SD
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was all that I hoped for...and more.
I had a wonderful 7 day safari. I spent two nights at a nice, very friendly hotel in Nairobi before starting the tour. I spent one day with one of the drivers on an excellent city tour. The next day the safari started. I went To Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Ambroseli. We stayed in comfortable places. I am a vegetarian and I was pleased with the meals. The drivers were all very competent and I met nice people. Before the trip I was expecting to be with the same driver and the same group for the 7 days. Instead I had 4 different drivers and 5 different configurations of people, but it was just fine. All the drivers were excellent and I met a lot of nice people. Baboon Budget did everything possible to see that I had my entire program. I would certain recommend the company to other people who are interested in learning about the area and want to see the animals where the animals belong.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An honest review by a solo traveler doing a budget safari
This is my honest review as an American solo traveler doing a budget safari (as a student who's on a budget). I thoroughly cover pros and cons and encourage anyone seriously considering MJ to closely read this. In summary, MJSafari is an absolutely phenomenal operator for the value you end up getting for $190-$200/day, and you can rest assured it is reliable and solid. Best of all, you can pay with credit card (they prefer cash but if you don't want to carry all that cash with you traveling abroad, you can pay in advance (it's like 3% extra with card, which is fine)).
I'm pretty risk averse and spent more time than I'm willing to admit looking for the right operator. I saw a high amount of good reviews on Safari Bookings; I was also already in Tanzania and so was able to call Jackson (the point of contact) who was extremely helpful answering all my questions. I did a 5 day/4 night group safari through Ngorongoro, Serengetti, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara in March. For most of you all reading this, you'll probably end up emailing him a bunch if you're not already in Tanzania.
I did a budget-joining safari where I was a solo traveler and joined a group already set to travel. MJSafaris also offers private safaris, and I can't comment on those; they might cost more since it's your own jeep, but your experience will be better and you have more flexibility with your schedule and how long you spend in each park. Even if you're looking to do a private safari, I would still recommend MJ based on my experience with their group safari
First off, with safaris, you need to understand the nature of a "budget joining safari." It's not necessarily one big company. This is a few different companies that pool their staff/jeeps together so that they give you the flexibility of joining a group safari on any given day and any given itinerary. This is extremely useful if you're a solo traveler and want to visit 4 locations, even as 5 other people in your very same jeep want to only visit 3 (this was my case: I was traveling with a group who had just summited Kili with MJ; after we all saw 3 parks together, they left back for Moshi and I saw Lake Manyara with just one other person. If you look below and see a review by Marcia K, that's the group I joined :) ). Only a budget joining safari will let you see any # of places you want, starting on any given day, without paying a ridiculous sum of money.
If you try to book your VERY own safari itinerary with other companies, you will be paying substantially more since it is private. For a 5 day safari, that can mean the difference between paying $900-$1000 vs $2000-$3000. Though at the end of the day, you are visiting the same exact locations as the other companies. Your jeeps are next to their jeeps and you're watching the same animals. Even as some people say you get what you pay for, I really didn't see the need to pay 2-3x more money considering what I got with MJ. Save your money.
Let me now explain the trade offs. For instance, some mornings, you may want to be in the jeep as early as possible, and you may be told to be ready by 8 AM to start your 2 hr journey to the next park, but you may not actually get on the road to the next park until 9 AM. You'll see some reviews below get irked by this. If you pay 2-3x the money for your own safari, then you can tell your safari operator to start whenever you want (e.g., before sunrise) and create your own custom itinerary. For me, it was a trade off I was completely fine with given the money I was spending. $190/day is actually a really good deal, and we saw some incredible stuff on the game drives. And don't worry, you will still do some sunrise safaris: we did one in Serengetti, which was awesome. But generally speaking, with a budget joining safari, things will be a bit more chill with the staff; they may start the safari later than you want, but not by that much. You still get to see things for a good amount of the day. And it does not hinder your enjoyment (particularly if you know to expect it). I'm just objectively covering pros and cons here and want to make sure people reading these reviews understand that you're not completely controlling the itinerary (like on my safari we spent 1 day in Serengeti, which was awesome, but if you want to spend 2-3 days in Serengetti, then you may not be able to do that unless you arrange for your own private safari, which is pricey).
They have a lot of drivers; from the ones we had experience with, the best ones are Nelly and Tony. Try to request either of them. Nelly is the best in my opinion. Spotted animals with eagle eyes, talked about the animals a lot, etc.
