US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The Absolute Worst
AVOID. HIDE. RUN. My 11 day solo Uganda tour blew up after 5 days – money issues. I found out (too late) that Bella had financial difficulties. I paid in full before the tour but they kept asking me for money during the tour. Beware of her and guide Robin coming back into the business under a different company name.
Internet: “www.bellaafricasafaris.com Mailscanner has detected fraud in the website at docs.google.com. Do not trust this website”. www.inspirock.com Bella ... # 78 of 102 in Wildlife in Kampala “www.tourhq.com ... Bella ... ranked # 39 of 47 tour groups in Kampala”
Before the Tour: My repeated emails were typically returned days late. I had to ask for receipts after monies were paid. A “must have” list never came. I emailed the lodges on the tour itinerary a week before it started. Only one lodge said they had a reservation under my name or Bella’s. I emailed Bella, and guide Robin responded that"all reservations are confirmed" (liar).
The Tour: Substitutions were made for all of the lodges listed on the itinerary. I was picked up late every morning at my lodge, once 3 hours late. Guide Robin said that the van had repairs done that day, but the driver told me in the afternoon that Robin spent the morning trying to get money. They asked me for money on the second day … difficulties in Bella getting money to Robin (lie). We spent an entire morning trying to get into Murchison NP - Robin with Bella on the phone tried to talk the person at the gate into letting us in. Finally I paid (and was never reimbursed). A joke. The van was given gasoline 6 gallons at a time – never filled. Bottled water was purchased one bottle at a time. The tour blew apart on day 5 in Kibale NP. Bella never paid for my Chimp Habitation permit (surprise!) – she asked me to pay the 200 USD fee. Nope. The game warden said I could go on the habitation if Bella got the money to him before I returned at the end of the day. I went on the habitation but no money came. When Guide Robin arrived to pick me up (I was the last person to be picked up out of 25 people) they kept him, fortunately letting me go back to the lodge with the driver. The warden kept Robin in jail for the night because of lack of payment. He was let out the next day. I heard later that they were thinking of keeping me in jail, too! The driver got disgusted with everything and drove his van home – he had never been paid anything by Bella and had been using some of his own money to buy gas. I stayed on one more day – the wonderful lodge manager got me a ride back to Entebbe (200 USD) and I stayed in Entebbe until my plane left 5 days later. Believe it or not Bella came out to Kibale NP and apologized – too little too late. She said I would be completely reimbursed for the tour (I’m still waiting on the money that won’t come !). Bella and Robin wanted me to continue the tour! I was genuinely concerned about my safety as well as being outraged with the tour. When I got back to Entebbe the lodge people and other guides told me about Bella and her money problems. They were angry with her for giving Uganda tourism a bad name. I could tell more. DO NOT GO NEAR!
The bottom line is that Bella let me fly 19 hours in the air to Uganda (and back home), pay 1500 USD roundtrip air, and pay her about 5000 USD in full for a trip that she knew that she could not pull off. As low as you can get. Would have liked to give zero stars. Amazingly, she still has her website online and on Safari Bookings.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing! What an incredible experience
From our first thoughts about booking to go to Kenya and all the questions that go along with it to a phone call from Daniel on our way to the airport to travel home it was clear he was knowledgeable, caring and eager to get it right for us.
Peter our driver couldn't do enough for us going out of his way to make sure we had the best experiences. He seemed so genuinely happy for us whenever we saw something special. Don't know how he did it but he even managed to get Kilimanjaro to reveal itself when we woke up on our first morning after it was completely covered when we arrived!
The accommodation was excellent with a mixture of tents and rooms. Sitting having a birthday dinner looking over the hotel waterhole watching 13 elephants along with an array of other animals was something special. Food was very good and especially so at our final stop Basecamp.
Overall an amazing experience and we would not hesitate to recommend Transtrek to anyone.
Thank you
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Passionate tour guide
The 5 days tour with Ali was literally breathtaking. He drove us through the most famous safari places telling us everything we want to know about animals and nature. With his simpaty, he transmitted us his passion.
Definitely a BIG YES!
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Gourmet camping safari in Kalahari
My boyfriend and I have had the best safari ever! 8 days in the Kalahari desert camping in Khutse and Kgalagadi national parks in Botswana.
So authentic, so adventurous, so out of the ordinary. Just us and the animals, stunning landscapes, amazing colors and the best company. We learned so much about the wildlife, about life in the desert, about the San tribe people. And we’ve had so many good laughs. Omg. Did I mention the food? In the middle of the bush but Bumhi safaris cook gourmet dishes on the fire served with matching wines. Cold gin tonics and snacks by the waterholes at sunsets. What can I say? Just go! This will be miles above your expectations.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
We joined the Africa Joy Tours for the Tanzania Safari 8 days trip in April 2019. We are so lucky to have Daniel as our driver guide that we saw the BIG FIVES and lots of other wildlife even in low season. He is friendly, cheerful, , dedicated, knowledgeable and most important he loves his job. With his sharp eyes he always find where the animals are and even all those beautiful birds. With his great knowledge of the wildlife, birds and everything in Tanzania, we have more understanding of this country. He gave us lots of time to take photos and watch the wildlife in leisure. We highly recommend Africa Joy tour and Daniel as excellent driver guide.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellency with puntuality n reliability plus family fun.
All were on Point. Am always excited to be their client atleast twice a year. Their know how, expirience, reliability, puntuality is on a high level. Every person from any age group, feels secure, safe n well catered for. My kids n entire Family loves u.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Superb organization, no fuss
From day one when I first contacted Darren I couldn't have asked for better service. All queries were answered quickly, all bookings made with ease. The safari booked was superb staying at Batonka Lodge in Vic Falls and Garden Lodge in Chobe. Both lodges were first rate for comfort, service, food and location. The falls were magnificent and the game drives excellent. I cannot find fault with any aspect of the trip. Top notch.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing, can't wait to go again! :)
We need to give HUGE thank you to Paul and Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris for this amazing experience for our honeymoon!
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing just like a king lion in the jungle
From communication just from day one was perfect ,from pick up to drop Rahim was our guide in the safari in the we show almost the big five , the lenchada camp was pretty awesome to me, the drop was done by julius and Dan thanks to Robert's team and karibu safaris family
GR
safari
Me and my Husband went on a 16 day Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls Safari. This was a great experience for us on our first time to Africa. Our First Country Namibia had the highlights of Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Etosha and Swakopmund, Secondly we did Botswana visiting Chobe, Okavango Delta and Moremi then Finally ending up at Victoria Falls. We enjoyed mostly the Game drives and Okavango Boatcruise. Thanks to our Guide Moses and Enrico's Team.