US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!!
We had a great experience with this operator, they were very professional, knowledge, and we got to see a lot with them during our trip. The place where we stayed was very welcoming and comfortable. The food that was served was also great. If one day we returned to Africa we would definitely use there services once again.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Helpful, efficient, professional and knowledgeable - made for a stress free trip
We were fortunate enough to use Susan at Pembury Tours for our holiday in South Africa last month. We went to Cape Town, Arathusa Lodge at Sabi Sand Reserve and Victoria Falls - the accommodation recommended was all ideal and just the style we wanted. All the travel arrangements with guides and transfers worked perfectly, making the trip very stress free and helping to make this a great holiday. Could not give a higher recommendation - thank you Susan you did a great job.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience
From my first contact with Stacy, I was impressed by the personal interest and willingness to organize a safari that met our needs. The 6 day safari was unforgettable. Excellent accommodations - the tented camp being a highlight. The people in Tanzania were wonderful. Moodie was an excellent tour guide. Good luck ensured amazing animal viewing but Moodie also knew exactly where to take us. I know there are many safari outfitters but I would highly recommend Shadows of Africa - we became very excited about "our" land cruiser and guide when we saw others - we were the most fortunate.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal Safari with KETS
We became acquainted with Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris (KETS) 1 ½ years ago when we began looking for a 1 day safari in Kenya. Originally, we were only going to spend 1 day in Kenya before flying to Rwanda to trek after the mountain gorillas.
As we researched KETS 1 day safaris, we became captivated with them. They offered a variety of 1 day safaris, their price was unbelievably great, and they had phenomenal reviews on TripAdvisor. Also, we would be the only people on their 1 day safaris with our own private driver/guide. It soon became apparent to us, that we wanted to spend more than 1 day on the traditional safari offered by KETS. We wanted to see so much more since we were flying all the way to Kenya from Chicago. We wanted to have the best possible chance to see the Big 5, and to see the Great Migration of the wildebeast, and their river crossing. So, we emailed Paul, the tour consultant of KETS, and asked his advice. Paul answered all of our emails within 24 hours, and was very helpful in helping us customize an itinerary.
Paul recommended visiting Kenya in September. This would give us the best chance of observing the Big 5 and the migration. He also recommended visiting Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara. Paul must be a phenomenal prognostigator!!! We followed his recommendations and were able to see the Big 5 and the wildebeasts crossing the Mara River during their migration.
We were awed, astounded, amazed, and just overwhelmed with the beauty and wildness of Amboseli, Masai Mara, and Lake Nakura. Our accomodations were spacious and restful, with satisfying meals, mostly served buffet style. Dishes included familiar foods as well as a few native dishes. All these appetizing dishes were offered in delicious large quantities.
Due to the expertise planning of Kenya Expresso Tours and Safaris, we experienced the unparalleled wilderness of this fascinating country and had the privilege of being escorted by Philip, a very able driver and knowledgeable guide. My husband and I were the only visitors in the roomy Toyota Land Cruiser, and we found Philip to be a reliable driver and a bold, intelligent guide who often surprised us with unexpected sightings. He found the big 5 for us to observe and photograph during the first 26 hours of our visit, including both the black and white rhinos! Philip would position the vehicle as close as possible to the animals so that we had the best possible views and locations for our photos. He took us to an excellent vantage point overlooking the Mara River to watch the wildebeasts cross. After one hour of waiting unsuccessfully for the wildebeasts to cross, we left to explore other areas. Shortly, we came across a pride of lions, and stopped to observe and photograph them. After several minutes, the male started to court one of the females, and then started to mate with her right in front of us!! While watching the lions mate, Philip heard on his radio that the wildebeasts started to cross the river. So, he told us to buckle-up, turned the Land Cruiser around, and put the pedal to the metal. He got us to the river safely in time to watch the wildebeasts!!! All of our wishes for our Kenya safari had come to fruition. Unbelievable!!! We could not have wished for a better experience than the one we had with KETS, Paul, and Philip.
