NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional and personal touch for your Safari and Trekking
We booked both our 7 day kilimanjaro trek and 4 day safari through Abraham and everything was perfectly organized.
We spent the day of our arrival in Arusha by passing through several booking agencies and informing them. When we met Abraham we immediately had a very good feeling. Everything was explained detailed and we could start the day after with the 7 day trek of the Kilimanjaro (the Machame route)
The same day our guide, Livingstone, came to our hotel to check our gear, and when something was missing or if he had the feeling that it was not good enough, he would arrange it (for us the sleeping bags, mats, poles and just to be sure, ski pants were arranged for the summit night). We did not finish the route in 7 but in 6 days, but there was no pressure from the guides, Livingstone and Moussa. Only at noon itself during lunch in Karanga camp we decided to skip this camp and continue to base camp / barafu camp. During the days they kept a close eye on you, and in the evening you got an extensive briefing about the next day: what can you expect, which layers of clothing should you wear etc. The team of 10 men (2 guides, 1 cook and 7 porters) where very nice, fun and always ready for you. In addition, the food of chef Laurens was really fantastic, better than most restaurants in Arusha. In advance we could not have imagined that it is possible to eat so tasty and varied on the mountain. Every day an extensive breakfast, fresh fruit, different types of soup, tasty stews, pasta, rice and even french fries in our eatery tent or, in good weather, in the open air. So we hardly did not eat the bars and snacks we brought with us.
In short everything was super arranged and I would give as a tip not to book with one of the big 'operators' (mainly Indians and Chinese participants who are not well prepared and on some days only reached camp at half past 10 pm), but with your own 'small' team. This is all about you, you determine your own pace / schedule and you increase your chances.
Because we had done a day shorter about the trekking we also went on safari a day earlier. Which was no problem for Abraham. The next morning our guide for 4 days, Benjamin was waiting for us. We have visited Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorogoro crater and also here everything was perfectly organized. Benjamin, just like the guides at the trekking, spoke English very well, was enthusiastic and had a lot of knowledge about the animals, parks and culture. We were able to approach the whole big 5 and all the animals on our wish list at a 2 to 5 meter distance, and were able to look at them with ease while Benjamin explained. Also the accommodations arranged by Abraham were well cared for and fully equipped. After the safari we were dropped off at our hotel and Abraham, just as after the trekking, was waiting for us to ask how it was and if there were questions or comments.
The only downside of African Travel Tours is the location of their office. At 100m from Clock Tower is their office, but this is not on the street side but in an office building. The guard at the entrance will show you the way to their office on the left, but this is a bit strange at first. If they could change their location to the street side, many more passers-by could attract. However, do not let this stop you from going past.
We have experienced contact with Abraham and the guides as very professional, pleasant and above all personal. In short, a must!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
7 day Lemosho route Kilimanjaro climbing - Beautiful experience
From 10 to 16 December my grilfriend and I did a private climb with Afrishare. This was a very beautiful experience with a very nice, good and experienced mountain crew that got us both to Stella Point and Uhuru peak!
We had a difficult start because one of the backpacks, with all of the climbing gear, did not arrive on Kilimanjaro International Airport, but Ibrahim from Afrishare was very quick to arrange good rental gear so that the climb could go on. That was great!
The climb was professional arranged with a mountain crew of 11, good camping equipment, more than enough water, food and so on.
At some points we had an hard time with the long days walking and symptoms of alltitude sickness, but the 7 days were enough for altitude acclimatization and the Lemosho route was also very beautiful to see.
The mountain crew consisted of 1 guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook, 1 waiter and 7 porters. We could not wish for another crew because with the help from all of them we made it to the top because of the professional guides that very well know what they are doing (Adam and Alex, also loved spending time with them. They are fun, positively spirited and can tell you very much about the Kilimanjaro), the good food (Cosmos, great cook and much fun), the waiter (Eneza, how took great care of us) and of course all the others.
We are very glad that we did the climb with Afrishare, it was great value for money and we recommend it to everyone.
N.B. maybe usefully information. For the climb we bought almost all the gear, but in Moshi/from Afrishare it is possible to rent good gear for good prices so you don't have to buy all the gear.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic wildlife and experience with credit to Traipsing Africa for great planning within budget!
