US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely incredible experience
I had an incredible time in Masai Mara thanks to Axis Africa. They did a great job arranging everything. Our guide Joshua was so knowledgeable and really cared about making sure we saw pretty much everything. Only thing we missed was a rhino but no one at our camp did since they're super rare.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Misleading and bait and switch
A group of people went to Kenya and Tanzania from June 24th through July 10th, 2019. The majority of time was spent in Kenya. We had used TripAdvisor African Safaris agent Seth Vincent to arrange for the Kenya portion of the trip. During the booking period, we received several itineraries outlining the accommodation and numbers of rooms we requested to accommodate our party. Although we had received confirming emails outlining where we would be staying and the number of rooms booked, on at least two occasions the number of rooms were shorted, forcing people to double up although people had paid additional money for separate rooms. We can only assume that Seth pocketed the difference himself. We had been promised a lovely place in Arusha, Tanzania at the Mount Meru Hotel. However, Seth had emailed our subcontracted drivers and had them book us into a very poor hotel in a rough area of Arusha. We called the hotel on our approved itinerary and they had no record of any reservation for us. Again, I suspect that Seth deliberately did a bait and switch that probably allowed him to pocket the difference while putting the 14 of us in a very poor hotel. This was the last night he was responsible for so we really had no recourse. We cannot prove that this was deliberate on his part but he would not return any calls at that point.
The bottom line is DO NOT use this person for your safari experience. Do go with a firm that has lengthy track record and positive reviews.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We had a great time !!! It was a fantastic experience!
For the safari in Tanzania I advise everyone to contact Professional Safaris Africa. We (2 men, 2 women) took part in a 4-day safari (June 2019) visiting the Ngorongoro and Serengeti parks. We were accompanied by Joshua (who satisfied our every request, he was always kind, attentive to our needs and, no small thing, he speaks Italian very well). Super recommended! It was a magical experience, to be repeated! I stress that our guide Joshua was fantastic and it was thanks to him that there were no problems / hitches. The top really!
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best birding in Uganda
Johnnie organised a special tour for us to visit little-known birding destinations Semuliki, , Kidepo and Pian Upe, as well as taking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Budongo Forest along the way. Johnnie goes out of his way to make sure his guests get excellent birding as well as taking care of us regarding accommodation, food and other amenities. Johnnie is great company and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share on East African birding.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent- our daughter and her friends were on a 5 day Kenya safari. Loved every bit of it -
Far exceeded our expectations- 5 day safari package. Guide picked the 3 girls up from the airport took them to the hotel and stated safari next day. Safari was better than expected, guide was fantastic. We communicated with Lennox prior to the trip via email and WhatsApp, he was very responsive.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Experience of a Lifetime!
In preparation for our trip to Tanzania, my husband and I spent a lot of time researching the many different tour companies available. We were actually close to making a decision when a college classmate mentioned she had organized her honeymoon with Soul of Tanzania. She spoke so highly of her experience that it made us pause our whole plan to learn more about this company. From the minute we heard back from Sandy with Soul of Tanzania, we knew that we had found a different kind of tour operator. Sandy was quick to respond and helped us craft the perfect 5 night, 6 day safari itinerary. She was incredibly patient in answering all of the questions we had however big or little. I felt very lucky that we had her to guide our trip planning and was also thankful for her constant communication and transparency leading up to the trip.
The trip itself exceeded all expectations. There is nothing that can prepare you for the incredible experience you will have in Tanzania and on safari. Our guide, Heaven, was truly wonderful. He was incredibly knowledgeable about Tanzania, its history, the parks, the animals, and really took the time to answer all of the questions we had. He was also an excellent driver, navigating the rain, mud, and anything we ran into. We really enjoyed getting to know Heaven and learning from him! Thank you for being our guide through Tanzania!
Overall our safari experience was wonderful, and Soul of Tanzania truly had every detail covered. Every lodge we stayed at was great. Soul of Tanzania selects partners that are reliable so you cannot go wrong with the choices they provide. The hot lunches were such a great treat, and we saw how unique those were each day in the lunch parks. Almost all other tour operators provide sandwiches/cold lunches! In the end, we saw all the animals we wanted to see and so much more. It was truly an experience of a lifetime, and we're so grateful we chose Soul of Tanzania!
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
So cool experience
The idea was to bring my 10 years girl in Africa and have a safari properly organizer.
The choose was perfect, in only 3 days we saw most of animals we were supposed. Very positive also the services recived and the staff as well. Nice and professional people, good rate.
Thanks and we will recomend you for sure.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic People, Fantastic Service, Fantastic Value!
I went alone on a 4-day Safari to Tremisana and Marc's Treehouse Lodges. Collette, at Tremisana, was a wonderful host. It was a pleasure to sit down with her and talk about our experiences and her life in South Africa. She said, "My job is to make people smile. If you're not smiling, I'm not doing my job." That philosophy played out at Tremisana. The food, accommodations, grounds, staff, and excursions were all better than I expected, and I expected them to be very good. I especially enjoyed having breakfast with our guides and the informal interactions I had with my "Safari Family"--young people from all over the world with whom I shared the experience.
At Marc's Treehouse lodge, Pretty, our host, was just that, inside and out. Her sense of humor and attention to service made our stay comfortable and joyful.
Food at both lodges was simple, but excellent. The accommodations at both places were what I consider to be perfect for a safari (I don't plan to stay inside my room much. I want to be out interacting with people and with nature). It was a bit more spartan at Marc's treehouse lodge, but not by much. The sounds of lions across the river, and the baboons and birds at sunrise provided the perfect ambience. The beds were comfortable, the linens clean and fresh, and the decor, soothing.
Our game drives and guided walks were amazing! We saw all big 5, took fantastic pictures, and walking got us a more intimate look at the environment and the animal's and humans' interaction with it. Our guides were knowledgable and friendly, and they really took care of us well.
Finally, transportation and logistics were excellent. Everything was just as advertised and though South African time (and tourist time) can be different from that specified in the agenda, the drivers, hosts, staff and guides were flexible and we all felt like we got the most amazing bargain out of all the safaris we could have booked. I highly recommend Viva Safaris, and both Tremisana and Marc's Treehouse Lodge for your next adventure.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything I expect from a Safari Tour
We did a five day tour through Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and to Lake Buyonyi with Home to Africa Tours and Travel. The whole trip was everything and more we had expected! The guide was fun and had a thorough knowledge about Uganda, the national parks, history, and wildlife. He had more than 10 years experience as a guide and that was good for us. The lodges we stayed in where amazing! Great food, amazing locations and very comfortable. The tour included several game drives (elephants, buffalows, pumbas, hippos, and even lions!), a boat tour, hike to the gorillas (our main reason for doing the whole tour) and a relaxing evening on late Buyonyi. It was our first time in Uganda and the first time on safari and we got everything we could have hoped for. That the car broke down in at one point was just a minor set back and part of the whole experience. Our guide reacted quickly and we got an alternative car.
The prize we paid and the service we received were in a great balance. We can't imagine how paying more could give more! Our guide gave us so many recommendations for other tours he usually does that we are convinced that we will come again.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 wonderful days
Everything was fine.
The hotel in Arusha people very kindly end the hotel clean. Tanaka lodge super and clean. Our guide agostino was the best we find for us all animals in the parks. For me the best park is Serengeti . All was better than I think