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~ Feedback from our valued Clients (2018 and 2017) ~
Lindsey (Fortune Magazine): Botswana, Dec 2018Well, you nailed it when you waxed rhapsodic about the experience in Botswana. WOW. Truly the most incredible experience of my life. No joke. We were blown away and totally taken by everything we saw and all the people we met. Just wow.
Jim and Joanne: Rwanda and Zambia, Nov 2018We can’t begin to thank you for everything you did to create the perfect safari for us. We were met everywhere with genuine kindness and all of the help we could have wished for. The flights went off without a hitch, and the hotel in Johannesburg was the perfect one in the perfect place. Being at the lodge was grand, and we enjoyed the special things about each bush camp. The one walking safari we did from Kapamba to Bilimungwe was quite wonderful—we only opted out of others because it was 100 degrees and too hot to walk for so long! Each game drive brought something new, and just seeing elephants around every corner and hippos in every lagoon is a mental picture I’ll keep forever. Sundowners, too, and bush brunches. Magical! We loved seeing all of the baby animals, and though the elephants never officially walked through the lodge, one male came several times onto the courtyard walkway—close enough—before he stepped over the wall and back onto the riverbed. Although we both have traveled extensively, this truly was the trip of a lifetime. Many thanks again for all of your help (even checking with Amy to make sure we had arrived)!
Steve and Cathy: Botswana, Nov 2018Hey howdy P & C. Had incredible life changing experiences in the bush - great planning and rhythm - you’re the best!! Map was outstanding, as always - also met with Kim on the way in at Wilderness offices. Can’t wait to hear about the Gorillas & your journey - we must crack a few bottles of Vino when you get home and share stories - again can’t thank you both enough for your professionalism in the biz and most of all your friendship.
Pieter and Rachel: Botswana and Zimbabwe, Nov 2018The trip was AMAZING. The Machaba team did a bang up job on the Bots side and we absolutely loved Old Drift Lodge. Game viewing was beyond any reasonable expectations, especially for Rachael's first time in Africa. Really a great time, thank you so much for setting everything up! Just going through photos now, should have some good stuff up on social soon.
Carla and Jennifer: South African, Oct 2018The trip to Mala Mala was just as Paul said it would be— life changing and over-the-top awesome. From the moment we arrived, Jennifer and I felt there was a special “hand” that was caring for us. Driving from Skukuzu to camp we sighted a Leopard guarding his kill that he had hung in the tree above, a large Zebra herd, Giraffes, Kudus, Impalas, a Lioness, a Bushbuck and Yellow Billed Hornbills. The arrival at Mala Mala Camp was perfect - warm welcome by the amazing staff and our “private” ranger, Mike, from whom we learned so very much. Needless to say we had a perfect and delightful time and had the most unusual sightings…more of which I will share with you after I myself digest this experience. It was both humbling and a great honor to be in this camp that is so respectful and caring for the wildlife. To hear the lion prides breathing and watch them dreaming and caring for their young, cheetahs zooming around the airstrip, Cape Hunting Dogs sharing their kill with their pups, Elephants and Giraffes marching by our room each afternoon, and so much more. We were both very sad to leave as we have fallen in love with the bush. Thank you so very much for your encouragement and all the arrangements you made for us to have this experience. My heart is in South Africa and will be forever.
Maru and Jaros: Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, Sep 2018 My dear Caroline: My best trip ever, in all senses. Organization perfect, pampered non stop, people incredible, the camps are speechless the food the place and the guides!! And most of all is your dedication and loving and care for me! Everywhere and everyplace there was something to celebrate my birthday!! And more private and outstanding profesional guides like Goths in Botswana with Christopher (he is incredible) so good entertainer and anfitrión! They make you live the wilderness. Would love to speak with you and thank you more than ever all you’ve done for us. As if this was not enough, I felt for all the adventures that we had at the safaris, that we were upgrading in experiences and excitement from the first one to Zimbabe the last one. We didn’t want to come back to civilization. Jaros took like 3000 pictures and videos, and was really in tune with the animals. My dream came true I lived in a "sanctuary of elephants." Thanks once more for your help, if you didn’t organize it the way you did it, this would have been totally another experience. Highly recommend!!! Let me know when you are available to have a chat by phone. It is difficult to put in words - and written words this amazing and incredible experience !! I can’t adapt to civilization still. Love you and once more súper thanks.
Luke and Ian: Botswana and Zimbabwe, Jun 2018Hey Caroline! Everything on the safari went very well and we couldn't have been any happier with the experience and the kind staff at all 3 of the camps. At each camp, we really enjoyed our time with our guides. They were all so knowledgeable and we felt like we learned so much about the animals! The game viewing was also fantastic at all 3 camps and we got to see all of the animals we had hoped besides a rhino which is okay. If we have any friends looking to book safaris in Africa we will certainly send them your way! Again, thank you for all your help and patience in booking our trip for us, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience!
Randy and Kathryn: Kenya, Jul 2018We had the most wonderful time. Everything went without a hitch. Our departing flight from Meru was delayed, but that gave us a little extra game drive on the way to the airport on which we spotted a female lion with two cubs. Elsa’s Kopje was all that was advertised. A top notch place with the most wonderful staff and the food was excellent throughout our stay. Our game driver Akibe was absolutely the best. We managed to get in the big five, although it was late on our last night before we spotted a leopard, but the bonus was that it was a female with a small cub. We have many photos to help us recall every minute of our trip. We can’t say enough about Akibe, he was very knowledgeable and constantly described and explain all the animals, plants and other things – including life in Kenya during our excursions. Since we had him to ourselves, he was very accommodating regarding our wishes regarding what we would like to see and when and where we wanted to go. We hope that they take good care of that gentlemen, as he is a real asset to their operation. We miss waking up and walking out onto the porch at sunrise and seeing giraffes, elephants, cape buffalo, etc. wandering the African plains below our suite on the hillside. Thanks again for arranging and making our trip as seamless as possible.
Minna and family: South Africa, Jun 2018Aloha Caroline and Paul, Our trip was unbelievable. We fell in love with South Africa. Everything you arranged worked perfectly. We had no problems at all. I am so thankful that I found you. I have already recommended you to all of my friends and will continue to do so! Thank again for arranging us such a memorable trip at reasonable cost! You are the best!
Cyrus and Darius: Zimbabwe and Botswana, Jun 2018Good morning Caroline & Paul, Thank you for assisting us with our safari trip. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. Everything went as smooth as we could have asked for. Our guide, Mr. Sam Mopolo and his team (Mothoni, MK, Cindy & Moses) were fantastic. We highly recommend them. Should we plan another trip to Africa, we will most definitely look you up. Thanks again for making this trip such a pleasant adventure.
Jennifer: Zambia and Zimbabwe, Jun 2018Hi Paul, Absolutely amazing vacation!!! I knew this trip would be great but the flawless travel and transferring between the airports and the different BushCamps was spectacular! Thank you so much for making my first trip to Africa so wonderful! I can't wait to start thinking about what parts I want to go next. met so many wonderful people staying at the BushCamp Company locations. I even met Andy a few times and had some lovely chats with him. Amy at the Mfuwe Lodge couldn't say enough good things about you and every single staff member I met while there was outstanding. The US hospitality industry should take a course from the BushCamp Company staff on how true customer service should be executed. From the Victoria Falls airport, thank you again for pulling this trip together for me!
Rowan and Sofie: Botswana, May/Jun 2018Thanks so much for arranging such a fantastic trip. We loved safari in Botswana! Unbelievable camps. We were lucky to see a lot of action at both Kings Pool and Qorokwe. We were big fans of the Qorokwe camp with good staff, fun atmosphere and good game drives - we saw a pride of lions hunt a giraffe and calf (calf didn’t make it). Now working on getting my parents to make the trip next year. We want to go back in 5 year (or sooner).
