I must write to thank Deirdre for her above and beyond service and superb tour management on our Botswana safari. She is on her game with every detail of the trip organized and completely under control. She is a master at execution - coordinating multiple connecting flights, modes of transport, numerous immigration processes, and herding us everywhere on time. Besides the administrative stuff, she took time to get to know each and every one of us catering to our dietary needs, special preferences, and supporting our physical needs. She was exceptional! Without any request from me, she recognized my need for accommodation (injured my knee just before trip) and addressed this through wheelchair requests in airports and room assignments close to the lodge. I never expected any additional support on this trip and she enabled me to participate fully through her thoughtfulness and extra effort in making these arrangements. She went above and beyond! She is also a lot of fun. Rather than rest up in her room or attend to required paperwork/planning, Deirdre hung out with us. She cheered on her Springboks as we organized viewing our first SA rugby match in Capetown and quickly became avid fans. She was a delight at our dinners and endured she spent time with each of us. It felt like she was enjoying us as much as we were grateful for all she was doing for us. This is my 10th trip with Gate 1 and this tour ranks now as #1. Great itinerary (skip the jewelry store and spice market in Capetown tho), but Deirdre must be acknowledged for the major role she played in making this the trip of a lifetime!!

I just returned from the 11 Day Kenya Safari Exploration trip. The trip was fabulous! This is my third time touring Kenya in the last 10 years with Gate 1. I love the country, people, animals and culture. My guide; David , was the best! So knowledgeable about the plants, animals and country. Every day was a delightful excursion. David made Kenya come alive. I want to come back as long as David is my guide. I can't say enough about how he took care of my family (six of us). He will be in my heart forever.

My fiancé and I had the most amazing trip on reservation. 11 day discovery tour of Kenya and Tanzania. Our tour leaders and other guides were terrific. Joel was our guide and leader in Kenya and he went above and beyond for us and all of the other group members. He helped us figure out a booking issue for our last day of the tour because I made an error in the time of our flight leaving Kenya. Joel was so knowledgeable about every location we visited and the animals we saw. Amon was our guide and tour leader during our time in Tanzania and he was so wonderful, kind and informative. He helped make my boyfriend and I's engagement extra fabulous after our hot air balloon trip over the Serengeti and that evening back at the lodge. I love Gate 1 travel and all of their staff members. You are a 5 star company on every level.

We were paired with Steve/bushman, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about him! He was so knowledgeable about EVERYTHING, and taught us more than we could have ever hoped. He "clicked" with our group of 6 very quickly, so that we were absolutely thrilled to be with him again on the second Kenya leg of our tour. He is kind, funny, flexible, concerned with our safety, and always seemed to know where to position the vehicle to get a good view of the animals. I want you to know that he is a true "gem" of a tour director. His love for the country, Gate 1, and the animals in his country was evident in everything he did. We will remember him for a very long time. This was our first Gate 1 tour, and I am afraid he has set the bar VERY high! I can only hope that all Gate 1 tour directors are of the same caliber, as Bushman will be a tough act to follow. It was wonderful to share this trip of a lifetime with him.

Baraka was a great tour guide. He was able to find animals that were hidden, and was attentive to our requests on the trip. Definitely worth keeping!

My husband and I wanted to express our sincere appreciation for Amon our Tour director. He was excellent and made every effort to make our trip memorable. He tried to ensure our safari experience was excellent going to lengths to ensure we had great locations to take photos, knowledge about not only the big animals but also birds and local folk lore when we asked He made sure we were comfortable during our rides and made every effort to ensure our satisfaction. We were very satisfied with his efforts . His partner Barraka was also very attentive although our main interaction was with Amon whose Jeep our group was primarily in. But Barraka also made efforts to check on us along with the folks in his jeep. We could not have asked for better guides.

We came back to NYC from Kenya and Tanzania safari 3 weeks ago, it was an amazing journey. The accommodations and foods exceeded our expectations. The tour guide/drivers were excellent, especially the Tanzanian tour guide Roman, he was so professional, knowledgeable, careful and patient. We were so lucky to have him as our tour guide and driver, guided by his extensive experience, we saw hundreds of different animals, birds and plants, we had a fantastic trip. Thank you Gate1 !

