Michelle and Don – North Vancouver BC | Rwanda, Tanzania, Mt Kenya, Zanzibar | Oct 2022
Thierry planned an absolutely fabulous trip for us!! We visited Rwanda to see the Gorillas and the Genocide Museum, A safari in Tanzania, Climbed Mt Kenya and finished in beautiful Zanzibar!! Every step of the way there was someone there to guide us to our next destination whether it be the hotel or the airport, there was always a friendly guide willing to take us to the next step. The companies and guides Thierry arranged for us were the very best. The only glitch was the visas into and out of each country and I would suggest you get Thierry to help you with those as he did for us. The hotels were great and believe me I am picky. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!!!
Sirkka & Rick – Calgary, Alberta | Tanzania & Zanzibar | October 2022
Jen, Thank you so much for making our trip an experience of a lifetime. Your attention to detail in very aspect resulted in a completely stress-free, enjoyable and exciting vacation for us. We appreciated your meticulous itinerary, walking us through it before we left and answering any and all questions we may have had. Knowing we could contact you at any point in time on the journey if need be was also appreciated. With a journey as complex as our safari you made it all happen seamlessly.
Again, thanks so much to you and Heritage Safaris. We have already passed your name on to others thinking about an African Safari. All the best!
Sharon Z – Harrisburg PA USA | Kenya & Tanzania | October 2022
Hi Thierry,
I wanted to let you know our trip to Kenya and Tanzania was absolutely amazing! All five Porini Gamewatchers camps we stayed at in Kenya were wonderful and unique in their own way. We loved staying at the Ngorongoro Farm House! Nyikani Migration camp and Nyikani Tarangire camp in Tanzania were much more than expected especially being in such remote locations! The staff at all camps were so kind and welcoming and the food delicious. The flights and transfers between camps were seamless. The wildlife sightings were spectacular at every camp, including 3 Mara River migration crossings, one in Kenya and two in Tanzania! One river crossing in particular was massive and took more than a half hour to cross. It truly was a highlight and something I will never forget. We also took a hot air balloon ride in Tanzania which we thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you so much for your expertise and patience in helping me plan my second trip with Heritage. I would recommend Heritage Safari Company to anyone interested in a trip to Africa!
Sincerey,
Lynda & Ed – North Vancouver BC | Rwanda & Tanzania | Ocotber 2022
Hi Thierry,
We both give this adventure 5 stars and will be sending all our friends to come book with you if they want to go on the journey of a lifetime!! All the flights were sorted well, every lodge, post or hotel worked well and above all else the guides we had turned this adventure in to a dream come true! Thanks again WOW that was amazing!!!
Lorraine and Andrea – Etobicoke, Ontario | Tanzania & Zanzibar | October 2022
Hi Jen
Lorraine and I want to share with you the extraordinary service that you provided in planning our Tanzania safari and Zanzibar island tours. Your knowledge of Tanzania, tour packages available and accommodation recommendations far exceeded our expectations. Your thoroughness and attention to details provided us with the confidence that we made the right decision in using Heritage Safari Company and the amazing African suppliers you recommended. Your continued follow-up on our flights and status throughout the booking process was fantastic. Our tours and accommodations were amazing!
Thanks
Derek R. Surrey BC | Botswana | October 2022
Hello Thierry,
The trip was amazing! I am glad you chose some camps in different regions because I felt the scenery was unique at each camp.
Sakura & Tomoko – Coquitlam, BC | Tanzania | Sept 2022
Hi Thierry,
Thanks again for arranging this amazing trip! My mom and I had a great time. The safaris and accommodations were great. Said was a fantastic guide, he took care of us from start to finish. We would recommend your services anytime.
Cathy and Family – Toronto, ON | Kenya & Tanzania | Aug 2022
Hi Thierry,
The trip was fabulous. Everyone had a wonderful time and we couldn’t believe how close we got to wild animals, and how unconcerned they were with our proximity. During our last night at Tarangire we had elephants wandering around our tents, which was scary but amazing. The side of the tent was moving in the breeze they created with the flapping of their ears. Yikes! Katie and Jeff filled up their cameras’ memory cards and now we just have to figure out how to share about 100GB of pictures amongst the group.
The hotels were great. Our favourites were Mara Under Canvas and Nyikani Tarangire Camp as the people at the camps were so wonderful and the food was amazing.
The two guides, Allan and Josephat, were such fun to be with every day. They are both so knowledgeable and happy to share their knowledge and answer our incessant questions. We couldn’t have asked for better people to show us the beauty of each country.
The 4x4s were great. The balloon ride was a major highlight. The whole process was wonderful. Jeff and my family had an awesome time and were very happy we went on the ride.
Anyway, it was a fabulous trip, exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you very much for sticking with us through the three year planning process : )
Cheers, Cathy.
Claudia & Petra – Tervuren, Belgium | South Africa | Aug 2022
Hello Thierry,
We really enjoyed the entire trip you put together for us !!! It was fantastic, notably Montusi, Gorah, and Stellenbosch. Many thanks for this.
Happy greetings to Canada.
Warm regards
Claudia & Petra
Paul and Linda – Calgary, Alberta |Tanzania, Victoria Falls, Botswana and South Africa | Sept 2022
Paul and I had a wonderful 25 day Africa Tour of Tanzania, Victoria Falls, Botswana and South Africa September 3-27 2022. All the accommodations were first class including driver /guides from the local areas we visited. They were very knowledgeable and “game savvy”. We saw more animals than we could have imagined including two wildebeest migration crossings. All the people involved at the camps were genuine, cordial and fun providing exceptional services from the camp managers, chefs, dining attendants, bar tenders, tent camp staff and security patrols to accompany us walking before sunrise and after sunset. A memorable trip hopefully to be repeated.
With many thanks to Heritage Safari Company and Jennifer Lubey.
Dale & George, Nanaimo, BC | Zimbabwe & Botswana | Aug 2022
Hi Thierry
Thank you for the amazing safari you arranged. This was to be a special 50th birthday vacation for George and it really delivered. Thank you also for the smooth and professional way you handled all the chaos of cancellations and rebooking with Covid.
The Okavanga at Bushman Plains was probably our favorite part of the safari. The density of wildlife was astonishing and our guide really informative and funny. It was more remote and therefore more primitive than the other two resorts, but the food was great and the beds large and comfy, and there were only 6 guests in total, so it was very intimate and friendly. Loved it.
Ivory lodge gave us an upgrade to the newer Khulu lodge as we were the only guests there for the first two nights. The lodge is so romantic and special. The food was unbelievably good! Our guide was amazing, and scarily over educated.
I expected that there would be some hiccups with all the transfers from place to place and across borders, but that all went like clockwork which was impressive.
It really was a memorable and amazing trip. Thanks so much for making it happen.
Janet & Dennis, Horst & Keitha, Calgary, AB |Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana & South Africa | Aug 2022
This Africa trip organized by Jen Lubey & Heritage safaris exceeded our expectations. Jen had everything organized perfectly. We were able to experience varied accommodations and all were exceptional from bush camps to boutique hotels. The services provided by all the staff everywhere were exceptional. We highly recommend Jen Lubey & Heritage Safaris as a safari planner. Not only did she keep in touch throughout our trip, but she planned special occasions to mark both our anniversaries while we were away. That was over and above what was expected and very much appreciated. Thank you Jen for making our Africa adventure so memorable. And the African suppliers also helped make the trip go so smoothly.
We wanted to let folks know that Jen Lubey and Heritage Safari Company, arranged the most fascinating, exciting trip to Africa for us and our two friends that filled all our expectations and more.
Our accommodations ranged from a high quality lodge on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater to a bush camp deep in the Northern Serengeti to an historic hunting ranch house in Sabi Sands that were recommended by Jen to give us a sampling of all that Africa had to offer. Each one was unique and the service was always outstanding. The meals were delicious and graciously served. Our guides were both knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with.
It was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you, Jen, for this wonderful experience.
Niaina and Family | Terrebonne QC | Tanzania | July 2022
Hello Thierry,
We had an amazing trip and we all enjoyed it very much. The accommodations you selected were exactly what we expected and the service we received was great at each location. Seeing all those animals up close in their natural habitats were amazing and we cannot thank enough our safari driver and guide, Saidi, who was not only very knowledgeable and professional but to make sure we have an unforgettable experience, he went above and beyond.
Thanks again for putting that trip together for us, the four of us loved it so much.
Marjan W. | Vancouver, BC | Zimbabwe, Botswana | May 2022
In April and May of this year I had the trip of a lifetime to parts of Africa and Heritage Safaris was a big part of it.
Thierry arranged my time in Zimbabwe and Botswana. It was the best part of my 7 week trip and I will return as soon as I can with the help of Heritage Safaris.
From booking 4 separate, exciting safaris in Botswana to an excellent stay in Victoria Falls. I did not specify to Thierry what I wanted to do or see and he placed me in 4 totally different types of camps in Botswana. From walking with armed guides and looking for animal tracks in the blazing sun, a camp on the Chobe River where elephants were all around, a camp situated on stilts in the Okavango Delta where each day you went out in a boat, to one where the migration was just starting so 3 or 4 thousand zebra were around but they were expecting 25,000 more ! Every camp surprised and delighted me not to mention the knowledge gleaned from the guides who are most knowledgeable and kind.
I cannot stress how much I was impressed with Thierry and Heritage Safaris and I would recommend his expertise in planning any foray to Africa.
Shelley C / Teresa L – Abbotsford, B.C. | Kenya & Tanzania | Nov-Dec 2021
My sister and I would like to thank Jen for all her hard work on our behalf to ensure our dream trip to Kenya and Tanzania went off without a hitch. Even with the challenge of ever-changing COVID requirements, our trip surpassed our already high expectations. The accommodations were top-notch; the itinerary was well thought out and suited our pace, and our guide, Godwin, was exceptional. Thanks to his amazing ability to spot wildlife, we saw the Big Five and a number of other rare sights including a kudu, two lions mating and a cheetah chase and catch a gazelle as her three juvenile cubs were practicing their hunting skills on wildebeest nearby, to name just a few. We were also fortunate to see the annual migration – a sight we will never forget.
We originally planned our trip for the spring of 2020 but were forced to cancel due to COVID restrictions and rebooked for the spring of 2021, but had to cancel again for the same reasons. Finally, we were able to go in November 2021. Throughout this long process Jen and Heritage Safaris were very understanding and accommodating. Every detail was considered, even down to the lovely bottle of complementary wine we received upon arrival at Mawengina Tented camp and the scheduling of our COVID PCR tests while in the central Serengeti two days prior to our departure for home. All in all it was a spectacular trip and Africa will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Jean & Richard, Waterloo ON | Zimbabwe & Botswana | November 2021
We had a fabulous trip! The weather was beautiful and we saw so many of the animals on our Wishlist.
Pioneer Lodge- We found the rep at the airport easily. The rooms are very comfortable. The PCR test onsite went smoothly. The food is good and the staff is attentive. Having them arrange taxis to and from the Falls was straightforward. I hope their business picks up and they’re able to make a good go of things.
Tlouwana- A beautiful setting! It was amazing being able to sit on our balcony and look into the bush. We saw a giraffe come for a drink at the nearby watering hole, that was one of our highlights. Our guide, Vynant, was knowledgeable about the animals and the area and really worked to give us an enjoyable experience. We felt safe at all times even on the bumpiest of roads. The Lodge staff was attentive without being intrusive. The food was excellent. There were a few other guests there with us, so that was nice getting to chat with them.
Delta camp- Wow! An open air view right onto the Delta. We had a group of snacking impalas right in front of our room. It was also incredible getting to go on the walking safaris with Moja. He’s been guiding for almost 50 years and getting to see the place with him was special. The water levels were too low for mokoro trips, so we’ll have to come back at a different time of year to give that a try. It was our 20th anniversary while we were there, and they were very kind and set up a champagne dinner under the stars for us. It was pretty quiet while we were there, but we liked that they joined us for meals and everyone ate together. A nice sense of a community camp. It’d be nice to go back once they’re back to full capacity to get to hang out with fellow guests.
Khwai- A cozy spot. This place was much busier than the previous stops so that was fun for us. We were very impressed at the level of customer service we received here. Richard had forgotten his phone on the plane, and Virginia worked with the airline to make sure he got it back. Our guide, Emmax, was excellent. He knows the area very well and with him we saw a pride of lions (12) on three separate occasions which was an amazing opportunity. He is respectful of the animals, getting close, but also giving them appropriate space. Lady G puts on an incredible spread, the food here was tasty and I liked that she incorporated some more local dishes into the menu.
Thanks so much for your hard work putting this together for us. We felt safe and supported throughout our trip. The on-site reps were helpful and friendly at all locations and we got the sense that they’re very happy to be welcoming back guests.
Amanda & Dallas , Peterborough ON | Tanzania | Feb 2020
Hi Thierry, We had a very wonderful trip. Leopard Tours was wonderful and handled everything very well. Our driver, Fadilly, did an excellent job. The itinerary was excellent and we are really happy with the modifications that were made to the itinerary (e.g., hiking Empakai Crater, staying in Central Serengeti). We saw more than we had hoped to see and really enjoyed our time both on safari and afterward. We were originally concerned when we had been downgraded from Maramboi (our nicest accomodation) to Burunge, and we appreciated that you were able to get us a similar nice place in Kitela Lodge.. We really enjoyed Kitela! Hope you are well and thank you again,
Loic D. & Mauricio V. Family , Lima, Peru | Kenya | Feb 2020
Really very nice trip. The whole service was excellent really we were satisfied absolutely with everything. Our guide was also wonderful. Be sure we would recommend this great service .
Thank you very much
Brenda K – Calgary, AB | Tanzania & Victoria Falls Jan-Feb 2020
My husband and I very much enjoyed our trip to Africa that was arranged by Heritage Safaris. We found Jen to be knowledgeable about the locations and facilities and she provided a lot of practical advice to help us enjoy our time. The accommodation, guide and logistics were superb – everything went very smoothly but we never felt like we were being herded or hurried. The lodgings in the tented camps and hotels were first rate with amazing attention to service and detail. Our guide Lucas from Leopard tours was incredibly knowledgeable about everything from birds to the Tanzanian economy. I have always wanted to go to Africa but I had been somewhat apprehensive — this trip changed my mind and we definitely plan to return.
Colombia Escorted Tour | Feb – March 2020
“We recently enjoyed our second travel adventure with Jen Lubey, to Colombian this time, and it was as fantastic and memorable as our trip to Africa a few years ago. Jen takes care of every detail and all arrangements went as smoothly as can be. She makes sure her clients are well taken care of and also shows consideration and care for the wonderful guides, drivers, and other providers. Our accommodations were first-rate (sometimes well beyond first-rate), the food was great everywhere, and we found the Colombian people to be warm and welcoming. Our days were packed with a wide range of interesting experiences and we enjoyed learning about the culture and history of this fascinating, beautiful country.”
David and Susan B. – Victoria, BC / Colombia / Feb – March 2020
Hi Jen, Colombia was a country we had never thought about visiting! Jen & Heritage Safaris suggested it and the trip Exceeded all Our Expectations in Every Way! The diversity within the country, fascinating local people and guides, a wide range of activities and tours that covered the list from A to Z. Seeing how this country has changed around in the last 20 years, from guides that lived through the experience, was eye-opening. So much variety of foods, birds and plants – even to the well-seasoned traveller, it was amazing! We would Highly Recommend booking Colombia with Jen to experience Colombia before the world catches on to how great it is there!
