ULTIMATE AFRICA SAFARIS
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Ultimate Africa Safaris client testimonials

2002

Our Botswana safari with Afroventures / Conservation Corporation was great and we had an excellent time. Would recommend it to anyone. Thanks for the help.
B. Firmin and J. Prince, October / November 2002, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

You have the best African website in the World!
C. Payne, October 2002

Excellent service. Great to work with Ian. Would recommend Ultimate Africa highly. Thanks for everything.
S. and R. Hettleman, October 2002, Brooklyn, New York, USA

We our found our Call of the Wild safari in Botswana to be extremely well organized. I plan to recommend you to many people I know!
W. and L. Wegener, October 2002, Sandy, Utah, USA

Our honeymoon in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe was better than we dreamed. The people, the lodges, the camps, and the wildlife were truly amazing! We have so many stories and wonderful memories which include wildlife sightings, dinner in the bush, and guides who became our friends. It was difficult to leave, but we will return. Originally we planned this to be a trip of a lifetime, but we have already decided that we must visit again! Ultimate Africa was superb! Than you for planning such an enjoyable and memorable honeymoon. We will definitely recommend you to to others…Pom Pom was our favorite camp – simply excellent! The people and the wildlife and the scenery were unbelievable. We will return! Duma Tau was home to all of the predators. We saw two lion prides, 2 leopards, and a wild dog kill. We will never forget it. Muchenje Lodge game drives weren’t as nice as you had to stay on the road. But the boat trip was amazing! Ultimate Africa staff were extremely knowledgeable. Everything went so smoothly. We are already talking about planning a second trip!
A. Moerke and C. Sherwinski, September / October 2002, South Bend, Indiana, USA

Even though we have traveled all over the world, we believe our Africa trip was very special. It is  a highlight in our many adventures to some quite remote places. Your planning on our behalf was outstanding. The Johannesburg Grace Hotel was very nice. Gordon provided good assistance coming and going to the Johannesburg Airport. At Ngong House in Nairobi we really enjoyed the hosts. Our guide at Kirawira in the Serengeti was superb. At Ngorongoro Crater Lodge the combination of luxurious accommodations and awe-inspiring location on the crater rim was outstanding. Our Jacana safari in Botswana was also wonderful! Finally our time in Cape Town at the Cape Grace was superb! We thoroughly enjoyed being here and our guide, Pam Allen, was outstanding. If we could change anything we would arrange a private guide at all locations the next time. Again,thanks for your incredible assistance.
R. and D. Davis, September 2002, Groveland, California, USA

Extremely thorough and professional. Every pro and con was explained. There were absolutely no unpleasant surprises. Everything was far more spectacular than we ever imagined. It is a shame that Zimbabwe is not being promoted due to their unfortunate political situation. The people were kind and generous, and the land is beautiful. We would return there! In general every person in South Africa was warm and friendly. The staff from the Baia Restaurant by the Grace Hotel even picked us up one evening and took us out on the town! They said it was "an honor" for us to allow them to take us out - Can you imagine! We made many friends the we will remain in contact with until we return again - soon! Thank you for arranging the BEST VACATION OF OUR LIFE!  
C. and H. Fairweather, September 2002, Lauderhill, Florida, USA

Very professional! Extremely knowledgeable. Very helpful in coordinating a trip that fit our needs.Thanks.
P. Riddols and A. Evans, September 2002, Pacific Grove, California, USA

