African Budget Safaris Reviews 

Our experience with African Budget Safaris was seamless from the start. Our agent was Chris - who was all of these things: extremely knowledgeable, helpful, kind, patient and funny. We inundated him with questions and concerns leading up to our trip - and no question was left unanswered - all with grace, kindness and a sense of humour. We were given plenty of insightful tips and information up front, which made us very well prepared for every aspect of our trip. Others in our tour group who had booked with other agencies were nowhere near as well prepared, and it adversely affected their experience. EVERYTHING about this experience was excellent and as expected - this includes the challenges you face when travelling in Africa - all of which form part of the adventure! HIGHLY recommend without hesitation. Just DO it!!!!

Sis and I planned this trip for months. Chris at African Budget safaris was able to give us the answers to our many questions. We planned before the new season started and Chris promptly contacted us when the new itinerary was ready and we reserved our spot.

ABS used Nomad and we could see 2 trucks in the parking lot the day we arrived. Got up and waited over an hour for someone to show up and they were not with our group. That was the only nerve wrecking moment. We weren't sure if we had the proper information, location and no one to contact. BUT, this is Africa, as we learned and timing is relative.

Our driver and tour guide were top notch gentleman. The truck, was a truck. no air conditioning and no fans but did have big windows.

Did I say this was a budget? Anyway, we got to our of our destinations, saw amazing scenery, the locals are lovely. We had the accommodated settings: a toilet, shower and bed every night. Our co travelers had tents they set up each location. Many were resort like. one or two were really camping environment.

We were able to go on 5 safaris, one was a night drive. We saw so many animals. Each safari was set up with a superior interested group who love their land and animals.

So many pictures and lovely memories.

Was glad the tour went from Kenya to Victoria Falls, the heat was oppressive and weather improved as we go into the mountains or hills.

Victoria Falls is amazing, we stayed 2 days on our own there and it was a wonderful way to wind down. Chris was able to help us book our hotel, transfers and the excursions we wanted to take there as well.

If felt like door to door service.

3400 miles by truck, so some days were long, hot and tiring.
I would do it again in a heart beat. few toilets along the way, so bushy bushy is a way of life. different. I would do it again in a heart beat. We were able to stay so much longer with the reasonable pricing. Trip of a life time.

We came from Chile, Southamerica and these was our first travel to Southafrica, motivated by your big animals. I was a bit intrigued in how to arrenge a Safari. In other countries we just use booking for our hotels but in a Safari you need to have the accomodations, safaris and transportation in and out the wild conected. I navegate in various web sites but at the end we select African Budget Safaris. We receive a very good orientation from Chris du Preez, who was patient and flexible to our changes in dates, extensión of our safaris and complementary destinations.

Finally we select a 6.days safari considering 3 nights at Pretorioukop in Kruger National Park and 2 nights at Kapama Private Reserve, plus a day trip to the Potholes at a very fare price.

Our schedulle was fully completed acording our specifications and at our complete satisfaction. We ended not only facinated by your magnificent animals but also for the excelent service African Budget Safaris bring to us. Without doubt we could recomend your company to our friends

We got the best service ever from Chris at African Budget Safari! We contacted him with a very short notice during the most busy period of the yer - Christmas, and he managed to arrange a great safari for us, including transfers and accommodation. Everything was perfect!

My experience with African Budget Safari was 5 stars and that was down to Chris who cater our every need. Any questions was answered quickly and arrange everything from Pick up to drop off to the safari itself.
The safari itself was brilliant. We were lucky to to see the Big 5 on our 3 day trip and met brilliant people from across the globe. The camp I couldn't fault as all meals were delicious and catered for everyone's needs. We stayed in the bungalows and they met our needs and very tidy. The base were we staying had loads of amenities from shops, restaurant and outdoor pools.

Last of all the people were perfect from Chris down to the drivers.
Easiest 5 Stars I will give. Perfect.

Chris was great to work with at African Budget Safaris! He responded in timely matter which exceeded my expectations. Great customer service skills. I contacted 5 other companies for my tour while in Cape Town, African Budget Safaris had the better price out of all the others. I had a ball with the tours that Chris arranged for my family. I will definitely use this company again on my next trip to CapeTown. Thank you!

