AT
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
E X C E L L E N T !!!
The selous game reserve was amazing! The service was incredible! Our driver was very good, keeping us safe the whole trip. We had a request to only have veggie food which they took care of without a problem. After arriving to our camp, we were amazed. We had a small house/furnished camp to ourselves, with a big pool overlooking the savannah. On the first day, we took a boat for a sunset boat safari, we took a break on a sandy beach to take pictures - great. On the second day we had a full game drive in selous national park. We saw giraffes, zebras, antelopes, crocs, Hippos, elephants and even lions! On the last day, the bushman took us to the forest for a walking safari, wearing his traditional straw clothes, showing us animals, insects and natural medicine. All in all, 10/10 would recommend! Thank you
US
Top notch all the way. Great guides who looked out for us. Great food. Great places to stay. Great!!
GTD was quick to answer all questions and help with all travel arrangements. The tour and safari far exceeded our expectations in every way. The price was fair. We love GTD and have nothing negative to say about anything! If you get a chance, book with them!!!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The Tour Guide was knowledgeable, accommodating, and timely.
My tour was Cape Town only. The service was impeccable, the restaurants selected were "top of the line" and each wine tour that we went on were very memorable experiences. I enjoyed myself so much, I have plans to return to Cape Town with Go Touch Down Travel & Tours. It my understanding that there are over 500 winery in that region, I need to go back to do some more tasting. The best thing about the whole trip was the maximum number on the tour was 6 people. I highly recommend this trip.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good safari, but had problems at start and end of trip
I went on a trip with Adventure Africa Expedition in November 2019 in Tanzania (through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro). Whilst we had a fantastic trip, and I would recommend booking with the company, we did have a few problems on occasions throughout the trip.
Whilst booking, Dickson from Adventure Africa was very communicative, explaining exactly what we were booking. He was very accommodating and willing to change our tour based on what we wanted to experience. Whilst this changed slightly whilst on the trip (only the order of areas visited), we still visited all the places we wanted to.
On departing day, the tour owner was very late (nearly two hours). After he finally arrived, after trying to contact Adventure Africa many times, it was evident that the company that would be taking us on the tour, was different. This company was called Martial Eagle Safaris. This wasn't communicated during booking that.
We still had a small balance to pay upon the tour owners arrival, which we all had the money for (in cash) and had been communicated to us, at the time of booking. However, when paying, the owner of Martial Eagle Safaris was adamant that we had been quoted the incorrect amount and demanded that we paid another $100 USD each to start the tour. Upon managing to speak with Adventure Africa, Dickson told us that they had miscalculated and given us the wrong exchange rate. This meant that we had to fork out. I'm not sure if this was a scam or a genuine mistake, but I was extremely annoyed by this as we spent the morning trying to sort this out and it meant that our trip started badly.
After this, we stated our tour with our safari guide named China and our cook name Wiz. Both of these guys were fantastic and I couldn't fault either of them. China went out of his way throughout the trip to keep us happy and to find animals in the bush. He was an expert and we saw everything with his guidance. Wiz cooked up some brilliant food given the very basic facilities he was using to cook. If I was going on another safari, I'd want these guys to take me.
We had some fantastic days, seeing great wildlife. We camped in some great locations - including two locations that wildlife came through the came. These places were basic (and the bathrooms we not for the faint-hearted) but this is what we were expecting. All of our tents were also made for us upon arrival which was an added bonus.
Unfortunately, despite the amazing time we had on the trip, it ended on a low. On our final day, upon exiting the Serengeti, we were stopped from leaving as the owner of Martial Eagle had failed to pay the park fees. This meant we were stuck at the airport for over 5 hours. After China spent a lot of time negotiating, we managed to get out. This delay meant we arrived back in Arusha at about 10pm (and we were not able to see the town at all). This meant we ended our tour on a low.
Overall we had an amazing time on our trip, as the bulk of it whilst on safari, exceeded expectations. But the problems at start and end had a negative impact and were extremely annoying, putting a downer on our trip. Anyone booking with either of these companies should be aware of this.
Also, if you are planning on visiting the Serengeti area in late November, it's a really good time to go. It wasn't particularly busy and we saw everything!
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We made a memory that will never be tarnished!
This was our first time in Tanzania and even in Africa. So we wanted to go for Safari with the right company and right tour guide as well. After searching a bit, we was sure to do it with Gosheni and our guide should be Ombeni! After 8 days Safari experience, now we know we choose the right company and tour guide.. Ombeni made an unforgettanable memory for us, we saw African big 5 for several times and we had great photos with these wild animals.. As you see, we are crazy people who are travelling during this Covid pandemic! Ombeni and Gosheni made everything very easy for us! He sterilized all the car and reminded us to do the same.. We stayed at very nice camps, all staff and the food were amazing.. If you would like to go for Safari, do it with Gosheni and ask for Ombeni as a tour guide. It is %100 guarantee that you will enjoy a lot and be happy! We came as a client and leaving as friends! Thank you Ombeni!!
