65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Ker & Downey surpassed our high expectations with their attention to detail, selections, and service
I booked our group of 8 (6 of whom it was their first trip to Africa) with Lauren Barnard of Ker & Downey. I had originally sought quotes for our bespoke adventure from 3 well known tour operators. From the beginning, it was apparent that Ker & Downey was the only choice for us. Their reply to our request was timely, detailed and followed up with personal phone calls. I eliminated the other 2 tour operators within 48 hours. They worked with us every step of the way with camp selections in Thornybush (we eventually chose Saseka Tented Camp) and Sabi Sands (we chose the incomparable Cheetah Plains) in Kruger. Lauren also worked with our group in deciding to also visit Cape Town (stayed at the One and Only) and Hermanus (stayed at Birkenhead House) for the whale watching season as well as a trip to Victoria Falls for 4 of our group. The attention to detail in planning was the best I have ever encountered. From the VIP meet and greets at the airports to the best rooms/villas at all of our stops everything ran like clockwork. No request was too difficult for Lauren to fulfill. Her husband Wayne served as our tour guide during our 5 days in Cape Town and he was fantastic. Our group had no difficulties with communication as we had a WhatsApp group chat set up for us by Lauren before we even arrived. We also had personal phone numbers for everyone we needed from Ker & Downey. My group members are all well traveled successful people in their 60's and 70's and their final opinion was this was the trip of their lifetimes. Not only did we see the Big Five but we also saw wild dog packs and cheetahs which the guides call the Magnificent 7. We also saw hyenas chase a lioness away from her kill as well as a pride of lions having a successful hunt of a Cape buffalo. We had several leopard sightings with their prey hanging in the trees with them while hyenas circled below the trees. The whale watching in Hermanus was just as spectacular with frequent sightings not only from the boat but also from the patio of the Birkenhead House hotel. The guides/trackers in both camps were outstanding and worked very hard to make sure we saw as much as possible. We got all of this for several thousand dollars less than the other 2 tour operators had quoted us for the same itinerary.
We want to thank Ker & Downey as well as Lauren and Wayne for an unforgettable experience that was well worth the price. I can recommend them without hesitation.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic team for a fantastic honey moon
The safari trip was fantastic. Adam was great person and we had an amazing time in Tanzania.
The communication with Emma and Anna was always easy and efficient.
Thanks for making the honey moon unforgettable !!
We will definitely recommend adventure safari to our friends and relatives.
CZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Philip was very helpful, friendly, experienced. knew his way around, showed us some amazing places.
We saw so many amazing animals and places. Only one from big fuve we missed was leopard, so I take it as a success. We had a picknick out in the wilderness under acacia tree and we enjoyed it with marabu bird nearby. We also saw crocodiles in river Mara and hippos on several ocassions during the day.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Incredibly interesting, friendly and very flexible
I booked this tour alone so really wondered how it would develop.
Nsavi Tours made sure from the moment we met, (pick up was punctual), to the moment we parted, (me in tears), that every wish I had was fulfilled.
I was looked after so well, (although not needed), and cared for like a family member.
My guide and driver Jasper, went out of his way to make sure every detail of the tour was just perfect.
From the birthday cake, to returning to the falls, yet another game drive to look for lions, the hotsprings, every lake we drove past.
He listened to me and heard what I wanted to see and made it happen.
He is so knowledgable and knew an answer to all my questions, which were at least a thousand a day and drove constantly looking for motives for me to catch on the camera.
The result is over 7000 photos, a million memories and the desire to visit Uganda again as soon as possible.
Nsavi can be very proud of such an amazing guide, that makes all the difference in a tour.
I live and work in South Africa and know hundreds of guides, but Jasper is by far the best, I have ever met.
He is polite, consistent, careful, punctual and friendly.
Nsavi gave me the holiday of a life time and it was worth every cent and more!
Value for money? Definitely!
I couldn’t have asked for better lodges and the itinerary was full but covered all I wanted to see and do.
Will I be back? Definitely!
Will I book with Nsavi again? I’m sure.
Will I recommend Nsavi? Absolutely.
