US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The BEST Safari Company and Best Experience (5 Day Best of Kruger Safari)
I recently took part in the 5-day/4night Best of Kruger Safari with Wild Wings for the FIFTH Time. Once again, I can’t think of enough good superlatives to describe my experience.
Please note all readers of this review. I am a highly experienced person of African safaris. I’ve made 16 safari trips to Africa, visited 13 nations, experienced all the the prominent game reserves, lesser-known reserves, and private reserves numerous times. I’ve lost count of how many game drives that I’ve participated in, and I have been with many safari guides. You name it, I’ve seen it - from the Great Migration (twice), elephant fights, elephant charges, lion kills, leopard kills, three cheetah chases, etc. African safaris are my passion in life. They never get old to me.
My BEST and most memorable safari experiences have occurred in the five safaris with Wild Wings. True, there is a lot of luck and being in the right place at the right time to see things.
As a person with an impressive African travel resume, I proudly proclaim that Wild Wings has the BEST safari guides (Frank and Simon) in ALL of Sub-Saharan Africa!
Frank was my guide on this safari. He personally told me he took this particular safari because I was on it. This will forever resonate in my heart. Frank understands and respects my passion more than anyone. I’ve done many safaris with Frank over the years.
Both Frank and Simon have the experience and amazing ability to anticipate where the prominent animals will be and/or will move. We (Wild Wings) always seemed to be first at the vast majority of sitings.
I recommend for people do the the 5 Day Best of Kruger Safari because you stay the first two nights in the park at Skukuza. The camp gates open earlier than the park gates. Most Kruger safaris start from lodges or pickup points outside the park. While we saw many amazing things - including a pride of 15-20 lions on this most recent safari, the other safari vehicles were just entering the park and making their way (some 30+ minutes) to the sighting, which was gone shortly after we got our photos and videos.
The same is true for nights 3 & 4 at Satara. The closest gate for other safari vehicles starting outside the park is Orpen - some 46km to the Satara area. We were out early and came upon another wonderful mass lion sighting before the Orpen gate even opened.
There are other numerous instances where many vehicles (particularly in the southern part of the park) were crowding to see something. Frank would position our vehicle in the anticipated path, just wait back a bit, and then tell us the animal would come our way, which it DID. He also knows when prominent animals are heading to the pans and water holes. We would get to these places (only our vehicle). Sure enough, just as Frank predicted, these animals would come.
I’ve been with Simon, and he is experienced like this as well.
As far as food on this safari, it is as good as the talented guides. I would say it is just as good if not better than any fancy safari lodge I’ve stayed.
When Simon is the guide, he does the cooking. All the meals were first-rate when I’ve been with him.
On my most recent trip with Frank, we had our own cook named John (Johnny). He prepared the most amazing South African cuisine dishes that were just delicious.
The office staff (Clare) has assisted me for the last three trips. She greatly helped arrange the itinerary which included transfers as well. Thank you again, Clare, for your efforts!
I highly recommend doing the 5 Day Best of Kruger Safari with Wild Wings. It’s affordable on any budget, but you get a great priceless experience. Remember that you will be in the park camps for four of the mornings - which will increase your chances of seeing some amazing sightings before everybody else!
Thank you again, Wild Wings!
Time for me to book another safari with Wild Wings!
Kevin Kramer
Fostoria, Ohio, USA
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The service was excellent!
great service and communication skills. we would love to travel again thanks everyone .Everything exceeded our expectations
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Convenient tour operator with affordable prices,High levels of professionalism and hospitality
High quality of service delivery,great communication skills between the operators and customers.