Nancy Jean: Zimbabwe and Botswana, May 2018I had a GREAT TIME! Couldn’t ask for a better trip. Everything was perfect. The accommodations were superb, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The food was good. They fed us every 2 hours. I had plenty of wine and Jack Daniels. My rooms were beautiful what time I got to spend in them. Boy we were busy. Thanks for a great trip.
Steve and Cindy: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, May 2018Just a note to say, this was far and away the BEST Trip we have ever taken!! Everything exceeded my expectations!! The camps were perfect w/ pleasant surprises (hot water bottles and blankets in the morning, great food, wonderful accommodations, surprise lunch on a boat at Duma Tau, this sundowner at Linkwasha, being met at the airports by Wilderness Safari personnel, outstanding hotels in the cities --- a truly wonderful African experience! We'll have to go back because we didn't get to see a rhino!! Thank you both for putting up w/ our time changes and working w/ us through all of the planning. No disappointments in anything....
Jean and Gary: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, May 2018We had a fabulous time! Everything went off like clock work. I wound have to say the Camps exceeded our expectations. It’s difficult to think of something that might have been left out. This evening we have been sorting through the 4,500 pictures! Really appreciate all the arrangements you made for us. This was a special trip made easy by your team. Jean and I especially enjoyed “High Tea” at the Cape Grace. Hopefully someday we can do this again with friends and family. Thanks again.
Tony and Audrey: Zimbabwe and Zambia, May 2018 Caroline and Paul, thank you again for the incredible trip! We had a great time and it was so special. The animals, the people, the accommodations/food/service were great. You guys and Bushcamp company are definitely the class act in Luangwa. Now we got the bug so it will not be our only trip to Africa. Saw all the must see animals and most within 5-10 meters:-15 different lions(3 cubs), 6 different leopards;-a few civet, genet, porcupine, water monitor;-dozens of giraffe (including 3 babies), crocs, buffalo, bushbuck, waterbuck, and eagles;-hundreds of elephants, zebras, hippos, mongoose;-thousands of baboon, warthog, vervet monkey, impala, puku, and birds!No snakes(I was hoping to see a cobra - Audrey not), no illness, and we never even got a mosquito bite until post safari in Lusaka.
Norma and Bill: South Africa and Botswana, Jan 2018We are safely home from our amazing trip to South Africa & Botswana and finally recovered from jet lag. Cape Town could not have been better. Christine, our guide, was incredible. She was an absolute delight, exceptionally knowledgeable and a true pleasure to be with and get to know. Wine county, the city tour and our day exploring the area on the way to The Cape of Good Hope were made even better thanks to Christine’s expertise. Four Rosmead Guest House was perfect and we would definitely stay there again and recommend it to others. Kalahari Plains - TK, our guide, knew every inch of the plains and bush and impressed us with his detailed knowledge of the wildlife. Due to the drought it appeared many animals had left the area. That being said we saw a lion king, a pride of 9 lions, giraffes, Spingbuck, Steenbok, Oryx, Kudu’s and more. We loved the food and enjoyed dining on dishes we never would have had in the USA. Loved the accommodations including the upper deck for outdoor sleeping. Gomoti Plains - Such a beautiful place, lovely decor in the main area and our room with a lush and amazing views. Mitre, our guide - again incredibly knowledgeable, he could not have been better. We were fortunate to have more of a variety of animals and birds than at Kalahari. A Cheetah, lioness hunting, elephants galore, impala, zebras, giraffes, warthogs and their babies, hippo’s, kudus, wildebeest, and more. Again the staff was amazing and food interesting and delicious and overall we loved this camp. Little Machaba - Absolutely delightful. We liked he coziness of the place and the delightful people. BT, our guide, once again was a plethora of knowledge and a lovely man. Our sightings included leopards, zebra, elephants, African wild dogs, baboons, monkeys, hyaena including their babies, and tons of impala, kudus etc. It was a trip of a lifetime and everything we dreamed of. It was wonderful to experience the variety and diversity between the 3 camps. Many thanks to you and Paul for your expertise in putting this trip together for us.
Chloe and family: Bisate Lodge, Rwanda, Jan 2018Everything was absolutely spectacular. This trip exceeded our expectations and was beyond incredible. Thank you for all of your help and support! We will definitely be back.
Joe, Carol, Chris and Heather: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Nov 2017We wanted to let you know that our trip was awesome in all respects. Thanks so much for the detailed planning and organization. All the camps were terrific: guides, staff, accommodations… All first-rate! Our guide Eric in Cape Town was fantastic. A real gentleman and super knowledgeable. Could not give him higher marks. All of the transfers went extremely smoothly, with staff waiting for us at each location to handle our baggage and guide us through the process. When we arrived in Victoria Falls we were upgraded to their new Victoria Falls Island Lodge. It just opened up a few months before our arrival. Really a first class boutique experience. The manager Peter and his small but attentive staff were really awesome, and the food was a real highlight of the trip. Frankly the only downside was that was the one location with a significant mosquito population. At the camps in Botswana we saw all the major animals with the exception of rhinos, which we understand are very difficult to find these days. Of the three camps we would have to say that Chitabe was the most outstanding as far as wildlife. Once again, the staff and guides at each location were terrific both in terms of their hospitality and their knowledge. Thanks again for the excellent job you did in planning our first trip to Africa. We will certainly pass along your contact information to any of our friends who are interested in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Steve: South Africa and Botswana, Nov 2017Africa was a totally amazing experience. I really enjoyed just sitting in one spot (like by a waterhole) for significant periods of time and watching the interaction of the animals. For me (spending my life multi-tasking and juggling multiple things), I was surprised that I could decompress and sit in a vehicle for 5-6 hours totally engrossed. The landscapes were memorable, and we saw just so many really cool things. I can confidently say that Leopard Hills was the camp we most enjoyed. They worked so hard to show us a great time, the animals were the best, and the food and accommodations were unmatched. I have never had a better trip.
Kristin and Family: Kenya, Nov 2017Let me start by saying thank you! We LOVED our experience. Asilia is an amazing company doing great things for the people of Kenya as well as the wildlife. A few highlights - the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust private tour for me was one of the highlights of my life. I so love this organization and all that it does and the time we got to spend with the elephants exceeded our expectations - I am still feeling the happy heart feels from this. The Giraffe center was amazing and well run as well. The logistics and car picks up were spot on and very attentive. Encounter Mara - WOW! Outstanding service, the guides were amazing with the kids and us, we had relief managers Della and Rich that frankly spoiled us and set the bar extremely HIGH. This was a great recommendation and was a great place for kids. It was very nice (borderline luxury) without the pomp of a luxury camp. Rekero - this is a beautiful camp and our days in the Mara we won't soon forgetten. The running water and tents were a step above EM. We enjoyed the deck, game drives and all of the care. My family would use Asilia again for sure - and I would recommend you both (already have) to plan. I hope we can go in a few years again. thank you, my 9 year old said it was the trip of a lifetime and she didn't want to leave :)
Becky and friends: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, Nov 2017Thank you, thank you for arranging the BEST TRIP ever!! This was a superb trip with a great itinerary and super guides and camps. We all were just amazed at how terrific days just kept following one another. No duds! It seemed that each day we had some animal experience that was a treat. We all marveled at the coordination and efficiency of the Wilderness Safaris staff. Meeting us at airports, the transfers, the quality of the guides and staff at camps—it was all so so good!When we arrived at the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town my initial thought was that this was way too much hotel for our needs. However, within a day I understood! This was the ideal hotel for recovering from the pace of the safaris and for sightseeing. It was so nice to have a very comfortable place with room to spread out. We found that the hotel restaurant was the most desirable one at the waterfront! Outstanding food and service, and quiet!I really enjoyed the 4 camps we visited. Each one gave us a different experience of landscape and animals. The amount of time at each was about right too. My personal favorites were Savuti—the landscape and number of animals is amazing, and, Hoanib Sketon Coast Camp. Hoanib is such an amazing place. The landscape is so unusual and we saw quite a few animals living in such desolation! The lunch at the Skeleton Coast was a complete surprise and so fun. We all fell in love with the guides at each camp. They were experts at their jobs and worked very hard to give us a fine experience whether it was seeing and tracking animals or going to a sunset spot for cocktails. Thanks again for providing our party of 6 with the trip of a lifetime!!
