ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS
Ultimate Africa Safaris client testimonials 2001 We had a great trip. Thank you for the
professional advice you gave. Excellent customer care. The safari was planned just right
for the age ranges in my group. Thanks! You guys are the best! After
traveling all over the world I would have to say this has been the best trip I have ever
been on. The itinerary was perfect, giving us a variety of things to do and different
places to stay, making every day a new adventure. It was so nice not having to worry about
who was picking us up or where we were going. Everything was planned perfectly! The guides
were great and Zimbabwe was simply amazing. On the Mana Pools canoe safari we
were grouped up with 2 others. The wildlife was astounding with elephants, zebra, buffalo,
impala, and a wild dog chase / kill right in front of our camp! The hippos gave us quite a
scare - one even charged at us! At Matusadona everyone was simply wonderful! It was a
great place to relax after canoeing. We went on walks during the early morning and ran
into lion and also were able to see baby black rhinos (and pet them too!). Hwange National
Park was my favorite! We saw everything! The camp was located in the middle of it all! We
were never bored with activities day and night. We saw two lion kills, hyena, giraffe,
wildebeest, and even a white rhino! Fantastic time!!! The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was
definitely the best place to stay at Victoria Falls! Secluded from the town and surrounded
by the park. We ate outside the hotel and highly recommend the Boma Restaurant. A great
time! We went rafting which was excellent!! So much fun, the crew was great and we hung
out with them the entire night. Victoria Falls was beautiful. I can't wait to go back to
revisit the Big 5 and see all my new found friends! Thank you Ultimate Africa for
making this trip possible - Extremely knowledgeable and helpful.You guys are the BEST! Botswana's Okavango Delta
exceeded our expectations in every way. Not just the exceptional wildlife, but also the
accommodations and staff were superb. Chitabe Trails was great, and much of the
time our four-person party was alone with the staff and guides - a very exclusive
experience. We particularly liked the open-top vehicles and the flexibility and
knowledge the guides showed in tracking the kinds of things we were interested in. We
sighted 4 leopards on our first drive, giving us a great start for a trip in which nothing
was disappointing. Vumbura was also extraordinary, and here we found our favorite guides
(if one can pick favorites from among so many dedicated people). The game
spotting was excellent, and even when our vehicle broke down on a night drive and the
hyenas we had been tracking began tracking us was exciting. We were so pleased
with the setting of the tented camps that we were almost sad to start moving back to
"civilization", but Muchenje Lodge was a good way to make the transition. We
were unable to enjoy the night drives, but the proprietors and staff made the formal
dinners and campfires very pleasant. Wildlife was concentrated along the river, and
produced our best lioness-and-cubs sighting, along with many smaller species we had not
seen before. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was truly our step back to
civilization, done in high style. We particularly enjoyed the location - within a few
minutes drive from the falls and town, but not so close as to feel like we were completely
out of Africa. The falls themselves and shopping were the highlights of our final stop.
Your recommendations on time of year, stopovers and varied itinerary were right on the
mark. In September the grass was not green yet, but the animals were numerous, the insects
weren't, and the temperature was more pleasant than our Louisiana summers. The Grace Hotel
in Johannesburg was a prefect choice to rest up for the coming activities, and the tented
camps were better than any movie. Everyone from my son to my "70-ish" mother
were delighted. We were at our most remote camp, Vumbura, on September 11. That night when
we returned from our drive, we were met by a staff member who told us the news and wanted
to know if we needed anything. Being a military officer, I needed to contact my unit
quickly, and somehow they were able to get information back via radio to their office, who
in turn relayed my information to my base, all in just a few minutes from halfway around
the world. As we worked our way out, we found information waiting for us at every stop
concerning changes to our return itinerary being made for us. While everyone we met in the
region was sympathetic, we felt the degree of concern shown by the staff was exceptional,
and prevented us from ever feeling we were trapped far from home. We greatly appreciate
the service, and not only would recommend Wilderness Safaris unconditionally, but look
forward to traveling in the region with them again. We'll call as soon as we can
travel again. We are so glad we opted for southern Africa over regions farther
north, and look forward to returning, addicted as we now are to the experience. Ian, you are total no BS pro! The
trip overall, was incredible!! It was outstanding, extraordinary, and just plain cool! As
you can tell - We loved our Zimbabwe safari. The guides were superb! I doubt we would have
gone to Zimbabwe without your advice. You are a huge reason our trip was the "BEST
EVER"! You are the man! The Grace hotel in Johannesburg - Beautiful
place! We loved it. The Mana pools Canoe safari was my favorite. Within 1.5 minutes of
getting into the water we were negotiating hippo! Andy and Jenny and the guys were
incredible! The food the best on the whole trip. The game walks were the best on the whole
trip. Andy is an incredible guide, we learned so much from him! Our most exciting moment
was a 12' and 17' croc launching off the bank and splashing 3 feet in front of the canoe.
