Wendy Tucker
Trip Review: This is our fourth trip with African Portfolio and once again our trip was flawless and wonderful. We will be going back to Africa again!
Most Memorable Moment: Water lunch in the Zambezi River at Sausage Tree-we did it three days in a row! The lunch was incredible-sitting in the middle of the Zambezi! And seeing elephants crossing the river multiple times during our stay.
Advice For Future Clients: Be open to whatever your trip has in store. You may or may not see that certain animal but you will be constantly awed but all that is around you. And the more questions you ask your guides and the more curious you are the more you will fall in love with Africa!
Breanna Guglielmi
Trip Review: Our trip exceeded all expectations, thanks to Susan and her team. They curated an exceptional honeymoon experience that truly surpassed our hopes. From the vibrant city life of Cape Town to the captivating safari in Sabi Sands, and the idyllic beaches of Mozambique, the itinerary perfectly showcased the splendor of these remarkable destinations. Each day brought new heights of enjoyment, consistently surpassing the previous one. Susan added a series of delightful and unexpected touches at each stage of our journey, significantly enhancing our experience beyond our highest expectations. We are deeply appreciative of the African Portfolio team for crafting such an unforgettable journey and enabling us to create lasting memories. Their seamless coordination and profound expertise in the region were evident throughout the entire experience. We would highly recommend this travel company to anyone planning to visit Africa!
Most Memorable Moment: Our most memorable moment was witnessing a pack of wild dogs chase down an impala during the last day of our safari. We made perfect timing to witness the encounter, and our driver sped through the dirt roads to keep us right alongside the dogs, we felt like we were a part of the pack.
Advice For Future Clients: Break down your USD into smaller bills before leaving to make it easier for tipping purposes. We forgot to do this and thankfully were able to break some bills down with the manager at the Santorini.
Wendy Werblin
Trip Review: Well coordinated every step of the way - and the one time a driver was late, everyone worked quickly to resolve the issue. Lodgings were all fabulous, guides were great, food was excellent (except the riverside bbq at Palm river, I wouldn't recommend that). The sunset cruise and dinner at the Eatery after were a great treat!
Most Memorable Moment: Peering outside our bathroom in Machaba and seeing an elephant right there! Also, sitting on the porch / at the pool in Machaba and watching 28 elephants come to the river.
Advice For Future Clients: Don't overpack! Also - you don't need to buy safari hats.
Nick Robinson
Most Memorable Moment: Lots of memorable moments.
Advice For Future Clients: Bring warm clothes for the morning safari drives.
Jill Ause
Trip Review: East Africa is a must if going on safari in Africa with the variety of animals, birds and landscape.
Most Memorable Moment: There were so many memorable moments. Here are just a few: (1) The bush breakfast at Kifaru House. The tables were set up next to a lush hillside alongside a stream with an amazing assortment of food items, cold and hot, and of course, mimosas. And they provided a "loo with a view". (2) Serengeti Migration Camp - Dining by candlelight on the raised outdoor terrace, taking in the expansive view, enjoying a lovely warm breeze and watching a lightning storm in the distance. (3) Almost running over a lion at a watering hole alongside the road as we were rushing to the airstrip. We stopped and were so close we could hear him lapping up the water. (4) A warm bubble bath waiting for us in our suite at The Manor after returning from our tour of the Crater. (5) Watching Masai children walking to school in areas occupied by buffaloes and elephants. (6) Few insects or mosquitos anywhere. In fact, at Serengeti Migration Camp and The Manor there was no netting needed around the beds. We were told this is due to the higher elevation.
Advice For Future Clients: Be open and don't set unrealistic expectations. Nature has no set script. You may not see what everyone says you need to see (a wildebeest crossing), or you may experience smoke from controlled burnings in the Serengeti. Don't let that disappoint. Learn from the guides. They love to share and answer questions. Get to know your fellow travelers. Sit back and take in all that is around you and you may get surprised by the unexpected.
