Travel reviews by JW from San Francisco
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
6
Excursions taken
2
My Mar 2025 trip
Tanzania and 2 other countries between 9 Mar 2025 and 24 Mar 2025
"The overall experience was excellent! Maruska was a wonderful partner in planning the trip and was very responsive to requests or needs we had. Everything works so smoothly: drivers were on time to pick us up; the quality of the guides was superb; the accommodations were good; and, the cars were in good condition.
A few recommendations for future travelers:
• If you have heat sensitivity, make sure you mention it and ask for tents in shaded areas, if it all possible.
• Bring extra money to tip at the lodges – not just drivers, guides and housekeepers – the entire lodge staff expects to be tipped.
• Luggage size and restrictions are not quite as limited as mentioned in the itinerary. As a note: Maruska was so very helpful in tracking down information directly from the airline providers… and, that helped to relieve the stress of restricted weight/size limits, especially, for a six week long trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I will be contacting Maruska in the near future to plan another trip to Africa, it was a fabulous experience!"
A few recommendations for future travelers:
• If you have heat sensitivity, make sure you mention it and ask for tents in shaded areas, if it all possible.
• Bring extra money to tip at the lodges – not just drivers, guides and housekeepers – the entire lodge staff expects to be tipped.
• Luggage size and restrictions are not quite as limited as mentioned in the itinerary. As a note: Maruska was so very helpful in tracking down information directly from the airline providers… and, that helped to relieve the stress of restricted weight/size limits, especially, for a six week long trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I will be contacting Maruska in the near future to plan another trip to Africa, it was a fabulous experience!"
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
Rivertrees Country Inn
"Rivertrees Country Inn review"
1 night
Arrived
9 Mar 2025
"It’s a beautiful property and the team couldn’t have been more lovely and helpful."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Average
Plantation Lodge
"Plantation Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
10 Mar 2025
"The grounds were truly exceptional, and the facilities were wonderful.
Apparently, since we were late in the season, some facilities (particularly in the pool area and the spa) were closed.
Overall, the experience was really wonderful, and the team at Plantation Lodge was very professional and caring."
Apparently, since we were late in the season, some facilities (particularly in the pool area and the spa) were closed.
Overall, the experience was really wonderful, and the team at Plantation Lodge was very professional and caring."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Many sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk
"Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk review"
10 Mar 2025 • All-day excursion
Our guide was lovely, but it was hot so we cut things short – I could have easily skipped the lunch, which seemed a bit touristy.
The staff was very, very nice, but seemed a bit exhausted by all the groups. On the plus side, the village had a very clean and western style toilet :-). And, the food included vegetables.
Also, there was a walk through the plantation area of the village which was lovely. The guides for that particular walk were truly fabulous. They seemed to take joy in our appreciation of their village and their efforts. They made things out of the leaves for us: crowns, hats, and little purses… Such a lovely and unexpected aspect of the tour.
The staff was very, very nice, but seemed a bit exhausted by all the groups. On the plus side, the village had a very clean and western style toilet :-). And, the food included vegetables.
Also, there was a walk through the plantation area of the village which was lovely. The guides for that particular walk were truly fabulous. They seemed to take joy in our appreciation of their village and their efforts. They made things out of the leaves for us: crowns, hats, and little purses… Such a lovely and unexpected aspect of the tour.
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
"Safari in Ngorongoro Crater review"
11 Mar 2025 • All-day excursion
The crater was phenomenal – highly recommend it!
Ubuntu Camp
"Ubuntu Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
12 Mar 2025
"The camp was good, especially considering it’s a mobile camp. The staff stood out as caring and accommodating. The man who escorted me back-and-forth to my tent was remarkable – he took care of every need and was an extraordinary human being. Also, Rueban, the assistant bartender, was another incredible person. He told us his story and how he came to work there – a very motivated individual.
