DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once in a lifetime experience
We’ve had a once in a lifetime experience with Gilmag Safaris. We made a tailor made roundtrip through Kenya and Tanzania, starting with private safaris in Masai Mara, through the Northern and Central Serengeti, the Tarangire and the Amboseli National Park. Heading back to Nairobi we flew into Mombasa to end our trip with 5 nights at Nyali beach. This trip was just amazing, we enjoyed every second and we will never forget this adventure:-)
We chose a travel schedule as a basic but had some individual wishes so we reached out to Gilmag for an individual schedule. Mary was just awesome in tailoring our itinerary and she arranged literally every detail for our trip.
Our Kenyan guide Francis picked us up at Nairobi airport and guided us through Masai Mara. A beautiful time and a great start into our tour. We stayed at Masai Mara Sopa Lodge.
After 3 days Francis took us to the boarder where our Tanzanian guide and friend Gilbert had already been waiting for us. We went to the Mara river, stayed two days at the Northern Serengeti and another two days at Central Serengeti. We stayed at the Mbugani Camps which was just amazing! Afterwards we stayed two days at Tarangire NP (Tarangire Simba Lodge) before we immigrated back to Kenya. We completed our safari with one more night at Amboseli Sopa Lodge where we said goodbye to Tanzania with a beautiful view to Kilimanjaro.
Out safaris were really breathtaking, unforgettable and simply perfect. We’ve been to Africa 4 times before so our expectations were certainly high, but we can say that Gilmag managed to exceed our expectations by far. The great migration, bid herds of lions including lots of cups, several leopards even with cups, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles and even a rhino, Gilbert spotted all of these animals and offered us sceneries which were fantastic. We had a great time, a lot of adventure, fun and unforgettable memories.
After safari we went to Voyager Hotel at Nyali beach where we relaxed for some days. We went from Nairobi to Mombasa by plane and even the transfer to our hotel had been perfectly arranged by Gilmag.
With Gilmag you’ll find a local provider who offers individual and private tours according to your requirements. You will be closer to wildlife than you’ve probably been before, but due to experienced guides you will always feel very safe and secure. You will find lovely management, fantastic service and if you are lucky and have Gilbert as a guide you will have the best guide in the Serengeti.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A 'not be missed' experience with a best in class guide
My retirement gift to myself of a safari holiday involved much research on guiding companies before I tentatively approached Shaun at Moriti. Any possible doubts were swiftly dispelled by fast, friendly and helpful responses to all questions (no matter how trivial). Albeit a small, essentially one-man, operation Shaun covers all the bases and every aspect of the trip: travel, accommodation, meals and guiding, was covered impeccably. I find it hard to come up with words to describe how much Shaun added to the enjoyment of the trip: a polite, funny, helpful guy with quite exceptional knowledge of the history, environment and wildlife in which he operates and great relationships with the lodge operators, chef and guides that assist him. Maybe we were lucky but we saw a vast range of mammals, reptiles and birds and also learned a great deal about them; I truly believe much of this enjoyment was as a result of having Shaun at hand.
Our trip covered time in both the Kruger National Park and the Klaserie Private Reserve. There is a world of a difference between the Kruger National Park (fantastic wildlife but at time a lot of tourist traffic) and a private reserve (again, fantastic wildlife but with splendid isolation and more tracking required to spot the animals which exist in perhaps a more natural setting). Be sure to discuss your requirements and expectations with Moriti before booking.
Similarly, our chef Lyndsey, produced wonderful meals but be sure to cover off on any dietary requirements (as we did) in advance. And don't pack too much as shorts are sufficient all the time (and maybe some insect repellent).
This was supposed to be a once-in-a lifetime trip but the best review and summing up is to say that we are already wondering when we can go on another trip with Moriti.
My Pilanseberg Safari
This was my first safari and memorable experience for me. Everything was well organised, and the trip went smooth. Camping made this trip even more fun for me. Our guide Thabo was great at setting up camp, preparing meals and entertaining us.
We were all really excited when we set off in a 15-seater open side vehicle, bumping and bouncing into the wild. Guides were in radio communication, so good sightings could be quickly relayed. One can see many animals on TV wild life channels but that does not compare with the real thing – These close encounters are the real thing. For example when suddenly stopped and came face to face with an inquisitive giraffe looming over the trees.
Then moving on an elephant, lumbering lazily out of the bush, in front of the truck and its wrinkly backside disappearing again. Coming out of winter and after ravaging fire, the park was dry and dusty. The landscape was dotted with shrubs and scarred trees. Guides telling Interesting facts and tales of animals to awe-struck visitors.
Stocky Warthogs, zebra flicking their tales gracefully impala, kudus and wildebeest were showing themselves. Suddenly the guide stepped on the petrol and drove to a nearby thicket of trees, in the shade a male lion licking and loving its mate! Cell phones and cameras clicked, and binoculars went to the eyes! The park boasts of several dams and here we saw plenty: Elephants, buck, zebra. In the distance 6 hippo looking rocks. Later we saw rhino and learnt about the difference between white and black rhino - surprisingly nothing to do with color. Sadly the rhino is under threat due to evil poaching.
When we arrived back at camp, we enjoyed sharing stories around the camp fire. To me this was camping at its best. In conclusion I can say for those who like the outdoor and a Pilanesberg Camping is a great option. And I am glad I booked with Safari With Us. Everything was well organized, and we had fantastic time made even better by personable guides.
US
Ngorongoro Crater is the best pace for viewing wildlife.
We had a great time in Ngorongoro Crater. Animals are naturally confined in the crater, 10 miles in circumference. They can get in and out, but most choose to stay. Tourists are in trucks circulating on dirt roads. So many different animals: lions, zebras, wildebeast, cape buffalo, hyenas, jackels, hippos, rhinos. ostrich. All doing their thing mostly ignoring the watchers in the trucks. We felt like we were in a cage watching the animals roam free. We saw hippos in a pool; pride of lions eating a cape buffalo encircled by a ring of jackels and a ring of hyenas; lions chasing buffalo and then being chased by the buffalo. Weather was OK. It rained briefly and the washes filled up. Then it stopped raining and the sun was out again. We stayed in Sanctuary Camp in the crater. Great experience to be in a tent with amenities and close enough to the crater to hear the animals at night. Not necessary for enjoyment of the crater though. Even a day trip from Arusha to the crater would be worth it to see this beautiful place. Our guide was excellent. He knew all the animals and most of the birds we saw. Good at spotting animals at a distance. Knew exactly where to go and when to be there for best animal viewing.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Chris
It exceeded expectations in every way. Animal viewing was everything we hoped for and more. We would have loved to stay 2 more days. If you're going to the Mara, plan on at least 2 FULL days, perhaps 3.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Lake Nakuru National Park by Chris
A very diverse park from Masai Mara. We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, and it was much quieter (less vans/trucks around "big" animals)
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by Jane
Saw loads and camping was a real adventure!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
LT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Masai Mara National Reserve by Dalia Miklaseviciute
the largest variety of animals