CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Safari in Tanzania
My husband and I went on safari to celebrate our tenth anniversary. We went on a 6 day safari with Kilimanjaro Wonders Expedition Safaris and had the best time of our lives. The tour operator took care of our every need and saw to it that all our demands were met.
With the amazing help of our guide, Goodluck, we explored the Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti where we saw all the animals that we had hoped to see. We also visited the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes that have very fascinating approaches to life.
We had so much fun on the trip that it was sad to say goodbye. We had bonded with Goodluck.
I recommend this company with five stars!
ID
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We will be back
The whole thing was amazing, since the booking process, and corresponding. Karanja was very responsive and fairly flexible in the way he accommodate our request regarding, scheduling, wildlife interests, photography questions.
Masai Maara in general is Amazing and I think i can write all the superlative words here to describe how great it was. We practically seen and photograph what we wanted to see there and more !
Our guide george was very very knowledgeable about the region, areas and animal behaviour that he really helped maximise our chance in getting a great pics of the animals.
To spend the last part our trip between baringo, bogoria, Nakuru and Naivasha was great, as our bird photography days was quite relaxing after 7 full of action days in Masai Maara. Our guide James was also great with good knowledge about birds and animal around these parts and very attentive to our need. (I was a bit sick for a couple of days). I also would like to mention a special praise for Karanja and his team, as we REALLY appreciate when he offered to have one free bonus trip of photo hunting of the African Fish Eagle in Lake Naivasha, as we did not see them when we where in Baringo. I know they mentioned this was because we cancelled our morning drive to Lake Bogoria, but ultimately because it was our decision, he did not have to do this. The fact that he did anyway we really appreciate it !
So there, Thank you again for this.
All in all, it was an amazing experience for our first trip to africa, and we are glad that we choose 'Features Africa Journey' , now we are sure we will come back, and we know we will be in a very capable hands.
Thank you Karanja and Features Africa Journey.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari with problems
We did a 7 (8) day safari on Wild Root. The track and the accommodations were put together in advance by Wild Root and offered as a finished trip.
Overall, it was a nice safari, but there were three serious problems from my point of view.
1. Booking the accommodations for the wrong month
When we arrived after our first day of safari at the first TWC accomodation booked by Wild Root, we were told after a long wait that the accomodation was overbooked. All other accommodations on our safari belonging to the TWC group are booked for the wrong month. We were then taken that same evening to another (45 minutes) away TWC accommodation that was still vacant in the room. This of course was not the class of our booking and at the actual accommodation included morning guided hike to Lake Manyara we also could not attend. In addition, we did not know at this time if and how our safari goes on at all, which absolutely destroys a relaxing holiday! To top it off, there were problems with the Rangers the next morning because we were not registered for the passage to the property. After much discussion with our rangers about the ranger, we had to turn around and return to the accommodation, where we had to pay another 64 dollars out of our own pocket to drive the way. After over an hour, we finally went on with the safari. The $ 64 did not matter, I was much more annoyed by the renewed stress and lost time. We paid almost 1,000 a day for the safari, so I expect that such problems will not occur.
2. Planning error
Another of my serious and avoidable mistakes was planning the location of one of the accommodations. For two days of safari the Mara River Crossing was scheduled. For this one must necessarily drive north to the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti. Man then waits at the river for a possible crossing by the animals waiting on the other side. Unfortunately we had to leave our position early because our accommodation (Lobo Lodge) was 3 hours drive from the Mara River. So we went when others arrived. From our oncoming drivers, our driver was asked several times, why we leave the river already. The next day we have renounced a return trip to the Mara, because then a total of 6 hours drive to the relatively short time at the Mara are out of proportion. I do not understand why no accommodation was chosen near the Mara. In my view, a planning error that you could have avoided. In addition, the immigration had left the area Lobo and accordingly were found few animals.
