Guests' Comments
Over more than 25 years I have visited the national parks of East and Southern Africa. But over all those years I never met a person such as Anthony Kaschula, a superb organiser and guide for our one week hiking safari in the Gonarezhou National Park of Zimbabwe. During our walks we had several close encounters with animals but Ant was always in control of the situation. Besides knowing all the animals and birds by name, and especially being able to copy all their sounds and whistles, his knowledge about the trees and plants is even more astonishing. After a few days on our hiking tour we were taught so much about the bush live that we felt we could survive on our own.
Anton-Pieter Duffhuis, representative of the East African Wildlife Society, Switzerland,
May 2010
If you're looking for the real deal, Rawana and Ant are the go-to guys! From knee deep barefooted swamp walks to a lovely sunset game drive. From digging out a three tonne Landcruiser shortly before dark, to enjoying an ice cold Zambezi while catching a Tigerfish.
The variety these two offer is as big and wild as it can possibly get - be impressed and shattered at the same moment as a pack of wild dogs makes a kill right in front of your eyes; get so close to elephants you've never heard your heart pound so loud; listen to Ant imitating animals; get quizzed on bushes and trees; or just sit by the camp fire and laugh your lungs out.
The passion for the bush and the kindness we experienced were overwhelming and made our trip to Zimbabwe unforgettable. We recommend Rawana and Ant to anybody looking for a fun and interesting holiday among friends while feeling safe with a pro guide who defends a tin pot with his life...Thanks again!
Ola Rampf and Greg Thoma, Germany
February 2010
Anthony,
I just wrote you a great letter about how much we loved our trip with you and how much I have learned and how the experience has changed my thinking about several things, and I lost it. I don't think I can write it again. Nevertheless, I will be thinking about the trip in so many different ways I am sure for the rest of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Betty (Elizabeth) Roberts, Washington DC
July 2009
Ant,
I want to let you know how amazing our trip was. Friends keep asking me whether it was what I expected, but honestly, I had no idea what to expect. East Africa blew me away as being an utterly mysterious and magical place that I hope to visit again and again at different points in my life. On the way to the airport I cried because I was so sad for our trip to be over.
It was funny because after we said goodbye to you and arrived at the airport, my mom, Alex, and I were all like sheep without a shepherd! We didn't know what to do with ourselves without you and almost couldn't make it to the bathroom on our own. Somehow we managed to eventually get our bearings.
I've been making myself kinyeji tea in the mornings, which is a nice reminder of the trip and makes me feel like I'm incorporating a little bit of Africa into my everyday life...
...Lastly, I wanted to tell you how fun it was trekking with you the last day, exhausting as it was. The highlight was when you handed me the walking stick to climb the last monumentous stretch up to the lodge, at which point we were both hilariously giddy..."
I hope you're doing well and recovering from our company!
Elinor Roberts, New York City
July 2009
On behalf of myself (Francis) and Alison & Bob and Joan, we would like to thank you for the four wonderful days you gave us at Sarara camp back in February. We are still talking about you finding the leopards and we will never forget your amazement at the warthogs eating the fresh elephant dung, or our amazement at you squeezing it to demonstrate its water content.
Francis and Alison Grouting, UK
March 2009
Ant, Thanks for another great trip. Hard to believe we have done two within the last year. Your knowledge, passion and sense of adventure creates a unique experience. I look forward to many future trips as well as having you meet my sons.
Trey Cefalu, Atlanta, Georgia
March 2009
I would recommend Anthony without any reservation to anyone looking to do safari in Africa. I did both some easy walks with the family in Kenya as well as the trip of a life time: eight days of walking safari in Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. Anthony makes the difference. On the one hand he is an energetic and driven person who knows what he is doing, paying attention to detail. On the other he seems to know everything about insects, plants, trees and, of course, big game and knows how to tell it.
