50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Cardboard Box Travel exceeded our expectations
We used Allison at Cardboard Box to book and assist with planning of our self drive trip through Namibia. In the beginning we were just going to book Etosha National Park with the company, but Allison was such a wonderful help and wealth of information that we decided to book everything including extra tours and car hire through Cardboard Box.
Although we are pretty independent travellers, we found for Namibia it really paid off to use a local agency like Cardboard Box, for both experience and local knowledge, and unexpectedly also for assistance on the ground. We have visited Africa many times, but for various reasons, Namibia threw us a few new challenges, and Allisons advice, help and guidance was invaluable. She knew about all the accommodations and places we wanted to visit, and was happy to offer valuable and honest advice where we needed it during planning, even with some sensitive subjects.
During the trip when we had some car problems Allison along with others in the office helped us out enormously. A car breakdown in the middle of nowhere, with no phone service, was a stressful enough, but the CB team organised assistance with everything via the local Avis office, and a repair, then eventual vehicle replacement, which were all arranged by the next day.
I cannot stress highly enough how impressed we were with the service of Allison and the staff at Cardboard Box Travel, and would recommend them without hesitation.
Vicki and Rob
Gold Coast
Australia
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Serengeti National Park by Anh van Le
Not a lot of wildlife this time of the year...can't imagine what it will look like in the dry season with more than 2 millions wildebeasts and 800K zebras
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful opportunity to engage with the lemurs.
The Palmarium Reserve is a private reserve on the Pangalanes Canal, and it's like a little bit of paradise.
On what feels like a tropical island, we had private bungalows with a water view through the trees and daily visits from the lemurs. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, and were a very friendly and welcoming team. The facilities were all very clean and tidy, well suited to the environment, with good services. The range of food options at meal times were limited in choice, but made up for that in quality. Absolutely delicious!
You were free to explore the grounds at your leisure, there were lemurs, chameleons, birds and beautiful flora to be seen. The lemurs were quite accustomed to people, but not excessively so. This meant that they were comfortable to come close by and were happy for you to watch them. Sometimes they would even sit on your shoulder and accept a pat. It was an absolutely amazing experience to be so close to the lemurs without being on a time limit and in such a relaxed environment.
Visiting the Palmarium Reserve was a highlight from my Madagascan adventure and I would recommend it in a heart beat!
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Smooth and Stress-free adventure..Love it!
We selected e-trip Africa after reading all the excellent reviews and the different tour options they offered. I can't say enough about the owners Aurelie and Ben. From the day we contacted them to the day we left, everything went without a hitch. Our endless stream of questions were answered with detailed knowledge and numerous changes, requests were handled smoothly.
We arrived in Arusha and stayed at the Researcher Rest before and after embarking on an 8 days Safari. It is a very welcoming and comfortable home where we were offered wonderful home cooked meals. We finally met Aurelie and Ben who are westerners who have spent years in Africa, fully understand the land, the people and culture, and the game areas and animals as well as the expectations of their customers. They were fully equipped to provide knowledgeable, personalized advice as you plan and customize your dream safari. You will not be disappointed.
The next day we met Alladin, our driver and expert guide. His easy going, humble demeanor immediately reassured us that we were in good hands. The Safari trip was perfect and amazing! Everything exceeded our expectations. Words and photos can't do justice to what you will see and experience during the daily game drives because Aurelie and Alladin know exactly where to take you during this time of the year and what is best for their customers. The safari jeep was comfortable, equipped with electrical for charging and mini fridge for water. Alladin was clearly experienced, and knew where to find the animals. We saw all the big fives, and spotted many more large and small animals. He knows 99% of all the bird species we spotted. He will do his best to position the jeep such that you will have the best photoshoot in the perfect lighting situation. The accommodations (Tarangire Safari, Karatu Simba and Rhino lodges and Flycatcher Lagarja and Nieleze tented camps-really glamping) Aurelie selected were all terrific. You are so close to the wildlife and can even hear lions roar at night behind our tents. Hot showers every day and all the meals were provided and were delicious!!!