Keep up the good work, you guys rock!
LK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing and friendly Guide
Had the experience to use Nalanga Safaris for the Okavanga Delta safari.
We had an amazing time and the guide was very friendly.
Would definetly recommend Nalange Safaris whenever in Maun (Botswana)
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
With the organisation of Nature Responsible Safari Company we had an unforgetable time in Tansania
With Nature Responsible Safari Company we had an absolutly well organized and unforgetable time in Tansania, with the possiblity to visit a traditional market and the streets of Arusha, the most beautiful national parks and a stay at lake Victoria. Our guide Heriel drove us safely through the wild nature an showed us in his humorous manner so many animals, we would have never seen without him. He was also so patient in answering so many questions, thank you very much! The accomondations were just great (beautiful big rooms, clean, good food and really friendly service) and varied a lot, what we very much appreciated. The transfers we needed worked perfectly und we always could rely on the organisation of everything. Thank you all for those three weeks in Tansania, it was touching and just great!
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect and personal travel organization
Petra helped us organize a wonderful self-drive trip in Namibia and was available to us at any time during the trip. She is very helpful, personable and committed and knows the country and the accommodations very well. Thank you very much again, dear Petra, for your great support - we are already looking forward to our next Namibia adventure!
(automatic translation from German)
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kind and professional team who shared the big 5 and so much more with us on our 7 day safari!
Great team! Erick was really easy to communicate with and very responsive during planning. We were able to work with them to plan a camping safari in our budget - 7 days including Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorogoro, and Lake Manyara. Our guide Suleiman was kind, funny, and knowledgeable. He was always happy to answer our questions and showed us the big 5 and more. We saw more animals than we expected. Our chef Msafiri was top notch and had a great sense of humor. Would recommend this team for sure!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
He was very friendly and reliable
I got an excellent service for my holiday. Everything was seamless. The experience I got was definitely worth the money spent. I will definitely go back to the dealer for more adventures and getaways. Keep up the excellent work!
NZ
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The trip of a lifetime
It often feels a little risky doing business with an overseas company, especially if you don’t personally know anybody who has used them, but we were so pleased and relieved that we chose Nature Travel Namibia to make the arrangements for our trip to this amazing country. Our entire trip went smoothly and according to plan. If there were any hitches, we certainly weren’t aware of them. From the first email we sent to the last, Amber Lynne was professional, helpful and very prompt with her investigations on our behalf. She asked all the right questions of us (even when she knew it was going to lead to more work for her) and answered our questions as quickly as she could. She was a pleasure to deal with. We were very happy with the standard of the accommodation (mid-range), the vehicle (perfect for game viewing and in great condition) and, as you’ll read soon, our guide.
From our experience, travelling in Namibia with a private guide is the way to go. If you can scrape together the budget to do it this way, you won't regret it. The guide does all the hard work (and the driving, which is a big deal) and shoulders the stress while you get to sit back and simply enjoy your holiday. The guide knows where to find the best lookout points, the best places to eat (or just to have a stop) and the best game viewing spots. If they know what they are doing, they will quickly figure out your interests, point out the things they know you will want to see on your travels and tell you all sorts of interesting things along the way. Our guide was Joram, and he was great. Nothing we wanted to see or do was too much trouble for him and he was a crucial part of what made this trip so fantastic.
Our tour was based on the 11-day Classic Namibia (extended) safari on the Nature Travel Namibia website with a couple of extra days tagged on. We’d originally looked at the 8-day safari, but we were all pleased we decided on the longer one. The distances between places are vast, so to be able to spend a bit more time in each area is well worth it. We had read a warning about luggage being delayed going into Windhoek and that is exactly what happened to us (and several other people we spoke to). We had already decided to spend a day in Windhoek prior to starting our safari to get over our jet lag a bit, and when our luggage didn't arrive, we were very glad we did.
Namibia is a country I’d been wanting to go to for decades, so I had very high expectations. Well, this holiday exceeded those expectations. It honestly was the trip of a lifetime for our family of four adults, and Nature Travel Namibia deserves the credit for making it so. I can't recommend them highly enough.