Reviews
NL
Email Robin Sven | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our first Africa experience with Roko Safaris was amazing!
In preparation to our holiday we had lovely contact with Miranda and Roko. In consultation, a very nice trip was put together, where we were able to make choices between various accommodations. The contact went very smoothly, both by email and WhatsApp. We booked our own flights and were picked up by Miranda on arrival in the middle of the night. It was very nice to be picked up at Kilimanjaro airport by a familiar face. We were taken to our first accommodation and after several hours of sleep and a delicious breakfast, Miranda was ready to show us some of the local African life. After a relaxing first day, our amazing safari began.
We are very satisfied with the trip. The combination of a week of safari and a week of Zanzibar was really nice! And that through a very small-scale and personal travel agency, so lines of communication were short. Also the accommodations booked were all very nice, including good food and very friendly service (Especially Mkomazi Wilderniss Retreat; magical place!!). Also the driver (Cosma) drove safely and comfortably in a jeep that was fine for us. What we noticed compared to other safari jeeps, was that our guide Roko really tried his best to spot the animals in the back of the jeep. Roko was very eager during the entire trip to find the big 5 for us, and.. we spotted them (the Rhinos during the last 5 minutes of our safari). Big thanks to Roko! Well done!
As tips, we would like to give the following suggestions/feedback:
- Last day to save miles in the Jeep, book/recommend guests a flight from Serengeti National Park to Zanzibar via Seronera Airport. (instead of driving back to Kilimanjaro/Arusha)
- For us personally: some game drives were a bit much both in duration and kilometers in one day, due to the bumpy roads. Moreover, we were not fully prepared for this either.
- More communication of destination, travel time, day/driving schedule / plan the campaign etc. We as guests like the advice from you as guides, after all you know best what to do. Take us even more into that during the day.
- In retrospect, for the week safari we did not quite have the right luggage with us matched to the weather. Possibly a packing list for the guests would be helpful.
- Some more guidance on how to deal with local people regarding tipping and donations (e.g. playing children asking for candy)
Thanks again so much for making this unforgettable trip possible for us!! We have already recommended you to several friends and acquaintances.
Groetjes!
US
Email Phee | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Diligent and welcoming!
I loved my week in NgoroNgoro, Serengeti, and Tarangire. I did a camping trip -- and I was a little nervous leading up to it, but the camping was super comfortable and Roko and team made me feel at home. The food was exceptional -- all the other safari groups were jealous of my lunches. Saw a ton of wildlife and Roko listened and learned my preferences for wildlife.
Email Annalisa and Mark | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Personalised itinerary, unique experiences, and opportunity to escape the crowds.
Right from the start Roko and Miranda were great. They got back to us very quickly with a proposed itinerary for our safari, that genuinely took account of our requests and offered a personalised schedule that met our needs and was budget friendly.
We met up with Roko the night before our trip and on the way out of Arusha to pick last minute supplies. Ephata and Maneno our guide and cook were fantastic, sharing a wealth of knowledge on the road, and providing very fulsome and tasty meals that accommodated my lactose intolerance. We camped at Ngorongoro and in the Serengeti and got lucky escaping the crowds - in part due to the campsite selection they made for us and in part because we visited just before the start of the season.
We ended in Rokos's guest house in Lake Natron for 2 nights where we got to visit the Engare Sero hominid foot prints and swim in a warm natural pool both of which are well worth a visit.
While we did have a few mechanical issues on the road and muddy conditions meant we did get stuck at one point, getting out of the serengeti and on to Lake Natron, Ephata and Maneno did a great job at getting us on our way and back to base safely.
NL
Email Jos van Mulken / Cynthia Bergen Henegouwen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A local Masaai with a lot of knowledge about the environment, nature, animals. Off the beaten track!
Roko Safaris is concerned with almost everything you can think about. Your best holiday experience is the start of their day! Very very reliable personnel too.
We did a trekking at the Ngorongoro highlands (Olmoti crater, Empakaai, Lengai, Engare Sero) with tents, cook, guide and donkeys.
