Shanjoy Tours Team
Shanjoy Tours and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $250 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CN
Email Peiyu Lin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very thoughtful, great experience
The entire itinerary was arranged very well and had a great experience. The hotel, vehicles, and guides were all very good. When we encountered problems, they actively helped us solve them. We hope to have the opportunity to experience Africa again. Thank you very much
IN
Email TB | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shanjoy delivered a superbly memorable family trip, exceeded expectation and value in every way
We just had one of the most memorable safari trip to Africa covering Kenya and Tanzania over 11 days with my family, from end Aug till mid Sept.
My Mom just turned 70 recently, she always wanted to visit during great migration in Africa. And I wondered whether I could make that happen this year, a family trip with my Mom & Dad, along with my Wife and I. And do it without breaking my bank.
It was kind of overwhelming initially, when there are so many tour companies and national parks to visit. Then reached out to Shanjoy tours amongst and few more. I was impressed by the effort put in by Patrick the owner, on detailed itinerary which clarified a lot for me given my first time planning a safari. Patrick was very open to customizing whenever I enquired, was very prompt on his responses, and gave good suggestions/recommendations on places to stay, to make it easy/comfortable for my parents, this gave me peace of mind given both my parents are in their 70s.
All the recommended places turned out excellent during the trip. Through out the trip punctuality, professionalism and along with coordination between Tanzanian Partner Mama Safari’s, could not be faulted. Everything just happened smoothly like a well oiled machine.
Patrick received us in the airport along with our guide Patrick (both happen to share the same names) and gave us a complete briefing, we liked and appreciated this gesture a lot. We were little disappointed to know that migration was unexpectedly short this year which nobody could have predicted, however what we saw in the coming days, just made us not regret at all.
Kenya part of the trip
- Nothing prepared us enough for Kenya, the abundant wild life everywhere, the ability to get very close sighting, and frequent big cat action. It just felt surreal.
- Patrick our guide just made it so much better, very knowledgeable, good sense of humor and temperament, kept all our family engaged. He ensured that all my Mom’s wishes were taken care of. My family just loved him throughout the trip, and I must say it won’t have been as enjoyable without him. He was the best part of the trip, and all of us kind of miss him. (My Mom has even followed up with me checking if I have mentioned him well in the review, it has never happened before :-)). Also we appreciated his professionalism in his job, he respected nature and wildlife, in Masai Mara sometime seeing aggressive guides getting too close to the animals can be quite a put off. He turned out to be adept with repairs as well, we ran into engine issue in Amboseli with our safari vehicle, and he was able to resolve the problem quickly and got us safely back to our lodge in time.
- We started the trip with lake Nakuru staying in Nakuru lodge, beautiful location specially during sunset and sunrise. We got to see some of the big cats and rhinos up close on the very first day.
- Masai Mara is truly a safari paradise, the open fields and low grass makes it an ideal location for sighting big cat action in addition to all the other wildlife. We got to see multiple cheetah encounters along with hunts, lion prides with cubs and leopard sighting up close. Our stay in Pride Inn mara lodge was equally memorable, Patrick (owner) ensured that we got cottage rooms, which was luxurious and very comfortable for my parents. The service, food, location was all remarkable. All the staff ensured my family were comfortable and taken care of, and enquired often. Masai Mara and Pride Inn lodge remains the highlight of our trip.
- Amboseli is very different landscape to the other parks in Kenya, it means dusty place in local language, and you kind of get it once you are there. It’s a place to see large elephants and it doesn’t disappoint. It kind of has its own ecosystem. We were lucky on our second day weather cleared up and we could see Mt Kilimanjaro in all its glory. The diminished snowcap reminds us all of the climate change we are causing. Our stay was both in camp in Tulia and lodge in Kibo, both places were very good. My family liked Kibo for the wide buffet options. Just to mention the road from border to Amboseli is quite bad, and gives you the max African massage experience.
