Testimonials

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Travel Associates Testimonials

Some of my travel associates who have traveled with me have been kind enough to send me testimonials or add them to the site. If you have been on any trip with me or one that I have arranged please feel free to leave a testimonial. You can add your testimonial below or send it to me via the contact form or by email.

A Note on the Tanzania, Africa Safari – 2008

From Marsha Tyler

Our safari trip in Tanzania this year was the best ever…even though I’ve only been twice…so far!! Each time I have thoroughly enjoyed the Lake Manyara night game drive and our two day game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater, but I think my favorite this year had to be the CC Africa mobile tented camps in the Serengeti.

Wow, what an awesome experience! Not only did we get to intermingle, day and night, with Africa’s wildlife in their natural surroundings but we experienced it in luxury at the same time. We had the best food and tented accommodations, the best personalized service, and Frank, was the friendliest, most informative driver! And what a feeling to see gazelles run through our camp first thing in the morning, and then look up to see them being chased by a hyena! I wish we could have seen if that ended in a kill! Without a doubt, I think the mobile tents have to be scheduled into my next trip!!

But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Bushbuck Safari Tours, as they have done an excellent job in providing us with the best game drives in both of my trips. Having Fabien as our driver again this year was a real plus because he wasn’t going to be satisfied until he found us a Leopard that we missed viewing last year. And boy, did we get a good close up viewing this year….cooling out in a tree with two gazelles he had previously killed! That’s a picture that I’ll forever have in my head, but I’ve got photos and a video as well.

I never considered myself an adventurer or a nature lover, but I’m so glad you convinced me that this was an experience of a lifetime that I shouldn’t miss! Africa is now in my soul and I’ll be back…again! – Marsha

Hello Kay,

I want to first say that I am a avid admirer of nature and animals but what I experienced in Tanzania was nothing like I could have ever imagined. I went into this journey looking to have a great time, instead I had the best time of my life. A week later and I am still in awe of what transpired on our fearless journey into the bush. I say fearless with a little reservation because of the visitors I had on two consecutive nights at our stay in the mobile tent camp in the Serengeti.

My first guess were Hippo’s who woke us up at around 3:00 a.m. Their loud breathing and chopping at the grass startled us because at the time we did not know what was outside of our tent. The second evening was a little more freighting but poa (cool). This time we were awaken by Hyenas who were rubbing their bodies against our tent and laughing, which is their way of communicating. I even saw 3 sets of red eyes glowing through the canvas of our tent. The 3 or more Hyenas were outside of our tent for awhile until I heard a lions powerful roar from somewhere out into the beautiful night of the Serengeti.From Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and to the balloon ride over the Serengeti, this was a once in a life time experience that I will hold on to and cherish for the rest of my life. Or better yet until, “I GO BACK TO AFRICA AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN”.

Thank you Kay for sharing this wonderful adventure with us, how can one not have a better appreciation for LIFE……………………….

Kenneth E. Golden, President, Golden West Intermodal, Inc.

From Carol Brown
Just wanted to share a few words about how we came to go to South Africa.

First I must say that my cousin Kay has tried to get Hank and I to Africa for the past several years. It was hard to understand her passion for Africa and hard to understand what one would do in “the bush ” in a tent looking at animals for days at a time. It wasn’t that we did not want to visit Africa , it was the cost as compared to other vacations. Once we saw the itinerary Kay had put together for South Africa , I started thinking well maybe. With Cape Town being on the ocean how bad could it be? We had friends that had been to South Africa and they spoke about it with the same passion that Kay has. So I started asking questions and really getting curious and the price was right. Hank and I talked about it and agreed this would be a special trip for our 20th Anniversary! Sheron and I had previously talked about taking a trip together but had yet to schedule one. When I told her about Africa it did not take long for her to convince Jones and their good friends Thelma and Earl to join us. We had not seen Wanda and Punch for years and we have been communicating annually through Holidays cards and when I mentioned Africa Wanda’s antenna went up, we talked and they were onboard as well. The excitement was building as now we had our own group of friends to travel with!

The trip exceeded our expectations , every detail was addressed ahead of time for us! Each day a new and exciting experience, we were never bored always on the move. While I am almost certain I will return to Africa, if I do not I can truly say this was a trip of a lifetime! Africa takes a hold to your heart, there is nothing like breathing in the air and watching nature and the perfection all around you. Africa is the beginning of your journey back….

Hello Kay,

……… My bride and I really enjoyed the outstanding trip, …….. Everything was first class, well organized and implemented perfectly. It’s taken me a week to get back on track with sleeping. I’ll send you some pictures within the next few days.

