IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kind and attentive to our needs
My friend and I were so lucky we got to experience Safari with Memorable Vacation team. They were kind and attentive to our needs. Evance was always by our side to answer our concerns. The driver was also nice because he would give us explanation of what we were seeing. I totally recommend working with them
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
My partner and I booked a 7 day 6 night safari tour in Kenya with Explorer's Wild Adventures starting on the 3rd June and finishing on the 10th.
We were nervous because we'd never booked anything like this before and obviously it's a large amount of money to transfer to a foreign company. Communication could have been a bit more frequent, as we were anxious about being scammed, however we understand that the company was busy, possibly due to limited staffing, so took a bit longer to reply to our emails.
Once we were there however things got much better. Our driver, David, picked us up from our hotel and we were off to the races. Honestly we cannot fault David, he was very passionate, considerate, and make every effort to make sure we were comfortable and looked after.
Our first destination was Lake Nakuru. Our highlights included seeing both a black rhino and a family of white rhinos, a lioness hunting zebra, Rothschild' giraffes up close, and flamingos on the salt water lake.
Then our next two days were spent on the Masai Mara. We were lucky enough to see two cheetah brothers, and pride of lions eating a buffalo, and having a picnic under a tree inside the savannah. David was very much on it with his radio, communicating with other drivers, and getting us to the action. Just a word of warning, the chicken in the packed lunches here and at Amboseli (if with the AA Lodge) was VERY dry, obviously we had our expectations, but still, like DRY.
We then spent one day at Lake Navaisha, where we did a boat trip followed by a nature walk on the island. Our boat driver managed to lure an eagle up close by throwing a fish into the lake so we got to see it hunting. The island is a must-go in our opinion because you can see zebra, giraffe, wildebeast and water buck up close by foot, which is a very different experience to seeing them by car. They are used to people, I was literally within touching distance of a baby zebra.
Our last two days were spent in Amboseli, this is a smaller national park which is actually a good thing because it meant the concentration of animals felt a lot higher compared to the Masai Mara. We saw cheetah's stalking zebras here, but the main stars of the show were the large herds of elephants as they migrate between Mount Kilimanjaro and the swamps, and a very special hippo which comes out during the day and eats non stop, honestly we were within 1-2m of it and it did not care at all!
On the morning of the return journey we took an early morning walk. Again a very unique experience, being out on foot is a nice change to being stuck in the car all day. We got the see the sunrise and Mount Kilimanjaro without any clouds obscuring the peak. Our guide Julius showed us the different tracks of wild animal species and we manage to spot some baby giraffes, which we hadn't manage to see before, as apparently this area specifically was where mother's hide their calves. Just be careful to bring higher heeled boots if possible or just wear sandals without socks like our guide, as there are plants which spit out their seeds, which cling to socks etc, and they are quite thorny!
We finished with a meal of local chicken with chapati, fried vegetables and chicken soup, honestly our best meal of the week, and as per Kenyan customs we gave David a healthy tip for his services, very much well deserved. We got dropped off at our hotel in Nairobi and then he gave us an extra life to the local Galleria to do some shopping.
Overall I highly recommend this trip and experience, and if he's available ask for David. June is some ways is better than July in my opinion as it's not as hot, as there is far less competition for the action (5-15 cars compared to 30+ cars I've been told?). Obviously though the great migration is a special spectacle which only starts late June early July.
US
Booking with Tanzania Voyages was the best decision everM
We are two senior sisters ages 60 and 71. I had been to Kenya 35 years ago and this was my sister’s first trip to africa. We first learned of Tanzania Voyages and Raymond Sangawe ( our guide) when working with another tour agency. They use Raymond for all of their Tanzanian safaris. Raymond guides for many of the high end companies and is also starting his own business that caters to those who want to hire a private guide and vehicle. We decided to go directly with Raymond and it was the best decision ever! We cannot begin to express how much Raymond took care of us. He is extremely professional, an outstanding guide, and a lot of fun! When my sister got ill on the trip, he was so kind and patient. Due to his suggestions we didn’t miss out on ngorongoro crater, and she was able to meet with a dr. Right away. We didn’t miss a thing! We saw so much more than we could have ever dreamed of…three rhino sittings, the big five, a jaguar eating a kil in a tree, elephants trumpeting next to the Land Cruiser, lions galore…so any we lost count! A serval cat hunt, kill and eat a snake, and so much more. He even had is in the middle of the great migration…which we didn’t expect! Every time we thought things couldn’t get any better, they did. There were no daily restrictions on how far you could drive ( which is common with the bigger tour companies) so we were out most of the day each day. The trip went very smoothly and any minor hiccups we easily handled by Raymond. We were so glad to have booked with Tanzania Voyages. All the money stays in the local community, and Raymond also contributes part of each trip to support a local orphanage and charity that supports girls. Raymond offers a variety of tours at several price points. We saved money and got a more deluxe trip going direct with Tanzania Voyages. I cannot recommend Raymond .Sangawe and Tanzania Voyages highly enough.