- The only feedback that we have given Patrick (owner) is to upgrade the vehicles, the very bad road conditions makes it necessary. Which he mentioned he will be changing to new soon.
Tanzania part of the trip
- We did not see much wildebeest in Mara, however while on the way to Sarengeti post crossing the border, we came across thousands of them grazing. They were on their way back. My Mom was super happy to see the migration on its way back.
- What surprised me about Tanzania is how landscape changes within half a days drive, each area has its own ecosystem. Within Sarengeti there is section with denser bushes & shrubs, then there is a section with endless open grassland, then in Ngorongoro is different ecosystem and similarly lake Manyara is completely different with dense tropical like forest. Quite amazing. However due to the density of vegetation, big cat sighting is not as frequent as Kenyan side, and unlike Masai mara it is not flat land where vehicles can go off-track hence the sightings are from a distance.
- Mustafa was our guide in Tanzania, which we were also very happy with. He was very knowledgeable as well and of calm temperament. He always gave us a good explanation on each of the parks and what to expect. Must mention that in the first day of game drives in Serengeti we were not able to have as many interesting sightings in spite of him covering a lot of distance, he ensured the next day we got superb sighting of leopard with a kill on the tree and the biggest male lion duo we came across the entire trip. And thanks to him we got to see black rhino in Ngorongoro, which is kind of difficult in a short visit. We just got to spend less time with Mustafa compared to Patrick.
- In Serengeti we stayed in Osinon camps which was comfortable and right within the park, though my family found the food options limited for asians, however we all found the staff to be super friendly and always helpful. Our stay in Manyara was in Jungle pearl, in traditional style houses, and my parents loved it, also the food was superb and the chef really took care of my family. Lake Manyara is different in terms of density of trees, its an easy half day game drive, with more birds and primate population, it was a welcome break from the long and bumpy game drives, and gave a required back-rest day to my parents.
- Also must mention that the quality of vehicles provided was really very good during this part of the trip, understood that Mama Savanna and Patrick(owner) tried to ensure that my parents were comfortable, given more distance to be covered on road along with dry/dusty climate. This made the journey really comfortable for my family and we appreciate both for this.
As we look back, we cant help admire the natural beauty of both these countries, their landscapes and wildlife, and how they have been able to conserve them. And above all the people, cant say enough, their humility and sincerity just won us over. They have many things to be really proud of.
For me and my family, we do look forward to a visit again, and it has to include guide Patrick + Masai Mara + Pride Inn.
This trip exceeded all our expectations. And as guide Patrick always said ‘when Mama happy, then everyone happy’, he couldn’t be more right :-). Thank you to both Patrick the owner, Shanjoy team and Mama Savanna teams for making this a reality.
CA
Email Derrick | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience guides that are determined to fulfill your safari adventure
Patrick and his team are super attentive and professional to details. You want an experience guide that knows how to handle any situations because you are in nature with wild animals.
Patrick helped planned our family tour that tailored to our family’s interests and needs. We saw all the big 5 animals. Experienced a lion hunt during a night game drive that we will never forget. Saw cheetahs and lion cubs up close.
We stayed at 6 different hotels, each with its own experience and ambiance that made it special.
We ran into an unexpected Masai protest but the guides handled the situation and got us to our next destination safely. We experienced flat tires but given the terrain that is not a surprise. Our guides were able to fix the issue quickly and got things back on track.
I highly recommend Shanjoy to anyone and will rebook with them again in the future.
MY
Email MichaelTeh | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Shanjoy is synonymous with reliability and professional services, knowledgeable and friendly guide
It was quite easy to communicate with Shanjoy to create a suitable itinerary for our Kenya and Tanzania safari. Shanjoy was most approachable and flexible, and made suggestions that were very relevant to enhancing our safari experience.
Our highly professional driver/guide in Kenya, Patrick Roonan, had great communication skills and apparently very knowledgeable of the fauna and flora in the parks.