Please find a write up of our recent safari below. The Rosebank Grace Hotel in Johannesburg is luxurious without being stuffy, great way to recover from the flight. At no point in our time in Harare, Victoria Falls or Zimbabwe's Parks was there any evidence of the political turmoil that is so widely publicized in the American press. Everyone we met was gracious and helpful, and made us feel very welcome in their country. We would not hesitate to recommend a safari in Zimbabwe and we would happily go back as there are so many amazing and beautiful things to see. It would be a shame if people let fear stop them when it was so clear to us that there was nothing for a tourist to fear. But while Zimbabwe is safe, we were aware of its problems. We met many people at the camps, both guests and staff, who had lost their farms and were finding ways to cope and move on. The decrease in tourism was very obvious in Victoria Falls when compared to a visit during May of 2001. In Hwange, the hunger of the people has resulted in an increase in snares being used to catch animals for food; fortunately the team at Makalolo Plains was able to help some of these animals by removing the snares and we were privileged to be invited to accompany the guides on one of these missions of mercy. We do not believe that visiting Zimbabwe is a show of support for the politics of the government but rather for its people, the parks and the wildlife as they are the most severely affected by the decrease in visitors. Chikwenya Camp: One of the more exciting events of our stay here occurred on an afternoon canoe safari on the Zambezi River. We were in the first canoe with Kevin, our canoe guide, followed by a second canoe with another guest and guide, as we traveled through hordes of hippos in the river. After walking the canoes on the bank bypassing an ornery hippo's territory, we had reboarded the canoes, continuing along the river, when the aforementioned ornery hippo took exception to our presence. He quickly swam from the safety from the deeper water and bit the middle of the second canoe. Fortunately, there was no passenger sitting in the way of the hippo's mouth, and the canoes were safely next to the riverbank. So we all quickly followed the emergency instructions given to us by Kevin prior to embarking on our canoe safari, and basically levitated up the 5 foot high sandbank to safety. The only damage was to the bottom of the second canoe, which had four neat holes courtesy of our friend, the hippo. While our canoe safari had an exciting end, we never felt that we were in any danger as Kevin had the situation under control at all times. There was no way that anyone could anticipate that a hippo would move from the safety of deep water to go after a canoe in shallow water that was no threat to him. We had a great story to tell, and a vivid reminder that the wildlife really is wild! On a nature walk our last morning with our guide Tony, we stumbled upon fresh lion tracks which we were thrilled to follow. As we followed the tracks, we were elated to see that they crossed over our tire tracks, so we knew that the lion had passed this way only minutes before. Because the ground was mostly sand, even our untrained eyes could easily follow her trail which added to the excitement as we were actually tracking her and not simply following blindly behind Tony. Tony gave us a very explicit safety lecture on the proper behavior when meeting a lion, and we quietly walked in single file, avoiding sticks and leaves, while carefully surveying the surrounding bush. For at least 30 minutes we followed the lion spoor, knowing at any time we could meet up with our lioness. Sadly, the tracks moved into a densely shrubbed area where we could not safely follow. However, we weren't disappointed, as the potential for finding our lioness was so great that the tracking experience was extremely thrilling in and of itself. Water Wilderness Lodge: One of the highlights of our visit to Water Wilderness was an intimate look at the family life of a small group of elephants next to Lake Kariba. Simeon, our guide for the pontoon game drives, allowed the pontoon to drift next to the bank where there were approximately a dozen elephants. They were eating, drinking, playing and fighting amongst themselves and, while aware of our presence, they clearly felt that we were at a respectful distance and ignored us. For about 20 minutes, we watched 2 babies under a year old (they could walk under Mom's tummy) nurse and play with each other. There were 2 teenagers sort of fighting and playing at the same time, and when one wanted to leave, the other promptly tusked in the backside. Of course, this convinced him to stay and he turned around and they began to spar. But as these 2 elephants fought, the sparring gradually turned to affection and they ended up with there trunks entwined as if holding hands. Definitely an AWW moment. The 2 babies had been watching this action and tried to imitate the older guys, but as they had no tusks, the sparring did not seem like fun but they also ended up with their trunks entwined. Having seen many elephants on this safari, to watch this small group was like seeing a family play in their own backyard which was very different from seeing large groups of elephants at water holes where the behavior was more like watching families play in a public park. We were just mesmerized by these elephants and were emotionally drained when they left the area. The evenings at Water Wilderness were always special. The sunsets on Lake Kariba were spectacular, and Simeon always stopped the pontoon boat in a breathtaking location. We would arrive back at the mothership for dinner, and sit on the deck up top and gaze at the stars. After dinner, Simeon arranged for us to have a music lesson, courtesy of the staff. Counter, who would play the drums at night to announce dinner, gave us lessons and we played songs together. The second night they really went all out! Counter led 2 other drummers, and then more staff appeared for some impromptu dancing, which we joined in on. There's more to Africa than just wildlife! Makalolo Plains Tented Camp: One of the most exciting experiences at this camp was the night that we slept in the underground hide. The hide at first view seemed very reminiscent of an abandoned concrete bunker full of dust and probably spiders, not at all appealing. We had some second thoughts about spending the night there but were assured by Jane, our guide for this game drive, that it would look very different when it was prepared for us. If we did not like it, we could leave as she would be sleeping in the tree hide not far away. The next night when we arrived for our camp out we were amazed at the transformation; the hide was unrecognizable from the day before. It had been thoroughly cleaned and a tarp was placed on the floor. There were 2 mattresses with sheets, blankets and pillows with fragrant leaves spread over them. There was a spotlight to watch the animals, candles and hot water for tea or coffee and, best of all, a toilet. We quickly settled in and immediately tried using the spotlight through the windows but that was awkward and the battery would not last all night. So we decided to see what was visible when our eyes adjusted to the night and were amazed at how much could be seen. The hide is next to waterhole and is a favorite of elephants during the dry season. Soon we were surrounded by a sea of really big legs and swinging trunks and became dizzy trying to watch from all sides at the same time. It was a surreal experience to be surrounded by so many enormous animals when all that could be heard was the quiet brush of their feet on the sand. However, occasionally one elephant would irritate another and the unhappy one would let loose with a trumpet that would raise the dead; don't expect to get too much sleep in the hide. It was an experience not to be missed but planning to be there during a full moon would definitely increase the visibility. Jane told us as we leaving the camp that two male guests, who had planned to camp out in the hide, had changed their minds after seeing it and she was quite proud of our "bravery". Spending time with Dave, who is the manager of Makalolo as well a guide, was a real treat - his knowledge of the African bush is boundless. Whether he was explaining the differences in dung to us, or describing the amount of anesthesia needed to operate on a snared elephant, he shared his knowledge in a way that made you want to learn more and do more to help the animals. Seeing the animals and the land on foot is very special; having Dave there made it even more so. Dave and Jane were the best guides of the trip! Muchenje Lodge: The best animal encounter in Chobe was the sighting of a small pride of lions with a 5 week old cub. We had gone on the full day safari that began with a short visit to a local family where we were invited into the courtyard of one of the homes and met the grandmother and some of her family. It was wonderful seeing how the village operates; the reliance on other family members and their livestock. After this visit, we went off to Chobe to meet with our boat on the river. We spent the morning watching crocodiles, water monitors, several different types of birds and, of course, elephants. In the afternoon, we went back to shore and began a game drive through the park. As it came closer to park closing, it seemed as if we were not going to be fortunate to spot anymore lions. But one lion was spotted through the shrubs and, as we watched her, 2 other females and a young male became visible. They were slowing moving through the shrubs when we saw the baby. We moved along as they did and soon they settled down for a rest not 20 feet away from us. We were able to sit and enjoy the cub as it played with the young male's tail and generally fell all over himself as babies do. At one point it seemed as if the baby was going to come over to the truck which would have great until we realized that Mom would not be far behind; but the cub got distracted and changed direction. Eventually, the females stood up and we though that all the lions were leaving but the females were obviously going off to hunt for dinner and the young male and the cub stayed behind. We knew that the time was running out for us to leave the park but hated to move away from the cub and, just as we began to leave, we spotted Dad through the shrubs, watching his family from a short distance away. We were able to quickly get a picture and enjoy the arrogant beauty of the male lion as he watched his cub and waited for his lionesses to provide dinner. On our second night, we were surprised with a special dinner. We were told to be at the trucks and bring a sweater but no one would tell us what was going on. We were taken by truck into the bush for a magical dinner outside under a candlelit baobab tree. As we got off the trucks, special drinks in glasses rimmed in sugar were served and we were then treated to songs and dances by the camp staff. Dinner was a cookout, which consisted for grilled game meat, chicken, and kudu goulash. Surrounded by candlelight in the bush and sharing the music and dance of the country was an event that cannot adequately be described but definitely must be experienced. A very special surprise and a beautiful memory. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge: This lodge was a great transition from the camps in the bush to "civilization" as it is very much like a large camp with its thatched roof and waterholes filled with birds and animals. We had read about the Boma restaurant in the lodge's website and went there for our last evening in Africa, sob. The seating areas in the Boma surround an open area in the center of the restaurant where dances are performed during the evening; tellers of fortunes and stories circulate through the restaurant stopping at the tables to speak with the guests. Interesting dining manners and customs were also demonstrated. There was a vast amount of food available in the buffet, not all of which is recognizable but it is labeled. We had thought that the evening might be a little too touristy but it turned out to be very enjoyable with some extremely interesting food (the fried mopane worms are recommended) and really outstanding music (don't forget the tape recorder like we did). Overall our trip was extremely well coordinated. I would change nothing – the trip was well paced and the mix of camps and lodges was perfect! Would we book again – Oh yes! Not only was the trip planning well done but I believe we were the beneficiary of Ultimate Africa reputation in a number of ways.
S. Morris and B. Bullock, September 2002, Reston, Virginia, USA