LaMont

“Punch”

Eli Weiss:

“When Kay Trotman and I met, it was an instant affinity- our love of Africa, our love of wildlife and culture, and our mutual desire to make a difference. Kay has introduced a whole host of people to Africa and elsewhere through her travel safaris and her art and photography. Kay has been a tremendous help to WildiZe Foundation. Kay has an undaunted passion for life and new experiences and the energy of 10 people, and that shines through in everything she does and to anyone she meets. She has helped to build my organization’s strengths and outreach, she’s one in a million.”

December 16, 2011-Kenya

I want to thank Kay and Destined to Travel for an unforgettable safari.

This was my first time to Africa and Kay’s attention to detail made the trip very enjoyable and having Kay travel with the group allowed me to relax.

The tour operators that Kay chose allowed us the opportunity of seeing the animals in open sided safari vehicles as opposed to crowded mini buses. All the guides that we encountered were highly qualified professionals.

Our accommodations were comfortable tented camps and the meals were wonderful. In fact, the whole trip was one highlight after another. Just when I thought the accommodations couldn’t get any better, we would arrive at the next camp and where we were welcomed by friendly staff and more great food to eat and new animals to see.

Kay also allowed time to regroup after the long trip to Kenya and also planned shopping excursions, which we all enjoyed.

I will definitely use Destined to Travel again for my next safari as well as for any other travel plans.

Thank you Kay!!

Millie Troll

December 2011 – Kenya

Hello my adventurous Kenya companions!

it has been more than a week since Sharon and I have left the most exhilarating experiences of our lives. I will be speaking for the both of us in this letter to you because I know that Sharon and I share the warm memories and feelings that are forever imprinted in our lives.

In short, you are all greatly missed and yes I, like you, (Kay, Vicky, Patricia, and Cynthia) am greatly addicted to Africa. Africa and you have become the thought of the day and I still cannot believe the experiences that we shared. Sharon and I would go back in a heart beat, and if it was with all of you then less than a heart beat.

People I talk to about this trip are truly enthralled and raptured in my enthusiastic details. I must have recalled the pictures (6500 plus) at least a half dozen times thus far and for the past week I used approximately 800 pictures as part of my intervention with my middle school students. The 1288 picture summary you received will now be our slideshow for all our friends, and the office staff at my school.

Kay, I cannot thank you enough. You have changed my life and my perspective on how life needs to be lived and what priorities should be emphasized. As I said during the trip, this was not a vacation (not a cruise, beach or guide tour of the Roman Coliseum). It was a reality check of real life people, of a world that is real (unpretentious), of survival, of uncorrupt values and appreciations.

Kay you held back nothing. I know you organized an itinerary for us that you would have wanted put together for you if you were planning a trip. i just got off the phone with Mille and I mentioned I would have changed nothing, even getting stuck in Heathrow Airport as a result of the fog. It is here where the adventure began and our bonding as a group developed immediately.

Sharon and I talk constantly about each leg of our journey from Amboseli Porini, to Maasai Mara, Kichwa Tembo, Mara Explorer, Bush Tops, Giraffe Manor and Solio. We talk about the warm, friendly hospitality of our hosts, guides and staff along the way. My first four days dreams at night involved Africa and recollections of Tony, Emmanuel, Julius, Chief Thomas, Esther, Vincent, Paul, Steve, Peter, Dixon, Angela, Agnes, James, Ava, JJ and so many more.

Then there was Rachel and the children of the Lazarus School, where I was caught shedding a tear – not so much for how little they had but for how much they appreciated. I truly believe Mother Theresa could not have given more to humanity than Rachel. She epitomized what goodness in people should be; she is a true saint. The same could be said for Dr. Patel and his staff at the medical facility we visited. It is amazing how much we have yet have so little. These people have so little yet appreciate all that they have. In all their poverty there is still a smile to give and a wave hello wherever we went.

I cannot say enough about the accommodations and the food at each of our stops: from roughing it with the Maasai in Porini to the elegance of Solio, we were pampered and treated like royalty. Oh yes, I would be remiss if I neglected to mention the safaris, what most people think of Africa. All I can say is that I would not have learned so much about the land, resources, culture, people and of course wildlife if not for the safaris. The tours were exciting, treacherous at times and most of all fun We were fortunate to see great scenes of the big five on many different occasions, as well as numerous other land animals, birds, insects, trees, etc.

I guess it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. How about over 6500 of them and three and half hours of video? That is how many Sharon and I collected and each one, as Kay noted, tells a story. My stories will continue on to whoever will listen and into the future when we have grandchildren. So until all of us get together for another great adventure, and I hope we do, let us keep in touch an at the least reminisce about our time together in the Bush.

We love you all and thank you for sharing with us three of the most rewarding memorable weeks of our lives!

