US
Perfect
Nothing can compare to having Paul with you on your journey. He planned our trips, but had he not been with us each step, we would have missed so much. He is as knowledgeable as your guide and anticipates your needs. BEYOND EXPECTATIONS.
CA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari with Ulinda Safari Trails!
My husband and I went on a 12-day safari in June 2018 with Jane. This was my first safari and an amazing experience. I was not expecting to see so much wildlife. We saw lots of elephants, so enjoyable to watch, beautiful birds, antelopes, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, hippos, buffalos… We had the chance to watch closely a leopard eating her breakfast in the morning light and several prides of lions, sometimes with cubs fooling around while adults were napping after a good feast. We were also quite lucky to see wild dogs on several occasions (twice seeing the end of an unsuccessful hunt), and honey badgers (one actually crossed our camp site one evening). Not to mention all the mongooses.
The staff did an amazing job, setting up the camp, cooking and doing everything to make sure we were comfortable. The food was plentiful and very good. We enjoyed the luxury camping, mats were comfortable and each tent had its own pit toilet. There is nothing like going outside in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and watch the Milky Way far from the lights of civilization! We also very much appreciated the closed vehicle during chilly mornings, while most of the vehicles from other tours are open.
Jane is a very experienced guide and she is very knowledgeable about the animals we saw. She gave us plenty of time to watch animals. She also has some pretty amazing stories to tell around the camp fire! We highly recommend a safari with Jane and her team!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Balule Nature Reserve by Jacqueline H.
Perfection. Everything was perfect.
Felt like a real adventure.
Madagascar had been on my list of countries to visit for several years. Those David Attenborough documentaries have a lot to answer for. I'm always slightly skeptical of visiting a country that has had good exposure on television; often it doesn't live up to expectations but this did, and more. When first landing in Antananarivo, a large sprawling city, it's hard to imagine the wildlife that you're likely to encounter on your travels around the country. We traveled, for the most part, as a group of sixteen in a minibus with a guide and a driver. During this time we saw rain forests, dry spiny forests, sandy beaches and national parks, each of which offered their own unique collections of wildlife.
We went in September and the weather was very pleasant. The east side of the country was a lot cooler than the west, requiring a fleece or light jacket in the evenings. Whereas the west side and middle of the country was warm enough for t-shirts and shorts. We didn't see any significant rain during this period, other than some light drizzle in the rain forest which you'd expect but this didn't spoil the exploration.
Seeing the wildlife is really what we were here for though and it didn't disappoint. We did several night walks where we were lucky enough to spot the tiny mouse lemurs, tree frogs and chameleons. The main attraction has to be the range of lemurs that you'll see. We saw beautiful indri, sifakas, bamboo lemurs and best of all we were surrounded by a family of ring-tailed lemurs at the Isalo National Park. Going in September is a good time if you still want to see the babies clinging confidently to their mums as they jump from one precarious branch to another.
The scenery we saw was as varied as the wildlife. Driving around the country it's clear how important rice is as a staple. There are paddy fields everywhere and often the mud from these is also used to make bricks, piles of which you can still see 'cooking' by the roadside in piles. Seeing Baobab Alley at sunset felt like a dream come true; the majestic trees, some of them hundreds of years old, casting long shadows into the desert and the setting sun painting everything in shades of orange and black. The Grand Tsingi was also a striking place, the stark limestone formations as sharp as needles and in stark contrast to the beautiful green backdrop. Traveling to the Tsingy and the Kirindy Dry Forest was fairly tough, the roads are rough dirt tracks traveled by 4x4 and there are two ferry crossings involved. The scenery is dramatic, but also extremely dusty and long so if you're suffering from a sensitive stomach make sure you stock up on Imodium. Our tour ended at Ifaty beach which was a good place to relax for a day or two after all the traveling. The beach is bordered by palm trees and due to the very low level of light pollution the views of the milky way glittering over the sea was absolutely spectacular.
A few tips for travelers. Take some mosquito spray for during the night and forest walks because the mossies are relentless. A good head torch is a must for spotting on the night walks also.
QA
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding natural beauty and the safari was led by excellent, knowledgeable drivers
All boss! Faultless, value for money.
Flexible and friendly staff. Nice small groups and a good pace
Happily recommending East Africa Tours to everyone. Ask for Simon or Francis, top gents!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truely breath taking
Everything about my trip was amazing. It was surreal being in the bush and seeing the wildlife. Food and accommadation was incredible. The weather was chilly but didn't bother me one bit. Everyone was extremely thoughtful and nice.
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Perfect Safari Planners
We just returned from the trip of a lifetime. It was perfect in every way. Nick and team planned everything down to the last detail and were always available for last minute changes. They matched us with a guide whose knowledge and skills were incomparable, ensured that we were booked into fabulous accommodation and that our visit to Namibia, Botswana and Capetown Region in SA, was filled with highlights every single day.
I have worked with other companies in the past and this company should be running courses on client service. We ended up wanting to invite the whole staff and guides to come home with us!
They helped us to set a realistic budget, and worked very hard on arranging accommodation given that we were booking relatively late for this type of trip. I hadn't mentioned about my dietary restrictions but as soon as they learned they made sure that every location was able to respond to my needs. From the very first contact I felt that this company would ensure we had a great experience and everyone worked hard to make sure that was the case.
We were thrilled to learn that the company will also help with planning a trip to other parts of Africa and that they have guided in Peru and Madagascar! I am saving up for my next trip with this company.
A word of advice to other travellers. Using Nature Travel Namibia and their guides is worth it. I will never try to figure it all out on my own again.
CL
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
evething worked fine and Kylie always very helpfull and attentive,
I think that this experience could not have been better. We were very lucky. We had and excellente guide, Kegan, always in good humor and attentive to follow the best spots to see all the animals. We saw the top 7 twice.
Although we had to get up very early every morning to be picked up at 5 am. it was very rewarded.
We heartly recomend it.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I cannot rate this operator highly enough. We experienced a piece of Africa that was amazing.
The entire safari was a life changing experience. I still smile when l think about our adventure. Tende and his team became like a family to us. They showed us the real Africa and we got to see the day to day lives of the people of Tanzania. The safaris were amazing and they explained everything so well that we really felt we were learning so much every day. All elements of the adventure exceeded my expectations. The food, the drinks and the locations of the tents were quite outstanding.
I am keen to look at other safaris in the future and especially the new route through Botswana. I have read about this area and l know Tende and his team will provide another amazing experience.
I could not recommend them highly enough. Do yourself a favour and let them show you Africa as it really is. They are 10 out of 10!!!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service, friendly staff, clean car, accommodation amazing and can't wait to go back!
AMAZING!
Amazing service from Alpha and his crew. The car was clean and well maintained. The guide knew everything about the 3 parks we went to, the animals and trivia. The service was amazing, the food was great and all the small details were looked after. We sat back and enjoyed all the amazing service, style and hospitality. So accommodation was the best I have ever had on safari and as a family we have been twice now. The accommodation was rated 4.8 stars, and it was so much more than 4.8 stars. The photos are amazing of the accommodation. Staff were excellent and loved our two kids.
Would use this service again when we go, no doubt in my mind!