Bush lunch in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Tazama Africa Holidays
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- AMREF, Eco Tourism & Tour Operators Society of Kenya
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
DE
Email Fabian | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unique Experience exceeding all expectations
After following this forum silently for some weeks, we gained a lot of information and were able to find the best route for our Kenya safari. We compared severall tour agencies and read a lot of reviews. After contacting a few agencies for availability and price, we decided to go with Tazama Africa Safaries in March 2022.
Their 11-day tour had almost all parks included, which we’d like to see. The lodges were all above average in ratings and other operators have choosen cheaper ones. The only missing national park on our list was Aberdare, but Tazama was able change the route accordingly. Furthermore it was very comfortable for us that they offered us a drop-off at Diana beach. So instead of going back the round course to Nairobi, our tour was supposed to end at the beach to save some time.
Overall we have choosen Tazama because of best value-for-money and their flexibility.
It turned out that this was an excellent choice. The communication beforehand was very professional and customer oriented. The owner Anthony and tour guide Ephantus, with whom we spent 12 days, picked us up at the hotel right on time. First of all, Ephantus always took good care of us and drove very safely. At no time, neither we felt unsafe nor uncomfortable. The routes were always very interesting with a lot of background stories and stops at nice places (local markets, shops, restaurants, restrooms etc.). He also gave us many insights in modern and tradional Kenyan life and politics. So he and Anthony make our experience so memorable and amazing.
Instead of having only a few hours game drive a day, we choosed many times to go with lunch boxes. This enabled us spend almost the whole day from early morning to sunset and to go wide and far in the parks. For us it definelty paid out that Ephantus could read the signs in the gras, to anticipate the behaviour of animals and to get additional informations from other cars out there. So we were not only able to spot the big or the special 5. Our personal highlights are a baby rhino, 3 baby-cheetahs playing aorund, lions eating a catch and leopards very close to the car. Further he is also very professional in choosing the right angle to the animals and the sun or the background for excellent photos.
The hotels provided always very tasty food, very clean and comfortable. We would recommend each of the lodges, also because there was always a special at each. In one, we could walk with Zebras, another one was directly located at a river with hippos, water wholes at others and so on. Since we booked directly with Tazama Africa, either there was a room upgrade or a bottle of wine with a fruit plate waiting for us at each lodge.
If we would do the trip again, we would may not go to Aberdare again but stick to the original route. The route and the duration of stays turned out to be a very good choice. Also having a private car with the tour guide may cost a little extra, but will bring a lot of flexibility.
As a final verdict, we would strongly recommend you to go with Tazama Africa.
Our trip: Nairobi -> Aberdare (Ark Lodge) -> Samburu (Ashnil Samburu) -> Ol Pejeta (Sweetwaters Serena tented camp) -> Lake Nakuru (Sarova lion hill Lodge) -> Maasai Mara (Ashnil Mara Camp) -> Lake Naivasha (Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort) -> Amboseli (Amboseli Serena safari lodge) -> Tsavo West (Kilaguni Serena safari lodge) -> Diana Beach -> Watamu
Email Margaret | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing! Lost for words
Four our us on tour with a dedicated driver, Andrew. He couldn't have done more for us - early mornings, long days, spotting animals and birds for us at every turn. We stayed in 8 different camps - from tents to lodges. All were fabulous - lots of food, comfortable rooms, welcoming staff. We saw just about every animal you would expect to see, and so many babies. Sunrises and sunsets. Andrew was happy to be up early for sunrise (and knew just where to find the best spot for photos), stay later for sunsets (with elephants and Mt Kilimanjaro a highlight), the hours he put in were over and above. Cheerful all the time - even when the truck needed a thorough wash after a muddy rainstorm.
We couldn't recommend these guys highly enough. The trip of a lifetime made perfect by Tazama Holidays.
US
Email Jennifer Riehm | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Prompt, professional and extremely knowledgable.
Our tour exceeded our expectations. From the camps to the game drives everything blew our minds. It was so wonderful to know we were taken care of and didn't have to worry about anything. It was very nice having the cooler of water in the vehicle, much appreciated. The communication between Antony and myself was lightning fast and he was very patient with me and all my questions. I absolutely thought the value was worth every penny. From the game drives, food (every place was incredible) lodging and just the scenery. I would go back in a heart beat and have already recommend Tazama to everyone who is interested. Every employee either from Tazama or one of the camps were so lovely, kind and helpful if anything was needed. Felt so comfortable and two weeks later and still smiling ear to ear from such a fantastic trip.