The experience in South Serengeti was unbelievable! We were in the middle of the wildebeest/zebra migration and I’ve never experienced anything like it – ever ever! I am so grateful that you counseled me on including this area. It truly was one of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had in my lifetime! We saw 100s if not, thousands of wildebeest and so many other animals.
The aspects that were disappointing included:
• being in a HOT tent unshaded by trees
• my phone overheated, because the temperature was close to 100°F inside my tent. My friend who was in a tent with a tree over it had a completely different experience – far better AND LESS HOT.
• we were surprised to learn that tips for the lodge were expected. We have traveled quite a bit and knew we needed to bring extra money to tip our guides, but have never had to tip at a lodge – with the exception of housekeepers. These extra lodge tips were meant to cover all staff.
At about $1000 a night, we think Asilia should provide good wages for their employees.
• Also, a manager stood over me while I was filling out the tip sheet, and when I did not include tips for the managers (I thought they were exempted) - he pointed out that I had not included tips for the managers and reminded me to do so! It was a very uncomfortable experience and several other guests said they left no tips as a result of the same experience.
I didn’t feel it was right not to leave tips for staff but I did not like or appreciate his behavior. We also would have liked to have been alerted ahead of time so that we could have been prepared with extra money for lodge tips."
The experience in South Serengeti was unbelievable! We were in the middle of the wildebeest/zebra migration and I’ve never experienced anything like it – ever ever! I am so grateful that you counseled me on including this area. It truly was one of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had in my lifetime! We saw 100s if not, thousands of wildebeest and so many other animals.
The aspects that were disappointing included:
• being in a HOT tent unshaded by trees
• my phone overheated, because the temperature was close to 100°F inside my tent. My friend who was in a tent with a tree over it had a completely different experience – far better AND LESS HOT.
• we were surprised to learn that tips for the lodge were expected. We have traveled quite a bit and knew we needed to bring extra money to tip our guides, but have never had to tip at a lodge – with the exception of housekeepers. These extra lodge tips were meant to cover all staff.
At about $1000 a night, we think Asilia should provide good wages for their employees.
• Also, a manager stood over me while I was filling out the tip sheet, and when I did not include tips for the managers (I thought they were exempted) - he pointed out that I had not included tips for the managers and reminded me to do so! It was a very uncomfortable experience and several other guests said they left no tips as a result of the same experience.
I didn’t feel it was right not to leave tips for staff but I did not like or appreciate his behavior. We also would have liked to have been alerted ahead of time so that we could have been prepared with extra money for lodge tips."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Feedback response
It was wonderful to hear how much these travellers enjoyed the southern Serengeti safari experience in March, and that they really liked Ubuntu Camp and most of the team there.
Ubuntu Camp responded to advise that whilst they do their best to place tents under shade, they are limited by the size and layout of the plot they are assigned upon which to set up the camp. All the tents have fans to counter the heat in the middle of the day.
Asilia Safaris and Expert Africa were disappointed to hear about the tipping requests and pressure from some of the camp team. This has been addressed. Travellers should never feel obliged to tip more than they are comfortable with.
Ubuntu Camp responded to advise that whilst they do their best to place tents under shade, they are limited by the size and layout of the plot they are assigned upon which to set up the camp. All the tents have fans to counter the heat in the middle of the day.
Asilia Safaris and Expert Africa were disappointed to hear about the tipping requests and pressure from some of the camp team. This has been addressed. Travellers should never feel obliged to tip more than they are comfortable with.
Manager & Senior Africa Specialist
Four Points Nairobi Airport
"Four Points Nairobi Airport review"
1 night
Arrived
15 Mar 2025
"This was a good choice with solid four star facilities."
Good
Splash Camp
"Splash Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
16 Mar 2025
"It was a good experience with a staff of very dedicated and professional people."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Tau Pan Camp
"Tau Pan Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
19 Mar 2025
"Tell Pam was a wonderful experience, the animals and the people were incredible."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