Thank you for all your assistance in planning our honeymoon trip. We’ve been home for three weeks and I am still busy sorting through the more than 1000 digital images taken on our journey. We had a wonderful time. After the long but flawless flight from JFK, Gordon met us at the airport to deliver us to the Saxon - with our 14 hours on the plane he had to work hard at keeping us awake while he showed us some of Johannesburg along the way. The hotel is beautiful- Jacqui loved the suite, especially the large tub.  Our high expectations were met. The staff was professional and we loved dinner in the dining room and the opportunity to sample some fine South African wines. Next morning, Gordon whisked us to the airport and through to the gate for our flight to Livingstone. We are experienced travelers, but it is nice to have someone there to take care of airport transfers for us - Gordon was great! We enjoyed our stay at the Royal Livingstone. The rooms are beautiful and the location at the top of Victoria Falls is dramatic - even with the lower water levels. The helicopter tour over the Falls was memorable and a must do for anyone visiting the area. On our return from the helicopter ride, our driver offered us a very nice mini-tour of Livingstone. Food here is world class and, again, an opportunity to sample more South African wine! As first time visitors to Africa we were glad to have made the stop at the falls, but were glad to be staying only one night. The commercial feel of the area was in stark contrast to our anticipated experience in Botswana. As we reached Kasane in our Sefofane charter we encountered an early spring storm that forced our pilot to return to Livingstone. Sefofane dispatched a second plane to pick us up after a two-hour delay on the ground. A second pilot was waiting for us in Kasane to fly us to King’s Pool. Again we encountered rain showers, but our pilot was able to fly around them and we reached King’s Pool Camp shortly before sunset. The manager Ryan was waiting for us, as our evening wildlife viewing drive had left hours before. He mentioned that they had spotted two new lions just off the end of the runway and was gracious enough offer us a mini-drive on the way to camp. During our stay the staff was fantastic - managers, guides, kitchen help, everyone. We had several animals visiting our tent in the night- monkeys, genets, hippos, kudu, hyenas, lions. We left camp very impressed with all the members of the King’s Pool team. Jacqui and I loved the setting of Mombo Camp. The tents and walkways make this place special.  We thought the food here was well prepared, but we enjoyed the meals at King’s Pool more.  Our guide Sam stated every dive with the motto ‘Let’s call them’, referring to spotting big game before the other vehicles. He worked hard not to disappoint and we crowned Sam the ‘Dominant Male Guide of Mombo. Quality of service at Singita was high, the staff attentive, and accommodations attractive, though some of the furniture looked worn. Our room could have used a minor face-lift. Guides were professional, friendly and funny, and worked to make game drives special. They followed two mating leopards over two days for the benefit of everyone in camp. Jacqui was apprehensive about taking a nature walk with the trackers, but it turned out to be one of her favorite activities of our trip. Food service was outstanding, our bush breakfast and boma dinner were unforgettable. This is a great place we would highly recommend, though it has a resort feel and atmosphere that sets them apart from the Wilderness Safaris camps. For us, we enjoyed the Botswana camps more. Overall it was a wonderful trip. You and everyone at Ultimate Africa were extremely helpful during booking. Questions were answered to our satisfaction and we liked that you offered your opinions when asked - it sets your firm apart from others who are too afraid or ignorant to offer opinions.  The entire trip was coordinated- flights and transfers were flawless.  We would definitely book with you again. We are sold on the Wilderness Safaris experience and we are already planning our next trip. We look forward to working with you in the future.
M. Aher and J. McCoy, September 2002, Needham, Massachusetts, USA