Wow! I loved the "real" camping and the campfire, and wildlife walks in an area
with no roads. This was the real Africa to me. I loved that place! Chikwenya: Awesome
place. We saw our first lions! Went Tiger fishing and each got a big one. I would have
liked to have stayed at least one more day. Water Wilderness: We saw the baby Rhino's and
2 wild Rhino's, and some large elephant. Apparently, the lake used to be much lower for
years and the animals very abundant with the grass land along the shore. There is almost
no grass land now and not many animals to see as a result of the lake being full to the
top. We did a couple game drives out in the thick jesse brush and saw very little. We were
in the 4 unit area and had Honest and Jo as our guides. Both were 2 of the nicest people
I've ever met, and great guides. The crew at the mother ship was incredible and so so
nice!! The room was pretty nice. I would have traded a day at Water Wilderness for a day
at Chikwenya, because of the abundant wildlife at Mana pools. Makalolo plains: Dave was
our Guide. Dave was arguably our best guide. We learned so much and enjoyed his company
and he totally took us under his wing. We saw many lions, hyena, leopard, cheetah, genet,
sable, gnu, buffalo, zebra, baboons, giraffe, ostrich, elephant at a range of 1 foot, and
a zillion birds! The camp is incredible and the safety #1. We Loved Makalolo plains!
Muchenje: It started out bad. We left Mak at 11:30am as we were told to. We arrived at
Muchenje after 4.5 hrs of nonstop travel at 4pm. Peter was upset we showed up so late, and
I felt like he was blaming us. Apparently he was told we were gonna arrive at 11am, then
1pm, then 3pm. He had drivers out trying to get us, and rearranged his drives etc trying
to wait for us. Well, bottom line, we had no afternoon activity. We enjoyed a night drive,
and an early morning drive, village visit, and then we did an all day boat ride and game
drive too, all in 1 day. So it turned out great. The boat ride and game drive was
outstanding!! However, the boat had no life jackets, and the guides are not even close to
as good as the ones we'd gotten used to in Zimbabwe! The guides seemed to get closer and
take more chances than we were accustomed to. The room was not as clean as we'd gotten
used to, in fact the grass ceiling was covered in cob webs and spider nests and spiders.
We'd stayed at several places with the same thatch roof and they all had a few spiders and
webs but, it seemed this ceiling had never been cleaned. At night we had the furthest unit
away from the lodge. That morning they saw lions very near the compound. We asked about
need for an escort at night to our unit and were told "Lions run when they see
people, don't worry about it". Which was the opposite of what our Zim guides told us.
We were told that during the day, lions and leopard and even hyena will run from humans,
but at night it is very different and they are very bold. All of our Zim guides escorted
us with loaded rifle at night, at Chobe they did not, and didn't want to. Overall, Chobe
was one of our most memorable days - we saw fantastic wildlife. The lodge and guides were
good but, certainly not at the level of the places in Zimbabwe we'd been. Victoria Falls
Safari Lodge was great - they gave us a Suite no charge! The falls were awesome. The
rafting was great!! No flips. Climbing down to the river was a bit sketchy... The elephant
ride was cool! The flea market very cool! Thanks again for the incredible job. With
regards to Zimbabwe safety - I felt totally safe. We had no issues about political safety
whatsoever. Everyone we met was happy and very nice. As far as the terrorist attack here
in the US - the biggest thing was the lack of tourists at Victoria Falls. The poor
Africans trying to sell carvings to buy food for his family were being hurt because of the
lack of tourists. They were on our side. Overall - the entire trip was
outstanding. The best vacation I've been on and I'd been on a lot of
incredible adventure vacations! Ian - you and your organization are outstanding, I'm
looking for friends to send to you! We had an absolutely fabulous
time! Everyplace went went was better and different than the last! I loved the
"sundowners"! What a great way to watch a sunset! The guides in Zimbabwe are the
coolest! They knew so much about everything - animals, birds, reptiles, insects, plants,
trees, history, and even the dirt. They say they are the best in Africa and I believe it. We
got very close to lots of animals and saw thousands at a time. On our canoe
safari, we were paddling quietly along an 8 foot bank. We came around a corner upon the
big bull elephant. We were pretty close and he was a little surprised to see us!
Eventually, he wandered off across the river. We continued on our way and about 3 minutes
later, surprised two crocs - 17 & 12 feet! They launched off that 8 foot bank and
landed 3 feet in front of the canoe! I was in the front seat! Aaahhhh! Thanks so
much for organizing our incredible trip! I literally lived my dream! Getting up to go to
work is just not the same at getting up to go on a game walk! We had a super great safari! The
Grace Hotel in Johannesburg was an excellent interim stop en route to Zimbabwe. Canoeing
through Mana Pools was the best introduction to Africa! Andy, our guide, was the absolute
best. He made the trip safe, interesting, and unforgettable - evenings and dinner
were a delight. Chikwenya Camp in Mana Pools was EXCELLENT! Matusadona Water Wilderness
was outstanding. Close ups with rhinos and elephants. Dave at Makalolo Plains was the
perfect guide. Lions, leopards, cheetah, ostrich, hyenas, jackal, crimson shrike, were all
special. The underground hide was awesome - you were so close to the wildlife! Dave made
us feel like part of the family of guides. It was exciting, stimulating and fun! I
couldn't recommend any one else! In Chobe the full day wildlife viewing
by boat and Land Rover was spectacular. The sheer number of animals, birds, etc...was
unbelievable. Seeing the male lion and cubs was special. So many, so close, so beautiful!