Peter was an incredible guide! Very professional.
Had the most incredible time with Big Apes Africa! Peter is the most incredible guide, had a lot of fun on the road with him and of course visiting the most beautiful spots with him! Gorilla trekking was so well organised thanks to Peter as well as the Golden Monkeys and I was able to get a fantastic group for both trekking! Tour was so well organised and accommodation was fantastic! I am already looking at going again to do some of the other safaris which they do as loved every minute of this tour!
Thank you so much to Peter, and Big Apes Africa for the incredible service! I look forward to see you soon!
KZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dancing Zebra Safari is the BEST!!!!
I cannot rave enough about Jessica and her team and just how thorough and thoughtful they were throughout the safari planning process and while we were on safari. We returned two weeks ago from Tananzia and my wife and I had the experience of a lifetime - and we owe it all to Jessica, Dana, Edsen and the rest of the on-the-ground team in Tanzania. Honestly, we can't stop telling stories to our family, friends and co-workers - to the point where we are probably getting to be a bit annoying!! :) Also, this is the second time I've worked with Jessica - about 18 months ago she planned a solo trip for me to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas - which I also highly recommend!!
With this trip, we spent one night at Lion's Paw in Ngorongoro, five nights at Lemala Nanyukie Lodge and two nights at Baraza Resort and Spa in Zanzibar. There were two situations throughout the planning process where we had to make itinerary changes and Jessica and Dana were all over it - super responsive and supportive.
Each day started bright and early - on the road by 6am so we could appreciate the beauty of a Serengeti sunrise - and each day it was absolutely stunning!! Breakfast in the bush was just so cool and we were back to our camp by 1pm for an incredible lunch (7 hours in the bush each day goes by quickly!)....and regarding lunch, well every meal at Nanyukie was incredible! I'm a 'soup nerd' and all of them were just outstanding! The last night I asked to meet the chef because we were so impressed by him and his creations...he actually shared with me some of his soup recipes!! We also asked for local Tanzanian dishes on our last night and they made a feast for Edsen, my wife and me - it was all just wonderful...pilau, wali, ndizi-nyama, etc - all incredible!! The entire camp staff was so welcoming and warm...my wife commented that as much as she loved the safari experience and witnessing the incredible wildlife, what she loved the most were the people she met. They were all so thoughtful and caring -and they were also just fun to chat with...really great staff!!
Now onto Edsen - our driver, guide, caretaker and the man who can spot a cheetah in hiding in the tall grasses 40 yards away - he's amazing!! Not sure how someone can navigate the dirt roads of the Serengeti while keeping his head on a swivel so skillfully...we were in awe. Six days with Edsen went by very fast and we were sad to say goodbye to him - I've had a lot of private guides over years in a number of countries and some were really good, but none of them compare to Edsen. When you book with Dancing Zebra - if don't get the privilege of Edsen being your guide, then you will get Ian and I hear nothing but wonderful things about him too - we met him briefly at camp and he seems like an awesome guy.
The word I constantly use when people ask me about our safari is 'special'. It's so hard to put into words the experience of being in the vastness of the Serengeti and witness its beauty in some many forms and at the same time know you are in such great hands with all staff members and that you are truly cared for...this vacation will be hard for us top! And I'm quite certain we will take another safari in the future - and it will be with Jessica and Dancing Zebra!!! If there is a word to better describe just how much I highly recommend Dancing Zebra, then please insert here! :)
Thank you Jessica, Dana and Edsen, you all made an incredible lifetime experience so very special for Lindsey and me - and we are so grateful!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A safari company that makes a difference and makes your dreams come true.
Last corona year with the family of 5 people a long trip of 5 weeks through Tanzania. It was a great trip with a lot of highlights. The journey organized at JMT Africanheart.com was excellent. A Safari company to recommend, with 100% attention to the customers. This is where your dreams come true.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome trip
The safari trip was awesome! Chazz was a great guide, always willing to explain interesting information and driving us to the best spots to see the big 5. We highly recommend him! Best price, best hotels, food and best guide!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I really enjoyed it. I recommend.
An unforgettable journey. I recommend. I'm speechless
(automatic translation from Italian)
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Interesting
We had a very interesting and fun trip in Serengeti last year. Would absolutely love to visit again, and I hope I will. Charles was a guide with a lot of knowledge, and we learned a lot!