NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
6 days Kenya safari and 4 days Tanzania group joining safari
First of all we would like to thank Paul Kariuki, manager of Simpa Paka Safaris agency, for amazing organizing of our Safari. Even when things weren’t going smoothly he always had will to help and showed availability in all situations.
My partner and I decided to do our Safari in Kenia and Tanzania, and since our experience with it was practically none, we started looking on the internet and we came across with Simba Paka Safaris. I contacted, first time, Paul by email in order to find the suitable safari within our demanding (duration, locations and budget).
After a few emails we decided to take a 6 days Kenya safari and 4 days Tanzania group joining safari and in order to book it we needed to send 20% of the total amount. Here was a trick one. After trying to make an unsuccessful bank transfer between Europe and Kenyan banks, we came with the idea of sending the money by Western Union agencies (to be honest, we were a bit afraid of a fraud).
Anyways, that was the only option we had, since we lost a lot of time with failed transfers and receiving the money back, so after a bit more of searching for Simba Paka Safaris name as an organization and veracity, we crossed our fingers and sent the money through Western Union directly to Paul Kariuki (manager of the Simpa Paka Safaris agency). After 2 days we received the invoice that safari was booked. Perfect.
Paul was always really friendly, e.g. asking if we already have stay before and after safari, pick up from the airport, etc. Since we already have booked the first night in Manyatta Backpackers by ourselves (btw I don’t recommend this hostel at all, big mistake. Believe me, if you don’t have any experience in Africa staying, it’s much better to have someone known (e.g. Paul Kariuki) booking the hotels/hostels, at least on the first days, for you.), we decided to agree with Paul to pick us up form Nairobi Airport until there. It felt nice to have someone waiting for you in such different place.
So the real safari started and we joined a group of 4 people, we were 6 people in a Toyota van driven by Laurence the driver and guide. So we stayed with the same group in Masai Mara on the game drive and in a really nice camp near to the natural preserve park, followed by Lake Nakuro where we were only 3 persons, and finishing Kenya safari in Naivasha, where we were only the two of us.
Finishing the Kenya part, we headed to Tanzania. Where we joined more 2 couples to do Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, followed by Lake Manyara, where again it was only the two of us, with a 4X4.
We noticed that management of tourists in Tanzania differe from ones in Kenya. We had some personal issues with the manager in Tanzania side, but to make things clear this had nothing to do with Simba Paka Safaris. As I understood, Tanzania Safari was requested by Simba Paka but handled by a different company, related to Arusha Center Inn Tourist, which is led by rather disrespectful director in a lot of ways.
I don’t want to be so detailed with this because is part of the personal experience, being in some place completely different, you will encounter many things that you might consider problems if you are not used to, but it’s all part of the package.
All I want to say is that Simba Paka Safaris did a really great job organizing this Kenya/Tanzania Safari for us, it was really good conditions on logistics and supplies, organizing groups and places visiting. We were also able to do some special enjoyable activities, e.g. bicycling game drive, ranger game walks.
In resume, if you are looking for really nice safaris, no matter how many are you, how much budget you have and which places you want to visit, I totally recommend Simba Paka Safaris, Paul Kariuki will be there to help you with your demands and even if you don’t know where you are heading to, you will not regret it.
BH
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience!!
To begin with, We had no real expectation when we'd decide holiday to Africa; so it was one of those trips we prepared ourselves not to be surprised if it turned out to be an Average holiday! Well we were pleasantly Surprised to say the least - Kenya is Beautiful, Clean and the most Friendliest and Polite people on the planet.
To top it all, we gave the entire Safari tour of 7 days to "Right Choice Tours and Safaris " and must say they stayed true to the word and the Brand Name - Certainly was the "Right Choice" .. We had a fantastic and importantly a Safe Trip!! The family was amazed by the professionalism offered by this Tour Group and the Tour Guide and Driver Jacob was a true gentleman who was well read.. Right Choice Tours and Safaris is a Family tour guide .. Wonderful People.. Mr. George Oketch Director of the Tour Company was an experienced professional and man of his word! We had such an amazing experience that we would like to return to Kenya.. We've traveled across the Globe but Must say Kenya does holds a special place. We truely recommend if you're thinking Safari and a Holiday in Kenya - then think Right Choice Tours and Safaris..