Becky Parmeter
Trip Review: African Portfolio did a great job organizing everything for the trip.
Most Memorable Moment: Lovely people and amazing exposure to the animals.
Advice For Future Clients: Take the trip!
William Gottis
Trip Review: We felt like royalty.
Most Memorable Moment: So hard to choose. Every day had memorable events.
Advice For Future Clients: Two things. Work with Victoria at African Portfolio. She will ensure that your trip is memorable. Secondly, when booking your flight to Africa. Plan to arrive a couple of days earlier to allow time for you to acclimate to the time zone and rest from the long flight. Then begin your African safari. At the end of your safari, fly to Zanzibar for a few days to relax from the tent camping and bumpy roads. Even if you don't go to Zanzibar, fly from the Serengeti back to your departure city and avoid the long drive.
Lori Murfitt
Trip Review: Everything went smoothly. We loved all the camps. They were all unique in their own way, but every one was perfect and made us feel at home.
Most Memorable Moment: Too many to choose! Seeing the animals in their natural environment and being so close to them was life changing. We will be back. Africa has stolen a piece of my heart.
Advice For Future Clients: Go! You will never regret it and it will change your life.
Kathy Lorentzen
Most Memorable Moment: So difficult to say, but this trip probably spending an hour at the feet of Boris, a huge but gentle bull elephant who went about his business as if we weren’t even there.
Advice For Future Clients: If Africa is calling your name, then GO! With a company like African Portfolio managing all the details, you cannot go wrong.
Michelle Jeffrey
Most Memorable Moment: Being up close with the elephants.
Advice For Future Clients: Don't wait to go on an African Safari - do what you can to make it happen.....you will not be disappointed!
Marilyn Doane
Trip Review: It was the trip of a lifetime! We enjoyed absolutely every moment. Everything worked seamlessly. The accommodations were beyond amazing. We felt pampered and well taken care of at every Lemala camp. The staff was top-notch. The food was excellent. The animal viewing surpassed our wildest dreams. We had so many magical and memorable moments that we will never forget.
Most Memorable Moment: There were so many memorable moments that it is difficult to choose just one. The most exciting moment was watching a herd of elephants chase a pride of lions away from a watering hole. Elephants have so much personality! They are large and in charge!
Advice For Future Clients: Don’t overpack! The packing list provided is very accurate. The laundry service was excellent. I personally wish I had purchased a rolling duffle bag for the trip. 22lbs became awfully heavy after 26 hours of traveling! Get out early for best animal viewing. A picnic lunch is a great way to see more and get out further into parks but prepare for long days. Be sure to bring plenty of cash. We had some issues where we could not use our credit cards because the Wi-Fi was down.
Marina Royzman
Trip Review: We are beyond happy. This was probably our best and most memorable trip.
Most Memorable Moment: Chobe park.
Advice For Future Clients: Call Victoria!!!!
Sara Stuckey
Trip Review: I have no words. The trip in its entirety was just unbelievable!
Most Memorable Moment: Wow. I really don’t know! We saw a lion eating a zebra at Lewa (our first lion), we saw the elusive leopard on Chris’s birthday (his favorite animal), the night drive was crazy, and really the time together as a group at meals recapping everything we’d seen and our favorite things was the best part I think.
Advice For Future Clients: Do it??!!
Christine Sniegowski
Trip Review: Traveling from site to site was seamless with the representatives meeting and escorting us from place to place. Never did we feel confused or worried about getting to where we needed to be. All of our accommodations were very luxurious and the meals beautifully done.
Steven Golightly
Trip Review: This was our second trip to Africa arranged by Yvette and her team at African Portfolio. Everything was first class - the accommodations were amazing, the food was great, and the safari guides were all incredible. Transfers were impeccable and never were we at a loss about where to go. Every last detail was attended to.
Most Memorable Moment: The reason we went to Tanzania - the Great Migration of the Wildebeests.
Advice For Future Clients: Pack lightly - the ability to have laundry done every night (at no extra cost) is great.