African Safari Holidays

Travelled on the Masai Safari with Southern Palms
Just wanted to say how much the four of us enjoyed our safari and beach holiday. It proved far better than our expectations in many ways. We saw many animals at close quarters, including lions and cheetahs. Only the leopard evaded us! We even saw the start of the wildebeest migration, much earlier than usual! The camps were great especially the substituted Ashnil, which was tented and magical. Our driver/guide, Christopher, was excellent and we had great fun though 7 guests in the safari van was really one too many for comfort when standing to view the animals. It was fortunate that we all got on very well together.

The hotair balloon was wonderful - expensive but worth every penny as from it we viewed thousands upon thousands of wildebeests making their way in single file from group to massive group. What a spectacle! Not so obvious from the ground.

The Southern Palms Beach Resort, a very good hotel to choose, was very welcome after a week of early starts and bumpy rides (on safari and on Kenyan main roads!) The staff were wonderful and we were able to completely relax, in spite of a little heavy rain. Certainly we were right to go All Inclusive there.

The only real complaint we have is that Kenyan chefs seldom cooked meat that was tender. But certainly every place we stayed provided a good range of dishes for each meal.

Somak Travel staff were very good and looked after us very well. Concerned that we might miss our flight to Mombasa when we were delayed by a protest en route back to Nairobi, they transferred us to a later flight so we did not miss our lunch at their headquarters.

It was the trip of a lifetime for the four of us and one we shall look back on with great pleasure for many years. Thank you so much for your very useful advice and for organising the trip for us

Sorry I haven't written this before but we are moving house in 6 days time so we've been rather busy since our return on the 6th!

Have a good summer yourself Mrs Sandie Burdon

Travelled on The Great Migration Safari itinerary
Just dropping you a line to let you know that we had the most wonderful time and the holiday was fantastic. We had a guide all to ourselves the whole time , who was absolutely marvellous and very knowledgeable. The lodges were wonderful and the service was excellent. The Kirawira Tented Camp was out of this world, very luxurious.
My only gripe was that our small aircraft flight from the Mara was at 11.00am and our flight home was 11.45pm and we were concerned what we would do with 12 hrs in Nairobi airport. However we were met at the airport and taken to Somack house in the centre of Nairobi, given lunch and the use of washrooms and offered excursions that we could take to fill the time till we flew. We opted to explore the city and they dropped us off and collected us later on at no extra cost which was great. Perhaps in future this could be mentioned in the itinery to prevent people from worrying about spending the time between the two flights.
We saw loads, far more than we expected. We even saw the migration of wilderbeast, thousands upon thousands ran right past us it was the most amazing experience.
Again thank you for all your help and it was a fantastic trip. Mr Kevin and Philippa Cranshaw

Travelled on Masai safari itinerary and Hemingways beach hotel
Just to say thank you for organising a great holiday. We thoroughly enjoyed the itinery The safari was marvellous and we saw the Big 5 and alot more besides Alos Hemingways was extremely good and we went big game fishing which was so exciting
Thanks again Tim and Pam raymentasdfg Mr Tim and Pam Rayment

Stayed at Billila Game Lodge and Mapenzi beach
Dear Vicky
While I am sending you this email I would like to express our thanks to you personally for all your help in arranging our last holiday.
When I first contacted you at free2, I was impressed with your quick response. You went on to arrange our choice of both the Game Lodge in Tanzania and nights in Zanzibar at a particular resort, that other companies seemed unable to offer.
And I know it wasn't easy! But on every occasion you found the information I needed and quickly answered any queries I had. Your efficiency and pleasant manner was very much appreciated. We had a fantastic holiday. Your attention to detail ensured that each time we arrived at an airport, someone was there to meet us and transport us onwards. We had a wonderful 'guide' at Billila Game Lodge and enjoyed every minute viewing the animals. Mushi was there to greet us and was on hand at all times. We were spoilt rotten and didn't want to come home! Even our last night was just perfect. Your choice of overnight stay in Dar es Salam before our early flight home couldn't have been better. Actually we both said we could have spent another week there!
Thanks again Vicky - you're a star - which is why I'm emailing you again for help in arranging our next holiday!!!

Kind regards

Sandra Venablesasdfg Mrs Sandra Venables

Stayed at Keekorok Lodge and Fumba Beach

Just wanted to send you a thank you note for setting up our trip!

We had an amazing time, without a single glitch. I have been so impressed that I have passed on your details to other people whom are interested in Africa.
I know that Matt and I are already talking about our next trip and I will be sure to contact you again

Also, Natasha from FumBa Beach Lodge remembered you being there and she was happy that you had recommended the place to us.........by the way WE LOVED FUMBA BEACH!

Thanks again, we are very grateful for your expertise.

Kind Regards,
Lori Kelleyasdfg Mrs Lori Kelley

Samburu Safari and Neptune Pwani Zanzibar.

We have just returned from an amazing holiday - best ever.

The Samburu safari was amazing, it was very well organised. We had an excellent driver and saw the big 5 plus more.

The holiday was perfect in every way and we were very impressed with the accomodation, the food, the safari vehicle, the organisation, everything was just right.

Overall an amazing experience finished off at the luxurious Pwani Neptune in Zanzibar - perfect for relaxing and luxury.

Thanks again.asdfg Mrs Emma Alfieri

Travelled on Thorn Tree safari with a beach stay at Neptune Pwani Beach Resort Zanzibar

Just a note to say a very big thank you for all the help you gave arranging our fabulous holiday. I can't tell you how good it was, from being picked up at the airport we were taken such good care of. Our driver Simon who we had for the whole Safari time could not have been nicer and we were lucky enough to see four of the big five amongst many other wonderful sights.