Our tour of Tanzania was excellent! Our tour manager and guide, Kelvin, was great. He made the entire trip much richer, with multiple sightings of lions, leopards, rhinos, loads of hippos, even a cheetah with a baby, as well as explanations about the people and culture. In addition, he took us to the northern Serengeti, across the Mara River, to see the great migration of wild animals. It was a long day of driving, and we had a flat tire which took two stops at gas stations to fix. Since we said to him that we would like to see the Mara River, he made the decision to take us there. Although we didn't see the animals crossing the river, we did experience the land and saw a great number of animals gathering and marching. It was an unforgettable trip. Kelvin was very experienced, treated us with respect and kindness, paying attention to our needs. I felt lucky to have him as our guide in that beautiful place. I liked the itinerary very much. We got to see multiple aspects of Tanzania, including the great rift valley. The visit to the archaeological museum was a good learning opportunity. Every national park and conservation area was a gem. I truly enjoyed the tour.

The trip was amazing!! Every was terrific! Our tour manager Wolfugan was spectacular! He really went over and above our expectations to show us everything! I will recommend him to anyone interested in this trip.

I thought I'd get to write a review in our survey, but I didn't see one. Our guide, David, was fantastic from start to finish. He greeted us with a warm smile, made everyone feel comfortable, and shared fascinating stories that brought each location to life. His deep knowledge of history and culture was impressive, but what stood out most was his ability to make the tour engaging for everyone. We found the same with our Tanzanian guide, George, but we spent more time and felt more connected with David. As our tour guide, driver and tracker, David did an excellent job in all three positions. When David finds an animal, he would get into a position where we could get the best pictures. I felt we were in good hands with David. This was the trip of a lifetime and although Gate 1 was a referral from another traveler, it far exceeded our expectations. We were part of a great group of travelers, and they made the vacation even more special. This was our first tour with Gate 1 and would highly recommend Gate 1 and David to anyone and everyone

Our African Safari trip with Gate1 was well organized and we felt safe and well taken care of. The only problem we had was the scheduled burning at Serengeti that made us unable to enjoy the views and the game drives well, the Tanzanian tour guides did their best to help us see the most of it. The lodges we stayed at were well picked, the staff at the lodges were beyond amazing, especially at Serengeti Moyo Tented Camp, please extend our thanks to how prompt they answer on the walkie-talkies and helping us feel safe at night. We loved the reality that our lodge was not fenced and we can see wild animals from the safety of our tent and the safety that the staff were able to give us. We were impressed with how food was prepared at Ngorongoro Oldeani lodge. Our Kenyan tour manager David was easy to talk to and managed our group well, our Kenyan tour guide Alex was funny and drove us around safely. Our Tanzanian tour guide Meshilaa taught us a lot about his Masai culture and was knowledgeable with the different animals in Serengeti and Amboseli, even all the birds! He was a cool guy. Our Tanzanian tour manager George was very caring, always checked on the group, especially the ones who were not feeling well from the smoke in Serengeti and the ones who had gut issues from the new environment. The Hot Air Balloon company was also top notch for safety and quality of service! Thank you for this experience!

This was our 25th Gate 1 and although all have been great, this was the best. Our trip to Zambia & Zimbabwe couldn't have been better. The safari trips to view the wild animals were magnificent. We saw lions, elephants, leopards, hippopotamus, giraffe, warthog, zebra, snakes, birds, impala and on and on. But what really made our trip special was our tour manager Shamiso. He constantly was looking for us, making our adventure go safe and flawless. His attention to detail was constant. It seemed his ever effort was to make our trip better. It will be hard to match this trip, but we will try.

Our 11-Day Kenya & Tanzania with Serengeti: A Safari Journey exceeded our expectations. The tour managers, tour guides/drivers in Kenya and Tanzania were outstanding!! Our tour managers, Chris (Kenya) and Loningo (Tanzania), were so organized and on top every single detail. They were always available to help and answer any questions we had. Our drivers, David (Kenya), and Z (Tanzania), were also fantastic! They were both so knowledgeable about the wildlife, history and areas. My husband and I were traveling with my 90-year-old grandfather and my 64-year-old mom. This trip has been on my grandfather's (and mine) bucket list for years. He can still get around, but he uses a cane and moves a little slower. Our drivers, David and Z, went out of their way to help him and be safe! Actually, all of the Gate 1 staff did, Chris, David, Raphael, Loningo, Z, and Moses! I really enjoyed that they joined us for dinner! I loved hearing about their lives and family! All of the different lodgings were great! We loved the "glamping" tents!! I really enjoyed trying the different foods. This was a once in a lifetime trip for my family and I, and I'm glad we chose to do it with Gate 1!

