20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great time with Josana Tours
Great value for money on this tour. Most of the other tours I saw were quite a bit more expensive. Joseph was great at helping us at getting everything organized and helped us when we wanted to move the safari forward one day at the last moment. The lodging and food was all very good and we saw lots of animals. There were a couple of days where the organization could have been improved (e.g. waiting for other members to join our group or do the lake tour that we had already done), but overall everything went very well and it was an amazing experience. Thank you, Josi!
NZ
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Flexible and Affordable with Great Response Times
I think this tour was great value for money. Joseph was always friendly and prompt in his replies, checking in to make sure we were okay. James was a reliable and knowledgeable guide, and we always felt safe in Kenya. In Tanzania, we were with Abuus Tours, and both Abuus and our safari guide Suma were communicative and friendly. Suma was very knowledgeable and he and chef Asumani made us feel very welcome.
There was one night where the accommodation we stayed in was different than what we’d been shown in the proposal. This was communicated not long before the night we stayed there. But it ended up not being a big deal really. Both places were fine.
The flip side of this being the flexible, budget option (as you’ll read in other reviews) is that plans are a bit subject to change sometimes and you’ll be tossed around with people who have booked from other avenues for different journeys than you. But ultimately, they’re very good at making sure everyone gets to see the places they wanted to see in an efficient way.
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good manager. Good price. Good service.
Jose is very helpful and friendly. His repose is very fast. The trip is very good. Every meal and accommodation is great.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Ultra-professional
Grade one Tours works with trusted partners (hotels and local flight companies) which made everything to work smoothly .
Happiness our contact travel consultant was always available to ensure the provision of best services, our driver-guide by name Mohamed was a perfect guide and also safari jeep was so nice and of luxurious.
We saw more than big five during safari and we are planning to use the same company to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro with same company on 2025.
Grade one Tours is highly recommendable
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very excellent, he is very conscientious and responsible, and possesses outstanding abilities.
During this trip, we had an extremely enjoyable time. We saw many animals, including all five species. We even witnessed the wildebeests crossing the river. We were very lucky. The accommodation during the trip was also arranged very well. We were very satisfied. Their professional skills were also very strong. Johnson kept sharing knowledge with us. At the same time, we received a lot of care. He was always patient in helping us take photos and asking about our feelings, which made me feel very warm. Whenever we had any problems, he would actively solve them. His company is trustworthy. If you want to have a great safari trip, choose him. You won't be disappointed.
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
very good, punctual and able to satisfy customer needs
Very good and I highly recommend it to everyone. It was a unique experience
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A beautiful country which offers visitors a wide variety of bush experiences.
Most people who travel to South Africa have two key destinations on their itinerary: Cape Town, and Kruger National Park. While both are fantastic holiday options, there is so much more to the country than that, and if you’re contemplating a visit to South Africa, you really should consider travelling to other areas too. South Africa offers such varied bush experiences and while many of the parks pale in comparison to the size of Kruger, when it comes to gorgeous landscapes and game-viewing opportunities, they certainly give Kruger a run for its money.
The province of KwaZulu-Natal, for example, has outstanding parks in its northern regions. Up here, in the land that once was ruled over by Shaka Zulu, it is classic rhino country and there are a number of parks, such as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Phinda, where you’re likely to see the Big Five. Many parks up here also offer the chance to go on walking safaris – guaranteed to give you a totally different perspective of life in the bush.
The landscape varies vastly across the country, and if you’re a keen photographer, parks like Golden Gate, Camdeboo, Pilanesburg, Karoo and the Kgalagadi will be an absolute delight. In these parks, the sheer scale of vast open spaces will almost dwarf the wildlife, and shooting during the golden hours will be an absolute treat.
It is very easy to self-drive in South Africa – in fact, it’s recommended. The quality of the roads is good, especially between the major cities, and taking a road trip through this country will reveal some of its quirks and hidden corners. If you are going to do the classic Kruger/Cape Town holiday, consider taking a week or so to drive between the two, and stop off at parks like Golden Gate, Addo Elephant Park, Mountain Zebra National Park. You’ll be so glad you did.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Southern Tanzania parks with EASTCO
We went on safari with EASTCO for 14 days traveling mid-July-early August 2014. We traveled to Ruaha, Iringa, Udzungwa and Selous. This was the second safari for us, both times we have used EASTCO as our TO.
