Reviews

The Timbuktu team did an amazing job putting together an itinerary that got better every day. All the places I visited and journeys I went on were not ones I could have found myself. The schedule had me stopping and enjoying where I was now and looking forward to those to come. Your execution of the trip was outstanding and flawless. I was always met when I disembarked from whatever mode of transportation I was on by a friendly and smiling face. Each guide in every location was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly! Each time we parted, I felt like I was leaving a new friend. The accommodations were also amazing. First class with a local feel. All the hotels had wonderful staff and service, and no room disappointment. The mahogany room in Chiang Khong overlooking the Mekong was truly an experience. My time in northern Thailand with my guide and driver was fascinating. Stopping at the White Temple was inspiring. The boat trip down the Mekong was certainly a highlight. What an experience to visit the villages and the Buddha Temple cave. Luang Prabang was so interesting and full of history. The trip to the falls and the villages made for a wonderful day. I made new friends on the boat trip, and I celebrated Christmas in the night market. And I was up at 5:30 am to watch and offer offerings to the monks. Flying into Hanoi was easy thanks to the airport guide, who got me through customs quickly, and the local guide, who whisked me through the city to the train station. On her advice, we stopped, and I bought sandwiches and drinks for the overnight train trip. I had seen a documentary on this north-to-south train, and it turned out to be another highlight of my trip. In the morning, I was having coffee with my suitemates from India and Vietnam. Although we did not have a common language, we still found a way to laugh. The stop in Hue was mystical on a grey, rainy day, making it the perfect setting for the visit. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, and the driver was fantastic. Overnighting in Da Nang, a 5-star hotel on the beach, was a real treat. And allowed for a morning run along the water, As always, the guide and driver were on time to take me to the train station and pick up a few more sandwiches for the long daytime train ride that day. This was a great way to experience the countryside as it rolled by for many hours. Nha Trang was a perfect rest stop for a few days near the beach with no itinerary. A beautiful hotel with a great gym and an ocean view. Dalat was also amazing. Staying high in the mountains in a beautiful colonial hotel added to the overall experience. My guide was amazing, and after I had New Year's Day to myself to explore, there were so many things I would have missed without the local knowledge. To top off a fantastic trip, the luxury bus ride in my suite just put a big exclamation mark on everything. And just so you made sure I made it, my trip was wrapped up with a local guide in HCMC, who picked me up and delivered me to my hotel. Thank you again for putting together an amazing experience. Everything you did was perfect, and I will certainly be reaching out again soon for more experiences!

Joanna was a pleasure to work with. She helped us to mold the perfect itinerary and find the right accommodations for each part of our journey and made it fun along the way! We can't wait to refer friends and family to Joanna and Timbuktu.

Jonty is absolute the best. Nollegable, friendly and helpfull. We will be back.

It was so much fun planning this trip with Carola. I enjoyed getting to pick between choices and really valued her expertise. It was the trip of a lifetime and it would not have been the same without the support from Timbuktu all the way through. Can’t wait to be using Timbuktu again !!

Phenomenal service. Joanna was so helpful. She had the best recommendations and help us organize the best trip ever. All the transfers were seamless and the hotels were great experience. We cannot wait to work with Joanna again for our next trip.

Thank you again to Tessa and all at Timbuktu and Albatros for giving us an unforgettable honeymoon. We need to get planning the next trip now!!!

Kevin was very helpful and responsive to our 2 changes of dates and inclusion of hot air ballon ride over the desert . The final safari itinerary of 12 days for 3 person group looks fantastic & we are looking forward to our trip this August , I will write another review after our trip

Jess K was very helpful to me from beginning to end and *during* the trip. She was great about scheduling; offered solid advice about itineraries; coordinated nicely with the local travel organization; and was very responsive to problems that arose during the trip. I had read a lot about Vietnamese history and geography in advance and still wasn't well prepared for the weather (cold and wet in Hanoi; almost deadly heat in Con Dau Islands), or how totally sleek and modern Ho Chi Minh City is. The Vietnamese partner was great. I would highly recommend most/all of the guides; liked the itineraries; and loved seeing the various regions by motor scooter, car and boat -- a huge advantage to traveling alone. I would happily use Timbuktu again and recommend to others.

I was busy planning a work assignment for the UK when I decided to take a diversionary side trip to Africa while overseas. I quickly realized that I needed help setting up a trip like this. I quickly homed in on Timbuktu Travel who had great reviews. I sent an enquiry and received an immediate response from Africa travel expert, Kevin. We communicated via email, told him what I was looking for and within a day or two had a draft itinerary all worked up. In a weeks' time, we finalized and booked the trip. I secured the outbound/inbound international flights and Kevin designed the in Africa details including lodging, transfers and airport pickups. Kevin also provided detailed travel information including travel insurance, awareness documentation, Step by step itinerary details, airline ticket transfers, partner contact information, and more. Everyone I met in Victoria Falls and South Africa were so friendly and helpful. What amazed me was that Kevin and Timbuktu quickly developed a comprehensive travel package that was incredibly detailed and easy to follow in such short time. I highly recommend Timbuktu Travel! I'm already thinking about my next Africa or India trip! The round trip travel for this recent trip including international flights was quite the adventure. LHR to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Small Layover. Ethiopia to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Three nights at Ilala Lodge) VFA to Nelspruit (Four hour ride to Nsala Wilderness Camp) Three nights at Nsala Wilderness Camp 1 hour ride to Hoedspruit Airport Hoedspruit to Johannesburg Airport Johannesburg Airport to Dubai (9 hour layover in Dubai) Dubai to LHR(Overnight) LHR to SFO

Everything has been great for planning and organizing. I have really appreciated the effort and experience my planner, Jeffi, has put into our trip. She has gone above and beyond my expectations for putting everything together and making this fun in the process.