Clients Trip Reports East Africa: Oct – Dec 2022

Tanzania Experience

Hi Mark & staff, we are settling back in Colorado after a very long odyssey from Tanzania… Ed & I can’t begin to thank you for helping me get home but also for the thought & care you put into planning a trip for 16 people, not an easy task. There are so many highlights but I would start with the guides. I remember you saying before we left that they were the best in Tanzania. We would broaden that to say they are the best we ever had. Emmanuel, Daniel & Ephata were knowledgeable, capable & kind. The kids loved them – we all did! They took such pride in their country & wanted all of us to see it through their eyes. Your camp selection & suggested extras really hit the nail. We had an inordinate amount of rain so roads were barely passable in spots- lots of stuck trucks. Our youngest grandson Connor thought that watching the rescue process was his highlight. REALLY – not the lions, elephants & a million wildebeests! I wanted to share just a few pics so you could see our whole family. If you are ever in need of someone to vouch for AAC, we are available.

Many thanks again- I’m sure we will be in touch.

Kathy & Ed Bernau, Dec 2022

 

Family Safari to Tanzania

Hi Elena,

Our trip was nothing less than magical!  The experience exceeded my expectations.  Over three years in the making and it was well worth it. 

Efraim was our perfect Guide.  He was so well informed, attentive to our needs and was always searching to find the best sighting, He looked out for our safety, and is a wonderful, kind person. 

Our Arusha Park experience was a nice beginning to our journey unfolding.  River Trees is a charming hotel.

The Lake Manyara drive provided a window to the life in Tanzania.  The canoe trip to see the hippos was enjoyable.

Gibbs Farm was so completely elegant and amazing.  When we entered our house, Hunter said, “freeze, I need to photograph this before it gets messy.”  We toured the beautiful grounds and loved it.

Efraim got us up very early to be in the first vehicle group in the Crater.  Wow!  What a day!  We enjoyed every minute of our viewing time in that magical spot.

The Maasai Village was so very interesting.  The people were warm and welcoming.  We were so impressed as to how they continue to preserve their traditions.

In Ndutu, the migration had just reached there and it was teaming with impressive activity.  Efraim was an excellent driver on the muddy roads and we witnessed so much.

Zebra Camp was welcoming, with a very nice staff…The food was good and everyone was kind.

The Balloon Safari was wonderful!  We were able to get such an amazing bird’s eye view of the migration.  This was Christmas Day and we received the nice presents from Efraim.  A really nice touch.

The beauty of the Serengeti was breath taking.  By this time, we had seen most of the animals, so this is where we got to witness stories unfold.  The hunt and captures.

Siringit Camp was very special.  Stunning accommodations, great service…Cha Cha, our Guide, was a wonderful Teacher and we had a great day.

The Breezes in Zanzibar was a lovely family resort to unwind.  Wonderful location, good food, live music every night and many activities offered.   Our New Years Eve was great!  Cocktail Party, Good Meal, Dancing and Fireworks.  Anjam took us to our Spice Tour, which was super interesting, followed by a great meal at a jungle site. Great day…

Elena, I noticed your incredible attention to detail, booking us in the end tents and having the room at the waterfront in Zanzibar, the amazing house at Gibbs, etc.  I always sensed that there was a real respect for the Africa Adventure Co. as we traveled and I felt that we were in good hands.

Thank you for a wonderful trip.  I will be back.

Best,

Leslie Rowan, Anne Adams, Brooke Lee & Hunter Lee, Dec 2022

 

Best of East Africa and Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Hello!  So finally getting sorted out being back home.  What an amazing trip – still on a high!  I have attached some photographs below for the competition.  But I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for all your hard work and preparing and coordinating a wonderful experience for me – and sorting out air travel when certain flights were canceled. 

My guides were amazing and the camps and lodges were brilliant.  I became friends with Emmanuel Mkenda and Patrick – the guides truly due add so much to the experience.  I must say though that Rwanda captured my heart.  Not just the gorillas, which was exhilarating and exciting, but the people and how that country has pulled itself together and lifted themselves up.  And next to Switzerland it is the cleanest country I have ever seen.  They are so proud of their country.