Dr Wayne & Melanie Lord / Bancroft, Ontario / Colombia Feb – March 2020
Thanks Jen! Our recent excursion to Colombia and the Ecuadorian Amazon was superb. Every detail was well planned – the flights, pick-up’s by tour guides and drivers as well as scheduled tours occurred without a glitch. The Colombian people, culture, food, and tour guides far exceeded our expectations. Great fun! And, the NAPO wildlife center in Ecuador was a one of a kind experience. Highly recommended. Until the next trip, Loreen and Colin M. – Calgary, Alberta / Colombia & Ecuador / Feb – March 2020
Deb & Greg R. Kingston ON | Kenya | Feb 2020 (3rd Time Repeat Customer)
Everything went well Thierry. Highlights: Elephant Watch Camp was a favourite and special in many ways; close encounters with elephants in Samburu; cheetah mom with 4 male cubs in Ol Kinyei; wildebeest calves in Ol Kinyei; twin Ellie’s only one week old in Amboseli. We met some nice people at each camp (fellow guests and staff). Greg and Deb
Barry & Cecily L. Halifax NS | Tanzania & Zanzibar | Feb 2020
Dear Thierry, We wanted to let you know that the African Safari you planned for us exceeded all our expectations! It was utterly amazing! Our safari guide was Said Somobwana. Said was a superb driver/guide, very professional, very knowledgeable and a great guy to spend so many hours with. We felt comfortable and safe with him each day and he insured that we saw everything that we expected and more. He had a winning personality, a great sense of humor and was extremely knowledgeable about all animals, plants, people and all things Tanzanian. Said was able to show us the Big Five! The accommodations were all wonderful with fine staff that attended to us like royalty. The Pioneer Camp was our favourite where Jamel was our guy and he went out of his way to see that all our needs were met, as well as arranging lovely, romantic dinners under the stars! The food at each facility was excellent and the picnic lunches were all of the highest quality. We were only gone for two weeks but it felt like a month! So much was packed into everyday! We loved every minute of it! The only recommendation we have for improvement is for our time in Zanzibar. On the Saturday that we were to have our Stone Town Tour, Spice Tour and drive to Breezes, it was not clear how long it was all going to take. Nevertheless, Abdulah was a great guide and we enjoyed our time with him and learned much about Zanzibar and the growing of spices. Asante sana! Barry & Cecily
Joanne P. & Carl S. Lake County BC | South Africa | January 2020
Thanks Thierry, First everything was extremely well planned and the pick ups and check in went like clock work. In terms of venues, Rhino Sands was amazing and I would recommend it highly to anyone. It was the best both in terms of food, accommodation and wildlife viewing. Kuzuko was good but it is a relatively new reserve and so the number of animals you see is much less. Ok for a short side trip but I am not sure it is worth a flight simply to go there. Their Rangers are really good and service was great. We liked Rhino Ridge the least. The food, service and accommodation are ok but wildlife viewing is challenging. The area is dense bush and the vehicles are required to stick to the main roads. Therefore, seeing anything is by shear luck. However from an environmental perspective I was happy to see that the park was functioning and the wildlife was protected. In all I would almost recommend fewer days in game reserves of the quality of Rhino Sands than more days in lesser quality reserves. That said we completely enjoyed ourselves and will recommend your services to anyone we know. Thanks again
Jeff D. & Tania B. Coquitlam BC | Tanzania | January 2020
Hi Thierry, In regards to our safari, our driver/guide asked us what was important for us to see during our safari so that he could plan accordingly. We responded that we would like to see the “BIG 5”. Our guide definitely delivered on our request.
Ella B. & Kerry M. | Calgary, Alberta | Tanzania | January 2020
Hi Jennifer, Let’s start by giving you feedback in you developing a Safari of a lifetime. Your attention to detail was immaculate. The vast area in a short period of time was well planned. Godwin (our safari guide) was wonderful he always took the extra steps to make sure our experience was exceptional. The camps were wonderful as well as all the animals. I must confess I personally enjoyed the Kubu Kubu camp. Kerry seemed to love them all, however was personally pleased with the wine that you gifted for our night at Maweninga. Jennifer, overall it was amazing. Beyond our expectations. We are so grateful for everything you did. Ella and Kerry
Ted K & Jan E. Kamoka ON | Tanzania | Dec 2019-Jan 2020
Thierry, Firstly, it was the most wonderful trip our family has ever taken. We have travelled to Europe, Asia or Central America about 5-6 times. A trip to Thailand 6 years ago with another family was hard to beat but we all agreed that this trip topped all previous trips. The coordination with local tourism facilities was great. The accommodations were exactly what we were looking for. From tented camps to luxury lodges, we always felt safe and yet immersed in local nature and culture. I can’t say enough about the guide we had. Edwin was prompt, professional, kind, knowledgeable and very easy to get along with. He knew when to talk and when to let us have family time. A true gem. I have, and will continue to recommend this trip and your tour company to my family and friends. Thanks so much.
Jodi & Les S. – Sturgeon Country, AB | Tanzania, Victoria Falls & South Africa | Jan-Feb 2020
Jennifer, Our experience was awesome and with your amazing attention to detail our trip was wonderful and worry free!! And the accommodations and driver’s and guides were all so awesome.
Anna B. & Sam R. – Washington, D.C. | South Africa | Dec 2019-Jan 2020
Hi Jen, We had an INCREDIBLE trip! Thank you so much for your help and guidance. It was unforgettable. Perfect Honeymoon Trip: We were set on South Africa in January for our Honeymoon before talking to anyone and were not aware what a big ask this was (holiday season, only two months in advance)! Jen did an incredible job finding us excellent accommodations in Cape Town and along the Garden Route. While we wanted to plan our day to day, she gave great suggestions about things to do, many of which we took. The second half of our trip was Safari and this was the highlight. Jen booked two great lodges for us- we saw the “big five” almost every day, the food and accommodations were excellent, and we had a better trip than either of us could have expected! We are so thankful for Jen’s help throughout- she even checked in with us during the trip to make sure things were going well. We knew we were in good hands if there were any problems, but of course with her planning there weren’t! And all of this on budget! We can’t thank her enough for an unforgettable Honeymoon.
Alison S. Family – Toronto ON | Tanzania & Zanzibar | Dec 2019
My family recently went to Tanzania on a safari planned by Thierry at The Heritage Safari company and we had the most wonderful experience. Thierry was great to help with all the planning, we asked multiple questions and he has patient with replies and really took our needs into consideration. We were a big group of 12 so the logistics were a little more complex but he managed them all well. Our safari consisted of visits to four major parks – Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire and they were all wonderful in different ways so I would recommend seeing all of them. Our safari drive Amon was amongst the many highlights. He had a wealth of facts about the country and the wildlife we learned so much every day from him. We also visited a Masai village and Olduvai gorge which were great. Our accommodations were all really wonderful as well. The service and staff great at each place we stayed. There is a lot of driving and the roads tend to be rough in Africa so there were plenty of rest stops and the driver made us feel comfortable throughout. We stayed at four very different places – a lodge, a tented camp, a tented lodge and a standard hotel and they were all great. Overall Thierry gave us confidence he knew how to plan a great safari and he totally delivered.
Eileen and John G – Calgary, AB | Tanzania | Dec 2019
Hi Jen, We have wrapped up our fabulous safari. Thank you so much for arranging this amazing trip for us!
We had the best time ever in Tanzania! Every day was truly amazing. Godwin was outstanding!! The animal sightings were the best we have ever had and the cultural experience with the Masai, Hadzabe and Datooga were highlights of our trip. You and Heritage Travel did an amazing job for us. We were sad to say goodbye to Godwin yesterday. He was amazing, so friendly and knowledgeable. He knew exactly where to be at every moment to find some very exciting animal sightings for us. He did an excellent job and we consider him a friend.
Some highlights are; 100’s of wildebeests crossing the Ndutu lake, lions eating a kill, a beautiful leopard in a tree then hunting, 3 lions attacking a hippo, 2 elephant mud bath/pool parties at close proximity, a pride of lionesses with cubs, 7 cheetahs, 2 lions mating, 1000’s of zebra and wildebeest on migration and more giraffes than we can count. The crater was spectacular, the drive onward to Serengeti was so green and beautiful with 10’s of thousands of wildebeests and zebras along the way. We especially loved the Ronjo camp. You feel so connected there. We were able to do a sunset walk with the Masai and the morning walk thru Olduvai which were both fantastic. Olduvai gorge and the museum were so interesting to us. We learned a lot. The hunt with Hadzabe was unbelievably cool. They are such skilled hunters. They shot and bbq’d a bush baby. WOW, what an experience that was. We also enjoyed meeting the Datooga tribe. All in all, the safari was a total success, we loved every minute!
Paul and Linda B – Calgary, Alberta | Peru, Ecuador & Galapagos | Oct-Nov 2019
Heritage Safaris and Jennifer Lubey provided a wonderful South American package tour of Peru, Ecuador and The Galapagos. We were very happy with our accommodations in each place. The guide and driver combinations provided superior knowledge and safety. We always knew there would be someone to greet us at the airports to get us on our way which meant a lot in unfamiliar territory. They were prompt on arrival and return to our accommodations after our day’s tours. Others we met had only a driver as their guide which delayed their tour as they would have to find parking before starting the tour and at times there were long delays in getting out of parking areas. There are a lot of cars and drivers in the larger cities! Our trip was a one of a lifetime not soon to be forgotten.
Sheila & Graham, North Vancouver BC | Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana | Sept 2019
Hi Thierry, we had a fantastic time and you did an amazing job for us, honestly not a glitch!! We could not get over how every time we arrived in a new camp our accommodation, wonderful as always, was so different from the previous location. It made it very special. We sure were pretty spoiled with our first camp being Sweetwaters, wow what a spot the tents were so gorgeous. We lucked out and literally saw 4 of the big 5 within an hour or so of entering the area. The Ol Pajeta Conservancy was really amazing and I would say overall is where we actually saw most of the animals throughout the trip. It was funny as when we were in the dining room at Sweetwaters our first night there was a large group of Canadians from Ontario and there was a also a separate young family who we met, also from Ontario and guess what you booked them too. Funny coincidence. We had a great day with Leonard in the Mara Triangle and saw lots and thoroughly enjoyed the Mara Serena Lodge. The travels were well and we were happy to be met by Leonce our next safari guide for Tanzania. He was really great and enjoyed our time with us. We were so lucky to see the Leopards we had yet to see and also on our last day near the end of the day we saw the most incredible wildebeest crossing complete with a crocodile kill!! Yikes!! It was astounding the numbers of wildebeest we saw in the river and throughout the plains after they crossed really amazing. Zanzibar was a nice break for us for sure. We just loved out stay at the Okavango Delta, it was so amazing to see everything by water and we loved our peaceful Mokoro boat rides and the chance to do a walking safari pretty amazing and a little scary too!! The accommodation there is extremely beautiful and the staff were so nice. We absolutely loved Cape Town and the hotel was such a great location. Our organized tours were amazing and we did some shopping and just had the very best time there. You did a fabulous job and we always felt safe and very well taken care of and your accommodation choices were beautiful.
I would have no hesitation recommending you to others for sure and in fact already have. Thank you so much for everything Thierry.
Joan and Ken, North Vancouver BC | Namibia | Oct 2019
Hi Thierry, We had a wonderful six weeks in Africa, it really does get under your skin. It was nice to end with the Namibia Ultimate Safari trip, as it was a mix of experiences. Our guide Tim Smith was excellent: organized, knowledgeable, and passionate about his work. There was a lot of driving, but we are glad we saw the country this way as we saw some beautiful landscapes and got some idea of how the people live and the issues and challenges they face. We liked the accommodations, Camp Kipwe being our favourite. As many reviews have stated, Sossus Dune Lodge was the least nice of the lodges, but it was perfectly fine, and ideally situated for the early morning trip to Sossusvlei. We wouldn’t want to have missed climbing Big Daddy as the sun rose, and being there ahead of almost everyone else. That was a highlight. The one thing we felt uncomfortable with was the visit to the Himba Village. We know they wish to keep their traditional life, but it is too bad that they have to depend on tourists to do so. We also had the impression that Ultimate Safaris is the kind of local tour operator we like to travel with, trying to promote responsible eco tourism and giving back to the community. Ken has suggested they include a modest increase to Ultimate rates to purchase carbon offsets for the diesel consumed on tours. We loved the Peech Hotel which you recommended, and the tour you organized to the Cradle of Humankind was very good. Joan and Ken
Bernadette W. North Vancouver BC | Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana & Mafia Island | Sept 2019
Thierry put together my last trip (Rwanda, Tanzania & Kenya 2016) which was wonderful and fulfilled my bucket list trip of a lifetime. But this trip (4 weeks) was an absolute amazing, life changing adventure! All went smoothly as planned from bush planes, safari jeeps, planes, vans etc and wonderful lodge camps. Thank you Thierry @ The Heritage Safari Company (North Vancouver) for your guidance and putting together this trip of a lifetime, again!”
Escorted Safari Zimbabwe | September 2019
We travelled in September 2019 to Zimbabwe on the escorted tour with Thierry. Highly anticipated, this tour delivered and more! Every detail of this holiday was perfect with excellent lodges, safaris, staff, food and adventures we could have never imagined. Walking safaris, canoeing down rapids on the Zambezi River, hiking to the bottom of Batoka gorge, observing lions close up, and dining by the water holes were only a few of the highlights. Every day we thought it couldn’t get better but it did. The animals of Africa were a big draw for us and we got our fill! Elephants, zebras, giraffes, gazelles, lions, sables, hippos, Cape buffalo, alligators and so many more.
Transfers between the lodges were seamless. My food allergies were addressed with amazing care. Our guides at each lodge were outstanding! This was a five star trip of a lifetime.
Lorain and Bruce Hupman Kamloops BC
Heritage Safari Company. Thank-you again for all your help planning my trip to Zimbabwe and South Africa in September 2019.. I am still talking about how it truly was a trip of a lifetime! I was at first, nervous about travelling Solo but Thierry made the trip effortless for me and created a wonderful travel experience.Everything from the Lodges to the food and daily safari drives and activities met and often exceeded my expectations. The trip was an unforgettable experience. I would highly recommend the Heritage Safari Company.
Karen Brown . North Vancouver BC
Wendy, Rob, Megan and Madeline. Coquitlam BC | Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar | Sept 2019
Thanks so much to Thierry and The Heritage Safari Company for organizing the trip of a lifetime for my family! We hiked with Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda, saw the Big 5 in Kenya, and watched the Great Migration and Mara River Crossings in the Northern Serengeti. Just a few of the many highlights! Despite taking a total of 7 flights and numerous road adventures there was always a prompt and welcoming pick up and transfer to our next destination. Our accommodations and tour guides were all wonderful and a special shout out to Patrick with Far Horizons in Rwanda and David with Sunny Safaris in Tanzania. We are already missing Africa and are looking forward to planning another trip. as well as referring all of our friends and relatives to Thierry to help them plan their dream African vacation.Thanks so much.
Jan & Neil O. Morinsville, New Zealand | Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana | Sept 2019
Hello Thierry, Thank you so much for putting together our amazing trip. We absolutely loved Africa. We thought everything was perfect. We did not mind the long drives on a couple of days as we got to see a lot of the countryside we would not have seen from the air. Our favourite stay was at Mara Under Canvas. A unique experience. Another highlight for us was witnessing the crossing of the wildebeest at the Mara River on their migration. We will never forget it. Thank you once again.
Felicia & Robert K. | St. Catharines, ON | Tanzania September 2019
Safariing in Tanzania was a lifelong dream for me. I spent months researching to find the perfect travel agency to use. I decided on Jennifer Lubey from Heritage Safari Company. That decision turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Working with Jen was wonderful, we talked about what my husband and I were looking for, she took the time to get to know us and she made it happen! From our first safari, through the next 11 days, it went from spectacular to over the top spectacular. Richard Issaya Mgomo (Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club) was our private guide through Tarangire Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Central Serengeti. He made our trip, he was fun, knowledgeable and spoke perfect English – the best guide ever. We stayed at a variety of camps from polished to a bit more basic. I can’t say which was the best, because between the staff and the facilities, all were welcoming and very very comfortable. The second portion of our trip was Northern Serengeti including a hot air balloon ride, the great migration…and hopefully a river crossing! Our private guide Godfrey Elibariki (Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club) was the King of finding river crossings! We saw one each day with the final crossing MIND-BLOWING! I smiled and laughed throughout the total 11 days – how many times can you actually say that about a vacation. If you are thinking of visiting Tanzania – definitely go.
Scott and Connie M. | Calgary, AB | Galapagos and Ecuador / September 2019
Thank you Jen for arranging another great, well organized trip for us. Everything went smoothly from the flights, transfers, to the tours in Ecuador. We feel like we experienced 3 very different holidays within the trip. We can’t decide which we preferred, the Galapagos or Amazonia. As amateur bird watchers, seeing the parrots, parakeets, macaws and toucans in their natural settings was amazing. The naturalist guides for the Galapagos and Amazonia regions were very knowledgeable, caring guides. All of our accommodations were great. The catamaran was surprisingly spacious for the size of the boat. The Napo wildlife center cabins were large with great views and La Casona de la Ronda in Quito was charming and in a good location on La Ronda.
Thanks again for making our trip very memorable.
Winnie G. | Toronto ON | South Africa & Botswana | September 2019
Jennifer – just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks. We had the most amazing time in South Africa and on our safari in Botswana and the whole trip went without one glitch!! You did a tremendous job on the entire planning and execution of all the details and we were extremely impressed. You and all your contacts in South Africa/Botswana were excellent and we can’t thank you enough for making it so easy for us to have the trip of a lifetime!! I would recommend your services to anyone – Have never had such an incredible experience!! Thanks again for everything.
Amy I. and Family, Ripley ON | Kenya | Sept 2019
Thierry , We had a great time! Enjoyed it all and it was very well organized, thank you!
Sharon Z. Harrisburg, PA USA | Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana | Aug 2019
Hi Thierry, The trip was incredible! The wildlife sightings were phenomenal. Everything went off without a hitch. All connections and transfers were seamless. Thank you so much for helping plan this amazing trip. I’m still basking in the memories of Africa. I am home but my heart is still there.I’m already thinking about my next trip and would appreciate your planning assistance once again. Take care and thank you again for everything! Sharon
Maureen, Doug, Wendy, Liz, Matt, North Vancouver | Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar | Aug 2019
Hi Thierry. We just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful time in Tanzania. The tours you arranged were perfect – our guides excellent and always there to pick us up. We saw and learned so much – the animals and landscape were spectacular. Our time on Zanzibar was enjoyable and a nice bit of down time. Maureen, Matt and I did get a close encounter with a silverback gorilla….Amazing! All the accommodations were very good; each offering a different ambiance. This is just a quick note to say thank you for organizing such a wonderful experience for us.