We recent returned from our South African Safari that we booked with the assistance of Chris from African Budget Safaris - from the initial contact we found Chris to be very helpful & efficient - he understood what we were wanting & worked with us to make the process as easy as possible.
The Safari that we chose was incredible - everything was very well organised allowing us to enjoy our trip immensely - choosing a Safari that provided access to both Kruger & Sabi Sands allowed us to see all the animals we wanted to plus many more along with many informative conversations from the Rangers - we learnt so much whilst on Safari - we now have a much greater understanding of the importance these parks offer to the animals survival.
We would thoroughly recommend booking your African Safari through African Budget Safaris - we hope you too can have a great experience & enjoy your travels as much as we have.

I HIGHLY recommend African Budget Safaris!!! We had a top quality, luxurious, educational and amazing trip! We stayed in the same awesome resorts as other safaris, at a much better price. We not only had the same resorts, we had the same meals, and had a private tour with an amazing, super knowledgable, awesome guide!! Every concern I had, our travel agent, Chris, took care of (such as making sure my 6 year old granddaughter would be able to accompany us on the entire trip)! I would say it was the trip of a lifetime, except that it was so awesome, that I will book more trips with African Budget Safaris in the future!!

We had a fantastic 4 day safari holiday, booked through ABS (Chris). He gave us plenty of help and information for booking the best safari suited to us. Everything went really well - we also booked into their lodge for when we arrived in Johannesburg, and this place (Oaklands Lodge) was so good, very friendly, great food and good location. The transfers between accommodation to safari worked very well, and all the guides and staff on safari were all so good and friendly. We would highly recommend ABS, and their prices were very good. Well done to all and thank you for making it such an enjoyable safari for us.

ABS were Professional, responsive and haves given us Wonderful and unforgettable memories.
We gave ABS a tight and difficult program to fit in Kruger, Victoria Falls, and East Africa within a short university semester break. 3 Travellers intending to see as much game as possible and having en-suite accommodation throughout. Shuttles to and from airports was included and accommodation set as 3 star minimum. ABS came up with a tight package and suggested flights to make it work. The tour looked good and was within budget. We have finished and sadly returned home with 1000s of photographs and great memories. We are considering further trips through ABS and are recommending them to friends and family.
Chris and the team at ABS were very helpful.
Itinerary
Lakeside Lodge
Collected from OT International and whisked to Lakeside Lodge Benoni. Great rooms and facilities and a very warm welcome. Lakeside’s Chef, Blom, produced a tasty dinner and an excellent farewall breakfast the next day. We enjoyed their hospitality on return from the Kruger. No problems with staying there again.

Viva Safaris Kruger 4 day Lodge and Treehouse safari
The evening game drive at Tremisana and the next day walking tour and drive helped set a high level of expectation because we saw hippos, elephant, silverback jackals, steenbok, impala and kudu. Accommodation and meals were of a high quality. The drive to and from Kruger’s Orpen gate in an open game vehicle was freezing and sadly lacked any thought of client comfort. Winter in South Africa is cold but being in the back of an elevated open bakkie at 80kph of 40 minutes each way is freezing! The game drive was lucky as we started with wild dogs. We were told that they were unlikely to be in the park, but this proved otherwise. As we thawed out, the luck continued with our Guide Patrick helping to find sightings of the big five and a black rhino plus hyena, hippos, silver back jackals, bushbuck, banded mongoose, Lichenstein’s hartebeest, tsessebe, kudu, impala, and steenbok.
Our stay at Marc’s Tree Camp was overall disappointing. Due to a minor mix up we used 3 different treehouses and in each the hot water showers were terrible but easily fixed by some simple maintenance. Our daughter burnt herself from the dripping hot water shower tap. Both dinners were poor quality. This is supposedly a 3-star accommodation permanent camp but given our later experience with accommodation with 3-star ratings we think the rating is not justified. The Treehouse camp has potential, but we were unable to experience the features that have attracted praise. Arriving late and departing early for game drives or the morning walking safari meant that we could not enjoy the vista offered from the treehouses. The saving grace was the early morning bushwalk, the daily incursion of a small herd of Nyala into the locale and to the waterhole near the breakfast area each morning.
I would recommend that Marc’s Treehouse do some elementary plumbing to shower fittings and put some effort into dinner. Unless this happens, I would recommend using other accommodation near Kruger.
Batoka Victoria Falls Hwange Safari Lodge 6 day Safari
Batoka provided excellent service. Attentive, knowledgeable and helpful Guides in Chobe, the Zambesi Canoeing, Victoria Falls and Hwange. Accommodation used by Batoka was outstanding.
The water level of Chobe was significantly higher than when we visited last year. This affected the range of game that could be seen away from the water’s edge and we managed to see sable, elephants wandering and swimming to the marshland in the river, hippos, baboons (of course) vervet monkeys, puku, buffalo, lions, giraffe, crocodiles and water monitors.
The Boma dinner in Victoria Falls was excellent and should be included as an option in all Falls Packages.
Flight of Angels Helicopter flight - Last year we used Zambesi Helicopters and this year we were pleasantly surprised by the services provided through BonAir. They gave us more circuits over the falls perhaps because their pad is closer. The video is very good and cheaper.