So, I have been raving nonstop about the trip and Africa Adventure Company – and will definitely be going back to Africa in 2024.   I would like to do the gorillas and stay at Bishop’s House again, but add on Victoria Falls and Botswana and some other wonders. 

I look forward to planning this trip with you – and will have some others coming along with me.  Thanks again!

Jim Boteler, Nov 2022

 

African Journeys to Kenya and Tanzania

 Hello!

Kenya arrival was excellent.  Jonathon was excellent. He met us at airport, did the day tour, and even came to airport next day to put us on plane. He knew we were nervous about the weigh-in so took over for us. Very much appreciated his help

Tawi Lodge in Amboseli and guide were outstanding. I think it was my favorite lodge. Food was wonderful as well and I had a massage there which was very good. Loved the sundowner with our guide.

Tarangire Safari Lodge has a beautiful view…Saw many animals there. The animals seemed less stressed than Amboseli. 

Ngorongoro Farm house was very nice. Good break. Rooms and grounds were beautiful.

Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp was really fun and we loved the whole staff there. They seemed the friendliest of all the lodges we went to. Emanuel took us to a store and a school house so we could do donations. We also enjoyed meeting the Maasai. 

Lemala Nanyukie Lodge was so beautiful and the food and everything was first class. It was a wonderful break. We opted for seven hours of game viewing although Emanuel wanted to go for ten. I also had a message there. Very relaxing. We donated to their program providing sanitary napkins to school girls. We were very impressed with the woman who seemed to be the manager there.

Ewanjan Tented Camp had some bright spots. They brought out a table to the camp fire for our final night. Very nice of them to make a surprise for us. There was only one other couple there the whole time we were there…

Arusha Coffee Lodge was outstanding in every way. 

Our guide Emanuel was wonderful. He was so experienced. And enthusiastic. He went out of his way to make sure we got great camera shots of everything. He did prefer staying out many hours instead of coming back to the lodges but I got it once we were there…so we opted for picnic lunches. 

Royal Zanzibar was in a beautiful spot…It’s a huge resort but the people were super nice there. And the beaches were so amazing. Alison was right to warn us so we had low expectations so it was all good. Ha!ha!

Everyone we met had the highest praise for your company. Now that we’re home I can say that I agree with them. It was hard to choose a company that is all the way across the USA from us but we made the right choice! Thanks for preparing us so well and answering all our questions along the way. It’s obvious that you care about the people you work with because they care about you!

Thank you. 

Jan and Dave Eldredge, Oct 2022 

 

Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Private Safari to Tanzania

Kyle, 

We would like to thank you and your team for planning an amazing trip for us!  It truly was the trip of a lifetime and a terrific two-week experience!  

We were very happy with the service provided by your team in Tanzania. 

As a guide, Ephraim was extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and if there was something he didn’t know he came prepared with plenty of in-car resources to find the answer.  He seemed to know every aspect of the parks and most importantly where and when to find the best wildlife.  We thoroughly enjoyed letting Ephraim be our guide and his avoidance of following the radio-call made for some pretty spectacular sightings with very little other vehicles around.  Ephraim was a very conscientious driver showing care for both our comfort and safety and care of the vehicle while traversing the often bumpy roads.  The vehicle was clean, comfortable, well maintained, and we had an endless supply of drinking water.  Every interaction we had with Ephraim was professional and by the end of the trip we thought of Ephraim as our friend, not just our guide.  Once we disappeared through security at the airstrip Ephraim didn’t leave, he waited until we boarded the plane.  We were both very sad to leave. We didn’t see too many other guides sticking around that long.  That says something about Ephraim… 

In our Serengeti camp another family was not having the same experience with their guide and tour operator so we know not all companies and experiences are the same.  We are thrilled that we chose The Africa Adventure Company and were extremely pleased with the local operators, guides, and camps where we stayed.  We will be uploading great reviews on various online sources recommending AAC to others.  We also want to reiterate our appreciation as to all of your assistance along the way as we researched, planned and ultimately booked with AAC.  From start to finish you were always extremely helpful and we thank you for your prompt responses every step of the way.

Thanks again for your help in planning our amazing experience! 

Teri Colwell & Tyler Rock, Oct 2022