Thanks again for organizing another amazing safari experience! Namibia exceeded our expectations with the spectacular scenery and especially the wildlife. We saw the Big 5 in 3 days in Etosha and Waterberg. Our guide Colin was very knowledgable, witty and a lot of fun. The Botswana trip was also incredible and the wildlife was prolific. In addition to the typical game (i.e. elephant, giraffe, zebra, antelope, etc...) we saw several cheetahs, leopards, lions, a leopard cub, and even six lion cubs drinking from 15 feet away. Our motto became "a cat a day" :).  Our guide Kaiser Rams was an excellent tracker and cook and was very knowledgable and entertaining - not to mention the fact we think he knew everyone in Botswana! Kaiser's assistants were also excellent and professional. We would highly recommend both companies, although our personal preference would be the type of safari that we had in Botswana (i.e. small open vehicle for game drives, the non-participatory aspects, etc.). Once again we are already anxious to return to Africa for another safari! Thank you again!
R. and H. Austring, September 2002, Seaford, Delaware, USA

The Jacana Safari in Botswana was an unbelievable experience with incredible sights and sounds! Memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives...
R. and S. Jimenez, September 2002, Pocatello, Idaho, USA

We had such a good time, an unbelievable dream come true anniversary trip for us. Wilderness Safari exceeded our expectations of providing a memorable time in Africa. Everything was perfect! We are hoping to return to Africa sometime and maybe not too far off in the distant future. We had a great safari through Ultimate Africa Safaris - thanks very much!
C. and C. Layton, September 2002, Pocatello, Idaho, USA

We wanted to tell you our trip to Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls was FANTASTIC!  All of your planning was great.  We had a super trip!  The Crater Lodge was unbelievable! Thanks for a great trip.
D. and D. Davis, September 2002, Groveland, California, USA

Could not have been better. Trip of a lifetime. We have recommended your company to many friends.
E. and J. Gravely, August 2002, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

We got back this morning and I wanted to tell you that our trip was WONDERFUL!!!! We had a great time and every camp was special. And the most unexpected pleasure was Philip. We loved him. He added so much to our experience and we came very close to kidnapping him and bringing home with us. We HIGHLY recommend that you book him for future clients - they will not be disappointed. I'll provide a more detailed report later, but I just wanted you to know how happy we all are. The only thing we are unhappy about is that we are back home. Personally, I could stay in Africa forever. Thanks for everything! Wow!
S. McDermott and Family, August 2002, Altanta, Georgia, USA

Our Botswana safari was absolutely incredible and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Richard and Sarah were EXCEPTIONAL guides and hosts (so knowledgeable and wonderful!) and all the camps were beautiful. Fantastic service, accommodations and overall experience. We can't rave about it enough!
P. Claar and S. Sodal, August 2002, Seattle, Washington, USA

We had the most glorious trip to South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime. It was perfect from beginning to end. We started out spending 2 days at the Mount Grace Hotel outside Johannesburg. Then we went to Botswana for 10 days and back to Cape Town where we stayed at the Cape Grace for 5 days. In Botswana all our accommodations were up to our expectations and more. The staff at each camp were friendly and helpful and we had the feeling we were visiting friends. The food was always delicious and generous and beautifully served. I was amazed that we were eating so well out in the wilderness! Our first camp was very small and we felt we had our own private safari camp. Our second camp was on the water and we had a close encounter with an elephant that we will never forget. At our third camp, an elephant "came to tea". At Chobe, the views were spectacular and there was a feeling of Jurassic Park or the Garden of Eden. At all the camps, our guides were excellent and knowledgeable. It is amazing how they could drive us all over the area, without a road, road sign or map - and most of the time we never saw another human - and get us safely back to our tent after dark! We saw more animals and more variety of animals than I ever expected and the night skies were beautiful. There was no moon while we were there and we could see every star in the sky. We had a wonderful time in Cape Town and we loved the comfort and luxury of the Cape Grace Hotel and its convenient location. Thank you so much for arranging such a wonderful trip. Every detail was taken care of and it truly was the best trip we have ever taken. We loved every minute! We were very pleased with the whole package! We wouldn't change a thing. Every detail was taken care of and it truly was the best trip we have ever taken. You do a wonderful job there at Ultimate Africa Safaris. I would also like to thank you for the gift you sent. It is a lovely reminder of the best trip ever. Thank you again!
P. and T. Heffelfinger, August 2002, Potomac, Maryland, USA

It was absolutely excellent Thank you!
S. Hoban, August 2002, Long Beach, California, USA

WOW!
J. Vaughn and D. Creel,  August 2002, Long Beach, California, USA

Our safari was absolutely perfect!!! The entire trip far exceeded our highest expectations. We enjoyed our stay in Cape Town. The Table Bay was quite impressive, and the staff were so friendly. Throughout the trip, Wilderness Safaris did an outstanding job with our airport transfers we never had to worry about a thing! I can’t say enough good things about the wildlife in Botswana or the safari with Wilderness Dawning. The guides were very knowledgeable, very professional, and tons of fun too. Camping was a blast - the equipment was in great shape, the food was delicious, and I am shocked at the numbers of animals that passed through our camp each night! It was an unbelievable experience, and the Wilderness Dawning guides ensured that we enjoyed every minute. I would highly recommend Wilderness Dawning to any of your clients who are considering a safari in Botswana. I could ramble on forever, but I have to get to my most important point: Many kudos to Ultimate Africa Safaris!!! I truly appreciate your putting together this trip for us. Everything was so well organized, and your planning was flawless. I have already recommended you to many friends who want to visit Africa soon. GREAT WORK!! We’ll be in touch when we plan our next safari (hopefully in the next 2-3 years - I’m ready to go back as soon as possible). Thanks again for everything!
J. and J. McMahon,  August 2002, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

