Great service
The safari was really great. We went around all major parks with very few hiccups. James (owner) was very kind and accomodating. David (driver) was very knowledgeable and managed to drive the van so the roads are as comfortable as possible (is a big deal!). We've seen all the animals parks have on offer!
Initially we were very hesitant regarding transferring money to Kenya as a deposit, but after some "background checks" we managed to get comfortable.
SI
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was amazing
I went on 4 days safari with Chels Travel. I will never forget that experience. I told, that I wanna see Big 5. So I did it. Driver was really nice (Gidion), we have such I good time. Camping was really fun, food was delicious (thanks chef Rama).
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great 5 day trip in Northern Tanzania
Couldn't have been more happy with SED Adventures. They organised everything for us, and were easy to communicate with, and comparatively came out with a very competitve price (we tried about 10 other companies). The trip itself was fantastic with days in tarangire, lake manyara, serengeti and ngoroogoro crater. Our driver/guide, Anton, was also fantastic. He was considerate on the roads (drove very safely) and made sure we always got the most out of our 24 hour park passes. He was even a mechanic in a former job so when the car had a flat tyre we were back on the road again in 10 minutes. I would very much recommend this company.
SE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience of Kenyan culture and nature
I used Bushthorns Adventure three time during my trip to Kenya and was very happy with the excursions. They offer good value for money, and friendly service. I feel they are reliable and easy to work with. Going back to Kenya I have no hesitation to use their services again and I can recomend others to do the same.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
It simply couldn't be better!!
From the day I contacted Matoke Tours, they always replied me swiftly and with a very high level of professionalism. I am not used to book and pay on line so I really had to feel that Matoke was totally trustworthy. Matoke was able to answer all my questions in a very efficient way. The best was to come: the trip itself. We were lucky because I believe we had an exceptional driver (his name is Abdallah). He was always on time, drove safely, checked some roads beforehand to guarantee we would always be on time. Cherry on the cake, he is not only a very responsible and committed guide but he is also very interesting and entertaining. We managed to see a Leopard in QENP, we managed to see the Gorillas in Bwindi, actually see is not the right word...we were actually sitting two metres away enjoying an amazing moment. We explored Western Uganda to its fullest but in a very comfortable way. With Matoke Tours, it was simply all about enjoying the trip with no organisation hassle! We want to thank Matoke Tours for this trip of a lifetime. Webale nyo! Weraba!
KR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent in every phase
I joined 3nights 4days safari. During the safari, we saw many animals and learned a lot about them through a ranger. All crew in the tydon safari bush camp were very kind and nice. And the camp was very clean and good. Also all the meal was excellent. Thank you for having me a beautiful experience. Especially thank you for Karah, Joe, Laggie.
CN
Great safari experience
Our safari in Selous national park was very professional from starting up to end, Ndamungu is very responsive . They picked us up from the hotel on time and the safari followed the agreed pattern. Our guide,Ernest, was fantastic and very knowledgeable. He knew where to look for the various animals, had great vision to spot them, went off-road when needed to, great driving and fantastic spirit, funny and friendly all the way through our 3-days,really is very joyful never had that before.
We strongly recommend to book you safar with Mercury Zanzibar Safari
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing!
I have been on 4 previous game safari drives in the Masai Mara, but never have I seen so many lions, cheetahs and even 2 leopards. I had never seen even 1 leopard in the previous 4 combined. We were amazed by everything we were able to see. Knowledgeable uide and driver.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya Walking Tours is the only way to go!
We just returned from 20 days on safari with Kenya Walking Tours, which included Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was absolutely beyond words! We were a party of 6 and we were ALL 100% satisfied with all aspects of our experience. From the planning stages where we negotiated itinerary, accommodations and pricing with OT who was more than willing to work with us, through the actual visits to his office during our stay to give him first had reviews of the adventure, we couldn't have asked for a more organized and comprehensive client-oriented adventure. Our package included all of our transport (including airport transfers!), meals, accommodations, English-speaking drivers, and park admissions. We visited Samburu (our favorite!), Navaisha, Amboseli, Nakuru, Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and finally Zanzibar! Be prepared for long and dusty car rides if you select an itinerary like ours, but keep an open mind and be patient -- pole pole (swahili for slowly)! Hakuna Matata! Everything you will see and the people will meet will be well worth the time spent in rough transit! Our driver, Anthony, was fantastic! Personable, knowledgeable -- and always interested in keeping us safe and happy! Our accommodations ranged from upscale lodges to low budget hotels to tented camps (our favorite being the unfenced camp in the Serengeti!!). Other than the unpredictable availability of hot water, we were always pleasantly surprised with our stays. The food was plentiful and decent; the staff bent over backwards to make your stay unforgettable. We suggest you bring lots of small bills and items to trade. Enjoy the bartering with all the native Kenyans and Tanzanians. It's half the experience! And bring along an extra tote to cart home all the things you'll find yourself not being able to resist purchasing in the heat of the bargaining! I just can't say enough about this trip! Already hoping to book a gorilla trek to Uganda with Kenya Walking Tours!
