FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Awesome tours but poor tour management !
I spent some awesome time when exploring Tanzania. I joined into 2 tours operated by Kili Slopes, Mt. Kilimanjaro tour and Serengeti NP tour.
Im giving only 3 stars because of poor tour management.
+ guides + other personnel were awesome
+ landscapes were memorable
+ tour programmes were cool
Kilimanjaro:
- As a tipping culture not being common in my country, i was totally surprised when i was asked to pay extra 350 USD after my tour as a tip for the guide and personnel. I wasn't given any information about this arrangement beforehand, which annoyed me a lot. Im not definitely denying the staff wouldn't deserve and need the tip usually given, but as me being the only tourist joining the tour and still asked to pay for the normal tipping sum made this situation absurd. Moreover, I imagined the staff being paid enough for a decent income, obviously not. As a compromise, i gave them 100 usd.
- Again, when discussing about the matter of tipping, I was given the feeling by the tour operator, that as a tourist (and a white person ??) I'm supposed to be rich and afford to give away random extra 350 USD ! Oh, I am surely a millionaire, but only in my dreams.
Serengeti:
- My Serengeti tour was awesome, but bit messy. Considering this tour too, i wasn't given enough information beforehand, again including the thing with tipping. Other customers were having some more information, like list of equipment needed, which i never had. What comes to both of my trips, i thought i was having all the information in needed. Well, I didn't (even though asking for every possible information needed couple of times).
- Overall 6 customers attending to this Serengeti tour, and every person was having a different tour program. It was obvious right from the beginning that it would be impossible to coordinate everything. This is why some ppl didn't get what they were looking for - but ill let them to write their reviews on their own behalf, if they wish to do so. ++Our awesome guide Jackson did his best trying to fix it all ! ++
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memorable.
A safari trip to Kenya and Tanzania had been in our bucket list for a long time. Wildebeest Safaris made our dream come true. We are a family of six, with two kids of age 12 and 15 years, from two different continents, who met at Africa and had a fantastic experience. Noah Kuti of Wildebeest Safaris helped us create an itinerary that will fit our wish to see various parks. I communicated with various companies simultaneously when I started planning our trip and Wildebeest provided an awesome itinerary that is more reasonably priced compared to other agencies. It has been a pleasure to communicate with Noah. He was very prompt to answer our questions about various issues regarding our trip. We have been to Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, Tarangire, and Amboseli. Our guides Tim, Ayubu, and Jeff developed good rapport with us immediately. They are very knowledgeable, friendly and caring. Each of them worked tirelessly for long hours to give us the best experience possible in the shortest time. We have seen the big five; over 50 lions in a span of 10 days. Seeing wildebeest migration in northern Serengeti and a lion killing a wildebeest in Masai Mara are the highlights of our tour. Sometimes we waited for hours as drama unfolded in the forests and experienced wildlife in ways that reminded us of documentaries we watch on the National Geographic. We chose to be on the roads about 12 hours a day on many days to make the best use of our time. The accommodations arranged by Wildebeest were comfortable to help us rejuvenate for the next day. The staff at all locations were courteous and provided great service. Our trip was hectic for sure, but it was absolutely worth it. We are thankful to Wildebeest Safaris for an experience of a lifetime at a price we could afford.
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good service, excellent drivers, fantastic hotels!!
We booked a private 6 day safari started in Nairobi and ending in Moshi. Afrishare Trekking Safaris were always prompt to reply whenever we had questions and throughout the safari we had no issues whatsoever.
Hotels booked were really good - much needed after the game drives. Drivers both in Kenya and Tanzania were excellent who did their very best so we would see everything we wished for. Both also very careful drivers. Our van broke down on our way to Isebania border and our driver made prompt arrangements so that we proceed with out route without any faults in our itinerary.
It was a very positive experience and would recommend it to anyone.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, knowledgeable and perfectly organised safari operator.
We had booked a 5 day safari with Benson and had a fantastic time.
Our driver/ guide was very knowledgeable, lots of fun, punctual and in one word fantastic. As you are spending so much time with your guide, it is important there is a click and you have someone who can adapt to all kinds of situations and people. We certainly were not disappointed in that area.
The whole family (+5) was actually sad saying goodbye to him.
The entire booking process with Benson has also been a pleasure, they are very responsive, helpful and professional.
To than find that their professionalism is also replicated in real life was a relief, the entire safari tour was flawless and extremely well organised.
We would certainly recommend Benson if you are seeking the right partner to organise your safari in Tanzania.