We loved the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. The view, the animals. A nice place to wrap up
our safari. Enjoyed the tour of the Falls and the market.The Falls are the ultimate
example of nature's wonder! Everything was exactly as presented. Each stop on our
itinerary provided an added plus to our safari experience. Ultimate Africa answered every
question promptly and accurately. Ultimate Africa established the highest level of
integrity and this was carried through by all facilities, staff, guides, safari personnel,
etc. The transfers within Africa were impressive and it was satisfying to be met
by staff and guides at every move. No waiting made us feel special. Words alone
are inadequate to describe this awesome experience - a spectacular adventure of a lifetime
not to mention the wonderful people that made our trip so special. Thank you all! It was a grand trip.
Willowbrook Lodge in Cape Town was a welcome sight at the end of our long flight - a very
well run lodge! The Cape Grace, where we stayed next, may very well be "the best
hotel in the world" as it was voted...Our guide Newman at Chitabe Camp in Botswana
became the benchmark against which all other guides were measured - what a professional!
The managers were also outstanding. At Vumbura the water experience was superb. Michelle
and Gary were relief managers while the normal manager were on leave. There is a
difference between owning the job and "filling in" for the job. Muchenje Lodge
in the Chobe area also, like Chitabe and Vumbura, received A's across the board! The boat
trip was excellent! During our visit to Zanzibar the Serena had an incredible dinner
setting. Ras Nungwi Beach Resort received all A's and the the master was great! We
were quite pleased and also amazed at how smoothly the trip went. The longest we ever
waited for a drive was about five minutes (on one occasion). We would definitely book
another safari with Ultimate Africa! What would we change? Eliminate September 11
from the calendar... Thank you for putting it all together! Ultimate Africa
Safaris was very informative, courteous and efficient. Our Zimbabwe / Botswana
safari was a great value and a once in a lifetime experience - Thanks! I wish we could
have added another week in Botswana. I would absolutely book another Ultimate Africa
safari! Fantastic! Really a once in
a lifetime experience. Accommodations in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana
could not have been better. In Johannesburg the Grace Hotel was very
accommodating - we wanted to go swimming at 9:30 PM and they uncovered the pool.
The intimacy of the lodges and tented camps was wonderful. At Matusadona we
wanted to see a village (not an activity that is offered) and they made it possible! Thank
you! We were awed by the knowledge of the guides, especially Paul,
Dave, Rowan and Sean. All went very well without a
hitch. I really enjoyed the safari and the accommodations and food were much better than I
anticipated. The only thing that I would have liked to do differently is to have more
walking rather than driving but that is a live and learn item. Thanks for all your help. Our Zimbabwe trip
was over the top. We saw the Big 5 within a 24 hour period and absolutely no one could
believe all the great things that happened to us. We became known as the Golden Girls. We
had a special lion dance we did at night and we always saw those lions the next day. Great
weather...great Wilderness staff...everything on time...everything luxurious...food
delicious...pampering and service superlative. Thank you for encouraging us to go...Thank
you , thank you, thank you! It was so much more than I could possibly have dreamed
of. I counted 10 different species of animals one night around the watering hole
and I know that if there ever were a garden of Eden it surely must have looked like that.
I learned so much about the ecosystem and I saw the most beautiful sunsets of life while
at Matusadona. Obert got me to eat elephant poop and termites. It was an adrenaline rush
from about 6:30 in the morning to 10:00 at night. The mighty Zambezi gave us a good ride
(rafting). Thank you dear Ian. The safari was fantastic!
Your recommendations were great and everything went completely smoothly. We'll definitely
be referring our friends. Ultimate Africa -
you were extremely helpful and accommodating with our Zimbabwe safari. What an absolutely
fabulous trip! Thanks for your
efforts on our behalf (CBS Earlyshow producers / cameramen). Our experience in the Maasai
Mara was nothing less than spectacular. The flights were incredible, the food was
excellent, the accommodations were comfortable, John (our guide) was first-rate, and the
overall atmosphere at the Mara River Camp was one of gentility and hospitality. The other
guests we met there appeared to be having the time of their lives. Sossusvlei in Namibia had
grand scenery and is not to be missed. At Damaraland we were fortunate to see desert
elephants. Ongava was our favorite camp in Namibia - Wonderful night time game drives,
great hosts, many kinds of wildlife - it is a must! In Botswana Xigera was very
hospitable, Chitabe hosts were gracious and Muchenje host Peter is was most interesting.
Muchenje Lodge was lovely and wildlife viewing was splendid - especially the river trip
which was very exciting! Ilala Lodge was lovely and the tour of the Falls was excellent. It
was a pleasure making arrangements with Ultimate Africa Safaris - your services were first
rate and everything was in order. Ian Proctor, Ultimate Africa managing director, was not
only knowledgeable but responsive to all our requests. The trip was even better than
we had hoped for - thanks for doing such a good job. A tremendous family
vacation providing an experience unlikely to be duplicated. A treasured time that was
thoroughly enjoyed by all members! The Grace Hotel in Johannesburg was
exceptional. All of the other camps we visited in Zimbabwe received A's! The
combination of three types of locations was great - river, lake and plains. Great
planning. The staff at each camp and lodge was so nice. The Victoria Falls Safari
Lodge capped a fantastic 10 day safari. Extremely pleased!