Suzanne & Sean L , Port Coquitlam BC | Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar | Aug 2019
Hi Thierry, The trip was beyond what we expected. Everything from the guides, the lodges and safaris were absolutely amazing. Everyday was an adventure. We cannot thank you enough. We feel truly blessed to have had such a memorable experience.Thanks again for all the care you took in organizing the perfect itinerary and most fabulous trip.
Kai and Roger K, Maxwell ON | Peru | Sept 2019
“This was our second trip booked through Jen and The Heritage Safari Company. Last year was our Kenya and Tanzania Safari and we have now just returned from Peru spending time in the Sacred Valley, Salkantay Trek, Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Treehouse lodge in the Amazon and finally a few days in Lima. Jen, you hit the mark again. Your attention to details (big and little) allowed us to enjoy each moment of our adventure without any worries. Because of Jen’s expertise and the excellent support of Tucano tour representatives (selected by Jen), we were able to breeze through those inevitable little hick-ups that you can’t predict (e.g., a flight delay) without any stress. Our accommodations and meals were superb and the private sightseeing tours were extremely professional and informative. Even the weather cooperated! Without hesitation we would recommend Peru as a destination for adventure and culture travel. Just want to close with a big thank you Jen, we certainly appreciate you and the job you do. We take any opportunity we can to recommend Heritage Safari to our friends and fellow travellers.”
Karl K – Toronto, Ontario | Tanzania Safari | August 2019
“We booked our Tanzanian safari with Heritage Safaris. Jennifer Lubey was our Tour Operator. I doubt we could have encountered a nicer, more professional service provider. Jennifer was absolutely terrific. She developed an itinerary that included the Tarangire reserve, the Ngoro Ngoro caldera (with a tour of the crater), the Central Serengeti, and the Northern Serengeti. Jennifer’s attention to detail was outstanding. The lodgings were superb, the food was excellent, the lodge staff were very engaging, and the two driver guides assigned to us over the course of the seven days were wonderful, with a particular nod to Godwin, our driver/guide for the first four and a half days. His knowledge of Tanzanian history, its culture and the Masai tribe especially, was highly informative. This man has a passion for his country and in particular, the bush. He’s also got a great sense of humor. Honorable mention goes to our second driver/guide, Jackson who made sure we saw not one, but two migration crossings across the Mara river, a truly spectacular event. The variety of wildlife we encountered was extraordinary, including lion, cheetah and leopard. For my son & I, this was the experience of a lifetime.
Hassan & Nadine B. Lima, Peru | Kilimanjaro and Tanzania Safari | July 2019
Thierry a su bien identifier le parcours qui nous irait le mieux et ce n’était pas une chose facile, il s est adapté a chaque fois a nos changements de dernière minute. Mis à part l’organisation sans faute du parcours, nous avons eu aussi droit à des guides exceptionnels pour le Kilimanjaro et les safaris, très pro et soucieux qu’on passe des bons moments.
Lourdes A. & Family, Toronto ON | Botswana & Victoria Falls | July 2019
I have dreamed about Africa since my teenage years. Finally, in 2014 I made my dream come true and took my first Safari by myself to Kenya and Tanzania. Thierry was in charge of all the details. I visited the most unbelievable places at the Serengeti and stayed in breathtaking lodges. I had the privilege to see The Big Five and the crossing and migration of hundreds of wildebeest and zebras in the Mara river. Wonderful experience! This year I took my family to Botswana and The Victoria Falls, another exciting adventure arranged by the Heritage Safari Company. This time we camped in the middle of nowhere, with the additional challenge that we are vegan. So we travelled with our own chef, and I have to tell you, we were surprised at how delicious and varied our meals were. Of course, beautiful and different landscapes, tons of elephant herds, and countless National Geographic moments to remember. Thank you Thierry for everything. The memories will last forever.
Janet W , Whitby ON | South Africa | May 2019
“From beginning to end we could not have asked for better service. Jenn was responsive to any questions we had before, during and after our trip. She was extremely knowledgeable about the area and we are so glad we listened to her advice. All accommodations were suited to us perfectly and the food outstanding. All guides arranged by Heritage Safaris were knowledgeable, on time and professional but still a lot of fun and interesting to talk to. We kept in contact with her while we were away and she was responsive to any questions we had. We would highly recommend Jenn Lubey and Heritage Safaris and would not hesitate to use them again. Simply outstanding. “
Roxanne M and Family, St Albert AB | Tanzania | May 2019
Oh Thierry, the trip was absolutely perfect!! We had a wonderful time and I will remember every single moment for the rest of my life.
Marra and Atara M, Dundas ON | Tanzania | June 2019
Thierry Atara and I wanted to thank you for organizing such a well-oiled vacation for us. All arrangements ran like a Swiss clock Our guide Athman was superb- both intelligent and caring. Our stops were varied allowing us to really get a taste of Tanzania. Thank you again for giving us a trip to remember.
Kathy & Claus S , Calgary AB | Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar | May-June 2019
Thank you Jen for our amazing adventure of a lifetime! Everything was perfectly organized and you went above and beyond to customize the trip for us. The lodges and tented camps in Tanzania were outstanding —much more than we had expected. Services and food was very good everywhere and our safari guide, Godwin, has to be the best safari guide ever! He found things for us and took us to places that many others rarely get the opportunity to view. After Day 1’s face to face with a herd of elephants, and male lions, we expected the rest of the trip would be a letdown but we were totally wrong and it kept getting better. We were fortunate to see all of the Big 5 and the start of migration of the wildebeest. As you predicted, the temperature was perfect at the end of May and everything was beautiful and green. Serengeti Park from a hot air balloon is the ultimate! The Z hotel suite at Nungwi Beach in Zanzibar after safari were perfect for some R&R and to celebrate our anniversary, which you made extra special for us (many thanks) with your added touches. Your expertise and recommendations for the tours, Mussa, our guide and a four night stay was much appreciated. The sunsets there were beyond words and we have seen many beautiful ones before. Your experience and concern that all was being taken care of made it very personal so it felt like we were not just another booking and it is so appreciated. The expertise that Jen and Heritage Safaris can bring to a trip like this is invaluable and we highly recommend them. *****5 stars all the way!
The Stewart Family, Colorado USA | Peru | May-June 2019
Dear Jen, Thank you for the wonderful celebration trip you planned for our family. Our Peru experience was fantastic! Thank you for providing us with such an amazing itinerary. We loved both our guides while we were there. We never had to worry about a single detail thanks to you (Heritage Safaris) and Tucano Peru. The entire trip was a magical experience that none of us will ever forget. Thank you for all your attention to details and the thoughtful care of our family. We will always be grateful and will recommend you to all our friends and family.
Dave W and Brett T , Oakland California | Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar | May-June 2019
Jen, I wanted to thank you (and Heritage Safari) for planning a wonderful trip for us. All of the camps and hotels were truly lovely, and I think the phrase “tented camp” does not really do justice to camps we stayed at. They were all beautifully designed, and the tents were quite luxurious for being right out there in the landscape. The staff were uniformly friendly and welcoming, and it was a pleasure to deal with them at every location. I think the Grumeti Hills Tented Camp was our favorite, because of the beautiful location, incredible views, beautifully designed lodge, and warm staff. And the walking safari and night safari at this camp were outstanding. The Ngorongoro Farm House was also beautiful beyond words. I also wanted to mention how much we appreciated your attention to detail for all the tours, plane tickets, boat rides, and transfers; we never had to worry about anything at all during the entire trip. Special thanks to Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club and especially our guide Godwin Laiza. Godwin was a great guide; he was knowledgable, patient, funny, and kind. His driving skills on those unpaved rocky roads were amazing! He had the vision of a hawk and could spot game in the landscape that the rest of us could only see with binoculars. He really elevated the entire safari from excellent to exceptional. His love of Tanzania and the wildlife was clear, and it was a real pleasure to have met him. We also enjoyed our Spice Tour and Stone Town walking tour on Zanibar with Musa. He really knew his subjects, and it was a pleasure listening to him. He also shared some of the heart and spirit of Zanzibar with us, and he made our day really special. Finally, we loved the Z Hotel on Zanzibar, and it was the perfect way to end our trip to Tanzania with a little bit of luxury. The staff was incredible, and we hope to return some day. Here is my favorite picture; we came around a bend in the road in Tarangire National Park and found a small group of elephants. The bull challenged our truck while the rest of the herd walked away, but luckily he let us go on our way!

photo Dave & Brett
Linda & Craig, Coquitlam BC | Tanzania | May 2019
Many thanks to Thierry for a magical trip. You took our very basic requests and created a perfect adventure. Our guide Athman was a treasure – always calm and patient, an expert driver on those awful roads, and an ‘eagle eye’ for wondrous moments every day. His experience and knowledge were evident. Travelling in May suited us well; the weather was decent [only one wet day], and we were often the only vehicle at the sites. We had our box lunches, complete with table and chairs, with gorgeous scenery everywhere we went. Our last sight of Tanzania was the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro as we took off from the airport. We hope we can go back someday. You will be our first call. We recommend you, and Athman, highly.
Bob and Paz S , Calgary AB | Tanzania | May 2019
Hi Jen, We are back from our May 2019 Safari in Tanzania ! What an exciting adventure !! The tour schedule that you arranged for us went as we had planned without a problem. All our accommodations exceeded our expectations . The tented camps were the most amazing to experience. Our tents had comfortable beds , toilet and shower and a nice balcony to sit and enjoy the view of Tarangire , Grumeti, or the Serengeti. The food was excellent , especially the vegetable soups that were all different for each hot meal we enjoyed. The biggest surprise we got was when we were celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary at the Ngorongoro Farmhouse. Thank you Jen , for your surprise gifts. The Lodge staff all sang to us , as they brought us a nice frosted cake that was made gluten free for one of our companions. Our guide/driver, Godwin Laiza , also known as Metoi ( his Maasai name), asked me what I would like to see most. I told him that I would like to see the Black Rhino. It took about 10 days to finally see the Black Rhino , but what we saw in those 10 days was so incredible !! Godwin is a fount of knowledge concerning the various animal behaviours. He has an uncanny ability to spot and identify animals that are hidden or very distant. He answered all our questions , in great detail. He always ensured that we were safe , as we travelled on the rough roads and during our encounters with the wildlife. We saw the “Big Five” and so much more !! Godwin was our guide and driver , from the start of our safari. He became our friend, long before the end. Thank you again , Jen, for organizing such an awesome adventure of a lifetime!! So many of our friends have seen the photographs we took and are asking how we arranged it all. We will be recommending you at Heritage Safaris and we hope others will follow us for their greatest adventure too.
Sheila L. Family, London ON | Kenya & Zanzibar ! May 2019
Hello Thierry, Thank you so much for making all the arrangements for a truly great itinerary. I must say I had some concerns given the time of year, and expected weather effects on the terrain and animals, but it was not an issue. Perhaps we got lucky as the rainy season seemed to be delayed or diluted this year! We had perfect clear dry days and nights. We saw EVERYTHING! Big 5, ugly 5, the Fab 5 (cheetah coalition)….
To begin; Right from our greeting at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, our day in Nairobi and throughout the safari, we were pleased with how friendly and well managed each segment was of our trip.
All accommodations were very comfortable with unique historical elements and/or beautiful surroundings. We were pleasantly surprised by how well appointed the Safari camps were and really enjoyed the close proximity to the wildlife. Service and attention to our comfort and safety was five star. Food was excellent, fresh bottled water always available. At Elephant Bedroom Camp they even provided a special birthday dinner experience for our son.Our safari guide Leonard was exceptional, exhibiting as much enthusiasm and determination for finding animals as us. He was very friendly, patient, punctual accommodating and knowledgeable. There was a bit of a hiccup- our flight was diverted to Dar es Salam with a 2 hour delay before continuing to Zanzibar. By this time our driver had left and we took a taxi to the Mizingani. Next morning, I had located the contact information and we were back on track with our city walking tour and trip to Prison Island , which were very interesting and informative. We really appreciated the air conditioned ride to Bluebay Beach resort with a truly enjoyable spice tour along route. Omar our driver was very kind and accommodating and had us reimbursed for the taxi cost. The resort was absolutely lovely and (partly because it poured rain while there) we wished for more time to relax by the water. Two weeks went by far too quickly but it was packed with SO many memorable moments. We were calling this “ a once in a lifetime trip”, however, we may want to see more of Africa’s other areas and will absolutely use your services when that time comes. Most sincerely, Sheila, Kevin, Brandon and Travis L.
Victor W. Family, North Vancouver BC | South Africa | May 2019
Hi Thierry; As you know, two years ago I went on a Safari, arranged by you. It was to the Kapama Game reserve, Buffalo Camp. It was a wonderful experience, so much so, that I decided to go again AND take all my family.! It took two years to ” put it all together, thanks to you. We went on the 4th of May. I had booked for 9, but somehow that number became 10.!! Also, we were joined by a good friend from Fiji.
Once again, All went off very well. We stayed at the Kapama River Lodge, which was perfect for our needs. The various ” Safari’s ” went well, and I feel that we all saw all that there was to see. The meals were superb, in fact , far too much wonderful food to choose from.” Awsome ” I would say. All the logistics, arrangements etc. were perfect. There is very little else that I can say in praise of the whole expedition.!! I , expect that I [ we ], will have to go again. Thanks very much Thierry, and I will continue recommend your services plus the Kapama Game Reserve.
Best Wishes, Victor Warren.
Hello Thierry, Many, many thanks for working with my Dad and arranging the Safari for our family! It was an incredible family experience that will be remembered always. Kapama was amazing; I am looking ahead to my next visit which I hope will be sooner rather than later, I don’t think I can wait 2 years to visit again. Sincere Thanks! Devon
Melanie and Family, Brackendale ON | Tanzania | March 2019
Hi Thierry, Thank-you so much for your help arranging the safari portion of our amazing trip to Africa. We had such an incredible time! Our guide Saidi was wonderful and really went out of his way to make our time special and ensure we were able to see and experience as much as possible. The Sanctuary tented camps that we stayed at were also wonderful. The tents and properties were beautiful and comfortable and the staff was so welcoming and helpful and really made our time special. We really couldn’t have asked for anything more. I will be in touch with you again in a year or two as I’d really like to go back.Thanks again for all of your help and advice!
Frances and Family, Vancouver BC | Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mafia Island | Feb 2019
Hi Thierry, We had the most amazing trip, it is hard to describe. Everything went so well and we saw so much. We did about 11 three hour game drives and 5 full day game drives. Everyday we saw something different!! Most enjoyable. The guides were great and the companies you work with are top notch, to say the least.We loved Mafia and Pole Pole, the best place to relax and slow down. We went snorkelling 4 times, they just made everything so easy. Thank you so much for all your planning and organizing on our behalf. We would be happy do write a note for your website, if you like. Thanks again for everything.
Tasreen and Zsolt , Vancouver | Tanzania | Feb 2019
Safari was incredible. Amazing trip. Saw every animal we wanted. Driver Hamesa was great. Overall great trip. Thank you again. Will definitely book with you when we are ready. And will send referrals when we can.
Bruce L and Ellen R – Toronto, ON | Ecuador | Feb 2019
Faced with six days to fill in Ecuador, and no clue what to do, we turned to Jen Lubey for help. She sent us first to the ecolodge La Selva in the Ecuadorian rainforest and then to Casa Mojanda in Otavalo. Both were fabulous. At La Selva, the accommodation and food were both wonderful and we had a naturalist guide (for a group of four) who showed us birds and other beasts we never would have seen on our own. At Otavalo, our guide took us to a home weaving operation and then to the artisans market, which featured incredibly good leather, jewelry and woven goods. We had a terrific time throughout. It shows what a knowledgeable travel agent can add to a trip.
Ken and Family – Calgary, AB | Tanzania | February 2019
Dear Jen, Thank you so very much for arranging an absolutely fantastic African Safari trip for our family! You went above and beyond to make sure all the details were in place for us to enjoy all aspect of our adventure. We would happily recommend The Heritage Safari Company and your service to anyone.To more great adventures.