If you're still reading this massive wall of text, you might be like me and be a bit hesitant as to what to do: you're about to make a big decision and spend a lot of money in a foreign country. I can absolutely assure you MJSafaris is a solid company to commit to. Like I said earlier you can pay with credit card. Even though it's 3% extra I prefer this b/c if something super unexpected happens, you can always dispute with your credit card company (it's like an insurance mechanism, though MJSafaris is a pretty well established and reliable company so you don't have to worry about that; still, I prefer for things to be documented in paper that I paid, without bringing a titanic sum of cash abroad).
I had read some of the rare 1 and 2 star reviews below and certainly had some concerns (again, it's a budget joining safari, so there might be an occasional hiccup; you have to prepare for it potentially happening). I did not experience any problems at all. Jackson was also extremely, extremely gracious to give me a complementary ride BACK to the airport from my hotel in Moshi since I spent a night there after my safari (it's normally $40 by taxi and he could have easily charged me, which he didn't, and so I still tipped the driver $15).
Even as you look at other reviews for other companies and are still debating which company given that it's a fairly big decision, I can attest that this is a well established company you can trust--one that will give you an excellent value for the money you spend, particularly if you're a solo traveler, or even if you're a giant group. Safe travels and good luck with your decision. And to MJ Safaris if you're reading: thanks for a great experience!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memorable affordable and perfect safari packages.
Real quick e-mail reply since we contacted the agency. Affirdable safari packages that we could customize our plans. They took a good care of us during our safari there, including pick-up and drop-off services. Two thumbs up for the company.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If only I could give you 6 stars for Exceptional!
Our trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe was in the works for over a year. We had big expectations. You can only hope that all will go well and that your itinerary fulfills your expectations. Kerry did an amazing job working with our group to put together a 15 day itinerary that was jam-packed with excitement in Victoria Falls, fabulous lodgings throughout the trip (especially Nottens Bush Camp), terrific safaris, great guides in the Cape and a pleasant chill-out in the winelands. Every transfer was seamless. Every guide was professional, knowledgeable, accommodating and energetic. I'm gushing, but this was the trip of a lifetime and it completely exceeded our expectations. Well done Kerry of Pembury Tours. I have already started recommending your service to friends.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Small group experience of a lifetime
Escape Adventure Safaris exceeded my expectations. Anael, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and spent countless hours with us on our photo safari throughout Tanzania. Our lodging was unforgettable as leopards, cape buffaloes and lion prides were our neighbors. Escape Adventure Safaris provided me a trip of a lifetime.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Helpful throughout, highly recommended
We used Karibu Rwanda for a school visit involving 9 students and 4 staff. Kizito replied swiftly to my enquiries. Our careful, friendly drivers Ali and Fred could not have been more helpful, happy to engage appropriately with my students and even playing football with them. Ali was very knowledgeable and certainly made sure our trip ran smoothly. We are looking to rebook in 2017.
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
they were just great.
It was an amazing and unforgettable experience! Communication with the crew was without trouble. Defenetly my expectations were fulfilled.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Valentines safari
We had planned for a safari and a friend recommended us Lukundo Tours and Safaris, we contacted the management and they responded well and our trip began on 13th February to maasai mara for three days and its was fun we enjoyed the safari, the driver was soo amazing he could explain everything we wanted to know. On our way back we passed by in their office to say a thank you for their services. Will recommend them to anybody.
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Pearl Afric arranged our travel and ranger for our safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We were met before the day of departure at our hotel to confirm the arrangements and make the necessary payments. It was a brilliant safari, the driver, Abdul, tried to make sure that we had every comfort for the long journey to and from Kampala and ensured that we maximised our time on safari. I was particularly keen to see tree climbing lions and we did!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Once in a Lifetime Experience (or twice!)
Wonderful experience. Maurice (from Africa Safari Classics) helped us out from beginning to end. Waited for us upon arrival in Nairobi, ensured we got to our hotel safely, picked us up the next day and took us to the plane waiting for us to go to the Savanna! We did a 5 day safari to two camps (Ashnil and Il Moran) in Samburu and in Masai Mara, respectively. They were both great, and complimentary. We saw all kinds of animals, except the elusive Rhino (which gives us a reason to return!). Food was great, sunsets spectacular, service stellar. Make sure you take binoculars and a good, high resolution camera. Don't rely on cell phone zoom or live shots, they are horrible and you'll regret it on your return when you want to blow up that awesome picture of the Lion eating a Giraffe! We went in March, and if we return we'll definitely aim for June-August for the big migration. You may want to take a few electrical adapters to charge equipment. Remember to tip your guides!