At Chitabe Trails Camp in Botswana we saw excellent wildlife.At Little Vumbura we saw
cheetah's and hippos - neat! A little less wildlife here than at other camps. Muchenje
Lodge and Chobe were mind boggling! Within 360 degrees of our vehicle we
saw elephants, giraffes, lion and baboons. The amount of wildlife here was staggering! It
was a good thing this was not the first stop on our itinerary or we might have been
disappointed by the amount of wildlife seen elsewhere (in comparison). As is was we were
thrilled with all we saw at Chitabe and Vumbura - just that Chobe offered much much more
and much closer so the planning was great! Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe offered great scenery
and it was nice being "in the bush" on the elephants.The Victoria Falls Safari
Lodge was beautiful - a great way to end the trip. Wish we had more time there. Ultimate
Africa was extremely knowledgeable and helpful! Arrangements made efficiently,
recommendations were excellent, and camps were exactly as described. Ultimate Africa made
this vacation hassle free and one of the best we have ever had! Will definitely recommend
you to friends and hope to save enough to book another safari to Africa with Ultimate
Africa. Lucky to have picked
Ultimate Africa because of outstanding website. Very happy with our Botswana safari
arrangements and information provided. Thanks, Ian. Africa is beyond our
conventions of description. We all want to go back. I trust that all is well with
you and you're sending tons of visitors on safari trips to Africa. On our recent trip (the Noether party in June and July 2001) I
took quite a few digital photos (nearly 4,200) and put a number of them on my web site. If
you're interested, click here for views of animals and landscapes in Botswana and
Zimbabwe.
Enjoy!" Larry and I want to thank
you for the vacation of a life time come true. Africa is the most beautiful place
in the world. The camps were AWESOME!!!! Jao was a lot more than what I expected,
the decor and the service surpass FIRST CLASS. Mai Pai our guide was
extremely knowledgeable and he was amazing giving us the page numbers in the bird book
when he found a bird. We saw in one day elephants, lions, cheetahs, steenbok, zebra,
giraffe, red lechwe along with the other smaller wild life. One night we found a leopard
in the tree - she was beautiful. I hope Mai Pai stays ay Jao for a long time as he is
awesome. Muchenje Lodge was great!! Sandy and Peter are wonderful hosts!! The guides were
great! Chobe was amazing with all the wildlife it offered. We saw a Lion on a buffalo
kill. We were so close and were able to get good pictures. Hippos, birds, impala, kudu,
sable, lions, elephants by the hundreds, buffalo,giraffe, zebra, monitor lizards,
crocodiles and a puff adder crossing the road. Also a Black Mamba crossing the road when
we were leaving Chobe. My husband was very lucky to get pictures of the snakes he wanted
to see but really thought there was no chance of ever seeing them. The sundowner locations
were remarkably beautiful no matter where you were - the sunsets were stunning. The trees
all had a story to tell it seemed. Little Mak Tented Camp in Hwange was truly one of the
best. The grasslands filled with wildlife. The pans of water in Hwange were cool. Our
guide Jane was truly a gem, very knowledgeable. The way she would describe and tell you
about the animals, landscapes, and trees it was so very interesting to listen to her. I
learned a lot from her. We did a game walk tracking the animals which to me was the most
amazing thing I experienced. To be out there on foot and still feel safe. We enjoyed the
feel of really being out there. It was really nice to see that the parks were not
overcrowded with Land rovers. Camp Amalinda was great. The lodge was very beautiful. I
still can't get over how this lodge was built with in the boulders all around, decor
awesome. We had great sightings of white rhino's and were able to get great pictures.
Bagman our guide was fantastic. We walked through out the Matopos Hills, which was very
interesting - a challenge for me but I made it. I had a wonderful time there. Camp
Amalinda A+. The food was great at all the camps, I was really surprised that everything
we ate was wonderful. The village visits and the school we visited were very educational
experiences. Things went so smooth. The transfers from lodge to lodge were great and
worked with out a hitch. Ultimate Africa Safaris - you are FANTASTIC. You really
did a great job and I would highly recommend you guys for any one wanting to visit Africa.
You put together a unforgettable trip that will stay in our hearts and minds forever!!!
Thank for everything!! P.S. We will be returning to Africa, I will let you know
when. You guys are the
best. Ian you amaze me. You guys are so sweet and kind. Every one has enjoyed my
pictures. My employees were amazed, and wanted blow ups of some my pictures. I had given
out your phone number and address, to some of my customers who seem to be interested. I
hope they will call or maybe they will want to come with us next time we go. Sounds
kind of nutty but I tell everyone if there is any way to go, go. I don't think they would
regret anything even the cost. I've been ask if I will go back since September 11, 2001.