We had a super boat trip on the way where Simon knew some people and saw African Fish eagles and hippos and went walking amongst zebra and various other animals. The transfer to the Holiday Inn was good and then we were in Zanzibar, amazing, the Hotel is absolutely beautiful, the staff incredibly friendly and helpful and the food could not have been better- there was something for our two vegetarians and our picky son at every meal. I would like to tell you that Scuba do did two great days diving for us and the boys both snorkelled on one of the days- lunch provided by them- it is a great day out. We also did Safariblue- day trip to a desert island for snorkelling and then an amazing fish bbq then fruit tasting, trip was on a dhow and we saw dolphins on the way back. It is cheaper to book Safari blue direct at 85$ per person, through Somak it would have been $105 and for 5 of us thats quite a difference.

I really recommend the Pwani Beach Hotel, our accomodation was really lovely and although initially they had allocated the kids a double and single bed, as soon as we said we would like three singles it was arranged.
Once again many thanks for all your help, it was the most fantastic big family holiday for us and we have so many wonderful memories to keep from it.
Many thanks Rachel Mrs R Mccallum

Travelled on the 7 night Masai Safari

I am sure you won’t remember us but we booked a Masai Mara safari with you departing in August. I was clearing out my emails and came across yours. I just wanted to say we think our trip was one of the best we’ve ever taken. It was really well organized from start to finish, food was fab, accommodation was brilliant and the animals and birds we saw were spectacular. Thanks for convincing me to take the balloon trip – it was a once in a lifetime experience and worth every penny.

That’s it thanks.asdfg Mrs Debbie Lawrence

Travelled on the Thorn Tree Safari itinerary with a stay at the Gazi Bay Tented Retreat.
We returned from Kenya yesterday and wanted to let you know that we had what was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding holidays we have ever had. The safaris far exceeded our expectations and we were fortunate to see some quite rare sights. Our driver, Noah, was amazing, if somewhat rash at times, but extremely keen-eyed and knowledgeable. There was a lot of evidence of the drought conditions and Noah told us that the rains were very insufficient so far. We saw many emaciated herds of cows, some dead at the roadside. Lake Naivasha was, unfortunately, like the picture in The Times, under a third of it dried up. Our second week at the Gazi Tent Retreat was very relaxing and everything was done for our comfort. We would recommend it to everyone who likes something a little diffterent and well off the beaten track. We had been booked in as half-board, but this was not really an option as they have no way of dealing with this and it was so remote that there was nowhere else to go anyway. We were very happy to pay the extra and take full advantage of an inclusive stay.

Thanks to all concerned in making all the arrangements for our trip. We very much appreciated the individual attention which we received at every stage of the holiday. Mr and Mrs Beaumont

Travelled on the Samburu Safari with a stay at the Pinewood Beach Resort.

We recently booked our Kenya holiday through your website and just wanted to say a big thank you for a wonderful experience from start to finish. From the initial enquiry, the number of changes/enquiries we made regarding beach hotels and dates etc, to the booking. All our questions were answered promptly and with knowledge and professionalism by Gemma Byard . We had been in touch with a number of tour operators and the contrast in responses was vast.

We will definitely be using you again. Mrs Jayne Bartley

Travelled on the Thorn Tree Safari with a beach stay at the Voyager Beach Hotel.

We have recently returned from our safari and just wanted to say a big big thank you for suggesting the Thorn Tree Safari and beach holiday. Being a little apprehensive about going on a safari, but it was something my husband and 10 year old son longingly wanted to do. I just wantd to say it was the best holiday we have been on. I could not fault anything and it was down to your personal knowledge that put us on to a wonderful journey, the best ever.
Thank you once again. Mrs Karyn Scott

Travelled on The Out Of Africa Safari with a stay at The Cove Luxury Tree Houses.
We had an amazing time on honeymoon, all the places were fantastic, we seemed to have each place we stayed to ourselves, it was perfect. Ol Seki is an incredible place, we have breakfast and lunch looking over wonderful views and had dinner on our balcony each night. The Treehouses were even better, 10 metres away from the beach, the staff were really attentive and the food, drink, and weather was perfect.

We saw everything we wanted to on the safari except a leopard but I suppose we'll have to go back to find one!!!

Thank you so much for organising the trip for us, there were no problems and in your words it was an 'amazing itinterary', we can't thank you enough.

All the best, and when we go for the Gorilla Trekking we'll let you know. Mr Daniel Williams

Travelled on The Great Migration and stayed at The Cove Luxury Tree Houses.
It’s been almost 4-5 weeks since we returned from our safari holiday in Tanzania and Kenya, and I can easily say it was the most amazing holiday of our lives for both Amy and I. Even though almost a month has passed since we returned, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think of or remember some part of it. Everything was truly incredible – from the amazing places we stayed, to the parks we visited, to the people we met and how well taken care of we were. Thank you so much for helping to organise.

Thank you once again for helping to organise the holiday of a life-time.

Mr Tom Sutherland

Travelled on the Thorn Tree safari with a beach stay at the Cove luxury Tree houses.

I just wanted to drop you an email with a big thank you for the outstanding help & advice I got from both Gemma and Leanne whilst arranging my honeymoon to Kenya.

As with any holiday booking, we did have other companies we could have arranged this special holiday with and indeed I did speak to them; but it was solely due to the fantastic help I received from Gemma & how her help and advice shone above other companies I spoke to that I chose to book through Free2.co.uk (luxury-safaris)! Then whilst on vacation the assistance I received from Leanne was fantastic and this made sure everything went like a dream & we had the most amazing holiday ever!

Both their professionalism, dedication, knowledge and outstanding support from the initial call I made to our return have to be highly commended and is deeply appreciated by myself.

Many thanks & I look forward to arranging my future holidays with Free2 & recommending your company to others. Mrs Wendy Sells