US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ClassicJourneys made our visit to Kenya safari so easy
Classic Journeys was absolutely fantastic! Our experience to the Safari couldn’t have been better as they are just so professional and the services we received were way beyond our expectations.
They made the whole trip so easy and worry-free for us. I’ll start with the communications with Classic Journeys. The sales director, Elvis, was extremely responsive and accommodating on our requests and frequent change of travel dates. We booked the tour 2 weeks prior to our departure date and yet, he managed to get us a very good package with amazing “camps” and “lodges”. The communication on both email and WhatsApp were very easy and quick. Our expectations were properly managed and directions were clearly given (including what to expect when in Kenya, shots to take and etc).
Properly packed with the instructions (we packed a lot of items we didn’t end up using, because Kenya’s infrastructure and etc were way better than we expected), we were ready to go. Upon landing in Kenya, we were picked up by the customer representative, Chris, and also our tour guide, Sammy. Shortly after, we were on our way to our first camp on the 4x4 pop up van (quick note, van works ok on paved, concrete roads, but the SUV does make a difference on game drives). Sammy was extremely knowledgeable about not only the animals themselves, but also about anything related to Kenyan economy, education, politics and etc. He had answers to all of our questions.
After around 4 hours of car ride, we were at the Sweetwater Serena Camp. Oh boy, we were completely blown off with how beautiful this camp was, and the room (tent) was tastefully decorated. Everything you would normally need is there, except hair dryer (since most camps use power generator, they typically aren’t able to support high power consumption electronics). After a nice lunch, we were set off to go for a game drive at 4 pm. On the very first day, we were so lucky as we already saw 4 of the big 5s (elephants, rhino, buffalo and leopards). Sammy kept communicating with his peers and making sure that we get to see the animals we wanted to. Sammy explained thoroughly about the animal’s behaviors, habitat, and local weather etc. After 2 hours of game drive, we went back to the camp feeling extremely satisfied with the animals we saw. A word about Kenya weather in mid August, it was around 80 degrees and sunny during the day, but temperature drops to mid 50s in the evening. It was perfect for sleeping and chilling by the camp fire.
The next 8 days in Kenya was more of the same, but we were so amazed with how scenic Kenya actually is, and all the animals we saw and learned. We saw most animals that we wanted to see (Big 5, giraffes, etc), and also part of the wildebeest/zebra migration. In addition to that, we were extremely impressed with how simple, honest, friendly and pure the Kenyan and Masai people are. For this reason alone, Kenya is worth a revisit in the future again.
All in all, our experience in the Kenya safari couldn’t have been better, and we attributed all that positive experience to ClassicJourneys and its well-trained staff. Thank you, ClassicJourneys.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience from start to finish
Thank you so much to Taz and the Benson Safaris Tanzania team for their support. The experience was really great especially for the time constraints in executing the trip. Taz was communicative and very supportive and thorough. I would highly recommend.
ES
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good and professional safari
We did a 7 days safari visiting Masai Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha and Amboseli and we enjoyed a lot specially Masai Mara and Amboseli as these 2 parks are a top for doing safari. Our guide was Aron and we can only say kind words, first about his knowledge of the parks and let us enjoy phantastic days. He manages always to have a good location to see animals, and through his long experience we learnt a lot not only about predators, also birds, and animals behaviour. The experience was amazing and in case we come back to Kenya we would like Aron as our guide.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lost 50% of our game drive time at Serengeti. When called Planet Africa for help, they could do noth
Planet Africa Safari organized our trip. They proposed us to go in north Serengeti to the "Luxury" Mara
Mara Lodge of TANGANYKA WILDERNESS CAMPS.
Planet Africa Safari never informed us that the Lodge was 1 hour away from the river where all the action
and animals are, and even less informed us that the lodge chain is on a complete much much much
lower level than the others Asilia Lodges we were. Lower in everything: lodges, food, cars, drivers and
managers.
They completely ruined our holiday, see below the details.
When called Planet Africa for help at the lodge, they could do nothing.
We are claiming to Planet Africa a partial refund for all the mess the Lodge driver and managers did to
us.
DO NOT TRUST PLANET AFRICA SAFARI SUGGESTIONS OF LODGES AND DRIVERS!!! .If
something goes wrong, is entirely up to you to solve it.
---DETAILED NARRATION---:
We arrived at Kogatende Airstrip with our pack lunches from our previous Lodge, our Asilia driver
organized us to have them so we could profit the whole day upon our arrival in Serengeti. Alex, the driver
we got assigned, tricked us and suggested us to go back to lodge for lunch at 13:00, and stay there till
16:00 before going back to river again: he said because animals hide when is hot and we would not see
them. And we were so stupid to believe him.
We wasted half of our days there before realizing we were being tricked by an extremely lazy driver
whose only goal was to have hot lunch at 13:00 o'clock and a little “siesta” everyday.
