I'm going to get flack for this, but Ngorongoro was my least favorite safari location on my trip. From a geological perspective, I thought it was fascinating and I liked driving along the rim, but when we descended the crater for our game drive, I was struck by how busy it was down there. It was far more crowded with game drive vehicles in the crater than it was anywhere else, even in the Serengeti. Part of this is due to the fact that it's a relatively small area to drive, especially in comparison with Serengeti or Tarangire. There's just not as much area to disperse the vehicles across. Charles also noted that there were not many vehicles in the crater, due to it being green season and that there are often hundreds of them in peak season. I don't think that experience would be for me.
Ngorongoro Crater view point (Kassandra Magruder)
We also didn't see many predators or what I would consider to be compelling game. We did see good numbers of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo. We saw some very charismatic warthogs, hippos out of water (which is always a treat), and rhino from up on the crater rim.
I definitely appreciated driving around the rim and I realize that game viewing is super hit and miss, from day to day or even hour to hour. I don't think I would call Ngorongoro a "miss" at all, but I would temper my expectations and realize that this will always be a busy part of the itinerary.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
