50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience! The Somak people cannot do enough for you, cannot recommend highly enough.
I cannot express how well we were looked after, from the first minute of being greeted at Nairobi airport to the sad farewell to our Guide, Francis (Mappa)
The organisation, information and general attention to detail was second to none. We all felt very safe and no request was too much trouble.
If we wanted to be picky, the Lodge at Naivasha is getting a bit tired and was nowhere near the standard of the other two, but was still comfortable enough and the staff were very pleasant and accommodating.
The OUTSTANDING element of the Safari was no doubt FRANCIS! he was perfect, such a gentleman, courteous, so knowledgeable and obviously very well respected around the game parks by the other drivers and lodge staff. He could not do enough for us, always happy, always pointing out points of interest and generally happy to answer any questions and converse with us on any subject. The children loved him and wanted to bring him home!!! If there is a better guide in the whole of Kenya I would like to meet him because he would have to be something exceptionally special to surpass Francis!!!
Whoever books your guides please pass on our comments because if all your guides are as good as him then I am surprised if anyone would travel with another company, we would certainly make sure he was available, should we return! He is a great advertisement & ambassador for your company, Cherish Him!!!!!
With regards to our stay in Zanzibar, I again cannot fault this, the Gemma DELL EST definitely one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in!!!
Food Great, staff superb and the location is idyllic.
IT
Experience level: 2-5 safaris
KET SAFARIS THE BEST
Ket Safari is very professional and helpfull . Have organized a very good game drive in Kenya. Our driver was qualified and funny . Paul the Boss has answered quickly at each our requests. Thank you for all!!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
For adventurer and wildlife explorers.
We had a great time with Joe and Asili Explorer. Safari was way beyond expectations. We've been able to discover the wildlife of Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro-Crater and Lake Manyara Nt. Park from "first row". Thanks a lot!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
More than driving
If you are looking to make a Safari, you have to make a difference between "Driving" and "Guiding".
Ben, the owner, is an amazing guide ! I know most of the animals, and he know where to they are.
I love Lion and others felines. Ben, always found them. Not from far, but very close. I remember one of the last day in Serengeti, we got to be at 2meters (6ft) of a beautiful - amazing Cheetah.
It is very rare to be that close of the animals, and we were the only car !
Of course some time, we "fight" with other car. But Ben with is professionalism always found a spot, an access, an angle.
With my different experience with them, I can see how they adapt the way they work to your need and to your expectation. As a Photographer, my approach is not the same than other customers. Ben have totally understand my need, and my wish. After the two first day our relation become very strong, and Ben have always give me the "place" to make my pictures.
And what about them ? Outside the Safari ? Caracal is a family running business. And I believe that we are now a part of their family. They are easy on going person, always happy, and open to speak.
A reference !
I can not wait to go back in the trail with them.
Excellent treking on Kilimanjaro
Together with my colleagues, we decided to go trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro.
We chose agency Shadows of Africa for our trip organizer and we made the best choice. From start to finish, everything went great. Also very well organized was our second part of the trip- safari.
Based on our experience, I highly recommend Shadows of Africa to anyone who is thinking about going there.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari
I did the 5 days safari (Tarangine, Serengeti, N'gorongoro, Manyara) with 3 other persons ( i joined a group). So five days were very intense (lot of driving) but it worths every km and mn.
I took the tent camp safari. The camp sites were beyond my expectations: Panorama camp site (2 ights), camp site in Serengeti (1 night) and camp site Simba A (1 night). And the last night in Arusha (Raha leo guesthouse) was included in the price aswell.
It was low season so the Park were "empty" so we could enjoy the view and the animals without any disturbance.
Regarding the company, we had the best guid and cook ever: Mickael and Amani. Those two were the reasons why this safari was perfect.
I really recommend this company.
Ivan, french traveller
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari
We were a group of five guys from Germany and planned to do a 5-day-Safari in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro-Crater and Lake Manyara Nt. Park.
We chose Asili Explorer because of the good recommendations, his experience in doing safari and last but not least, the good price.
Accommodations:
We spent two nights at a lodge with a great view over lake manyara. It was great to see the sunrise from the view point and the nights were great in the typical african iglos.
The other nights were at campsites in Serengeti and at the Crater-rim of Ngorongoro wich was also a great experience.
The Safari:
Joe Kessy did a very good planning in advance, so everything went great and without any trouble. He speaks very good english, so communication was always great. Joe is very good connected to other drivers wich is a very important factor to get good and recent informations about where the animals are located.
The car was perfect for us. Big enough to be comfortable und to store our luggage. It has of course a pop-up-roof to watch the animals without something in between.
We were happy to see all the "big five" during our safari.
Food:
The cook, "Snoopy", was very funny and prepared good food. He also provided us lunch-boxes wich we ate on picnic places during the safari.
All in all it was a unforgettable safari-experience!
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing 10 day safari
We booked with Duma in February for a trip this October. Stacy was fantastic about answering all our questions and booking accommodation we requested including specific rooms in hotels as recommended by other trip advisor reviews. This trip was for my 40th birthday and we saved very hard to go and it was worth every penny. We had a private safari.
