My True Wild trip was my third African safari, it was also the best. I came back with so much more than myriad animal sightings. Time was given to learn animal behaviors, ecology and habitat maintenance. Starting with an active dig sight was so informative and perfect planning. The accommodations provided plenty of attention to comfort, food and beverage for reasonable prices. The guides and staff were genuinely interested in sharing their culture with us as well as learning about ours. It was a super opportunity…plus Quinton and Liz were really fun! Thank you for taking me along, can I come again?

I have dreamt of returning to Africa since my trip to Kenya in 1997. That was such a magical trip that I was sure it couldn’t be topped. I was so wrong! True Wild, aka Quinton & Liz Martins, topped that trip and provided so much more. I knew I would see wildlife on my safari but I never imagined seeing 208 birds species, all of which Dr. Martins knew, lions on the hunt in the dark of night with hungry cubs to feed back at the den, or a leopard stalk a water buck across the grasslands. I watched a warthog with her babies trot underneath my tent platform. We stopped to watch dung beetles, little tiny red velvet mites, elephants and wild dogs cooling themselves in watering holes. These creatures gave us a glimpse into the complicated and fragile ecosystem that is southern Africa. Each magical day was filled with magnificent game viewing, appreciating the big and small creatures that make up these amazing ecosystems, beautiful sunsets, and learning about conservation efforts in South Africa and Botswana. True Wild knows so much about the individual safari camps and selected just the right places for the season we visited. Their attention to detail, passion for the animals and the people, and sincerely caring about my experience made this ‘wild’ trip ‘truly’ perfect.

Sally and I had a life changing experience in Africa with True Wild, led by Quinton and Liz Martins. It will probably be the only time we will get to go on safari, but the experience was well worth the effort and cost. Quinton’s experience and knowledge of the area made all the difference; every step of the way from navigating airport check-ins, keeping track of all the luggage, and the many ground transportation and camp arrangements flowed smoothly. Each camp was chosen for the unique features it offered, and the total experience, from tracking a pride of lions on the hunt, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, zebras, rhinos, cheetahs, the dozens of different antelope, elephant and even following a pack of African wild dogs on the lookout for a near-by leopard. Then there were all the strange birds, my favorite being the Red Crested Korhaan. It is also called the “suicide bird” as it has a unique mating ritual in which, after a vocalizing ascending call on the ground, he then flies vertically up in the sky. On reaching a certain height, the korhaan merely folds his wings and plummets back down toward the ground-body seemingly prone as if he had been shot in mid-air. Shortly before hitting the ground, it opens its wings for a safe, elegant landing. Very impressive, as was all the wildlife.

My girlfriend and I had an epic 6 weeks safari experience around Namibia and Botswana, organized by True Wild Safaris. It was a tailor made self driving trip, focused on diversity and conservation projects. Planing this trip was a long process and True Wild Safaris did their very best to listen to our needs and interests! So even planing this trip was a pleasure and during the journey, they provided us with all important and very detailed informations, so everything worked simply perfect! We can only highly recommend True Wild Safaris, cause we could never have planned a trip like that on our own and we know already who will organize our next safari😉

I have traveled and worked across the African continent for more than twenty years. I have never experienced such a personalized and authentic safari encounter! I traveled with my sisters and through a shared adventure of a lifetime, our family bond has grown even deeper. The impact on us all has truly been profound. Our connection with nature, animals, each other, and with ourselves makes this trip like no other. Thanks True Wild Safaris

Quinton with True Wild Safaris did an amazing job at organizing our safari - it was completely tailored to what our group wanted. We went to 5 camps in Zambia that were all spectacular in their own way. The guides were incredible and we made life long memories. We would never have realized that these camps provided such a unique experience compared to many of the more standard options without Quinton's help.

We had an amazing 14-day safari planned by True Wild, staying at four different camps in Zambia, 2 in South Luangwa National Park and 2 in Lower Zambezi National Park. All 4 camps offered spectacular animal sightings, truly wonderful comfortable accommodations, and excellent (too much!) food. While we have enjoyed fine safaris elsewhere in Africa in prior years, this experience from True Wild was remarkable...well planned and unusually complete. Managers and guides at all four camps knew the True Wild team personally and took great care of us. Their expertise was matched by their warm hospitality. We saw all the animals up close and personal, including observing a kill by wild dogs on Day 1; two male lions roaring loudly right next to our vehicle on our last day; and great sightings of leopards and elephants and hippos every day in between. At one camp on the massive Zambezi River we went canoeing only to be surprised and stalled for a while due to blockage by an elephant drinking nearby; and we saw how really fast hippos can run in the water. While we were on our own by choice (not with a group) Quinton and Liz of True Wild checked in on us frequently by phone and email. We wholeheartedly recommend using True Wild for your next safari.

The Trip of a Lifetime — Africa Through the Eyes of Quinton & Liz Five stars simply aren’t enough. Our African safari with Quinton and Liz Martins was one of the most extraordinary experiences of our lives. From Cape Town to the wilds of Botswana and beyond, every detail was thoughtfully planned, beautifully executed, and filled with experiences we will never forget. But for us, this journey had another very special dimension: we began this adventure as friends with Quinton and Liz, and came home with an even deeper appreciation for just how remarkable these two people are. We already knew of their passion for wildlife and conservation. What we hadn’t fully appreciated until traveling through Africa with them was the depth of their knowledge, their generosity in sharing it, and their extraordinary ability to open your eyes to the natural world around you. Quinton’s knowledge of African wildlife, ecology, conservation, and especially the great cats transforms the safari experience. He doesn’t simply help you see Africa — he helps you understand it. Every track, sound, animal behavior and landscape becomes part of a much larger story. His passion is infectious, and his respect for wildlife and wild places is evident in everything he does. And then there is Liz. Her warmth, enthusiasm, knowledge, humor and genuine love of people and wildlife brought another dimension to the journey. She has a wonderful ability to make everyone feel welcome, comfortable and part of something special. Together, Quinton and Liz are an extraordinary team. We saw magnificent wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, traveled to remarkable places, laughed endlessly, learned constantly, and shared experiences that will stay with us forever. Yet some of our favorite memories are the quieter ones — sitting together after an incredible day, sharing stories, laughing over dinner and talking about what we had seen. There is something very special about traveling halfway around the world with people you already consider friends and discovering that, after three weeks of planes, safari vehicles, camps, early mornings and countless adventures together, you like and admire them even more. This was not simply a vacation. It wasn’t even simply a safari. It was an adventure, an education, a celebration of friendship, and truly the trip of a lifetime. If you ever have the opportunity to experience Africa with Quinton and Liz, take it. You will come home with spectacular photographs and wonderful stories. More importantly, you will come home with a deeper appreciation for Africa, its wildlife, its people, and the importance of protecting these extraordinary wild places. And, if you’re as fortunate as we are, you’ll come home with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, Quinton and Liz, for sharing your Africa with us. We will never forget it. — Kim & DeWayne