US
Lilac Adventures represented by Mr. Daniel Njamewa is untrustworthy and NO ONE should use them.
UPDATE 9 MAR 2016:
Lilac states that they did what they could to help us thru our safari. The fact is they did nothing but take our money.
Lilac states that their financial problems are behind them and they will refund our money. The fact is that they have not refunded our money and it has been five months since they promised they would. We are still waiting. By anyone's definition, this is theft and they should be prosecuted. We are working with the US Embassy to see that this happens.
I strongly recommend that persons interested in a safari stay as far away from Lilac Adventures as possible. They do not honor any commitments, and are untrustworthy.
There are much better tour operators available that value their reputation and will not leave you stranded.
ORIGNAL REVIEW:
Worse than terrible. This safari tour arrangement did not meet even minimal expectations; in fact, left us to our own devices two days into the vacation, a tough spot to be in when you are in a foreign country. Lilac Adventures appears to have disappeared from normal forms of communication since about August 2015. I strongly advise against anyone contemplating using Lilac Adventures, or any operation fronted by Mr. Daniel Njamwea.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic guide for a technical climb up Mt. Kenya (Batian)
I used Archtrek Safaris as a guide up Mt. Kenya. James was a pleasure to work and converse with and my technical guide Joseph was excellent. He was trained by NOLS and is on Kenya's search and rescue team. He knew his stuff and made good decisions even when a bad storm rolled in and we had to do an emergency descent. The food was excellent and they were really flexible in arranging my itinerary and logistics.
US
Excellent communication. Dependable. Trustworthy.
My daughter and I traveled to Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls. Our trip was short, 1 night . We used Falcon to book our hotel room and our transfers to and from the airport.
Our room at the Victoria Falls Hotel was beautiful and exactly what we had asked Falcon for.
The driver was waiting for at the airport on arrival and again at the hotel exactly when they said they would be there.
Communication with John at Falcon before our trip was excellent and made us feel very confident about everything we had asked for.
I would definitely use Falcon Safaris again if I returned to Zimbabwe.
HK
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A joyful trip
Overall, a good trip.
Noah, the owner, did responded quickly throughout the very initial planning stage and during the trip and very helpful in arranging my special requests although I have no idea what it turn out to be as we have missed.
Bad thing (go away) first, we lost half a day and stuck in Kenya/Tanzania border due to mechanical problem of car and could not enter Serengeti as it was too late and we have to change our lodge. Given the size of the company, it maybe more difficult to eliminate this chance, but Noah managed to rectify the lost AFTER we ask for it. This show the good will and is important for tour operator.
We was taken care of by 3 driver/guide throughout the trip,
Hamsa in Tanzania was wonderful, without him, we would have missed the most beautiful view of leopard for the entire trip and so many other things.
Dennis in Kenya was also good and took us to see lion, cheetah and black rhino within 30 mins in our first day in Masai Mara and river crossing the other day!!!
I believe the third one, who took us to Amboseli, is relatively new, as we have to ask him to stop the engine a couple of times while we were taking photos.
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great time, good service, good prices
We are very happy to have choosen with Meru Treks in Tanzania.
The company and Ibrahim, the manager, are very reliable. They have organized our safari (5 days in Serengeti, Tarangire and the crater) and our Kili Trek (5 days trek on the Marangu Road) in a few days, just before doing those trips…
So we could book everything in Arusha and that was very very much cheaper than doing it from home.
The service was great and the guides (Olé for the safari and Julius for Kili) were perfect !
After a few talks with different agencies, we could bargain the price with Ibrahim and he was ready to do it.
It's note the most luxurious agency… it's simple, comfortable, reliable and not so expensive
Enjoy !
IT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect organization and great safaris
Many thanks to Kathi at African Welcome Safaris for planning a wonderful two-lodge safari in Kruger: great accommodation (Thorny Bush River Lodge and Narina Lodge at Lion Sands) and spectacular animal sightings. A very special holiday that allowed us to sit back and enjoy the experience as everything had been looked after to perfection.