PS -- I almost forgot the animals! We got glimpses of the Big Five and took thousands of photos of some of the most sites ever! It often times felt surreal to be in such close proximity to animals I thought I's only ever see in National Geographic! Take the Hot Air Balloon --- it's amazing...and the breakfast is unbelievable as well! Finally, we loved our time in Navaisha where we did a walking tour in Crescent Island, as well as a boat ride to spot Hippos galore! I could go on and on, but you get the point.
If you're trying to decide whether to book a tour or not..think no longer! Just do it! You wont be sorry!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
STOP thinking about it -- and just GO!
Where do I even begin? As a group of 6 travelers from the United States, we spent 16 incredible days traveling around Kenya and Tanzania, under the exceptional guidance of Kenya Walking Survivor Safaris. The trip was easy to organize, and through communicating with OT (the owner), we were able to negotiate an itinerary that was ideal for our interests and our budget. Our trip included airport transfers, comfortable accommodations, meals, an English speaking guide, all transportation (including flights to Zanzibar), and and all safari associated fees (i.e. park entrance fees). The accommodations featured a wide variety of choices from an unfenced tented camp in the middle of the Serengeti (Our favorite!), to low budget hotels, to beautiful top-notch lodges. We enjoyed the variety and the uniqueness each place had to offer.
We began our trip in Kenya, where Anthony (request him--he is fantastic!) lead us through Samburu, Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli. Within those parks and areas we were able to see the Big 5 (along with so many other animals), take in the breathtaking surroundings of the African landscape, and enjoy the hospitality of the warm Kenyan people, which is unlike anything we have experienced before. Our favorite park was Samburu, where within the first 30 minutes of our very first game drive, Anthony took us to get within a few feet of a leopard! In Lake Nakuru, we saw both the white and black rhino, which was a real treat. Despite the very bumpy road leading to Maasai Mara, we were able to see lions up close and take an amazing hot air balloon ride with breakfast served right in the middle of the savannah. The balloon is expensive, but not to be missed. While visiting Lake Naivasha, we were taken on a walking safari of Crescent Island and on a boat safari to see the hippos and fish eagles. While visiting Kenya, Anthony was an expert guide, often spotting things we would have never seen, answering all of our questions, and adding to the spirit of our trip with his humor and great personality. It was a true joy to spend two weeks with him.
Crossing the border into Tanzania was an easy and painless transition thanks to Anthony, and our Tanzanian guide, Abbas. We began in Lake Manyara, traveled to the Serengeti, and finished our Tanzanian safari in the Ngorongoro Crater. Each place allowed us to continue to get up close to animals and see them in a variety of settings. We loved Ngoronogoro for the views and awesome chances to see lions. Abbas was a great guide, with a special eye for spotting leopards and we were sad to leave him after only a few days. He transported us to the Arusha airport, where we flew to Zanzibar.
Zanzibar was a great way to unwind and "dust-off" after our safari. We enjoyed the incredible beaches, snorkeling, Stone Town, and a spice farm (fascinating!). Make sure you this to your itinerary!
Do Not Miss: Samburu, hot air balloon safari, walking safari, unfenced camp in Serengeti, Zanzibar
Things To Skip: Maasai village (go to the Samburu village instead---less touristy and more authentic)
Tips: Bring trading items (clothing, pens, shoes, watches, etc.) as they will help you barter for goods along the way. Take Pop Rocks with you (trust us...). Do not overpack, as nearly every lodge had laundry available. Plus, you will want extra room in your suitcase for all your souvenirs! Airline pillows are helpful to sit on while traveling on some of the bumpier roads.
We learned a new phrase while in Africa, TIA (This is Africa). Remember to keep an open mind about schedules, timing, road conditions, hot water availability, Wifi, etc. Instead of letting these small inconveniences ruin your trip, embrace the phrase "Hakuna Matata" and have fun!