Ron and Diane: Zambia, Oct 2017Sadly, this is our final night in Zambia. Such a wonderful trip, thanks to you. Gorgeous country, prolific animals, and such genuinely kind people. We have had a wonderful time. And we just came in from a beautiful birthday dinner in the middle of the Zambezi, on a boat under the stars. I will say Ron got a little nervous when four huge elephants decided to swim from the island nearby to the shore, but all was well.
Bob and Winnie: Tanzania, Sep 2017We had a great time. Beho Beho remembered our experience when we were there the last time, and I played hide and seek with Joseph the elephant around the jeeps. It seems to be part of camp folk lore now. The hosts there are so very personable. The only thing we missed were the wild dogs which were still denning The rest of the sightings were great. At Singita Faru Faru we had the extra treat of witnessing the reverse migration and saw literally 10s of thousands of wildebeests (something we had not seen before). The accompaniment to the wildebeests were five prides of lions that were very full and fat. Also some great leopard sightings. Singita Faru Faru was on par with the Singita camp in Pamushana which is my favorite camp in Africa. Thanks again for another wonderful safari; this was number 13. We are starting to think about #14 for 2019.
Garth and Denise: Tanzania, Sep 2017We got back home on Sunday night -- sunburned, a little dehydrated, fly-bitten, and having been bounced around Tanzania for 15 days. In other words, it was a GREAT safari vacation! Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ruaha, an new area to us. Had a fantastic guide and a guide trainee for five days. So four experienced eyes looking for critters for us. We've read that Ruaha has around 12,000 elephants, and we think we saw every one of them TWICE! Also lots of lions, including the famous ones who bring down fully grown giraffes. Namiri Plains was also a new camp for us. Loved our stay there, and saw a lot more wildlife than we thought we would. By far the most zebra that we have ever seen. VAST herds. It was our 3rd visit to Ubuntu. The highlight of our stay there was seeing leopard cubs, something we have never seen in our previous six safari vacations. And Garth's favorite part of the Serengeti is the kopjes in this area. Although all of the staff of all of our camps were fantastic (along with excellent meals), the best of the bunch was at Kimondo. The entire trip went VERY smoothly. No glitches whatsoever. So great job, you two!
Ed, Lissa and Family: Zambia and Botswana, Sep 2017The trip was fantastic. We had a great time and everyone agreed it was the best vacation they had ever had.
Jack and Patty: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Aug/Sep 2017Wow!! What a trip! You guys make everything perfect. 30 days and not a glitch or any hint of a problem. Not sure how you guys do it, but everything was perfect. Let’s start planning for 2019. I know Paul is in Botswana with Map and the rhino relocation. Please thank them both for giving us such a wonderful experience and also for the spectacular work they are doing to save the rhinos. Thanks again for another extraordinary African adventure.
Clyde and Donna: Tanzania, Sep 2017We really want to thank you, Paul and the folks at Asilia for making our trip a success, despite the major airlines’ repeated attempts to make sure nothing went well. It was fantastic that you could make the last minute changes to our itinerary. We can’t thank you enough for coming through when the going got tough! We had a delightful time in Selous which was the last minute addition to our trip. Our sightings were great, and we appreciated that they provided us with a full day game drive on the one day we were there. Selous is different and beautiful with its lakes. Kwihala (Ruaha National Park) was another great time. Fantastic viewing, beautiful setting. Our guide (Charles) was great. We had a wonderful night safari. And, then I will never forget stopping for sundowners and within minutes hearing a lion roar very close by followed by Charles saying “get in the vehicle now - the lion is very close”. Indeed he was - we drove a very short distance to find him in the grass roaring away. It was fantastic to observe as well as hear his vocalizations. Namiri Plains (Serengeti National Park) provided a different view of the world. The sightings were incredible. We saw many lions, cubs and cheetahs. Clearly that is what is to come here for, but we also had other wonderful sightings including an aardwolf and a serval. The cheetah killing a steinbok within feet of us as we came into camp was pretty amazing as well. Again, our appreciation for you help with our last minute booking.
Melissa: Botswana, Aug 2017We had the absolute best time ever on this trip, I can't thank you enough for assuring everything was perfect. Just know I am so grateful, and I am totally in love with Botswana! This was definitely the trip of a lifetime. The accommodations at Mashatu were superb--beautiful and elegant, with amazing service from every single staff member. I mean, sweeping the dirt paths? Above and beyond, but in doing so we could see animal tracks more easily, and there were many animal tracks to see, especially bushbucks who ate the flowers by the pool each day. The quietness of the surrounding, and watching the animals come to the watering hole each day set the tone; I felt so connected to nature and a more simple way of being. All the food was wonderful, and I was appreciative that I was offered dairy free and gluten free options with each meal. The guides-OMG, Fish and Goms were so great, highly skilled, funny, and kind. We would challenge Fish jokingly each day to see this or that animal, and he delivered time after time. He was always kind and courteous, and we laughed so much with him. I'm not sure if having the two of them just for the two of us was standard or a special treat--but I will never forget them or the animals they showed us. Lions, cheetahs, leopards with babies, elles, warties, mongoose, African wildcat, impala, steenbok, giraffes, birds so colorful they seemed unreal. Fish driving through the bush, seriously off road, to find the lion or leopard. Fish greeting us with "My darlings!" a big smile and a hug; what a fine man. The smell of wild sage will forever remind me of Mashatu.OK, Limpopo Valley Horse Safari rocked! The horses, so well cared for, the matches that Lindy, the manager, made for us, the terrain, the guides, especially David--it was all excellent. And seeing impala, zebra, giraffes, elephants and more on our horses, up close and personal, was mind blowing. I thoroughly enjoyed Lindy, she rode with us the last day, lovely woman, very dedicated and a super horsewoman. I rode three different horses at my request; I loved them all, but Valiant, a black Boereperd cross, was my favorite. Galloping into the sunset with giraffes running ahead of us is seared into my brain! Cantering with herds of impala and zebras was breathtaking.The Okavango Delta--what a contrast, and what a special place (Okavango Horse Safaris)! The tented camp was lovely, very comfortable beds, I was so glad to have a bathroom in the tent too! The horse riding was spectacular there! And our guides, Chief and Clem, a petite, beautiful French/West African woman who was a volunteer there, were the best. Sue and I are pretty quiet riders, and the guides sensed that so our rides were quiet, letting us really use our senses to see, smell, hear, feel, and taste the delta and its wildlife. We stopped a couple of times each 4.5 hour ride to stretch our legs, take a pee break, and be quiet--that was so nice. Chief helped us through one rather nerve wracking moment when a male elephant wanted us to move away, which we did. Both Sue and I kept our eyes on Chief through this and other times--his quiet confidence and manners kept me calm. Turns out he trains all the horses there, which is why he's quiet and obviously loved by all the horses. I would love to return to their camp, staying a week, riding to their tree house camp and back. So I went to Botswana a little unsure about how it would be, if I was a good enough rider, if I could ride that many hours, blah, blah. I have returned a much more confident person and rider. I adored every second of it all, and I am madly in love with Africa. There is no better way to see it than from the back of a horse--I am totally convinced of that!Thank you, thank you. You both made the trip a dream. In gratitude...