IT
Unforgettable experience
I did my climb of Kilimanjaro with e friend. The trip was perfectly organized and everything ran like clockwork. The guides were helpful and friendly and the trekking is the best I've had in my life.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Almost a Perfect Trip
I contacted Boundless Africa Journeys to set up a trip for three adult couples. We all communicated with Annette who was very prompt with replies and help. She handled all of our communications professionally. We were all quite hesitant to send deposits half way around the world, but everything worked out smoothly, as hoped. We did the 12-Day Kenya/Tanzania Safari, but we also wanted to add time in another park. The next day Annette sent us a new itinerary--all taken care of. She and our guide met us at the airport (they did a lot of waiting around for us) and shuttled us to our Nairobi hotel. We stayed an extra day in Nairobi to take advantage of Annette's free tour to see the baby elephants and feed the giraffes.
Our lodges, tents, food, and guides were terrific. As were our 4-wheel drive Land Rovers. We had our own vehicle and guide. We felt safe at all times while on safari. We also felt safe in the tents and followed the advise of the operators very closely! We loved the tents with the animals outside; quite luxurious. The lodging was so great and comfortable that on some days we asked our guides for shorter safaris so we could lounge about in the lodges. We saw a ton of animals every day and every day yielded something spectacular. The guides (Enoch and Lawrence) really went all out to show us the best of the parks we visited. They were very knowledgeable about the area and animals (and knew where to find them).
The border crossings were quite time consuming and the online visa applications were tedious and frustrating. A lot of time was spent waiting at park entrances, but as they say in Swahili (I think), "Pole, pole." Slowly, slowly.
This trip would have been absolutely excellent had Annette not forgotten to pay for two of the park entrance fees in Tanzania. We had to pay $1300 by credit card and it was a another time consuming process. We felt lucky to be able to enter the parks since it's standard to prepay. We also had to pay higher fees than Annette could have gotten by prepaying. Entrance to all the parks was part of our itinerary. So we expected Annette to reimburse us 100% of what we paid. AND SHE DID, but it took a month and a lot of anxiety on our part! It was an oversight on her part. It happens. It worked out just fine over all, and I would not hesitate to work with Annette and Boundless Africa Journeys for my next trip to Africa.
FI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Magnificent service!
I can't thank enough Janet who went to the moon and back for making our tour to fit our wishes! We did only over night tour at Masai Mara because of our tight budget and schedule. We had lots of questions and our plans kept on changing and still Janet could answer for all our requests and questions. She even arranged our bus from Kisumu to Kampala after our tour and drive with us from Nairobi to Kisumu to be sure we will reach there safe! And this all and more was with very reasonable and student friendly price.
Two days safari was too short, so if you are thinking about booking safari I recommend to book at least three days! And we sincerely recommend you to book your safari from Javiva, for Janet customers are like family and she treats customers with love and patience.
Thank you Janet for all you did for us!
AE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari in Africa with the best operator
We have finished our safari,We booked a 4 day safari in Kenya (Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara). The booking process was smooth, they answered the emails very quickly, adjusting to our requests. I must recommend paul the owner and the driver guide Harrison were the best people to work with. We had a great time in Lake Nakuru and even more in Maasai Mara where we were able to see the big five and more. I definitely recommend Africa Starpal Tours $ Safaris and I would choose them again if I go back to Kenya.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Value for 1-day Trip from Pretoria
Perfect and reliable pickup and dropoff in Pretoria
Have seen big4 of 5 in Pilanesberg, plus many more animals
Guides and Drivers were excellent
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Smooth and enjoyable
Communication with the team was seamless and smooth; they are very responsive and shared all the relevant details to ensure a great experience overall. Got to meet some lovely fellow travelers as well on the group safari. Would be very happy to use them again!
SE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
100% satisfied; cared for, informed, inspired and wanting to return
Joseph is top notch! He is a wonderful guide, providing and attending to all of the clients with information, great humor, kindness! He goes out of his way to see that the needs of his group are met in a gentle and effective way. He is a skillful listener. He is extremely trustworthy in all of the very facets of his being an excellent leader in Uganda. Highly recommended. I have arrived home a different person with enriching memories. Thank you so much!