Rainbow Hotel Victoria falls
Again, it was a pleasure to stay at the Rainbow. Excellent meals and pool bar-side service.

Sable Sands Hwange
A great camp location and accommodation. Meals were excellent and the ambient was incredible. On the arrival afternoon game drive we saw tsessebe, silverback jackals, warthogs, elephants the sunset visit by a herd of elephants and a fantastic dinner made the day. Our hosts were thoughtful enough to provide guests with polar fleece ponchos to cut down the chill factor when on game drives. Not much luck in Hwange the next day due to the cold but this was rectified by another herd at dusk and again a superb dinner. Great hosts.
I would use Batoka services again and have recommended them to friends who are contemplating visiting.
Asili Adventure 10 day Marsai Mara Serengetti Lodge
After snaking through Nairobi’s morning traffic and the marvellous view of the Rift Valley and a rough ride over the temporary road from Narok to the Mara it was fantastic to arrive at the open plains, the game viewing and beautiful sunset and sunrise.
Enkorok Mara Camp was very pleasant with excellent smorgasbord dinner, huge breakfast choice and great packed lunch that helped us spend an uninterrupted day on a game drive that caught part of the migration as well lots of game – lions, cheetahs, warthogs, elephants, impala, zebra, wildebeest, hippos, ostrich, jackals, hyena, buffalo, giraffe, impala, Coke’s hartebeest, kudu, steenbok,
Lake Nakuru was a bit of a disappointment because we had hoped for lesser flamingos but because the lake has extended there is no feeding for them and so they are absent. The edge of the lake has grown by at least 200m since the 80’s and what was the foreshore is submerged and the tree line fringe is now part of the lake. This means that in parts the park is very narrow vegetation is concentrated making it difficult to spot game. We did manage to watch a lion in a tree observing prey, white rhino, Defessa water bucks, and see Rothschild giraffe. Accommodation at Lake Nakuru Lodge was excellent.

