CH
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A thoroughly memorable experience at Masai Mara
Our booking for seven people was very efficiently handled by Ms. Leonorah. From initial inquiry, she was very helpful and prompt in answering all queries. Everything ran smoothly from the pick up to the drop of.
The only negative point was that we were not informed in the confirmation that the $80.00 entrance fee for the Masai Mara national reserve was not included in the package.
The Spirit of the Masai Mara lodge is a truly fantastic place with very friendly and helpful staff. Mike was an excellent driver and passionate guide. He is very knowledgeable about all the animals and very good at spotting animals in the distance, in the bush and at following tracks. He was always willing to share his enthusiasm with us.
We had a great time. Thank you.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Arony was excellent I rate him 100%!
Arony did an excellent job, he went above and beyond our expectations! Communication was excellent in English! Awesome guy!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The animals are incomparably great. The tour experience was definitely budget.
The animals were fantastic. Which is good because that's really why we go, right? The tour was a bit rough around the edges. The car seats were at an awkward height so looking out the window was difficult. Our group was a mix-match of people from multiple operators, which meant that the vehicle was contracted and not owned/maintained by the operator. Our rear bumper guard fell off during the trip, which put our radio out of commission for an hour or so. All these are small things, but these little things add up. Luckily for us, the Masai Mara operation as a whole functions well enough to deliver a fairly consistent viewing experience, but it has little to do with the operator itself. Definitely will save up for a higher tier service next time. Like many things, you get what you pay for. I'm satisfied with what I got.
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great value for money
We've had a wonderful three day safari in the Maasai Mara, although we ended up with eight people instead of four (which they said before). Also the pickup on our first day was 1,5 hours too late but the group was fun and it all worked out well. Our guide Ambrose worked hard to provide an amazing experience. Accommodation was fine. Not super fancy but hey, it's called Budget Safaris for a reason. Great value for money!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best safari with the best safari guide
We had a wonderful guide in Paul Poror , a maasai from the local community. Very patient and knowledgeable.
We asked too many questions and he was always eager to explain to us. Thank you Paul for making our safari an unforgettable experience.
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
Excellent communication specially by fredreena .she was there for us always and her choices for our accommodations were excellent
Except for planning of safari to Masai Mara —we had to go with some other driver and he of course gave more importance and privilege to his group
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The 2-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing - Marangu Route was really nice!!
We enjoyed 2 days at Mount Kilimanjaro hiking along the Marangu Route, the experience was very interesting
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Timing was very good and everyone was friendly and helpful. Last accom a bit noisy, but comfortable.
Everything happened very smoothly, timing with each step of the tour was really good. People friendly and helpful. The accommodation in Kigoma was just a bit noisy, but otherwise good.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent planning and accommodations limited communication post payment.
I searched high and low for a safari that offered luxury accommodations for an affordable rate. When I came across Regional Tours I was very excited with the accommodations and the price. I took several days to shop around and could not find anything more affordable that was similar in accommodations. The Regional Tours representative was in constant communication ensuring that I was knowledgeable about the safari and wanted me to complete booking quickly. I was initially apprehensive regarding the payment arrangement of Wiring money. I spent 5% more than the requested price to pay with a credit card. I did not receive a confirmation of payment, and when I reached out to the company to confirm the payment I did not get a response for a few days which made me nervous. I also sought answers regarding my confirmation of accommodations and plans before a big trip such as this. I did not receive communication for several days at a time. I felt that once my payment had been made they had vanished and my money was taken. After doing some research I learned that this was common behavior for this company. I was relieved upon arrival in Tanzania that my safari guide was waiting and ready with a sign with my name on it for me and my friend. The safari over all was well planned, the accommodations simply beautiful, and could not have been more pleased with the safari jeep. Me and my friend googled interactions with safari guides on safari as our guide was quiet a lot of the time and we were unsure if this was the typical dynamic of a safari. Amani was very knowledgeable about the animals however we felt that he did not have the enthusiasm that would have made this a safari more exciting. We certainly enjoyed his safety measures taken during the safari and his extreme Passion for following the rules, as we like to feel safe on vacation. We would have liked more communication throughout as to what we were doing so that we could be more informed. I was disappointed one day when Amani decided to leave the game drive before inquiring if we were ready to go. It was my favorite location for me, not knowing exactly the routes I was not sure of our whereabouts and didn't notice that we were leaving the park. Another area of negativity was the back door of the safari jeep was not working therefore we had to lug heavy luggage multiple rows down a narrow Jeep in-and-out daily, em 6oi. Uwith not much assistance from our guide. We could tell that he was not eager to carry or lift our bags so we did the grunt work on vacation which was not fun. We tipped the typical amount, however felt we should have reduced the amount due to having to work so hard with our luggage. Overall it was a wonderful vacation and I would certainly recommend Regional Tours and Safaris.
PT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Enjoyable but a few things could be improved
I went on a budget group safari. It was for 6 days, Northern Circuit Safari. (995 Euros/per person I paid in advanced) I made the mistake of booking through a company (Bushtroop Safaris) which I found on safaribooking.com, however was grouped into safari with Angose Travel.. Unfortunately for me and the members of my party, we paid more than the other 4 in our safari. In November (when our safari was), we could have easily showed up in Arusha and booked a safari for the next day, no need to transfer a deposit internationally, etc.
We found out that most drivers/guides are free lancers.. so I am not sure how much it helps to note that our guide/driver barely spoke about the animals, landscape, etc. He was knowledgeable, however only spoke when someone asked him a question.. There were other guides babbling off information and I was always wishing ours would say more than he did.
During our camping days, the meals were very small. My husband was always hungry after the meals. Luckily we had many snacks from our Kilimanjaro trip leftover! Part of the group had only a 5 day safari, and after they left the chef made the same amount of food when it was 3 of us, as he did for 7 people! The food was fine, but just the quantities for a few days were low!
Lake Mayanara isn't worth the visit after you have spent days in the Serengetti.
Finally, I found it incredibly strange that when we returned from safari, we had to visit the office and they asked us to write a review in front of them...
Other than the things mentioned above, the safari experience was great. Remember you are in Africa, you must go with the flow and Hakuna Matata. :)