We would like to take this opportunity to wish Right Choice Tours and Safaris the very best and keep up the good work!
From a satisfied Customer
The Concesso and Family...
LU
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience, very good support from Blue Crane, excellent guide .. Now a friend, Raymond
A fantastic adventure in Namibia! 18 days and more than 4000 km on the road, well organised by Blue Crane and his excellent guide Raymond.. Now a special friend! Accommodations were all good/excellent, most of them in stunning locations. Meals always in good restaurants. Interesting activities and unforgettable safaris, the desert and the coast, the canyon and the sunsets/sunrises... Everything in our heart forever.
Thanks Derek and especially our Raymond for all of that!!
I hope it is the first of many other tours together!
Betty
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever!
Thank you again for such an amazing adventure. We booked a 9 day safari tour from Arusha to the central and northern Serengeti ending in Ngorongoro crater. We really appreciated your assistance with organising our trip, catering to our specific needs and of course locating my bag. Hilary was the perfect tour guide for us. He was very knowledgeable about the geography, animals, especially the birds, flora and the history of the land and country. Part or our trip was to see the migration and Hilary absolutely delivered by showing us 2 crossings. He was very professional and courteous, easy to travel with and we won't forget his humour. We could not have had a better guide and will absolutely be recommending Hilary to others for a Safari tour. We really enjoyed the ruggedness of camping and the luxury tent stay. It gave us an opportunity to see all this tour had to offer. We both also like the fact that this was a small local company and enjoyed our private group.
This trip definitely met and exceeded our expectations.
NO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unforgettable
The way Matoke handled the organization of our trip was very professional and they showed a flexibility that shows a true customer focus.
Our guide/driver Dunn was exeptional. He educated us about the history of the country, the wildlife and current developments. He made us feel completely safe and realized all of the small additional wishes.
I'd travell with Matoke again!
Eva
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Back with lifetime memories, Thanks to Landside Adventures
Our trip to Tanzania was one of the best we've ever had thanks to Landside Adventures. We travelled as 2 families, 4 adults and 4 children, and shared 2 jeeps throughout our trip through Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongroro. Our guides, Maxon and Brian, were outstanding. Both of them were always trying to make our experience better, and were very enthusiastic, caring and knowledgeable. They never failed to answer our many questions about Tanzania and its wildlife. The jeeps were of top quality as well. They were well maintained, clean, and had many features such as wifi and air conditioning which enhanced the trip. The itenary that was planned for us was also great. It made the most of our seven day, six night trip. We never felt rushed through the safari yet we still managed to see a lot of the three national parks, and many animals in them too. They made us see even more animals as they were able to spot them from far away. Because of them, we were able to see rare animals, like rhinos and caracals. Overall, our holiday in Tanzania was magnificent thanks to Landside Adventures, and we will definitely recommend it to family and friends,
IN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An absolutely horrible experience.
Hi, I had booked a tour with them in 2014 for a 26 day tour to Botswana. I had paid a sum of $30,700 to them. Unfortunately, I had visa issues and due to that the agent said he will adjust it next year and also the fact that he will apply the visa from his end. Next year, we waited and waited as we had sent all documents to him, but the visa never came in 2015 also. When I went to the embassy again in 2016 as so much of my life savings was stuck, I was shocked to know that he had never applied for my visa to begin with. I was informed by the immigration officer that he has clearly cheated me. I wrote a safari review and due to their intervention, he decided to adjust my holiday again next year. Finally my visa came in July 2016 and Calvin Machekano of Love Africa Safaris said that due to non availability of lodges, he will have to book new lodges and took an additional $8615 from us. We really didnt have a choice as $30700 was already given to him earlier which now brought the total amount to approx $40,000.
I am a photographer and had requested a landcruiser for myself. Anyway after arriving there, much to our shock, a 30 year old broken vehicle with no floor and holes and a ten inch platform to sit on and totally open from all sides was provided to us by his representative and guide, Steven Bond Mubi, which we were expected to do our surface transport to various parks (some of them 6-7 hours away) as well as safaris for the next 25 days. Upon concern, we were threatened by this guide that he will not go with us. But as a woman, to travel on highways in such a vehicle when we had paid for something else was unacceptable. Upon contacting Calvin of Love Africa Safaris he failed to do anything about it and insisted that we go in that vehicle with the same guide who was very temperamental and kept threatening us. We absolutely refused to go in such a vehicle with a guide, who according to local sources suffered from some mental problem and was thrown from South Africa four years back. He came with an accomplice called Prince the morning we were to leave for the KHWAI concession in this beaten down vehicle and both of them threatened us. We were clearly now scared for our lives as with two of these characters going on a highway was impossible. We contacted the agent who refused to take our calls anymore. The guide, Steven Bond Mubi thereby left us and our luggage on the roadside and left.