Laurie, Zachery and Victoria: South Africa and Zimbabwe, Aug 2017The highlight of our trip was Linkwasha Camp. This Camp is amazing and the people are phenomenal. The food at The Elephant Camp was simply first class. We are extremely grateful to you and to Paul. Your recommendations and guidance have been much appreciated, and we will definitely refer you to others. We hope to return to Africa again. It was life changing!
Bob and Sally: South Africa, Aug 2017Caroline and Paul, it could not have been better, unless it was longer! Hated to leave. Cape Town perfect. Good hotel (Cape Grace) and Lucia (private tour guide) was outstanding and a delight to be with. Londolozi was 5 stars, from A to Z. Great service and saw everything we wanted. Thank you so much for organizing it. We want to go back. Bob and Sally
Robert and Aurora: Zambia, Botswana and South Africa, Jul/Aug 2017Let me just say it was a magical mystery tour of phenomenal moments and wondrous sights!! It was great and your efforts to make it a great trip exceeded whatever expectations we might have had. You folks were terrific. Just a few notes about the safari: Wilderness Safaris has its operation well honed. Everything moves smoothly. The transportation between camps is effortless. The meals are creative and well prepared. If Emmanuel is at all reflective of the type of guides Wilderness employs then it is superb. Emmanuel was both knowledgeable and exuberant about the wildlife and the experience. At times almost like he was experiencing it like a first timer. Every day was cloudless and fascinating (albeit that Aurora and I have been on safaris in other countrie 5 times). The accommodations were excellent as well. In fact I liked the way you and Paul arranged the order of the camps and times in each. Lastly I want to thank you for arranging the connections and hotel for us in Cape Town. The Cape Grace was lovely. All in all our experience was wonderful!!! I believe that we might return some day to Botswana and for that I will stay in touch.
Tana and Mark: Botswana and South Africa, Jul/Aug 2017It was fabulous! Everything worked beautifully - no snags. We saw lots of animals and the camps were lovely - esp Little Vumbura. The guides were fantastic! The hot water bottles delightful - lots of wonderful touches everywhere. Thanks for all of your help!
Brett and Catie: Kenya and Tanzania, Jul 2017What a trip. Thanks so much for putting this together, it was amazing. Our favorite camp was Rekero. Being so close to the water, we heard a lot of animals at night, which we both really enjoyed. All of their staff were wonderful. Food was superb. Our guide, Tim, was the real highlight. His personality really fit both of us. He had no problem starting early each morning and ending late (often leaving first and returning last each night). We had some really great sightings, where we were often by ourselves, of a lion family, elephant family, and cheetahs. We also enjoyed Olakira Camp. On our final night, the staff had prepared a private dinner for us. The decor was romantic and food was lovely, and they had prepared mini-vows for us to exchange, including some in Swahili. It was very special. We saw some really great things at this camp -- leopard with two small cubs, a successful lion hunt, and some crossings. Asilia seems like a great company and one that really cares about the wildlife and communities. Namiri Plains Camp was great. It lived up to its reputation relating to cat sightings. We saw a leopard on our drive from the airport to the camp (and on the way back to the airport too). We also found some cheetah cubs one day and saw lions fighting while trying to determine mating hierarchy. When we got to our villa at Klindi (Zanzibar), Brett and I turned to each other and said - "Caroline hit this one out of the park." Klindi was amazing. Our villa was over the top, we're pretty sure it was larger than our house in Seattle. The views were amazing and we felt like we were the only two people anywhere nearby. Our butler, Julius, was very attentive and had a bottle of sparkling wine chilling for us when we arrived. Every morning we had a superb breakfast on our patio and dinner around the pool in a romantic setting. We did one all day excursion which included snorkeling, seeing some of the smaller islets, and a fish BBQ on the beach. This was another place that Brett and I decided we'd have to return. Thanks again for putting this itinerary together for us! It was perfect, and the only thing we would change is staying for longer! -- Catie and Brett
Brian and Randi: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Jun 2017We had a wonderful trip! Most everything went as planned and we're already talking about when to return. Our guides were just great, and each of the camps offered something a bit different. We didn't understand the whole Wilderness Safaris organization, and seeing how complex it is made it that much more impressive. And we want to thank the two of you for making this so effortless for us. I don't think I've ever booked a big trip so quickly and easily! And Cape Grace was a great hotel! What nice and professional people. Again, thank you both. It was everything we hoped it would be.
Tom and Alan: Zambia Jun 2017We are on our way back home today after 5 nights in Cape Town. The trip was fantastic! The Safari was truly spectacular and we loved the Bushcamps. Everything was too-notch throughout our stay and the staff are so hospitable, friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks so much for your assistance and your guidance as we planned our first Safari adventure. We look forward to working with you on future adventures! All the best, Tom & Alan.
Carl and Linda: Zambia, Jun 2017We made it back yesterday morning as scheduled. What a fantastic trip! Thanks for all your help in working with Chris to put it together. We don’t think the trip could have been any better. The itinerary and logistics, accommodations and food, people, wildlife, and weather were all pretty amazing. We met Amy and Andy from Mfuwe Lodge and both said to tell you hello. We also met Allen and Tom from Los Angeles, who booked their trip through Natural Migrations. They both said to tell you their experience had been amazing. We just wanted to let you know we’re back and the trip was fantastic. Carl and Linda.
Nancy and Randy: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, May/Jun 2017I just wanted to let you know that Randy and I returned from the most incredible, life changing, wildlife filled experience of our lives! Thank you!! The entire trip ran like a dream, the camps and staff were incredible and the hopes that I would finally get to see a real live African elephant came true - a hundred times over. Mombo Trail was spectacular and we never missed a beat. Little Makalolo was probably my favorite due to its ‘earthiness’ but I can’t really profess a preference. I cried when it was time to go home and have dreamed of returning soon. I can not go an hour without reliving something from this journey while I am awake - and frankly often while I am asleep as well. Our friends, whom we told about your organization, are leaving on their journey on July 3 - I just wish I could go along -but certainly will be there vicariously at least. We will be back! Nancy.
Nicolas and Rocio: Zimbabwe, Botswana and Cape Town, May/Jun 2017We are back from Africa and wanted to thank you for helping us plan and make this trip of a lifetime happen. It was truly an amazing experience and we were blown away by the level of service and kindness at every camp and in every single interaction with folks from Wideness. It was nothing like we have ever experienced before. Also, I think that given the complexity of the trip (i.e., transfers, charter flights, etc.), it is remarkable that there was not a single hiccup. Thanks again for setting all this up. We were laughing with Rocio that upon arrival in Miami, it almost felt strange not to see a smiling Wilderness rep waiting for us. You got us spoiled! :-) Anyways, again just wanted to say thank you. We can't wait for our next trip to Africa and we will be sure to reach out to you both when the time comes. By the way, the backpack was super useful! We used it a lot throughout the whole trip!
Catherine and Damon: Southern Africa, May 2017Paul and Natural Migrations are fantastic. My wife and I recently traveled on a two week safari to southern Africa - South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana - arranged by Natural Migrations. It was amazing from beginning to end. We told Paul what we wanted to see, and we saw all of it. I would highly recommend Paul who structured the trip in such a way that it just kept getting better and better. Paul met us at the end of the trip in Maun, Botswana, to make sure we had a great experience.
