50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastically organised and reliable
I was nervous about my first safari holiday but i need not have been. Everything was organised so well and we were taken care of every step of the way. Anthony was brilliant at communicating prior and during the holiday. Ally accompanied us and made every day run smoothly and Adam was our driver and guide on safari - he was calm, knowledgable, considerate and an awsome driver. They all looked after us so well and adapted the holiday to suit our needs. The animal sanctuary need Arusha was well worth the visit and Zanzibar finished the holiday off perfectly.
Accommodation was great in all places and everything ran so smoothly. Would recommend Cross to Africa for all your Tanzania and Zanzibar holidays
US
Denis was a great guide
Our guide, Denis, was great! Good driver, great at spotting animals from afar, and very knowledgeable about nature.
US
Experience level: first safari
Excellent choice, treated us very well and gave us the best tour driver Kevin.
Our safari trip to Kenya was nothing short of extraordinary, and much of its success can be attributed to our exceptional driver, Kevin Odeny. From the moment we met Janette at our hotel to finalize our payments and arrange the pickup time for the following morning, we were excited for the adventure ahead. The anticipation only heightened when Kevin arrived the next day, ready to guide us through Kenya's breathtaking landscapes and wildlife.
Our journey began with a drive overlooking and then driving through the stunning Rift Valley. Although the hot chocolate at the break stop was a bit overpriced, the views were worth every penny. Entering Hells Gate National Park within the Rift Valley which, stretches from Mozambique to the Red Sea is a distance of 9600 km, a residue of past volcanic eruptions offered us our first glimpses of Kenya’s wildlife, including baboons, various bird species, giraffes, and hyenas. Kevin expertly maneuvered the vehicle, ensuring we had the best vantage points for photography while sharing his extensive knowledge about the area. We also visited Hells Gate Gorge, with a guide who grew up there as a child and still lives in the area. Navigating the gorge can be tricky at times. Just be careful looking where you are placing your feet, can be slippery at times. The gorge itself is very beautiful with colorful volcanic rock, hot water close to 100degree, and cold water close by. Our gorge guide said as child this where he and other children would fetch hot water pouring from the rocks to make tea which was quicker than making a fire to boil water.
The day's drive took us to Lake Naivasha, where we embarked on a boat ride that was another highlight of our trip for that day. The lake was teeming with life—hippos emerged from the water, a multitude of bird species flitted about, and monkeys even joined us on the boat, adding a delightful touch to our experience. The hotel we stayed at that night offered a fantastic buffet with a variety of local dishes, further enhancing our immersion into the Kenyan experience.
The next leg of our safari was a journey to the Masai Mara, a drive that, while long, and dusty, was full of anticipation and excitement. Kevin provided a thorough briefing on what to expect until we reached the Masai Mara National Reserve. This vast expanse of 1,500 square kilometers is mostly open for game drives, with only 1,000 square kilometers accessible to tourists. The remaining 500 square kilometers are leased for private game drives, adding to the exclusivity of the experience.
At the Masai Mara, we witnessed the awe-inspiring Great Migration of wildebeests, stretching as far as the eye could see. Our safari also included sightings of warthogs, leopards, cheetahs, lions (both male and
female), hyenas, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and a myriad of bird species. Cheetahs we understand is very hard to find, however Kevin seems to know where to find these animals. Kevin’s deep understanding of the park’s layout and his driving skills were crucial to these encounters. Taking us right on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. The terrain was bumpy and dusty, but Kevin's expertise ensured a smooth ride whenever possible choosing optimal positioning for photos.
Kevin’s ability to navigate the competitive environment of safari vehicles was impressive. During encounters with elusive animals like leopards, cheetahs, and lions, Kevin consistently secured the best spots for us to capture incredible photographs. He deftly maneuvered through a sea of vehicles, showcasing a level of skill and familiarity that set him apart. His ability to work the angles and timing allowed us to get up close and personal with the wildlife, far surpassing what many other drivers I observed could offer. Our day ended with us visiting the Masai Mara Community. Meeting with this group of people listening to their folklore, cultural way of life, and taking part in their communal festivities only enriched our experience to another level.
Our adventure continued at Lake Nakuru, another remarkable destination on our itinerary. Here, Kevin’s expertise shone once again. Although all vehicles were required to keep a distance from the rhinos, Kevin skillfully took us closer than most other guides, bringing us within 150 meters of these magnificent creatures. His knack for getting us closer to the action, while still adhering to park regulations, was nothing short of impressive. As other vehicles gathered around us to get a similar view, Kevin’s approach ensured we had a unique and memorable experience.
What truly set Kevin apart was not just his driving skill but also his deep knowledge of the parks and the wildlife. He was always ready to answer questions, offer historical insights, and share fascinating facts about the flora and fauna. As I listened in on conversation after conversation I hear about his reputation among other safari drivers, hotel staff, game wardens, and fellow guides was a testament to his professionalism and respect in the field.