We were left with no reservation, no hotel and no transportation on the roadside in a strange country. After 6 and a half hours of waiting in the sun we finally got accommodation in Airport hotel, Maun, where we spent the next three days trying to book our return journey, shocked and disappointed. After having given this agent $40,000 we just didnt have any money to hire another agent to finish our holiday. While we waited for our tickets to be rescheduled, we met with the police, consumer affairs and Botswana embassy people, who on initial investigation found that not only had he cheated us but also pocketed our $30700 and the new amount of $8615 was all for fresh bookings. We had to let go of all ur money and the entire holiday. We had to spend an additional $1000 to change our tickets back home. We have lodged an official complaint and have a letter from the embassy of Botswana as evidence. All terms and condition, including safari vehicles pictures and what vehicle was given to us - I have all the evidence. A 400 page complaint has been sent to all concerned authorities. I just want to warn everyone that never to go with this agent or his guide. I have lost all my life savings and came back empty handed. Besides this $40,000 international tickets cost us an additional $5000 . We not only lost a lot of money but also the experience of a beautiful country. As pointed out by the police commissioner of Maun, Calvin Machekano of Love Africa Safaris along with his associates, Steven Bond Mubi & Prince did this deliberately and robbed us. We have filed an official complaint of fraud and cheating against them. Please note that we have all evidence and acceptance letter by the police and consumer affairs Botswana.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional safari planners
Choosing this agency as my travel company was the best decision I made for a vacation with my mother and my brother. I reached out to them via email. Shortly after contacting them I received the information of what my trip would entail and they advised me on the Masaai Mara trip since it was during the great migration at the destination during my conversation with Paul our agent he asked many questions, very interested in finding out about my family and what we would prefer to see and do, he truly took the time to get to know us so that he could help plan a memorable experience.
I couldn't have been happier with the itinerary that Paul presented to us. It made the trip real and incredibly exciting, during the trip the driver was so much helpful nothing phased him and he seemed completely happy to help and guide us on the wildlife and every aspect we encountered. It is terribly hard to pick out the good things of our trip because everything was so stress free and amazing. This company was a blessing to us and I would use them and recommend them everywhere and they will be forever in our hearts because of the hard work they did to ensure our time and travel was perfect. My friends and I are planning another safari at the end of the year in Amboseli and Serengeti Tanzania and we will definitely book with Simba Paka safaris.
CH
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Greate 12-days budget safari in Kenya and Tanzania
I booked a 12-days budget safari in Kenya and Tanzania with my girlfriend. The trip started and ended in Nairobi. Erick and his team was well taking care of us.
The driver picked us up at the Nairobi airport and drove us to the Decasa Hotel which Erick reserved for us. We met Erick there and discussed our trip in details.
The payment had to be done partly up fron in cash which as a bit difficult but we agreed to transfer the rest by bank.
The next day we met the rest of the group in the Nairobi city center and we started our trip to Masai Mara. The driver was our main contact person during the whole trip. If we needed something they have taken care of it. We slept in basic hotels or tented camps. In Tanzania we were sleeping 2 nights in a tent and a sleeping bag. Price quality is good.
The organisation was smooth and we enjoyed very much the trip. I would book again. Thank you Erick!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fulfilled our requests to the letter and even had great suggestions for better animal viewing venues
All the venues had great accommodation - dietary requirements were not past on to the venues and only one mix up with the room booking in four venues. Otherwise all safari sites exceeded our expectations with respect to viewing animals. Some very memorable camera moments that will last a lifetime including a coalition of male lions on a walking safari. Sleeping under the stars and the walking safari were definitely the highlights. We took the option to bus between one of the venues and it turned out to be the best decision ever with only cheetah sighting for the whole trip. Motswari and Rhino Walking Safari's were our choices and The Hide as a suggestion from Wild Africa Travel - a great place to get up 'really' close to animals.