DK
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice vacation
Masai mara was perfect.
No rhinos but lots of other animals.
Long drive to see lake naivasha.
Kilimanjaro was covered in cloud but amboseli was still nice.
Nice guide.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceeded our Expectations
Where to begin. The People are wonderful, so welcoming, kind and polite. All of the accommodation was great. We did budget on actual safari, but all was clean and comfortable. Always great showers. Our airport hotel at J.berg was exceptional. More than I anticipated. All of our meals at the lodges were amazing. Our meals in various restaurants in Capetown were all of high quality. Nothing is overly expensive either. Transport was excellent, always felt in safe hands with experienced drivers. Our Game drivers were very good and great fun. As were our guides on our bush walks. Weather was good every day, though a few very hot days. To landscape is amazing, also being very much like Australia. In some spots breath taking. Obviously the highlight was to see so many of the wildlife up close. All in all I regret not going before hand. I really felt at home, whether it was on Safari in Kruger or relaxing in Capetown. Next trip ASAP.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing!
I have always wanted to go on an African safari so my sister and I went on a 4-day camping safari with Kilidove. We started at Lake Manyara National Park, went to Serengeti National Park and then the Ngorongoro Crater. Joshua, our guide, knew everything about all the animals and their whereabouts - even spotted all the big cats up close and a black rhino! Camping was super fun and our chef, Noel, cooked the best dinners. We felt very safe and comfortable the whole time. If you're looking for an unforgettable trip, look no further - Kilidove takes care of you! Thank you George!
CA
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Tanzania is a hidden gem.
We travelled as a family of 2 adults and 4 children to Arusha. We did a 3 day safari with Bujo tours. The wildlife, scenery and overall experience were wonderful. We have been on safari in South Africa in the past. This was different in terms of scenery and wildlife, especially the birds. Ngorongoro crater is breathtaking.
MT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome scenery in lovely country.
We were lucky to see the Big 5 over our short safari. Our guide was excellent in identifying the best routes around the Serengeti.
Thank you for a once in a lifetime experience for my family.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable Company, Excellent Safari
Mmilo Tours ensured that everything was in order, and we felt like we were in good hands. It was easy to contact both our driver and the tour company while we were on our trip.
We went on two sunrise and two sunset safaris and got to see four out of the Big Five. I am still not not sure getting up at 3am two days in a row is something I would recommend or not, so that is something other travellers might want to consider when booking. Hamilton's Lodge was a great place to stay in terms of location and had a great receptionist, but the restaurant staff was a confusing mixture of unhelpful, slow, and decent. The Graskop Hotel eventually proved far more service-oriented, and the majority of the staff were kind and helpful, and I would not hesitate to strongly recommend this hotel.
The Panorama Tour bit was unfortunately cut short for us due to an accident. But even apart from this, the Panorama Route was the part of our trip we were least happy with. Our tour guide/driver was very helpful in many ways, even taking us to the airport when we had to cut our trip short. However, in spite of asking more than once, he did not reveal the full itinerary of what we were going to see, which resulted in us spending a lot of time in one (to us, less interesting) place rather than other places that we would rather have prioritized had we known where we were going and that we did not have much time.
In short, we are very pleased with the company, which ensured everything was in order and that we got what we needed. The safari was truly amazing, and the SanParks rangers were both very impressive and knowledgable. We would not hestiate to recommend Mmilo Tours!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The thrill of a lifetime
Some people have the notion that if you pay more you get more, that you get what you pay for. I'm here to assure you that with Jocky Tours at the helm, you get more than you paid for, much more.
Let me give you the backstory so you can understand the true value of Jocky Tours.
When I first contacted them, Minneh did her best to give me tailored options. Most clients seeking a Masai Mara safari experience want to go on a 3 day platform: 1st day drive to Masai and have afternoon game drive, 2nd day full day in Mara and 3rd day a short game drive or visit to village and then back to Nairobi by late afternoon on the third day.
For most this fits perfectly because they will see a good deal of the Mara and have memories of a lifetime.
Yet I wasn't going to be a "usual" customer. I was there to try and specifically get images of cheetah: images of "the gang of five" ( 5 male cheetah who hunt together) and a mom who had cubs ( 2 of the original 7 were still alive and doing well).
I was staying for several days, not just 3.
So, Minneh explained that to do it on my prefered budget, I would be with a different group and different drivers after day 2.