Jack and Patty / 12 April 2017You guys do the most amazing, comprehensive itineraries I've ver seen and I've seen a few over the years. Photos, recommendations, schedules you don't leave anything to question. Great job, very, very impressive.
Jim and Joanne: Rwanda and Zambia, Nov 2018We can’t begin to thank you for everything you did to create the perfect safari for us. We were met everywhere with genuine kindness and all of the help we could have wished for. The flights went off without a hitch, and the hotel in Johannesburg was the perfect one in the perfect place. Being at the lodge was grand, and we enjoyed the special things about each bush camp. The one walking safari we did from Kapamba to Bilimungwe was quite wonderful—we only opted out of others because it was 100 degrees and too hot to walk for so long! Each game drive brought something new, and just seeing elephants around every corner and hippos in every lagoon is a mental picture I’ll keep forever. Sundowners, too, and bush brunches. Magical! We loved seeing all of the baby animals, and though the elephants never officially walked through the lodge, one male came several times onto the courtyard walkway—close enough—before he stepped over the wall and back onto the riverbed. Although we both have traveled extensively, this truly was the trip of a lifetime. Many thanks again for all of your help (even checking with Amy to make sure we had arrived)!
Steve and Cathy: Botswana, Nov 2018Hey howdy P & C. Had incredible life changing experiences in the bush - great planning and rhythm - you’re the best!! Map was outstanding, as always - also met with Kim on the way in at Wilderness offices. Can’t wait to hear about the Gorillas & your journey - we must crack a few bottles of Vino when you get home and share stories - again can’t thank you both enough for your professionalism in the biz and most of all your friendship.
Pieter and Rachel: Botswana and Zimbabwe, Nov 2018The trip was AMAZING. The Machaba team did a bang up job on the Bots side and we absolutely loved Old Drift Lodge. Game viewing was beyond any reasonable expectations, especially for Rachael's first time in Africa. Really a great time, thank you so much for setting everything up! Just going through photos now, should have some good stuff up on social soon.
Carla and Jennifer: South African, Oct 2018The trip to Mala Mala was just as Paul said it would be— life changing and over-the-top awesome. From the moment we arrived, Jennifer and I felt there was a special “hand” that was caring for us. Driving from Skukuzu to camp we sighted a Leopard guarding his kill that he had hung in the tree above, a large Zebra herd, Giraffes, Kudus, Impalas, a Lioness, a Bushbuck and Yellow Billed Hornbills. The arrival at Mala Mala Camp was perfect - warm welcome by the amazing staff and our “private” ranger, Mike, from whom we learned so very much. Needless to say we had a perfect and delightful time and had the most unusual sightings…more of which I will share with you after I myself digest this experience. It was both humbling and a great honor to be in this camp that is so respectful and caring for the wildlife. To hear the lion prides breathing and watch them dreaming and caring for their young, cheetahs zooming around the airstrip, Cape Hunting Dogs sharing their kill with their pups, Elephants and Giraffes marching by our room each afternoon, and so much more. We were both very sad to leave as we have fallen in love with the bush. Thank you so very much for your encouragement and all the arrangements you made for us to have this experience. My heart is in South Africa and will be forever.
Maru and Jaros: Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, Sep 2018 My dear Caroline: My best trip ever, in all senses. Organization perfect, pampered non stop, people incredible, the camps are speechless the food the place and the guides!! And most of all is your dedication and loving and care for me! Everywhere and everyplace there was something to celebrate my birthday!! And more private and outstanding profesional guides like Goths in Botswana with Christopher (he is incredible) so good entertainer and anfitrión! They make you live the wilderness. Would love to speak with you and thank you more than ever all you’ve done for us. As if this was not enough, I felt for all the adventures that we had at the safaris, that we were upgrading in experiences and excitement from the first one to Zimbabe the last one. We didn’t want to come back to civilization. Jaros took like 3000 pictures and videos, and was really in tune with the animals. My dream came true I lived in a "sanctuary of elephants." Thanks once more for your help, if you didn’t organize it the way you did it, this would have been totally another experience. Highly recommend!!! Let me know when you are available to have a chat by phone. It is difficult to put in words - and written words this amazing and incredible experience !! I can’t adapt to civilization still. Love you and once more súper thanks.
Luke and Ian: Botswana and Zimbabwe, Jun 2018Hey Caroline! Everything on the safari went very well and we couldn't have been any happier with the experience and the kind staff at all 3 of the camps. At each camp, we really enjoyed our time with our guides. They were all so knowledgeable and we felt like we learned so much about the animals! The game viewing was also fantastic at all 3 camps and we got to see all of the animals we had hoped besides a rhino which is okay. If we have any friends looking to book safaris in Africa we will certainly send them your way! Again, thank you for all your help and patience in booking our trip for us, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience!
Randy and Kathryn: Kenya, Jul 2018We had the most wonderful time. Everything went without a hitch. Our departing flight from Meru was delayed, but that gave us a little extra game drive on the way to the airport on which we spotted a female lion with two cubs. Elsa’s Kopje was all that was advertised. A top notch place with the most wonderful staff and the food was excellent throughout our stay. Our game driver Akibe was absolutely the best. We managed to get in the big five, although it was late on our last night before we spotted a leopard, but the bonus was that it was a female with a small cub. We have many photos to help us recall every minute of our trip. We can’t say enough about Akibe, he was very knowledgeable and constantly described and explain all the animals, plants and other things – including life in Kenya during our excursions. Since we had him to ourselves, he was very accommodating regarding our wishes regarding what we would like to see and when and where we wanted to go. We hope that they take good care of that gentlemen, as he is a real asset to their operation. We miss waking up and walking out onto the porch at sunrise and seeing giraffes, elephants, cape buffalo, etc. wandering the African plains below our suite on the hillside. Thanks again for arranging and making our trip as seamless as possible.
Minna and family: South Africa, Jun 2018Aloha Caroline and Paul, Our trip was unbelievable. We fell in love with South Africa. Everything you arranged worked perfectly. We had no problems at all. I am so thankful that I found you. I have already recommended you to all of my friends and will continue to do so! Thank again for arranging us such a memorable trip at reasonable cost! You are the best!
Cyrus and Darius: Zimbabwe and Botswana, Jun 2018Good morning Caroline & Paul, Thank you for assisting us with our safari trip. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. Everything went as smooth as we could have asked for. Our guide, Mr. Sam Mopolo and his team (Mothoni, MK, Cindy & Moses) were fantastic. We highly recommend them. Should we plan another trip to Africa, we will most definitely look you up. Thanks again for making this trip such a pleasant adventure.
Jennifer: Zambia and Zimbabwe, Jun 2018Hi Paul, Absolutely amazing vacation!!! I knew this trip would be great but the flawless travel and transferring between the airports and the different BushCamps was spectacular! Thank you so much for making my first trip to Africa so wonderful! I can't wait to start thinking about what parts I want to go next. met so many wonderful people staying at the BushCamp Company locations. I even met Andy a few times and had some lovely chats with him. Amy at the Mfuwe Lodge couldn't say enough good things about you and every single staff member I met while there was outstanding. The US hospitality industry should take a course from the BushCamp Company staff on how true customer service should be executed. From the Victoria Falls airport, thank you again for pulling this trip together for me!
Rowan and Sofie: Botswana, May/Jun 2018Thanks so much for arranging such a fantastic trip. We loved safari in Botswana! Unbelievable camps. We were lucky to see a lot of action at both Kings Pool and Qorokwe. We were big fans of the Qorokwe camp with good staff, fun atmosphere and good game drives - we saw a pride of lions hunt a giraffe and calf (calf didn’t make it). Now working on getting my parents to make the trip next year. We want to go back in 5 year (or sooner).