After that we travelled along lake Natron to a beautiful remote tented camp at the hot springs.
Along the way we hd very nice visits to a school and local communities (Masaai boma and villiges). Roko is a local Masaai and knows the do’s and dont’s.
A wonderfull experience for those who want to experience a down to earth holiday with a lot of contact with the local way of life.
We are experienced Africa travellers and this is onde of the best we ever had in years! We are dutch and love also the the very high value for money.
FR
Email Karin & Hub | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful authentic experience !
If you want to experience authentic Tanzania, then you have come to the right place at the Lake Natron Guesthouse! Roko and Miranda are happy to put you in touch with the locals, for example during the weekly market in the village. We also met a number of Roko's relatives and enjoyed a song and dance performance by young Maasai, the so-called Warriors, with a big smile on our faces. The staff at the Guesthouse are very friendly and always willing to help and the food was excellent. Dietary requirements are taken into account. An unforgettable experience was the climb of the El Doinyo Lengai volcano, a stone's throw from the Guesthouse. Some experience in mountain hiking and climbing is required. A visit to the hot springs with the fish nibbling on your feet and legs is also recommended, just like the beautiful waterfalls. We then went on safari for 4 days with Roko as a guide, and were able to see the big five with our own eyes, sometimes just a few meters away. Finally, we visited Arusha, a large city with a lot of chaotic traffic, many shops and an impressive cultural heritage museum. We will definitely come back to Tanzania again.
(automatic translation from Dutch)
NL
Email Jeroen en Anouk | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A beautiful trip, well organized by Roko safari
We enjoyed Roko safari. Miranda and Roko have put together a wonderful trip for us. with Roko safari we enjoyed the beautiful nature and animals in Tarangire National Park, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Roko has an eye for detail and can tell a lot about the area. We felt at home during the two weeks in Tanzania. The food was well prepared, by a chef and every day we had an activity. It was an experience to be able to camp among the animals in the middle of a national park. We also visited the Maasai and had a look at Roko's family. As a highlight we climbed the mountain. It was a wonderful trip with beautiful memories! Thanks for everything Roko and Miranda!
NL
Email Jolanda Joossen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing
I enjoyed the trip that Miranda and Roko put together for us. Not an average trip that you see in every booklet. But a beautiful image of the real Tanzania. First we walked for three days through the beautiful landscape from Empakai Crater to Engare Sero, accompanied by Roko and a chef. We passed Maasai villages and enjoyed the flamingos and the beautiful nature. We then stayed at Miranda and Roko's guesthouse and visited Lake Natron, the waterfall and many other sights. The accommodation is simple. The food excellent. Finally, we visited the national parks of Serengeti, Tarangire and the Ngorongoro crater with Massie, the guide attached to the quest house. Beautiful. It was a very varied trip that I look back on with great pleasure.
NL
Email Inge Reinders | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
great and professional
We enjoyed our safari with Roko safaris. After a warm welcome at Arusha airport, our safari started, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti 2 days and Ngorongoro. Roko is an experienced guide and has a great eye for nature, giving us unforgettable moments. I can recommend Roko safaris to everyone.
NL
Email Mariel | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Deep Dive into the world and wildlife of Tanzania.
Roko, Miranda and their crew bring out the best they can to meet your wishes and serve you with an inspiring experience into great wildlife, fantastic scenery landscape and direct contact with the maasai community nearby.
We had various shorter daytrips from their cosy Guesthouse and village and enjoyed every one of them! Lake Natron Area is beautifull.
We have been doing already a lot of wildlife Safaris throughout whole Africa, but this visit outstands all the others because of the maasai background of Rokoine. He and the second tourguide Massi really know when and where to find the animals and provide you with an insider view of the country you don’t find anywhere else.
We did a 3-day hike which was spectacular encircling the vulcano dominating the landscape and later in the week also climbed this beautifull Ol Doinyo Lengai, which is an active vulcano! On the top of this steep mountain tour you can see the lava waves flickering in the crater down deep! The 360 view on top was sensational, with the summits of Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru just surfacing above the clouds when we were having breakfast and awaiting the sunset