I had a wonderful time on the Namibia Explorer safari. I was really happy with everything to do with the land tour. The only thing that threw me off a little bit is that my luggage didn't arrive in Windhoek the same time as I did. I received my luggage four days later in Swakopmund! That didn't stop me from enjoying the beautiful Namibian landscape and having a terrific time, even if I was wearing the same clothes for five days. Drifter's was kind enough to lend me a sleeping bag at no cost and the five other guests on the tour were sweet enough to provide me with the basic things such as shampoo. I will definitely will book with you again for future Africa trips, and recommend Ultimate Africa to any people that plan to visit that beautiful continent.
M. Irureta,  August 2002, Los Angeles, California, USA

Our Kenyan safari was great! Very well coordinated. The best part was meeting all the personalities!
P. and M. Dickens, August 2002, Simi Valley, California, USA

Barbara and I wanted to personally thank you for organizing such a wonderful safari itinerary. The Wilderness Safaris' people were wonderful.  Everyone was well organized, prompt and extremely courteous. The Grace is a magnificent hotel. Nicola and Moma at Tubu Tree were great. Even though the camp was open only 6 weeks, it was our second favorite place and by far the most successful in animal sightings. Lions mating, a cheetah, wild dog and 3 leopards together on the first day set pretty difficult standards for the subsequent camps! What a way to start out! Dan, the guide, was tireless and took us out as often as we wanted to go.  Didn’t get much sleep there as it was too interesting. Pom Pom was the least favorite….but still great. Brian was both managing and our guide. Still a great spot. Duma Tau…our hands down favorite!  Peace, the guide, was absolutely wonderful. He took us out whenever we wanted to go, took personal interest in us and our teenage kids, and was extremely knowledgeable. Great facility and great staff. Muchenje was a wonderful way to end the safari. Peter and Sandy were delightful (and spoke very highly of you). Mist, the guide, was great as well. We had only one minor glitch where there was a mix-up on the Zimbabwe transfer…the guide went to Muchenje to collect us and Peter and Sandy from Muchenje took us to Kasane airport. But the Wilderness rep at the airport was in touch and in an hour or so we were on our way. The guide, Duncan, got us back on schedule and stayed with us at Victoria Falls until 7:00PM, even taking us to the market and to the pharmacy. The Victoria Falls Lodge was a nice way to re-enter “civilization”. Wished we had one more day there. The scheduling and logistics were exceptional. Barbara and I often marveled at how these camps and bush aircraft moved people around with such efficiency. We were equally impressed with the meet and greets at Johannesburg airports and the Grace Hotel.  Everyone was punctual and gracious. A very reassuring part of the experience was the confidence that we would be collected and delivered right on time. I cannot help but think that you scheduled the camps in this sequence on purpose. The journey from Tubu to Pom Pom to Duma Tau to Muchenje was insightful. Little things, like having electricity and hot showers at Tubu after a week in Malawi, and then again at the end in Muchenje and Vic Falls, were nice transitions from the “bush” back to “civilization”. Great sequence. This trip was far more than a boondoggle for us. We had not seen Abby for 10 months and this family holiday was one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences. It far exceeded our expectations and I cannot thank you enough for the choices of camps, the use of Wilderness, and the essentially flawless execution of the whole safari. After experiencing a week of African “efficiency” in Malawi, it was a wonderful change to be in the hands of professionals who made sure we were taken care of. Trip details were explained in great detail and staff were very helpful. We will recommend you highly. Absolutely exceeded our expectations. Was reassuring to have people at camps know you and speak highly of your expertise. Many many thanks for a wonderful trip! We are most grateful for your assistance. You can be assured we have already and will continue to recommend Ultimate Africa to everyone. Now….since Abby will be in Malawi for another 16 months….Barbara and I may just have to sneak back to Africa next summer for a visit…you’ll be the first person we call if we decide to do that! Kind regards.
J. Rivenbark and Family, July / August 2002, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

I had a great time on the Mopane Safari in Botswana and at Rocktail Bay and Cape Town, South Africa. Thank you so much!
P. Thomas, July / August 2002, Dharhan, Saudi Arabia

Wilderness Dawning put on a fantastic safari (Classic Botswana Tented Safari). The wildlife was tremendous - got up close to lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, etc. Our guide was truly inspiring in his breadth and depth of local knowledge and his crew was fantastic. The group we went with also helped make the trip memorable; an awesome bunch of educated wilderness people who happened to have great senses of humor. I'll never forget this trip as long as I live - and am already telling family and friends that this is a must do activity. Thanks for organizing things. In appreciation.
A. Rothwell, July / August 2002, Palm Beach, New South Wales, Australia

My Botswana safari was really excellent. Cold at night, hot during midday, dusty and dry (the womenfolk were all dreaming of super-hydrating cream by the end of the trip). Very good group of people with good discussions around the campfire each night, of course over a beer or glass of wine! I think everyone really appreciated both Nic and Segal, the guides. Segal was a trove of information on Botswana politics, Kalahari bushmen people, philosophy on African issues, etc. - made it a very real trip for us. The crew were very attentive and we ate like we had never seen food before...The scenery was spectacular and it was simply great to be able to see the animals we did. We got very close to elephants and lions and saw a thousand birds (yes, there were two birdwatchers in our group who had endured many bird comments by the end of the trip). Thank you for all of your help - it was a good trip.
C. Mok, July / August 2002, Palm Beach, New South Wales, Australia

