On Track Safaris Reviews 189

What can we say about the trip we’ve just had?……….. WOW!

Now this was our 5th trip with On Track Safaris, our 4th South African Safari.
We organised this one as a holiday during a “significant birthday” year for one of us.
As we have done so many trips to South Africa we wanted to put together a bespoke itinary based on On Tracks tried and tested 3 Nights, 3 Lodges, 3 reserves framework but we tweaked it.
The trip was originally planned to be us two, my in-laws and my sister in-law and her husband. But sadly due to work commitments the latter had to pull out and the places were offered up to anyone else that enquired. This was handled, as always, expertly by Carol with no fuss at all.

We elected to stay for 3 nights at On Track’s home in South Africa, the wonderful Rukiya! Each time we return to this lodge, nestled on the banks of the Blyde River, we feel like we are coming home ourselves. The greeting is always warm, as if we have never left. Which makes it so easy to relax immediately into your surroundings. After three nights which include 3 morning game drives on a Big 5 reserve and 3 afternoon/evening drives on a non Big 5 reserve (they do have leopard though!!!) it was time to move onto our second lodge and reserve. But not before we had seen all the Big 5 within the first three morning drives at Rukiya and two sightings of the rare Pel’s Fishing Owl!

Reserve number 2 was the famous Thornybush. The lodge was an absolutely stunning former private home called Shimungwe. I can honestly say that of all the lodges we have stayed at over the years Shimungwe is probably up there in our top three favourites! Homely, friendly staff and superb food.
The game viewing did not disappoint either. In our opinion Thornybush offers the best general game viewing of all the reserves we have stayed in. The shear fact we were able to tick off the big 5 again within the first two game drives and add wild dogs to it says a lot!
We were lucky to enjoy 4 nights here and we all loved every minute of it!

Next we moved to Sabi Sands reserve staying at Elephant Plains lodge for 3 nights. This is another lodge we have stayed at before and immediately felt right at home.
Sabi Sands is renowned for its density of Leopard. While we saw excellent leopard sightings in the previous reserves, Sabi Sands just delivered in spades!

The guides at all of the lodges were excellent. Their knowledge just oozes out of them, particularly when they find out you have a particular interest in certain things. A case in point is my father in law. He is a MAD KEEN birder. And while you can go on dedicated birding safaris where you will look for nothing else, this wasn’t our trip. But! As soon as our guides found this out they went above and beyond to help him tick off birds. His tally for 10days was 125 new species to him. Quite an achievement that the guides were only too happy to help with.

After Sabi Sands we bid farewell to the in-laws and the other amazing couple who travelled with us (you know who you are if you read this!). We returned to Rukiya for two more nights on our own.
More leopard sightings, more Pel’s sightings and two more opportunities to have breakfast in the bush next to the river with the hippos.

As always, we were extremely sad to be leaving. The African bush and its animals are infectious. As is the enthusiasm and kindness of everyone envolved with the trips.
The quality of game viewing on this trip has been eye watering. The range of species, the quality of sightings and the amount. We totalled 10 individual Leopards across 17 sightings…..that’s says a lot! And maybe some very good luck thrown in too.

Carol and Will have put their life and soul into this company and the On Track Foundation for which is served by these trips. Their passion and love for all of the destinations they offer tips to is unparalleled, but we think particularly South Africa.

We would not travel for wild life trips with any other company.

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you Carol and Will. It was lovely sharing the day with you in country to share stories.
But we also thank you for giving us the opportunity to share in the joy of those travelling with us seeing the things we’ve seen so often for the first time. We think that is more special in many ways!

To those who havent travelled with them yet, On Track Safaris is in the buisness of making memories. Make sure you experience them!

Thank you again Carol and Will.

Pete & Kat

Fabulous lodges, great food and marvellous staff. What more can I say? A truly onderful holiday and my third with this company

Our trip more than met our expectations. Without exception all concerned did their best to ensure that we had a great time.
We learnt so much about the wildlife, animals, birds and culture.
I would not hesitate recommending On Track Safaris to friends and family.

We had a wonderful time at Rukiya and Bateleur on safari. The lodge locations were stunning and the guides were so knowledgeable and welcoming. Food was fantastic. We especially enjoyed the sundown drinks. The wildlife was out of this world - the highlights were leopards, lions, rhino and so many elephants. We travelled with our two daughters aged 13 and 11 who both enjoyed it too.

Oh my gosh, so many animals and birds behaving naturally in the wild! And hardly any people or vehicles around, unlike many safaris. On Track Safaris put together an excellent itinerary with local partners and an expert guide. Highly recommend it!

The guides were fantastic and the accommodations were very comfortable. The transfers from the airport and between lodges were smooth. We saw an incredible range of species and learned so much about the region's ecology. On Track did a fantastic job organizing our trip and we'd certainly book another safari through them in the future!