TR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Obeni is the Best tour guide made our safari amazing. He cares about corona even there is no issue in Tanzania about it. So dont worry you can Come and enjoy
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
SCAM: Discovery Transfer and Tours Cancellation Policy
Due to COVID-19, we cancelled our tour scheduled for August 18 via email on June 29. Our message was ignored. Consequently, I contacted SafariBookings on Facebook about this unprofessional behavior. Shortly after the FB posting, a representative of DTT acknowledged our email after 40 days. He informed us the company would not issue a refund. Their Terms and Conditions contain a section entitled "Cancellation Policy".
The wording are explicit in this paragraph and states "the following charges will apply ....30 or more days prior to departure 10% of the total reservation amount". The company is retaining the full 20% of the total reservation amount instead. The cancellation policy is a SCAM! It is intended to lure customers into a false sense of security and trust.This company SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED. Furthermore, it should be delisted from SafariBookings' website otherwise potential customers will assume they are an ethical. company.
In addition, we told the rep "no further communication is needed". However, Fanuel sent us another repetitive message. This is harassment.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magical experience at Tanzania
Just returned from Tanzania. I climbed Kilimanjaro, did safari at Serengati and visited Selous, all arranged by Uhuru. It was an experience of life time. Highly recommended.
Timing: now is a rare opportunity to see the vast and beautiful parks in Tanzania, teeming with animals, without the usual high season tourist traffic. The morning I was at Ngorongoro park we were the only vehicle for 2 hours. Later I saw a picture of usual high season , bumper to bumper traffic with dozens of jeeps crammed together. I feel so lucky to be able to focus entirely on nature and not fellow visiting jeeps. The animals are very relaxed right now. I was able to watch two lion cubs for close to an hour as they happily ignored me and practiced hunting with palm leaves next to napping mommy and auntie. We quietly observed how one cub was always the first to get out of hiding, and find new objects to play, while the other cub readily run to mommy on any new source of noise like two children with different temperament. A rather different experience from usual high season, where up to a dozen cars line up for a quick pic with the lion families.
Travel safety: Tanzania did an admirable job this year navigating the pandemic. There was strict and effective procedure earlier in the spring. Now there are no new cases that I hear of; business are back to normal and school are open. People wash hands before entering business (water buckets ubiquitous on streets), but otherwise don't wear masks outside of airports. Personally I felt as safe, and certainly more relaxed than being in the US on pandemic concern. In broader terms, Tanzania has stable political structure and a growing economy; people are peaceful and friendly, the roads and facilities are well developed on Northern tourist circuit. It's easy to travel. In fact, I am eagerly looking forward to bringing kids and parents over next time.
Service by Uhuru: solid delivery of a 3-week itinerary. I was provided all the key ingredients for successful safari: exceptional guides, reliable vehicle, and fast response to questions before and during the trip. Can't ask for more. In particular the guide quality at Uhuru are consistently impressive- very important since you will be spending entire days with the guide who ensures your safety and shapes your experience. I feel lucky to work with the Uhuru guides and it's a major part of my positive experience on this trip.
At Kilimanjaro my guide was very focused on getting me hydrated and go slow to prevent any high altitude sickness, he check blood oxygen every day. He was thoroughly professional about safety.
The Serengati safari ranks among best travel experiences in my life, after visiting over 40 countries, thanks to no small part to my guide Meshalu. He is a soft-speaking Masai who always wears a calm smile. Meshalu has that rare combination of sharp eyes for wildlife, good knowledge as a car mechanic (more important than you would think), and genuine care for clients. We found every animal species there is to be seen on Serengati, and the unexpected bonus of a wild dog pack supposed to be extinct from the park. At meal time Meshalu has entertaining stories to tell about the Masai culture and wild life. We had a few unexpected moments in the bush that only added to the sense of adventure: at Lobo we were the only campers, as the sun set a lone old bull buffalo walked up close to camp. These big animals has a reputation for being unpredictable and more dangerous than lion (who are simply too lazy to deal with human). We moved into the kitchen with concrete wall, and took turns sip tea while watching the direction of the buffalo meandering in a glowing landscape under orange African sunset. The bull eventually left and I was escorted back to tent. It was thrilling without any sense of insecurity since I felt in good hands. On another drive we were about to turn back when Meshalu decided to take a bit extra road and check out some rocks- a whole lion pride was waiting there, watching us with calm and intense curiosity that only cats can do. Money just can't buy magical moments like this. I can't wait to go back and experience it again.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
Great adventure ,careful kind and professional drivers .I enjoyed and would definitely recommend you to go
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional, Fun and Accomodative
The team kept updating us about our trip and the citing of the wildebeest migration.
Dennis kept checking on us all through the 4 days we were at the Mara. Great room booked and our information was sent to the hotel way ahead before checking in.
David our driver was well informed about the park and we got to witness the Wildebeest migration 2 days in a row.
