ES
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service, Quick replies to queries, First class and great value for money
We planned our safari to coincide with my birthday and Golden wedding anniversary which all our extended family attended. Mzanzi Experience dealt with all my questions courteously and quickly and dealt with my special requests for celebration dinners and additional beverages efficiently, and our arrival and departure arrangements at the lodge worked very well.
Our actual safari at the Kurula Lodge was exceptional value for money. The lodge was comfortable and offered extensive views over a well frequented water hole. Our ranger was very knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure that we saw as much of the wildlife as possible, including the "Big Five". We were particularly privileged to see elephants mating and to follow the progress over 4 days of a fresh lion kill. Also to have several encounters with a pack of wild dogs which are on the seriously endangered list.
One thing to bear in mind is the difficulty of communication. There is only one place within the Klaserie Private Concession where telephone and data can be accessed. This can cause problems if there are unexpected flight changes or other domestic emergencies.
All in all an unforgettable experience which I can without hesitation recommend to others.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Subcontracted our Private tour to the Lowest Bidder
In January ’22 (6 months before our departure date) we booked The Great Kenya & Tanzania PRIVATE Circuit - 13 Days Safari and Cultural Experience offered by Sunsets in Africa.
FIRSTLY, before our complaints are listed, We want to make it clear that WE HAVE NO COMPLAINT with our KENYAN DRIVER/ GUIDE. (His real name is Safari) Safari was informative, polite, and quite a good driver – he made sure we had a great vantage point to view the animals. All the other Kenyan drivers seemed to know and like him. We missed him once we arrived in Tanzania.
The majority of our complaints are a result of Sunsets in Africa's subcontracting our PRIVATE tour to the lowest bidder: TOPHANSTANZANIAADVENTURE.COM
The owner of TOPHANSTANZANIAADVENTURE.COM who also became our “guide” in Tanzania was named Hans. After returning home, we researched his company and found that Hans’ offers a 12 day tour of Kenya & Tanzania(not 13) with a minimum of 5-6 people (NOT PRIVATE) for 1/3 $ of what we had paid to Sunsets in Africa. This explains A LOT!
We blame both SUNSETS IN AFRICA AND TOPHANSTANZANIAADVENTURE.COM for this following, (condensed) negative review:
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Our tour was booked and paid for as a PRIVATE party of two, but upon meeting Hans he informed us that we would be traveling with another private party of 2! (Neither party agreed with that arrangement but we were stuck!)
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Our PRIVATE tour was also supposed to included nice 4* lodges (Yes, they were nice in Kenya) but when Hans himself took over in Tanzania he took us to a Tent cabin on the outskirts of Serengeti which had a picnic table for a restaurant/bar!! This was Not at all Similar to the Serengeti Serena Lodge on our itinerary!
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Hans was NOT a professional guide (he almost never had his radio on in the parks to communicate with the other guides and was always talking or texting on his phone instead of talking to/informing us)
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I inquired about the cost of a Night Game Drive and Hans told me that would cost $950.00 USD for 4 people. I declined saying it was out of my budget… Hans replied by asking “what is your budget?” At that point I had a feeling there was a possibility of a scam so I ended the conversation. A few days later on day 7 of out tour, at Lake Manyara Lodge they offered a night drive for $55.00 USD per person!!!
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On day 11, Hans LEFT US STRANDED at our Lake Manyara Lodge until 4pm (1600 hrs.)! He wasted an entire day!
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Instead of transporting us from Arusha to the Nairobi airport himself, he hired a man w a VERY SMALL car to take the 4 of us and our luggage from the border to the Nairobi airport. (We had luggage on our laps! for several hours)
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We have gone on many private tours around the world, but never had a "guide" as rude, devious, and unprofessional as Hans of TOPHANSTANZANIAADVENTURE.COM .
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THE BEST TIP I WOULD GIVE THIS “GUIDE” WOULD BE “HANS GET OUT OF THE TOUR INDUSTRY!”
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and they deliver what they promise.