We realized the trick when we were HUMILIATED, being the ONLY table having lunch at the Lodge the
second day of our stay, while at dinner there were like 30 persons. I have never felt so stupid in my life.
When we asked the driver to leave immediately after lunch, he started negotiating with me, that he
needed some allowance, that were many hours and so on.
We then decided to ask for a drive change to the managers of the lodge while at lunch. Managers let the
diver came to our table. The driver insisted with us like 20 minutes to give him a second change. I could
not had lunch. No manager was there, extremely violent situation.
We insisted on the change of driver and managers punished us making us stay 2 hours at the
Kogatende airstrip waiting for a new driver to come. They sent us without telling us that would be 2 hours
wait.
2 long hours at Kogatende airstrip, with full afternoon sun, on an open car without A/C, with kids,rounded
by tse-tse flys, while paying $$$ for a luxury Lodge with swimming pool. That's crazy!. We had to make a
denounce at the police at Kogatende airstrip, see attached photo of the text.
We lost half the time of our stage at north Serengeti because of this incredible problems, and we were
humiliated in an unbelievable way: first by the lazy driver tricking us, second by the managers backing up
the lazy driver and making us stay 2 hours at the airport waiting for the new driver, and third by the lodge
employees when at dinner they put us at a table right next to where Alex the driver we just changed
was.So that we could hear his loud comments and laughs.
Unbelievable.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Arrangement was good , But can be better in some aspects
I took 04 Day Sossusvlei & Swakopmund accomodation safari . The way Chameleon have prepared the itinerary , they tried to give you best experience of highlighted places . 1 thing in Day2 they must put a plenty time if someone want to take a iconic sandwich harbour tour .
But few things which dnt give me that good experience is like , Firstly . when the Itinerary says some particular place need to go in evening that have some reason like the place looks much more stunning when the sun light is dim , but for unknown reason guide Tulimo took us to that place in mid noon when we are exhausted after dune rides , and ended up that beautiful place by staying less than half an hour. When its a group tour some rules to be maintain other than getting influenced by other tourist .
2ndly when we all are in food table no matter how much you are hungry or thirsty you are not supposed to touch the food till the "informative" speech is not get over by guide or the green signal to have food comes from guide . It was quite strange to me which I never come across such things in other African safaris .
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Superb Safari Tour!
What a trip of a lifetime this was! We’ve been on the 9 Day Uganda Adventure tour and I cannot praise it enough! We had the best of accommodations, the food was delicious everywhere we went and every day was a different adventure in itself. We got to see the chimpanzees and gorillas from up close in their natural habitat, of course and been on amazing safaris that made us get a true taste of Africa and Uganda in particular. Many thanks to Anthony for the great organization of the tour and for his availability and swiftness in replying to my inquiries! Not the least, special shout out to Chris (one of the best guides I’ve met so far) – excellent driver, super accommodating with our requests, knowledgeable and responsible at all times. I highly recommend this tour and Chris most of all!
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Specialist accompanied us throughout our trip
Long before we left, Tanzania Specialist provided us with all the information we needed for a pleasant stay in Tanzania; first for the safari and then for a few relaxing days in Zanzibar.
Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro, we were expected and dropped off at our lodge. Although the time was late (11.30 pm), we had dinner before resting.
The next morning, our guide perfectly francophone and even Francophile took care of us for 3 days of safari.
A very attentive guide to our wishes, cozy lodges and comfortable made this stay wonderful.
For the record, I forgot my phone in the taxi that took us to Arusha airport. I noticed one hour before takeoff for Zanzibar. The Tanzania Specialist organization went out of their way to get it back a few minutes before boarding.
Upon arriving in Zanzibar, we were picked up and taken to our hotel. Ditto for the return to Stone Town.
Thanks to Tanzania Specialist for whom the customer is king.
GA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exhilarating experience!
After some online research, got in touch with Albert who planned our whole trip (Nairobi- Masai Mara- Diani beach) without any sweat. Right from arrival at Nairobi airport to our last drop at the hotel, Albert and his team made sure we never faced any difficulties. The stay at the Camp near Masai Mara and the beach resort at Diani were equally amazing.
Very professional!
Special mention to our Safari guide George Otieno for taking care of us during the ‘bumpy’ safari drives mornings and afternoon. The best experience was of course watching the Big 5 up-close and the wildebeest migration. George knows his way around the park and made sure we didn’t miss any sightings.
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service by Alex.
Communications with Alex from African Welcome Safaris has been smooth to the day i depart for Singapore for Johannesburg. Alex has been patient and extremely helpful and with the budget provided to him, he manage to secure 2 nights Kruger, Rhino Post and 2 nights at thornybush accommodation. Both are different in terms of the safari game experience. Service etc. shuttle service / transport / accommodation from the day i arrived at Tambo airport to the last day spend at the safari has been first class. It has truly been a memorable and excellent experience. Good Job Alex!
SA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I am not join with them they after my advance he changed our package
Very very bad service please don’t sent advance money