Shanjoy Tours Team
Shanjoy Tours and Safaris
- Located 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)
Reviews
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Email CJJ | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded Expectations!
Thank you Shanjoy Tours for the safari of a lifetime! There were 5 in our group, although there should have been 6, but one got the stomach flu before we left. So the trip started with a major disappointment.
From the minute we were picked up at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport we were well taken care of. We took the 9 day tour to Kenya and Tanzania. We had different guides in each country, but loved them both. Dominic was an amazing tracker, and navigated the bumpy, mud soaked roads, never getting stuck once and even rescuing another jeep. He was an expert driver. We saw the Big 5 in Kenya in one exciting day! Although each day was an adventure! Dominic was so good. We were amazed at all we saw from hyenas chewing through buffalo rib bones, to a leopard, to rhinos at a distance, and so many lions and zebras and giraffes. We transferred after a long drive (Dominic assessed a bridge and said it was not safe, 2 weeks before the Mara bridge had washed out, so we had to take a longer route.) The border would not take our credit card as we had planned, so we had to unexpectedly pay in cash, but we could only get $160 out at a time from the ATM, which was a bit of a challenge. The Serengeti with Ledgar was worth the drive. It is huge and open with so many animals. The roads there were just as bumpy but more dusty. Ledger was also a perfect guide and shared a lot of culture and animal information and answered our many questions. With both drivers we felt secure and knew they would keep us safe while giving us so many chances to see more animals than we had even hoped.
Each night we stayed at unique and beautifully well set up places. The food was plentiful and delicious; we couldn't believe all the selection. The workers at each lodge/camp were also just so friendly. The tents had their own bathrooms, and showers, and were more like spacious rooms than a "tent." All the beds had enclosed mosquito netting and each room was spacious and had bottled water for drinking and toothbrushing. (None of the places supplied cream rinse for hair washing, fyi, but had soap and shampoo.) Also, there were plenty of places during the game drives to stop to use the washroom (which you could also tip there.) We recommend bringing enough small/big bills to tip the driver, porters (coming and going, sometimes 2xs a day), the room staff, and the waiters. Bring extra money for souvenirs as at the park entrance are the Maasaai who really want your business. The jeeps were comfortable, had windows that you could open, places to charge your phone/camera, and a top that raised, as well as a cooler for supplied bottled water. We saw some open jeeps and we all appreciated our jeep being enclosed. (You spend a lot of time in that jeep! ) The itinerary was well planned. The cost to fly over to Africa is the most expensive part of the trip. From Texas it was 9 hours to England, and then another 9 to Nairobi with British Airways. We got our passports, our Yellow Fever Shots and mandatory YF certificates, and started taking our malaria pills a few days ahead of the trip, and while we were on the trip, and then for 7 days after returning home. We over-packed bug spray and sunscreen and never had a big problem, even with the TseTse flies in Tanzania. We thought it would be hotter being at the equator, but found the weather to be pleasant! We dressed in the hues of the safari landscape. We were glad to have packed light jackets for the early morning drives. We went a couple of weeks before the Great Migration and sometimes we were about the only people at a camp! There was also way less traffic to see the animals and we spent unhurried time watching the wildlife. (The Great Migration would have also been so interesting, but for us it was much cheaper to fly and safari in mid May, and we saw more than we had hoped to see.) The rain was not a problem! Shanjoy Tours did an outstanding job organizing the details, the park fees, the meals, and two "above and beyond" kind tour guides in Dominic and Ledgar.
We saw lions eating a Cape Buffalo calf, a hyena splashing in water, so many hippos, warthogs, topis, hartebeests, crocodiles, wildebeests, a cheetah and her cubs eating a gazelle, so many Thompson's gazelles, vultures, African Fish Eagle, flamingos, pelicans and on and on. The last evening Dominic got a tip on the radio, and sped us to the absolute perfect spot, just at the right moment to watch the Amboseli elephants amble slowly across the road right in front of us, one after another, after another, for over 7 minutes. The big bull elephant Michael was in the rear. After, two other smaller groups also crossed. At the beginning of the first herd a flock of white cattle egrets flew overhead right over the elephants. It was a moment that none of us will soon forget.
We highly recommend Shanjoy as being reputable, dependable and for the lodging and meals, the price cannot be beat. At the Ashnil Tented camp the workers sang and danced a goodbye to us as we headed out. You just don't get that in America! Our expectations were met and exceeded! We appreciated Shanjoy Tours and highly recommend their services.