Yes I will. I don't want to think I could never visit Africa again. That would make me
sad. We plan to go again in 2003, same time of year. I've been racking up the
miles with my sky mile program. My husband will have to go first class next time due to
the length of the flight. We like horseback riding, so I think I might want to include
this in our next trip if possible. Mombo is definitely on the list also. I did receive a
call from a lady asking about Botswana and you. I told her she had nothing to worry about
that you are the best. Ian, you walk on water as far as my husband and I are
concerned. A extraordinary trip was put together, questions were answered, and every thing
went like clock work. You took very good care of us. She has nothing to worry
about. Once again I like to thank you for making are dreams come true. I
look forward to next spring when I will be contacting you for arrangements. You
guys stay safe and in good health. Once again THANK YOU! I can honestly say that getting
on the airplane in Johannesburg to come back to the US was one of the hardest things I
have ever had to do. This was the most amazing trip I have ever taken, and there were some
pretty tough contenders for that status. I got to the hotel in Nairobi, and
before I could even tell the lady at the front desk my name, she said, "Welcome,
Natalie"...I thought that was just wonderful, being a female traveler all alone in a
foreign country. And things just got better and better. I met my guide, Paul, who
is one of the most exciting people I have ever met. There were other wonderful
guides the entire way, which was also a pleasant addition. The camping was
wonderful, and on the first day into Serengeti, we saw both lions and a leopard (and other
animals too, but I'm all about the cats). Hyenas came through our camp that night, and
luckily the tent windows were open, so I got to see it all. I think one of the most
exciting moments was in Hwange in Zimbabwe, where my group and I were sitting in our open
safari vehicle, stopped for about an hour to watch a leopard... we cracked open some beer
to just enjoy the leopard and the sunset... And then the leopard crossed a field in front
of a giraffe (a few meters away), and they were both in front of the African sunset. It
was so beautiful. And the beer in Africa is great!!! :-) I ended up trading all
of my clothes for curios or just giving them away to locals (I wish I had taken more for
them because it's so much fun to see how much they like what you give them). On top of
everything, the group got along so well. We had a really tight bond and everyone played an
important roll... Zanzibar was beautiful, although I chickened out on the diving
off of the bar into the ocean...will have to go back to do that again. Victoria
Falls is amazing.... we white water rafted, and next time I will kayak. The
stories go on and on, but to sum it up, great food, great friends, so much culture,
incredible animals... It makes you realize what life is all about. Drifters Adventours is
awesome, and your arrangements you made for me with them could not have gone more
smoothly! Thank you so much. I do plan on doing business with Ultimate Africa in
the future and I will definitely refer anyone who asks to you guys. I'm still in awe right
now just thinking about the trip... I think my next trip with be to Namibia and
Botswana... I can't wait! Thank you !!!! Thanks for putting
together a spectacular trip to southern Africa. We are truly grateful for your help and
suggestions in building the itinerary. Things went off without any problems -
Wilderness was remarkable in their execution of the details. We have a few
comments about the trip that you might find of interest: NAMIBIA: Great trip! Sossusvlei
and Damaraland Camp were truly remarkable places and not to be missed. The dunes were
awesome. We saw several desert elephants up close. All the camps were wonderful but Ongava
Tented Camp was a gem - Kate and Richard run a fantastic operation there with
warmth and hospitality. Our time there was one of the highlights of the trip. We were so
glad that we did NOT stay in the Lodge. However, we found Etosha to be most disappointing
and would recommend avoiding it -- paved roads, crowded with cars, etc. Spending time on
the Ongava concession was excellent and a much better experience. Windhoek Country Club
was not a nice place to stay -- it was dirty -- we had ants. Next trip, we would like to
stay somewhere else. BOTSWANA: Little Mombo was our best experience of the trip.
The game at Mombo is outrageous! Also, we had such a great group of people during
our stay at camp. Corle made our stay there seem as if we were welcomed house guests --
she is perfect for the place and a true gem. Jao was the wrong choice of a camp for us. Of
all the Wilderness camps, we found Jao to be the least warm and welcoming -- there were so
many managers running around that we felt it more of a hotel than a personal camp. Also,
the water activities were not directly at the camp which made it difficult to get to the
mekoros -- it took about a 20 minute drive to get to them. We would have been better at
another water camp. The property is lovely, but we would not recommend staying here. Duma
Tau was perfect. We loved the camp and the game experience. This was the only place where
we ran into problems with our vehicle-mates (constantly talking on drives, taunting the
game at sightings, etc.). John and Salome were understanding and accommodating, and
resolved things smoothly. Muchenje Lodge was like staying in someone's private home.
Although it didn't have the polish of the Wilderness camps, Peter and Sandi were
wonderful. There was a family group of 18 people with 10 kids ranging from about 5 years
old to teenagers. Still, we were thoughtfully insulated from them and our experience was
superb. VICTORIA FALLS: The falls are spectacular. But, we did NOT like the Safari Lodge!