We were met at the airport by a smiling Isack Msuya, who was a fantastic guide. He has 20 years experience and it shows. His driving was excellent, both on the main roads and in the park. When we went through rivers or mud and the back end of the car slipped he seamlessly slipped into 4 wheel driver and we continued with no pause. We felt safe and secure with him. He cleaned out the Toyota land cruiser everyday and there as plenty of water. As such our windows were always clean. We took our time and did not race around like some of the other companies. Leopard tours in particular always seemed in a rush.
Isaac didn't use the radio to locate wildlife and so we were often viewing wildlife on our own rather than being surrounded by 10 other cars. His spots were amazing. He found a cameleon in a tree whilst driving! How do you spot that. He found us all the big 5. We hoped to see leopards and tigers, but thought this might be tricky and by no means a given. We saw them on the second day, and by the end of our trip we were up to 3 leopards and 5 adult cheetah and 4 babies. We had no idea there would be so many baby animals around. Isack found baby lions, cheetah, warthogs, elephants, giraffe (one was just hours old) hippo everything. The only thing we hoped to see and didn't was the tree lions in Lake Manyara, but there are only about 30-50 left in the park. We saw lions chase and kill, and mating. Isaac had amazing knowledge of every creature and bird we came across and his passion for conservation is amazing.
We didn't know that you could request a guide, and we certainly would recommend Isack to anyone. He was SO friendly and so happy. He met us with a massive smile every morning and it stayed in place all day. He didn't chat for the sake of chatting which we liked, but answered our questions patiently and with interest and enthusiasm and had quite a few funny and interesting tales to tell about his experiences. We had no idea we would see so many wildebeest and zebra. On my birthday we took a balloon ride which was a legacy from my Granny, and it was amazing. It lasted an hour and we saw so much including swooping down over a herd of wildebeest who did the running thing just like you see on the TV, and we heard elephants trumpeting. It was followed by a champagne brunch, where there is plenty of champagne flowing.
I would recommend Northern Serengeti and Tarangire to all as the wildlife are amazing and very plentiful in October and you are away from the crowds of the central Serengeti. That said if you only have a short time, you can and probably will see everything bar Rhino in the centre. Lake Manyara is a completely different park, and were found several companies tried to dissuade us from going here, especially with ending our trip here. You won't see the big 5 here but it is beautiful and we saw elephants, giraffe, hip, baboons, and loads of different birds.
We stayed at Tarangire Safari Lodge in the furthest away tent from he building number 22. We were escorted after dark here and everywhere we went inside the parks. This was a great tent with a proper bed and bathroom, and an amazing view into the valley below where we watched the wildlife. The roar of lions was a little disconcerting. We saw antelope outside our tent and a group of baboons passed by.
In the northern Serengeti which is a long day's drive from Tarangire we stayed at the Bologna camp where the staff couldn't do enough for us, and all your drinks are included. The tent was amazing, and they prepare you a hot shower everyday at your request with 10 mins notice so they can heat the water. Outside our tent were Water buffalo, and the setting was beautiful.
In the central Serengeti we staying at the Serengeti Serena hotel. We requested a top room which had a beautiful view especially at sunset. The staff here were the least friendly and the reception desk rally didn't want to know. They didn't explain anything, and we had no idea we were supposed to wait after dinner to sign a ticket for our drinks, and were made to feel like criminals for walking to the bar after diner. we had assumed giving our room number would have been enough. The security guards and the porter were very friendly.
In the Nogorongo conservation area we stayed at the Sopa Lodge which was beautiful with very friendly staff, and a turndown service which included hot water bottles which we didn't need. We had an upper room with a great view, and if you get here for sunset its very good. We did a crater rim walk which was interesting, but this takes time out of your time in the park. Each fee gives you exactly 24 hours in the park, and we would, with hindsight, have missed the walk and had more time in the crater the next day. Its worth an early morning start too.
Our last night was at the Kirurumu tented lodge, where the staff were lovely but the accommodation whilst initially looking amazing, (you have a tent on top of a building on the cliff edge) actually could do with a fresh coat of paint and some of the wooden boards of the lower balcony were rotting.
The food everywhere was of a good standard and there was at least something for the vegetarian, more if you eat fish. Lunch boxes were massive, and healthy. It would have been nice to see some traditional food rather than European buffets.
We were very sad when the time came to say goodbye to Isack and head back home. It was a fantastic trip and we cannot recommend Isack and Duma more highly.
LU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Safari exprerience
That was my first safari ever and EastCo made it very special. (3 days safari : Tarangire / Lake Natron)
Unlike most people, we did not organise it in advance, however Simon manage to organise everything for us very quickly.
Our day in Tarangire was amazing, and our night stay in Naitolia Eco-Lodge fantastic. The place was beautiful, and the surprise was after dinner when Ezekial, our guide, told us that we were going on a night safari. Again, memorable experience.
I was not quite expecting such a level of service, and such nice food served during a safari.
EastCo really did a great job: everything was perfectly organised, the food was good, all the camping equipment was provided, and our guide was fantastic. Ezekial is really knowledgeable, and is always happy to answer our (many) questions.
I could only recommend EastCo and in particular Ezekial who made our safari so special. Thank a lot for everything, I look forward to coming back and organizing a longer safari with EastCo.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience
We had an excellent time. Simon was a great guide- very knowledgeable and flexible to our birding needs. Comfortable vehicles. Burunge camp was great. Loved the open tent and all outdoor atmosphere. Great staff made us feel at home. Very pleased with the flexibility when we wanted to change parks and add an extra safari art the end. Would definitely recommend this company to friends!