A huge thank you for our amazing safari guide and driver. Yusuf, for making our Kenya adventure truly unforgettable. His knowledge of wildlife and landscape was incredible, and he was always kind, courteous, patient and eager to ensure our needs were met. Yusuf went above and beyond to make every moment special and his passion for what he does shines through. With Yusuf's knowledge and great spotting, we were able to see the BIG 5!!! We couldn't have asked for a better guide in Yusuf for this once in a lifetime experience!! We're so grateful to have had Yusuf as our guide for the week!

Hesborn our tour director and driver were the best! Our 10-day safari in Kenya was outstanding in part due to Hesborn. He was so knowledgeable, experienced, he made sure that all of us were having the best time. He gave us the time that we needed to see everything! He was an excellent driver on the very bumpy roads and made sure that everyone was safe and well taken care of. His 15 years of experience clearly showed through as we ventured through the parks. He was very attentive, funny and kind. We had the greatest time and greatly appreciated every moment spent with Hesborn.

This trip was amazing from beginning to end. Tour Manager Herunga and Driver James were fantastic. Our group of 17 travelers were the best people I have ever traveled with. The Namibian people were very welcoming, friendly, helpful and always had smiles on their faces. This was one of my best trips ever and I have visited over 60 countries.

I'm writing to share some very positive feedback about one of your tour guides, Avi, who led my recent Discovery tour in Kenya from March 27th - April 5th. Quite simply, he was phenomenal-truly one of the best tour guides I have ever had in all my travels throughout the world. His knowledge was exceptional, and he brought each location to life with engaging facts, thoughtful context, and a genuine enthusiasm that made the entire experience memorable. What stood out even more was his outstanding attention to detail and clear focus on the full guest experience. Every aspect of the tour felt thoughtfully considered and seamlessly executed. He demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and excellent risk management, handling any unexpected situations with calm confidence and professionalism. In addition, his adaptability was impressive-he was able to adjust plans as needed while still maintaining a high-quality experience for everyone. His banter with the group also added a fun, engaging dynamic that made the tour with him feel personal and enjoyable from start to finish. He was patient, approachable, attentive, and struck the perfect balance between informative and entertaining. It's clear he genuinely cares about his career, and that made a meaningful difference in the overall experience. Travel experiences are often shaped by the people leading them, and Avi elevated this tour far beyond my (and the group's) expectations. He is an incredible asset to your team, and I hope you recognize the positive impact he has on your guests and their experience. I will be forever grateful to have crossed paths with this absolutely special tour guide. Thank you for providing such a high-quality tour guide. I will absolutely recommend your company to others based on this alone.

Thabie, our tour manager, was a great guide! We appreciated her touring skills and management! We loved her promptness, knowledge of the areas travelled, friendliness, insights and recommendations. We appreciate and recommend her highly!

I just want to sing the praises of our tour manager Belinda, our drivers and our local tour guides. They all went above and beyond what we expected, especially Belinda. They were knowledgeable and they certainly had our best interests in mind. I heard Gate 1 was good but you really outdid yourselves. I look forward to travelling with you in the future.

Just wanted to congratulate the tour manager Panda and driver James. I take about 6 trips a year and these 2 individuals were absolutely the best of the best. I am 81 and this trip was very tiring, but I just loved every minute. Even the long drives were acceptable due to the attention these guys gave us. What was also nice is that James ate his meals with us and we got to know him so much better that way. This felt like a group of very good friends traveling together. Our group was fantastic and everyone so kind and considerate,

Gordon and Wambua were incredible tour managers and drivers. We had never been on a Gate 1 trip where our guide was also the driver, and they excelled at both which is no small feat! Driving on some roads in Kenya can be challenging while simultaneously looking for animals, and being a guide, explaining and answering questions at the same time, it's a lot. Both Gordon and Wambua set the bar very high and were excellent at time management, at planned stops and getting us to all the parks and game drives with time to spare. On the last day, they surprised us with a "sundowner", a cocktail happy hour on our final sunset game drive together. Our small group of eight bonded so well and we all felt like family. At our farewell dinner, we all sat around the table with tears in our eyes, reflecting on the amazing experiences we had shared together. A huge thank you to Gordon and Wambua for a beautiful, fun, safe and wonderful adventure in Kenya!