The tour with Raven Safaris was really good. Our guide George was professional and communicated well. We also appreciate that George kept the water stocked and made a stop to pick us up a local snack. We loved that the tour was private as promised and the vehicle was also in perfect condition for the safari. We visited all the things marked in our itinerary. I highly recommend them.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional
I booked my safari for august 2023 a few months ago and from that time Mak has been incredible in communicating with me.
The booking process was so easy because of him and the actually safari was phenomenal, thanks to Justin, my guide. He was knowledgeable, friendly, easy to get along with and made sure that I get to have the best safari experience.
We saw the Big 5, wildebeest migration and much much more.
On the way back I had some issues with the domestic flights connecting to international but Mak managed to handle it with ease and I was given a celebrity treatment up-to my international flight.
Can’t recommend them enough
US
Fantastic service!
We visited Tanzania and worked with Wayfairer. We were a group of 8 with 4 kids.
They were excellent! From Cat who helped setup the plans to Toon who helped during out travels, the support the service was very good. Great communication. Always prompt. Customized our travels per our needs. The lodges, the transportation and the guides they arranged were excellent. Highly recommend them.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari Tour
Our safari in Tanzania part was very well organized by Raven Safaris. Our driver, George is very nice, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional safari guide. I strongly recommend people to Raven Safaris if interested in doing safari in Tanzania.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Botswana's wild life is beyond compare. I was blown away in the first three hours I was there.
Our 15 day safari was wonderful. I expected to see some animals but the number we saw was incredible. The boat cruise on the Chobe River was amazing. Elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes, hippos and warthogs (this was in the first 3 hours). We got so close to the animals. We glamped for 15 days and saw at least one new animal everyday. Tony's Mobile Safari took great care of us. The only downside about the trip was that I was unprepared for the cold. The early morning game rides are very chilly. You need a toque, gloves and a light coat. The afternoons are glorious and warm. The scenery and sunsets are magical. As to safety, the only time I felt unsafe was when a male lion looked me in the eye and started walking towards me. I was in the Jeep, of course. He walked beside the jeep and went to sleep in the shade cast by the vehicle. He passed so close you felt like reaching out and petting him. I would recommend Botswana to everyone.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Would go again tomorrow!
I booked the Bush & Buffalo six night package at Ku Sungula Safari Lodge. I was delayed in arriving in Johannesburg, but the lodge rescheduled my shuttle pick-up time to suit. The private vehicle provided a comfortable seven hour ride to the lodge in Greater Kruger National Park.
The package included accomodation, most meals, sufficient H2O, transfers, a private panoramic drive, a private one and a half day visit to Kruger National Park, a riverboat trip, and two safaris per day while at the lodge. I was super lucky to be able to see all of the Big 5 including the white lion and her white cub. The knowledgeable rangers and trackers made the experience even more memorable.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great!!!!
My husband and I booked for our honeymoon vacation with Paul's Untamed Escapades. We were very careful as this meant so much to us.
We were talking with a number of operators but eventually settled on this company for various reasons but most importantly, honesty and openness. We were always updated and given options.
We spent three nights at Samburu National Reserve, a night at Lake Naivasha and flew to Zanzibar on our organisation.
We appreciate the effort the company put to ensure comfort, and for creating lifelong memories.
Do not wait longer. Book with this company!
Thank you Paul!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Roadside Expeditions provides a safari experience that is both adventurous and energizing
We visited Tanzania on our honeymoon in August of 2023. It was high tourist season, but that did not stop Tanzania Roadside Expeditions from showing us a great time. We split our trip in half, spent half of it on a safari in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, and then spent the other half in Zanzibar. It was a truly once in a lifetime experience. Paul Justine took care of all of the logistics for us, even allowing us to add some customizations to our trip, and made sure that we knew of the entire plan as well as what to bring in regards to packing far in advance of us traveling to TZ. He also had staff that took great care of us and were super friendly in both Arusha and in Zanzibar. In addition, our driver, George, was fantastic - getting us close to the animals, but also ensuring we were safe. We also learned so much about Tanzania as a country from him, as well as so much about the animals. We also saw the ENTIRE African Big 5 on our trip - and really enjoyed the safari days. Would absolutely recommend taking another trip to TZ or Kenya and using this company - they will make sure you are well taken care of!