Our next stop was Zanzibar. Aurelie arranged for a walking tour of Stonetown to learn about its rich history (building made from local coral stone, intricately carved doors to show wealth, the slave trade eventually replaced by a spice trade). Again the accommodations selected were superb. Dhow Palace Hotel was owned by a wealthy merchant’s family for 3 centuries and a British naval officer lived there before it was turned into a gorgeous hotel. Our room overlooked an inner courtyard with a pool. You will feel transported to a magical place with its exotic furniture and mosquito nets. The Z hotel in Nungwi beach has the best beach for swimming, a fantastic pool and rooftop bar to watch the sunset.
There isn't enough I can say about this Safari Operator/Tour Company. I can assure you, you will be happy you used their services and did I say that the pricing structure was also very reasonable.
We had a completely enjoyable stress free one of a lifetime holiday and will definitely use e-trip Africa again for our next adventure.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Kruger National Park is fabulous - go!
Our safari to Kruger National Park with Wildwings Safari was fabulous. Kruger has amazing wildlife, the lions were fantastic, and the rhino! It was amazing to see the rhino in this beautiful landscape. We saw all of the Big 5 and enjoyed our game drives. The first day we were there the heat was incredible - dripping sweat by just breathing. But that night a cold front and rain came through and we spent the next two days enjoying the fleece lined ponchos provided by the tour company/guide. Our guide was obviously well connected within the guiding network, and thus we were able to see some amazing animals. Having been on safari in several other countries in Africa, I was amazed by the well maintained roads which made the safari very easy for getting around. Our accommodation in Skukuza Camp was basic but clean and private. The A/C worked well and there was plenty of hot water when needed. The food was tremendous, a great variety and full of flavor. The location of our cabin was overlooking the river and a no longer usable train bridge. It was a great location for the afternoon rests between game drives. Highlights included the four male lions just lounging on the road one early morning and the six rhino we saw though out our 3 day safari. Highly recommend!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Went beyond our expectations
I climbed with Bujo tours .The guide was patient and had great empathy for our team. We had great meals, he and the staff was great company, and we reached our goal of summiting Kilimanjaro. The guide English was great and he was very professional in checking our oxygen every night and really cared about the success of our climb. I highly recommend him and Bujo tours was an amazing experience.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing safari!
We were two Friends travelling in Tanzania. We arrived in Arusha and we had to organize our Safari. Bartho went to pick up us at the airport and organized everything for us for a good price!!! We had a 3 days safari and went to serenti and ngorongoro! 3 days was perfect, we had 2 night sleeping in tent what was quiet funny and surprising! We traveled with a guide and a cooker.
We saw all the animals we could in the savanah!!! Everything went very well and Bartho was really available for us and helped us for everything.
I strongly recommand wakanda tours for your safari!!
RU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Friendly
We do 2 trips with this company:
1. Kilimanjaro 6-11 of February
2. Safari 13-14 of February
“+”
Everything was nice and we did all our plans. Company solved all tasks and was very client-oriented. They have very good guides and drivers.
“-“
To my mind they should be more organized in details.
Amazing
Communication, travel, accommodate services are all good. I appreciate
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An epic and circular journey through Uganda
My 18 year old son and I went on a 17-day tailor-made trip with Buffalo Safari Camps, visiting Lake Bunyoni, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Mutanda, Queen Elizabeth Park, Murchison Falls NP, Kidepo Valley and Sipi Falls. We also visited the Ik and Karamoja tribes.
Rogers our guide is well-liked wherever he goes and has a pleasing personality, and most importantly, a good ethical stance in regards to the wildlife. He lingers long enough for you to have great looks and photos, but not so long that the animals are hindered by our presence. He has a lot of knowledge of both the wildlife and finding his way around the crazy, dusty, bumpy and largely unmarked roads. Halfway through our tour we started bush camping, and our cook - David - joined us. Great with flavors, he was also an amiable presence. I think they are both talented, intelligent and right-minded men.
I will be dreaming of giraffes, hippos, elephants and lions for many months to come. And all of the gorgeous people of Uganda.