Patrick Roonan seems to have the knack of finding and locating the animals; we managed to see four of the Big Five within the first safari day itself! His patience and consistently right decisions has enabled us to be the first to arrive at some spots where we can have a close and undisturbed time with the animals.
Thanks to Patrick Ngire, Beth Kamatu and the Shanjoy team, everything went smoothly and safely.
Shanjoy is highly recommended for a memorable and hassle free safari.
US
Email Yan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dedicated reliable professional services
We contacted Shanjoy tours and safari by email to have a private tour itinerary for a very reasonable price. They replied our questions in detail promptly every time. Patrick picked us up at Nairobi airport in person. We had Steve as our driver/guider at Nakuru, Maasai Mara for 4 amazing days, then picked up at board by its partner, Mama Savanna, in Tanzania. We had Isaya as our driver/guider at Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, Tarangire for 5 perfect days. Then we were back into Kenya to tour Amboseli. At last we were transferred to Nairobi for dinner then airport. Every accommodation is wonderful. What an unforgettable lifetime experience! Thank you so much!
CA
Email Erika oliveros | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!
Found Shanjoy thru random search here in this website. They are very responsive from Day 0 to end. I highly recommend them especially if you are going to Tanzania (i love our guide Elly as he was so passionate in his job and we learned a lot). 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
US
Email Amy | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Worst experience ever, zero competent, zero respect to me, just for the money and tips
One star is for the animals! Don’t book with them, the worst tour guide ever!! The good reviews here are very short, most just says they are nice people, that’s not competent for a guide, you need an experienced guide to know where animals are. OMG where do I even start:
1> the tour guide Joseph, worst guide ever, he’s not even a descent human being. He’s constantly on the phone, talking to others, others calling him, and when we stop I take pictures of animals, he takes out his notebook, either writing down something or on the phone. First I thought he’s talking to others to know where animals are, so I asked him. He said no, he’s clearly doing something else on this side.
2> his knowledge for animal is just non-exist! He doesn’t know what the big 5s are, doesn’t know where cheetah is, he drives to the same area everyday. And you would expect a tour guide tell you a little history about the park, different animals, etc. NOPE, absolutely nothing, he drives quietly and when we see animals he stops, let me take pictures, go.
3> we would spend hours in the car just Joseph and I and there’s no talking at all! Can you believe it! And it’s becoming very awkward so one time I tried to make a conversation, so I asked him “hey what brand of phone people use here in Kenya?”, he goes, “oh you Americans use iPhone! You are rich!”, I was like errr no everyone uses iPhone it’s very common there, carriers give deals, you can get a 24 months contract for a phone. Do you know what he said, he goes "you should sign up for a new contract and give me your phone!" wow wordless… unbelievable. Another time, I told him I want to see cheetah, he goes “cheetah are hard to see, I want $100 tips if we see cheetah.” WOW after that I gave up, i dont want to talk to him at all.
4> and on the last day, his car broke. smoke came out of the engine, we wasted half day staying in a lodge fixing his car
4 days I spent in Kenya, didnt see much at all. last day, we finally found 2 cheetah, this guy refuse to stay longer because he wants to stay under the shade. and he doesnt want to move closer because he wants to stay under the shade.
I can go on, and on. this company and this tourguide ruined my Kenya experience. Please stay away! i will post the same review on other Safari platforms. I hope more people can see it. It’s not a cheap trip, please choose wisely!!
Reply from Shanjoy Tours and Safaris
Posted on Jun 24, 2024I do confirm that Amy booked a safari with us and I personally took her to the Mara and handed her to Joseph, one of our senior guides. We had a lot of communication before she came about her safari and choice of hotels, and since she was a solo traveller using high-end hotels that were very expensive, her safari cost was higher than normal.
Joseph spoke on the phone a lot; he admitted it, but some calls were necessary since her radio call was not working well.
