Unforgettable honeymoon
Let me start by saying that I work in tourism and as a result I have very high expectations. From the moment I sent out my first email to 10 different tour companies, It Started in Africa exceeded my expectations! First off they were the only company to offer several different levels of accommodations according to our proposed budget. All the others offered 1 solution, and several went over the budget I had initially proposed. Joao responds to emails at lightening speed, and his patience and care in answering all of my questions was truly impressive! We couldn't be happier with our decision to tour with this company.
Our 6 day safari + Zanzibar retreat was awesome, in the truest sense of the word. We saw more animals than we ever imagined! Jackson is a great guide; you can tell he's been in the business for years because not only did he spot EVERYTHING long before other guides, but also he was the first to lend a hand when another group had a flat tire, and when yet another got stuck in the mud. Also, I love photography and really appreciated how flexible he was with getting the car in just the right viewing spot without disturbing the animals. We couldn't have been luckier with the weather too--in spite of it being the "rainy season", we had a total of 30 minutes of rain on our first day in Tarangire and never saw another drop. High grass does not inhibit game viewing in the least, and with so few cars on the road, you feel like you have parks all to yourselves. Never will I sign up for a safari in high season!!
As for lodgings, Maramboi and Ang'ata were the best! We're so happy we tried out different types of accommodations--each is so unique. Maramboi was a treat because they offered a free walking safari at sunrise. For the Serengeti we treated ourselves to the Ang'ata mobile camp and had the entire place to ourselves (well almost to ourselves; we did have to share with the hippos, hyenas, and lions we heard roaming thru camp at night!).
What else can I say? From Joao's first email, to Baraja's quick responses when we had issues with our Zanzibar flight, to Jackson's superb driving and insight, to Silvia's attention to customer care before and after our safari--we always felt like we were in great hands. You guys are the best!
ASANTE SANA It Started in Africa!!!
The most memorable trip we have ever taken.
For several years we had considered going to Africa but ultimately selected a river cruise or a trip to some historic place. This year was a significant birthday for my wife so we wanted something special. Some friends who had returned from Africa encouraged us again in that direction. Now that we have been there, we just wish that we had done it earlier. The trip to Africa with its uniqueness, beautiful scenery, and wonderful people made this the best trip we have ever taken. We had superb service, magnificent living quarters, and the highest quality meals. When you add to this the joy of seeing all the animals of Africa in their natural state, shown to you by the most accommodation guides, the result is that you come home better than when you left. If we had seen only the Serengeti and the people of Africa, the trip would have been everything it was advertised to be. Go there!
ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Basic safari billed as luxury, disappointing
Ryan is knowledgable and enthusiastic but customer service is not his strong point, it felt almost like we were following him around on his safari. Despite being billed as a luxury safari the food and accomodation were basic at best. For some reason he asked us in advance for our preferences for food, wines and spirits but then completely ignored what we had asked for. He only supplied one bottle of cheap wine which he shared with us so I ended up buying him more drinks than he provided. I would happily have paid more for the luxury touches I had specifically asked him for but he seemed not to have read my emails - he initially turned up at the wrong airport terminal.
FR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Still can't comprehend what we saw
The African bush blew us away. Marc was our guide, a man with a wealth of information, patience beyond his years of experience and, well, just WOW.
Elephant Herd Tours and Safaris stated that they only use dedicated professional guides. You forgot to mention Passionate.
Thanks guys, you made our journey so enjoyable.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The entire experience was great: from brainstorming, to planning, to troubleshooting, to enjoying!
What I think is important to point out is not only that the experience was a great vacation, but working with Africa Welcome Safaris was what made it so great. Having never been on a safari before (nor visited the continent), Africa Welcome Safaris' made it easy and approachable to plan and enjoy: from finding a great place within my budget, to helping me prepare for the experience (and what to pack, what to expect), accommodating changes to my itinerary when needed and being there 24x7 when small travel hiccups occurred (e.g. airline flight changes or delays). I felt like Africa Welcome treated me and my trip as a top priority for their staff. I want to particularly commend Kathi Simon for making this on of my best vacations ever.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Short but fun
On February 2015, we had visited Kenya for a voluntary project .It was a demanding project and it drained us. Due to that we decided to do a trip so relax our minds. We searched for a company that was giving a short tour to MasaiMara.Luckily we found KWSS and we requested for aa quote.He gave the best rates and also was flexible in dates.The driver guide was nice and also the cook.Hw really took care of our stomachs!The park was nice but would have wished to visit when migration begins.I trust I will go back to Kenya to explore the wonder.
Wild wild wild
Fantastic wild life experience with very close animal encounters. Was a truly life changing African experience sleeping under the stars.
Guides were amazing , very very friendliness and taking great care of each one also our safety was their nr 1 concern.
Absolutely amazing.
Great tour operator, a real pleasure
I went with my son to Kilimanjaro on a trip organized by Jungle Explorers. It was my second trip to Mt.Kibo, before I went with an international mountaineering organisation for nearly twice the price, but not the same quality. I can only recommend Jungle Explorers, we had a custom trip for a party of four. Very good guides, good equipment, good food and a great & squeaky clean toilet every day, which is a great thing to have. I have been on many safari trips before, but I would only book with Jungle Explorers now.
NO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesomeness in totality!
It was a really great experience for my wife and me. We were in Tanzania for the first time visiting family, but decided to take some days for a Safari in Serengeti,Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. Well planned safari with rising levels of expectations...we did not miss out on any animal :) Every day was a surprise. Accommodations were fit and fine, and especially the food served was delicious- mix between local and international cuisine. What we perhaps enjoyed the most was the company of the tour co-ordinator and the driver! The driver was an expert- he did not miss out spotting any animal from far away without using binoculars (sometimes, I could not see some of them with the binoculars until they came closer, but he saw them and guessed them from their movements and other characteristics!).
Overall, I would highly recommend tourists to embark on this lovely safari trip and enjoy the beauties of Nature!!!
DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE. They ripped me off TERRIBLY.
I previously wrote a review on this company for January 2015. IGNORE IT. please make your booking elsewhere. Unfortunately I discovered too late that these people ripped me off. They stole money from me which I could then not spend helping children from the poorest regions in Kenya. When they were caught out recently, they just denied everything and disappeared. I came to Kenya to set up my charity for abused children, which these people knew. They charged me what I now know to be extremely overpriced amounts for multiple driving services. Despite my best intentions for the poor children in Kenya, these people from this company still had the audacity to rip me off and steal from me. The amount they took from me has greatly deprived the little kids in my charity whose lives I am trying to save. I am ashamed that I trusted these people.