US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Experience With Classic Journeys
We had a rough itinerary for our first trip to Africa, and we wanted to visit Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. We had never done anything of this duration and scope before, and we were reliant on Elvis Ayieko and his great staff for their recommendations and input. We changed our plans several times, and Elvis was extremely patient with our questions and modifications. This was truly a trip of a lifetime for us. We started our trip in Uganda with a short visit to see and raft the Nile River. The accommodations in Jinja were wonderful, and Joseph, our driver was great. We took a short flight from Entebbe to Nairobi, where we were picked up by Chris, and we began our savannah safari experience early the next day. George was our guide and driver in Kenya and he was outstanding. He is very knowledgeable and taught us a great deal about the wildlife and the ecosystem of the Serengeti. He always went out of his way to highlight interesting spots along the way and inform and educate us about the fascinating culture of Kenya. We visited Samburu National Park, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Masai Mara National Game Reserve. Our timing placed us in the middle of the Great Migration, and we got to see lots of wildlife. We switched guides at the border, and once again, our guide Hassan was always polite, helpful and knowledgeable. In Tanzania we visited the huge Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro National Conservation Area. Truly a gem of our planet! The wilderness camps in the Serengeti were especially fascinating. We then crossed the border back into Kenya, and we were fortunate to have George as our driver once again. We then visited Amboseli National Park before heading back to Nairobi (with Chris as our guide again) to see the Karen Blixen House and the Kenya National Museum. I can't recommend this company enough. The lodging was all topnotch and the food was always outstanding. And finally, one of the main highlights of the trip was the friendly, considerate people we met. Travel in Africa can be difficult, but the tour guides, and the hotel staff were always kind, courteous, and helpful.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Pretty good, but not excellent
I selected Benson Safaris because i was looking for a local safari guide vs. using the ones affiliated with the US. i thought that they would be more economical. I asked a friend what he used, and he told me it was Benson Safaris. I selected the Luxery tent and lodge and i thought the price was better than if i had selected the one from the US. I give positive stars for all the good things they did. Pendo was quick to respond, which i liked. The positive stars are for all the things that they did good, as one would hope for. I'm cutting off some stars because I had indicated I was very interested in the Great Migration. I had actually wanted to see the river crossing,but i guess i didn't spell that out. When my friend told me he used Benson Safari, I went directly to their website. Their website does not have an option for choosing the Northern Serengeti Trail where i found out that was where I would see the River crossing. I only found out after the tour that option was available in this Safaribookings.com. I think that its silly not to have that option in their own website, which was where I went to directly. Otherwise I would have gone to Northern Serengeti to see the river crossing, which i really wanted to.
I also wasnt happy that after I made selections on the lodges, after making payment, i am told that they are booked, and i have to pick alternate lodges. The alternate lodges were good; but their locations were not as good as the original ones. And only after i reached Africa did that dawn on me. Location, location, location. For example, I had been told reservations were going to be made for Kubu Kubu; but after payment, i was told that place was booked, so i would be reserved for Lahia Tented lodge. It was under the same ownership, and the quality looked the same, so i said ok. Only during the tour did i realize Kubu Kubu was in Central Serengeti, which was where most of the big cats were. We lost a lot of time driving to Lahia. I was quite disappointed that we did not get to see much of Central Serengeti. My children had really wanted to see leopards and cheetahs. We saw one leopard. We did see a lot of lions (but that was mostly in Ngorongoro). Our jeep broke down in Serengeti too + got stuck in the mud. But i won't make much of an issue of that, because that was just bad luck. I liked our guide and the owner and the staff, but I wasnt able to get the experience i was looking for.
I went with my wife and 2 kids (9 yrs and 6 years). We were given double rooms but they were huge. Like I indicated above, we booked luxury lodges. Each room were huge. We only used one room.
The following is not really a review of the safari guide, but of the optional package selected. I had also gone to Oldovai Gorge, but I don't think it was worth the money. Also, it took away time. Also night time safari in Lake Manyara, didn't really think it was that great. We saw a hippo, some birds, a chameleon, some monkeys, but nothing great like a lion, etc. Even the day in Lake Manyara wasn't great. Didn't see any lions in mountains, etc.
My main disappointment is that due to the website, I didn't go to see the river crossing even though I had said I was interested in the great migration. And the time in Central Serengeti got limited due to various reasons, and therefore my kids didn't get to see leopards and cheetahs. One leopard. No rhino. I had gone to Tarangire Park, Lake Manyara Park, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
But I did give positive stars for quick communication; wanting to do the best; getting to see lots of lions in Ngorongoro crater; lots of elephants, and zebras, and wildebeests, and other animals.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flawless Big 5 experience with such a passionate company
Our entire experience with LongWay Expeditions was flawless.
Ann who took our booking was incredibly professional and tailored our safari to ensure that we had the best chance of seeing the ‘big 5’ and her knowledge of and her knowledge of the parks in the area is second to none. The accommodation that was booked for us was the best that we experienced during our stay in Tanzania.
Ann as also available over the weekend and responded to all of our queries quickly and comprehensively.
Abu our guide was amazing! He met with us at our hotel the day before our safari and right away you could see how much passion he has for his job and instantly made us feel at ease. Abu’s experience as a guide shows and his knowledge and facts about the animals and area took our safari to the next level.
We were also lucky enough to see the ‘Big 5’ on our 2 day safari and I honestly believe if Abu had not been our guide we would not have gotten the same result!
We will definitely be recommending LongWay Expeditions to our family and friends and look forward to booking with them when we return!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This safari was far better than I could have imagined!
Initially I was hesitant about communicating/booking through WhatsApp, but it turned out to be a pleasant experience. (Especially considering I didn’t have to pay international call fees to book.) Process was straightforward and responses were very fast.
Andrew, our tour guide, could not have been
better. It was his personal quest to ensure that we saw the Big Five. He was very knowledgeable and shared very interesting stories.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Tarangire National Park by Alexia Claudel
Guid not in the mood , we did all in a rush. Couldn’t stop to take pictures.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Serengeti National Park by Alexia Claudel
We were lucky to see so many animals, the guide was going in serengeti for the first time so we followed other cars.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Alexia Claudel
Crater was nice but since we got a 2,5 hours late because they just hired a last minute free lance guide that was not aware of his mission.we did not went to olduvai i had to stuggle for the refund but i got it.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Greater Kruger by Ramachandra & Assha
Wildlife sightings were amazing.
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
What a regret to have chosen Hello Tanzania. Amazing country though
Last minute free lance guide not aware of the plan, angry at hello Tanzania the whole trip. So not in good mood to show us the beauty. Dirty and old 4x4. Permits to national parks not done on time. 3 activities cancelled on 6 because permits were not done. Had to argue with Sylwia and SAlum during the whole trip. 2 weeks of mails and complaints after our return to get refund. We finally received the due amount. Unprofessional company, giving fake excuses. I would say almost a fraud. This company should not be listed on your website. I saw after our trip so many bad comments on trip advisor, half of them were deleted. Just a pity to have trusted this company named hello Tanzania .
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous!
Everything was well organized and taken care of, from the accommodation to the tours with wonderful meals onsite. Our tour guides were exceptional in accommodating various requests. Special mention to Rex and Petunia, who was very friendly and enthusiastic with the people and made our stay a memorable one. We are glad we chose Viva Safari and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who is looking for a stress free and adventurous time in South Africa.