WP Boerma,Amsterdam
December 2008 & October 2007
On a scale of 1 to 10 we would have to rate the trip a 40! Without Ant it would have been a 9. He met us at the airport and was with us throughout our entire two week trip. His knowledge of all things "Kenyan" was astounding, and it was like having a college professor on our trip who could answer virtually any question thrown his way. I couldn't imagine having a nicer, more polite, more attentive, and better informed guide than Ant. We're already planning our next trip to Africa, and of course Ant will be leading the way.
Stephen Krupnick, Laguna Beach, CA
Marilyn Krupnick, Voorhees, NJ
October 2008
We had such a wonderful time on our honeymoon - the itinerary was fantastic, but the company and the guiding were the best part.
Thank you so much Ant! Rawana, thank you for all the logistics and for making the time to come visit us and see us off in Nairobi.
We are still on cloud 9 from the honeymoon and will not only make it back to Africa ourselves, but with the help of these pictures, we'll be sending more people your way!
Seth and Molly Hirschel, New York City
July 2008
Dear Ant,
Here we are on the great Zambezi River, not rushing from dawn to dusk, - as we are on Ant’s time in Africa. Our story ends here, for now, but it has been a happy time for us.
You have created just the right atmosphere for the chapters in our safari, starting with the thundering opening at Victoria Falls and the most spectacular flight into Shumba. My feelings had been overwhelmed by the movement over the grass, the great wild space and the sense that there are still places left unspoliled.
The way you have been able to tell the story slowly and have animals and birds, people and camps, sundowners in the water and hot campfires unfold has made this place creep into us. …It will draw us back..
Harriet McFadden, German Town, Tennesse
June 2008
"If you are only going to Africa once in your lifetime, you owe it to your self to go with Ant! I've now traveled with Ant three times, for a total of 8 weeks. We've been to Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Cape Town, Kenya, Zanzibar and Rwanda. We've stayed in a variety of camps from simple mobile tented camps to luxury settings. In each camp, the food and service were excellent and the facilities very comfortable.
When you're on safari with Ant, you're going to learn a lot about mammals, birds, bugs, reptiles, trees, grasses - and some of the local issues. Nothing runs beneath his radar. His enthusiasm for all things African is positively infectious. You can be up early in the morning and out again late in the afternoon, sometimes- til long after dark. You may miss some meals - but he will find what you're looking for!
Finally, when you travel with Ant, you will find that he is extremely sensitive to your needs. There is no detail he overlooks in trying to make sure that you are comfortable. We have sometimes speculated that he reads our minds!
Actually, if you travel in Africa with Ant, you will, without a doubt, make another trip with him!"
Nan Rosenstein, Seattle
"Thank you very much for a wonderful time. We are very grateful for the personal treatment by Ant and everything we learnt from him about all aspects of African Nature. We will for sure experience our next weeks much more intensely than we would have done without your lessons. We very much appreciated the informal and warm personal contact. See you someday somewhere in Africa."
Anke, Gerhard, Sietske, Stijn and Dirk Moussalt, The Netherlands
"Nancy and I both greatly enjoyed the trip to Kenya. Your organization skills were very apparent. It was tremendous that you were able to anticipate our every need, it allowed us to relax and enjoy our holiday."
Peter and Nancy Blethen
"We cannot thank you enough for your wonderful hospitality and the care and attention with which you have looked after us. This has been a terrific and memorable stay and we have learnt so much about the abundant life here on our walks and rides. Thank you and keep the magic going - we'll be back"
Richard, Sarah-Jane, Jemima and Alex Shireff, UK
References
"Anthony has proved that he is capable of outstanding effort – and ambition – I recommend him as a full license candidate and I firmly believe he will become an outstanding guide, and a tribute to our industry."
Ivan Carter, Professional Guide, Zimbabwe
"My association with Anthony Kaschula began over ten years ago when he was a learner guide in the Mana Pools National Park.
Even at that time, it struck me that here was a young man with great promise; someone who would go a long way in the world of professional guiding. I know Anthony to be enthusiastic, extremely knowledgeable, capable, organized and always well turned-out, which, in my book, is very important!
I consider him one of the top guides of his generation."
John Stevens, Professional Guide, Zimbabwe