Paul was assisted us when the airlines lost our luggage, and he was instrumental in tracking down our bags when we had no luck in finding them.
So, book a wonderful never-to-be-forgotten journey with Kenya Express Tours and Safaris. You will find that for the money spent, this trip will be a significant value. Paul and Philip will be waiting for you.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Mikumi Wildlife Park/ Reserve and Camp- 2 nights/ 3 days
We cannot recommend Gecko Adventures enough. Especially Rama (organizer) and Saiid (Safari guide/ driver).
From the first initial email contact to the day after the safari, everything was arranged perfectly, without any delays or hick us. We were on our honeymoon and had such a great time with Saiid on our private safari.
We were picked up in Dar at our hotel at the promised time. Rama even called out from the office to say hello and to introduce us to our guide/ driver.
The car was great, a proper and clean safari jeep and we really enjoyed the 4 hours drive from Dar to Mikumi. Our guide Saiid was very welcoming and chatty and so knowledgeable. We would definitely recommend a private safari and the drive to Mikumi (as opposed to a fly in safari) as we saw so much of the Tanzanian countryside and its people. Amazing!!!
Once we arrived at Mikumi we settled in to our amazing safari hut/ house, then had lunch and went on our first safari/ game drive in the afternoon. We didn't have to drive far and saw elephants, zebras, giraffes etc, etc. The best thing about Mikumi Wildlife camp is its watering whole, which is so close to the veranda, so we could just have sat there all day watching the animals that come and go to drink etc.
Services was amazing, food was great, too.
The daily game drives were tailored to our requirements, as long or short as we wanted- this is the advantage of a private safari. We saw all the animal we came to see, even saw a lion and lioness mating...
Saiid arranged for a honeymoon surprise with the manager of Mikumi Wildlife camp. We had a bush dinner and the Masai came over to our table for a 'wedding dance and song'... amazing and what a surprise... the bottle of champagne was appreciated, too. The sky in the distance was lit up by lightening...how romantic and unforgettable...
Overall we had a great experience. On the way back to Dar Saiid stopped at a couple of markets for us as we had asked him and negotiated prices of fruit/ veg etc for us.
Definitely use Gecko!!! They can tailor any aspect and have unbeatable prices, too.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The staff are very friendly and price is reasonable
We will use them again next year for our KILIMANJARO Expedition and Safari
US
Good job Daigle!
Our guide and driver were both very nice and competent. It was so nice to have a private tour rather than a big bus tour. Our guide was especially helpful in helping us bargain for our craft purchases--we would have been lost without him.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thanks, KETS, For An Incomparable Adventure
It was 5 am when we heard a gentle knock on the door of our Nairobi bungalow. It was Lucky, our safari driver/guide with KETS (Kenya Expresso Tours and Safari), and our 11-day, epic adventure was about to begin.
It was a 5-hour drive from Nairobi to Voi, the entrance to our first park: Tsavo East. At the entrance gate, Lucky lifted the pop-top and we assumed the standing position in the van, clutching our cameras, and having absolutely no idea what to expect. First impression of Tsavo: the desert-like terrain appeared too barren to support dense populations of wildlife. On the contrary, just 30-minutes later, a parade of 40-elephants trotted passed the van. Jaws dropped and eyes bugged as we entered a world of wonderment that touched us like no other life experience.
Our guide, Lucky, was a perfect fit for our style of safari-ing. A perfect gentleman and professional with an easy laugh, he handled every detail of the trip so all we had to do for 11-days was to maintain our balance in the van as the best of wild Africa unfolded beyond our pop-top. Our safety and comfort were top priorities for Lucky, as was his commitment to fill each game drive with rarefied experiences. His laser-sharp vision perfectly complemented his psychic-powers and instinct in choosing the right road at the right moment to locate wildlife. At Masai Mara, he stopped the van and said, “Watch this.” We had a ring-side seat to observe 4 male lions surround buffaloes, which resulted in a tense stand-off. Suddenly, the buffaloes charged and the lions scattered like terrified kitties. Later on the same drive, he located a pair of mating lions.