Thanks for a well-crafted itinerary and a very thoughtful gift upon our return. The trip exceeded our expectations. Thank god that it was the dry season and there were no insects because we spent most of the trip breathing through our mouths with our jaws agape in awe. The scenery in Zimbabwe and Botswana was diverse and like no where else on earth. The guides and the camp managers were fun and gracious hosts. The animal encounters were awesome. I have sent many referrals your way.
B. Ludwig and Family, July 2002, West Bloomfield, Michigan, USA

Thanks for putting together a great Kenya / Tanzania safari together on very short notice. We had a fantastic time - one that we will never forget. I have already referred a colleague to you.
J. and C. Karrells, July 2002, San Francisco, California, USA

The Jacana Safari in Botswana was excellent! Superior!
C. Fulbright and E. Ortiz, July 2002, Littleton, Colorado, USA

Our Classic Tanzanian Tented Safari was a major success. We saw all the big game etc.- fantastic! As important, Kibo, the company you work with in Tanzania, were great. Our driver/guide, Julius, was first-rate, knowledgeable, skilful, amusing, and considerate. He couldn't have been better. And the rest of the crew were also great. The food was very good, particularly the lunches we took out with us (which in a way are more difficult to get right than the dinners). Excellent chef.The camps were well run, tents comfortable, sites very attractive. My only query concerned the 3 nights we spent above Ngorongoro. You warned us about the cold and advised extra clothing but we were unprepared for the bitter chill that set in at nightfall. We had an extra day before the safari and then afterwards between getting back to Arusha and flying off to Zanzibar, and again Kibo were excellent in looking after us (and gave us an nice lunch). As a company, they seem efficient, friendly, and well-aware of customer needs. I would love to be in their hands again.Thank you. It was excellent, and entirely reassuring, doing business with you.
K. and M. Sturgess, July 2002, Nafplion, Greece

The Grace Hotel in Johannesburg is lovely! On the Mana Canoe Trail our guide was exceptional - the favorite part of our trip! At Muchenje Lodge there were huge quantities of most types of wildlife. At Duma Tau the managers and guides were great. Little Vumbura is a great location for cats. Staff were extremely friendly. I would definitely book with Ultimate Africa again! The trip was very well planned and organized. Not a single step of the trip forgotten. The expertise of the guides and staff at the camps was exceptional and the care and concern for our safety was always a priority. The overall experience was amazing and we would enthusiastically recommend Ultimate Africa and Wilderness Safaris to others!
V. Serravallo and Family, July 2002, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA

We ran into other folks on the trip who had booked with Ultimate Africa and we all had only the highest praise. We had a great dinner and breakfast at the Grace Hotel in Johannesburg. Beautiful rooms and   exceptional service that rivals the Ritz. Tubu Camp in Botswana was the most beautiful lodge we stayed at. Jacana Camp was very average compared to the others. Would not recommend others or revisit. Linyanti Tented Camp offered the best wildlife experience. Great density of wildlife, guides were very knowledgeable - would definitely go back! At Muchenje Lodge the managers were very helpful with tips on Zimbabwe and the Victoria Falls. The wildlife in Chobe makes this lodge worth the visit. Everything went very smoothly. Transfers were always waiting for us - guiding us through the airports...I would do another camp instead of Jacana but I think they were booked already. Exceptional experience. We couldn't have planned it on our own. The selection of camps, the sequence, was really nice. Little extras that we otherwise wouldn't have known about made a huge difference! The transfers went so smoothly - again we couldn't have planned it better. It all made for a very relaxing, stress free, trip. Thanks - looking forward to planning the next trip!
J. Chan and R. Shinghal, July 2002, Palo Alta, California, USA

We had a fantastic trip and I have given your name to two of my friends that are thinking of going to Africa next year. Our trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe could not have been better. 
D. Meckler and Family, June / July 2002, San Francisco, California, USA

A friend and I recently returned from an absolutely incredible trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It far exceeded my expectations...and those who know me will confirm that my standards are quite high! I write to share thoughts from us both...What to say? How to tell you what an incredible time we had? How to communicate how impressed we were with all of the connections, transfers, flights? Your planning was masterful. While trusting the professionalism of our Ultimate Africa Safaris, we frankly had no idea just how all of our required connections would work. But we departed JFK in New York, trusting that someone at our destination would be expecting us and ready to assist us in this travel adventure. And there your staff members were! Always there to meet and transport us. Always prepared. Always courteous. Always patient with the myriad of questions we asked. Always professional. Please accept our compliments on the high quality of not only your staff but your organization as well. Olaf's Guest House in Cape Town had lovely appointments and a congenial hostess. The Mana Pools Canoe Safari along the Lower Zambezi River in Zimbabwe was AMAZING! Wonderful service, menus and staff. And how about those hippos, crocs and elephants! Great immersion into the habitat. Matusadona Water Wilderness was wonderfully secluded with an appealing variety of habitats. Rhinos! At Muchenje Lodge there was a nice variety of drives. Lions! I especially appreciated a visit to the school. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was beautiful with a wonderful setting and exceptional dining. Most helpful concierge - definitely a site worth revisiting. The Johannesburg Sun Intercontinental Hotel had lovely appointments. A fine selection of food and wine. Marvelous and conveniant. Makakatana Bay Lodge offered a unique setting with an appealing variety of ecosystems and acitivities. Most courtesous staff. We appreciated the guides extensive knowledge. We felt very secure as two woman traveling through Africa. And everywhere we went so many people knew you! Now that we've returned, almost none of our friends can believe that we did this "on our own." In truth, we didn't. We had Ultimate Africa Safaris on which to depend. And that made all of the difference. I have been fortunate in my travel opportunities - Europe several times, Japan, Hawaii several times, and even Kenya and Tanzania in east Africa. But none of those experiences can equal the wonderful holiday you arranged for us! We had thought this might be the holiday of a lifetime and indeed it was! Thank you for your excellent service and coordination. You indeed helped create for us a trip "of a lifetime." Please accept our little thank you of sweet treats from nearby Hershey, Pennsylvania. Our gesture to you for creating one of the "sweetest" holidays ever for us! With much appreciation and many amazing memories.
B. Rhoads and M. Shaak, June / July 2002, Palmyra, Pennsylvania, USA