Heather & Cal C – Calgary, AB | Guatemala | Jan-Feb 2019
“Have just returned from our 10 day trip to Guatemala and want to thank you Jen for all you did to make it work so well. We love that you can tweak itineraries and customize them to meet individual interests. Your attention to detail is exemplary and you have always been able to ensure our travels are extremely well organized. We were most impressed with the local tour provider Maya Trails for whom I have only good things to say. Their drivers and tour guides were excellent, and driving in Guatemala requires great skill. The accommodations were very nice throughout the trip- I wish we had been able to have a second night at Camino Real Tikal as we really loved it there but it was a very brief stay. Everywhere we went we were treated kindly and made to feel welcome. As you know I previously have and will continue to recommend you and Heritage Safaris to friends.” Thank you again
Maureen & Andrew, North Vancouver BC | Kenya | January 2019
HI Thierry, We had an incredible time in Kenya! Once again, the camps were fantastic, and the service was just great. The animals let us into their lives and showed us their families and interactions with each other and other species. They were all very gracious, except I though Mr Greg was a little grumpy in musk in Amboseli! Haha! Although Wilson said he was just fine….The guides were fantastic and drivers exceptional, and we loved it all. Got great photos and film footage as memories. The last day in Nairobi was also pleasant, we liked the garden restaurant of Karen Blixon the best. The giraffes were lovely… Thank you for everything, Maureen and Andrew
Rochelle C – Wheatley, Ontario | Ecuador & Galapagos | January 2019
Hi Jen, Can’t thank you enough for everything you did to make the Ecuador & Galapagos experience a truly ‘Trip of a Lifetime’ for me, Ross & Renee. Every single base was covered, from having us met at our transfer points and our wonderful guide Gabriella and the accommodating driver in Quito, to the surprise welcome gift awaiting me in the Patio Andaluz Hotel room. The trip was everything you said it would be and more. We were never left wondering about any aspect of the experience as everything ran smoothly due to your excellent foresight and supervision. Kudos on your photographic skills as shown on the welcome- back-home card of the ‘Iguana Honeymoon Couple’. We couldn’t have done it so well without your efforts.
Hi Jen, To echo and add to what Mom has said – through your hard work and attention to detail, the trip was magical, seamless, and truly an experience of a lifetime. It was so helpful to have guidance at every stage to get us through airports and to and from hotels and airports with no worry. As Mom said, Gabriela was a wonderful guide, showing and telling us about how special Ecuador is, and keeping us on track to make the most of our experiences. The Live Like a Local tour helped us get some unique perspective about Quito, and learn about unique skills and services. We were very pleased with Patio Andaluz. The staff were wonderful, very helpful. The location was perfect. The Isabela 2 and the staff were amazing. Interestingly, the ship was only about 1/2 full (and we learned that another ship was about the same), so it made for small groups and lots of attention, and they offered lots of flexibility to meet people’s needs. The excursions to the islands were fantastic; each island so different from others. We really felt that we got a great cross-section of the islands. The guides were very attentive to show us all the unique wildlife and flora. It was great how the operators have things worked out with the Parks, so that in each location we were the only group, and we had lots of time to savour the environment – no rush, ever. The move to Finch Bay was effortless. The rooms that we had in Patio Andaluz and Finch Bay were marvellous, location-wise (and for the view and balcony at Finch Bay). The cabins on Isabela 2 worked out so well. The amenities in each location were great. I think Mom used the hot tub on the Isabela 2, and we all loved winding down at the pool at Finch Bay. It was a perfect touch to end our vacation on land at Finch Bay, such a wonderful resort. Ross and I did explore Las Grietas and Puerto Ayora, while Mom relaxed by the pool. The food was simply awesome everywhere, from Patio Andaluz, our special lunch at Casa Gangotena, through Isabela 2 and Finch Bay. We felt very spoiled. I think I achieved my goal of having local fruit and fish/seafood every day. The trip exceeded all our expectations, thanks to all your work, Jen.
Renee C – Edmonton, AB
Shirley U – Conifer, Colorado | Ecuador & Galapagos | December 2018
Hi Jen, Your amazing planning created a trip without flaw. Everything was perfect. Everyone was perfect. We even kept up with the young guys. Ordering prescription goggles was the best decision for under water sights were clear Thank you again for your precise planning. I love the card with the Iguanas. Shirley Again, thank you so much.
Linda M – Quathiaski Cove, BC | Ecuador & the Galapagos | December 2018
Hi Jen, HERITAGE SAFARI SERVICES: As usual, everything was perfectly organized with no errors nor omissions! The meet and greet was on time and went well. A trip well set out and very enjoyable!
QUITO: Hotel Patio Andaluz was lovely – good food, clean comfy room, a perfect respite after the flight. Nice entertainment in the evenings. Tropic tour guide and driver (Eduardo and Eduardo) were knowledgeable and pleasant. Both days the tours were very enjoyable. The vehicle, a newer Hyundai was clean and comfortable. The visit to the “Equator” and Otavalo market was interesting and fun. We made a few purchases :))
GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK AND THE MV ANAHI: The Catamaran Anahi is comfortable and spacious. Our cabin was functional, clean and in good repair. We certainly didn’t starve!! The food was plentiful and tasty. Our guide, ROCIO really knew her stuff – she was informative, diligent, accommodating and easy to get along with. She paid attention to detail, and strived to ensure everyone was happy. Long days with very early starts and late endings left us ready for bed before 9:30pm LOL. The Anahi crew were helpful and well trained in all aspects of their duties.
WYNDHAM HOTEL: Was the perfect ending – it was just lovely, comfortable, large room, good food in the restaurant, quiet and clean. The staff were very accommodating and the shuttle service is great. I would recommend this hotel to anyone.
Louise & David, North Vancouver BC | Botswana | November 2018
Thank you so much, Thierry! You put together a trip that we’ll never ever forget.
The Botswana safari was fabulous. Everything was seamless, and we loved the bush plane flights (four we did). Of the three resorts, Chobe was decent but not exceptional. But more than adequate. Ma Dinare was one of the nicest resorts we have stayed at anywhere, safari or otherwise, service and everything was top class and exceptional. Best service we have had anywhere, and because there were so few people, we dined with the main guide and manager each night and it was really fun to talk to them. We loved the Delta! Tau Pan was remote and while not as fancy, the location, the scenery and the game drives were fantastic. We had two lions, a male and female, right under our tent roaring in the middle of the night. Woke us up. We loved the Kalahari!
Keith & Rosemary – North Vancouver BC | Rwanda, Kenya and Pemba Island | November 2018
My wife and I had an amazing 21 day trip through East Africa–Rwanda, Kenya and Zanzibar–organized by Thierry Cellier of Heritage Safari. Every lodge that Thierry picked was gorgeous, and full of wild animals. The food and the staff at all the lodges we stayed at were professional; the food was great and service was flawless. Even more important was the travelling logistics–somebody met us at the end of each flight and took us in a clean van to our destination. All the safari guides and all the city drivers that were in Thierry’s network spoke great English, had wonderful manners and lots of patience as we asked lots of questions on local religion, politics, and economics. One morning on our trip, a national airline changed our flight time the day before we took off, and Thierry got hold of us and reached his chosen logistics company to inform of us of the change, and made sure everyone was on the same page. Our trip was exciting, and flawless, and we would book with Heritage Safari again.
Reg & Sheri-Dawn R. – Regina | Ecuador & Galapagos | Oct-Nov 2018
Jen, We have had an amazing trip and experience in the Galapagos. First of all, thanks very much for arranging the birthday treats. It made for a very special day and week. One of my main goals for the trip was to get some unique and interesting photos…accomplished. After Jen had arranged an amazing experience for us on an African Safari several years ago, we did not hesitate to have her help again on our trip to the Galapagos. It was once again a terrific adventure. We were treated exceptionally while there and were allowed a lifetime opportunity to experience this very special place. Our trip went beyond just seeing the sites, to also include an opportunity to meet the real people from the communities.
Chris & Derwin A. – Regina, Sask | Ecuador & the Galapagos | Oct – Nov 2018
This is the second time we have booked a travel holiday with Jen. She is an excellent listener and takes the time to be sure she is planning the kind of activities we will enjoy and the style of travel we prefer. She is very knowledgeable about the destinations because she personally visits them and uses top notch local suppliers with whom she is familiar. Jen is very prompt and timely with her information and services. We very much enjoy working with Jen and whole heartedly recommend her services and the Heritage Safari Company.
Carolyn & Alaie , North Vancouver | Kenya & Tanzania | November 2018
Hi Thierry, The safari was perfect. All of our guides were very professional, pleasant and knowledgeable. We were met and transferred to our destinations seamlessly as per our itinerary. The accommodations while on safari were great, and the food was good, with plenty of variety. All in all, we had a wonderful trip. We would highly recommend both the trip, and your services, to anyone. Thank-you for helping us to have such a great vacation.
Darci R & Stephanie B – Surrey & Vancouver, BC | Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar | Sept – Oct 2018
Jen at Heritage Safari Company helped make our safari to Tanzania the trip of a lifetime. Jen was very professional and was able to create an itinerary that stayed within our budget and included everything we’d asked for. The tented camps, lodges and hotels were all very nice and comfortable. The staff, guides and drivers were all very friendly, welcoming, accommodating and knowledgeable. Some of our highlights included the amazing wildlife viewing, the hot air balloon safari in the Northern Serengeti, the walking and night safaris at Grumeti Hills lodge and the beautiful beaches and sunsets on Zanzibar. We would not hesitate to recommend Jen at Heritage Safari Company to anyone looking to make their dream of a Safari a reality!
Chris and Lisa – Calgary, AB | Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar | October 2018
“My fiancé and I worked with Jen at Heritage Safaris to book our dream trip to Tanzania. We had initially tried to do things ourselves and very quickly realized we were over our heads. We found Jen and Heritage Safaris online and their BBB rating impressed us. Jen, right from the beginning, was a pleasure to work with. Her expertise in the region and professionalism were immediately noticed. She asked us what our goals and budget were and built us the perfect trip from there. The vendors Heritage Safaris uses are of the highest quality and we felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Africa until the moment we left. Their guides were very knowledgeable and most importantly, safe as were the accommodations they arranged. I consider myself to be a princess when it comes to the finer things in life and I was more than happy with the accommodations. We can’t say enough good things about our experience with Jen and Heritage Safaris and would absolutely recommend her to anyone with even the faintest interest in visiting this incredible continent.
Chris & Kervyne L. Kai & Roger K. Calgary & Toronto | Kenya, Tanzania & South Africa | Sept-Oct 2018
Jen, we just wanted to let you know how fantastic the trip to Kenya, Tanzania and Cape Town, you planned for us went. You planned airport pick up for us and they were there waiting for us every time. They were always professional and told us about the areas we were passing through. The Nairobi tour to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre and the Kazuri Bead Factory made for a wonderful first day. We are so glad that you gave us the opportunity to see the baby elephants! We adopted a baby elephant “Enkesha”on behalf of our 8 grandchildren and brought pictures of her home for gifts. We must say that our accommodations were excellent and interesting. All had everything you could ever want to eat and beautiful views and pools. We had dreamed of seeing the “Big Five”. We could not have believed the herds and family groups of animals we actually did get to see. Our drivers in Kenya and Tanzania we very knowledge about the areas we went to, where to look for animals and had books to look up birds in order to give us correct names. They were friendly and we enjoyed their company. Jen we feel that you planned for us to see many different areas and landscaped to give us an amazing trip of a life time! We realize that your firsthand knowledge of this countries gave us better understanding too. Our hotel in Cape Town was perfect for us. We loved being close to the ocean and walking on the promenade. Our small group tour to Vamos Township has changed us forever! There is poverty and there is disturbing poverty!! How does one help? We did feel better when we got a smile from the children when we gave them candy, and maybe they did too for a few minutes. We saw and learned a lot on the other tours you planned as well. Jen, we feel very lucky that you were referred to us. We will be sure to pass your name and Heritage Safari to everyone we know who wants a “Safari and Trip of a Lifetime” that works out to be ABOVE AND BEYOND their expectations!
Jen, Thank you for putting this together for us …we did have the trip of a lifetime! Before I forget, I want to you to know that I loved the birthday surprise, wine and cake! In Africa!! We are too pooped to think today but will absolutely get back to you and share our stories. This trip was more than either of us expected…
South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia | Sept 2018 Group Tour
Hi Jennifer, I had a wonderful, awesome 3 weeks on Safari. Each day was a ‘wow!’ day. The care we were given, such as having people meet and guide us through each stop made me feel very pampered and special. The accommodations were pleasant, clean, comfortable and in most instances luxurious. All the guides and support staff were knowledgeable, helpful and made me feel like a special and welcome guest. The wildlife we saw up close and in their natural habitat was diverse. I never expected that we could be so close yet feel so safe. I particularly liked the way were given time and the best aspects to capture such beautiful photos. All this and the fact that the camps help to contribute to the welfare and economic growth of the surrounding communities was a great bonus. Of course the people in our group including you and Peter also added a special something. I would recommend this trip and your company to anybody. Blessings of the upcoming season and thank you so much for making this trip a truly memorable one.
Barb W. – Renfrew, Ontario
Hi Jen, The experience we both had was great. Sometimes I couldn’t believe we were there doing everything we did. First, Craig and I were over whelmed with the accommodations in every Lodge we visited. Each had their own uniqueness. From a beautiful room in Arathusa to the tent lodging in Zambezi River Camp. After seeing the full extent of the tour, lodging and food we experience, the price was not so hard to swallow. Cape Town was just as wonderful. The tours were great and informative and the Ilios tour company were always there on time or before. Getting around was easy and we did a lot of walking (which we both needed after all the food). Heritage Safaris is an exception company and everything was first class and they handled everything professionally. Once you were with the group you never had to worry about anything. It was handled before you knew there was an issue. Truly a company we would recommend and use again.
Terri & Craig K. – Reno, Nevada
Jen and all the Support Crew at Heritage Safaris. A job Very Well Done. The recent trip to Capetown, Kruger Park, South Africa, Hwange Park, Zimbabwe and Zambia was amazing every step of the way. Each day we would have an inspiring experience thinking that was the highlight of the trip and the next day some other more amazing treat was in store for us! We were incredibly impressed with your organizing ability and dedication to everyone having the very best experience that they could in their own way and on their own terms. The amount of time in each Safari Lodge was spot on. You felt like you got to experience it without ever feeling like you were starting to run over the same ground again. Each location you choose had a unique atmosphere, experience and culture. The variety of activities was wide in breadth and unique. It’s hard to imagine a better put together and executed itinerary. Well Done Jen! The group also gelled together very well, which made the trip even more memorable. We can’t wait to book our next trip with Jen!
Wayne & Mel L. – Bancroft, Ontario
This fall I took my first and hopefully not my last trip to Africa. The trip was organized by Jen Lubey from Heritage safari. There are not enough words to describe how wonderful the whole trip was. Jen arranged wonderful accommodation and tours for us at the numerous places we visited. We were met at the arrival gate at the airport which helped us navigate in a new country. All the transportation was on time and impeccable. The safari’s themselves were diverse and the animals and photographic opportunities were nothing short of amazing. For the safari component I would like to say thank you to Arathusa Safari Lodge and to the Imvelo organization for hosting us. Our group was a fascinating group of people which melded together well. In Capetown the Rosmead House boutique hotel was lovely and the staff were very helpful. Jen also made it possible for us to experience some adrenalin activities at Victoria Falls which will not be forgotten. I would strongly recommend Heritage Safari’s and have already done so to anyone whom I have discussed the trip with.
Stephanie L. – Renfrew, Ontario
Pierrette L. – Ottawa, ON | Rwanda & Tanzania | September 2018
Hi Jen, We had an absolutely marvellous trip. Everything went off without a hitch. Your agency, and you in particular, were flawless in maintaining contact during the planning process, and everything went like clockwork on the ground the entire time. The accommodations were excellent, the staff at each location was incredibly solicitous, and the driving guides were extremely dependable and knowledgeable in both Rwanda and Tanzania. We learned a lot on the trip about wildlife, and the guides’ advice and knowledge complemented the numerous photos and videos we brought home to share with families and friends. I would not hesitate at all to recommend Heritage Safari Company to anyone who wants to visit Africa safely and well prepared.
Ken M. & Felicia B. – Calgary, AB | Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana & South Africa | September 2018
Jen – a sincere thanks from both of us on a great trip. It was just fantastic. I want to thank Jen and Heritage Safaris for helping make my 60th birthday celebration such a lifetime trip. I purposely don’t say once in a lifetime because I am sure we will do it again. I like to plan my trips but deferred to using an agency and am glad I used Heritage Safaris– while it is possible to book your various camps, the logistics of moving from location to location would almost be overwhelming – Jen did an incredible job of ensuring seamless transition between multiple locations over 4 weeks of travel. Jen also provided some great insight on how to organize the trip, particularly including how to transition through Nairobi. Having never been on a safari, dealing with a local agency that you could meet with and discuss trip details was great. A trip of this length through four African countries is bound to have some glitches – I think the timely nature in which Jen handled these problems (none of which were of a major crisis) speaks volumes to how attentive Jen and Heritage Safaris were to every detail. Thanks for all your hard work.” Ken and Felicia
Sharmelle H. & Family | New York USA | South Africa, Botswana | July 2018
Hi Thierry, We had the best time of our lives. Warm wishes
Lars, Stephanie, and Mattis, Vancouver | Kenya and Tanzania | July 2018
Hello Thierry, Our family had a wonderful safari experience from July 4- 14, 2018. We saw all the big 5 by day 3. We went from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru for 1 day, Masai Mara for 2 days,1 night at Lake Victoria, 2 days on the Serengeti, and a day at the Ngorogoro crater.The wildlife and savanna scenery was magical. The accommodation in the lodges and tented camps was very comfortable and were in excellent locations.. Surprisingly the cuisine in Kenya and Tanzania blew us away…delicious. The 2 guides we had were very knowledgeable, and gave us ample opportunities to absorb all the superb wildlife encounters. I would recommend you contact Thierry and book a safari with Heritage Safaris, they are extremely knowledgeable and provided us with a trip of a lifetime.