Bob & Sharon Axelrod

# Eloise Williams on 07 Jan 2009 at 6:52 pm

For a number of years, Kay has planned international tours, cruises and scheduled airline reservations for me and a number of my friends. Personally, I appreciate a travel agent who has a propensity for detail. She keeps me informed of cultural customs, local activities, weather conditions and essential paper work. I especially welcome the up to date E-mails regarding any future tours. With Kay Trotman as your tour agent, all you have to do is pack. Now, if she will consider adding packing consultant to her resume, I’ll no longer look as though I’m relocating.

Rosie Maloof on 09 Jan 2009 at 7:54 pm

The package Kay put together last spring to South Africa was, as far as I was concerned, perfect. It was the right combination of beautiful cities, history, big game drives. The accommodations were excellent – especially the camps. The most beautiful rooms right in the middle of the bush with superb service. We were so pampered after a day of bouncing around in the game vehicles. The guides were the best and made sure we saw it all, right up close. Cape Town and the tour of the coast, the views of Table Mountain, the penguins, the wine country; the history of Johannesburg and Robben Island. It was the perfect combination of sights and experiences. A few of us went on to Victoria Falls (Livingstone, Zambia) which Kay also arranged. Again, perfect accommodations and tour guides greeted us and took care of us every step of the way.

# Lorilie Lauayan on 10 Jan 2009 at 8:54 pm

I have traveled with Kay three times in the past two years. 1st to Tanzania in March 2007, 2nd to Italy in September 2007, and then back to Tanzania in July 2008. All of them have been the most amazing trips of my life. The total package that Kay put together was PERFECT, maximizing our money and time to enjoy all the “MUST SEE” sites (places and things). Thrilling, mind blowing, breathtaking, and life-changing are just a few adjectives that comes to mind when I think of my African Safari experience. Imagine being under a tree with an unassuming Leopard looking down at you, or witnessing millions of wildebeests and zebras migrating, or going on a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, or observing a pride of lions as they scope their next prey. WOW! Oh…I can go on and on, but these are things that must be experienced personally in order to be one with nature, and appreciate the beauty of the wild. I really can’t wait to go back in 2010. Yes, that’s right. My fiancee and I are going back to Tanzania, and this time we will end our trip relaxing at the beautiful coastal waters of Zanzibar. We are definitely looking forward to more fun and wild times on Safari with Kay. Thanks for everything Kay. We love you.

# Charles Harmon on 12 Jan 2009 at 8:59 pm

I had been hearing about Kay’s travels for many years, but never ventured anywhere during that time. Finally after all the interesting talk about Africa and all the safaris Kay has gone on, I was convinced to go on a safari with her.

That was one of the best moves I ever made. The trip and African safari was really very exciting and a one-of-a-kind event in my life. It felt so good to be out in the wild in Africa with all the wild animals in their natural environment. Each day was a different adventure.

Before I went I thought that once I had seen one elephant that I had seen them all. I was wrong. Not just about elephants, but all the animals and birds we saw. Each sighting had a story of its own. In addition to seeing a myriad of animals on the ground we took a short Balloon Safari over the Serengeti which was a highlite of the trip. I had such an enjoyable time I will be going on another African Safari with Kay in a year or two.

If you never imagined yourself on an African safari (I didn’t) think again. It just might be the trip of your life.

# Lorilie Lauayan and Kenneth Golden on 02 Jan 2011 at 11:13 am

Since my last comments, I have taken two more African Safari trips with Kay. In November 2009, we went to Kenya and what a treat that was for my BIRTHDAY!!! Though I have been to a couple of safari in Tanzania, this experience was as exciting and mind-blowing. Our journey began in Nairobi. We visited the David Sheldrick’s Elephant Trust where I adopted a baby elephant named Kilaguni, Giraffe Center at the Giraffe Manor, and Karen Blixen Museum. We also did a little shopping at the Village Marketplace and Kazuri Beads and Pottery. Then, we did our safari in Amboseli and Maasai Mara where we saw everything that you can imagine. We saw so many cats…lions, cheetahs, leopards and their babies. Ooops, almost forgot about the black rhino…what a beauty!

In June 2010, as promised, my fiancee and I went back to Tanzania with my parents and Kay. Oh, how the people we befriended missed us and treated us like part of the family. We had such a blast with our driver-guides Fabian and Adam, and partied in the middle of nowhere in Serengeti with the And Beyond crew. What more could you ask for…well, we also saw lions mating and have pictures to prove it. We ended our journey at the beach resort of Zanzibar. Zanzibar is spectacular with its white sand beaches and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Visited a few tourist sights such as the prison island, and did a lot of shopping. What more could we ask for…PERFECT TRIP!

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