US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely thoughtful, dedicated, and caring tour operator
My friend and I just finished a 7-day Lemosho route trek with Kilisa Tours that ended in the successful summit of Kilimanjaro. I cannot praise our team from Kilisa enough and highly recommend them for any Kilimanjaro trek. From our pre-trek communications to our airport transfers and throughout our time on the trek, we were treated and cared for exceptionally well.
Kilisa seemed to us to be a smaller tour operator. While this meant they didn’t have a fancy bus to drive us around, it also meant we didn’t get a “big tour” experience and received more attention and heart than what we expected, truly living out their mantra “One Team, One Dream.” It starts with our guides, Goodluck and Nickson. As the primary leaders of the expedition and the ones most directly responsible for our wellbeing, they were both exceptionally professional throughout. They were both concerned about our experience, maintaining an open dialog about daily expectations and about any questions that came up. On the health front, they measured our blood oxygen levels and pulse nightly, and we openly discussed our feelings and concerns to ensure we were all on the same page. Importantly, I felt they did a great job picking the right hiking paths and maintaining the right hiking pace for us. We felt this was critical to successful acclimatization, minimizing exhaustion, and ultimately to our successful summit. Lastly, they really encouraged us to enjoy the journey and not just the destination. They were very knowledgeable about the geology, ecology, and history of Kilimanjaro and they freely shared their knowledge. Having the right guides is essential and I feel like we got the best in Goodluck and Nickson.
But our positive experience didn’t end with our guides. Incredibly we had 9 additional people (11 in total) supporting my friend and me on our adventure. And they were all wonderfully caring, too (“One Team, One Dream”). Our chef made wonderful, filling meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we had a waiter/water attendant, we had a person who attended our private toilet, and six additional porters who were incredibly hard working setting up, breaking down, and transporting our camp from site to site. To a man, they were exceptionally supportive, friendly, and fun-loving, and it was truly heartwarming to be surrounded by a wonderful group of people who all wanted to see us succeed. A great example: After we summited, my friend and I were struggling to come down the mountain due to exhaustion. Our guides messaged the base team, and six additional members met us 1/3 or 1/2 way up the mountain, carried our packs, and arm-in-arm helped us get back to base camp where they all congratulated us with hugs and high-fives.
The Kilimanjaro trip was the fulfillment of a decades long dream, and the exceptional experience with Kilisa Tours made it wonderful. I highly recommend them.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A trip to remember
When travelling overseas, I am the type of person that wants to experience all that the country has to offer, the problem is, like with most overseas trips, you only have a limited of time to experience it all. This coupled with having never been to South Africa before, makes the planning difficult. By employing the services of Rob at Tailormade Africa not only was he able to cater the trip to our wants but we were able to benefit from someone who had done it before and who had the local knowledge.
Even before the holiday started the communication from Rob was great. Endless too and fro with emails and a few online conversations to iron out the details of what we really wanted from the trip, we even had another one a couple of days before we left, once everything was finalised, meant for any last questions or concerns before we jetted off. Even during the trip Rob was available on WhatsApp!!!
Once there our trip was seamless from the moment we got off the plane in Johannesburg.
Rob provided us with detailed instructions for each stop, must see tourist attraction, things to do and most importantly the best restaurants. All we had to do was unwind, relax and soak in all that South Africa had to offer.
We absolutely recommend Tailormade Africa to anyone looking for a hassle free holiday of a lifetime.
Thank you Rob for helping to create a honeymoon that we will never forget.
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A jewel
National parks in Uganda have much more life than 10 years ago in my previous visit. Not many visitors, so you can enjoy the nature without seeming to be in a zoo.
Accommodations were perfect and also the food.
The only point is the roads. Better than 10 years ago, however you cannot avoid the African Massage.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing wildlife all around!
I absolutely loved my recent visit to Tanzania. I went on a 5 day safari with my friend and we had a jeep all to ourselves. As we were there in peak season the parks were very busy but we got to see everything that we came across clear enough to take great photos so it wasn't really a problem. Our camps were lovely and our driver did a good job to find as many animals as possible although we did not see Rhino. We saw lots of eagles and different birds too which was awesome. The roads are very bumpy! And at this time of year very dusty so you may wish to cover your face and hair. The weather was very dry and in the North Serengeti very hot otherwise I didn't think it was uncomfortable the rest of the time. We loved seeing lots of Giraffe walking about outside of the parks and all the Elephants close up, especially in Tarangire. I loved Tanzania and will definitely be returning.