We couldn’t have been more pleased with the lodges at Tsavo East/West, Amboseli, Naivasha, Lake Nakuro, and Masai Mara. And the lodges’ buffet meals…vegetarians, prepare to eat the best, most varied meals of your life. Lucky used his charm and persuasion to get us the best rooms overlooking the waterholes. At Naivasha’s Sopa Lodge, who needs a waterhole when hippos are grazing in the garden right outside your room?
We decided go with KETS based on internet postings as well as the competitive price. But even with all the glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, there always remains the nagging possibility that high expectations may collide with disarming realities. But our expectations were met and then blown off the charts with each park we toured. Paul, the owner, knows what customers want and is eager to oblige. The money exchange was effortless. I sent a $1,000 deposit via Western Union, and paid the balance (also via Western Union) the evening before our safari began.
This may sound nuts, but 4-days after we returned home and still wobbly from travel, we tallied our British Air miles and bought 2 tickets San Francisco-Nairobi for next August. The expression “we’re hooked” applies here.
Thanks, Lucky and KETS, for countless, priceless memories.
Our Tsavo East experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxGOLZgIYx0
Our Tsavo East experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTcYTpqtu8w
A word about our stay in Nairobi: we wanted a rural place to stay away from the bustle of the big city that was also within walking distance of Dame Daphne’s elephant orphanage (we had adopted an orphan, Mbegu, and wanted to visit as often as possible.) We also wanted a place that bordered Nairobi National Park, so we could continue our safari independently on foot. Our criteria for the ideal rental did indeed exist: Nyati Hills Cottages on Masai Lodge Rd. Who knew we’d see more rhinos looking out the kitchen window than we would see on an 11-day safari? We loved the proximity to wildlife, from the hyraxes at Rolf’s Place to the baboons in our backyard. And we thoroughly enjoyed the trek to visit the elephant orphans. Nyati Hills was THE place to stay both before and after touring the national parks.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This was our first holiday with Native Escapes and we would recommend them. There was very prop
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The scenery in different parts of Namibia is very dramatic and beautiful, especially Sossusvlei and Damaraland. The lodges are well situated with no fences round the camps so you can just watch the wildlife from your room. We saw a male lion at the water hole just 20 yards away from our porch and while in a night hide saw two rhinos fighting and they were only about 5 yards away. It was also very special going out for the sundowners with our guide singing and playing the guitar while the sun went down - we have come back with some lovely memories
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that the days are very long (the longest was from 5.30am, spent all day at Etosha National Park, had dinner, went to a night hide and got back to the lodge at midnight). There is a lot of travelling on very uneven, rocky roads. The weather was extremely hot and the vehicle not air-conditioned, which made all the travelling very tiring. I dont think this holiday would be suitable for anyone over about 70 years old
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All the lodges used employed local people and were all trying hard to reduce environmental impacts. All the people concerned supported conservation
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a brilliant holiday. The guide was great, very knowledgable, very professional and his enthusiasm and love for his country shone through everything he did. He made our time in Namibia very special. All the lodges used were comfortable and clean and the food great and the people there friendly and helpful.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime!!!
My son and I booked a Safari holiday with Big Time Holidays. It was the best experience of our lives! The company's tour manager, Alan, was very helpful in designing our safari to meet our personal needs and interests. He was always extremely prompt in replying to my emails and kept me well-informed of our itinerary as we tweaked it to meet our needs.
Our safari guide, George Odingo, proved to be outstanding. Besides being friendly and accommodating, he was extremely knowledgeable about the animals, birds and flora that we saw. He made our safari an enjoyable as well as great educational experience .
I would not hesitate to recommend BigTime Holidays to anyone for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience in Kenya!