Had a great time seeing the Serengeti
Overall we had a really enjoyable experience on our safari. Camping in the Serengeti was a truly unique experience. The tour operators themselves were extremely warm and welcoming and really went out of their way to help us with our onward plans. Unfortunately we think our experience of the safari itself was hampered somewhat by the fact we were only two people, so footslopes aggregated us into a larger group with other tour operators in order to make it cost effective for them. For this reason I think we ended up with a guide who is not usually employed by footslopes, and we had some issues there regarding the quality of our tour and its organisation/timeliness. But overall we were satisfied and the footslopes guys were so accommodating and helpful when we returned back to Arusha after our tour. We think going forward they should focus on ensuring they have adequate group sizes for each planned tour so they don't have to put their guests in the hands of other tour operators, thus losing control of the quality of the service and risk unnecessary reputational damage.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Flexible East African safari
I have just spent 4 weeks travelling Uganda and Tanzania with the East African Safari and Touring company run by Simon who lives in Tanzania. 2 families travelled together and put together a unique itinerary including the mountain gorillas, Serengeti, Zanzibar and Mafia island. All accommodation, travel and food was included. The company provided excellent service overall and come highly recommended, the guides were easy to get on with, well informed and competent. Some of the accommodation was at company owned lodges adding to the unique feel to the trip. Flights were booked but what seems to be a Tanzanian trend, only fully paid for the day prior, creating a bit of uncertainty when the flights departed until the day of the flight! Despite this all flights happened! Contact details to use if plans have to change would have been useful on the itineraries, short failing for a great, well priced trip and highly recommended.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great way to see and get closer to the safaris and the local environment
Initially we had a hard time to find a safari that was not ridiculously expensive. We also didn't want a level of luxury that distance you from the experience itself. World Tours was a perfect match. We are glad we took the private camping option having only the two of us during the trip. It gave us the flexibility to stop and look at what was of most interest to us. The safari was well organized and our driver and cook were fantastic. Always accommodating, always willing to show or explain anything we seemed to be interested in.
In hen-site I wished we had asked for an option to do some hikes and not spend all time just been driven around.
Richard the owner is very responsive and helpful. Payment went well and we definitely had one of a lifetime experience.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Effecient booking, reliable service, excellent driver/guide - would recommend & use them again
Everything went very smoothly and we had an incredible and exciting holiday. The mid range hotels were charming and in excellent locations. Gorilla trekking is SO worth the money and we loved the chimpanzee trek too and all experiences suggested by the company. We were well looked after by our driver/guide who was intelligent, amusing and very keen for us to experience much that Uganda has to offer. My only negative comment is that he ate all our meals with us so he was with us all day, every day. Perhaps Katona should allow guests breakfast and dinner without the guide.
TW
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amaizing experience
The service was very nice from my arrival in Nairobi to the end. Erick tried really hard to make me go through the itinerary even though I was the only person for the Lake Nakuru and Amboseli National Park. I did have a good safari tour and hope to have another one soon.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable trip Advisor!
The tour was flexible and the scenery was beautiful.. the team in general is awesome. Always on time providing great service and responding to our needs.
Enjoyed the company of Mr Luke, our guide. A warm and highly motivated guide who made us feel welcome. Friendly and good at communicating. Always trying to make our stay memorable and attended to all our questions.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful
We received good treatment from the staff. They are true professionals and we couldn't ask for more.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent
It was amazing. No complaints. Communication lines were very clear and expectations were met
CA
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari experience met bucket list expectations
We travelled March 1 - 15 2017 with Go Touch Down, one week in Capetown and one week on the Johannesburg tour which included 3 days safari at Kapama River Lodge. Our stay in Capetown met more than our expectations from the one bedroom apartment to the "Gordon Ramsay" meals to our efficient guide. The only bump in the road was our two day stay at Dunkeld Estates prior to our safari. We travelled as a group of 4 and had booked the trip in 2015. Upon arrival we were told that they were overbooked and that we would have to stay in a Fisherman's Cabin 10 min walk away from our friends who were put in a guest suite. When I questioned the manager why we were separated from our friends when the booking was placed in 2015 she told me room assignment did not have anything to do with when the reservation was made, and that it was not her problem. What we found in the cabin was one hanger in the closet, a front door that would not latch, to keep it closed one had to lock it, no safe, television that did not work, and no phone to call someone for assistance so we had to walk the 10 min back to reception to get someone, no lighting at night to walk back to the cabin all the while hoping that we were able to spot the horse dung that had been deposited along the way. Service in the restaurant very slow. We were the only table for all 3 meals we had there, and dinner took 2 hours to complete. Our friend who was in a guest suite found what looked like potato bugs walking on the bathroom floor both nights of our stay. I sent a letter to the C.O.O. of Go Touch Down 4 weeks ago outlining my experience and to date no reply and at this point do not expect one.
I found Go Touch Down in Oakville to be more than accommodating and organized. I would recommend travelling with them for the Capetown tour, but as Dunkeld Estates is owned and operated by Go Touch Down
avoid the Johannesburg tour, and book with someone else. The safari portion at Kapana River Lodge was outstanding . It provided excellent accommodations and the thrill of seeing 4 of the 5 Big Five up close and personal. Never did I expect to have a male lion walk right passed the safari vehicle or a giraffe standing two feet away.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well organised Safari
This was our first Safari and it was a nerve wrecking experience to book something suitable within our budget. The booking procedure by Safarihub was very straight forward and their assistance in tailor making a Safari was second to none. Our tour driver was very friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed what the Tanzanian National parks have to offer. We look forward to booking our second Safari in the not so distant future.