Nancy Jean: Zimbabwe and Botswana, May 2018I had a GREAT TIME! Couldn’t ask for a better trip. Everything was perfect. The accommodations were superb, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The food was good. They fed us every 2 hours. I had plenty of wine and Jack Daniels. My rooms were beautiful what time I got to spend in them. Boy we were busy. Thanks for a great trip.
Steve and Cindy: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, May 2018Just a note to say, this was far and away the BEST Trip we have ever taken!! Everything exceeded my expectations!! The camps were perfect w/ pleasant surprises (hot water bottles and blankets in the morning, great food, wonderful accommodations, surprise lunch on a boat at Duma Tau, this sundowner at Linkwasha, being met at the airports by Wilderness Safari personnel, outstanding hotels in the cities --- a truly wonderful African experience! We'll have to go back because we didn't get to see a rhino!! Thank you both for putting up w/ our time changes and working w/ us through all of the planning. No disappointments in anything....
Jean and Gary: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, May 2018We had a fabulous time! Everything went off like clock work. I wound have to say the Camps exceeded our expectations. It’s difficult to think of something that might have been left out. This evening we have been sorting through the 4,500 pictures! Really appreciate all the arrangements you made for us. This was a special trip made easy by your team. Jean and I especially enjoyed “High Tea” at the Cape Grace. Hopefully someday we can do this again with friends and family. Thanks again.
Tony and Audrey: Zimbabwe and Zambia, May 2018 Caroline and Paul, thank you again for the incredible trip! We had a great time and it was so special. The animals, the people, the accommodations/food/service were great. You guys and Bushcamp company are definitely the class act in Luangwa. Now we got the bug so it will not be our only trip to Africa. Saw all the must see animals and most within 5-10 meters:-15 different lions(3 cubs), 6 different leopards;-a few civet, genet, porcupine, water monitor;-dozens of giraffe (including 3 babies), crocs, buffalo, bushbuck, waterbuck, and eagles;-hundreds of elephants, zebras, hippos, mongoose;-thousands of baboon, warthog, vervet monkey, impala, puku, and birds!No snakes(I was hoping to see a cobra - Audrey not), no illness, and we never even got a mosquito bite until post safari in Lusaka.
Norma and Bill: South Africa and Botswana, Jan 2018We are safely home from our amazing trip to South Africa & Botswana and finally recovered from jet lag. Cape Town could not have been better. Christine, our guide, was incredible. She was an absolute delight, exceptionally knowledgeable and a true pleasure to be with and get to know. Wine county, the city tour and our day exploring the area on the way to The Cape of Good Hope were made even better thanks to Christine’s expertise. Four Rosmead Guest House was perfect and we would definitely stay there again and recommend it to others. Kalahari Plains - TK, our guide, knew every inch of the plains and bush and impressed us with his detailed knowledge of the wildlife. Due to the drought it appeared many animals had left the area. That being said we saw a lion king, a pride of 9 lions, giraffes, Spingbuck, Steenbok, Oryx, Kudu’s and more. We loved the food and enjoyed dining on dishes we never would have had in the USA. Loved the accommodations including the upper deck for outdoor sleeping. Gomoti Plains - Such a beautiful place, lovely decor in the main area and our room with a lush and amazing views. Mitre, our guide - again incredibly knowledgeable, he could not have been better. We were fortunate to have more of a variety of animals and birds than at Kalahari. A Cheetah, lioness hunting, elephants galore, impala, zebras, giraffes, warthogs and their babies, hippo’s, kudus, wildebeest, and more. Again the staff was amazing and food interesting and delicious and overall we loved this camp. Little Machaba - Absolutely delightful. We liked he coziness of the place and the delightful people. BT, our guide, once again was a plethora of knowledge and a lovely man. Our sightings included leopards, zebra, elephants, African wild dogs, baboons, monkeys, hyaena including their babies, and tons of impala, kudus etc. It was a trip of a lifetime and everything we dreamed of. It was wonderful to experience the variety and diversity between the 3 camps. Many thanks to you and Paul for your expertise in putting this trip together for us.
Chloe and family: Bisate Lodge, Rwanda, Jan 2018Everything was absolutely spectacular. This trip exceeded our expectations and was beyond incredible. Thank you for all of your help and support! We will definitely be back.
Joe, Carol, Chris and Heather: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Nov 2017We wanted to let you know that our trip was awesome in all respects. Thanks so much for the detailed planning and organization. All the camps were terrific: guides, staff, accommodations… All first-rate! Our guide Eric in Cape Town was fantastic. A real gentleman and super knowledgeable. Could not give him higher marks. All of the transfers went extremely smoothly, with staff waiting for us at each location to handle our baggage and guide us through the process. When we arrived in Victoria Falls we were upgraded to their new Victoria Falls Island Lodge. It just opened up a few months before our arrival. Really a first class boutique experience. The manager Peter and his small but attentive staff were really awesome, and the food was a real highlight of the trip. Frankly the only downside was that was the one location with a significant mosquito population. At the camps in Botswana we saw all the major animals with the exception of rhinos, which we understand are very difficult to find these days. Of the three camps we would have to say that Chitabe was the most outstanding as far as wildlife. Once again, the staff and guides at each location were terrific both in terms of their hospitality and their knowledge. Thanks again for the excellent job you did in planning our first trip to Africa. We will certainly pass along your contact information to any of our friends who are interested in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Steve: South Africa and Botswana, Nov 2017Africa was a totally amazing experience. I really enjoyed just sitting in one spot (like by a waterhole) for significant periods of time and watching the interaction of the animals. For me (spending my life multi-tasking and juggling multiple things), I was surprised that I could decompress and sit in a vehicle for 5-6 hours totally engrossed. The landscapes were memorable, and we saw just so many really cool things. I can confidently say that Leopard Hills was the camp we most enjoyed. They worked so hard to show us a great time, the animals were the best, and the food and accommodations were unmatched. I have never had a better trip.
Kristin and Family: Kenya, Nov 2017Let me start by saying thank you! We LOVED our experience. Asilia is an amazing company doing great things for the people of Kenya as well as the wildlife. A few highlights - the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust private tour for me was one of the highlights of my life. I so love this organization and all that it does and the time we got to spend with the elephants exceeded our expectations - I am still feeling the happy heart feels from this. The Giraffe center was amazing and well run as well. The logistics and car picks up were spot on and very attentive. Encounter Mara - WOW! Outstanding service, the guides were amazing with the kids and us, we had relief managers Della and Rich that frankly spoiled us and set the bar extremely HIGH. This was a great recommendation and was a great place for kids. It was very nice (borderline luxury) without the pomp of a luxury camp. Rekero - this is a beautiful camp and our days in the Mara we won't soon forgetten. The running water and tents were a step above EM. We enjoyed the deck, game drives and all of the care. My family would use Asilia again for sure - and I would recommend you both (already have) to plan. I hope we can go in a few years again. thank you, my 9 year old said it was the trip of a lifetime and she didn't want to leave :)
Becky and friends: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, Nov 2017Thank you, thank you for arranging the BEST TRIP ever!! This was a superb trip with a great itinerary and super guides and camps. We all were just amazed at how terrific days just kept following one another. No duds! It seemed that each day we had some animal experience that was a treat. We all marveled at the coordination and efficiency of the Wilderness Safaris staff. Meeting us at airports, the transfers, the quality of the guides and staff at camps—it was all so so good!When we arrived at the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town my initial thought was that this was way too much hotel for our needs. However, within a day I understood! This was the ideal hotel for recovering from the pace of the safaris and for sightseeing. It was so nice to have a very comfortable place with room to spread out. We found that the hotel restaurant was the most desirable one at the waterfront! Outstanding food and service, and quiet!I really enjoyed the 4 camps we visited. Each one gave us a different experience of landscape and animals. The amount of time at each was about right too. My personal favorites were Savuti—the landscape and number of animals is amazing, and, Hoanib Sketon Coast Camp. Hoanib is such an amazing place. The landscape is so unusual and we saw quite a few animals living in such desolation! The lunch at the Skeleton Coast was a complete surprise and so fun. We all fell in love with the guides at each camp. They were experts at their jobs and worked very hard to give us a fine experience whether it was seeing and tracking animals or going to a sunset spot for cocktails. Thanks again for providing our party of 6 with the trip of a lifetime!!
