My wife and I just returned from Micato African Splendor -- Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Kenya, and Tanzania. Micato took care of details so smoothly we had to pause and consider our experience versus other travelers.
An escort greeted us at the jetway in Cape Town and escorted us through immigration, etc, then handed us off to our Micato Guide and Driver outside security. Similar in Victoria Falls and Nairobi. Micato arranged with companies cleared for behind security to provide escort for us. We were escorted to extremely short-line immigration booths marked for UN Delegates and Airline Crew. Processed without the slightest question or comment about it.
We just tagged along as our escorts took care of luggage carts, luggage, taking us to each station, etc. Our escort always knew where to go and what to do. We only read airport signs out of curiosity, not necessity.
Departures were similar. Our Micato Guide escorted us to a point then somebody cleared for behind security took over. The exception was Cape Town where our Guide escorted us as far as security. The gates are immediately after security, so easier than large US airports. Our Guide told us which way to go after security then waited and kept an eye on us until we had cleared security and waved goodbye.
For all departures, our Guide and Driver remained at the airport until our flight departed. Micato made sure they were there to help if anything went wrong.
Departing Victoria Falls for Nairobi, Micato arranged a lounge to which we were escorted. Departing Nairobi for home on British Airways, so we were escorted to the British Airways lounge.
The same Guide remained with us for all East Africa. On bush flights he flew with us. Bush flights are small aircraft (often 14 seats) which don’t adhere tightly to schedules. This is another place where Micato shines.
Our Guide dealt with delayed flights and kept the destination driver and hotel updated. We sat back, followed his lead, and appreciated his taking care of it all. We observed other tourists getting confused and trying to navigate the situations on their own.
I watched our Guide greet and be greeted by bush flight baggage handlers like old friends. If we were stalled in immigration lines, etc, airline staff would seek out our Guide to deliver updates, boarding passes, etc. In one instance some airline paperwork for immigration got mixed up. Our Guide sorted it out. Imagine being on your own and having to deal with it.
We received special attention at the larger hotels like the Four Seasons in Serengeti. Managers would make sure everything was okay when they’d spot us around the lobby or restaurants. At the small boutique accommodations everyone received the best service.
On safari drives, the Driver seemed a bit more attentive to positioning the vehicle for the best view. Both during and between drives our Driver was finding out which animals had been spotted where.
Still be prepared for “adventure.” Micato provides luxury everywhere, but safari drives are not in luxury stretch limos. The safari vehicles are rugged to survive the roads. There is a lot of “African Massage” – jostling around on bumpy dirt roads. There can be occasional dust from other vehicles. This will be true of touring with any company.
Bush planes are an adventure for those only used to big jets. Pilots still tried to make sure the ride was smooth. The difference was the tightness of the plane interior. Bush flights were not too long and the view was great. Discount safari companies spend very long days driving between locations, partially on the same bumpy dirt safari roads.
We’d definitely return to Micato’s Africa but other locations beckon for now. We had been questioning whether we’d do India because we’re very adverse to big crowds, etc. After experiencing Micato in Africa, we’re thinking Micato is our solution for India.