Reviews

Average User Rating
5.0/5

Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 27
  • 4 star 0
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 1-10 of 27 Reviews
Mickey Haston   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2022 Reviewed: Oct 22, 2024

Email Mickey Haston  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

AMAZING experience leader on a wonderful trip
5/5

We had an amazing and perfect trip full of fun, learning ,and laughing

Kerry   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2024 Reviewed: Sep 17, 2024

Email Kerry  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Forever memories via the lens of a native son’s love, knowledge and expertise
5/5

Everything on this adventure exceeded expectations due to Jartan Laizer’s skills, knowledge and leadership. His personal communications pre trip paved the way for us to be ready, equipped and his daily communications, both written and verbal kept us on track and able to enjoy each and everyday to the fullest. He and his staff were excellent- so skilled and knowledgeable regarding the environment, history, politics, the cultures/ tribes and the nature and most prominently the animals.

Jartan kept us on plan while never missing an opportunity for photos or taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity. At the same time he managed to address everyone’s needs from achieving perfect photo angles for the highly skilled amongst us to assisting some of the rest who benefitted from his keen eye and camera tips- if the action of the moment was on the other side of the vehicle he’d even take the shots for you.

For me the trip was priceless for what I saw, learned and was able to participate in: the Masai tribe whose village we visited, the amazing Hadzabe tribe of whom only 1200 remain and who speak the most unusual language I’d ever encountered. The craft coffee grower and producer where we participated in the processing of the beans, shooting an arrow from a Hadzabe bow, grinding corn kernels into grain using rocks….

I loved it all , especially the game drives- Jartan is the best spotter I’ve encountered and his team was excellent- I’m certain that National Geographic would have paid a fortune to see some of what we saw- herds of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, hippos, a rhino with her baby elephants, giraffes, leopards- the list is endless but the lions were incredible. We saw so many throughout the trip, but as we drove with dawn breaking to the Serengeti airfield to begin our journey home, we came upon a huge pride of lions—2 dozen plus and witnessed their week old cubs nursing, toddlers and adolescents playing, two huge maned males 6 lactating females- we were breathless with wonder. We even witnessed a huge drama when 2 young marauding males stalked the herd to try to get at the cubs. The females repulsed them just before their males returned and who then pursued the two troublemakers- it was so real that it felt unreal. Only two days before that we actually saw a pair of lions breeding.

The whole experience was truly incredible and a real value - I feel that we got double the experience for a fraction of the cost of the big name companies we all know. Jartan made it fabulous, seamless, wild yet safe and created memories of a lifetime for all of us. I also enjoyed all the accommodations and food, too. Thank you Team Jartan Laizer!!! Highly recommend!

Sarah   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2024 Reviewed: Sep 14, 2024

Email Sarah

Jartan was an experienced professional tour leader with great organizational and social skills
5/5

The Kenya and Tanzania safari tour exceeded all my expectations. Our leader was very organized and professional. He made the smoothness of our multiple activities every day seem effortless. He took the diverse group of travelers that was our group and made sure that everyone's experience was great. He was clear in his expectations of us and what our schedule would be every day. Most of us had not been on a Safari before so it was good to have the information we needed to be safe and to have a wonderful time every day. He and the drivers were amazing at finding and showing us the many animals that abounded in the parks we visited. We also got to visit various unique villages and meet and interact with the people who lived there. We danced and sang with them, got to try grinding grain, milking goats, shooting a bow and arrow among other experiences. At one village we watched members make a fire using only a stick, straw, and dung. At another we watched the blacksmiths create arrows and bracelets out of recycled copper, brass, and steel. We visited a school and interacted with the students and head teacher there. We watched artisans blow glass, make ceramic beads, weave, carve wood, and make baskets. We joined a family for lunch and had a wonderful time interacting with them and sharing information about life in each of our countries. The experiences were varied and fascinating. The hotels and camps we stayed in were clean and comfortable, the staff courteous and helpful, the food varied and delicious. It was "the trip of a lifetime" and I highly recommend our tour guide and this tour.

CiCi   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2024 Reviewed: Sep 4, 2024

Email CiCi  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Jartan is professional, organized, knew all animals, birds, TZ history. HE HAS EAGLE EYES! VERY GOOD
5/5

Our 19 day Safari was so much more than I expected! We had opportunities every day for game drives & we did see the BIG 5!
We had wonderful lodging experience with clean facilities, good food and the staff gave 100%.
I would definitely book again. Africa has a special place in my heart after this trip.

