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GMC Guest Reviews & Testimonials

Tourism is about experiences, but sometimes the gap between expectations and experiences can be vastly different.  Tourism is a mixture of subjective elements and objective requirements  – food, lodging and travel services.  At Great Migration Camps we try to manage our guests’ expectations and try and live up to this quote: “Your smile is your logo. Your personality is your business card. And how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.” ~Unknown.  

Read on to hear from some of our previous guests about their experiences and we’ll leave the jury out for judgement on our trademark. 

Guest Testimonials

 

“What an incredible experience. Highly highly recommend this camp. Great for kids of all ages too. Lovely food, lovely facilities, top quality guides and drivers. And most importantly the most amazing game drives I’ve ever been on in my 30 plus years on this African continent.”
– Robyn Lee, March 2019
Zimbabwe/USA 

“Rick, Robyn, Lincoln and I all had the most wonderful safari with you!!  Superlatives are few and far between to describe it, you treated us so amazingly and looked after us to such an incredible degree. Lincoln cannot stop asking for “Miss Sally” and Elvis and his “Happy Fri-yay” can be heard often!! We wish you and Carel every success with your endeavours and please say a big thank you again to Elvis, Zebediah and Herman – they were wonderful!! “
-Margaret and Rick Kriel, March 2019 USA 

“Thank you for a remarkable 2 days in the Bush at Kogatende. We had a spectacular time. What a wonderful experience. The game drives were truly spectacular (on the last day, we had a remarkable leopard sighting, cheetah, and a lion!!). But for us, it was the care that Carel and Sally took during our time there that truly stood out. I don’t think any of us will forget the 12 hour true Bush experience we had with Carel. And of course just being able to sit out in the camp around a bonfire, see the stars, and see the sunrise in the morning were truly special moments. You have a terrific camp and created a truly spectacular experience. Many thanks again.” – Vik Malhotra, July 2019 NY, NY, USA 

GMC Guest reviews - Mary Malhotra“Greetings from the wild and crazy east end of Long Island NY. I’ve been home for 5 days but our time with you, is still shining bright. Thank you for an experience of a lifetime (especially for this city girl!). Our time with all of you was a wonderful end to a great two weeks in Rwanda and Tanzania. Despite my initial trepidation about being out in the bush, your welcome and care quickly put me at ease. Our quiet morning time over a cup of tea watching the sunrise, incredible game drives, fabulous coffee (and tea!) stops, lunch watching ostriches courting each other, cocktails around the fire & delicious dinners, all in the bush, left me awestruck. Thank you!” -Mary Malhotra, July 2019 NY, USA 

“Asanteni Sana GMC team for a fabulous week in the bush! Holidays are never long enough but this really was a time to have had extended the trip! The distances to cover may not be huge when seeking out the dawdling plains game – not that it was their fault but the combined abundance of food and water. One forgets that in the bush everything and everyone moves at a different pace… getting up (ha ha!), navigating the road conditions, seeking the illusive spots, stripes and socks or simply getting mesmerised by the smallest to the largest inhabitants of the Serengeti. It takes time and patience with a bagful of humour…you and your staff have it all!” – Pippa Wordie, July 2018 UK

“From someone inside the tourism industry, I was impressed with GMC from the start: they open the Serengti to those who can’t afford the luxuary or fly-in options, their pre-travel documentation and information was detailed and hugely helpful, their camp is so comfortable but lean on excess which makes it mobile, flexible and affordable. Most importantly, they get you into the wild and outside of set lodges and campsites. Their passion for this product drives them and is reflected in their wonderful team of driver-fieldguides (Norton and Armani, take a bow), effective & accomplished camp manager, Zebediah, and ever-eager camp chef.” – Keira Powers, July 2017 South Africa 

“What comes through GMC’s entire operation is a dedication to the wilderness. From their low-impact camp, to their knowledge and partnerships in the region, to their field-guiding, campfire insider-anecdotes and, most of all, their attitude and approach at the Mara River. It was heart-breaking mayhem there amongst the other “jeep jockeys”, but GMC kept their cool and stuck to their principles in respecting the Wildebeest lines and river crossing habits.”
– Gavin Reynolds, July 2017 Cape Town, South Africa

“We spent a memorable 10 days with GMC. Their camp set up was excellent, we slept comfortably, the meals were good and their staffs’ knowledge and experience of the Serengeti was superb, resulting in perfect days and wonderful sightings. Carel and Sally were great hosts.”
– Gail Powers, July 2017 Sedgefield, South Africa 

 

“I am a lifelong camper and explorer and GMC was able to build a mobile camp operation that made me smile. Carel’s years of experience camping there has informed the design of his custom- and self-built safari trailer that is your home-on-4×4-wheels. Carel is your Serengeti version of Crocodile Dundee – you can’t be in better hands in the bush!”
Dudley Powers, July 2017 Sedgefield, South Africa

 

“Finally home with Serengeti memories to last us a lifetime. I really want too congratulate you both for organising a trip which showed off your beloved Serengeti to its most ultimate best. You were the perfect hosts, the meals nutritious and delicious, the camping sites superb, magical days filled to capacity with the most amazing sitings and delightful company, which altogether far exceeded all our expectations. So thank you, thank you for all the long and busy hours you put in to make it so wonderfully successful and may your migration trips go from strength to strength, they only will as you offer the truly real experience.  Thank you again” – Cindie Maxwell, July 2017 Elgin, South Africa

Blogger Reviews

Sally and Pete Shaw travelled overland though Africa from Cape Town and detoured from their self-drive adventures to join Great Migration Camps in the Serengeti in August 2018. Sally wrote a delightful blog of all their experiences – here’s what she documented about their Serengeti Excursion. READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE

 

 

The Shaws persuaded fellow overlanders, to join GMC for the Serengeti part of their trip. Thank you Richard and Susan Gie – August 2018 who arrived in “Klippie” – their own fully kitted vehicle, to experience the Serengeti and great migration with GMC.  READ THEIR STORY

 


Client Videos

Thank you Mike Sowerby, Australia (with a little help from your son) for this amazing video created from your extended Serengeti Safari right the way through the park in March 2017 

Migration Updates – July 2019

Migration Updates – Where are the Wildebeest Herds?