I have always wanted to go to Africa and to experience the culture, wildlife and see the sights. We arrived in Johannesburg and flew to Port Elizabeth for our Safari. Sandra made sure that our trip went as smoothly as possible, like organizing an usher to guide us through Johannesburg airport. The safari itself was fantastic! Spending a couple of nights in the bush and hearing all the animal noises was a thrilling experience. We were carefully guided between a herd of elephants and we also spent an hour or so all alone with a pride of lions. We embarked on our Garden Route & Route 62 road trip to Cape Town and the scenery was spectacular. Sandra advised us of all the “do’s & don’ts” and we felt safe and secure the whole trip through. She also advised us of all the main attractions, as well as a few that only the locals frequent. Cape Town was amazing, and we went on a wine tour in Franschhoek, drove down to Cape Point and went up the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. We also managed to squeeze in a morning of shopping in the V&A Waterfront. The accommodation that was booked for us was both reasonably priced and a very good quality. We will certainly be using Traipsing Africa on our next African vacation.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!
We had a great 7 day Big Game safari with Boundless Africa Journeys. Our rep Annette was extremely organized and thorough with our itinerary. Upon our arrival in Nairobi she was also most kind and helpful with a half day short notice tour ahead of our safari start. This is where we met Enock, our guide. He is the guide extraordinare, punctual, organized, knowledgeable with excellent driving skills. We completed seeing both the Big Five and the Samburu Special Five with credit to Enock . Top marks to BAJ for this trip of a lifetime ! Highly recommend!
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kruger National Park by Maria Figueiredo
We were picked up at Joburg airport and the journey to Kruger is not short. We went on a 9 seat van that was ok, but the journey is very long and had 3 stops.
At last, we arrive at our lodge and there were hippos bathing in the lake in front and elephants around. There were so many animals... We were so excited that we forgot the long journey in 10 seconds. The swimming pool is essential in the lodge because the heat in the middle of the day is unbearable.
We did a sunset Safari and we saw lots of animals: Impalas, Zebras, Elephants, Rhinos and Hyenas and when it got dark we were the only ones in the road with 2 big flashlights searching for more animals.
In the next day our guide ask us for our expectation, and we ask to go look for the cats. He did it, we saw lions and even a leopard eating an impala and climbing a tree to eat it. It was amazing.
After lunch it was too hot and all the animals were hidden in the bush so I would recommend a morning and afternoon safari if possible instead of an all-day safari.
In the second day it was even more impressing with lions crossing the roads and even a fight between a lion and a lioness 15meters away from us. We saw a one week elephant so clumsy.. And so many other things. We loved it.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Nairobi National Park by Tracey Braun
For being so close to the city it is amazing. If you can’t get out in a safari this is the next best thing.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Tracey Braun
We spent the least time here. The highlight was seeing a baby rhino nursing.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Amboseli National Park by Tracey Braun
Because of the lushness of Amboseli because of our timing, lots of birds. Was saw lions our first 5 minutes in the park. We had come for the elephants and were not disappointed. We saw Kilimanjaro every day we were there and got amazing photos. Amboseli felt lik we had the place to ourselves.
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exellent safari!
See the detail article on my blog about this exellent safari: http://stazztravel.com/safari/ You can translate russian text with Google Translate)
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing - Bucket list checked. Unmissable experience
We were picked up at Joburg airport and the journey to Kruger is not short. We went on a 9 seat van that was ok, but the journey is very long and had 3 stops.
At last, we arrive at our lodge and there were hippos bathing in the lake in front and elephants around. There were so many animals... We were so excited that we forgot the long journey in 10 seconds. The swimming pool is essential in the lodge because the heat in the middle of the day is unbearable.
We did a sunset Safari and we saw lots of animals: Impalas, Zebras, Elephants, Rhinos and Hyenas and when it got dark we were the only ones in the road with 2 big flashlights searching for more animals.
In the next day our guide ask us for our expectation, and we ask to go look for the cats. He did it, we saw lions and even a leopard eating an impala and climbing a tree to eat it. It was amazing.
After lunch it was too hot and all the animals were hidden in the bush so I would recommend a morning and afternoon safari if possible instead of an all-day safari.
In the second day it was even more impressing with lions crossing the roads and even a fight between a lion and a lioness 15 meters away from us. We saw a one week elephant so clumsy.. And so many other things. We loved it.