Wonderful vacation! It exceeded all our expectations. All three of the Wilderness Safaris' camps in Botswana were outstanding. We had been concerned about having to visit Mombo first (due to availability) but Kaparota and Savute were every bit as good and the food was actually better with each camp! We would not stay at Muchenje Lodge next time. The guides were terrible (Ultimate Africa looked into this as Muchenje Lodge receives rave reviews from over 95% of our clients.The owners of Muchenje Lodge noted that their head guide had just been killed in a collision with a giraffe and all the guides were not performing up to par during the Genderson's visit).
B. Genderson and Family, June / July 2002, Washington DC, USA

Our family's trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe was so wonderful! We cannot think of anything that could have been done better. Feel free to use us as a reference any time.
S. Gertz and Family, June / July 2002, Seattle, Washington, USA

Our trip (Southern Circle Explorer) was fantastic. Drifters did a very nice job. The guides were great, the camps were nice and food was fantastic. We will use them again when we return to southern Africa. Thanks for helping to make it all possible.
N. and C. Graham, June / July 2002, Minneapolis, MN, USA

WOW!! We are telling all our friends about our Botswana / Zimbabwe safari! Mombo is Africa on steroids - you can sit in one place for 30 minutes and all the African animals will walk by. Duba Plains is a must for anyone visiting Africa! I will call and tell you all the details!
R. and S. Rothney, June 2002, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

What a great trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana! The Grace Hotel was very nice - great accommodations. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was superb, indeed much better than the classic Victoria Falls Hotel. Muchenje and Kaparota were fantastic. I would book a future trip through Ultimate Africa. I prefer the smaller camps and would recommend these to others. Overall it was great!
S. Lietart and B. Smith , June 2002, Astoria, New York, USA

Thank you so much for helping us arrange such a fantastic trip (to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana)! The Mana Canoe Trail was a fantastic adventure. At Makalolo Plains Dave was an incredible guide and host. Straight A's! We could have simply done a daytrip to Victoria Falls - two days was too much. Remember to remind guests to bring US $ as you get MUCH more for your money paying in US. Don't change money into Zimbabwe dollars. Chobe Chilwero's accommodations were great however the hosts were trying to hard and the guides were terrible. At Jao Camp our guide Frank was amazing. At Mombo unfortunately our guide Tsile wasn't as good as the previous guides. Oh yeah - the wild life was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Everything went smoothly and we're already thinking about our next trip. Seriously - September of next year. We'd like to start with a couple days R&R in Cape Town - then maybe biking for a few days - go through Botswana and Zimbabwe - perhaps more rustic camping (not too rustic -- more like the Mana Pools experience) - then ending up with the Seychelles (the new North Island resort). Thanks for everything. You've been fabulous. (Ultimate Africa notes that Tsile is an awesome guide - actually Colin Bell, one of Wilderness Safaris directors, specifically requests Tsile as his guide when at Mombo).
J. Brownell and L. Evans,  and Family, May / June 2002, Olga, Washington, USA

We had a wonderful time in South Africa (on the South Africa Explorer safari). Each place we stayed was great. Drifters Adventours does a super job putting everything together. We had a regular guide, "Chris" , and a trainee guide, "Hennie". These guys met each other for the first time the night that we all met. They worked together so well, it was amazing. The food and the accommodations were outstanding. There were six of us on the tour, four Germans and us. They all spoke English. We highly recommend Ultimate Africa and their counterpart in Africa, Drifters Adventours - first rate.
B. and M. Burmeister, May  / June 2002, Portland, Oregon, USA