This was our second safari with On Track and again did not disappoint. Well organized,( kudos to Carol Fox who juggled all our itineraries, delayed flights and weather issues) well informed, wonderful small group of people, a great mix of animal sightings, and cultural visits as well. The days were packed with activities and excursions into the game parks, and we did night drives as well. The 2 accompanying naturalists ( Wiki & Ashan) were walking encyclopedias !! They pointed out so many small animals and birds along the way that we may not have spotted on our own, and there was no creature that they could not identify, no bird call that they could not discern or plant they could not ID. We were lucky to have Will Fox with us on this trip and were able to tap into his leopard expertise and his very many years of safari experience. Don't think that this is just any safari: these folks have the experience and the knowledge. While seeing creatures cannot be guaranteed, this is your best shot at an immersive, all encompassing experience in the wild. For me nothing beats the sight of a leopard coming out of the undergrowth right in front of your vehicle. We saw many leopards, sloth bear, fishing cat, jungle cat, grey slender loris, monkeys, golden jackal and of course elephants, many species of birds and reptiles, too numerous to account. We cant wait to go on another trip with On Track ! I think its going to be the Pantanal next !!

Travel with On Track is always wonderful. My most recent trip with them was to Sri Lanka and it was a fantastic trip.
What made it great? To start, the lodges they selected were comfortable and beautiful places to stay. The first lodge was very new, with only 5 rooms, great food and a location that was both scenic and close to the park for wildlife drives each day. The second lodge was also located next to a park and offered a good selection of food in a comfortable environment.
Since I travel to see wildlife, the reserves and parks we visited were wonderful to see and delivered great sightings with lots of leopards, sloth bears and elephants. Their local guides knew where the best locations for wildlife would be and took us there each day for great sightings of both small creatures like lizards to larger predators like leopards.
Along with our daily wildlife sightings, we also had opportunities to visit and walk around a few historical sites.
Overall the combination of great accommodations, amazing wildlife sightings, visits to some cultural sites and travel via very comfortable means resulted in a well rounded, safe and wonderful journey to see Sri Lanka.
On Track is a trusted and responsible travel partner who takes me to places where I get to see the wildlife I love. And the best part is they do this in a responsible manner that benefits both wildlife, the environment and people.

My wife and I go on an adventuresome trip almost every year. We have taken a zodiac out in search of icebergs in Newfoundland, ridden horses up a mountain to see the Monarchs in Mexico and crewed a sailboat in the Lofoten Islands of Norway. Yet, this trip was one of the most exciting and fulfilling adventures ever. We would be zooming through the bush in the dark before dawn or after sunset in the back of a safari vehicle chasing down a leopard or lion, and I would think to myself, “are you really doing this?” My thought to follow would be, “yeah, and it is really fun and thrilling.”

We saw the “Big Five. A lion walked along side our vehicle. We watched a hyena steal dinner from a leopard. Elephants pushed over trees, and prehistoric looking rhinos walked along grazing on the tall grasses. A buffalo kept a steady gaze on us as birds picked ticks off its back. We even watched three lion cubs play “rough and tumble” while awaiting the return of their mom who was out hunting. But, the experience was so much more than the Big Five. It is delightful to watch the graceful walk of giraffes or to listen to the comical vocalizations of hippos. In total, we saw 32 animals from warthogs to baboons to jackals, even genets and nyalas. The birds are amazing; the lilac-breasted roller and the big Kori bustard were among our favorites.

We stayed in three lodges located in three different reserves. On Track Safari sequenced them nicely for us. We said that we were not interested in the fancier, more spa-like accommodations but wanted what we considered to be a more authentic and rustic safari experience. Our room at the first lodge was a tent on a platform. The second had a thatch roof but canvas walls. In the final place, we stayed in a beautiful cabin with real walls. All three accommodations had en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and showers.

The lodges are beautiful with outdoor dining and picturesque scenery. The food was not what I expected. It was superb. The chef came out each evening and explained what each of the three courses would include. The presentations were beautiful. Be prepared not to lose weight!

The service provided by On Track Safari is excellent. They set up a WhatsApp group that included Carol, the in-country support team, our driver and us. We could get help anytime we needed it.

The guides and trackers at the lodges were extremely knowledgeable and indispensable in locating animals. They knew every bird, plant and animal; their scientific names; behavioral and mating patterns; and how to track and find them.

Our trip was in the winter in South Africa. When you read in reviews and suggestions that it is cold and that you should dress warmly, they are not kidding. I wore long underwear, a fleece jacket, a nano down jacket, a windbreaker, a ski hat and gloves during the morning drives and was very glad that I did. Lodges provide a blanket to put over your lap. Unless you are hardier than I am, you will not take a shower in the morning or evening because the showers are open to the cold air. When the sun comes up, temperatures rise quickly and remain in the 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit throughout the day. The advantage of going in the winter is that it is easier to see the animals because the vegetation is less dense and there are fewer insects, yet in the warmer months the birds are more colorful, and the flowers are stunning.

You will not regret working with On Track and will have a wonderful experience!

When you have wildlife conservationists curating your safari, the cards are stacked in your favor. While incredible sightings can be a matter of luck, having trained naturalists in the vehicle insure that you are put in the best possible position to see something amazing.

As an example we spoke with a woman from India who had been on 17 safari drives and never seen a tiger. On that day, we saw 3 tigers on the morning drive alone. So if you want to be placed with the opportunity to experience sightings like that, On Track Safaris does that brilliantly.