Dave, Connie, Ryley and Tyra H | Calgary, AB / Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos | July 2018
Hi Jen,”Our family recently had the pleasure of taking a 5 week family adventure to Peru and Ecuador. Our adventure took us to the beautiful and historical Sacred Valley, the challenging Salkantay Trek, awe inspiring Macchu Picchu, the sights and sounds of Cusco, a train ride through the Andes, boating on Lake Titicaca, exploring the Amazon River headwaters along the Napo River and Yasuni National Park, enjoying a taste of the country lifestyle in a hacienda in the Andean highlands, the beautiful cities of Quito and Lima and, of course, the Galapagos.
This adventure would not have become a reality with the tireless efforts of Jennifer Lubey. From the first time we met Jennifer, she took an interest in us, as a family, and what we wanted to see and do on our adventure to South America. From listening to our initial thoughts on the trip, to providing ideas for us to consider, to coordinating quotes from the numerous providers in South America, to pulling all of the logistics together (this was no easy task given our specific requests for the Salkantay Trek and specific provider in the Galapagos), to ensuring all components of the trip came together seamlessly such that we had no concerns once we set foot in South America, to making herself available to address any concerns or questions we had (even while we were travelling in South America!!), to a “welcome home” card waiting for us upon our arrival home, Jennifer left nothing to chance. Her travel expertise, attention to detail, willingness to listen to what is important to her clients, her ability to connect with, and relate to, her clients and her personal desire to ensure trips she plans for her clients not only meet, but exceed, their expectations, exemplifies who Jennifer is as a person an her dedication to her clients.
We cannot thank Jennifer enough for everything she has done for us to make this trip of a lifetime a reality. Jennifer, your time, effort and willingness to go over and above (even answering a call from us at 7AM on a Sunday!!!) to ensure our trip exceeded our expectations will be remembered and has been truly appreciated.
Katie & Marion T. – Calgary, AB | Botswana, Victoria Falls & South Africa | August 2018
Hi Jen, Our trip to Africa was absolutely fantastic our first stop was an elephant camp where it was magical. Sylvester was the highlight although the elephant interaction was a close second the accommodations and the people were first class. We did the rainforest walk witnessing Victoria Falls, jaw dropping. The second stop was at Chobe the accommodations and people were also amazing. The amount of wildlife at Chobe was breathtaking could not believe our eyes. The third stop was at Lagoon camp here at Lagoon Camp we had our best guide and tracking experience of the trip. While tracking two lionesses the guide and tracker explained the process of tracking which was unbelievable. The result was finding two lionesses in the tall grass. Accommodations and staff from Lagoon were all so amazing. Our final stop was at splash camp. This camp was only two months old and was done very nicely. We saw our first male lion. Throughout the trip, we saw so many birds, antelope, cats, wildebeest, buffalo, hyenas, elephants, giraffe, warthogs, monkeys, baboons and beautiful landscapes with beautiful sunrise and sunsets that we feel our eyes were full. Much thanks to you Jen for putting us in a position to experience the best trip of our lives. You more than exceeded our expectations!! We were greeted and transported with much professionalism from the staff you chose for us. Won’t ever forget, trip of a lifetime.
Carol M. Family – London ON | South Africa, Victoria Falls July 2018
Hi Thierry, Thank you so much for putting together this fabulous trip. It was an incredible family experience.The itinerary worked out wonderfully.
We enjoyed Cape Town – the drivers from Ilios Travel were very friendly, helpful, very nice to deal with. Our tour guide from Ilios, Riann Williams, was fabulous. He was very professional, knowledgeable, informative, interacted well with each of us, the kids enjoyed him as much as we did. We highly recommend him. We enjoyed each tour he took us on. Unfortunately Chapman’s Peak was closed due to windy conditions, so we missed out on that – oh well, next time! We appreciated the added stop at Paarl during our wine tour. Our friend was so excited to see the photo of us outside of her old synagogue. On our own we explored the Jewish Museum and the V&A Waterfront, where the kids bought some cloths and things to make due until their luggage arrived and we had dinners at the Waterfront, and in Camps Bay. We found it very easy to get around. Victoria Falls was amazing. We loved the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. It was so beautiful that I would have liked to stay another night and then have the time to go on a river cruise. We booked the Boma and Drum Show for the first night we were there – everyone enjoyed that. The Peech Hotel in Johannesburg was great, very friendly staff, very accommodating to our need for some non-meat meals. We all enjoyed the Apartheid Museum and the Soweto tour, however, our guide was not the best. He did not seem to offer a lot of information on what we were seeing, no in depth knowledge, we all would have liked to hear more from him. I think we were spoiled by Riann in Cape Town. The stay in Johannesburg gave us a couple of relaxing nights as we just stayed there for dinner and didn’t explore anywhere. Mala Mala Game Reserve was outstanding. Our ranger’s name was Craig – excellent fit for our family. Everyone loved him. We saw so many animals and enjoyed this part of the trip immensely. We were pleasantly surprised to have been upgraded to the Sable Camp, so that was a very nice surprise when we arrived. The camp was lovely, the rooms were beautiful, the service was outstanding, the meals were delicious, the staff was very friendly … simply fantastic experience. Terry and I have said we would love to go back, so perhaps we will be dealing with you again some time. It was a pleasure planning this with you, we will certainly recommend you to our friends and family. Thank you again, Carol M.
Dan M. Airdrie AB | Zambia | June 2018
Hi Thierry; Had a great time. Went to the falls and took an ultralight flight which was well worth it. Chongwe River camp was fantastic. Lots of leopards the first night and the next day, but
spent the rest of my time tiger fishing. Loved floating down the river with Clement my guide. Flatdogs camp was great, but too many vehicles and people on game drives. More interested
in birds than mammals, not my cup of tea. Lion Camp was fantastic just like Chongwe . The guides at Lion camp are first class. They took interest in every ones wishes and always made sure we were positioned for the best possible light for great pictures. Chongwe and Lion camp management, staff and guides are as good as it gets. Dan.
Nora K. & Steph M. Calgary, AB | South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe & Botswana | June 2018
Our African Adventure was better than anything I could have hoped for. In 19 days, we were in 4 countries, 4 different safari camps and 4 other hotels/lodges. Each place that we visited had its own uniqueness and beauty. The planning and organization of our custom mother/daughter trip by Jen at Heritage Safaris took all the worry and stress out of our action-packed trip, allowing us to relax and fully embrace each moment. The diversity in wildlife, landscape and culture all contributed to making this a trip we will cherish forever! Thank you!
Suzanne and Les C. Peyton, CO USA | South Africa, Victoria Falls, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania | June 2018
Jen, We had such a great time!! And you were there whenever we needed you! Thanks for planning such a wonderful trip.
Geoff & Wendy A. and Karen L. Calgary, AB | Tanzania & Rwanda | June 2018
Dear Jen, Where do we start? The Itinerary you came up with for this trip was completely over the TOP! From our arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport to our sad departure 17 days later out of Kigali Rwanda, we continually find ourselves talking about the adventures we experienced while in Tanzania and Rwanda. As you know we (Geoff) had some specific needs which could have easily made or broke this trip; you again exceeded our expectations here, the opportunities for photographic opportunities far surpassed my creative abilities. I have added in a few pictures below, a few out of the 11,000 plus I took while vacationing!
Tanzania:
Godwin our Friend, Driver and Guide was Excellent! His GREAT sense of humor, personality, knowledge of the region and attention to detail made our stay in Tanzania, one which will be very hard to beat! From our first handshake at JRO to our last hug goodbye at Grumeti Hills, he is our friend forever and we all hope we will be able to see him again some day. He was perfect for our needs and personalities and we would Highly recommend him to anyone!
Rwanda:|This is going to sound very similar as above, but: Isaac our Friend, Driver and Guide was Excellent! His amazing personality, sense of humor, knowledge and history of the Country of Rwanda and his attention to detail made our stay in Rwanda one which will be very hard to beat! From the initial first handshake at Kigali International Airport to our sad last hug goodbye, he will be our friend forever and we hope we will be able to see him again some day. He was perfect for our needs and personalities and we would Highly recommend him to anyone!
The Itinerary:
Was amazing, seeing the vast northern circuit of Tanzania; loving the time we spent in Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti – FANTASTIC! The flight to Rwanda (our Indian Jones Experience) was great and Rwanda, WOW, we will go back! The beauty, culture and Love this country offers is SO UNRECOGNIZED in the world. Did I say we will go back? Amazing place.
The Accommodations:
All of the spots in which we laid our heads were incredible! We truly loved the tented camps (we now call Glamping), the service and attention to our needs and details were great; and the scenery from these locations doesn’t have a word that describes the Beauty seen. We have made many new friends in both countries which we are regularly texting with.
Heritage Safari Company exceeded our Hopes and Dreams for this Safari!! We will recommend Jennifer and her amazing skills and personality to anyone who asks us “where to go and what to do while in Africa”! And we will again use Jen’s services on our next trip to Botswana, Zambia and Namibia!! Thank you so much for this unbelievable trip!! One we will Never Ever Forget!!
Lynda E. – Sorrento BC | Tanzania & Zanzibar May-June 2018
I recently participated in a small group safari to the Northern Circuit in Tanzania with an extension to the magical island of Zanzibar. The tour was organized by Jen Lubey of Heritage Safari in Calgary. Everything about the trip was wonderful. Jen’s advice to go in late May was excellent – the weather was perfect, the Serengeti green, the animals plentiful, and we saw thousands of zebras and wildebeest in the Great Migration! Our safari guide/driver Issaya was a competent driver, an informed guide and a compassionate person who looked after us so well. Accommodations were wonderful -on the safari, tented camps on ridges, a lodge on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, a hotel on a coffee plantation, and in Zanzibar, an exotic room at the very top of the Dhow Hotel in Stone Town and a boutique hotel at Nungwe Beach. A highlight for me was the walking safari and the bush breakfast at Grumeti Hills. Of course it was great to be so close to lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and elephants but I also loved seeing the birds – so large and colourful! I really appreciate Jen’s attention to detail and her support before, during, and after my trip. I will be recommending Jen and Heritage Safari to anyone who mentions wanting to go on an African adventure.
Sandi & Tova – North Vancouver BC | Tanzania | May 2018
Hi Thierry, The safari was way beyond my wildest hopes! We had the best guide possible (Pascal), and Tova and I loved each place we stayed. We saw so many animals; it was heartening to see they are still there, and many are thriving. We didn’t have a visit to a Masai village on the agenda, but Pascal made it happen spontaneously, and that was really special too. I have recommended Heritage Safari many times, and would be glad to be a reference if you ever need it. Thanks! Sandi
Sandra & Mike P. North Vancouver BC | Victoria Falls, Botswana | June 2018
Thierry, I just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful vacation and all your attention to detail when planning out the perfect itinerary for our family. The safari portion of our holiday was beyond our expectations and made for a truly unique experience. We were greeted at every destination/airport by a friendly representative and the transfers between camps were seamless. We weren’t able to spot a Cheetah but every other animal was in abundance. One of our high points was when our vehicle was surrounded by 14 lions. Truly a majestic sight. The guides took very good care of us and it was obvious they wanted to provide the best experience possible. So thank you! We would not hesitate to recommend you and your company.
Kathy & Wayne B. Richmond BC | Tanzania, Botswana, Victoria Falls | May 2018
Hi Thierry, Wayne and I feel this was honestly our best trip ever, we are still feeling the high of this experience, AMAZING!!! Seeing so many different wild animals in their environment and their interaction was truly amazing. We feel we had the best all around experience with staying in the lodges in Tanzania and then doing the mobile safari in Botswana. All the Serena lodges were very nice and our guide Said was excellent! We are also very pleased to have travelled there at the end of the rainy season as Tanzania was so lush and Botswana was very green also. We certainly enjoyed our private tour in Tanzania but equally enjoyed our mobile safari with our group in Botswana! KG our guide with Bushways was also excellent! Both guides were very knowledgeable and professional. The food at the lodges was very good and the cooks on the mobile safari exceeded our expectations, they even baked homemade bread and cinnamon buns over the fire! Finishing the trip off at Victoria Falls was a good finale. We feel very fortunate to have seen so much on our safaris, we had very good luck seeing the Big 5 and so much more! It was also a wonderful surprise to see Lolita and her group as we all stayed at Tree tops on the same night, so we all dined together. Then our paths crossed again while in the jeep on the road in Chobe! Wayne and I thank you very much Thierry, the whole trip went smoothly, it was very well organized. We will recommend your company to anyone planning a trip for African safaris. We certainly hope to go back sometime to visit some other countries in Africa. Sincerely, Kathy & Wayne
Charlene & Lee – North Vancouver | Tanzania & Uganda | May 2018
Hi Thierry. Overall the trip was great. The safari arrangements were all spot on! The timing of the great migration was late this year but thankfully we were able to get a sense of it on the last day. The Gorillas portion was demanding but fulfilling. ….We are very happy with our experience and would recommend it to others without hesitation!
Shelene & Joel – Burnaby BC | Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar | May 2018
Hi Thierry, Thank you for booking our safari trip. It truly was a wonderful time! Aside from the tiny and non-essential little misunderstandings everything went perfectly well. I am amazed that with all the flight connections, driving, pick ups etc that everything worked out great. All of our guides were fantastic. We really enjoyed Game watchers when we were in Kenya. Government camp was certainly a highlight and a magical place to stay right in the heart of the Mara. Seeing the gorillas was breathtaking too and I am so glad and grateful we had the opportunity to see them. We enjoyed Rwanda quite a bit and wished we had stayed there a bit longer. We weren’t entirely happy with the Serena Hotels, we found them to be overrun with giant groups and the customer service and food was not the greatest compared to our other accommodations. Although we enjoyed our time in the Western Corridor, I don’t know if it was the best use of our Safari time at that time of year due to the rainy season. It was nice that it wasn’t very crowded but it was difficult to see animals and our time might have been better spent with more days in the Southern part or up in Masai Mara. Our hotel accommodation in Nairobi was fantastic and our resort stay in Zanzibar was the perfect amount of time and a pleasant place to rest before traveling back home. Both Joel and I will certainly recommend heritage safaris to our friends and family.
Lolita & Malcom C. Richmond BC | Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa | May 2018
We’ve just come back from an amazing adventure courtesy of Heritage Safaris. Everything went extremely well. Every time we arrived at any airport, there would be someone standing there with a sign with our group name on it. The accommodations surpassed our expectations, and so did the food. The guides were great too. And we really appreciated that our agent, Thierry, promptly answered our many, many questions. We also appreciate that he was quick to fix anything that went wrong; for example when an airline cancelled a flight, he was on top of it, immediately rebooking us and sending new tickets. He helped even for tickets that we had booked ourselves for our international flights. And he gave us great advice: for our group of seven, I had said that we could share a safari vehicle. Thierry recommended 2 vehicles in Tanzania so that we have room to move around. He was so right! Two vehicles were so much better. In Botswana, the jeeps are open so one vehicle worked well.
Accommodations:
We loved all of them. The only regret was the Tarangire Treetops. While the place was spectacular, it was quite late by the time we got there, and since we were only staying one night and leaving early the next day, we hardly enjoyed the place at all. Next time, I would stay 2 nights or not at all. In the Serengeti, we were pleasantly surprised to stay in Serena lodges in both places. The Ngorogoro Serena had arguably the best food of all the places we stayed, though we had good food everywhere. Both Serenas had evening entertainment which was a nice bonus. And the Kirawira tented camp accommodation was gorgeous. The River View Lodge in Chobe was probably the most modest (the description states “river view” from the bungalows – not true) however it was more than adequate and the staff were very, very nice. Actually the staff were wonderful everywhere we went! We loved the sunset boat excursion – lots of elephants and hippos.The Mokoro canoes were less exciting, not much to see but glad we tried them once.
Our favourite camp was Rradinare in the Okavango Delta. We wished we had one extra night there. The setting, the views, and the service were all amazing.
Our visit to the Masai Village earned mixed reviews: It was very interesting but felt very touristy, and we felt manipulated into buying overpriced trinkets that the locals claimed to have made themselves. Our guides overall were very good but special mention goes to “Moontoosi” nicknamed “Sixteen” at the RradiNare Camp. His English was good, he was lots of fun, and he went out of his way to find animals for us. Also good was “David” from Sunny Safaris in Tanzania. He truly had astonishing eyesight. We appreciated that the guides tried so hard, and were not the least bit in a rush to get back if there was something good to see. All in all, a bucket list trip that we will never forget! Thank you Thierry!