Not to worry. That is precisely why and how I can write a review which has greater insights into how YOUR trip may go. I saw different drivers and got a feel for the entirety of Jocky's services.
That being said, I can assure you that no matter who ends up being your guide for the trip to Masai Mara, you will have the best possible experience one can have.
The trip itself is one which takes expertise. Driving the roads going to the Masai Mara, and inside the park is very tedious. It is extremely difficult at times and requires attentiveness. The drivers all did exemplary jobs in that regard.
That may not sound like such a big deal, but trust me, it is. You won't want to spend time stuck in the mud, or turned over. One day, a driver (from another company) of a land cruiser ( and thus a much more costly safari) flipped the car on its side while negotiating the muddy roads.
The drivers I had, Isaac, John, and Albert all did OUTSTANDING jobs of navigating and keeping us from being stuck in the mud.
That is only half the equation. The other half that contributes greatly to your safari is their abilities as guides. All the drivers have radios and are vigilant to listen to, and act upon, intel as it happens.
This aspect is very important.
While no one can guarantee that you will see any animal specifically, like all the Big 5, having drivers like Isaac and John will make a world of difference in your enjoyment of the days drive.
One day, for example, John managed to put us in position to see 4 out the 5 big five. He also got us up close and personal with the gang of five cheetah males. WOW! Believe me when I tell you he does his absolute best to ensure EVERYONE in the group has the best day possible. I was fortunate enough to have two seperate days with him.
Isaac was my initial driver and he too does an OUTSTANDING job. His goal is to try and make everyone in the group HAPPY. And there is no doubt that he does just that.
One day, Isaac managed to get our group right up to the mom cheetah with her two very energetic and playful cubs. He did this TWICE in one day, in the early morning and again in the evening. I was in heaven! And judging from the rest in the group, so was everybody. We had Isaac to thank dirrectly.
On another day, Rhaheem got intel on the illusive black rhino. He managed to get us in a position to spot it, before it "wandered off" out of sight. That was the only day "we" spotted the exremely hard to spot, black rhino. So kudos to Rhaheem.
The other driver I had was Albert. His skills navigating the muddy and treacherous roads are unmatched. He like all the drivers for Jockey did his level best to have you "take it all in"....and with a glimpse of a leopard, he got us 4 out of the big 5 too.
Now, as to the accomodations. I stayed in a tented campground Lenchada Tented Campground.
This is a budget accomodation. Yet it suited my needs purfectly. It was spartan in terms of amenities, however I am there for the safari drives, not a mint on my pillow or 600 thread count satin sheets.
There was always hot water available for showering and the electric is on from 530 to 930 and again from 1830 to 2200. There are AMPLE outlets in the dining hall for you to charge camera batteries and your phone.
The food there was basic homey fare. Not fancy but DELICIOUS and plentiful.
And I mean absolutely delicious!!!
Helen and her staff does an excellent job and is "Johnny on the spot" if you need any help with your room or have dietary concerns ( like you are vegetarian, etc). They also pack the picnic lunches for your day in the Masai.
However, if you need a more "high end" accomodation, not to worry, Jocky can provide you with those type accomodations too. And you will seemlessly intigrate with a tour group.
The bottom line, though, is no matter where you stay or how much you pay, it always comes down to the knowledge and skill(s) of your driver/guide. You will be assured that with the guides/drivers from Jocky you WILL have the best possible experience one can have in the Mara. Bet on it.
I can't thank Minneh enough for all the efforts she had to put into making a tailor made experience for me, at a cost so reasonable it would make your jaw drop. Nor can I amply thank the drivers, especially Isaac and John. ( although tips do help show appreciation....so dont forget to tip your guide)
Do yourself a favour and look no further. Truly, when it comes to touring in Kenya, nobody does it better than Jocky Tours, nobody!
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Polite, helpful, efficient, caring,went the extra mile
6 ladies climbed Mnt Meru. The entire team sent by Kilidove was amazing and nothing was too much hassle.They negotiated prices at the hotel for us and went the extra mile to make us happy - awesome experience even when we didn't speak Swahili!
NO
65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great guide, ok lodge and excellent experience of wildlife
Terrible roads into the Masai Mara NR, but stunning wildlife and acceptable roads and tracks inside.
Simon the guide and driver was very knowledgeable and and excellent driver.
The Miti Mingi Eco lodge had food and lodging that gave good value for money.