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unspoiled by mass tourism
Uganda is one of the countries where you can still experience the true meaning of exploring. There are not many tourists even in the height of peak season and for this reason it is still very unspoiled.
We firstly visited Lake Mburo NP- the only park with zebras. They are in the process of introducing giraffes into the park, which means you are walking among them during bush walks. Spectacular.
The next was Queen Elizabeth NP, which was kind of disappointing as there was scarcity of animals. We did se a leopard and a few lions but from afar- we could barely make them out. You can hire a ranger for lion spotting which grants you the possibility to see them up close (which costs around 150 USD per person), something we found quite expensive . Its possible we were there at the wrong time of the year.
However, the boat ride on Kazinga channel was a rollercoaster of wildlife and interesting facts, so definitely worth it.
The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the gorilla tracking that delivered an experience above expectations.
The people were warm and welcoming, the food was delicious and portions more than sufficient (we always asked for less food). Uganda will always have a special place in our hearts.
We would also like to thank the agency Out of Africa for providing us with and express itinerary for our trip, and especially to our guide Arafat, that took us on this adventure of a lifetime. Do not be afraid to visit, you will be surprised by how safe and easy traveling is in the pearl of Africa.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The tour operator was communicative and transparent throughout the whole process.
We found the mid-range option we chose for the duration of our 4-day safari perfect. The accommodation, food, travel plan was comfortable and we never had to worry about a thing. The safari itself was incredible. Our guide, Alpha, was extremely knowledgeable and we had conversations not only about the animals, but Tanzanian life, culture, traditions, etc.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Service Awesome Safari Experience with Discover Africa and Susan Swanepoel
We worked with Susan Swanepoel from Discover Africa and had the superior service and support from her before and during the trip. Susan recommended the full itinerary including guided tour on Panoramic route , two great Safari lodges in Kruger National Park , and the flight to Cape Town. We booked the tour with Susan and loved it. All went smooth and was well organized. All our drivers were knowledgeable , professional and punctual. Safari was amazing and our guides were excellent. Susan even checked us in for the flight from Kruger to Cape Town and was checking with us several time through our trip, addressing questions, etc., to make sure everything goes on plan.
We would happily recommend Susan and Discover Africa to anyone who looks to plan Safari and South Africa travel. We'd definitely work with Susan again next time we plan to come to South Africa
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Wonderful Tour Experience in Kenya
Overall it was a very pleasant trip with Apodiformes Adventures in Kenya. They provided a professional service to me and the tour guide Leroy and Edward were experienced and super funny, I enjoyed and joked with them all day on my travels. They also consider me one of the most interesting Chinese tourists they have ever met.
East Africa is a magical place, I would definitely miss the people and scenery that happened here every minute.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent experience with Africa Tours Adventure
We are an American couple who went on a nine-day Ugandan safari in July 2023 organized by Africa Tours Adventure.
Africa Tours Adventure is Nicholas, and Nicholas was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He responded to every inquiry immediately, was knowledgeable and accommodating, and planned a great trip for us. Our complicated itinerary, through four national parks and including three primate trekking days, was completed seamlessly thanks to Nicholas's planning and our driver/guide Moses's handling of the details as we went.
Our trip was considered, and priced, as mid-level, but at least a couple of the lodges we stayed in could fit into the "luxury" category.
Moses worked hard to make sure we saw as many animals, and different kinds of animals, as we could in the time we had and generally seemed to do what he could to make sure we had a good safari. We appreciated Moses's dedication and hard work throughout the tour.
We had a great time. The tour more than met our expectations, and we recommend Africa Tours Adventure without hesitation.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
Very good itinerary experience, saw a lot of animals. Lion, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, wildebeest. It would be better to find a better hotel experience. It is best to come in July, when there will be more animals. My guide name is Johnny, a very nice guy.
(automatic translation from Chinese)