Opulent AfricaReviews of opulentafrica.com

My trip of a lifetime to Africa and the destination I longed for was Botswana. Opulent Africa put together a perfect trip for me and my mother. 5 days at 3 camps (Desert & Delta Safaris). Not one hitch along the way. Ernest Hemingway wrote in letters about his novel Green Hills of Africa, "I loved this country and I felt at home and where a man feels at home, outside of where he's born, is where he's meant to go." Thank you John and Kate for putting this all together for me. I am so very grateful. I have no idea why my photo is sideways - my computer is as jet legged as I :)

We recently completed our second trip arranged by Opulent Africa. We heard about Opulent Africa from a person we met on our first trip to Africa. She had been using their services for many trips. I can say that for us this latest trip was perfect. Part of that is because John and Kate work diligently to tailor our trips toward our specific interests and needs which they have made the effort to understand and accomodate. For example, we tend to like the more "primitive" camps (although they have all the comfort amenities ever needed) because we prefer those settings and the people we meet at those camps. We are both photographers and on both trips, we had guides who understood the needs of photographers and helped us to get to the best places for successful picture-taking. Opulent Africa has been a pleasure to work with and has been flexible and quite willing to make changes in proposed itineraries if we desire or if needed based on airline schedules, etc. On one trip we had to cancel because of illness and Opulent Africa amiably worked with us to change this trip to a later date. These reasons and more are why we can give the highest rating to this wonderful company.

Opulent Africa did a wonderful job for us. They made suggestions on destinations and particular camps and hotels that might be of interest. They listened to us when we described the type of experiences we hoped to have and we were really happy with our trip. We stayed at two different locations in Botswana, one in Zambia and one in South Africa all of which exceeded expectations. All of our transfers were seamless. We would definitely use them again and recommend them without hesitation.

We requested a customized itinerary which included a gorilla safari in Uganda, hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti. Opulent Africa was very helpful, informative, and responsive prior to the trip and everything went very well throughout the entire excursion. I would highly recommend Opulent Africa.

What we asked for upon our original interview with John Harvey was delivered and even exceeded in many instances as we traveled. Our trip planning took almost one year prior to our departure. We expressed that we wanted to see the “natural Africa”. To us that meant we wanted to see as much of the animals along with the flora and fauna in its natural settings. We definitely didn’t want to view animals in a “zoo like” setting and we definitely didn’t. My wife, Nancy and I have spent a lot of time in the mountains, near our home camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, riding, scouting etc. so we are not strangers to roughing it in the high country. We realize that roughing it still has its time and place but we have achieved that age where we didn’t want that to be the way we spent our time in Africa. On our trip we were exposed to what was termed a “true African safari”. Birds we saw the very photogenic emerald bee catcher. The hard to catch exposing its real colors the Lilac Breasted Roller. Of course there were vultures and we saw them. Have you ever see a group of vultures working over a elephant skull that has been there for at least three yers? We have and do you know why they were doing that? We do. Do you know why there is usually a Marabou Stork around at a kill site where vultures are present? We do. We saw an photographed the largest flighted bird. Do you know what it is? We do. Hint: it is not a California Condor. We even saw a ostrich which we understand is rare in the area we were in. Sadly, it was too far away to photograph. Have you ever seen a 2000 plus year old Acacia tree. We have. Do you know how to estimate the age of such a large tree? We do now. Have you ever seen a Sausage tree? We have and do you know how it got it’s name? We do. Do you why the guides all hate Mahogany trees? We do. We learned about the fever tree. Do you know why it is call a fever tree? We do. Do you know why if you are ever lost in the bush you should never eat Bush Apples? They will kill man or beast when eaten. However, if you harvest the seeds and crush them do you know what you get? We do. Would you ever expect to see a palm tree on the African savanna? You will but do you know their origin? We got two different versions of who actually brought them to the continent. The interesting story was the locals harvest the fruit, coconut meat, and dry it. They then carve it an sale it to the tourists as ivory. Don’t buy it unless you like coconut. We were in very close proximity to some of the most dangerous animals in the world and have the pictures to prove it. Wondrous pictures I wish I could share here. Do you know what percent of the food intake an elephant actually digests? We do. Have you ever fed an elephant, pet a forty five year old bull? Have you ever put a four year old elephant to sleep just by talking to it and stroking it? We have. Thank you Africa an keep up the good work you do. Have you ever seen a leopard make a kill only to have a hyena take it away? We did. Have you ever been chased down a road by two bull elephants? We have but not far but still thrilling. Do you know the story of Cecil the Lion? We heard it from one guide. Then he showed us and we photographed the daughters and grandchildren of the great Cecil. Just a fantastic story I am telling today and will continue to do so. Do you know the story of the lioness known as the “killing machine”? We have pictures of her. Another fantastic story and one that should be told. We now know it and will pass it on. Have you ever gone to sleep with hippos bellowing, hymen’s call, elephants trumpeting and lions gruffing. We have and at first it is frightening. You have to realize that you are sleeping in a canvas tent of which two of the four walls are but screens. This gives true meaning to “loo with a view” and they were. Have you ever had a large male lion come within feet of your tent in the night roaring all the way. We have and it definitely will get your blood pumping. Yet our accommodations were of the sort that our comfort was upmost in our hosts minds. We asked that we not be fenced off from wild Africa and we were not the animals were free to come and go as they pleased in the camps and yet we lacked nothing in comfort and we loved it. Yet our safety was in the forefront. After darkness fell you had to be escorted to and from your tent by a guide. The guide carries two items a flashlight, of course, and an “African walking stick” in other words a elephant rifle. Have you ever walked to lunch and been forced to dodge wild elephants in the camp? We have and again it is both frightening and wonderful. Have you ever sat on your deck and had wild elephants eat dried leaves off the very deck you are seated on inches away We have. Have you ever sat in a vehicle and had a elephant stop an meet you eye to eye so close you could extend a finger and touch it. My wide did and said her heart stopped for those minutes. On the subject of accommodations one would be remiss if the subject of food was not mentioned. Compliments to the chefs are warranted. The food prepared in the rustic conditions was wonderful. Steaks, ribs, chops, cheese burgers with all the accruements were to die for. The deserts I could have lived on alone were just out of this world. Even teas in the bush were special. If you have not seen a African sunrise or sunset in the bush you must count yourself as disadvantaged. All of this and much, much more was laid before us by Opulent Africa and we cherish every minute we spent there it was a trip of a lifetime. We will return to Africa. We will use Opulent Africa for ALL our future travel needs. We have and will continue to spread the word of of how we were treated and the experiences we had. Thank you all at Opulent Africa for what you provided us.

Opulent Africa helped us with our safari to Tanzania for 17 people. There was not a glitch. All was superb. Xoxo

Opulent travel helped us with an amazing trip througout Zambia and Botswana. The selection of individual camps, transfers etc. was impeccable. I would defenitely go with them again.

Amazing trip. All the arrangements from transfer to flights, accomodation and safari went perfectly for all of us including small kids. Atmosphere, staff and food at the camp were also excellent. Very happy we booked with Opulent Africa.