DE
Email Divya Dhanas | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Masai Maara Safari - Shanjoy Tours
Pros:
- People within the Tours are reachable
- Excellent stay provided
- Safe driving
Cons:
- No Game Drive provided on the last day (while it was promised on the quotation). Basically, your last day of Safari is only transfer to Nairobi without any Game drive (even if promised)
- Full day Game drive ends super early. During our Day 2 of game drive, it started at 7am but ended by 4pm (while the park is open till 6pm and the sun would still be up till 6.30pm). Was disappointed to miss out the last 2 hours of Game Drive
- Was able to see only 3 out of 5 (Big5) while other Tour operators promises to shown all Big5
Reply from Shanjoy Tours and Safaris
Posted on Jul 16, 2024Thanks, Divya for your review. I appreciate you booking with us.
Typically, for a three-day, two-night safari, we do a full-day safari from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving our clients time to relax in the lodge, but this depends on how they want the game drive to go. You could have told your guide about this, as I had told you you would be able to arrange your timings as you are on a private safari.
For the morning game drive, I am sure you drove back through the park; the new rules prohibit doing a game drive after the ticket has expired after 12 hours. On the final day of the safari, there is no game drive; you spot anything on the way out. Martin, your consultant, specifically informed you that to do a morning game drive on the 3rd day, you would need to pay park fees. You hand only paid for 2 days' park fees, and all those game drives were delivered as promised.
It is important to appreciate that the wild is unpredictable, and the animals present themselves at will. This means that game drives can be rewarded differently. As such, we do not guarantee our clients specific sightings, especially of the Big 5. If another company had promised you this, we do not take responsibility for that.
We encourage our clients to visit at least two or more parks when they are looking to see all the Big Five to increase their chances. Additionally, express your expectations and inform the guide of what you are truly looking for. We try to deliver rewarding game drives, but it is important to note that in the wild, no sightings are guaranteed.
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Email Keller Beckstead | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!
Shanjoy Tours and Safaris made our trip to Kenya and Tanzania unforgettable in all the best ways. My family and I felt safe, well taken care of, and amazed at all the natural beauty around us. We had zero issues with our bookings at the various lodges and parks. We loved the food and had many different delicious options for meals. We especially felt grateful for our drivers, Dominik and Ledgar, who were most hospitable and helped to make our Safari perfect. The owner, Patrick, and his employees were kind and quick to reply to our emails/questions. If you are unsure about booking let this be your sign to commit and enjoy the trip of a lifetime!
IT
Email Giovanni Scepi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A growing tour operator that deserves trust
We selected this Tour Operator for a good balance between price and professionalism - probably there are more experienced companies but we wanted to give a chance to a smaller one. Willingness to do good, improve and grow; great communication and reliability. Patrick has always been ready to support and respond to queries; Joseph is a great driver even in difficult conditions (muddy roads). The tour was well structured and allowed us to see many animals despite the rainy season.
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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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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).
Email Mr Richard | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely brilliant tour operator, big enough to cope, small enough to care.
Patrick and his team were brilliant throughout and worked tirelessly to make sure we had a great time. We had lots of little things we needed to change and they accommodated every one of them as we went with a real personalised service. Our Kenyan guide Joseph was fantastic, with over 20 years of experience, he knew the parks backwards which made a real difference to having a great safari.
We had a week visiting Kenya and Tanzania and were delighted with the service, care and expertise. The guides and Patrick were always on time, fully reliable and were great companions on our trip. Even when we hit a few car problems from the roads, they were able to resolve them in record time and keep things moving.
Couldn't be happier with Shanjoy tours and would definitely thoroughly recommend them for their knowledge, service, trustworthiness and flexibility.
HU
Email Mr Roland Marko | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Patrick was like a good friend!!! Professional service!
We went to Kenya with my wife and we had a really good experience with Patrick. He is an extremely good guide and friendly man. We enjoyed every single moments. Basically our tour was a cultural one, but we combined it with a safari. Thank you Patrick, hopefully see you soon!
ES
Email Laura Mestres | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Local operator, great service!
After an exhaustive search, Shanjoy was the company chosen due to the fluid communication I had at all times and its ability to adapt to my requirements.
It was an unforgettable 10 days of safari. A unique experience that I highly recommend. Especially if it can be done in the low season, as was our case.
Thanks to Patrick and his entire team for their professionalism and a special mention to our driver in Kenya, Joseph, whose driving skills were magnificent!