We just came back from an absolutely lovely trip. All your suggestions were wonderful -  truly wonderful! We loved the Grace Hotel, Pom Pom Tented Camp, Linyanti Tented Camp, Muchenje Lodge and the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. It was a fabulous idea to start at Pom Pom and build up to Linyanti and then Muchenje...Your schedule was just right. The Grace Hotel was very welcoming. It was so comfortable we didn't want to leave. Pom Pom Tented Camp in Botswana was excellent. It was the perfect beginning. It was just what we wanted! Each animal was a special experience - a great introduction to the rest. The camp also had best food of our entire safari! We loved our guide Willis. He gave Eric a fabulous birthday party. - Pom Pom was the ultimate! Linyanti Tented Camp was overwhelmingly wonderful. I loved the adrenaline rush of being so close to all the animals. The wildlife viewing was awesome. We also loved the boat rides. Our guide Steve - excellent! Staff were superb - so lovely and warm. Muchenje Lodge was excellent. Overall the staff and accommodations were wonderful. Our hosts, Peter and Sandy, were great. We had a fabulous outdoor dinner under a 1,000 year old baobab tree! We didn't like the paved roads in the area - not the same feeling of being in the bush as at Pom Pom and Linyanti however Chobe's wildlife / herds were incredible. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was a great choice. Our guide at Victoria Falls added so much to the experience. At first we were sorry that we hadn't stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel, but after one drink watching the water hole at the Safari Lodge we were happier we were there. Now we can't wait to go again. We would like to Namibia next year...Should we tack on Cape Town or the Serengeti? I have lost interest in seeing the wildebeest migration since we saw so many herds at Chobe. Overall we spotted 156 bird species - all of the guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. Would we book a future trip with Ultimate Africa? Yes - book us for Namibia! PS - the direct flight aboard South African Airways from the USA was fine. Eric says that if you have any clients who want to know what it is like to go on a safari like you planned for us give them our name and he will tell them how much we loved it. I am also writing an article about our trip...will send you a copy.
M. and E. Outwater, May 2002, Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA

The Mopane Safari in Botswana was brilliant! Thank you for advising me to arrive in Johannesburg a day early. I was able to take a tour of Johannesburg and Soweto, do some laundry, take a long nap and get a good nights sleep. The next day I felt refreshed and ready for the safari. I had a marvelous time camping in Botswana and would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure who doesn't mind a little dirt. There were 7 of us in our group (all women) and we immediately became a team of friends. I wasn't even the oldest! We saw an incredible array of wonderful animals and colorful birds (there were several avid birders in the group). Our guide Pilot Manga was so skillful and knowledgeable in tracking and finding interesting wildlife that we weren't even frightened when chased through the bush by a trumpeting angry matriarchal elephant for over a mile or found a hairy spider in our tent when we neglected to zip up the zipper. And there were no unexpected surprises. I spoke with you many times with many, many questions. They were all answered fully and truthfully so I was pretty well prepared and knew more what to expect than others on my trip. Thank you for your patience. I had a wonderful adventure.
S. Goodstein, May 2002, Portland, Oregon, USA

We all so absolutely loved our African safari experience, we are dying to explore another corner of the world - Australia and New Zealand. I realize you are strictly Africa, but could you recommend someone that might be able to help us plan another trip as awesome as our safari? Thanks!
J. Kerner and S. Johnson and Family, May 2002, San Jose, California, USA

Everything was great on the Complete Africa Safari. I really liked Botswana. We also were upgraded to the lodges in the Serengeti and the Crater which after camping for several weeks was a great treat.  Apparently, the lodges were quite empty because of rainy season, however we did not see one day of rain the whole time.  The Drifters trip exceeded all of my expectations and I was very happy with them. In fact, my guide (Rouhet) and I have become very good friends. I will recommend Ultimate Africa to others. Thanks so much for all of your help. 
L. Schmidt, April /  May 2002, Dallas, Texas, USA

Thank you! Kings Pool Tented Camp receive A’s across the board. Our guide was the best of the best. Little Vumbura had new managers (who we really liked). We loved the water. Mombo provided fantastic wildlife viewing. A superb camp with wonderful staff. You and Wilderness Safaris are faultless - you never miss a beat and Wilderness' neo/conservation policies are admirable. We would never look elsewhere for African travel.  We will undoubtedly be going to Africa again! Everyone says we should go to Namibia at some time, but I'm not sure. I think I would like to go back to my old favorites - Duma Tau and then Mombo again! The animals were incredible there, but I am open to what you think. I am beginning to sound like the people we met long ago (81) in Tanzania. They were there for the 10th time and said they would never go anywhere else - Africa every year! At Mombo there were folks there for the eighth time!
E. Garrett and Family, March 2002, Ellsworth, Maine, USA

Arrived back in Vienna on Sunday and the trip was FABULOUS!!!! Sun City is quite "The Kitschy Place" a little over the top so to speak, but I enjoyed 5 hours of golf classes while Enrique was at meetings for 2 days. A little feedback for future trips with your clients: Phinda is really a lovely camp - if you can say that about the Forest Lodges with air conditioning! The staff is wonderful, but we felt they DID NOT foster interaction a lot with the other people. This is based on our previous experiences in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana. They tend to put you with your own group for the drives and dinners all the time. Fortunately we met others and ask to sit with them at dinners. The wildlife viewing was scarce, but what we saw was lots of young animals at this time of year. I think 4 nights is a little too much at this Reserve. Maybe we should have split the nights between 2 different camps. Rocktail Bay is also lovely. One can certainly relax there. Unfortunately I had a bad sinus headache for 2 days and was unable to dive. However, we enjoyed the quietness of the area and once again Wilderness Safaris offered excellent services. The interaction was much better at this place in a very casual atmosphere. I would return again. Thanks for all your help putting this trip together, no problems with connections at the airport, or between camps. All in all I'd say it was a success trip. Will certainly keep your company in mind for future Africa plans and pass your name on to others. (Ultimate Africa would like to note that these clients specifically requested 4 nights at Phinda Forest Lodge).
B. and E. Rosselli, March 2002, Vienna, Austria, USA

I had a wonderful time in South Africa, it really was a memorable holiday! Thank you. I don't think I could fault any part of it at all. Sabi Sabi was excellent as was Victoria Falls and the River Club was the perfect ending. I think I will have to go back there again and even to other parts. Thank you once again.
C. Rowden, March 2002, Dharhan, Saudi Arabia, USA

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