IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable trip in namibia
At the beginning of August 2019 together with my family (wife and two children aged 18 and 15) we organized a 12-days self drive tour in Namibia with the local agency Cardboard Box. Our journey started from the capital Windhoek where we rented the car and spent the first night. From here through initially paved and later gravel but still easy roads we entered the Kalahari desert, we crossed the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei and we reached the nice city of Swakopmund, on the cold coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. After crossing the Damaraland region we reached the Etosha park where we could observe most of the animals in their natural habitat. We have been fascinated by splendid landscapes; the breathtaking sunsets and the star-studded sky will remain forever in our memories. The entire trip developed without any problem; the hotels and lodges booked through the agency were excellent as well as food and reception of staff. We would like to recommend to visit Namibia expecially the travel experience in self drive.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Maasai Mara is insanely beautiful and such a luxurious, adventurous and intense place
The wildlife we saw was incredible. I definitely recommend going during the Great Migration if you can. We saw every animal that we wanted to see. All of the guides in the Mara were incredibly environmentally conscious and put the reserve and animals as a priority. The accommodations we stayed in were incredible. Mara Engai was absolutely stunning as it is nestled on top of the escarpment and Loyk was different being in the open plains but so so beautiful as well. The food was not a highlight of the trip, but the sundowners and special breakfasts we had on the savannah in the morning were incredible. The days are definitely long, and relaxing in the afternoon and evening was a priority after spending about 6-8 hours/day in the safari car. The Land Cruisers are incredible and I wouldn't want to safari any other way!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Dream Honeymoon
Our parents generously gifted us a 5-day safari in Tanzania for our honeymoon. We, honestly, didn't know what to expect, but we were so excited. This safari absolutely lived up to all of our hopes, and it ended up being one of the craziest, most exciting adventures we have ever experienced. We were absolutely blown away at all of the wildlife we encountered, and every day something absolutely incredible happened. We saw all of the Big 5 (including a mama and baby leopard, which is a very rare treat), we watched a cheetah stalk and kill a Thompson Gazelle, we ran into 5 elephants on our walking tour (which was a crazy experience that our ranger quickly and safely got us out of), and we had a pack of lions kill a buffalo 4 feet from our tent in the Serengeti (I couldn't make that story up if I wanted to... It was truly one of the craziest experiences of my entire life). One thing that surprised us was how many babies there were in late August/early September. They were absolutely EVERYWHERE. We saw the young of almost every single animal that we encountered on the safari, which made for fantastic photos.
Our tour guide, Julius, was GREAT. He knew so many facts about the wildlife and the landscapes, and he somehow always knew where the animals would go. He always predicted their direction and got us over there, away from the rest of the vehicles and up close and personal with the beautiful animals. He always tried his very best to help us see everything we wanted to while we were there. We were totally pleased with our experience with him, and we definitely recommend requesting him if you are able to!
The only negative side to Tanzania is that there is a constant pressure to tip. Even if the safari company tells you that you don't have to tip the locals, the locals make it awkward if you don't (tipping your tour guide and ranger is totally understandable, but the tipping expectation is totally out of control everywhere you go). If someone cleans the public bathroom you enter (which is every single bathroom), they stand around waiting for you to tip them. If someone rolls your carry-on one room over, they stand around waiting for you to tip them. Our worst experience with this was when we went to visit a Masai village without being warned that they would be expecting us to pay (if we had known this fact, we would have opted out of it). When we got there, the chief's son welcomed us..... and told us that he charged a $50 entry fee. We just stood there with our jaws dropped open. (I am sure they are used to retired, more wealthy tourists, but we were just a young, newly married couple who was gifted this trip. We are definitely used to budget traveling and avoiding super pricey places, so this was a total shocker.) We, then, turned to our driver and asked to leave because we simply couldn't afford it. We were told, however, that we couldn't leave because we had already driven 30 minutes to get out there and they had prepared everything. We were dumbfounded at this answer. The chief's son, then, asked us what we could afford. We uncomfortably said $20, which he accepted. It was an extremely awkward situation, and neither of us enjoyed the Masai village at all because of how pressured and cornered we felt. We just wish they would have been upfront about it instead of being sneaky (we later found out that they pretty much do this to everyone- surprise them with the fact it costs money after you are already there). If you are thinking about going on a safari in Tanzania, just bring extra $1 bills for tips everywhere you go and be warned that "Do you want to go visit a Masai village?" = $$$$$$.
Other than that factor, though, Tanzania was an absolutely incredible experience. From the incredible wildlife, to the really fancy and fun glamping tents (which all had bathrooms and showers in them), to the unbelievable experiences we had, it was truly the greatest way to start our marriage off. We absolutely recommend booking your safari through Shemeji Safari, and we can say from personal experience that the end of August/early September is a fantastic time to go!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A country , its people and its wildlife that exceeded my expectations
My experience was awesome. Wildlife was abundant and some great sightings and experiences. Nice variety of birds. All guides were knowledgeable,experienced and very pleasant. Weather was a expected cool in evening warm to hot in day. Some accommodation and food was 5 star while others was great and acceptable. Local flights between concessions were done by experienced pilots.
All in all a fantastic trip in wonderful country with very pleasant people
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
AMAZING
The whole trip was incredible we saw everything on safari and our driver was increeibk. I went from late August to early September and saw all of the big 5 as well as the migration. I would recommend Kenya to any traveller and as a lone traveller I felt really safe
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely captivating experience, something u used to see on TV and here we go it is all real!
We absolutely loved our trip! It is our first African country, so it was very scary to embark on such a journey. But we loved all aspect of it. It was a bit uncomfortable as well to send a considerable advanced payment to Africa for Safari. But we trusted a recommendation we were given for this website. Also we did a lot of research on our safari tour company and did not get upset about anything. We were also afraid and cautious about the food, but everything went fine. All the accomodation options were great, scenery captivating, weather very pleasant, a tour guide very knowledgeable, good sense of humor and very polite. Awesome experience overall!
KH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well organized.
We saw lots of animals, the guides were very helpful and kind. We even forgot our camera once in the Jeep and the guide brought it back to our room. Food was good too.
AE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lovely Safari but not very happy with the Right Choice Tours!
Overall, the safari was good. spotted many animals in the wild. Once in a lifetime experience.
Tour Guide
Punctual, enthusiastic to show us animals in the wild but
a) he was almost all the time on his phone
b) he hardly explains anything about the places we are passing by
Tour Operator
he seemed responsive and professional. However, he changed a few things in our itinerary without informing us until we landed in Kenya. The worst was he changed the hotel he promised he would get us a reservation in and the one he booked was horrible. It was a nightmare.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Deep connection to Nature and its Beauty
We were picked up at 3:30am at our Hotel by Mmilo Tours. Our guide was an incredibly refined and knowledgeable gentleman, which made the drive to Pilanesberg very interesting and pleasant. We learned so much about the country, its history, its people, the wildlife. Extremely knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the wildlife and the birds, our guide helped us spot everything we wished for (Giraffes, Elephants and Zebras) and even more (2 Lepards!). After lunch, he drove us to Ukutula, an experience so beautiful, it is hard to describe. Fantastically organized, with a high level of exclusivity and authenticity, and again passion mixed with knowledge, made the afternoon at Ukutula clearly unforgettable. Our guide kindly took us back to the Hotel in the evening. Even after having driven all day, he was still as friendly, open and gentleman-like. I would definitely recommend Mmilo Tours - I don't think that there is any better service anywhere else out there.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Felt like I was in an national geographic episode
Was all amazing, different options to suit everyone.