Kibo Lodge at Amboseli was a very high standard. The afternoon game drive and the following day were great. The day was clear and with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop how could you not enjoy this park? Only a few flamingos on the lake but enough to give a pink fringe on parts of the edge. Again, lots of game but on the road to and from we managed to see Gerenuks which as a definite surprise highlight.
We had a good drive to Lake Manyara where we saw giraffe, mongoose, elephants, blue monkeys and Dik-diks. Resting up at Burudika Manyara Lodge was well welcome and food and hospitality were excellent.
The game in Serengeti Central and West was fantastic. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, Grants Gazelles, Thompson’s Gazelle, Topis, zebra, hyena, hartebeest, golden and silverback jackals, elands singular and in herds. We saw the massing of a number of wildebeest herds preparing for their northern migration and we were fascinated by their behaviour when drinking near hippos and lurking crocodiles. The Serengeti Angani Camp is a simple tented camp and it was amazing how the staff turned out such good meals and delivered ample hot water for showers at the end and beginning of each day. They did a good job and more that tended to our needs.
Throughout the safaris, we saw heaps of game and for those who are keen on birds we also saw grey crested cranes, storks, hamerkop, superb starlings, Jacana birds, kingfishers of various types, fish eagles, Kori bustards, secretary birds, southern ground hornbills, lilac breasted rollers, finches, marabou stork and assorted companion vultures throughout the trip.
The last activity was a visit to Ngorongoro crater where this was plenty of game and the scenery is amazing. We finished the Asili East African Safari at Ngorongoro Farm Lodge. What a place to finish! Wow!
Asili’s arrangements, selection of accommodation and guide service was excellent, and we have no hesitation to recommend them to others.
Nairobi Accommodation
Best Western Meridian Hotel Nairobi is a good place to stay. Just off Moi Avenue, close to the CBD (15 minutes easy walk) and good local restaurants like the Kilimanjaro Jamia and Java. Best Western has a great breakfast selection and the restaurant daily happy hour is a good way of enticing you to stay and dine in the restaurant. Good fare and good prices. Try also the 7th floor swimming pool and happy hour (5pm until late). Good customer service and excellent rooms. Best Western is also close to the City Markets 10 minutes walk and depending on the day close to the moving Masai Market

Great experience made possible through the efforts of ABS

Chris,additional to what Verity had to say , I make the comment that amongst many highlights of our Okavango trip, Sam our guide was an absolute standout - informed on everything from astronomy to animal tracks and the way their digestive systems work, he found for us leopards( one on a kill ) antelope, elephants and hippo - the lot - and he was great company in the evenings at dinner and round the fire - quite a bloke, is our Sam, regards, James Murray

Chris helped us set up an amazing trip--everything exceeded expectations! Transport was professional, lodging was superb, and guided drives were outstanding.

Chris helped us through the whole process of booking our trip for Zimbabwe and Botswana and even arranged a last-minute pickup at the airport.
Highly recommended!

Chris from African Budget Safari made my booking process very smoothly.
He was extremely helpful and the tour was fantastic. I had the best experience of my life!
Thanks Chris and thanks African Budget Safari!
Mary

Planning a huge trip from the US was more work than I wanted. Chris made things incredibly easy, even when our flights were canceled 3 times. He stayed in contact with us and was incredibly helpful. Highly recommended.

Had an excellent safari experience at Kruger National Park thanks to African Budget Safaris. They organised the perfect tour for us which didn't disappoint. Correspondence with African Budget Safaris was seamless - even over the festive period, our emails were answered quickly. Special thanks to Chris for the friendly communication!

My experience with the company was the best anyone could have. Chris was amazing, he tried to help us in anyway possible and was comprehensive in every step along the way. Even when things got a little difficult he helped me even more than the international embassies abroad. His quality in his job is the one, everyone in your company needs to have. Overall he made the experience of planning the trip just as good as the trip itself. I thank you so much for everything you did for us.

The off-season safari was a good deal. Camps were great, connections reliable and everything organized as advertised. Chris was responsive and on top of things, gave good advise and help me come up with the package that suited me.

African Budget Safaris organized an excellent safari for our group of 8 in early May 2017. I worked with Chris who was extremely responsive and quickly answered my questions and emails. When he was away for a short time, another staff member filled in. When we had questions about reviews of the safari we were scheduled to take, Chris contacted the safari company and reassured us that our concerns had been addressed. And indeed, our safari was excellent (Okvango Expeditions, aka Lewis Safaris, Best of Botswana 7-day full-participation camping safari). The expectations our group of 8 had for the safari were exceeded, our guide (Sam) was extremely knowledgeable and our cook Noha (Kaizer) made delicious meals (and baked bread in coals most days!).

I had an excellent experience booking a 24 day camping "Tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg via Vic Falls". Chris was super helpful and not only helped me book the tour, but booked a shark diving tour for us as well. Everything turned out perfectly. I didn't know exactly what to expect, but it was amazing! Thank you for the best trip I've taken in my life!