Has anyone used Good Earth Tours?
 

First trip to East Africa after being spoiled at Mala Mala and Botswana, am I crazy to go this June in hopes of seeing the Great Migration? Please give advice as I need to book space somewhere soon.

Many have, with good results. We have used them for three safaris in Tanzania (one with travel to Kenya.) Click on my login (Otis72) and that will take you to three trip reports, including third one I just finished up an hour ago.

Thank you so much, I was very impressed with the service I have received so far, and felt their prices very fair. I am not a tour operator, just trying not to be disappointed.

June is a great time for the migration in the Western Serengeti.

ShellCat,

I've used GE twice now and have been very pleased with both safaris. The pricing is fair and Narry works hard to tailor itineraries to meet the interests and budgets of guests.

If you do book with them, I'd recommend that you ask for Raphael as your guide.


Regards,



Pol

I agree, Narry has already responded with a great trip outline and a very fair price, and the cost for a private vehicle and driver is only an additional $15 per person. Thanks for the guide suggestion.

We were on safari in Tanzania with GE last month and were very pleased as well. Athman was our guide and we liked him a lot. We were also pleased with the accommodations.
Our trip had a hiccup in Rwanda (which had been subcontracted to a Rwandan tour company) which Narry took care of immediately from Florida.

Hi ShellCat

I have had a great interaction with Narry too so far. How many people are you on this trip?

I am taking my neice, we are two and are travelling June 12-20, 2011. When are you going?

September 1st two weeks- migration hit or miss but everything else should be good...15 USD per person for 2 people PV+guide is a very very good deal! I literally cannot wait AT ALL.

If you go in June, try to stay a few days in both the central and western Serengeti to have the best chances of catching the migration.

I was pleased with GE when we toured with them in 2008. The 2 things I did not like with Raphael was first day driving through Arusha, he stopped at a souvenir shop that he said not to negotiate the price, everything supposedly made by their own craftsman. They had a sad man sitting outside scraping on a piece of wood to give the impression he was making the carvings. We bought some items, only to see the exact things in next souvenir stop at better prices and an expectation there of bargaining. He got a good commission on that first stop! On a visit to a Masaii village, Raphael steered us to a different one I had planned on, quoting a price lass expensive than the price I had for my original choice. When we got there, the price was per person, though I specifically made it clear to him my price was for the whole family. Another big commission for raphael!. Having never been on safari before, I can't really know if he was a good spotter so really can't comment on that. He got calls on radio from other guides when they saw something, as do they all. He's pleasant enough though.

Karen

Cateyes555

I definitely plan to go someday - in June to the Western Corridor, in Feb/March for the calving, there's also Kenya, Namibia, SA to plan.. Its all out there- just need to hold myself back from booking any more trips before I go on this one!

Thanks for the heads up, Karen-we are not stopping in Arusha and my neice is not a shopper, go figure. We are all about exploring the three game areas Narry has set up. I am still concerned the animal viewing will be in a distane versus the up close and personal experiences I have had on three previous trips elsewhere. I am confident we will have a good trip and it looks like we are heading north to catch the June migration.

Our game viewing with GE was very much up close and personal. I wouldn't be concerned.

I am planning a trip to Tanzania in July and am seriously considering the Mt. Kilimanjaro climb + 6 day safari with Good Earth Tours, with the group tour. There will be two of us traveling. Has anyone does this tour with them before or one similar to it? Good/bad experiences?

Also, does anyone have experience with flying into Nairobi and traveling to Kilimanjaro to link up with Good Earth? It's much cheaper to fly to Nairobi, but I'm wondering if it is worth the hassle. Thanks!

We went last summer with Good Earth and had the most wonderful time. Raphael was our guide and was with us alone for the full two weeks. I can't say enough good things about him and how much he made our safari I wonderful experience. All I can say is that we saw more leopards than anyone that we had talked to at any of our camps. Raphael seemed to be a terrific spotter or we were very lucky.