I just wanted to say that our Tour Leader, Daniel, went above and beyond. It was due to his extensive knowledge and experience that gave me the experience of a lifetime. He was attentive to our needs as well as sharing his experiences with a wonderful sense of humor. He was organized, efficient and I felt completely safe in his hands. Thank you again!

My husband and I just returned from the most adventurous vacation ever as we participated in multiple daily safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. The Tour 1 guides were amazing as they ventured into the wild so that we could see the "big 5" as well as many other animals, birds, and plants. And the food was spectacular at each accommodation as we had access to three buffet meals a day on many of the days of our trip. Kudos to the tour staff and all the staff at our various accommodations! We travel a lot internationally and this is our first Gate 1 tour. We plan to use Tour 1 again and share our experiences with our friends and family! This was the best vacation ever

Our trip to Uganda for wildlife, but gorilla trekking, was incredible! Our small group was led by Balaam, and he was great. Very knowledgeable and provided so much great information as we drove throughout the tour. He had books to show pictures of wildlife so that we could see differences and read about the animals. We only spent one night in the hotel in Entebbe, which was modern. I must comment that the accommodations outside Entebbe were spectacular experiences, great food and wonderful staff and service. Those interesting hotels added to the whole experience of the tour! This is the top tour among all our traveling! We have previously done safaris to Kenya/Tanzania and South Africa.

David organized the trip for Kenya and was also our driver. He was one of the best tour managers that we have ever had! David was incredibly organized, patient, knowledgeable, and safety minded. We learned so much about the animals that we saw, as well as the culture and customs of Kenya. David was a great ambassador for Gate 1, in both words and actions. He helped make our trip a memory for a lifetime, and for that we are grateful.

Just want Gate 1 to know how professional both Wolfgang and Godliving were on our recent safari. Their knowledge of wildlife and ability to recognize the desires of everyone for the trip and to then fill them was amazing. My wife and I could not be more pleased with our first trip with Gate 1. Both these men are a great asset for Gate 1 and wonderful ambassadors for the people of Tanzania. William in Dar es Salaam was also an excellent tour manager for the day. He gave us a good mix of options to see that day and ended up at a wonderful seaside restaurant for a late lunch.

We enjoyed and appreciated our guide Sam very much. He is extremely knowledgeable, kind and a great asset to the Gate 1 team. We felt very lucky to have him for a guide. He is also a great driver. Joel, our tour manager was also top notch.

This was my first Gate 1 Trip as well as the first tour I have taken in many years. While I don't have many comparisons to make I believe I am now completely spoiled. The attention to detail, the accommodations, the food, the tour managers, were excellent. The ability of the tour managers to communicate, what will be happening, when it will happen, how long it will take, was spot on. This was as small group. 11 members broken into two groups. Christopher as tour manager as well as tour guide for one of the groups naturally spent most of his time with the other group. He took the time however at meals to interact with our group. He was most enjoyable, pleasant and informative. I was with the group with Hesborn as tour guide. I cannot express how much he made the whole experience of the trip. He shared his knowledge of the area, the people, the animals. He let us find the animals ourselves, so it was a wonderful surprise when we came upon a group of giraffes, lions, zebra's even though he had already spotted them. It enhanced the excitement of the game rides. He would also point out some of the animals and teach us the Swahili names. It was a pleasure to spend the time with him. The trip was to much more than I expected. Thank you.

Our trip to Uganda was over the top, amazing. Every detail was taken care of. I cannot say enough good things about Chris, Jonah and Hamza, our Gate 1 guides. They became more than guides. They became friends. We are telling everyone about our trip and about the excellent service of Gate 1!

