions surpassed the boundaries of their professional obligations, leaving an indelible mark on my heart. I am forever indebted to their unwavering support and profound humanity.
Above and beyond the call of duty, Bianca and Craig exemplified the true essence of heroism, transforming an otherwise traumatic experience into a testament of human compassion. Their unwavering dedication and remarkable care will forever be etched in my memories, a testament to the extraordinary individuals who stepped forward when I needed them the most.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
THE Best!
Our driver, Wilson, was the BEST!!! We headed from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara early one morning. One member of our group was feeling sick. We stopped along the way and shortly after the stop, our sick member vomited explosively inside the vehicle from the back row. Wilson was as cool and calm as a cucumber. He eased into a service station and helped us empty our bags from the vehicle. Within a few minutes, the vehicle was clean, wet clothes were changed, the bags were packed and we were on the road again.
While actually on Safari, I was a little concerned about the steepness of the road while crossing some of the first few dry creek beds along the way. Wilson handled each one with such skill and grace, I had to admit to the rest of our group that Wilson has an impressive skill level and I was able to relax and enjoy the entire safari! From the animals to the panoramic views - Wilson showed us a wide variety of experiences. We look forward to doing this again, soon!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magical safari experience
We had the best safari experience! Everything exceeded our expectations. Pre-arrival, our initial questions before booking were answered very quickly and thoroughly; the booking experience was seamless, and we relieved helpful communication through arrival.
The safari experience and lodge could not have been better! My 11- and 12- year old boys were blown away by the lodge, and couldn’t believe we had elephants next to our room within 5 minutes of arriving. The twice daily safari drives were gorgeous and educational. The staff at Umkumbe really took care of us. The food was really good too.
Transfers to and from the lodge were comfortable and on time. Overall a fantastic experience!!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Kenya photo safari
I recently finished an amazing three week Kenya wildlife photography tour with Joesph Mwangi of Nature’s Wonderland Safaris based in Nairobi. The trip was planned to maximize the diversity of wildlife to be seen and photographed. Working up the plan with Joesph was easy. He made suggestions on different parks to see/photograph our target species and Joseph then made all the necessary bookings. Our trip included visits to Nairobi National Park, Amboseli, Giraffe Manor, Samburu, Sweetwaters, Lake Naivasha and three different lodges on the Masai Mara. Our lodges/camps ranged from small tented camps to larger full service hotels, all were clean, comfortable and had good food. My favorite was Enkakenya which is a small tented camp surrounded by the wildlife of the Masai Mara.
On a typical day we spent about eight hours on games drives seeking out wildlife. Joseph has amazing eyes and was constantly spotting mammals, reptiles and birds for us to photograph. Joseph has an incredible understanding of animal behaviors. He seemed to know what the animals will do next and where they will go. He can often predict when the lions will mate (again!), when they will yawn and when they will get a drink of water. All of these predictions help us maximize our photo opportunities. Joseph is a serious birder so he was able to identify and tell us about the behaviors of many species that we were not familiar with. Joesph is also a photographer so he has a great understanding of lighting angles and backgrounds. He seemed to always know the best spot from which to shoot the subject to take advantage of light angles and to maximize clean, distant backgrounds. There were many times when Joseph would move the vehicle to a position that turned out to be the best possible spot for photography. This is extremely important when jockeying for position with a bunch of other safari trucks as animals are on the move.
Joseph really made our trip fantastic. It is great that after guiding for years he still gets excited when spotting animals. In addition to his wildlife spotting skills he was great to talk to and never tired of my silly jokes and unending questions. All aspects of our trip ran trouble free and we hope to book another trip with Nature’s Wonderland Safaris in the near future.
AR
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
High guide commitment
The guide/driver had a permanent commitment towards passengers’ satisfaction in all aspects under his control. Lots of animals could be seen very near the vehicle that was placed in such a way that wild beasts became so near you could almost touch them.