Our room was definitely dirty -- we had cockroaches -- the phone was so filthy you didn't
want to put it to your ear -- the air conditioner from the adjacent room made so much
noise that we actually had to put in ear plugs. This was the worst place we stayed in for
the entire trip. Ultimate Africa staff were very professional, friendly and
extremely competent. Thanks for making our Africa experience truly great! We are looking
forward to putting together another trip to southern Africa - The Skeleton Coast
Safari - several camps in Zimbabwe along with the Mana Canoe Safari - and possibly a
walking safari in Zambia. Thanks again for a great trip. NOTE:
Ultimate Africa staff visited the Windhoek Country Club in November 2000 and found the
accommodations to be adequate for a quick overnight before flying out. Ants are often
unavoidable in Africa. Options here are very limited and we have passed the client
comments onward to the hotel. Ultimate Africa staff overnighted at the Victoria Falls
Safari Lodge in December 2000 and visited again in March 2001 and could not find any
problems. We have checked with Victoria Falls staff who say they have had no other
complaints and inspections have not uncovered any problems. Jao Camp is a platinum level
camp and guests have certain expectations i.e. many managers to look after guests.
Appealing to a certain market but yes - possibly not for everyone. The safari was very
well conceived. We had such variety in terms of both habitats and activities. It was quite
a special experience. We ran into other customers of yours who offered nothing but praise.
We would (and already have) recommend you to others. And we were very impressed with the
Wilderness formula of small groups, environmental sensitivity, the highest safety
standards, and a quality experience. Thanks again for everything. Just returned
yesterday, and wanted to send you a brief note to tell you what a great time we had. The
eclipse was fantastic. The safaris were wonderful. Everything went perfectly. I just
wanted to let you know what a great job you did in setting this up for us. We were extremely pleased
with our Mopane Safari in Botswana. Wilderness Safaris was a very well run organization
and we had a great time. Our trip to Botswana
was great. I've been recommending a safari to everyone. Our guide, Nik from
Wilderness Dawning, was knowledgeable and an excellent cook. We saw tons of
wildlife and I got some great photos. We had a great adventure that was
well worth the money. Thanks for your help. This was a trip of a
lifetime! Each place we stayed was unique and wonderful without duplication. We saw so
many animals up close and personal. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and we met the
most interesting people. We felt totally cared for from the time we stepped off the plane
in Johannesburg to when we stepped back on the plane at the end of our journey.The
Grace Hotel's detail in caring for us in Johannesburg was excellent. Little Vumbura Tented
Camp in Botswana was a very good experience - we saw lots of animals and the guides were
very knowledgeable. It made for a great first stop. Mombo was BEYOND belief! We
had the best guide - BK. I would recommend Mombo as a MUST on a trip to Africa. Chobe
was great with the large herds. At Muchenje Lodge Peter and Sandy were great hosts. We
enjoyed our stay very much. We are glad you recommended it. Also first place I could use a
hairdryer - very important (smiles). Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was treat. We were very
happy with this choice. Ultimate Africa was extremely knowledgeable and helpful!
We felt very cared for in the US and in Africa - transfers on safari were very well
coordinated. What would we change? Maybe consider flying business class on the
Trans Atlantic flights...The different cultures, people, foods, and experiences were
beyond our expectations. We owe Ian Proctor a lot of praise. Your suggestions were
key to making our trip what it was! Thank you! We had a wonderful
time on the Botswana Explorer safari! Everything was as you described and detailed it on
your website and in your mailings. Everything was spectacular. We are recommending a trip
to Africa to all of our friends, and especially recommending Ultimate Africa Safaris.
Booking a huge trip like this, as we're sure you know, can be a scary thing when you know
very little about the company. But we figured we'd take a leap of faith, and that trust
was well-founded! We have heard stories of people planning vacations, only to have them
spoiled by mix-ups. We admit, we had some fear of this. Everything worked out perfectly,
though! The people at Drifter's were wonderful and again, nothing was below our
expectations. In fact, the whole trip was much easier than we thought it might be!
