We had an amazing trip to Namibia/Botswana, with very good service provided by Mandy from 5 Stars. She was very prompt in responding to queries and flexible in any changes we requested. Things ran smoothly from start to finish. I would recommend using 5 Stars again
5 Stars Safari tops almost everything we have experienced yet in 15 years of intense travelling the world. Owner Mandy Strauss provided for our 26-days-trip through Namibia an extraordinary service: 1. Before the trip: Responding within 24 hours at least, being very transparent about her moves on our behalf and about quotes of lodges or flight services, knowing REALLY a lot of people in Namibia (she is a former journalist), listening carefully to every single wish of ours, answering to ANY kind of questions and comments we had, having been as flexible and fair as possible to adapt her pre-Corona payment conditions to the accurate situation. 2. During the trip: having prepared a charming welcome gift (a cook book) and a VIP welcome with a guy from the Namibian ministry of tourism for us, staying in constant touch with our overwhelmingly caring driver/guide Mr. Andrew throughout the trip and being available almost around the clock.
This was professionalism at its best — it was a pleasure to be her clients. Beside that Namibia appears to be currently the better South Africa: beautiful sceneries, excellent food, kind people, animals, BUT no rivalries between the tribes and no tensions between Blacks and the descendants of German and Dutch immigrants. For German speaking tourists Namibia offers also a surprisingly big foot print of the German culture: buildings, shops, farms, restaurants, cleanliness on the roads, safety even in towns. THANK YOU! We do want to come again.
Booked in 2019, changed in 2020 (covid...), changed again in 2021 (covid...) and finally travelled in 2022.
Mandy from Five Stars Tours & Safaris arranged a magnificent itinerary with perfect follow up during the trip. The choice of lodges was excellent, the local activities very well chosen and the guide/driver was top of the notch! If you happen to land on this website, stop searching — you have found what you are looking for
We got the opportunity to combine a business trip to Windhoek with a private safari at relatively short notice and were looking for possible offers. It couldn't have worked out any better than with Five Stars Tours & Safaris: Despite the high season (July/August), Mandy Strauss advised us perfectly, answered every question and fulfilled our every wish — even those we didn't knew about beforehand. Result was a perfect tailor-made tour (self-driving) for us. Thanks to her personal experience and contacts, we had a wonderful combination of exceptional lodges and great gamedrives & activities (please be sure to book the day tour with BBQ on the beach in Walvis Bay!). On site we were welcomed and very well cared for by Andrew.
Mandys and Andrews professional and friendly service was exceptional before, during and after our trip – thank you very much!!!
About the landscape and wildlife in Nambia here only one word: Spectacular! We'll be back for sure — and then definitely again with Five Stars.
It was the second time that we chose Five Stars Tour & Safari for our safari, after Namibia in 2021 it was Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia now. And it was again highly satisfying how professional Mandy Strauss personally handled our wishes and issues alike. 1. She is always super prompt in her replies — within 24 hrs you are getting 95% of her emails. 2. She is responding in detail to any little comment or question you might have. 3. She is still reasonable with her rates. Being a business woman myself I do appreciate agents who are proactive, fast and accurate. This is what you are longing for before and while traveling.
This time, too, we were celebrating honeymoon and the 30th birthday of our son — information she shared to our substantial benefit with the lodges and camps where we stayed — from special packages and services during the tour to fruits, cakes and champagne in nearly any place imaginable.
Yes, when we compare 2022 to 2021 Mandy being herself Namibian is even better in her home country where she apparently knows almost every bush and tour guide personally, let alone the hotels etc. with all their peculiarities. In Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia she is more dependent on information she is getting from local agencies.
Still: Five Stars Tours & Safaris is an excellent agency for all sort of luxury journeys for probably entire Southern Africa. Recommendation!
This was professionalism at its best — it was a pleasure to be her clients. Beside that Namibia appears to be currently the better South Africa: beautiful sceneries, excellent food, kind people, animals, BUT no rivalries between the tribes and no tensions between Blacks and the descendants of German and Dutch immigrants. For German speaking tourists Namibia offers also a surprisingly big foot print of the German culture: buildings, shops, farms, restaurants, cleanliness on the roads, safety even in towns. THANK YOU! We do want to come again.
Mandy from Five Stars Tours & Safaris arranged a magnificent itinerary with perfect follow up during the trip. The choice of lodges was excellent, the local activities very well chosen and the guide/driver was top of the notch! If you happen to land on this website, stop searching — you have found what you are looking for
Mandys and Andrews professional and friendly service was exceptional before, during and after our trip – thank you very much!!!
About the landscape and wildlife in Nambia here only one word: Spectacular! We'll be back for sure — and then definitely again with Five Stars.
This time, too, we were celebrating honeymoon and the 30th birthday of our son — information she shared to our substantial benefit with the lodges and camps where we stayed — from special packages and services during the tour to fruits, cakes and champagne in nearly any place imaginable.
Yes, when we compare 2022 to 2021 Mandy being herself Namibian is even better in her home country where she apparently knows almost every bush and tour guide personally, let alone the hotels etc. with all their peculiarities. In Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia she is more dependent on information she is getting from local agencies.
Still: Five Stars Tours & Safaris is an excellent agency for all sort of luxury journeys for probably entire Southern Africa. Recommendation!