20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely negative - driver was dishonest (took luggage and didn’t show up), bad car condition
I used Faustin’s driver and car because I joined another company - Gamily Tour to Selous Safari and their vehicle was not available one day before due to an accident. Faustin sent a driver John to cover for the transportation from Dar to Selous and driving within the game reserve.
First thing to state is that the drivers in this company are driving their own cars (instead of company provided vehicles) so the conditions of the vehicles are understandably more variable than other tour operators.
Several things which happened showed that John is dishonest and owns a car at very poor car condition (and other things eg drives aggressively)
1. Dishonest - he took my tour guide’s luggages and never show up!! On the last day of my tour, when John was driving me and my tour guide back to Dar, I discussed with my tour guide and decided that I would try to experience the “local public transport” thus he and I would get on the local bus for 2 hours. The plan was that John would drive and follow the bus to the station and continue driving me to the hotel. When we arrived at the bus station, John was still at the starting point where we got on the bus (not sure what he was doing for all those times!!). Luckily I got most of my luggages with me, and I didn’t want to wait for him another 2 hours so I took an Uber back to my hotel. My tour guide waited him for another 4 hours and John never showed up, until the next day after we contacted his company (I would have missed my Kilimanjaro hike if I put my luggage in his vehicle)
2. Bad car condition - across the 5 seats in the car, only 1 seat wasn’t suffering from water leakage. Some windows could never be closed. It also could not drive through the roads which other SUV were able to drive through - I was unable to see lions as his car could not drive through one of the flooded main roads leading to the “lion area”.
My experience with the driver and vehicle was extremely negative. While I wish that this is only an issue with an individual, seeing from other reviews, seems like there is a company-wide problem. Anyways, even if you happen to use Faustin services, you should request to avoid using John (and his vehicle) at all cost.
GR
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Superb 11 Day trip with Experience Uganda
We initially contacted approx. 8 Safari/Tour operators offering Gorilla Treks in Uganda and Rwanda with a reasonably detailed specification of what we were looking for, only two responded with Itineraries that matched or request, accordingly we chose Experience Uganda Travel. Their pre-trip support was almost always immediate and fully comprehensive.
As far as the trip itself was concerned, which involved Chimpanzee Trekking/Habitation, Gorilla Trekking and Game Viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park (including Tree Lions, Elephants, Hippos, Buffalo, numerous Bok etc.etc.). Plus a certain amount of Cultural activities. This was in a word "SUPERB" extremely well organized. The Guide/Driver we had (Obyara Emma Eyenga) was absolutely fantastic, in organizing all the stays and activities plus as far as Game Spotting is concerned, he is without doubt one of the very best we have experienced in all our years of Safaris/Travels in Botswana, Kruger (Ngla), Zambia, KwaZulu-Natal.
Even slight unforeseeable vehicle problems were immediately sorted out with extreme professionalism by Experience Uganda Travel Management and the Guide/Driver and no way detracted or impinged on our trip.
Bottom line is from start to finish the whole trip was Fantastic. We will visit Uganda again and our automatic choice with no hesitation will be Experience Uganda Travel and would certainly recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Uganda
SG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome tour
From the preparation, to transferring the payment to the actual tour, every part was well done.
Chris in the office maintained contact about the booking and the tons of questions. Ambrose the tour guide and driver was fantastic, caring, very knowledgeable and flexible. He is passionate about his country, the wildlife and conservation. I've already recommended the tour to my friends and I'm still not done with my tour as of yet. All my wishes about being close to nature and the wildlife were fulfilled. Thanks Ambrose.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing tour operator in Kenya
We went to 6-days safari in Kenya last week. It was super super amazing..Kennedy is very nice and helpful, so does Sammy our driver. Kennedy set up all the itinerary that meet our budget. He replied all my questions very fast. Sammy also a good driver , good listener, and have a good knowledge about animals. We travelled with 2 superactive boys, which I think they asked to much but Sammy could answer all the question patiently. We finally got a chance to see the big five! Thank you so much Kennedy and crew..
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Couldn’t have chosen a better tour company.
My first trip to Africa, as such, wasn’t sure what to expect, having read many reviews can be confusing.
After having done an exhaustive online search for safaris in Kenya, I decided to go with Chris company “Sunup Adventures”. His follow ups right after requesting a quote gave me a sense of assurance. Making a 50% deposit to a company half way across the planet in a land you have never been to is something I rarely would do.
But I had nothing to worry, Chris and Josh arrived actually 30mins before pick up rendezvous, the van was clean and Josh my guide / driver was well dressed in a neat uniform.
I spent the following 5 days in a solo luxury safari. The hotels were great!
I was always treated like royalty.
Josh always made sure we arrived on time for the game drives, he was always very punctual to our early morning meet up times; super active on the radio and quick to move to make sure I did not miss the hard to find animals, which was very essential for me as a photographer.
Josh takes his job seriously, he made sure I had the best possible positions to take my pictures, and waited patiently until I was ready to continue.
Indeed a very pleasant person.
He brought me to a Maasai village where I got a great video documentary.
Got amazing pictures of the big five.
This trip was basically everything I expected and more.
I would without hesitation recommend Chris, Josh, Sunup Adventures.
At the same time I would like to thank them for providing me with such great service.
Great memories indeed.
Can’t wait to go back!
GT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgetable first experience in Botswana
Everything went as planned and without a hitch. Tshepiso was wonderful and all her advice was spot on. Thank you for such marvelous recommendations for my first trip to Botswana and my first safari ever. I will be sure to contact you next time I'm in the region.
US
An incredible amount of wildlife in a very short amount of time!
We were only in the park for a very short amount of time but ended up seeing so many amazing things! We went on one evening/night safari drive and one all day safari within the park. We entered the park from the Numbi gate and on our all day safari we ended up seeing all of the big 5 along with several other key species of mammals and birds. It was an incredible experience, I just wish we had more time within the park!
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The best Self Drive safari !
It was not my first self-drive Kruger National Park visit and it will certainly not be my last! November is usuallly the month of the first rains, new fresh grass and a lof of new-born impalas, that is why we love to go in November. Well not this time however, it had not rained at all , but luckily for the animals and the plants they came later ! However the young impalas were born and we saw many lions, some cheetah, leopards etc etc. Yes we were lucky again as far as the predators are concerned,
But driving around in Kruger NP always makes us happy even when we don't see the big 5 . Because of the different landscapes and the sounds of the bush .
Leave the main roads and sometime you feel that this part of Africa is yours!
Anyway you never have to leave the park to get your necessary supplies. Whatever way you accommodate yourself , camping or self-catering houses or huts you can enjoy the restaurants and have a cold drink while waiting for the sun to set.
NL
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Review about South Africa by Rob Keulemans
South Africa has it all and for all tastes.
DE
Awesome Tour from VIVA Safari, Bad customer Service from Booking agency
The tour ist just great. Awesome staff at the Camps, good Guides, lots of animals. 5*! You can book it from a Lot of booking agencies.
What was really bad is the fact that we were not informed about our late Pickup. The driver was there around 11 instead of 8.30/9. We could not reach anyone at the booking Agency, the south african representative told us that he did not work there anymore.