This was my second India safari with On Track, and we saw many tigers, leopards, several sloth bears, and the grail (for me-dholes ( wild dogs)). As an avid wildlife enthusiast, On Track has exceeded my expectations on every trip.

Excellent safari well organised first class accommodation recommended top safari company in every way

We started in Delhi, with a tour of the city, which was fascinating, and then moved on to the safari portion of the trip.

We visited three national parks - Bandhavgarh, Kahna, and Pench, and saw a wide range of animals at every one. The naturalists and forest guides at each location demonstrated an incredible range of knowledge, as well as an uncanny ability to spot camouflaged animals, point them out, and describe their characteristics. Each lodge was different, with its own personality and character, and all of them beautiful, and far more luxurious than I was expecting, even from the pictures. The staff at each site was polite, attentive, and friendly.

My tour included an optional extension to Agra after a few extra hours at Pench, and I do recommend taking the time to see the Taj Mahal if you possibly can.

The facilities at each location were marvelous, and staff were awesome at every level. Overall, it was an absolutely incredible experience.

Having only snorkelled a little on a trip to Oz 26 years before, to undertake a 9 day land tour (not cruise/sail boat base) of the Galapagos Islands to mainly look at animals in the water was a stretch for me and even more so for my less used to swimming partner. The organisation as always with OTS was spot on. Using a local agent with a similar values to them the hotels and itinerary were created with care. Guides helped everyone with their snorkelling experience and all those that wanted to enjoyed their time in the waters around the various islands.
A safari of a different sort, where there is a lot of early starts (usual), transport to the places that animals may be on smooth or choppy waters rather than bumpy
tundra. The different sized boats, planes and buses adding to the adventure each day. The OTS ethos of aiming to give the animals their space as we enter their world very much in evidence as always. Local guides eager to give each guest the best experience and encounters possible.
A variety of island terrains unfolded over the 9 days producing different types of turtles, sharks, rays, marine iguana, land iguana, tortoises, birds galore and a myriad of fish plus sea horses. It’s a real pleasure to be going through photos and videos (both above and below the water line). Incredibly lucky with the weather which remained sunny throughout after a grey first afternoon, with an occasional welcome breeze.
Hotels provided various ways of creating breakfasts of island fruit juices, fresh fruit, cereal, toast and eggs. Lunches were well prepared on the boats or at cafes/delis on land. That left choices for the evening and each of the three island locations stayed in had a range of restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets; with many offering the staple Ecuardorian lorco or other soup, meat/fish rice and veg, and a dessert.
With knowledgeable guides, friendly hotel Island staff keen to make the stay a memorable one this was a brilliant experience. It was great to share the adventure with a small group of like-minded fellow travellers with Will and Carol as wonderful hosts on this trip.

We have travelled several times with On Track Safaris so were not surprised by the quality of our trip to Tanzania. The Bush Rover Camp in the Serengetti was excellent for enabling us to be in the bush and away from all the crowds. Listening to the bush sounds so close at night was a great thrill. It was unfortunate that the unusually wet weather prevented it being located within the centre of the migration, perhaps a reason to return. Despite this we had excellent game viewing including a large pride of lions and several lions climbing trees! The first park we went to was Tarangire which on arrival looked extremely busy. However Will quickly ensured that we moved away from the hordes and had some very good wildlife sightings. The final stop was at Little Okavango on the shores of Lake Victoria. A lovely spot for a couple of days at the end of the trip including a visit to the local village fish market. All travel arrangements went smoothly and the accommodation was well chosen for comfort and quality.

4 night stay at Shimungwe lodge in Thornybush Reserve. Wonderful lodge with lovely staff, great food and fantastic wildlife

Just everything from the variety of the three sites, to the hosts, the guides, the safaris the animals - an amazing experience - can I do it again?!!!

I had never been on a safari and On Track was excellent. All details were looked after with great food and accommodations as well. There was quite a bit of hiking in Madagascar which I didn’t think I could do but with encouragement and assistance from Will, safari leader, I was able to almost all the trails. Looking forward to my next adventure with both Will and Carol

It was so well organised and the lodges Carol and Jo selected were fabulous
Loved every minute of it the transport services were on time the lodges were well equipped and the people running them couldn’t do enough to please us and make our stay memorable
It was indeed a holiday of a life time
Thank you once again
Sharm

I enjoyed my third OTS safari in South Africa so much that I'm already planning on going back.

All three lodges I stayed at during my 9-night adventure were splendid! Everyone from the lodge managers to the cleaning personnel was constantly intent on helping me enjoy my stay to the fullest. The food was plentiful and simply scrumptious.

Most importantly, the game viewing opportunities were second to none! I was treated to some superb night-time encounters of male lions, watched a whole herd of elephants march past the deck of one of the lodges, and engaged in a veritable photo shoot with a stunning female giraffe. -- Truly unforgettable memories!

Wow what easy stress free way of booking a holiday. Even when on holiday it was relaxing as they did all the work back at home. Such a friendly team who couldn't of been more helpful.