HK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Take care clients very well in all aspects.
Hannah of Trevaron Tours is my good partner, very nice, friendly and responsible. The Nairobe Airport is on fire on the day we depart, we could not fly and we did not know when we could fly, Hannah can handle the sudden change immediately such that we could minimize the influence and continued with our tour. The driver guide was excellent and experienced, we enjoyed every trip in Kenya with great satisfactions.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Hwange National Park by David from Kalamazoo
[see my main review]
US
Was peaceful and tranquil, few visitors where we were allowing us to animal watch in peace.
We drove ourselves, no guide. We planned the whole day to be close to the river not far from the entrance of Ndabaka Gate (West gate). We wanted to relax and observe and not spend the day driving and trying to "max out". We try to observe a little thoroughly instead of a lot superficially. We saw lions on a kill, hippos playing in the river, and watched crocodile cruise the River while we ate lunch. On the way out we parked for on the road for more than a half hour watching elephants destroy a tree close to us. No traffic disturbed us. The grass was tall making viewing of some animals difficult. We saw plenty in spite of that and had a nice day. Everyone we met (park employees, guides, visitors) were friendly and we shared information readily.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really exciting, surprisingly comfortable and very friendly experience
We went for safari for three days. The trip was very well organised by Wildness Safari and we were particularly grateful to our driver (Mike) who was both knowledgeable and tried his very best to accommodate all our requests. The journey to Sealous was long (7 hours) but interesting as we were familiarising ourselves with very different scenery). The accommodation, at Sealous Jimbiza Camp, was excellent: very comfortable and the food was very good. The team there was very friendly! This is definitely an experience we would recommend to our friends, the only thing we would do differently is allow more time on the return leg (stay another day in Dar-es-Salaam rather than try to catch a flight to Zanzibar).
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic 7 days safari with Afrika suset safari
Our family of five had a wonderful 7 days safari in Kenya with Afrika suset safari. Our guide Paul was superb. Very dedicated and full of nowledge. He went the extra mile so that we could expiriense all the big five. We got to see a lot of wildlife and a lot more varity of landscape even that expected. The accommodation and food was great and of a hig standard. We will higly recomend the trip to anyone and would love to do it again in the future.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bush camps in Hwange National Park were everything I'd hoped for
I spent four days at two bush camps--Camp Hwange and Hwange Bush Camp, two nights at each. They were both extremely well-run
and had excellent guides. These are small-group experiences. Each accommodates only about a dozen guests at a time. Some of my
days I was the only guest. The most other people that joined me on any vehicle or walking safari was a family of four. Our guides were
exceptional. Twice, once at each camp, we were led on foot to close encounters with elephants from a safe vantage point. One brought
us to within 10 feet of one. We saw lion cubs, a male lion, and three females at Hwange Bush Camp. I saw a serval cat on a night safari at
Camp Hwange. I wrote down all the other species we saw, and there were more than 20. The food at each camp was virtually the same, and very high-end. The weather throughout was mostly sunny and dry.
Each camp is about 4-1/2 hours by good van and safari "jeep" from Victoria Falls, so you feel well away from everything. I couldn't have been more pleased.
Now, as to Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe generally: Bring all of the cash that you will need in small-denomination U.S. dollars. Don't use your cards in any ATM machines. Most hotels and restaurants accept U.S. credit cards. The ticket office at the Falls will give you change in U.S. dollars; but any other place you spend U.S. dollars you will probably get change in local bond coins, which are useless to us--which is the reason you want small denominations--1s and 5s are best.
I also visited Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, and found it a very comfortable city. Once you solve the money problem, it's a great place to visit. People are very friendly.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Specialour
Our driver Sula was exceptionally good, very fun, very knowledgeable, went out of his way to make sure we had a great experience. We felt like he was part of our family.
Jesse Tom, the owner of lifetime experience was very organized and responsive. He took care of many special requests and even had to change
The dates of our trip without any problems. When
Our flight was delayed he came himself to the airport to pick us up
Great trip at a very good price. If we come again we will definitely use lifetime safari again and ask for Sula as our driver
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Update o n my previous review
I wrote earlier about the very unpleasant safari experience we had with Solaris that finished at the end of June, and the fact that they owed us over US$2,000 at the end of the safari. This week (a month later)I received a refund of the actual money I had paid to get into the Tanzanian parks, all of which were supposedly included in the itinerary. I was surprised and glad to receive this refund. I believe the fact that I received the refund had everything to do with our negative reviews here on SafariBookings and on TripAdviser, and my complaint to the Kenyan Tourism Regulatory Authority. Solaris then requested I take down my negative reviews.