HK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safe and reponsible tour company
efficient work and can help to solve problems when accidenet happens during tour.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari!
My friends and I arranged our safari through Bluerange Connect Limited. We had an amazing time with our guide, Monsieur. He worked really hard to assure that we saw all of the animals we hoped to see and succeeded! He also provided great education on the animals, the Masai tribe and Kenya in general. He was the highlight of our trip! Pro tip - Bring soft bags, like a backpack or duffel. The safari car couldn't accommodate suitcases.
The accommodations weren't the greatest but they're doable as long as your aren't used to super fancy places. This really is a budget/mid-range safari. I'm a picky eater and wasn't the biggest fan of the food, but if you aren't picky I'm sure the food isn't half bad.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful trip, brilliantly organised, could not give a stronger recommendation
This is the second African trip I have had organised by Cuan McLaren of African Ubuntu Safaris, both have been beyond perfect and I can't wait to go again!
From the very early "tyre kicking" stage, through the planning and eventual trip I was so impressed with Cuan's diligence, advice and attention to detail. Both trips were seamless and went without a hitch. All of our transport and connections were so hassle free - wherever we went there was someone waiting to pick us up and greet us.
The camps Cuan recommended were prefect for our requirements - totally fitting "the brief".
In planning stage Cuan's communication was always efficient and informative.
I'm so grateful for all of the work Cuan put in to making our trips so much fun, easy and wonderful - I can't give a higher recommendation.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Southern Africa Adventure
We had an idea around a a southern African adventure. Cuan helped turn that into reality with superb locations across Botswana and Zambia. The wildlife we saw was amazing as were the lodges. Service was brilliant. The while trip ran really smoothly other than Qantas who lost some bags when we returned home. they arrived 48 hour later. Happy to recommend Ubuntu. Will be using again when we next do an Africa Adventure.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
AVOID MOONSTROLL VANTAGE. Our family had a poor experience.
From the beginning the Moonstroll communication was poor so I wish I had cancelled. We did a 5-day, 4-night camping safari but cut it short by a day and asked them to just take us to Chobe to a hotel.
We had a late start in the morning, no breakfast at the Staymore Hotel which was booked through Moonstroll and a freezing cold ride with no blankets in safari truck. No lunch that day except for what we had purchased.
The worst part was no satellite phone for the guide (who was excellent and tried to manage Moonstroll’s sloppy planning )our truck with supplies, tents, food, etc. broke
down and we had no way of knowing where they were. We were at a campsite in Savuti with nothing , just by a fire until our guide found another camp for us and we felt like refugees. The sun was setting. We had just spotted a leopard and there I was, a grandma with my family and my dream Safari a nightmare. They did finally show up and set things up quickly but the horrible
insecurity made me sick. We had to loan money to the guide for some fees, very unprofessional. Moonstroll had not told our guide we had paid for Mekoro canoe trip and he had to hastily fit it in, and it was also done as the sun was setting.
Fortunately we did have an excellent guide who did his best and tried to make us feel secure but being in the bush like this, even for a short time, was horrible. The food was great and the tents, etc very nice.
I did send an email to Monametsi after the safari several times and got no response. As I said, do not use this company and I wonder if safaribookings even vets the companies they recommend. This was my fifth safari and I wanted to have an unforgettable outing, paid for by me. My family could not believe I chose Moonstroll. Thankful for Gibson, our wonderful guide who was very stressed out.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An Amazing experience of NOTE!! WOW, WOW, WOW !!
Where do I start? We stayed at the Maun Cresta hotel. stunning verby !! comfortable rooms and friendly staff. the food was excellent!! Yum yum.
Mark was our tour guide and what a nice guy. he fetched us at 07:10 the Sunday morning. We were running late and he was patiently waiting for us. The drive to the Okavango was an epic one. A cold morning, but Mark made sure we were covered by providing us with blankets to keep us warm.
When we got there, it was a picture perfect setting!! Our guide on the Delta was Matthew. a great guy, very knowledgeable, and well spoken. the weather was perfect.
OMW what an experience on a Mokoro. it felt so save and so relaxing. the ladies that steered the canoe did it with so much grace and style. loved every minute of it !! we got to see Hippo's, elephants, giraffe's, some beautiful birdlife and flowers. all of this was the highlight of my trip. I was on the Okavango Delta with a Mokoro!! say what??? YES, with a Mokoro, can you believe it ! an experience of a lifetime. Memories for LIFE!!