The trip was another great Gate 1 experience. The tour manager, Herunga, and driver, Joseph, were friendly to all and expert at their jobs. Each day was filled with great stops and sights in the very large country of Namibia. Resorts and meals were top notch. The game drives in Etosha NP were expertly done with many animal sightings on each outing

The trip was amazing. It was well planned and Silver and Joseph took such good care of us. Loved the culture, scenery and seeing the animals. Namibia is the perfect African country to visit.

Our tour guide Chris was wonderful. Not only was he extremely knowledgeable but he was so kind and really made us feel like he cared about each one of us. He always went the extra mile to be sure we were enjoying ourselves. We had a wonderful experience on the trip and Chris was a big part of why we enjoyed it so much. Would definitely recommend him to any future travelers to Kenya.

I had the trip of a lifetime! There was so much variety for our activities in each country. I particularly loved all the animals and nature, especially in the Okavango Delta. And I loved all of the boat trips. Our small group size of 6 enabled us to have great flexibility, including a cooking lesson in the home of a local in Cape Town. Our tour manager Renier was exceptional. His attention to details and to each of us as individuals was unparalleled. Coming from a busy city like New York, I admired his savvy and efficiency. He endeavored for us to avoid long lines and maximize our time. Words cannot express how much I enjoyed this adventure!

We were on the 11 day Kenya and Tanzania safaris. It was an adventure that changed our world view positively for the better. The experience we received, largely thanks to the efforts and caring of your drivers and guides, was exceptional and much appreciated. Special mention to Emmanual in Tanzania who was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. His friendly demeanor and sincerity really made the trip for us! Similarly, our driver Benson in Kenya was knowledgeable, good humored and very personable. When we met him again when we returned to Kenya from the Tanzania portion, it was like finding an old friend. All the Gate One staff we met were very professional, personable, caring and genuine; a combination that is very hard to find these days. Thank you for providing this opportunity to us to experience East Africa in all its variety.

Benson was extremely organized and knowledgeable about the entire trip. His knowledge of the different safari parks was outstanding. Additionally, Benson was always pleasant and upbeat, polite and respectful. Since we were in the safari jeep with him for many hours a day, we really got to know Benson. I would recommend him as a tour guide to anyone traveling to Kenya. Finally, this was our 2nd trip with Gate 1 and I have been impressed with the general organization of the trips and how smoothly all our arrangements went. We will definitely be booking another trip with Gate 1!

We took this same Gate 1 tour in February of 2020. At that time, Wolfugan was our tour leader, though not our driver. This year, we had the pleasure of having him as tour leader and our daily driver/guide. We cannot commend him enough for his outstanding service. Wolfugan is extremely knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, geography, history, and culture of Tanzania. We could ask him anything, and he had an educated and thorough answer. His sense of humor was great, especially when putting up with all of our group's eccentricities! He was able to handle any and every need. What we especially loved about him was his genuinely humane, tolerant, and kind attitude toward all people, travelers and natives alike. We also want to thank him for personally driving us to Kilimanjaro Airport on our last night; rather than send us off with a driver unfamiliar with the new detour, he chose to do so himself. This man is definitely the BEST professional we have ever had the good fortune to encounter in all our travels. Without Wolfugan, the trip would have been "just another tour." We hope that you will share our heartfelt thanks and this recommendation with Wolfugan.

What a fantastic trip I had on the 13 day Zambia, Botswana and SA adventure thanks to our amazing tour guide, Renier, a great itinerary and 12 wonderful new friends. This was my first Discovery trip and I can assure you not my last! The memories of this trip will last a lifetime. Thank you so much Gate 1- you are #1 in my book.

This was the trip of a lifetime. My expectations were extremely high because several friends had taken safaris, but the experience on our journey exceeded all my hopes and expectations. We had wonderful weather, a terrific group and good luck in some rare opportunities. But the main reason the tour was so exceptional was our guides. James, in Tanzania, had an excellent sense of humor and established a great rapport with all of us in his vehicle. We shared anecdotes, laughed often and even sang together. He has wonderful interpersonal skills. Joel, in Kenya, was an outstanding leader. With quiet confidence he communicated everything we needed to know in a timely, clear manner. He attended to every detail with care and personal concern. Within the well-organized structure he created, he established a wonderful team spirit. Avi, in Kenya, is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met. I actually called him "the encyclopedia." He went far beyond finding the animals and helping us observe them. He taught us about their lives, histories and behaviors. It was really like taking a course with a gifted professor. His commitment to every aspect of our well-being was so impressive. He was an excellent driver, getting into the best sites and views, with great care and attention to safety. We saw so much because he literally went the extra mile every day. Our guides were superb.