However, receiving this refund back does not alter the fact that our safari with Solaris was a horrible and extremely stressful experience, and one which I hope others can learn from. It does not change the fact that our accommodation was downgraded from that shown on the itinerary at least half the time, and it does not change the fact that the vehicle allocated to us in Kenya was not the 4wd promised by the itinerary, causing us to spend at least one day extra on roads instead of in parks, and the driver in Kenya shouldn't have had a licence, let alone be allowed to drive with passengers. I told Solaris all this when I responded to their email and refund.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
I wish I could have given it a 10 Star!!
My grandson,Peter,and I went on a 16 day trip with Kanyezi Safari! I am slightly handicapped and I was helped every step of the way by “Doc” and “Sheldon” our spotter and guide and Chris and Michael, our hosts. I get tired sometimes in hearing someone say “it was the trip of a lifetime”. This was the trip of about 3 lifetimes. Our every need and request was pleasantly granted. Naturally the 8 safaries which we were most looking forward to fulfilled our greatest expectations! We saw all the Big Five many times and many other animals and birds. The animals on safari walked so close to our open Jeep we could have reached out and touched them. (Of course we did not.). We followed our spotter and guides directions and thus there was never a time we were fearful. Sabi Sabi Lodge is fantastic! The food, the people and the outdoor atmosphere. Cape Town and Table Top Mountain —-Magnificent.
There were so many surprise treats added to the trip that we knew nothing about beforehand. I could write a book! I’ve gone on long enough. Kanyezi Safaries is welcome to give my email or phone number to anybody that wants a referral! You might be interested to know that this 78 year old lady is redecorating her wall with pictures Peter took on our trip. Thanks to all who made this a 10 star trip of 3 lifetimes!
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing adventure and honeymoon with Tanzania Explorer!
When we first got in contact with Tanzania Explorer we told them to book our trip as a honeymoon, Safari and then the white beaches of Zanzibar. When we later emailed our contact Christine ,and told her that it actually would be a honeymoon they really surprised us. The crew organised transport to the Norwegian embassy and an amazing (!) dinner at the villa before we left for our safari. The head of the villa Sawadi escorted us to the embassy and helped us take our picture during our wedding. We could not have a better day, or wedding!
We went on safari for 8 days with the best guide, Davis! When we left for Zanzibar we actually debated if it was normal to miss the company of our guide this much. He is extremely knowledgable when it comes to both animals, the regions, politics and culture. As well, as having a good sense of humour! If we ever are so lucky to return, we would book him in a heartbeat! We asked if it was possible to watch the semi-finals (World cup 2018), and he arranged so that we were able to watch it at one of the villages close to the lodge.
At the recommendation of Tanzania Explorer we went for the southern circuit; Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha. Not only was the lodges, animal life and landscape amazing, but you really felt that you were alone at the safari, it was a truly afantastic experience (especially as newly-weds). The accommodation was excellent, as well as the food. We had a good variety when it comes to the safari, "mini serengeti", the rainforest with lots of monkeys and beautiful landscape, and game drive in Ruaha national park (which has to be the most beautiful sight in Tanzania?).
When we arrived in Zanzibar we were two days in Emerson Spice at the recommandation of Tanzania Explorer and after 8 days in the "bush" this luxury hotel was just what we needed. The food, service and room was over-the-top. A wonderful way and start to a Zanzibarian-adventure. During our stay we were checked up by their guide Banja in Zanzibar to check if we needed something (book a trip etc), and if everything was okay. If you needed something you always felt it was okay to contact the TE crew!
If you are in doubt on what agency to use for your safari I would look no further. I think we contacted three different ones, but we had an instant feeling when communicating with Christine that this was the right pick for us. Everything went according to plan and beyond expectation. We received frequent emails from the TE crew updating us on our journey beforehand , and before we left the country they called to discuss everything, and answer any questions we might have had. I have never felt so safe on a trip! We have all ready recommend this agency to all our friends and colleagues, and we would absolutely use TE again!