Ron and Diane: Zambia, Oct 2017Sadly, this is our final night in Zambia. Such a wonderful trip, thanks to you. Gorgeous country, prolific animals, and such genuinely kind people. We have had a wonderful time. And we just came in from a beautiful birthday dinner in the middle of the Zambezi, on a boat under the stars. I will say Ron got a little nervous when four huge elephants decided to swim from the island nearby to the shore, but all was well.
Bob and Winnie: Tanzania, Sep 2017We had a great time. Beho Beho remembered our experience when we were there the last time, and I played hide and seek with Joseph the elephant around the jeeps. It seems to be part of camp folk lore now. The hosts there are so very personable. The only thing we missed were the wild dogs which were still denning The rest of the sightings were great. At Singita Faru Faru we had the extra treat of witnessing the reverse migration and saw literally 10s of thousands of wildebeests (something we had not seen before). The accompaniment to the wildebeests were five prides of lions that were very full and fat. Also some great leopard sightings. Singita Faru Faru was on par with the Singita camp in Pamushana which is my favorite camp in Africa. Thanks again for another wonderful safari; this was number 13. We are starting to think about #14 for 2019.
Garth and Denise: Tanzania, Sep 2017We got back home on Sunday night -- sunburned, a little dehydrated, fly-bitten, and having been bounced around Tanzania for 15 days. In other words, it was a GREAT safari vacation! Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ruaha, an new area to us. Had a fantastic guide and a guide trainee for five days. So four experienced eyes looking for critters for us. We've read that Ruaha has around 12,000 elephants, and we think we saw every one of them TWICE! Also lots of lions, including the famous ones who bring down fully grown giraffes. Namiri Plains was also a new camp for us. Loved our stay there, and saw a lot more wildlife than we thought we would. By far the most zebra that we have ever seen. VAST herds. It was our 3rd visit to Ubuntu. The highlight of our stay there was seeing leopard cubs, something we have never seen in our previous six safari vacations. And Garth's favorite part of the Serengeti is the kopjes in this area. Although all of the staff of all of our camps were fantastic (along with excellent meals), the best of the bunch was at Kimondo. The entire trip went VERY smoothly. No glitches whatsoever. So great job, you two!
Ed, Lissa and Family: Zambia and Botswana, Sep 2017The trip was fantastic. We had a great time and everyone agreed it was the best vacation they had ever had.
Jack and Patty: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Aug/Sep 2017Wow!! What a trip! You guys make everything perfect. 30 days and not a glitch or any hint of a problem. Not sure how you guys do it, but everything was perfect. Let’s start planning for 2019. I know Paul is in Botswana with Map and the rhino relocation. Please thank them both for giving us such a wonderful experience and also for the spectacular work they are doing to save the rhinos. Thanks again for another extraordinary African adventure.
Clyde and Donna: Tanzania, Sep 2017We really want to thank you, Paul and the folks at Asilia for making our trip a success, despite the major airlines’ repeated attempts to make sure nothing went well. It was fantastic that you could make the last minute changes to our itinerary. We can’t thank you enough for coming through when the going got tough! We had a delightful time in Selous which was the last minute addition to our trip. Our sightings were great, and we appreciated that they provided us with a full day game drive on the one day we were there. Selous is different and beautiful with its lakes. Kwihala (Ruaha National Park) was another great time. Fantastic viewing, beautiful setting. Our guide (Charles) was great. We had a wonderful night safari. And, then I will never forget stopping for sundowners and within minutes hearing a lion roar very close by followed by Charles saying “get in the vehicle now - the lion is very close”. Indeed he was - we drove a very short distance to find him in the grass roaring away. It was fantastic to observe as well as hear his vocalizations. Namiri Plains (Serengeti National Park) provided a different view of the world. The sightings were incredible. We saw many lions, cubs and cheetahs. Clearly that is what is to come here for, but we also had other wonderful sightings including an aardwolf and a serval. The cheetah killing a steinbok within feet of us as we came into camp was pretty amazing as well. Again, our appreciation for you help with our last minute booking.
Melissa: Botswana, Aug 2017We had the absolute best time ever on this trip, I can't thank you enough for assuring everything was perfect. Just know I am so grateful, and I am totally in love with Botswana! This was definitely the trip of a lifetime. The accommodations at Mashatu were superb--beautiful and elegant, with amazing service from every single staff member. I mean, sweeping the dirt paths? Above and beyond, but in doing so we could see animal tracks more easily, and there were many animal tracks to see, especially bushbucks who ate the flowers by the pool each day. The quietness of the surrounding, and watching the animals come to the watering hole each day set the tone; I felt so connected to nature and a more simple way of being. All the food was wonderful, and I was appreciative that I was offered dairy free and gluten free options with each meal. The guides-OMG, Fish and Goms were so great, highly skilled, funny, and kind. We would challenge Fish jokingly each day to see this or that animal, and he delivered time after time. He was always kind and courteous, and we laughed so much with him. I'm not sure if having the two of them just for the two of us was standard or a special treat--but I will never forget them or the animals they showed us. Lions, cheetahs, leopards with babies, elles, warties, mongoose, African wildcat, impala, steenbok, giraffes, birds so colorful they seemed unreal. Fish driving through the bush, seriously off road, to find the lion or leopard. Fish greeting us with "My darlings!" a big smile and a hug; what a fine man. The smell of wild sage will forever remind me of Mashatu.OK, Limpopo Valley Horse Safari rocked! The horses, so well cared for, the matches that Lindy, the manager, made for us, the terrain, the guides, especially David--it was all excellent. And seeing impala, zebra, giraffes, elephants and more on our horses, up close and personal, was mind blowing. I thoroughly enjoyed Lindy, she rode with us the last day, lovely woman, very dedicated and a super horsewoman. I rode three different horses at my request; I loved them all, but Valiant, a black Boereperd cross, was my favorite. Galloping into the sunset with giraffes running ahead of us is seared into my brain! Cantering with herds of impala and zebras was breathtaking.The Okavango Delta--what a contrast, and what a special place (Okavango Horse Safaris)! The tented camp was lovely, very comfortable beds, I was so glad to have a bathroom in the tent too! The horse riding was spectacular there! And our guides, Chief and Clem, a petite, beautiful French/West African woman who was a volunteer there, were the best. Sue and I are pretty quiet riders, and the guides sensed that so our rides were quiet, letting us really use our senses to see, smell, hear, feel, and taste the delta and its wildlife. We stopped a couple of times each 4.5 hour ride to stretch our legs, take a pee break, and be quiet--that was so nice. Chief helped us through one rather nerve wracking moment when a male elephant wanted us to move away, which we did. Both Sue and I kept our eyes on Chief through this and other times--his quiet confidence and manners kept me calm. Turns out he trains all the horses there, which is why he's quiet and obviously loved by all the horses. I would love to return to their camp, staying a week, riding to their tree house camp and back. So I went to Botswana a little unsure about how it would be, if I was a good enough rider, if I could ride that many hours, blah, blah. I have returned a much more confident person and rider. I adored every second of it all, and I am madly in love with Africa. There is no better way to see it than from the back of a horse--I am totally convinced of that!Thank you, thank you. You both made the trip a dream. In gratitude...
