Holiday to Tanzania & Kenya
K. Kirby, 16th September 2014Our vacation was wonderful and very memorable. We were very pleased with how smooth our trip went and all the transfers Mahlatini arranged were seamless. All the staff we interacted with were friendly, helpful and very professional. Overall, an excellent experience!
Countries Visited
Kenya
“We were told repeatedly that we should have got our visa before arriving. When we arrived at the immigration office it wasn't busy, but we were told it can take up to three hours on a busy day.
The hot-air balloon ride was way too crowded (16 in our balloon) and it was difficult to even turn around. The morning was hazy and overcast and not really the best conditions for doing. I wouldn't recommend doing it unless the sky was clear and you could ride low over the trees to see the animals.”
Accommodation Visited
Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
“Very excellent. We were pleasantly surprised. The rooms were excellent and the food really stood out. All the staff were very helpful. It is good for one night or if you are really looking to rest, otherwise, the activities on site are very limited.”
Klein's Camp
“We were unimpressed with Klein's Camp and I wouldn't recommend this specific camp for an experienced safari goer, as they will be let down. Everyone was nice, but there was nothing special about our experience and the staff did not seem eager to impress us. We were not aware that the camp ran on generator power. As someone coming from a country that runs on generator power, I wasn't pleased that I was on vacation and still had to be concerned with ample hot water and power issues. The food was ok, but the dining experience was lacking.
While the camp was mediocre, the game in the Serengeti was fantastic. Our driver was ok, but needed work on interpersonal skills. I expected a driver that would enthusiastically share stories and facts, but our driver was very quiet and difficult to understand.
The only thing I felt irritated about with regard to the game drives is that there were other vehicles that were not AndBeyond on the concession during our evening game drives. Our driver refused to tell them to leave even though I repeatedly asked. This made me speculate that the drivers all know each other and allow it. This irritated me because we were tracking lions and instead of 3 Andbeyond trucks, we had 6 trucks making for a crowded experience. I feel like we paid for a camp with a private concession so that we could have a more private experience. Overall, just mediocre, especially when compared to Bateleur Camp”
Bateleur Camp
“We had an amazing experience at Bateleur Camp and do not have anything negative to say. Every single person went out of their way to make our experience wonderful. The camp manager was genuinely interested in our game experiences and we chatted with us every day. The tracker Doug was fantastic and passionate about his job. The private dinner they had for us was such a special surprise that was the highlight of my trip. I would definitely recommend this camp to my friends!”
Staff Review
“We were very pleased with Jaime and felt that he was very accessible. He always answered the phone when we called and answered our emails promptly. He was very personable and professional and very knowledgeable on the camps. We appreciated his willingness to help with several last minute flight changes. Overall, we were very comfortable on our trip knowing that we had a contact if anything went wrong.”