The great migration has been erratic in 2019, with late rains extending into June 2019.  There was significant moisture in the air, especially in the North around the Mara River, causing some early movement northwards of the wildebeest herds.  Patchy rainfall continued throughout June in the Mara region and Ngorongoro district also received out of season rainfall.

Crossing season for the wildebeest, is triggered by the dry season which can run anytime between June and October.   The scattered moisture seemed to confuse the wildebeest herds, who decided to take it easy towards the end of June and early July – hanging out and grazing peaceful, with large numbers north of Lobo, with the exception of some of the eastern Herds, who arrived early at the Sand River and crossed into the Mara Reserve first.

From mid-July, the wildebeest action has leapt into full gear, with almost daily crossings at the Mara River and movement of the herds up and down the banks of the river, forwards and backwards!  Don’t let this apparent confusion, distract you – the wildebeest have a natural instinct to sense rainfall and a survival ability relying on their strength in numbers.

Migration Updates – July 2019

GMC Migration Update – 13 June 2019

Herds moving north!!! This was filmed just south of Lobo, north-eastern Serengeti!! Thanks for the update Gabriele Brown from Urth Expedition #Migration

Migration Update – 14 June 2019

Update from andBeyond Travel herds crossing from Triangle to Reserve side. Big herds at Lobo and Klein’s Camp and big herds around the Grumeti side too at Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp Looks like you are covered #Migration #GreatMigration #RiverCrossings2019

Migration Update – 28 June 2019

BREAKING NEWS – Herds turn south from Lobo towards the south west with rain from Bologanja, Lobo and the western corridor #GreatMigration #RiverCrossings2019 #Wildebeest

Migration Update – 07 July 2019

Huge herds gather at Bologonja in the north-eastern Serengeti with lots of rain around Lobo and Kichwa Tembo road…. happy guiding and crossings looking good for end July and August. #Migration #Wildebeest #RiverCrossings2019

Migration Update – 08 July 2019

Nice sighting on the Sand River side at Sand River Masai Mara Camp WOW!! Herds heading north and west!!!

Migration Update – 11 July 2019

Mara River crossing at No 8 this morning, south to north, update from Miraji Gwau from Lemala Camps & Lodges – River crossings have started!! – #GreatMigration #Wildebeest #RiverCrossings2019

Migration Update – 13 July 2019

Update from @Kevin Mlay Naturalist – Mara River crossing from south to north at Makutano #GreatMigration#Wildebeest #MaraRiverCrossings2019

Migration Update – 15 July 2019

Huge herds at Kogatende, northern Serengeti, crossing at No 8 back from the north to the south, Update by superb Lemala Camps & Lodges guide Miraji Gwau, get to the Mara River NOW!! #GreatMigration #MaraRiverCrossings2019 #Wildebeest #SerengetiMigration

Migration Update – 15 July 2019

How is this for a crossing???? WOW update by Asilia Africa guide Emmanuel Qamara #Migration #GreatMigration #Wildebeest #WildebeestMigration #MaraRiverCrossings2019

This post got so much attention, it was featured in USA today!

Migration Update – 18 July 2019

From Adam Bannister Wildlife on the Masai Mara side – “Lots of small crossings yesterday at Lookout Hill. Huge gatherings under Lookout hill on the Mara Reserve side of the river a few kilometres north of Mara Purungat bridge” Thanks Adam! #GreatMigration#WildebeestMigration #MaraRiverCrossings

Image may contain: outdoor Image may contain: outdoor and water Image may contain: outdoor, nature and water

Migration Update – 20 July 2019

Predator follows prey – the drama at the Mara is real! Did you spot the Lioness? Thanks Emmanuel Qamara, guide at Asilia Africa for another action packed river crossing update – wildebeest herds headed north.#MaraRiverCrossings2019 #Migration #Wildebeest #greatmigration #WildebeestMigration

Migration Update: 26 July 2019.

The action started at 6h45am at crossing point No 4. @Miraji Gwau from Lemala Camps & Lodges picked up this huge crossing as the sun rose over the Mara River yesterday morning.#migrationupdates #greatmigration #Wildebeest #mararivercrossings2019

GMC Mobile Location

GMC Mobile camp is currently in the Northern Serengeti, close to the Mara River and almost daily river crossings. Predictions suggest that August will have countless crossings. Great Migration Camps mobile still has some availaiblity for August 2019 – contact us now to experience the greatest natural show on earth and join us on our journey following the great wildebeest migration 2019…. We follow the herds guaranteeing migration sightings all year round.  Make sure you are in the right place at the right time.  That time is right now!

How to book

PLEASE enquire early to avoid disappointment particularly during peak periods as additional services are also busy and booked. GMC books ALL accommodation in the path of the Great Wildebeest Migration and can arrange flights or transport in and out of the National Park.  We recommend 5- 10 days for your migration safari with pre or post-safari tours extensions.
Email your inquiry to info@greatmigrationcamps.com. Kindly provide your name, country, number of people travelling and preferred dates and duration.  Children of all ages are welcome.

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