Laurie, Zachery and Victoria: South Africa and Zimbabwe, Aug 2017The highlight of our trip was Linkwasha Camp. This Camp is amazing and the people are phenomenal. The food at The Elephant Camp was simply first class. We are extremely grateful to you and to Paul. Your recommendations and guidance have been much appreciated, and we will definitely refer you to others. We hope to return to Africa again. It was life changing!
Bob and Sally: South Africa, Aug 2017Caroline and Paul, it could not have been better, unless it was longer! Hated to leave. Cape Town perfect. Good hotel (Cape Grace) and Lucia (private tour guide) was outstanding and a delight to be with. Londolozi was 5 stars, from A to Z. Great service and saw everything we wanted. Thank you so much for organizing it. We want to go back. Bob and Sally
Robert and Aurora: Zambia, Botswana and South Africa, Jul/Aug 2017Let me just say it was a magical mystery tour of phenomenal moments and wondrous sights!! It was great and your efforts to make it a great trip exceeded whatever expectations we might have had. You folks were terrific. Just a few notes about the safari: Wilderness Safaris has its operation well honed. Everything moves smoothly. The transportation between camps is effortless. The meals are creative and well prepared. If Emmanuel is at all reflective of the type of guides Wilderness employs then it is superb. Emmanuel was both knowledgeable and exuberant about the wildlife and the experience. At times almost like he was experiencing it like a first timer. Every day was cloudless and fascinating (albeit that Aurora and I have been on safaris in other countrie 5 times). The accommodations were excellent as well. In fact I liked the way you and Paul arranged the order of the camps and times in each. Lastly I want to thank you for arranging the connections and hotel for us in Cape Town. The Cape Grace was lovely. All in all our experience was wonderful!!! I believe that we might return some day to Botswana and for that I will stay in touch.
Tana and Mark: Botswana and South Africa, Jul/Aug 2017It was fabulous! Everything worked beautifully - no snags. We saw lots of animals and the camps were lovely - esp Little Vumbura. The guides were fantastic! The hot water bottles delightful - lots of wonderful touches everywhere. Thanks for all of your help!
Brett and Catie: Kenya and Tanzania, Jul 2017What a trip. Thanks so much for putting this together, it was amazing. Our favorite camp was Rekero. Being so close to the water, we heard a lot of animals at night, which we both really enjoyed. All of their staff were wonderful. Food was superb. Our guide, Tim, was the real highlight. His personality really fit both of us. He had no problem starting early each morning and ending late (often leaving first and returning last each night). We had some really great sightings, where we were often by ourselves, of a lion family, elephant family, and cheetahs. We also enjoyed Olakira Camp. On our final night, the staff had prepared a private dinner for us. The decor was romantic and food was lovely, and they had prepared mini-vows for us to exchange, including some in Swahili. It was very special. We saw some really great things at this camp -- leopard with two small cubs, a successful lion hunt, and some crossings. Asilia seems like a great company and one that really cares about the wildlife and communities. Namiri Plains Camp was great. It lived up to its reputation relating to cat sightings. We saw a leopard on our drive from the airport to the camp (and on the way back to the airport too). We also found some cheetah cubs one day and saw lions fighting while trying to determine mating hierarchy. When we got to our villa at Klindi (Zanzibar), Brett and I turned to each other and said - "Caroline hit this one out of the park." Klindi was amazing. Our villa was over the top, we're pretty sure it was larger than our house in Seattle. The views were amazing and we felt like we were the only two people anywhere nearby. Our butler, Julius, was very attentive and had a bottle of sparkling wine chilling for us when we arrived. Every morning we had a superb breakfast on our patio and dinner around the pool in a romantic setting. We did one all day excursion which included snorkeling, seeing some of the smaller islets, and a fish BBQ on the beach. This was another place that Brett and I decided we'd have to return. Thanks again for putting this itinerary together for us! It was perfect, and the only thing we would change is staying for longer! -- Catie and Brett
Brian and Randi: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Jun 2017We had a wonderful trip! Most everything went as planned and we're already talking about when to return. Our guides were just great, and each of the camps offered something a bit different. We didn't understand the whole Wilderness Safaris organization, and seeing how complex it is made it that much more impressive. And we want to thank the two of you for making this so effortless for us. I don't think I've ever booked a big trip so quickly and easily! And Cape Grace was a great hotel! What nice and professional people. Again, thank you both. It was everything we hoped it would be.
Tom and Alan: Zambia Jun 2017We are on our way back home today after 5 nights in Cape Town. The trip was fantastic! The Safari was truly spectacular and we loved the Bushcamps. Everything was too-notch throughout our stay and the staff are so hospitable, friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks so much for your assistance and your guidance as we planned our first Safari adventure. We look forward to working with you on future adventures! All the best, Tom & Alan.
Carl and Linda: Zambia, Jun 2017We made it back yesterday morning as scheduled. What a fantastic trip! Thanks for all your help in working with Chris to put it together. We don’t think the trip could have been any better. The itinerary and logistics, accommodations and food, people, wildlife, and weather were all pretty amazing. We met Amy and Andy from Mfuwe Lodge and both said to tell you hello. We also met Allen and Tom from Los Angeles, who booked their trip through Natural Migrations. They both said to tell you their experience had been amazing. We just wanted to let you know we’re back and the trip was fantastic. Carl and Linda.
Nancy and Randy: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Rwanda, May/Jun 2017I just wanted to let you know that Randy and I returned from the most incredible, life changing, wildlife filled experience of our lives! Thank you!! The entire trip ran like a dream, the camps and staff were incredible and the hopes that I would finally get to see a real live African elephant came true - a hundred times over. Mombo Trail was spectacular and we never missed a beat. Little Makalolo was probably my favorite due to its ‘earthiness’ but I can’t really profess a preference. I cried when it was time to go home and have dreamed of returning soon. I can not go an hour without reliving something from this journey while I am awake - and frankly often while I am asleep as well. Our friends, whom we told about your organization, are leaving on their journey on July 3 - I just wish I could go along -but certainly will be there vicariously at least. We will be back! Nancy.
Nicolas and Rocio: Zimbabwe, Botswana and Cape Town, May/Jun 2017We are back from Africa and wanted to thank you for helping us plan and make this trip of a lifetime happen. It was truly an amazing experience and we were blown away by the level of service and kindness at every camp and in every single interaction with folks from Wideness. It was nothing like we have ever experienced before. Also, I think that given the complexity of the trip (i.e., transfers, charter flights, etc.), it is remarkable that there was not a single hiccup. Thanks again for setting all this up. We were laughing with Rocio that upon arrival in Miami, it almost felt strange not to see a smiling Wilderness rep waiting for us. You got us spoiled! :-) Anyways, again just wanted to say thank you. We can't wait for our next trip to Africa and we will be sure to reach out to you both when the time comes. By the way, the backpack was super useful! We used it a lot throughout the whole trip!
Catherine and Damon: Southern Africa, May 2017Paul and Natural Migrations are fantastic. My wife and I recently traveled on a two week safari to southern Africa - South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana - arranged by Natural Migrations. It was amazing from beginning to end. We told Paul what we wanted to see, and we saw all of it. I would highly recommend Paul who structured the trip in such a way that it just kept getting better and better. Paul met us at the end of the trip in Maun, Botswana, to make sure we had a great experience.
Jack and Patty / 12 April 2017You guys do the most amazing, comprehensive itineraries I've ver seen and I've seen a few over the years. Photos, recommendations, schedules you don't leave anything to question. Great job, very, very impressive.