In summary, our safari experience was enhanced immensely by Kevin's exceptional guiding. His blend of skill, knowledge, and passion made our trip unforgettable. From navigating the rugged terrains to securing the best photographic opportunities, Kevin’s expertise was invaluable. We saw and learned more than we had hoped for, all thanks to his outstanding guidance. There is so much more to write, however time and space will not allow. This safari has been a dream come true, and Kevin has set a high standard for future adventures. We will cherish these memories and hope to embark on another safari soon, ideally with Kevin at the helm.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Joshua the BEST
We are delighted with this small company. The service has been excellent. From the very beginning, I noticed the friendliness and good vibe of all their employees. I’d like to especially mention Joshua, who was very attentive to us both upon arrival and departure. We traveled as just two people, and they joined us with a very good group and a guide we will never forget. We leave with our hearts full of joy and experiences. Thank you so much for everything. P.S.: A little sign at the airport pickup wouldn’t hurt 😅 haha
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professionnal and smart
Everything was excellent. It Was a great expérience
BE
Africa Bush Explorers nailed it
I booked three solo excursions over seven days with Africa Bush Explorers, initially planning just one but quickly adding two more after being thoroughly impressed.
The team nailed my preferences from the start, whether booked via Airbnb or directly. Their responsiveness was a standout—rare for the region.
Guides arrived promptly and struck the right balance between attentiveness and giving me an authentic, laid-back and native experience. Not overdoing it is essential.
David and Samuel were excellent—skilled drivers, knowledgeable, and flexible with the itinerary, often going out of their way to show me hidden gems.
Highly recommended for both solo travelers and groups.
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An unforgettable experience
From the beginning, Goba Tours was a reliable partner who advised us extensively - and due to his in-depth knowledge - excellently. We were able to leave all hotel bookings to him and it worked perfectly. The transfers to and from the airport, to the Selouspark and to our hotel on the beach also worked perfectly.
In 2026, I will completely leave the Tanzania tour, which is tailored to my wishes, to Martin Mgoba. And I already know that everything will work out well. Thank you very much for the wonderful vacation days!
CN
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
embrace the nature and live wild
I feel extremely honored to be guaranteed the chance to set off into the heart of African grassland.The past week felt like a blur of wild and colorful memories, which left a deep impression on me. In the grassland there will be no distance, you can emerge yourself into beauty, because there is just you and the wildlife. Lions sleeping, leopards hunting, giraffes eating…….to me, these scenes will always be a symbol of Africa.
My guide Henry is highly experienced. Kenya seems to be totally remembered in his mind.
If you want to go to Africa,I totally recommend him as your guide.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The perfect host
Recommend for anyone planing on experiencing Namibia. Fanuel was a good travel companion and Emilia booked us the best hotels.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Hakuna Matata Roadtrip Safari
This was our first safari and our first time to Kenya.
I am an extremely exigent client as I have worked for a while in tourism and my husband and I (since we are young adult, we have travel a lot around the world).
Since the beginning, Fredrick (our Apodiform’s account) has tried to find the best combination to adapt our request to our budget.
The travel went smoothly and we really enjoyed Kenya.
However, I should divide my commentary, one for for the support on booking/organisation of the trip and another one the trip itself.
On the one hand, dealing with Apodiformes was not always easy, there were many issues regarding booking and organisation, this could be due to a lack of communication or to the fact they were not fully transparent.
Examples?
- our itinerary pdf reported a lot of mistakes and was not corrected even after having highlighted the discrepancies (wrong arrival time/departure day/activities).
- we had to chase them for pick up time from the airport (they did not reached proactively to give us all the information)
- they told us they could take care of our rigid suitcase when only soft ones were allowed onboard local airplane, but when we arrived at the airport they drop us off and we had to deal with the problem ourselves (the driver has disappeared)
- We were supposed to travel by train from Tsavo to Watamu, but the afternoon before we were informed that plans were changed (they did not book the tickets in advance so the day before the 1st class tickets were sold out! While our trip was prebooked in December)
- They did not include our luggages for another Jambojet Flight so when we arrived at the check in desk they asked us to pay (luckily at the end Frederick sort it out with a live online Payment).
Hence, the tour has been done successfully with very competitive budget (1 full week of safari around Kenya), however we kindly suggest to improve communication/organisation set up to prevent unpleasant situation for the guests.
In addition, I would suggest to share with guests a small guide of extra activities they can do during safaris such as bush breakfast/Bush sunset or dinner or even night safaris. We were interested in that but when we discovered these kind of activities it was too late!!!
On the other hand, our safari guide Sebastian made sure our safari was unbelievable, he was always concerned that we were enjoying every day.
In each game, he tried to catch the information around to get the animals close enough. He was always asking if we were taking good pictures/spots.
Thanks to him, our trip was great!
To sum up, they are really good to adapt to your request and limited budget however they should pay more attention to details and to communication with guests.