Email Leoni | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A lifetime experience!
We did a 5-day safari trip with Anthony, the owner of the company, and it was beyond amazing!!
The communication before coming to Africa worked very well, Anthony picked us up from our hotel in Nairobi. Our first night in the Sweetwater Lodge in the Ol Pejeta conservancy was so great, we got an extra upgrade and had such a beautiful tent. From our veranda we could watch the elephant and the giraffes walking by to drink from the waterhole. For us, that was the most magical moment of the whole trip!
Also our accommodations in the Nakuru national parc and the Masai Mara were so beautiful, the staff was always very friendly and helpful.
On the game drives we did every day twice, Anthony showed us all the animals we could wish for. Rhinos, elephants, zebras, lions (also the cabs), giraffes, cheetahs and many many more. We also had the chance to watch a hyena while hunting and killing a gazelle. We felt very safe in every moment and besides the game drives we really enjoyed having long conversation with Anthony about the culture and people of Africa.
In total, we can highly recommend Tazama Africa holidays for doing a safari in Kenya! Thank you again Anthony for this trip, this was a lifetime experience!
BG
Email Luis and Pavlina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great communication, very helpful and friendly
We had an amazing safari around Naivasha lake, Nakuru park and Masai Mara park. Communication with Antony was perfect and our guide John was very friendly and helpful, trying to incorporate all our wishes in the schedule. This was once in the lifetime experience and we enjoyed every moment of it!
SG
Email Asher | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Loved it!
The safari was the best thing I've ever done. On the first day alone, we saw the big 5! The accomodation that we had arranged was so cool, there were hippos right outside the river next to our accomodation. I cannot wait to go back! We spent four days on the safari, and even though we saw a lot we wish we could have stayed longer. Our guide, Josphat was amazing. We learnt a lot from him and want to thank him again for an amazing trip. Price was high; but competitive compared to others.
AE
Email Dan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing staff, safari - trip of a LIFETIME!
Antony and his team are nothing short of amazing. From the very beginning, communication was extremely smooth. I have been talking to more than five operators, but the discussions with Antony were always the best. He helped me understand where to stay, how to organize the day, and how to get the most out of our trip. We went back and forth quite a bit, and he has always been extemely patient. With respect to the safari ourself: our guide Josphat was absolutely amazing. On our drive to the park, he knew exactly were to stop to get some groceries and a sim card for us. During game drives, he told us so many interesting facts and was extremely hospitable. I took a lot of photos, and he had to stop the car so many times I thought I would drive him crazy, but he always asked where to park his car best for the best photos and angles. We saw all big five on the first day thanks to him! Thank you again for an amazing safari - we returned two weeks ago and I have already booked my next trip with Antony and Tazama!
FR
Email Guillaume Foucheres | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great service, great dedication of the team. Fantastic value for money
An incredible safari experience from the preparation of the safari till the very end of it. Great advices of Anthony in term of parks and accomodations. We appreciated his flexibility and his profesionalism during our stay. I definetely recommand it.
Email Xavier | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service providing a superb safari, John was the perfect guide
An incredible safari experience from start to finish, excellent accommodation at Ilkeliani and Lerai camps. John Wanjau was my guide and he was exceptional, he was incredibly knowledgeable and had an expert eye for spotting animals and birds. Being a birder I was constantly asking to stop to look at small birds I had spotted and John helped me to identify them. The highlights must be the hyena carrying the zebra head, and the serval hunting and catching a rat. The walking safari at Lerai camp was also excellent, Steve the guide showed me the local birds and helped me see 15 new species I hadn’t yet spotted!
An excellent safari and Tazama were brilliant, Antony was so quick at responding to messages so booking was easy. I shall be returning to Kenya in future!
RS
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Efficient, organized, and responsive
I had a lovely week in Kenya. Antony was responsive and reliable and the guide, Moses, was exceptional. No complaints. My only recommendation for improvement is to get a more secure payment method (I am not a fan of paypal). Fortunately all the reviews gave me confidence and I had no issues. Great work Anthony!