Our guide, Anthony, was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to. The camps and lodges were
great. We thought the Maun camp and the Victoria Falls lodge might be fancier, but were
not disappointed. We just had a different picture in our heads. And the wildlife viewing
was wonderful. There were a few species we would have liked to have seen but didn't. This
was no fault of the guide or any reflection on Drifter's, of course. It is simply because
some of the animals were not where we were in a particular moment. We saw lots of elephant
and zebra and giraffe. Even a brown hyena! And lots and lots of great birds. The guide did
inform us that the wildlife was more scattered than he had expected because there was a
lot of water around for this time of year. The campsites were all close to water and,
normally in the dry season, this would bring many species near our campsites. However,
because the water levels were higher than usual for the dry season, the animals were more
spread out. This is not to say we did not see many animals, for we did. It is only to
remark that our guide expected more wildlife than we saw, and so we had visions in our
heads at the beginning of the trip when he told us what he thought we might see. But that
is all ok, because we still had an amazing time. After all, we watched the total
eclipse on a road in Zimbabwe while a bull elephant ate from a tree only a few yards from
our truck! Incredible!!! So thank you again for all of your help and for the
wonderful vacation! Tell Drifter's that everything was great and that we will
recommend both Ultimate Africa Adventures and Drifter's to everyone we know. Thank you!! Our honeymoon safari
in Botswana and Zimbabwe was an experience of a lifetime! We enjoyed our trip so much - we
will never forget it! Kwetsani Tree Camp was our favorite camp in Botswana - very
romantic and quaint due to the small size. Camp Amalinda in Zimbabwe was also very
romantic. Incredible setting. The diverse landscape was so unique and different to what we
had seen in all the other camps. The guides very knowledgeable and highly
experienced. Ultimate Africa was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I would definitely
book another trip with Ultimate Africa! Hoping we can do it again - soon... Ultimate Africa did
a great job on our Botswana / Zimbabwe safari! Everything was very well
coordinated. All connections were perfect - no problems. Little Vumbura provided the best
wildlife viewing of the trip - Doctor was a great guide! Loved the river cruise at King's
Pool Camp. Muchenje Lodge has such a beautiful setting. We loved the Boma restaurant at
the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge! We were VERY satisfied and would recommend your
company and Wilderness Safaris to friends! The trip was organized
efficiently and maximized our time in Zimbabwe. All of our activities were different and
interesting in their own way. The amount of time spent at each location was ideal - it was
long enough to experience it fully, but not long enough to get bored.Wild Geese Lodge was
comfortable and the staff were very attentive. On the Mana Canoe Safari we got quite close
to hippos, crocs, and elephant. Our guide Victor could see things from so far away!. We
saw a lot of different species. In Matusadona our camping / hiking safari with Graeme
Lemon was rougher than we expected based on the description. The hiking was much harder
than we anticipated. There was less wildlife but we got pretty close to a pride of lion.
The food was very good and the staff terrific! At Kanando Tree Camp we saw a variety of
animals. Our guide Tendai had a good sense of where to see certain species. We got very
close to elephants which was great. It was nice to be able to just sit and watch the
animals. The accommodations were terrific! Staff was very attentive and went out of their
way to make me feel better when I was ill. The Sprayview Hotel at the Falls was nice. Some
staff were helpful, some were not. It was close enough to walk to the Falls. With
regards to Ultimate Africa everytime we had a question the response was quick and
complete. The consultants were helpful in determining our itinerary. We liked how it was
organized with our rougher activities / accommodations earlier. Transfers were smooth and
prompt. We would definitely book again (with more comfortable accommodations in
Matusadona). We have traveled all
over the world and will long remember our South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe safari as
exciting, different, and just wonderful! Ultimate Africa was
extremely knowledgeable. All questions were answered patiently. We would absolutely book
another Ultimate Africa Safari. The Grace in Johannesburg was a great hotel.
Newman Chobe at Chitabe Camp in Botswana was a wonderful guide and taught us a lot. Little
Vumbura offered a terrific balance of water and land wildlife viewing. Duma Tau Tented
Camp was AWESOME! This was our favorite camp. Great staff that went the extra mile to make
our stay wonderful. Muchenje was a lovely lodge with a wonderful view. The all day boat
trip was also awesome! The Victoria Falls Hotel was lovely as well. Overall your
service was very professional and complete. We were quite well prepared. Thank you for
your part in this incredible experience. Your comments on what to
expect and overall itinerary were accurate. All paperwork was descriptive and clear. I
don't think there were any major negative surprises to be had. I would book again. Best trip I ever
did! We have traveled to
a lot of places and the experience with Ultimate Africa in South Africa, Botswana, and
Zimbabwe was the best we have had! Not one slip up, everything happened on time
and as advertised. The Cape Grace Hotel has an excellent location and our guide was very
good. Mombo Camp really spoiled us. The Victoria Falls Hotel was
comparable to the Cape Grace. We enjoyed Makalolo Plains Tented Camp in Hwange as much as
Mombo - very friendly! Camp Amalinda near Matopos was an excellent choice for our last
stop. Really enjoyed the visit to the school and meeting the local people. We
hope to do it again! Everything was excellent. Great! Perfect! Trip
of a lifetime! This trip made me feel 65 again (I am 78 years old)!!!! I wouldn't change a
thing about our safari to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Cape Grace
Hotel is the best hotel I have ever stayed at! Ultimate Africa made it all possible. Will
definitely book with you again. You have the best African travel website! Excellent Botswana
safari. Great wildlife viewing and comfortable accommodations. The safari was
absolutely terrific! Through the camps and guides I feel I have goteen a feel for
the country of Zimbabwe and the continent of Africa.I enjoyed it very much. Everything was