Lorry Johnson   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2024 Reviewed: Aug 21, 2024

Email Lorry Johnson  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

JARTAN...A tribute to Africa
5/5

Our trip was fabulous and quite diversified between the tribes and animals of this beautiful country. We were on a 19-day safari, there were 10 in our group, and we traveled in both Kenya and Tanzania.
We learned about tribal culture, plants, and animals.
Our trip leader, Jartan, shared his time and knowledge with all of us. Even though we were strangers prior to this trip, he made it possible for us to become a "team"...sharing all.
My initial desire was the safari and the animals, but Jartan made meeting the tribal people one of my fondest memories.

Chris Freeman   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2024 Reviewed: Aug 14, 2024

Email Chris Freeman  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

GREAT TRIP WITH AN EXCELLENT GUIDE
5/5

Having a great guide can turn a good trip into the trip of a lifetime. Jartan went above and beyond with pretrip communications, excellent planning, superior knowledge and in the occasional, but not unexpected, event where something was not perfect, he immediately knew what to do to fix the issue. He has excellent knowledge of the wildlife and their habitats, but also the local culture, events, history and everything else you might want to learn along the way. He also has many local experts and contacts along the tour to give detailed insight into the communities and trades. The trip is not inexpensive due to park entry fees and dedicated drivers, lodging and other costs, so having an excellent guide is the best way to make sure you get the most for your money. Like many people, my initial hope was to view lots of animals. We saw many more than I had expected, but many of the other experiences on the trip made lasting impressions. The scenery was beautiful, the food was delicious, and most of all, the people we met at our accommodations, our drivers and on the many side tours are the parts of the trip that I will always remember fondly.

Alli   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2024 Reviewed: Aug 11, 2024

Email Alli  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Jartan Laizer can turn any adventure into a trip of a lifetime.
5/5

The adventure was outstanding but Jartan Laizer was even more exceptional as a tour guide. He displayed compassion and concern for all of his clients. He wanted everyone to have the best experience possible. He has a wonderful sense of humor and was a pleasure to be around. Jartan is an encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to the history or Kenya and Tanzania and the identification of the animals, flora, and fauna. He could spot animals in the parks that most people could not see with their naked eye. He made my travel experience one I will never forget. You can not go wrong when selecting Jartan Laizer as your guide through Kenya and Tanzania.

Betty P.   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2023 Reviewed: Jun 9, 2024

Email Betty P.  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Outstanding safari guide with knowledge of tracking and finding animals.
5/5

On safari with Jartan from Masai Mara to the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania, our group was able to spot several leopards and cheetahs and we'll over one hundred lions walking in close proximity to our safari vehicle, in addition to many elephants, zebras, giraffes, etc. He is an outstanding guide who I would travel with again on the future.

Elaine   –  
United States US
Visited: March 2024 Reviewed: Jun 9, 2024

Email Elaine  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Jartan Mbalakai was extremely kind, knowledgeable, cheerful and helpful in all ways at all times.
5/5

As a single woman 80 years old and having traveled to 50-plus countries, my soul connects with Africa and I’ve returned several times.
Of all my tour operators on all my journeys, Jartan Mbalakai is far and away the best!
On a recent trip to Kenya/Tanzania, it was clear from the outset that Jartan was going to be highly qualified and excellent. He contacted me prior to the trip with every detail regarding preparation and expectations, answering all my questions.
From first meeting him at my arrival in Nairobi until my final flight departure returning to the USA, Jartan was always kind, cheerful and helpful. His knowledge of the people and the land (in cities, villages and on safaris) with its flora and fauna (which was extraordinarily abundant!) was remarkable. I’m a curious traveler and constantly ask questions. If Jartan wasn’t quite sure of my queries, he always researched and quickly found the answers.
Our small group from different states became a family from the outset and Jartan was quickly regarded as a member of our "family". We relied on him constantly (day and night!) and he never failed us, cheerfully fulfilling our needs, keeping us safe and entertained as he showed us his stunning land and its inhabitants.
Because of him I regard the trip as the BEST ever…it was the most in-depth journey I’ve taken.
Jartan will be a “faraway friend” with whom I will occasionally stay in touch because I respect him as a fine person and most excellent tour operator.

Jennifet   –  
United States US
Visited: April 2024 Reviewed: Jun 9, 2024

Email Jennifet  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

We had no idea what to expect, but our experience was beyond any expectations…transformational!
5/5

We had no questions left unanswered as we left. We were amazed by the service, accommodations, and all-encompassing experience we had. We never worried about anything! It was well worth every penny we spent. It was a life-changing experience that still brings me to tears as I think about it !

Average User Rating
5.0/5
Rating Breakdown
  • 5 star 27
  • 4 star 0
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0
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