We had an extraordinary trip to Kenya and Tanzania. The camps and lodges were first class, the food very good, our tour managers Francis and Charles in Kenya were excellent. Both had a wealth of knowledge about their country. Overall a 5 star trip thanks to them.

BENSON - My parents are incredibly loyal Gate 1 members (23+ trips) and I join them when I can - we can easily say Benson, our Kenyan guide was the best guide we've ever had with Gate 1. His eye for animals and understanding of their behavior, combined with some luck, made it so that we saw all of the Big 5 up close and personal... in just 72 hours! We were SO impressed with him and he knew exactly how to position the vehicle so we had the best pictures/spot versus all the other cars. I will forever have the utmost respect for a guide who works so hard knowing many customers will review him based off of the animals they see (which is completely out of his control), versus every other city's rubric of how well they describe architecture or memorize a story to tell. Benson was an unbelievable talent to witness and I was so grateful he was our leader--hands down the best of many many many we have followed. ZABDI - Our Tanzanian guide Zabdi brought infectious energy to our trip. He spoke slowly and clearly so everyone could understand him, and he oozed confidence and above all else, love for his country. Specifically what stood out for me was his care about us tourists. My mom recently had knee surgery so was a little slower than most and needed assistance getting in and out of the 4x4s. Zabdi, each time, was there to help her and carry her stuff for her as she got in and out of the vehicle safely. He was so incredibly thoughtful and kind, and it didn't go unnoticed. It's that kind of wonderful, above and beyond treatment that makes my family so loyal to Gate 1 - we know every time, your guides will be the best.

Thank you for the outstanding 11 Day Kenya Exploration that we enjoyed in June. It was our first visit to East Africa, and it was everything we could have hoped for. Special credit must be given to our tour guides/drivers Marcus and Joseph. Our family rode on the Land Cruiser driven by Marcus, but we also were with Joseph at many locations throughout the tour. Both were knowledgeable, pleasant, patient, and justifiably proud of the services they provided. We marveled at Marcus' familiarity with the Kenya and its people, the parks, and our various destinations. Key to our enjoyment at each of the parks was seeing the many animals and birds, and Marcus knew how to find them all. He clearly understands photographers' needs and always was able to maneuver us safely into locations that offered optimal lighting and good backgrounds. And he would give us the time needed to get the best pictures. His driving was outstanding, whether it was on remote park roads or on Kenya's highways. Special thanks go to Marcus and to Gate 1 management for arranging for a cellphone that we left behind at Great Rift Valley Lodge to be transported to us at Masai Mara. Amazing! This was our second Gate 1 tour, and we were once again very impressed with your vetting and selection of lodging and restaurants over the course of the trip. Thanks to all of you at Gate 1 who plan these trips and especially to Marcus and Joseph.

Our trip was fantastic. We loved every day we went on the journey and we took plenty of game drives plenty of beautiful animals to see. We had fantastic hotels where you look outside and you saw the animals couldn't rave enough about this trip.

What a wonderful experience it was on our safari last month. The care and attention of our guide/driver Joseph was fantastic. His knowledge of the animals and culture made it a special learning opportunity. He is truly a caring and thoughtful man and a huge asset for Gate1.

My husband and I had a wonderful trip. We saw so many animals! All the Big Five and Special Five. Our Tour Manager, Daniel, is very knowledgeable. Our group has so many questions and he has all the answers. Five stars to Daniel! The accommodations are terrific, especially The Ark where animals are roaming outside the lodge. The food is good. We had a wonderful trip! This is our tenth or eleventh tour. Thank you Gate 1 for giving us an affordable opportunity to travel!

Magnificent. The teams in Kenya and Tanzania did great work for us. Joel in Kenya and Harlequin in Tanzania were superb guide/drivers for us. Their local and animal knowledge was top notch. They were always concerned about our safety and wellbeing. We highly recommend Gate1 to our friends interested in a safari.