Marylin & Arthur W. Vancouver BC | Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa | May 2018
Hello Thierry, Our comments are all good. We had a wonderful time due to your exacting scheduling. We appreciated being met at every venue throughout our trip. It made transitioning from one place to another so easy. The accommodations were superb in every place. Rra Dinare Camp being over the top. All the guides were very good and the guide Sixteen was exceptional and as well as David from the Tanzania Camps. I have recommended your company to anyone who mentioned that they are thinking about a safari. Thanks for your excellent itinerary and we have thanked Lolita for her work that she did with you to make our trip so successful. Sincerely
Dawn A. Airdrie, AB | Tanzania & Zanzibar | May 2018
Hi Jen, This trip was absolutely amazing. As with everything, there are some things I would recommend changing but want to ensure you know that overall I would highly recommend this trip to anyone and everyone I know. A safari in Africa has been a dream of mine since I was a child. This 11 day safari in Tanzania far exceeded all of my expectations. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and an expert at accommodating the various interests of our small group. I felt safe and cared for at every step of the safari (including pre-trip planning) and was blown away by the quantity and variety of animals that we observed in May. Not only the traditional animals that you think of but also birds and butterflies everywhere. I highly recommend this trip to anyone with an interest in observing nature at it’s best! Regards, Dawn
Liz S. Regina , SK | Tanzania & Zanzibar | May 2018
Dear Jen, Thank you for planning such a fantastic trip to Africa. It was so above my expectations, everything was wonderful. The group was great we all got on so well together. I met Lynda and Donelle on the Calgary plane, we hit it off instantly. I really enjoyed Dawns company, she is a true adventurer. It was such a dream holiday. All the accommodations were 4-5 star in my opinion, even the tents sometimes a long steep walk to get to! The food was very good too, most of the time, I’m a plain Jane! Issaya our guide driver was excellent. He knew just where to go to find the animals. He was such a good driver, manouvering all the rough roads, washed out roads, scary at times and flooded roads. He took such good care of us. Such a nice person and full of information. The animals were unbelievable, so many right from day one in Tarangire Park, all those Elephants – one huge elephant thought of charging us Issaya just started the engine and calmly moved on! Some got wonderful photos of that. We saw so many different animals big and small. The most impressive were the Wildebeest and Zebras on their migration. Those majestic Giraffe took my breathe away, so beautiful. We were so close to so many. I was a little disappointed with Spicetown, it did not seem so well organised, from the airport to the Z hotel. The 3 tours in the one day were too much and very disjointed. Now the Z hotel was a fantastic ending, such nice proprietors, really made us welcome. The accommodation was great, also glad I had a balcony. The beach was fantastic, walking every day. So relaxing, none of us wanted to leave. Mind you getting there I wondered where we were going to land up as roads non existent!! This was the best, most enjoyable, memorable holiday I have ever been on. Definitely a dream come true! THANK YOU SO MUCH
Michael and Diane J. Campbell River, BC | South Africa, Victoria Falls, Botswana, Kenya,Tanzania | May 2018
Hello Jen, We cannot thank you enough for all the work that you put into organizing and planning the group trip to Africa. The safaris were awesome and certainly the highlight of the trip. The guides, lodges and food were great.
Karen L – High River, AB | Tanzania & Rwanda | May 2018
Jen, It was truly the trip of a lifetime Jen. Extremely well done. Our guides were amazing and we were so sad to leave them. Wonderful people, very humbling.
Karen & Tim D. Calgary, AB | Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos | May 2018
Hi Jen, Thanks for setting up our South American trip. Everything ran like clock work. We had no logistical problems at all. We really enjoyed everything and are still trying to digest everything we did. We especially liked Machu Picchu, the jungle and snorkelling. Thanks again, Karen
Maria & Don – Toronto ON | Tanzania & Botswana | March 2018
Hello Thierry, Words cannot describe how wonderful our trip was. Everything went perfectly; at each location, someone was always there to pick us up and take us safely to our next location. The lodges were great. The food was good to very good (Tau Pan camp ). The guides were excellent, especially Daniel in Tanzania. We saw so many animals! So many more than we could have imagined. The itinerary was perfect, as we saw different wildlife in each camp or park. Don and I can’t thank you enough; your knowledge and expertise helped create one of the best, if not the best holiday we have ever had. In fact, we would like to go back. We loved both the Serengeti and the Kalahari, and would like to visit at a different time of year. We’d love to go to the northern Serengeti to see the migration in September and the Kalahari in the dry season. We’d also like to visit Namibia and South Africa. Thanks again and we’ll look forward to planning another trip with you in the next couple of years. All the best, Maria and Don
Craig S. Calgary AB | Tanzania | Feb 2018
Hi Thierry, safari was awesome. We’ve been all over the world & nothing can compare to Tanzania & safaris. My mom was amazed by everything, so happy she could see this before she’s too old to travel. We will take our kids again when they’re older.
Mike and Joyce K – Calgary | Tanzania | Jan-Feb 2018
Hi Jen, We can’t thank you enough for organizing and planning our Serengeti safari in Tanzania, it was truly the most exceptional two weeks we have spent traveling in our lifetimes and exceeded even our loftiest expectations! Having never been to Africa, we were unsure what to expect, but were impressed to no end with the high quality of the accommodations you had arranged as well as the friendliest and most attentive service one could imagine. The food was delicious, the “tent” rooms were amazing and we certainly enjoyed the warm “bucket showers” and a cold beer or G&T at the end of the day. Having the Maasai warriors there to escort you back and forth to the tent was special, especially with the large critters we had wandering through the camps… Our guide/driver from Tanganyika Expeditions was exceptional. Not only did Godwin ensure even our smallest needs were attended to; he was incredibly knowledgeable, good-natured and so proud to showcase his homeland to us. We saw more wildlife than we had ever imagined possible, due to his keen eye and true understanding of the ecosystem. Most importantly, he was always had a positive attitude and was very respectful of the animals and their natural habitat. It is so hard to pick out specific highlights when we were lucky enough to witness so much – dozens of lions, numerous cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, rhino, ostrich (including a nest of huge eggs), baboons, monkeys, hyenas, and of course the literal millions of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and antelope. We witnessed numerous cats hunting prey including kills by lions, cheetahs and even a hyena (a lot nastier and not as graceful as the lions/cheetahs!). The final few days you recommended in the northern Serengeti at Lemala Kuria Hills was truly the icing on the cake. One of the most stunning properties we have ever had the pleasure to visit, made even more special by our hosts Margie and Boz. Enjoying the sundown in a private setting while sipping a cocktail after a day of viewing wildlife was beyond description.
Thank you for organizing what we would call a “trip of a lifetime” except we now have the full intent to return to Africa again, hopefully soon!
Elise & Richard R. Vancouver | Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar | Jan 2018
Hi Thierry: Our guides in each country were great right down to Alan in Kenya getting my sunglasses which we managed to leave in Lake Nukuru by accident delivered to Pascal when we were flying from Arusha. I was so impressed by the support and the ability to find something amazing and unique each day. I think we were wondering was this too long to be doing Safaris but the itinerary was so well built and variable that we had a unique experience every day. I did have a couple of really extra fun moments, one with the Cheetah but also the Silverback of our Umbanano Family decided to come and sit beside me as well. Amazing opportunity to experience a once in lifetime encounter in the wild. Many thanks for your hard work creating this experience. Regards, Elise
Nancy & Michael – Calgary AB | South Africa | January 2018
Hi Thierry! Our trip was fantastic. Without a doubt, the safari experience was the highlight. Everything was perfect. The transfers from Durban to Phinda and Phinda to Richards Bay were on-time and professional and in both cases, interesting and informative. Phinda Forest Lodge was beyond spectacular (I think I know why they call it “& Beyond”). The game drives (with Dumi and Dan) were absolutely incredible. Absolutely amazing memories we will never forget. Thank you so much for all of your assistance. We can’t wait to go back to Africa and when we do, we will definitely work with you again. It has been our absolute pleasure.
Patrick B. Family – Vancouver | South Africa | Dec 2017
Thierry, The Safari was the highlight of the trip, Kapama was a great choice.
Dianne W. Tappen BC | Kenya, Tanzania, Mafia Island | November 2017
By Day 2 of our safari, the trip had already exceeded my expectations. When I went to Africa, I was confident I’d see lions, elephants, ungulates, hyenas, etc but I also hoped to see at least one cheetah and one leopard. We saw 19 different cheetahs, including a group of 5 that took down a wildebeest right in front of our eyes! Call me morbid, but as a biologist, such a sighting was truly a gift! We saw 5 leopards, the dramatic crossing of the Mara River, with waiting crocs included. We watched a poignant hour of elephants at a waterhole, complete with a brave little juvie zebra who defied them for a drink of water. There were so many highlights, it would take me a few pages to describe them all. Our guides were fantastic drivers (OH, those roads!). Always on time, considerate of us, and most important, respectful of the animals. Christopher, our guide in Tanzania, knows you!!!! As a soon-to-retire veteran, his knowledge was invaluable to me. I’m sure he got tired of my constant questions and repeated ‘stop! Back up!’…. his sharp eyes were awe inspiring, as well. We would’ve missed so much if he wasn’t so experienced and patient. Everything on the trip went smoothly with service beyond the call of duty. Every lodge on our safari provided the best food and service they could. I became attached to some of our servers, particularly at Ngorongoro and at the Balloon Camp. So many nice people! We never had to wait for a ride, a taxi, or information. It was always ‘there’ before we had to ask. The tented camps were luxurious, though we had a few hard beds that took some getting used to. In all honesty, after our safari, the Mafia Island lodge was a bit of a disappointment.The whale sharks, of course, were spectacular. Another bucket list item checked off. This brings me to you, Thierry, who made all this possible. Our trip went off like a well-oiled machine. Even the free African Massage roads were and part of the adventure, in my opinion. Great accommodations, great guides, great food and great experiences. Can’t thank you enough!!!
Darryll W. Edmonton AB | Kenya, Tanzania | November 2017
I have recommended your company to friends as we were very pleased with your service and that of the Safari guides. We found the service provided on the ground was excellent. In Tanzania the guide quickly found what our interests were and helped us get the photo we wanted. He didn’t rush at all. We found both companies had a very good attitude to customer service. All the accommodations were excellent. Thanks again
Albert, Christina & Anna L. , Lila & Sam T. – Calgary | Tanzania & Zanzibar | September 2017
Thank you to Jen Lubey of the Heritage Safari Company for arranging our adventure of a life time to Tanzania and Zanzibar. Jen asked detail questions, provided answers to our questions and totally understood our interests and arranged an amazing itinerary. Our guides in Africa: Fred, Assand, and Mussa were the best – very professional, personable, fun, considerate and knowledgeable. We celebrated a special occasion, walked in a national park with a ranger amongst the animals, saw the morning sunrise in a balloon, and went on incredible and amazing games drives. The accommodations were fabulous, the food was delicious and the staff at each location were friendly and helpful. We highly recommend Jen Lubey and thank her for arranging this incredible and amazing trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Patti A & Randy Y – Calgary | South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana & Rwanda | September 2017
Thank you Heritage Safaris, and especially to Jen Lubey, for providing us with an exceptional adventure. We were well taken care of from all our drivers, guides, trackers and staff at all the venues. The most wonderful part of the trip were the animals. We managed to see the big five, plus a bonus of the gorillas, golden monkeys and wild dogs. Fabulous!
Kathy J – Calgary | South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania & Rwanda | October 2017
Jen, My family and I cannot thank you enough for putting together such an amazing trip for us. Other than the delayed luggage, everything went seamlessly. We were overwhelmed with all of the activities that you organized and the variety of accommodation, locations and safaris was fabulous!
Mark & Jan D – Calgary | Tanzania, Rwanda & South Africa | September 2017
Hi Jen, We had a great time in Africa, it was certainly a trip of a life time. I want to thank you for all the work you put into organizing it for us. Jan absolutely loved every minute of it,
Thanks for everything, Mark.
David & Barbara W. Vineland Station ON | Uganda | Sept 2017
Hi Thierry. We have told people that overall the trip far exceeded our expectations. We thought that the gorilla trekking would be by far the highlight of the trip and although the trekking was the top attraction, there were many things that we would regard as a very close second. The chimp tracking was great, the many game drives were unbelievable (by the end of the trip we saw all of the big 5) and the Batwa experience was enlightening and interesting as well as moving. Everything went smoothly with Far Horizons. They were there to meet us and Judith did an excellent job of preparing us for the trip. And I cannot say enough about our driver, Elias. He rates an 11 out of 10. We were so impressed with his knowledge and affability. He took really good care of us and he was a big part of making the trip so memorable. The accommodations were all top notch at each and every location. The food, the ambiance and staff were all superb. Thank you so much for your part in helping me make my wife’s dream come true; that is to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This was certainly a trip of a lifetime. I would highly recommend Uganda as a destination for anyone wanting to see Africa. For such a small country it offers so much – practically everything you would want in an African vacation. One of the most remarkable things we found about Uganda was the people we met. Ugandans are so friendly and warm. In all our travels, including other countries in Africa, we have never encountered people who were more affable and eager to please. I am grateful that I engaged an expert to book the trip for our first real solo adventure in Africa.
Cindy & Dan Z. Surrey BC | Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana | Sept 2017
Hello Thierry, Now that we have arrived home, I would like thank you for our outstanding experience during our trip to Africa. With confidence, I can state it is one our top life travel experiences. Every detail was addressed and successfully executed, plus we all stayed healthy. At each location accommodation, food, excursions, and travel details were a success. We particularly noticed our travel guides were superior, found more wildlife, and knew more other guides. It seemed obvious that you have scouted the guide pool. We look forward to promoting you and your travel company to others. I know many people are following our expeditions and are interested to hear how the trip went. Already I have written a positive review with the BBB about your company. I also write for Trip Advisor, but notice they do not accept reviews of travel companies. Again, thank you, thank you, and thank you. Regards, Dan.
Alison S. Calgary AB | Peru | August 2017
We recently travelled to Peru and had booked a tour of Machu Picchu through Heritage Safari’s employee Jen Lubey. I couldn’t be happier with this decision as planning a journey to Machu Picchu is extremely overwhelming. Not only did Jen make all necessary arrangements for us to visit this magnificent archaeological site, she made many useful/practical suggestions which we acted on as Jen has been to Peru numerous times. In all honesty, the trip to Peru would not have been as successful without the help of Jen and I am very thankful we tapped into her resources. Thank you Jen not only was the trip fulfilling seeing Machu Picchu it was fun too.
Ted, Joanne, and Duncan – Burnaby BC | Cape Town, Botswana, Zimbabwe | June 2017
We want to give a huge shout out to Thierry! His patience & knowledge planning our first African adventure to his reassurance, information, and organization of our itinerary gave us amazing experiences exploring Cape Town, Botswana’s Chobe N.P., Okavango Delta, and Hwange N.P. Zimbabwe! Not one glitch! All the guides and staff were amazing. All wish list boxes We’ll be calling on you to be apart of our next African adventure too! Cheers!
Audrey and Darcy U. – Calgary, AB | Victoria Falls, Botswana & Namibia | July 2017
We cannot say enough wonderful things about our 3 week trip to Victoria Falls, Botswana and Namibia. Jen Lubey and Heritage Safaris put together an amazing tour. We had never travelled to Africa before, and were absolutely blown away by how well all aspects of our trip were managed. Organization, connections, transfers, accommodation, food – all outstanding. Our guides at every point were informative, attentive and gracious. They did their very best to make every part of the trip special. Of course the animal encounters were amazing. The guides/spotters were extremely knowledgeable and there wasn’t a question they couldn’t answer – names of birds, names of trees (even the Genus and species), animal behaviour, etc. Very impressive. Jen went above and beyond the call of duty when she did have to do some “trouble-shooting” at one point in the trip, making middle of the night phone calls between Calgary and Africa, but she resolved everything so there was not even a hiccup in the trip. We would not hesitate to have Jen organize future holidays, and we sincerely hope that opportunity arises in the not so distant future.
Sietske E & Stan C. – Calgary, AB | Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos | June 2017
Dear Jen, Thank you again for arranging another wonderful, exciting and spectacular trip. You have made our adventures so enjoyable and worry free, plus you always go the extra mile to make it that much more memorable. This trip to Peru to see Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the Andean Explorer train to Lake Titicaca exceeded our expectations. And then there was Ecuador! In Quito you were instrumental in initiating the local travel company in finding my old home, which we visited and was so very emotional. We also visited the jungle close to where my father worked, and the unforgettable trip to the Galapagos. This was our third trip arranged by Jen Lubey, and because she does such an awesome job, we are planning yet another trip with Jen and Heritage Safaris in 2018. Looking forward to another trip of a lifetime.
Cheryl B. Vancouver BC | Galapagos & Ecuador | June 2017 (5th time repeat customer)
Hi Thierry, The whole trip was wonderful! Loved the Galapagos, Quito and the Amazon. We were very lucky with our guide at Sacha as not only was he a certified Naturalist but also Indigenous so full of wonderful local cultural information. It was excellent. Thanks for your help. Cheryl
Deb and Greg R. Kingston ON | Zambia | June 2017 (repeat clients)
We were very pleased with our safari to Zambia in June 2017. Everything went smoothly and as planned by Thierry. Overnight accommodations at Latitude 15 in Lusaka were very nice, a very restful spot to prepare for the actual safari. And our camps (Mwamba Bush Camp, Tafika Camp and Amanzi Camp ) were exactly what we expected and desired. Thanks Thierry for arranging everything! Next year maybe Zimbabwe… Deb and Greg
Sue L. Group – North Vancouver | Victoria Falls & Botswana | May 2017
I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed our African safari…exceeded expectations on all fronts! From our first landing in Vic Falls to our final farewell in Maun we were treated like royalty by professional , thoughtful, kind-hearted men and women. Our lodgings were exceptional. Vic Falls and Kwando….and the camping experience, a tad challenging at first for a non camper, but truly the way to be at one with the animals. All wonderful. You have done a masterful job, Thierry, of researching lodgings that provide ultimate comfort and tour companies that employ and train amazing staff. Bravo! Oh, the animals were pretty impressive as well. Hope we have another opportunity to work with you. We are recommending your company to all who inquire.