The safari was an absolute delight. It was all that we had hoped for and more! Our first safari was to the Northern circuit in February 2013. This trip we wanted to go somewhere different and Simon suggested right away that we go to the southern parks of Tanzania. That was a great decision. The southern parks have such a wild and untamed feel to them. Perfect for those who might want to do a varied safari that could include walks, boat safaris, cultural visits, and history in addition to the usual game drives by vehicle, all of this without being surrounded by lots of other tourists. The animal life was wonderful albeit in lesser numbers than the north but oh, so, special and the landscapes were just breath taking. The many different Elephant encounters we had on this trip were so special and memorable. Something we will never forget.
Our trip started in Dar es Salaam where we overnighted after flying from the U.S. The next morning we flew from DAR to Ruaha National Park where we met our fantastic guide, James. We spent 5 nights in Ruaha tent camping. Each day on safari was an adventure. The birding was great, so were the Lions and their cubs that we saw as well as the many Ellies that the park has. One night we even had an Ellie going through our camp. We also did a fantastic 3 hour walk with a Ranger and an armed guard. We learned a lot and it is such a different experience than a game drive in a vehicle. All of the little things that can be discovered on a walk add a different dimension to the safari.
Next we drove to Iringa where we spent 2 nights at the Neema Crafts Guesthouse. Our main focus in Iringa was the Isimila Stone Age site. It was a fantastic place and so interesting to actually walk out among the Stone Age tools that were left in the valley by river erosion. There are not many places left where one can actually see and hold Stone Age tools just lying around on the ground. The stone pillars at Ismiila were really cool looking too. They were left standing after the river eroded the area around them. Neema Crafts Guesthouse was a great place to stay. We also enjoyed the liveliness of the town of Iringa.
Udzungwa National Park was our next stop for 2 nights. It was a mountainous area with great hiking. The area is known for its primates and it didn’t disappoint. We saw: Angola Pied Colobus, Iringa Red Colobus, Yellow Baboons and Blue Monkeys. The Butterflies at Udzungwa were numerous and beautiful too.
After our stay at Udzungwa we left for 4 nights in the Selous. We stayed 1 night at Sable Mountain Lodge-absolutely beautiful! We then moved on to Hippo Camp where we tent camped for 2 nights right along the Rufiji River and spent our final night in one of Hippo Camp’s tented huts. The Rufiji River is the lifeblood of the area. We did a river boat cruise that was just fabulous. The bird-life was plentiful and diverse and the sunsets were to die for. Our wonderful safari guide, James, also arranged a village tour and a walk with a bushman that were both unique and educational. We even saw 2 Elephant Shrews on our walk with the bushman.
Simon, at EASTCO, does a wonderful job of planning off-the-beaten-track trips if wanted and has a vast knowledge of Tanzania and its people, culture and animals. EASTCO has great guides too! We had Ezekiel on our first safari to the Northern Circuit and James for our second safari to the Southern Circuit and couldn’t have asked for any better! The guide can make or break your safari.
EASTCO safaris can be as diverse and unique as one wants. Simon is patient and knowledgeable in helping with the planning of a trip. Going on our second safari we knew right off the bat that we would use EASTCO. Simon did a great job with both trips and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend EASTCO for those who want something a little different than the typical safari that many companies punch out with regularity.
This is a link to our photos:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106816041713365180641/albums/6055379437698967089?authkey=CP6doaLU-9rVuQE
PH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great safari adventure. It was worry-free, exciting at the same time relaxing !
Mr. Simon King,the tour company owner communicates directly and fast regarding queries and concerns since we travelled as a family with teens and a senior vegan. We loved our driver-tour guide and friend rolled into one-Mr. James Sichilima. He took care of most if not all our 8days' seamless transfer from one hotel to the other, from city to the wildlife, from rest stops to fun drives. We loved the tented accommodation the most since it offered an eye opening reality of how humans can live harmoniously with the animals without harming them.Thanks EastCo for memories worth remembering!!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great company and employees!
I was very satisfied with my safari with this company. The manager, Richard, was very helpful answering questions before I arrived and made me feel quite welcome when I got there. Everything went very smoothly and the staff went out of their way to take me to bank machines and to the bus station, even the day after the safari when I was no longer technically their customer.
The driver and guide were super friendly. We felt very safe sleeping in the open campsites even when we heard the lions roar because we knew Stanley was watching over the campsite with his rifle.
The cook was great, the food was good and I never once got sick (better than I can say for other companies).
Also, Stanley's english is very good. He was able to answer any questions I had and joke around with us.
Throughout the trip I really wanted some seeds from one of the trees. I saw this tree a couple times and always asked Stanley to stop and let me gather some seeds but it wasn't safe in the parks. At the end of the tour we stopped for souvenirs and Stanley brought me back some seeds that he had gone to find for me! Just an added touch to the hospitality shown by World Tours & Safaris.