Amy saw many animals, including a group of over 15 lions and two leopards, eating alone with no other vehicles nearby. This one is not mentioned anywhere. The reason she says Joseph was not going near Cheetah is because we have a 5-vehicle rule in Mara Triangle, and so the first vehicle had to leave and will go back when others have seen the animals. Joseph was going away to give others a chance, but she wanted to stay and not move.
It is normal to have car breakdowns or get stuck while on safari, and this is what happened. The car was fixed, but not for the half-day she mentioned.
She could tell me to change hotels for her, which was not possible at the time, saying there were no animals or saying she saw the same thing. She gave the two guides a difficult time during game drives, which was not good. We do game drives without expecting anything, as the wild does not guarantee sightings.
It is regrettable she felt that we ruined her safari. However, we must appreciate that the wild does not guarantee any animals to be sighted, and hotels cannot be changed at a minute's notice. Once an itinerary has been booked and the hotels paid, any changes come with additional costs, which the client must be prepared to incur. Amy did not want to incur the cost of changing the hotel, despite having recommended the hotel which we booked.
This is my first client to ever complain about us and I regret it. I wish to ensure that all our clients get the best from their safari.
Email Elizabeth | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An unforgettable and truly amazing trip, thanks to the team at Shanjoy
Patrick and his team at Shanjoy were excellent from start to finish, and I would 100% recommend them. They really care about making your holiday great - I made a change to the itinerary before going, and also added on an additional game drive for the final day at quite late notice - we had a late flight from Nairobi so I was keen to make the most of it. Joseph (our guide in Kenya) and Harun (our guide across the border in Tanzania) were both phenomenal and made every effort to make the experience amazing.
I had made some other enquiries of larger companies and found they were quite one-size-fits-all, but the service from Shanjoy was personalised and thoughtful,. Even a little thing like helping us find a replacement camera charger on the first morning wasn't too much trouble, and made the whole trip so smooth from start to finish. Everything was on time, communication was great and the trip was great value for money (some of our experiences were priceless).
ES
Email Roberto Buil | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Patrick made our first safari unforgettable and suited both our expectations and our budget.
Communication with Shanjoy Tours and Safaris was very good from the first quote. We made a multitude of changes both because of their advice and because of our interests. He always advised us and looked for the best solutions to fit our budget. Patrick accompanied us in Masai Mara, the 4x4 is very good and perfectly adapted with plugs (US, UK, EU compatible) to charge phones and cameras. It has an ideal tray to organize all our electronic devices. With it we were able to see Lions mating, several leopards with their prey in the tree, Cheetahs eating their prey and the harassment of Vultures. Lioness eating a buffalo, we even found a Serval that is the most difficult to see due to its size. Multitudes of elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles. A magical moment was being able to enjoy the crossing of the Mara River. In the Tanzanian part, we changed drivers and guides and we were accompanied by Mudy, a young guide who spoke Spanish, and Hasam, a great driver with a lot of experience and knowledge of animals. We had some problem with the 4x4 that was heating up and not starting but it was resolved. In Tanzania we were lucky enough to see a lioness hunt. The accommodations were perfectly adapted to our needs and Patrick even upgraded us to the latest Hotel in Ngorongoro. I must highlight that the airline lost our suitcases and Patrick did everything possible to help us recover them. Thank you, it has been a pleasure to enjoy this adventure with you.
US
Email Taylor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime trip -- incredible tour!
Patrick answered all of my questions (and I had a lot of questions) before booking. He was detailed and helpful and gave great advice! They were also helpful and responsive during our trip for anything we needed. We did a safari at the Masai Mara and a trip to Diani Beach. Patrick picked us up personally with a driver from our hotel in Nairobi for airport transfer - it was very nice to meet him! We did flights between locations and they were smooth, easy and quick transport. We absolutely LOVED the Losokwan camp in the Lemek Conservancy. We were concerned staying outside of the Masai Mara, but we actually loved our drives in the conservancy. Such an incredible trip and we'd recommend to anyone!