Fondly, Allison S. and Bob M. North Vancouver BC
Thierry, we had a marvellous time!!!!!!! Everything worked out like clockwork. A trip of a lifetime. Thanks very very much!!! Sue L. North Vancouver BC
Hello Thierry,we had an amazing time. Both of the lodges were excellent, pure luxury !
All ground crew were on time, professional and accommodating. Tebby and his Safari crew were superb hosts, the food was excellent (not sure I’m a camper though.. ) and his knowledge of the plants / animals and general area was impressive. I believe we received high value for the money spent and will enjoy the memories of this adventure for many years to come.
Gregory H. Coquitlam BC
Hi Thierry Except for the Southern Sun check in issue it was flawless. Always met, transfers were efficient, but more importantly the staff and experience were terrific. Great guides and camp staff, flexible and very knowledgeable. Ilala Lodge and the Tau Pan resorts were wonderful and very appreciated as a way to start and end the trip. I loved the camping part and thought that whole experience was terrific. Great food, comfortable tenting and a great pace of travel. Loved seeing the animals and was very appreciative of the real concern the guides had about a respectful exposure to the animals. Unbelievable knowledge. We had a nice visit to a school for deaf kids just up the road from 5 volcanoes which was the place we dropped off the soccer balls and jerseys.
Gorillas were magnificent, but just as much, we appreciated the exposure to Rwanda’s recent genocide and how well the country is doing. Impressive. Regards
David W. West Vancouver BC
Sue and Jeff B. Coquitlam BC | Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana & South Africa | May 2017
Hi Thierry, We had a spectacular first time adventure to Africa as arranged through Heritage Safari Travel. Thierry proved to be knowledgeable and flexible in building a great trip to suit our plans. In all, we spent 23 days traversing South Eastern Africa – Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. We started with a 6 person guided safari through Tanzania – we were met at Arusha airport by a very good guide and spent the next 10 days with our small group exploring the wildlife in the Tanzanian parks and ultimately the Serengeti! We saw part of the Great Migration- thousands of animals moving through the plains. We easily saw the Big 5 in Tanzania but also saw so many other animals and birds in an ever-changing landscape. Our nightly accommodations were safari camps and lodges – typically glamorous tents with queen size beds, full bathroom facilities and sometimes with additional outdoor showers – each one unique in location and ambiance. The meals provided both at the camps and for safari picnic lunches exceeded our expectations. Each day got better and better, the animal encounters, the scenery, the food and accommodation. The itinerary moved from the 10 day safari in Tanzania to 2 days in Victoria Falls, to 6 days in 3 separate safari camps in Botswana that were fly in/ fly out around the Okavango Delta to 4 days in Cape Town South Africa at the V and A Waterfront. The camps, wildlife, food, and guides in Botswana were great with the mokoro boats on the Okavango Delta just one of the many highlights. We saw animals from a high top jeep, open jeep, on foot, from mokoro boats, cruising on the Chobe River in Botswana and from small planes flying over Botswana. In Cape Town, we rented a car and drove hundreds of kilometers of the coastline to the Cape of Good Hope and to Hermanus – we visited isolated beaches and penguins colonies. We spent time wandering the Cape Town water front, hiking up Signal Hill and taking the gondola to the top of Table Top Mountain for the spectacular views. The waterfront at Cape Town has a variety of high end shopping opportunities as well as a local craft market and food market. Numerous restaurants and excursions are available along the waterfront.
It was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you, Sue and Jeff Brace Coquitlam, BC
Jean W. North Vancouver BC | Tanzania & Zanzibar | May 2017 (3rd time repeat customer)
Hi Thierry, I want to reiterate how much we enjoyed our Safari in Style adventure and having cheerful and extremely knowledgable Peter as our guide totally enhanced our experience. He is very proud to be Heritage Safari’s go-to guide! We highly recommend a safari at this shoulder season as the wildlife viewing was remarkable, and there were so few other tourists to share it with. (FYI, there was only one other guest at Treetops, 3 other guests at The Manor and between 3-5 other guests at Pioneer Camp. Needless to say, the welcome was very genuine and warm and the level of service we received was of the highest calibre.) I will continue to monitor your website and have no doubt that I will be booking another adventure with you in the near future! Best regards, Jean
Joan & Dave S – Calgary, AB | South Africa, Namibia, Victoria Falls & Botswana | May 2017
Thank you to Jen Lubey of the Heritage Safari Company for arranging our adventure of a life time to Tanzania and Zanzibar. Jen asked detail questions, provided answers to our questions and totally understood our interests and arranged an amazing itinerary. Our guides in Africa: Fred, Assand, and Mussa were the best – very professional, personable, fun, considerate and knowledgeable. We celebrated a special occasion, walked in a national park with a ranger amongst the animals, saw the morning sunrise in a balloon, and went on incredible and amazing games drives. The accommodations were fabulous, the food was delicious and the staff at each location were friendly and helpful. We highly recommend Jen Lubey and thank her for arranging this incredible and amazing trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Myron, Gisela & Max W | Calgary, AB | South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana | May 2017
In a word, amazing! I’ve been dreaming of my Africa trip for over 50 years. I had very high expectations, but this trip far exceeded them. Jen was very patient and helpful. Thanks for the wonderful trip!
Lorne T. Langley BC | Tanzania, Zanzibar, Victoria Falls & Cape Town | May 2017
Hi Thierry, First of all I had a wonderful time and the trip was all I thought it would be. The fellow that was my guide was Athman Somobwana, he was very experienced and we got along like brothers. I was not with a group but by myself with him as my private guide. Our time spent at Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater was magical, the list of wild life we saw was amazing even down to the Rhino we saw on our last day at the Crater. We saw a leopard haul a gazelle he had recently taken down up a tree and proceed to devour it as well as lions feeding on game at three different times. I was taken with the open wilderness at times and some of the artistic rock out cropping. All of our accommodation were first class and the people friendly and helpful. Zanzibar was quite a different experience, Stone Town an amazing old town that was a working town with market that was very interesting and the people willing to share their lives with a tourist ( I think being Canadian helped). The way of life for people that live there is very different but my guide said that is what they know and were very happy people. Our resort once again was first class and the beaches and Indian Ocean magnificent. I found the flights were all great and the contact at airports and lodges when being picked up were always on time, easy to find and hospitable. Victoria Falls (less the street vendors) was great to see. I helicoptered over the Falls since the water was high and viewing from land was hard with the mist from falling water. My last stop at Cape Town was back to modern civilization. Great Hotel, restaurants, shopping and tours. I went up Table Mountain and out to Robben Island as well as on their on and off bus tour service. All in all Thierry I am impressed with the work you did for me in organizing my tour and the people that you are in contact on the African continent. I hope to business with you again in the near future. Lorne
Small Group Tanzania | May 2017
Where to start? Thierry did everything to make this trip the adventure of our lives. He even set up our wedding in Zanzibar! We had a small, fun group of six on a 10 day safari and every night we would declare that it couldn’t get any better, that this was it. The next night we would say the same thing. Every day brought new unexpected delights. The food was great, the people were warm and friendly, and our guide, Godfrey, was experienced, good natured, and patient. He knew everyone and we loved how he stopped and chatted with the other guides when we met another vehicle. We knew by the way they laughed and nodded that he wasn’t just exchanging information about the animals! The accommodations were extraordinary and beautiful. As Thierry promised it never rained ( except in Zanzibar, on our wedding day) but even then the sun came out by 10:00 AM and we had a spectacular blue sky for the wedding. We have already referred many people to Heritage Safaris and are planning our next trip. Thank you, Thierry. It was one of the highlights of our lives.
Mary and Colin. Victoria BC
Hi Thierry, I had an amazing, fabulous tour. It was unbelievable, more than my imagination. Our guide was fabulous. Weather also worked out so well for us. Not a single day of rain.
You had done a fabulous job. I have already recommended you to many of my friends. Not a hitch of trouble. When I decide to go on another tour I will definitely contact you. Cheers
Maha B. Richmond BC
Jokers Hockey folks – Vancouver | South Africa | March 2017
Hi Thierry; I want to thank you and The Heritage Safari Company for the wonderful Safari that I and 11 other ” Jokers ” Hockey folks had a couple of weeks ago.! We were at the Kapama Buffalo
Camp, and I have nothing but praise for all those folks who made this such a successful Safari. Every aspect of the Safari experience was first class. As I told you in our meeting, the experience was so satisfying that, as I told you, it is my intention to bring all 9 persons in my family to Kapama, or similar within the next two years so that they may experience exactly what I did. My only problem with my experience was that the food was too good, and now I must try to get rid of some of those pounds.!!! All of ” your people ” were really ” first class ” in what they did for us, It was a truly magical experience, and I thank you all once again. WELL DONE.! Yours Truly, Victor Warren – North Vancouver
We really enjoyed the Kapama Buffalo Camp. Luxurious, excellent food, great attention to detail and wonderful staff. Exceeded my expectations., right down to the cool, wet facecloths after a dusty game drive each day. I think we are all going to give it positive ‘trip advisor’ write-ups. We saw all the big 5 ( apparently love was in the air, because all the animals were ‘frisky’!). Our tracker and ranger were superb, knowledgeable and worked hard to give us the best experience possible. The accommodation was lovely, and the staff were very responsive when I got stung by a huge hornet/wasp thing.( those hurt like hell!) The info we got from you in advance was also very helpful in ensuring we packed the right things, and not too much. So, overall, a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it. Thanks very much. Cheers, Mary S. Vancouver
Sandra & Harry – Chilliwack BC | Tanzania, Uganda | March 2017
Wow! What a fantastic trip – it is one I will remember for the rest of my life! When I am asked about my favourite part of the trip I respond that it is impossible to select only one! From my first sighting of the male lion strutting past our vehicle, watching the herds of elephants and their interactions with one another, the curious giraffes, the migrations of both zebras and wildebeests, a leopard with a gazelle dangling over a tree branch, four cheetahs devouring their kill and the grande finale of our amazing interactions with the gorillas. Our guide Said was a perfect fit for our group and he ensured we got every opportunity to view this most impressive selection of wildlife! Overall the variety of accommodations were perfect. We can back exhausted but perfectly fulfilled! Thank you. Sandra
Jim and Tracey – Windsor ON | Tanzania& Zanzibar | Feb 2017
Jim and I had an amazing time in Tanzania and Zanzibar! The accommodations were first class, the people amazing and the food was wonderful! Our guide’s David and Omar went above and beyond to show us all that we wanted to see (which included seeing the Big 5 plus more!). The parks that we visited on our safari were all little different and well worth visiting! Thanks so much to Thierry at Heritage Safari for helping us put this itinerary together and for making sure things went smoothly at all times. We would highly recommend Heritage Safari’s for anyone looking to visit Africa. You won’t be disappointed! Sincere thanks, Jim and Tracey
Sandy & Garry B – Oliver BC | Galapagos and Ecuadorian Amazon | Feb-March 2017
Hi Jen,We had a spectacular time.The Galápagos was first class all the way. We had a FANTASTIC time in Galapagos. They were outstanding, from the caption to the housekeeper, they were all first class. Very pleasant, efficient and caring, for both their passengers and the environment. We had fantastic meals and were well looked after, actually spoiled. Our guide Galo ensured we saw everything the Galapagos had to offer. Galo was an awesome guide and he kept us very busy. He was super knowledgeable, very eager to share and you could see his obvious passion for the islands. We toured and snorkelled every day. We swam with the giant sea turtles, many kinds of fish, sea lions, the odd shark and the Black Sea iguanas, for those that like them. (Not my favourite! Haha!). The islands were amazing, all kinds of birds and marine life to see. I would highly recommend the Anahi to others! Fantastic!
Excellent in every way! The Villa Laguna Hotel in Puerto Ayora is a lovely hotel, small and quaint. There was an outside pool, which felt like heaven in that heat. The staff were wonderful and very helpful when we enquired about activities in Puerto Ayora. They also serve cold beer for a nominal fee which was a plus! The Wyndham Quito Airport hotel was amazing, our room as awesome. Great service! Breakfast was included with the stay and I can honestly say it was delicious. The hotel staff were friendly, courteous and extremely helpful. I highly recommend this hotel, outstanding! The trip to the NAPO centre was an event for sure. Our 11:30 am flight was delayed over three hours so we didn’t arrive until 4:30 pm. We were met at the airport and quickly taken to the water taxi which would take us down the Napo River. Off we went in a river taxi. Of course, we were on the boat when it got dark……the driver hardly used his lights which was a little worry some for me (since he was going FAST and there was tons of wood, etc., in the river) but we arrived safe and sound at the dock for the paddle boat. Now, that was an experience I won’t repeat, Garry loved it though. The headlight was a flashlight on the bow of the boat. I found it spooky, Garry thinks I’m nuts. Anyway, down the river we went in just about total black for 1.5 hours. Along the way we met a very pissed off Caimon who was eating an anaconda beside the boat…..he kinda of snarled at us when they flashed a light at him. Fricking scary for me. However, we arrived safe and sound and were greeted with a wonderful meal. After dinner, we were taking to our cabin and advised that our start time the following day wouldn’t be too early! Yippee! The cabins were very, very nice. We saw lots of birds and mammals over the next two days. Our guide Marcello was amazing at finding birds with his scope. He caught on quickly that my husband was a birder and was extremely helpful with bird identification.
The Wildlife Centre was awesome. We found lots of birds, oh, yes we watched a 10 foot Caimon swimming around the lake. Ooooohhhh yuck, I didn’t want him anywhere near me. Lol. All in all it was a super holiday. This trip was only possible with the excellent service we received from Jen Lubey, Tour Specialist with the Heritage Safari Company. She proved us excellent service while planning the trip and provided us with a detailed outline of our entire trip which was extremely helpful. We referred to this outline numerous times. (A few people on the Anahi commented that there tour company had not provided them with detailed itineraries.) Thanks also to Andre and Christina from Tropic, Quito for their service.
It was a trip of a life time, with we have some wonderful memories. Thanks!
Erika & Garry – Gananoque ON | Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar | Feb 2017
Hi Thierry, The trip was amazing. We had a wonderful time. Everywhere we went we were met with smiles and courtesy. Seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda was a lot of fun. We didn’t realize how close we would actually get to them. It is something I would certainly recommend to anyone going to Africa. Touring the genocide memorial was very sobering. I still find it so hard to believe that something like that could happen and the world just stands by and turns a blind eye. Enjoyed Nairobi Kenya and staying at the House of Waine, especially on Valentine Day. We were treated royally. I asked Garry how he was going to top that next Valentine Day. Brought some information home about adopting a baby Elephant and enjoyed the Giraffe breeding farm. I did not realize there were different breeds of Giraffe and that some breeds were becoming extinct. Was impressed with the factory started by the two women and how it has grown, but still employing women in need. The Serengeti in Tanzania was amazing. It was everything we hoped for and more. Joseph, our guide was top notch. Every day we were out exploring and seeing something new. Being that close to the wildlife was amazing. Listening the Lions at night getting closer and closer and feeling like they might just stick their nose through the door. Hearing and seeing animals right outside our door as well was really something. The accommodation on the Serengeti and, everywhere else was great. Even the mobile tent camp that we stayed in was something. I have to admit I was taken aback at first but pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was and how accommodating the staff were. If you go to the Serengeti you have to experience it. I will always have a funny story about taking a shower there and having a guy outside my tent controlling the hot water. Zanzibar was a great way to end our trip. The tour that we took of Stonetown and the countryside was excellent. The resort was very nice. What we didn’t realize was how hot Zanzibar was. Even the Indian Ocean was like a very warm bathtub. Garry and I have been all over the Caribbean and never experienced that kind of heat. Enjoyed every minute of it, but wouldn’t have wanted to stay any longer.We met the other couple from Windsor Canada there and they said they had been enjoying their trip as well. All and all it was the trip of a lifetime and we enjoyed every minute of it. I would highly recommend your company to everyone who wants to go to Africa. You looked after us very well and Garry and I appreciate it.
Dawn and Ronald W. Stouffville ON | Tanzania | Feb 2017
Hello Thierry, The safari was great! It all worked out and we were witness to some amazing wildlife events. Thanks again for your patience during the booking process!
East Africa & Zanzibar Group Tour | Jan-Feb 2017
Hi Jen: Thanks for making our African adventure so amazing. We enjoyed your company and were very impressed with your organizational skills, and will certainly be happy to highly recommend you to future travellers.