PL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari and Kili climb with helpful and knowledgeable guides
We booked with MJ Safaris & Adventure the 4 days Safari and 5 days Marangu route to Kili. Both of trips were amazing experience and made up to our expectations. Jackson was very helpful from the beginning, also he gave us good price. He took care of us during our stay in Moshi.
What regards the Kili climb, we could rent all the equipments from Jackson. The huts were ok, but be prepared for very cold nights! The food made by our cook was really good and diversified. Our guide: Aron, and his assistant Alex, were very caring and knowledgeable. They supported us throughout the whole trek. Actually, we can write with no doubt that we made it to the Uhuru mainly thanks to them.
What regards safari we also had a superb experience – we were sleeping in the tents, which made the whole trip even more memorable as you could really hear the animals in the camp area. Our guide and driver – Marko, was extremely knowledgeable guy. In most of cases we were the first to see the animals or to know where they will go. Marko was talkative, open-minded and really had a lot to tell about the animals and the Tanzanian parks.
We would definitely recommend Jackson agency for your trip bookings - they will be for sure the most memorable experiences, as they were for us.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent organized and perfecty guided individual Safari
Our 6- day safari was just perfect due to an excellent organization and a very knowledgeable and experienced driver. 7byFar organized a great tour and incorporated all our requests by same time giving us useful advise to make this trip just fantastic. We went to Amboseli Park, Nakuru Lake, and Masai Mara in 4x4 jeep and stayed in high end tended camps, which were individual and well located insides national parks to maximize time on game drives.
Our driver was highly experienced proven by ability to spot animals of long distance and could explain any animal. A good driver is key for a great safari and he did an amazing job. He was flexible with timing when to start and finish game drives, there were days when we started with sun rise and came back with sunset… there was so much to see and discover…
The safari with 7byFar was great and definitely a good offer and we highly recommend them, as they are Kenyan young and dynamic company with a lot of local knowledge and very approachable
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
If you don't want to worry about anything - rely on Mega Adventures :-)
M for Mohamed Atik, the founder and owner of Mega Adventures.
We have never met a person who's more caring than he is. Any question, any wish, any sorrow, any problem- he listens, he answers, he solves, he makes it come true.
E for Enjoyable. Enjoyable was everything about our 4-day budget safari. Hussen our driver and guide was 100% concentrated and exactly knowing what he's doing. He is a safe, calm and patient driver, who is very eager to find the animals in all the hidden places.
When we could not see many animals in Tarangire he was somehow disappointed, because he's so ambitious and wants to show as much as possible.
The one and only cook Mudi prepared all the famous meals that made me feel like I'm home. He cooks as good as my mother (what is the highest compliment I could give ;-)) Everything was perfectly organized although it was somehow a spontaneous trip- but it felt like it was planned for ages.
G for Game drives: One game drive in Tarangire, two in Serengeti and one in Ngorongoro Crater. It was exciting, never became boring.
All in All: MEGA Adventures is a small and also new company but it's giving its best to satisfy the clients and everyone who is working there does it with lots of passion, power and excitement. Plus: They make you feel like a part of the team, a piece of a chocolate cake and not a drop in the ocean.
For sure, like all the other companies, they can't change the weather or the actions of the animals - but they don't give you any reason to be sad about anything.
I'm looking forward to my next safari with them when I come back to Tanzania.
Thank you Mega Adventures for all the unforgettable moments
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You must Go with Tekko! A perfect tour guide, Safe and Exhilarating!!
We had a blast! - With Tekko Tours
We were exhilarated throughout the trip.
From the first contact withTekko, we were treated with much respect. The planner was very accomodating, helpful and, explained details tirelessly, with no pressure - a smooth transaction
Steve, our tour guide for 9 days, was very professional, always safety first, on-time, informative and, a gentleman - a perfect guide for us.
We appreciated for his determained pursuit for the crossing of wildebeests on the last day – our mission has completed ever perfectly.
The trip did change our perspectives on the nature, as well as the people of Kenya, and the African continent.
Safari should be mandatory for everone in the world!
Yes, we are two happy people and we owe the success of our trip to Tekko, definitely.
Everone, go to Kenya, do the Safari! and if you have decided to go, we highly recommend you to go with Tekko