absolutely wonderful. The lodges were beautiful, the guides were great, the
wildlife was outstanding. Even in Harare there was no sign of the unrest we've heard
about. I just can't say enough good things about the camps and Zimbabwe. We would
not hesitate to recommend this itinerary to anyone! Everything went like
clockwork on our Botswana and Zimbabwe safari. It was the trip of a lifetime - truly
memorable! The Botswana
Explorer safari was great! Our Drifters guide Martin is a "birder" as
am I, so I had a resident bird expert on board. Martin (at age 28) is probably one of the
more senior guides at Drifters so he may not be typical, but he was great although at
times had a tendency to nag unnecessarily. The local guides were all very knowledgeable
and we were pleased with them. Weather was good - usually in the mid to high 70's (F) and
hit freezing one night in Savuti. Otherwise, night temps were in the 40's to 50's. Lots of
wildlife, although no cheetahs and only 2 hyenas seen. At Vic Falls, the water was too
high for white water rafting so we took the "safe" alternative and went for a
canoe trip on the upper Zambezi. In the first 3 minutes, our guide's boat was attacked by
a 14 ft. crocodile (small puncture holes in the inflatable hull) and Maria and I almost
drifted into a pod of 8 hippos! Its a long story and everybody was shaken up and after
recovering we resumed the trip without incident - except for the puff adder that tried to
join us for lunch! Our guides assured us that this was a highly unusual river trip! But it
made for great stories that evening. Food, equipment, and camp sites were all very
satisfactory! We were disappointed to have to return home at the end of our trip. Transported to
another world. Ultimate Africa set up a perfect trip to South Africa, Botswana and
Zimbabwe. Connections on all flights were perfect. The weather could have been
better. We will never be able to duplicate this trip. The camps were beautiful and the
people very gracious. Really concerned about your comfort. Absolutely tops from start to
finish! Everything went like clockwork which is unusual for Africa!! We
are already planning to return next year!!! Ngala in South Africa, even though it
was a big place, was charming. The house staff and top brass couldn't have been nicer or
more concerned about the creature comforts. The rooms were clean and elegant. Food was
delicious and as always too plentiful! The guides were able to identify every bit of the
flora and fauna, every time. Dyke (our guide for the four days) worked overtime every day
to be sure we saw everything. We liked him tremendously and hated to leave when the time
came. The animals were a bit elusive there, but with such hardworking guides our viewing
was superb - a female leopard with two four month old cubs on an impala kill which
we saw on the ground one evening, in a tree the next day with the leopards sprawled out on
the branches with legs dangling - an incredible sight! Lions all the time - a big pride of
seven all ages and later a pair mating. Elephants with a bit of tracking we found each
day. Birds were a challenge with so many to identify, but was kept our lists current like
good students! I would go back to Ngala but would rather be at the new tented
camp very shi shi but small. I love tents and less people etc. Duma Tau Tented Camp in
Botswana was the best. Loved everything about it. First of all it was no where near full.
Most of the time there were only six to eight of us. The game viewing was beyond
description -15 lions on a huge kudu kill. We watched it disappear for four days until
nothing but horns, skull and backbone were left. And the hyenas and vultures were waiting
for a crack at it. There were two tiny cubs that mom had brought out of hiding for a day,
four larger cubs and various other males/females all lying around in the grass with full
bellies. And the big old lion king made his appearance on several occasions. And we saw
four gorgeous cheetahs sunning on a rock one morning, the tail ends of two wild dogs,
giraffe, hippo, elephant in great numbers, and of course the birds. The game
drives with Peace (our guide again for the four days) were exceptional. He was well
spoken, bright and knew the eco system completely. I don't think we missed a thing because
he wouldn't let us!!!! Food at Duma Tau was beautifully presented and the taste lived up
to the expectation. The whole staff seemed to like each other and worked together like a
well oiled machine The tents were comfortable, clean and upscale! Would go back there in a
heartbeat, and I hope to! Matetsi was the least favorite place (Ultimate Africa note:
these clients specifically requested Matetsi based on a friend's recommendation).
Accomodations were the fanciest, like a resort but can't compare to the tent experience.
Too many people. The water lodge houses too many, and that of course means more landrovers
running about. It takes away from the wilderness feeling. And most importantly, the
animals were not there. Guides were good, knowledgeable and concerned that we have a
memorable experience. But it was not up to the Botswana standard! The Victoria Falls
Safari Lodge was okay, but the Victoria Falls Hotel looked better and was within walking
distance of the shops. Victoria Falls could be skipped now that we have seen it on two
trips! We are really pleased with the trip you put together and will certainly tell
everyone so. Not one thing went wrong. We are talking already about a trip next
March! We also made it to Capetown for three days (my daughter did the planning)
and had a glorious time. The weather was perfect. Such a beautiful place. And we had a
last dinner at the Cape Grace Hotel. Pretty nice!!!!!! Indescribeable, moving, soulful,
spirtual…I would go again in a month if I could! We thought the whole package was
excellent. We saw very different things - each camp was unique, the terrain, the
wildlife etc…It was very well rounded. Also there was always someone to meet us -
everything was on time always. We never felt lost or confused. Our last South African
Airways flight home didn't know about my vegetarian diet. We thought the Botswana guides
were more knowledgeable than the Zimbabwe guides even though they were good also. The
Victoria Falls Hotel was very nice except horrible beds! Everyone catered to my vegetarian
diet. Everything was
exceptional! I feel extremely fortunate to have contacted Ultimate Africa Safaris
and that you utilize Kibo Safaris in Tanzania. They are the best! Great guides
Julius and Hagai - flexible and knowledgeable, easy to get along with. Sam and the cooks
were superb. Ultimate Africa Safaris staff was very knowledgeable. I can't imagine
a better trip. It was fantastic. Return to Safari Testimonials |