Marjorie & Dave B – Campbell River BC
I would like to thank Jennifer Lubey of Heritage Safaris for organizing and leading the most wonderful trip to East Africa. It was an amazing experience that I hope to repeat one day. Jennifer was very professional and organized and made the sure all her clients were taken care of and any problems solved during our time together. The itinerary was great and the accommodations beautiful with great service by all the staff. We had a great group of travellers which also made the experience all the more enjoyable. I would fully recommend Jennifer from Heritage Safaris to plan the trip of a lifetime for anyone.
Michele G – Calgary, Alberta
Friends recommended Jen Lubey, Heritage Safari Company for my “once in a life time” trip to Africa. So happy they did as the trip was more than I could have planned or even imagined. Jen was approachable, fun, caring, organized and flexible. This helped make the experience special as her attention to the details ensured I was worry free and able to take in all that Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania had to offer. The local guides for each portion of the trip were helpful, knowledgeable and fun. My goal of seeing all the animals was achieved many times over. If and when I plan another bucket list adventure, Jen of Heritage Safaris will be my go to person.
Eppie B – Campbell River BC
Thanks so much for a great travel experience, Jen. We had a fantastic time on our trip through Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania with Jen Lubey and Heritage Safaris. The mountain gorilla trek was our favourite experience and we enjoyed the Rwandan people. The safari experience through Tanzania exceeded our expectations. We never imagined we would see so many animals up close. Jen did a great job from beginning to end. Everything was well-planned and organized, the accommodations were first rate, and the local guides were knowledgeable, interesting, patient, and lots of fun. Jen treats her sub-contractors and hotel staff well and it was evident that she is well-liked and respected in return. Her leadership and calm good nature were much appreciated by us and everyone in our group. This is the trip of a lifetime!
David and Susan B – Victoria, BC
Hi Jen: The trip was extremely well organized and ran without a mishap. You brought us to some amazing hotels and places. We saw tons of animals. Jennifer is very personable and a pleasure to deal with. I feel your personal knowledge and rapport within the African tourism industry contributed to the success of our trip.
Karen H – Calgary, Alberta
Jackie & Sid F – Dundas, ON | Kenya & Tanzania | February 2017
What an amazing adventure!!!! It was easily the best travel experience we’ve ever had and Jennifer Lubey and Heritage Safari Company made it all happen. I told her the countries we wanted to visit and what we wanted to see and she took it from there. She was easy to work with, helpful, and very knowledgeable. We had a minor hiccup which she took care of immediately. I would not hesitate to recommend Jen for any travel adventure.
Lauren P & Aaron H – Delta, BC | Tanzania & Zanzibar | Jan 2017
Hi Jen, We had the most amazing trip!! We found our Tanzania & Zanzibar itinerary well organized and had no issues whatsoever. But even if we had, I have a feeling it would have been quickly dealt with. The hotels/lodges and resorts were well-chosen. Our favourite place we stayed was the KubuKubu Lodge, talk about amazing! Such a beautiful location and the staff was lovely. The tours and tour guides were great. We loved our driver/guide, Salim! He was incredibly knowledgeable about the animals, and very good at spotting them too. He was even educating some of the other tour drivers about the animals! We really appreciated his sense of humour – it made for a fun trip. He was easy to get along with and get to know. We very much appreciated the dinner suggestions in Stone Town – we had a wonderful experience on the roof top at Emerson on Hurumzi. Many of the lodges and the beach resort gave us honeymoon extras including flowers, wine, and a private dinner. We loved the balance of safari adventure with relaxing beach time, all in the same trip. Thank you Jennifer (and Heritage Safari Company) for helping us plan the trip of a life time!
Tasreen and Zsolt – Vancouver | Tanzania & Zanzibar | Feb 2017
Hi Thierry. We had a trip of a lifetime!!!! Everything went very smoothly and was definitely well planned. Omar and Abdullah were great. Have some pics below for you. The balloon ride was exceptional. Definitely a must do in Tanzania. There was someone there to greet us at every arrival at the airports. Thank you so much for putting together our incredible trip. We will definitely be recommending you to our friends. Thank you again Thierry.
Glen A – Red Deer, AB | Mt Kilimanjaro Trek & Tanzania Safari | January 20
Hi Jen, Thanks for the congrats. The trek was unforgettable and stories more plentiful because of the rental situation. Both of us thought it more difficult than we imagined. Should have done it 20 years ago!! Amani and his team were the best! The safari was great even though the lack of rain held up the migration in the south. Jarymy saw over thirty- five animals he had never seen before-and that was the first day.
Francois & Nina F. – Vancouver BC | Tanzania | December 2016
Thanks to Thierry Cellier of Heritage Safaris we experienced a wonderful and incredible time in Tanzania making a private safari with Christine/Rick Wozney visiting some of the most famous parks. Our guide , Peter “Captain” Maleaki Mmbando of Sunny Safaris in Arusha guided the four of us during ten unique days! All in all a wonderful visit.
Full trip report here
Lindsay and Lois – Courtenay BC | South Africa | November 2016
Thierry, It really was a wonderful trip and we thank you for all of your efforts to make it so special. Our lives a re enriched because of it!
Barbara & Glen A – Red Deer, AB | Ecuador & the Galapagos | November 2016
Do you want a unique, individualized and worry-free “trip of a lifetime”? We highly recommend Jennifer Lubey, Tour Specialist with Heritage Safari. We have booked three trips with Jennifer and each one has been an amazing adventure and exceeded our expectations. Our most recent trip was to the Galapagos Islands with our 13 year old grandson. The islands with their variety of wildlife, the family tour and the tour supplier, the guides and staff, and the activities available; all arranged by Jennifer, made this a perfect trip. Jennifer:
Communicates well with her clients. She finds out what her clients’ needs and wants are and offers options for how to meet them based on her clients’ stated budget.
Uses reputable suppliers, guides, drivers and accommodations as she visits all periodically and keeps in contact with them, updating when needed.
Keeps frequent contact with her clients making sure there are no surprises.
Completes a thorough itinerary, with all details, such as accommodations, activities, and costs.
Answers and responds to any questions promptly and efficiently.
Gives explicit direction for what is required from the client.
Has a gift to attend to the many details required in arranging such tours.
Is available if any concerns come up while on tour.
Follows-up after the tour to get her clients’ feedback and any suggestions are welcome.
Sandy & Doug, North Vancouver | Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa | Oct 2016
Hi Thierry , We are back from our trip to Africa and it was fabulous. Everything went exactly as planned – such an efficient and well-organized trip. The guides, drivers and staff at all of the locations were excellent and the accommodations wonderful. I particularly liked Camp Kipwe – the architecture and design was so creative and interesting. The food at Onguma Tree Camp was the best – delicious and prepared with such artistry. The dunes at Sossus Vlei were breathtaking – we went there 2 mornings to climb the dunes and watch the sunrise. The mountain gorilla trek in Rwanda was a real highlight for us and of course the many animals that we saw in Chobe and Etosha were wonderful. We have hundreds of photos and Doug is just starting to download and organize them. I can’t think of anything that needed improving – other than the dry scorching heat – sure wish we could share some of our rain with Namibia and Zimbabwe. Thanks for all of your expertise in planning our trip. It was a real success and we will certainly recommend you to anyone who is thinking of travelling to Africa. If you would like any further feedback let me know – we’d be glad to share our experiences and pictures. Sandy and Doug
Cheryl B. Vancouver | Uganda | Oct 2016
Hi Thierry, Just wanted to get back to you about our recent Uganda trip. It was wonderful! We covered a lot of territory and that was so worthwhile to see the different vegetation and geography. Each park had it’s strengths but I did like Murchison Falls the best. All 3 lodges were excellent but Baker’s Lodge shone. We had an exciting rhino experience and were very lucky with our chimp trekking. It all was great. Far Horizon’s was very organized and looked after our every need. I’m surprised Uganda doesn’t get more attention re:safaris as I found it an excellent experience. Thanks for your time and effort. We appreciate it! Cheryl
Ray A – Edmonton, AB | Peru & Salkantay Trek | October 2016
Jen Lubey planned my group’s 10 day tour of Peru. That included a 4 day trek to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Trail, as well as various tours of Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, and all accommodations, and transfers. The journey was top notch, well organized and well communicated from start to finish. The local tour companies used by Heritage Safaris are also top notch. Wonderful people, with a real desire to provide a wonderful travel experience. Jenn is the epitome of professionalism, and a joy to work with. This was the beginning of many journeys planned by Ms Lubey and myself!!! Peace out ya crazy travel wonder!!!
Christine H. Kanata ON | South Africa, Victoria Falls | Sept 2016
Thierry, I can only say that the trip was WOW! Your attention to our many requests – from small size tour group (7) to different safaris, to number of places visited was truly taken into consideration when planning our itinerary, and I thank you for that. Our two tour guides each had their expertise, kindness and best interests at heart. My time spent with the Penguins, getting our pic taken at Cape of Good Hope and being in Hermanus at the start of the Whale Watching Festival were exceptional highlights for me. The quality of hotels included was first rate – the hotel, in Capetown especially – The President – was exceptional, along with Casa del Sol’s accommodation. Meals which were included, were quite substantial and the food/views/accommodations in Hermanus, in particular, was among my favourite…if I can narrow it down. I would be remiss if I did not Thank You for the upgrade to first class in airfare on the last leg of our trip. The addition of Zimbabwe to our tour, complete with your planning, was just what we needed after such a hectic 3 weeks. Seeing Victoria Falls was certainly a big check mark off of my bucket list and it certainly did not disappoint. The sunset cruise which we added and you accommodated was awesome. You brought into reality what I had dreamed about and as I am still going through all my pics, it never ceases to amaze me of the beauty/splendour of what we were able to experience. Thierry, thank you for your tour and if you need additional feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ladies Group Tour | South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana | Sep-Oct 2016
Hi Jennifer, I had such a good time on my “dream of a lifetime” trip to South Africa, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, as well as an extended stay at Sabi Sand Wildlife Reserve. It met or exceeded my expectations! Seeing all the animals was so wonderful…..I never would have thought we could get so close to them! Another favorite was the Garden Tour! Jennifer had everything so well planned out and so well organized that it seemed to go like clock work. She was also there to see to every need and comfort of our group and to take care of problems. The Tour Company and their drivers and guides were excellent! It was also wonderful to travel with eleven other amazing ladies! I’ve already sent some pics and I might send more as I see them. I’m now down to 451 from my camera from 600 plus! Thanks again for your pre-planning and materials and for the care given to me and the others throughout the trip. I truly had a wonderful time and will remember it forever! Thank you so much for including me. Sincerely,
Lurlyn C – Menifee, California
Dear Jen, Thank you so much for the wonderful photos that you have sent to me. This South African Tour was the greatest. I’ve been to South Africa before but never have I seen so much, ate so much delicious foods and tasted so much wine. I’ve been sleeping for 10 hours each night since by return as we were so busy and packed in so many sights. Thank you for all the hard work you have done while on this trip. I really appreciate all you have done to make this a wonderful holiday. Thank you so very much. Hope to see you soon. luv,
Lily O – N Vancouver, BC
Hi Jen, It was a fantastic trip. I did not know what to expect other than safaris, but all was much more interesting and especially going to the orphanage. Thanks for your great planning, and looking after all of us. Was very tired the first day, golfed on Wednesday, but the rain has descended on us. Here’s some pictures.
Virginia S – Delta, BC
Hi Jen, Thank you so much for all your work to organize our Ladies Tour. I loved everything about the tour and each day brought so many exciting things to see and do. All went smoothly and there were no major glitches. Even the long wait at the airport in Kisane ended up just fine with business class seats on the flight to Capetown! Superb! It was so hard to leave Sabi Sands and Africa. This was the first trip I have ever taken where I did not want to come home. It was such a soul enriching experience and I felt more alive there than I believe I ever have. The wonder of nature was so ever present in the changing landscape and the spectacular flora and fauna. As the song goes, “I had the time of my life”!! I appreciate all your efforts to ensure that everything was to expectations and especially your attention to individual needs and ensuring these were accommodated as much as possible. I like that you regularly checked in with individuals and were attuned to how people were feeling at any one particular time. You immediately paid attention to any problems and sought to put in place the best possible solution. You demonstrated sincere caring for each and everyone of us and a deep commitment to a high standard for the quality of the experience, both individually and collectively. Our guides for the different portions of the trip were all superb – Rebecca, Avril and Faisal- and I learned so much from each of them. Likewise for our Rangers – RB in Chobe and Ryan in Sabi Sands. They were exceptionally personable and knowledgeable, kind and patient. And I always felt absolutely safe with all our drivers. Jen, I give the Ladies Tour 5+ stars and 2+ thumbs up. It exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I feel so blessed and privileged to carry the precious experience of Africa in my heart forever! Love …
Anne M – Campbell River, BC
Dear Jen, I thank you for putting together a fantastic tour of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The accommodations were excellent (I even survived the king-sized waterbed)! Adhering to Weight Watchers was a challenge with all the wonderful meals and introduction to local delicacies such as warthog and ostrich and the mebame worm! Hmm. The food/walking tour in Cape Town was a great way to see such a vibrant, diverse city. All the fun-filled activities you and your African suppliers organized introduced us into the history and vast cultures that are South Africa. Your organization and attention to detail was evident. Any problems were dealt with immediately and your participation with our group of 12 different women was much appreciated. Our comfort, safety & happiness were considered on each leg of this trip. Of course, all the animal sightings is the highlight for me; especially at Chobe and Sabi Sands National Parks. From my awestruck excitement at seeing my first elephant on the banks of the Zambezi River to seeing the baby rhinoceros with his mum at Sabi Sands I was overwhelmed. To be that close to so many magnificent animals was such a gift and fulfilled a lifelong dream. I have longed to stand on African soil for most of my life so I am filled with gratitude for being a part of this Ladies Group. Africa is forever carried in my heart. Thank you Jen! There are no superlatives that capture this experience. Perhaps I would tell anyone reading this….gaze at the picture of the setting sun behind the Acacia Tree then sign up for the next Heritage Safari Tour! A very happy client Love Jean
Jean M – Campbell River, BC
Hello Jen, I appreciate your hard work with organizing this awesome trip for our ladies. It was a great trip, we had wonderful guides, first class lodgings, delicious food, reasonable fine dining and packed but enjoyable itinerary. Once again thank you so much. Take care and hope to hear from you in the near future, maybe after the new year. Much appreciation.
Winola C – Vancouver, BC
Hi, Jen, Hope things are going well for you. Before too much time elapses, thought I’d give some feedback on our trip.
As I said before, I can only describe my Africa experience as “AWESOME”! Quite a spectacular way to spend our 75th birthday. And who thought I’d get to see elephants drinking from my patio pool? Although I really wouldn’t change the trip, I do have a couple comments. Please don’t take them as criticisms.
First, I suggest the written guides better explain the luggage requirements. I took them literally to mean that suitcases or bags with wheels were not allowed. I would also eliminate one or two of the wine tastings and spend more time in the small villages along the garden route/coastal area. Finally, I think one day or afternoon for “time out or R&R” mid-trip would be good to help all catch their breath. Sabi Sands was a delightful way to end the trip. I enjoyed the differences between early morning and afternoon safaris. The guide targeted different animals so we would see as many as possible. Accommodations and food were both excellent. The staff was generous with their time and made me feel that I was a special guest. Thanks to you for your outstanding attention to detail, your organization and coordination of events and guides, and for your continual concern that each traveler was comfortable and enjoying their trip. You helped add to the delightful experience I had. It was a pleasure meeting you. Hopefully we’ll get another chance to travel together in the future.
Pat N – Camano Island, Washington
Jen, Had a wonderful African ‘trip of a lifetime’ with memories to cherish. The accommodations were beautiful and inviting, and the local guides showed us the sights with a personal touch. Thanks for the experience!
Colleen W – Calgary, AB
Jen encouraged me to join the group tour to South Africa and I’m so glad I did! She planned a fantastic trip which was even more fulfilling than I had anticipated. The best example of her willingness to ensure we all had an optimal experience was that she agreed to join me on the Victoria Falls Adrenalin Adventure. The highlight was the Gorge Swing which involved a 70 metre drop over the edge of a cliff…now that’s real dedication to your clients happiness. I still grin when I think about the rush. Thank you Jen!
Lora M – Calgary
Kim F. Family – Burramine Australia | Kenya & Tanzania | Sept 2016
Hi Thierry, We had an amazing time in Africa. We can not fault anything. The guides were great, the itinerary was great. The accommodation was great. Everything was great. Everything went to plan.
Keith & Suzanne Salt Spring Island BC | Namibia | September 2016
Hi Thierry, We loved our trip. Rusten was excellent although he preferred to be called Philip. We would probably have stayed at Okonjima another day. Walk with the bushmen was amazing and Etosha was spectacular. Accommodations were comfortable and meals good. Best if you are a real meat eater since they serve up kudu (and others) every day.
Guy & Monique D. – Ottawa ON | Namibia | Aug 2016
Thierry, we just got back from our adventure in Namibia. What a treat…it could not have gone better, everything unfolded the way it should. The hospitality was great and our guide was awesome. Thank you for helping us plan this great itinerary and helping me get the shot I have been dreaming of for more than 10 years…The Dead Vlei.