3. Unreliability and dangerous ride to the airport
At the end of the safari actually (so it was planned from the beginning) a final meeting with the leader Phil in Arusha should be done. Since our jeep was no longer safe driving, because this lost brake fluid due to a defect, the car should be replaced for the trip to the airport (about 1 hour). Unfortunately, Phil did not show up at the rendezvous, as agreed with our driver and us. We waited about 30 minutes for Phil who did not show up, then had to go to the airport with the broken Jeep not to miss our flight. Not to appear to the meeting is one thing, not to put us a replacement car and so to force our driver to continue the ride on a train with braking problems is in my view an absolute "no-go"!
I will book another company for the next safari and in my experience would not recommend Wild - Root.
DK
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good until the last two days
KWSS' website is down and others write the phones are not answered. I guess they're out of business.
Our safari began on the 16th of July and ended the 28th. We had paid the full amount in advance.
After a visit to KWSS' office (O.T. gave a briefing) and we left for Samburu NR.
Zachary, our guide, was very, very good. Amazing wildlife spotting, service-minded, flexible and professional.
From Samburu to Nakuru, Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Tsavo West and East.
The minibus broke down the last full day. We had trouble teaching KWSS (did not pick up phone on any number, incl emergency no.), but finally, the minibus and guide were rescued and we were allowed to stay at the Man Eaters lodge where someone had brought us (rescued from the broken down bus). We did realize that there was no reservation at the promised lodge (Voi Wildlife Lodge) and even the emergency number wasn't picked up. Communication during July (before departure) wasn't that great too.
We did finally got hold of KWSS and they provided us with another guide and bus as the minibus could not be repaired. We arrived at the airport and caught our plane back home.
But after all, we were VERY lucky. I guess they closed down right after. A lot of people write SCAM, FRAUD - I think they ran into a liquidity problem. Many had paid in advance (full or 50%) and that money was used on 'something' rather than lodges and park fee etc.
The guide made our trip and I would have given 4 stars, but I don't won't to lead anyone on to believe there nothing wrong with KWSS.
DE
35-50 years of age
Totally unreliable, very bad communication
It was really bad, they didn't answer. We can't do the tour, because they didn't pick up us, the car was in service. They said we can also do the tour a day later or do it only 2 days, but we booked 3 days.
That's no way!
BA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great 5 day Safari in Tanzania
This year we had the most incredible vacation in Tanzania. We went there on a 6 day private safari with Vervet Safari and Tours to visit the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater national parks. The whole trip was a wonderful adventure, starting from the booking, the safari, to the trip back home. Vervet Safari and Tours worked hard to ensure we had the most amazing experience of our lives.
Our guide Richard was very punctual; he welcomed us in a very warm and friendly manner. Richard introduced himself and told us a lot of things about himself. I learnt that he had been a guide for more than 10 years. He showed us hundreds of different animals. I discovered that he was very knowledgeable when he started giving us facts about each animal that we encountered. He was also very patient with us when we insisted on taking a load of pictures with every animal we saw.
I almost forgot to thank Vervet for booking us in amazing camps and lodges where we spent our evenings after the day game drives. They were very comfortable and beautiful places to rest
Vervet has given us an unforgettable experience
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrific
The safari was everything I hoped for, an experience not to miss
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
amazing safari
The trip was very well organized and it lived up to our expectations!
Savannah explorers gave us a lot of important hints about destinations and accomodations.
The guide was very professional and communicative and we felt a very huge emotion seeing wild animals and impressive nature.
It was really spectacular to meet local tribes.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
reliable and professional
The holder Marc , was very professional and reliable , he was always present both for departures and arrivals , and his driver too.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
exciting 6 days safari to Serengeti,Ngorongoro,Manyara and Tarangire Np
We,two couples from Swiss, had a great time .Our safari was very good and exciting.The router our journey and overnight lodges were well chosen and arranged.Well kept places with African flavor and International cooking.
We must mention the excellency of our guide.He was always charming and providing information on the safari on every National park.He was a good listener and full of knowledge that impressed us.
Bujo and the whole team was good and perfectly on time.We had no doubts about this company and it turned out that we had an exciting safari.I highly recommend this company for safari