The Feedback Blog
What our guests say about us.
Mon, Apr 16, 2012
It’s easy to have luxury on the Place de la Concorde but to find it in the very middle of nowhere
Was meaning to write this to you last Monday...haven't had aminute to catch my breath since we returned. Seems like I've been speaking about nothing but Tanzania since !
And for good reason! What a trip. I had nevertaken a pre-arranged, perfectly orchestrated trip before...cars to pick up and drop off, yes and tickets for this and that, certainly...but a 10 day totally programmed, every whim satisfied, incredibly professional and entertainingholiday?? Never.
What the hell was I waiting for?!
Everyone was wonderful. Festo, our guide, is more than knowledgeable and proficient...he's the Marlin Perkins of guides! We adored him...and we saw everything!! And before anyone else!! Often we were alone in the bush for more than an hour with a pride of lions or 2-3rhinos or a cheetah waiting to ambush some gazelle. Nicholas learned alot about patience, determination and their rewards on this trip thanks toFesto.
As for the camps, Lemala was magical, Serengeti has the mostperfect location but Loliondo is the very definition of chic! It's easy to have luxury on the Place de la Concorde but to find it in the very middle ofnowhere....that is the ne plus ultra! Indeed.
EL, April 2012
Wed, Mar 23, 2011
The most amazing trip
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that was the most amazing trip ever and met every expectation we could have possibly had (and more).
Honestly, I dont know how well top that. We saw more wildlife in 24 hours than I thought was possible. The Ndutu area at this time of year was just teeming.
We loved the wilderness camp and how raw and authentic it was. And it somehow never felt like a non-luxury situation. Having the camp to ourselves, our own big fire, sleeping with the windows down and having the whole Serengeti night right outside was just amazing. The sunrises, the hyenas raiding the dining tent, the birds as wake up call, the pride of lions just a mile away, the giraffe and impala and zebra walking through the woodland 100 yards away, it was all perfect. The camp staff also was so professional and amiable and we were pleasantly surprised we got free Swahili lessons with dinner every night.
Loliondo was also amazing (and a really nice upgrade with the yurt
. I thought we were fine in the WMC tent but when we got to the yurt it was like ahhhh
.). Again, the staff there was so amazing, particularly our Masai guard/assistant, Peter. The breakfast in the bush after the walk was amazing. The sundowner on the kopje, watching the sun set and the Masai bring their cows back into the boma, and then the bonfire, was something I will never forget. That was a truly special night. We also had the pleasure of being hosted by the staff back in their kitchen and dining area that night. We asked permission to, and they allowed us to, skip dinner in the dining tent and go back and have dinner with them and watch a Tanzanian movie. They were all very good humored about it and at that point we had picked up enough Swahili to not totally embarrass ourselves. Perfect end to the trip.
Last but not least, I cannot say enough about our guide David Mboya. He was such an excellent guide and a consummate professional. He was so respectful of the wildlife and other vehicles and managed always to be in the right place at the right time and at that perfect respectful distance. He clearly cares about his profession and his country. He entertained all our silly questions all week long, was so informative, and bent over backwards to make sure every need was attended to. He has the most amazing personality and we left having made a friend. I cannot recommend him highly enough and we will go on safari with him again.
BH - March 2011
Wed, Mar 16, 2011
Nomad - a cut above the rest
Hi Nomad, thought you'd like to see the feedback from our lovely client, who is a regular with Nomad.
Thanks so much for being the most wonderful operators!!! Seamless!
Angela
Angela
Journeys by Design
"First off - Nomad has new canvas and chemical toilets at the tented camps in Serengeti (Ndutu). This was nice and unexpected. They were as usual, top notch in every respect. The food was splendid and tasty.
The accommodations were wonderful and there was no rain at all. Some of the staff even remembered me from last year, which is really sweet. We saw leopard, three lion and four cheetah within one kilometer - on the first day. We caught up with the migration on the 3rd day and saw two kills (by lions); one attempt on a giraffe that failed (but was fun to watch); a few births and lots of babies (everything).
The yurts were still in use at Loliondo and that made me smile. Such lovely spacious tents and again the staff remembered me. The food was excellent and flavorful. The game walks were fun and night game driving exciting and novel. I love the incorporation of the Masai into the camp as askari and for the walks. It's a nice touch. Also no rain - which was 180 degrees from last year, but not a problem in terms of the game - except that the lion were sparse because the Masai were grazing cattle nearby, but who could blame them - those are some fierce looking spears.
Nomads continues to impress me with their effortless elegance. They make the hardest things look easy and are so down to earth and friendly.
I feel Iike I'm visiting with family (family that I like). Rem is a tremendous guide and he's gotten even better. He is sensitive to photographers and lighting so much so that he positions me for amazing photographs and sometimes will run a video while I'm shooting still images giving twice the coverage. He drives expertly and smoothly without jostling me around, but manages to negotiate quietly enough to get us really close to great experiences without seeming to annoy the animals (a big plus).
I had an opportunity to observe the behavior of some of the other tour operators and I must say they are reckless, rude and not respectful of others (animals or people). Nomads is really a cut above the rest. Despite the number of times I've been to Tanzania
I continue to learn and appreciate new things".
Mon, Mar 14, 2011
Serengeti & Loliondo
We have now returned from our great experience. Everything went very well.
We appreciated Godwins excellent knowledge and help. Thanks for the nice suprise
of a cake and champagne.
Thanks for putting together the program which worked out very well.
Regards
SA, March 2011
We appreciated Godwins excellent knowledge and help. Thanks for the nice suprise
of a cake and champagne.
Thanks for putting together the program which worked out very well.
Regards
SA, March 2011
Wed, Feb 23, 2011
Serengeti Safari Camp & Nduara Loliondo - exceeded our expectations.
just to let you know, we had a great time. found nomad to be a great company. guide was great. he showed us more wildlife than i ever expected. even lined vehicle up so that we had best photographic lighting.
camps and lodges were fantastic. we were amazed at onsea house- lovrd it (fixed us gourmet dinner at midnight) and plantation lodge. (gorgeous setting) as well as camps.
loved all the stops. lolliando was a bit slow for us who have to be on the go constantly but the activities provided were memorable.
everything fit together. went off without a hitch.
i've wanted to do a safari since the age of 8 ( am now 60) . the trip exceeded my expectations.
JC - February 2011
Wed, Jan 19, 2011
Nomad, guides and Sand Rivers - made the trip!
Halifa was fantastic. He cottoned on very quickly to their needs, wants. He clearly had read our deatails, as had Sand Rivers Selous management which we like very much so they knew something about us before arrival. ( not the case with the non Nomad properties)
His vehicle was always immac. Cleaned, Fridge for cold drinks, waste paper cleared each day
Attention to detail..excellent.
He didnt falter even on a long day and was always ready when they wanted early starts.
Saw amazing wildlife in Crater; Hyena taking a wildebeest and a new born Buffalo. Leopard on the crater im road. Talked to the chief Vet at HQ..nice touch as she is an expert on horse breeding here in UK. Also as instructed went down into Serengeti area via Endulen.
Food top stuff in camps. Loliondo was wet, no game but staff made up for it with surprise bush breakfasts etc.
Halifa made the trip
please send mingi asante sanas.
Nomad use older guides with experience and such thought and attention to detail
Sand Rivers Selous: also superb. Brilliant new management couple. Made them feel as if in a home. Good guide called Peter. Fly Camp ...began to rain so canvas sheets put over their fly tents at 0400.good. Best food of the trip. Mike and Carol also nice with the staff which made for great atmosphere. Appreciated the suite upgrade ...thank you.
TC - Jan 2011
